Principal message
Dear community of St Monica’s,
Professional learning
Last week our 1-2 teachers were given the opportunity to be trained in a synthetic phonics approach run by THRASS. This year we are reviewing our approach to Literacy and I believe that teachers need to have a a common language in order to engage in professional conversation about what we as a school believe in. This will be important as we develop a shared understanding of how we approach the teaching of reading and writing at St Monica's. I am very excited about developing our own approach taking into account the evidence from our own data but also from research in this field.
St Monica's aim is to develop a balanced approach that meets the needs of our students. For this to happen we need to collect data and analyse the results to determine how best to meet student needs, training such as this also builds our teaching toolkit.
Professional learning is an important ongoing expectation for our teachers. This year our focus is on Literacy; Reading and Writing, Fluency in Numeracy and, the inquiry process and thinking skills.
Areas of focus for our Leadership team include a review of assessment and reporting, providing structure for collaborative planning, parent engagement and communication.
Religious Education
As part of ongoing professional learning in Religious Education the following staff will be participating in the following opportunities.
Some staff are working towards accreditaion to teach RE provided by CES. Staff who have already been accredited will be maintaining accreditation through further professional learning. I will be heading to Chicago Catholic Theological College in Term 2 for three weeks. I will study three topics: 1.The Book of Exodus. 2. Considering Jesus anew: the Biblical roots of the Cosmic Church and 3. Liturgical formation, Spirituality and Pope Francis.
Martyn Dillon has been selected to go to World Youth Day in Portugal in Term 2 for two weeks as a pilgrim form Sandhurst Dioce
Canteen
Thank you to the 83 respondents to our canteen survey. 93% of you have voted to reinstate the old canteen menu which we will do from Term 2.
At last week's assembly I reinforced the following messages that students had heard from their teachers. These included the reminder to wear hats, to return sports equipment, to not take rubbish outside, to play safely ie no tackling in footy and play in your own space on the oval. We will continue to reinforce these messages as required.
Camp 2023
We have some good news. Camp 2023 will be at no cost to parents. The government's initiative Positive camps has come into effect and Camp Weekaway comes under it's scheme. This means that we will reimburse the $430 payment that we have charged for camp in 2023.
Journals
Next Friday students in Prep to year 4 will be bring home their journals. We ask that you spend some time talking to your students about their learning, write a comment and return them to school by the end of term.
Students in year 5/6 will bring their journals home on Wednesday 5th April and will be asked to return them after the school holidays.
ANZAC Day
We have been invited to represent St Monica's at the ANZAC Day commemorative service on Tuesday 25th April commencing at 9am at Soldiers memorial garden.
If you would like to represent our school please email Fiona at principal@smkangarooflat.catholic.edu.au by Tuesday 4th April
School Photos
A reminder that school photos will be held on the last day of term. Bookings forms are online and can be found on the dates to remember page. Students are to wear Summer uniform. Family photos will only be taken if they have been ordered prior to photo day.
Ms Fiona Dearn
Principal
