Principal message
ate her Dear community of St Monica’s,
Thank you to everyone who has responded to the call for volunteering at St Monica's.
We have parents who will be supporting our review and our School Advisory council.
SAC
Thank you to those who have signed up to join our School Advisory Council. The next part of the process is to email me at principal@smkangarooflat.catholic.edu.au outlining why you wish to be part of the Council. Further information about the role of the council can be found here.
School Review
The review is a wonderful opportunity to set up our new strategic direction and I invite parents to sign up for the parent session on Tuesday 23rd May at 2.45-3.15 so if you are available we would love to have you here.
https://signup.com/go/BgHVBbm https://signup.com/go/NeajeTh
https://signup.com/go/XiHbUUQ https://signup.com/go/yHyQHpH
Catholic Education week/enrolments open/school tours
If you are intending to enrol your child please complete the forms found on the school website. If you know of anyone wanting a place next year in prep please direct them to our school website. www.smkangarooflat.catholic.edu.au
School tours will be held Monday 15th May-Friday 19th May 9.15-11am
Community
Leish Giles one of our 1/2 teachers will co-present a presentation of her brother's life experiences with Autism on Thursday 25th May. Please see flier on the community page. Discounts apply for St Monica's families.
Oval update
A number of families have asked for an outline of the process taken so far in relation to our oval development.
In 2021 I met with the School Advisory Council to hear about past plans for the oval. There had been quite a long period including 3 principals between this discussion and the master plan drawn up for the oval development.
To manage the process we invited families to be involved in an oval management committee.
The committee met several times in 2022. The management committee took advice from the School Advisory Committee culminating in a whole school vote on elements that could be included in the plan. The SAC agreed that the two designs that were presented by Dave Williams should be presented to the community for voting. This was done at the Art Show in 2022 with the opportunity for those unable to attend to view the plans and vote in the staffroom.
The elements voted on would be placed within 4 metres of the new fence erected in 2021 maintaining the grass oval. It was decided that fake turf would be expensive and as we had a watering system on the oval this would support the sowing of new grass.
In 2022 Dave met with a number of contractors to source quotes for the job. The quotes provided were not suitable because the starting date was lengthy or the quotes were over quoted or contractors were not interested. This was a cause for a lot of frustration.
In Term1 2023 with this information I met with CES planning for support. They confirmed that getting contractors was difficult in this climate.
In the holidays I organised to meet with
https://imaginationplay.com.au/nature-play-equipment/
who I sourced online. At our meeting we measured the site, discussed all the elements that the community wanted to include as well as the need to maintain the oval space. They are formulating a plan and a quote for me which should be available in the coming weeks. Once this has been received I will share it with the school community.
The results of the community consultation were as follows:
The oval would remain in place with goal posts and cricket pitches.
The perimeter of the oval would be developed with play spaces that would meet the current needs of our students who currently dig and build and this would be enhanced by further elements such as voted on below.
Votes from Oval development plans
134 people (parents, students, staff) responded in 2022
Plan 1 Sharp edges- 31
Plan 2 Rounded edges 103
- H Mounded hill with steps 81
- P Sandpit with rock 78
- B combined Tunnel 72
- A Log balance beam 64
- K Balance logs 64
- L Tunnel with wall 52
- C Log totems 47
- N Mixed pathway 48
- I Retaining wall with seats 44
- J Dry creek bed 33
- G Timber stage and steppers 33
- D Interactive panels 32
- F Log teepee and seat 31
- M Log arbor 20
- E Interactive panels 11
Since writing this I have received the first drawing that includes our elements. There will be further discussion and a meeting of the oval management committee on Monday 22nd May at 6pm. Please email me if you would like to attend.
Staff news
My last day of the term before I leave for a study tour in Chicago is Thursday 1st June.
Over the three weeks in Chicago I will be attending classes on the following subjects.
Week 1. The Book of exodus
Week 2. Considering Jesus Anew: The Biblical Roots of the Cosmic Church
Week 3. Liturgical Formation, Spirituality, and Pope Francis
Please contact Max Lamb who will be stepping in during my absence if you need.
Congratulations to Alicia Giles who has bought a house in Darwin. Alicia will be leaving us at the end of term 2 to start her new life in Darwin. We have advertised her position.
We have also advertised for Assistant administration officer. Bron will be remaining at the school in a different role.
Sacramental program
Session 1 began last week with a combined student/parent session. On Saturday 3rd May a commitment mass for families will take place at 6pm followed by a gathering in The Jaara. Please bring along some food to share.
Family week activity
On Friday 19th May we have a busy day. It starts with run club which will be meeting at 8.10am at the Lake to run followed by a walk to school as part of the walk to school initiative. Parents need to accompany their children. See community page for more information.
McKern who sponsor our fresh fruit Fridays will be sending the Bendigo Braves basketball team to promote our fresh fruit Fridays.
We invite families to the school at 2.30 to join us in a family activity in classrooms which will be followed by our school assembly.
Student achievements
Students who qualified from our school cross country participated in the District cross country last week. We are very proud of all their efforts and we congratulate those who qualified for the next round.
Backhaus House captains
On Friday 2nd June will be celebrating Backhaus house Day. Our Backhaus (yellow) House captains are Isabella and Max B. I have asked them to tell you a bit about themselves.
My name is Max and I’m a House Captain for Backhaus.
I wanted to become a Captain to help people in my house and to show younger kids what a good leader is.
The thing I like doing is sports, and I think all people should be involved in sport at school.
I play football for St Monicas and cricket for Kangaroo Flat.
My name is Izzy and I have been selected for Backhaus house captain, I ran for house captain because I believed that it would be a good experience for me to take a role in leadership. Some of my hobbies are cooking, netball, reading and writing. I also enjoy bike rides and trying new things.
I'm looking forward to taking part in this role.
Max Isabella
Mother's Day
On behalf of our school community I wish everyone a very Happy Mothers' day!
Thank you to all the P&F members who contributed to this morning's gathering for Mother's day and all the preparation for the Mother's Day stall. It's a big job and a joyful experience for our students.
Reflection
Mothers' day prompts us to look at the feminine face of the Church, the Church which often refers to itself as 'Mother', the Church which takes much of its inspiration from Mary the Mother of Jesus.
Mary, who as did as all mothers do -cared for Jesus from infancy to adulthood. She taught Jesus the ways of their family, their culture and their religion. She scolded Jesus when required and supported Him through His doubts. Mothers of all nations share the trials and joys of motherhood. This Mothers' day let us reflect on what our mothers have done for us and respond with gratitude. Those of us who are mothers ourselves can look to Mary for inspiration and hope.
Ms Fiona Dearn
Principal
