Term 2 Week 3

This week we have celebrated Catholic Education Week as a whole system. One of my favourite tasks that I undertook was to ask students, staff and families what their favourite things about St Monica’s were. The answers ranged from the playground, their friends and the teachers. What I most loved hearing was how welcoming and inclusive our school was. So many of the respondents named that this was a school where everyone knows each other, and we all look out for each other. What a great thing to celebrate!

Last Friday, we held one of our key community celebrations to celebrate all our mums, grandmothers and other special ladies. It was wonderful to see so many special ladies at the breakfast and then be able to join us at the beautiful liturgy. Deacon Andrew was amazed at how many special guests there were. I hope each lady was able to take some time to relax and do something that was just for themselves. Our students are truly blessed to have you in their lives. I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful P and F who co-ordinated the Mother’s Day Stall so that each child was able to select a present for their special person. I hope you all had a lovely surprise when you opened your gift on Sunday (or maybe earlier?)

On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of attending Pulteney Grammar to watch one of our Year 6 debating teams compete. We were the negative speakers in a debate titled “Should we have self-service checkouts in our supermarkets?”. Our competitors were a confident team from Pembroke College. On this occasion we were not the victors, but I was so impressed by Abi, Ricky, Brielle and Alonso on their conduct, preparation and being courageous by giving it their best effort despite the nerves. A special thank you to Alice Healy who has coached the team as they prepared for the debate. In a few weeks, our other Year 6 debating team will step up for the next competition. Debating SA has featured our students on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/reel/972175074095227

This year all adults who work or volunteer with children, must undertake an updated Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN-EC). The completion date of this updated training is the 31 December 2024. In the coming weeks we will be sending you more information about what you need to do to complete this process. If you do not have a certificate of your updated training by the start of the 2025 school year, unfortunately you will not be able to volunteer at St Monica’s. For further information or any questions that you may have, please see Annette Reynolds in the front office. We are very grateful for the many volunteers who help us in so many ways.

I hope that week ahead provides you with some special times with your loved ones and enjoy this lovely autumn weather we are having. Winter will be soon upon us.

Emily Sayer

Ascension of the Lord

This week our whole school prayer focus has been on the Ascension of the Lord. The Ascension of Lord is when Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended into heaven. This event happened 40 days after Easter Sunday. It is a significant event in the Christian faith as it marks the end of Jesus’ physical presence on earth, and the beginning of His spiritual presence in heaven.

Jesus’ ascension sent the church on its mission to make disciples of all nations and teach everything that Jesus said. One of the great church leaders, Teresa of Avila, understood how Christians are called to be the body of Christ on earth when she said. ‘Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. You are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion looks on the world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.’

Pentecost

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, one of the most important Feast Days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus and 10 days after his ascension into heaven.

In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the person of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together.

A ‘strong, driving’ wind filled the room where they were gathered, and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so that they  could understand each other. The Holy Spirit also gave the apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission – to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. It fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ (Luke 24:46-49) that the Apostles would be ‘clothed with power’ before they would be sent out to spread the Gospel.

Sacraments Program 2023/2024

On Sunday 5 May after Children’s Liturgy, our Sacramental students attend their first Confirmation session. It was wonderful to see so many students and parents attend this session.

The students spent time with their families learning about the coming of the Holy Spirit and how they first celebrated the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives at their Baptism. They then learnt that at Confirmation, they will confirm their calling to be baptised members of the Church and to become involved in the mission of Jesus. The Holy Spirit enables us to live as disciples or followers of Jesus.

From the Holy Spirit we receive the gifts. We are called to live as Spirit – filled people when we see evidence of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the way we live our lives. St Paul said that other people would know Christians as ‘Spirit-filled’ people if they saw evidence of the fruits of the Spirit of God in them. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are – wisdom, understanding, counsel (right judgement), courage (fortitude), knowledge, reverence (piety), wonder and awe (fear of the Lord).

The student have been working on preparing for their Confirmation with their parents at home. They have chosen a sponsor that will support and guide them in their Christian life. Chosen a Saint whose name they will adopt at their Confirmation and looked at how they can be Spirit-filled people in their lives.

Students are looking forward to spending next Thursday together at the Sacraments Retreat Day which is being held at St Martin’s Catholic Primary School, Greenacres.

Upcoming Dates – St Monica’s Parish School

Thursday       23 May          9am               Sacrament Retreat Day, St Martin’s Catholic P/S

Friday            24 May          9am               Sorry Day Liturgy

Saturday       1 June           6pm               Children’s Liturgy – Invitation for Reconciliation

Sunday         2 June           9:30am          Children’s Liturgy – Invitation for Reconciliation

Students will have the opportuntity to make soup which will be donated to Adelaide Day Centre.  Cooking will begin week 4, Wednesday morning and will continue on a weekly occurrence throughout Term 2.   

Each item donated will go a long way in providing warm, nutritious and yummy soup for those in need during the cold months. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the importance of giving and community support. While we understand not everyone will have the ability to contribute donations, any small act of kindness will help create a ripple effect of goodwill and positive change.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." – Matthew 25:35

Thank you for your generosity!

Nikki Grosser

Chaplain

During the school holidays,  Alan  participated in the Anzac Day March in the city on Thursday 25 April.  He represented the Hillcrest Scout Group along with other Scouts, Venturers, Girl Guides and Leaders from different units in marching and assisting the RSL with holding signage and banners of the units that participated in the march.  His great grandmother gave permission for him to wear his great grandfather’s war medals.  His great grandfather served as a stretcher bearer in the Middle East and on the Kokoda Trail in the 2/6 Field Ambulance during World War II.  

Play Lacrosse!

The East Torrens Payneham Lacrosse Club are currently recruiting new players for their Under 8 and Under 11 teams.

Lacrosse is a fast, fun, outdoor team sport that combines high levels of action and movement, and in 2028 becomes an Olympic sport!

The East Torrens Payneham “Redwings” Lacrosse Club is a family oriented, volunteer-run club focusing on participation, enjoyment, friendship and development.

Our Under 8’s boys and girls team is coached by Karen Gill, and our Under 11’s Boys team is coached by Simon Gill, parents of Benjamin (Year 1) and Jack (Year 5); with some existing St Monica’s students already playing there will be plenty of familiar faces around.

We train at 5.30pm on Thursday nights (training not essential but recommended), and games are held at 8am on Saturday mornings at our clubrooms at Felixstow.

Equipment is supplied and playing fees are very affordable (Under 8’s is $110 and Under 11’s is $210 with Sports Vouchers accepted), and the season runs through Term 2 and 3 with a break for school holidays.

St Monica’s students are welcome to join us at training for a free “come and try” session any Thursday night.

For more information, call Simon Gill on 0413 898 203 or visit https://www.redwingslax.com/st-monicas-play-lacrosse/

The parent community has established a private group on Facebook that facilitates the trading of second-hand uniform items.

Please visit www.facebook.com/groups/stmonicasbuyswapsell and request to join the group if you are interested.

The page is ideal for selling items in good condition that your child has outgrown, or to sell items if your child is moving on. Simply post images and your contact details. Alternatively, you can join the group to take advantage of the pre-loved items that become available.

For those of you who are not on Facebook, please contact the P&F pandf.stmonicas@gmail.com and they will assist you with the sale of items.

Please note the sale of old-style uniform items is not allowed. St Monica's Parish School does not manage this page and takes no responsibility for any private sales.

We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land upon which St Monica’s learn, work and play.

May we walk gently on this land acknowledging the Kaurna people's deep spiritual connection with their country.

We pay our respects to Kaurna elders past and present and commit to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.