Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we fast approach the end of the school year, my thoughts are with our Year 12 students who have been diligently studying and demonstrating the exceptional young adults they have become. This Friday we celebrate the conclusion of their time as a student at Monivae with their Graduation mass and dinner. We wish each and every one well for the next chapter in their life journey.

Not only have our Year 12 students been participating in the exam process, students from Year 7 to 11are also sitting their exams. Again, we wish these students well and applaud their tenacity.

Year 7 Information evening

We welcomed our new Year 7 students (2024) and families last week enabling opportunities for them to get to know each other, provide an overview of life as a year 7 student, and parents an opportunity to ask those essential questions. There is a large intake of Year 7’s next year, in fact we are now having to waitlist any other enrolment enquiries. Applications for 2025 are now open and I encourage you to get in early.  Our newly appointed Student leaders ran House activities throughout the evening and I would like to acknowledge their contribution. I would also like to thank the Development office and Teaching staff who contributed to making the night such a success. 

Years 7-10 Art & Technology exhibition

On Wednesday the School hosted its Art and Technology exhibition. With nearly 1000 pieces in the exhibition, students were well represented in ceramics, print making, painting, textiles, wood, metal and food. A large crowd were able to vote for their favourite piece in either Technology or Art. Our junior students performed their music pieces in the band throughout the evening. An exhibition of this scale requires an enormous amount of time to set up and I thank the Performing and Visual Arts staff, and the Technology staff for their passion and devotion to enhancing the Arts and Technology at Monivae. 

Sports tops

Our 2024 House & Sports Captains revealed our new sports tops to the student body. These tops are now available to purchase from our uniform supplier, Accurate Clothing, in Hamilton. Families experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to contact Business Manager, Jim Bailey jbailey@monivae.vic.edu.au to discuss options regarding uniform purchasing. All students are expected to be wearing these tops by the end of Term 1 next year.

Finally, I am happy to advise that after lobbying from students, Monivae branded navy leggings will be shortly introduced as a non-compulsory sports uniform item. These will also be available from Accurate Clothing. 

I look forward to seeing our students representing the College with pride in their new sports tops.

New website

The School’s new website was launched last week. It has been many months in the planning and implementation and I thank Kylie Schurmann, Marketing Co-ordinator, for her support of this project. I encourage you to visit the new website monivae.com and explore its new format.

COVID-19

I recently sent a communication regarding the spread of covid-19. Below is an excerpt from that communication.

We are aware of instances of COVID-19 presenting again in our local communities. To enable the school to manage this appropriately, I ask that you monitor your child for symptoms, test as required, and if a positive COVID-19 result stay home. 

Positive COVID-19 result: It is recommended that you should isolate for at least 5 days and until you don’t have symptoms anymore. The 5 days are from when your COVID-19 symptoms started and/or you tested positive for COVID-19.

Please contact Reception (03 55511200) if your child tests positive to COVID-19

In closing we pray for peace in our world amid the ongoing turmoil in Gaza and the continuing war in Ukraine. 

Prayer for Peace

God of compassion, we turn to you with heavy hearts as we consider the needs of your family.

Israelis and Palestinians, we are all people, each of us loved by you and called 

to live in peace and justice.

We lament the dreadful loss of life, destruction of property, and loss of human dignity.

We are pained by so much suffering. We beg you to bring healing to this ancient place.

Help your people find a way forward.

Enable everyone to look each other in the eye, and embrace each other

as sisters and brothers, as they find your image in every face.

We ask that courage and grace will help create a wiser and more gentle future,

where everyone has a home.

(Michael McGirr, Caritas Australia).

Mr Jonathan Rowe

Principal