Term 4 Week 9

As mentioned in an earlier email we sadly say goodbye and thank you to some staff.  

Jade Ryan has been successful in winning a permanent position at Xavier Campus, Evanston next year. Jade has brought an energy and passion to her work in welcoming and educating our youngest cohort, the Term 4 Reception class. She was even courageous enough to teach the staff the dance medley for our community event last week.  

Donna Harrison who stepped in seamlessly when Maddalena Eden needed to take leave ensured that the engaging and exciting Italian program continued. We thank her for her commitment to our student’s education and their love of Italian. Donna will still be a part of our community as a mum to one of our students whilst also working at a Department for Education school. We welcome Maddalena back to our community in 2023. 

Maisie Henderson has been our much loved chaplain for the last 3 years. Every child knows and loves Maisie for her genuine care and connection that she has with them. Her offer of leading the Pokémon club at recess times on a Friday was very popular and appreciated. Maisie has been successful in winning a teaching position at Cabra College in 2023. 

Katie Pederick who has been working as a classroom ESO, with specialist support for our Term 3 Reception class will complete her time with us. It is not good bye to Katie as we will still have her in our community as a parent and member of the Parents and Friends group.  

The final farewell is for a quiet achiever. Our groundsperson, Joe has been with us for the last year and goes about making our school look tidy and neat, fixing and mending things quietly and helping all who ask. Joe will be increasing his hours at his ‘other’ school Rosary and sadly is unable to work across both sites. We are truly grateful for his positive attitude and the hard work that he undertaken at St Monica’s.  

To all these staff, we offer a heart felt thank you for not only your work in our community but for who you are. We are a blessed community to have had you as a part of our story.  

I would also like to say thank you and farewell to a number of students and families who leave us at the end of the year. We wish you all every blessing at your new school and hope that you leave us with many fond and special memories.  

Thank you to all those who were able to attend our End of Year Community Celebration last Friday night at Kildare. I know I left there with feelings of joy and pride in our students and the courage they displayed in performing to such a large but very supportive audience. We thank Kildare again for their support of our community in allowing us to use their facilities. Not sure how we can top the final item but we will give it our best shot in 2023. 

Reports are going home today and there is quite a bit of important information about 2023 included in the envelope especially about book collection day and making an appointment for our Meet the Teacher Day on Wednesday 25 January. Administration staff will be back onsite on Monday 23 January if you are requiring further information.  

Our front of playground redevelopment is going further along the process of planning and construction. We have had an arborist in to check the health of our mature trees and now we are getting the soil tested to ensure that we don’t need to address and issues that we can’t see due to the bark chips. Images of the concept plan for the play space will be printed these holidays and displayed in the library for your perusal. The Student Voice have been very much involved in the development of the design and we have enjoyed working with Dirt Works. They have listened carefully to the voice of the students and incorporated their suggestions into the end design including a ramp to enter this play and learning space for all community members.  

As this school year draws to a close, I want to thank all the students, staff, and families of St Monica’s for their wonderful sense of community and welcome to all who come here. I hope that each family has the opportunity to gather together to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and spend some very special time together.  

God’s blessings and peace during this blessed season and I look forward to reconnecting with you all in 2023.  

Emily Sayer