Principal message
As the Lenten Journey unfolds:
Lead us by your spirit to see you anew in our neighbour’s need.
Open our eyes and soften our hearts by your mercy, to see you beyond our borders in friends waiting to be met and welcomed.
Give us faith to encounter those longing to be loved.
May we be the face of Christ and reflect your love in unexpected ways.
Let mercy be a power in our world for standing with fragile communities and bringing hope and light.
Amen
(Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. 2018.63 – adapted)
Dear St. Monica’s School Community,
Part of the School’s Strategic Planning involves ensuring that we honour and delve deeper into our school heritage, recognizing the significant role played by the Sisters of Mercy since the 1920s. Recently, our staff embarked on an exploration of our St. Monica’s Mercy Story and reaffirmed our commitment to carry forward this legacy into the future.
Just after the meeting, we received a heartwarming message from a family who experienced firsthand the supportive spirit of our community. Speaking on behalf of their family, a member expressed gratitude: “Thank you to St. Monica’s Mercy in Action from one family who was very gracious and felt very blessed…. A small act of kindness goes such a long way so thank you to our school.” Such instances exemplify our commitment to supporting one another. Our sincere appreciation goes out to all who contribute to our Mercy in Action program. If you would like to know how you can contribute to Mercy in Action, please see the P&F News page of the newsletter.
Let us hold onto this message as we continue to uphold and support each other within our community. May the Easter period ahead be filled with peace and safety for all.
Caritas Cross Country and Fundraising Efforts
Congratulations to everyone involved in last week’s Caritas Cross Country event, especially to our winning House, McAuley House. Full details, including winners, are included in the Sports Report. The dedication shown by our students, both in their enthusiastic participation and in contributing to our cause, was truly outstanding!
I extend a special congratulations to Mr. Jarrod Epps and Mrs. Cassie Polonowita for their contributions to the success of the day. Additionally, the overwhelming number of parents who volunteered showcased the genuine spirit of our community. Thank you!
Welcome back – Fr Jackson!
We were delighted to welcome back former student and parishioner Fr. Jackson Saunders to St Monica's on Friday. Fr. Jackson, who completed Grade 6 at St. Monica’s in 2004 before continuing his secondary schooling at Catholic College Bendigo, enjoyed reconnecting with our school and mingling with our students. During our Assembly, Fr. Jackson presented the Cross Country Overall Winning House.
McAuley!
Students were also surprised to learn that alongside his ministry, Fr. Jackson serves as a commentator for the Goulburn Valley Football League matches on a weekly basis. While he currently resides in Shepparton, we eagerly anticipate welcoming Fr. Jackson back to our school soon.
Good Friday Appeal
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, Grade 5 student Dom is serving as an ambassador for this year’s RCH Good Friday Appeal. Dom’s role includes a live TV appearance on Good Friday (1.50pm if you're tuning in) . During a recent Grade 5/6 student gathering to learn more about the appeal and his role, over one-third of the students present shared that they or a loved one had been to the Royal Children’s Hospital, underscoring the significant impact of this institution in our community. Please keep an eye out for Dom and consider contributing to this worthy cause if you are able.
From the Finance Team - Fee communication
I would like to reassure families regarding recent communication from the Finance Team. This communication aligns with our fee schedule and aims to ensure that our records are accurate in line with families’ personal details. If you have any queries or require further clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact the team via the school office.
Thanks & looking forward to Term 2
On a personal note, I would like to express my gratitude to the entire St. Monica’s School community for your warm welcome and support this term. Last week, you received communication from Catholic Education Executive Director, Kate Fogarty, regarding my continued role at St. Monica’s for the entirety of Term 2. I humbly accept this responsibility as a privilege and look forward to furthering our collective journey of learning and growth together.
In Faith and Community,
Tim Edwards
- Acting Principal