Principal message
Dear community of St Monica’s,
We have finalised our staff for 2024 and is as follows:
PREP
Stacey Duffy
Tanya Balcke ( 3 days) and Leonie Wolfe ( 3 days)
Prep support teacher- Kate Brooks ( 2 days)
YEAR 1
Dan Boulton ( 3 days) and Rachael Collins ( 2 days)
Zoe Sheean ( 2.5 days) and Kara Jury (2.5 days)
YEAR 2
Angela Dickson Flood
Hannah Russell
YEAR 3/4
Belinda Christy ( 3 days) and Stephanie Freemantle ( 2 days)
Harry Gane
Kerri Bowman
Kim Townrow ( 4 days) and Cassie Polonowita (1 day)
YEAR 5/6
Colm Feeney ( 3 days) and Rebecca Wildman ( 2 days)
Cillian Moloney
Carina Johns
Jarrod Epps
Literacy and Numeracy Support Teacher - Denise McCarthy
PE - Lauren Miller
Health - Sue-Ellen Warren
Art - Adrienne Stokes
Music/Dance - Bree McAlpine
Science and Technology - Nicole Knight
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Principal- Fiona Dearn
Deputy Principal, Learning Diversity - Max Lamb
Leader of Pedagogy (Learning and Teaching) - Tanya Balcke
Leader of Literacy- Belinda Christy
Leader of Numeracy- Colm Feeney
Catholic Identity leader- Cassie Polonowita
Sports leader -Jarrod Epps
Student Wellbeing Leader -Dan Boulton
Family liaison officer- Bronwyn Fieldew
ADMINISTRATION
Finance- Renee Burnham
HR- Karen Williams
Admin- Paige Cartwright, Stephanie Knight
Canteen- Marie Haddow
Garden- Bruce Kiley
We welcome Kerri Bowman and Leonie Wolfe who will be joining us in 2024 and farewell Lauren Adcock and Martyn Dillon.
______________________________
Prep information night
Tomorrow evening (Tuesday 7th) we will be holding our prep information night for prep 2024 parents at 6.30pm in the prep rooms. This will also be an opportunity to meet with our prep teachers for 2024.
Oval Opening
On Thursday the 9th we will come together to open our new oval space and acknowledge the amazing work of Dave McWilliams who having designed the space was at school for each day for over 4 weeks on a volunteer basis project managing the construction. The oval will be open from 3-5pm.
MacKillop Art Show
On Friday 10th you are invited to the opening of the MacKillop Art Show at Sacred Heart cathedral from 6-8pm. This is a gathering of Art from schools across Sandhurst. See community page for more details.
Please see 'what’s happening' page for photos of recent school excursions and 'dates to remember' for all dates until the end of the year.
See 'office news' for information about applying for bus travel allowance in 2024. You may also be eligible for camps, sports and excursions funding (CSEF) if you have a pensioner concession or a health care card. Please see the office for appropriate forms.
Arriving at School
The school office does not open until 8am. Please ensure that your children do not enter the school building until 8am. There is no supervision for children until 8am. We seem to have more children arriving before this time. Children arriving between 8 - 8.30am need to attend before school care.
Welcome Karen
We welcomed Karen Williams into our admin team during the week. Bron has taken on the role of family liaison officer and can be contacted for family support and the uniform shop. All other enquiries should be made to the office - Renee, Paige, Steph (Wed) and Karen.
The newsletter will be sent out on Mondays starting this week.
Thank You for your support
I wish to thank you for your support during the events of the past week. It is important that we go gently during this time and walk together in support. Taly and Tiana, when they return to school, will need to come to a place of love and support and usual routine.
It can be difficult to know what to say to people who have experienced tragedy and are full of sadness. I’m sorry for your loss is a phrase that acknowledges that you know of their sorrow without initiating a conversation that could be awkward. We are not expecting the girls to return to school for a couple of weeks. Please keep them and their family in your prayers. When we know what support they may require we will let you know how you can help. Please consider contacting Orange Door should you require further support.
https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/
At the vigil last week we sang the following words which I will share with you.
‘And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand’
