Principal message

Dear community of St Monica's,

Thank you messages

On Saturday families were asked to support our fundraiser , community promtion bbq at the election. A big thank you to the following families who came and promoted our school while serving up democracy sausages- Lourie, Cain, Hoyland, Lamb, Epps, Watson, Smith, Pluck families as well as Kim and Bron for the behind the scenes preparation, set up and pack up. Offering your family time on weekend is a big ask and much appreciated.

Last week I was invited to Kangaroo Flat Rotary club in order to receive a $500 donation to go towards helping our school families who are in need. A big thank you to our local club who do amazing work through their fundraising and community lunches and dinner.

Requests

This time last year I noticed how many candy canes were being given out by students to their classmates. Can I ask that rather than providing sweets that cards with a Christmas message are offered instead.  I, as well as other parents  are not comfortable with the amount of sugar that is given and any offerings this year will be given out at the end of the day to be taken home and not eaten at school.

Parking/Traffic at the creek

Staff have been concerned about the traffic along Danson Ave. Cars should not be parked on the road. They should be either parked in the tennis grounds or be reversed angle parked along the creek. We are very concerned that there will be an accident. Please be careful and remember that this is about the safety of everyone. 

SWPBS reward day -Mon 5th

To celebrate the filling of our pebbles jars we will be holding a House Fun Day on Monday next week. Please wear your House colours and be prepared for some real FUN across the whole school.

Staff for 2023

We have a number of staff who have left or will be leaving  at the end of 2022-

Greg Carter (LSO), Bailey O'Connor( Maintenance officer), Michelle Mannes (1-2), 

Eliza McNamara(1-2),  Jaimee- Lee Tobin (3-4), Jessica Mangan (5-6) and 

Matthew Curnow (5-6).

On behalf of the school community, I thank each and every one of them for their commitment to our students and families and I wish them well in their future endeavours.

During 2022 due to illness and absences we have been fortunate to have a committed team of casual relief teachers who have supported our teams. Special thanks to Jayne Robertson, Bernie O'Keefe , Sue Pollock and Sue Ross who have kept our class programs running with little disruption. Louise Murray, our Health teacher will be on leave in 2023.

2023 Staff

Prep Hannah Russell

Prep Angela Dickson Flood (unit leader)

1-2 Daniel Boulton (unit leader)

1-2 Kara Jury/Zoe Sheean

1-2 Stacey Duffy

1-2 Alicia Giles

3-4 Lauren Adcock (unit leader)

3-4 Shaun O'Brien

3-4 Rachelle Collins/Kim Townrow

3-4 Harrison Gane

3-4 Martyn Dillon

5-6 Jarrod Epps (unit leader)

5-6 Colm Feeney

5-6 Carina Johns

5-6 tbc

Principal- Fiona Dearn

Deputy Principal Max Lamb

Leader of Learning (Pedagogy) Tanya Balcke

Leader of learning (Literacy) Belinda Christy

Leader of Learning (Numeracy) Colm Feeney

Leader of Learning (Religion) Cassandra Polonowita

Leader of Wellbeing Max Lamb

Leader of Learning Diversity Max Lamb

Intervention teacher (Literacy and Numeracy) Denise McCarthy

Visual Arts teacher- Adrienne Stokes

Performing Arts- Bree McAlpine

Health- Sue Ellen Warren

Physical Education- Lauren Miller

Leader's class release Stephanie Freemantle, Nicole Knight, Cassie Polonowita

Bursar Kirsten Ward (M-F)

Administration ( Enrolment officer, uniform, family liaison) Bronwyn Fieldew (M, T, TH, Fri)

Canteen- Bronwyn Fieldew and Marie Haddow

Speech Pathologist- Vicki Stone

Speech Team- Dianne Allison, Melinda Christie

Family wellbeing officer- Wendy McIntosh

Learning support Officers- Ethan Roberts, Sue Fitzgerald, Dianne Allison, Julianne Richardson, William Graham, Kylie Sharkey, Wendy McIntosh

Sports leader- Jarrod Epps

Indigenous learning/FIRE covenant- Lauren Adcock

Dogs in schools- Shaun O'Brien

Discovery leader- Angela Dickson -Flood

Tech support- Mr George Egan

Community Connections

Many families in our school community may not be aware of the connection we have with community organisations to assist families when times become tougher than usual.

Here at St Monica's we can also assist families in a variety of situations.

• School Fees
• Uniform
• Mercy in Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Please contact Wendy either in person, phone or email:- wmcintosh@smkangarooflat.catholic.edu.au 

All conversations are confidential.

On the weekend I was fortunate to able to attend a production of Charles Dicken's 

'A Christmas Carol 'with David Wenham as Ebenezer Scrooge. It was an uplifting version  of the story with a strong message of love. What if we were to look back at ourselves as children what would we wish for our future selves? and what do we wish for our own children? What sort of people did we want to be  and what sort of people do we want our children to become?

The answer which is universal and timeless, is a person who loves others and is well loved. There is no greater aspiration and it is never too late.  As we prepare for Christmas let us show love to others through our personal interactions and if possible by supporting others who need it (floods, poverty, homelessness, sickness).

 A small way we have been able to help others is through the Vinnies Christmas appeal. Thank you to all who have given to our class baskets and supported others in our community. 

I look forward to seeing you all at the Christmas carols on Thursday 8th December at 6pm on the lower yard. BYO seats, rugs and a picnic.

Warm Regards,

Ms Fiona Dearn

Principal