Principal message

Dear Students & Families,

Pentecost was celebrated on Sunday and I met with the Grade 3-6 Students on Monday morning to reflect on the meaning of Pentecost and our call to be guided by the Holy Spirit in our lives. Henri Nouwen wrote, “The spirit of Jesus comes to dwell within us, so that we can become living Christs here and now”. We explored what the spirit within us might look like at St Monica’s and how we can share this spirit to celebrate and strengthen our community. We also made the connection to the recent damage to various religious and cultural artifacts in our city and our collective call to respond to such damage in a way that challenged these actions, but more significantly, celebrates our rich and diverse community (both at St Monica’s and beyond). This would be a true example of living in the spirit of Jesus and spreading the good news.

Updates and further information:

• We wish our Grade 3 & 4 Students well as they undertake their Commitment Mass this weekend, before their Sacramental Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on June 2.
• Well done to the Grade 1 & 2 students on their participation in the School Swimming Program this week.
• The Grade Prep students had a brilliant time at the Melbourne Zoo last Thursday, see the photo gallery page for photos and student reflections on the day.
• We look forward to the Grade 5 & 6 Camp next week.
• Reminder - Enrolments close this Friday, May 24. We are pleased with the strong interest for 2025 and look forward to working through the applications before making offers shortly. Please note that all current families with children starting next year are required to complete an application for enrolment by Friday.

• We will be developing a feedback form for our Grade 6 students to complete to provide us with details regarding their 2025 school destination. This will support us to ensure we support these students with their specific transition as best we can.
• We look forward to Reconciliation Week activities taking place next week and we will welcome Mr Troy Firbrace from Catholic Education Sandhurst as part of the program. Congratulations to Miss Carina Johns on her planning for this important week.

Volunteer week provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go. We are blessed to have so many great volunteers at St Monica’s - Thank you to the School Advisory Council members, our Parents & Friends, parent volunteers for excursions, camps & activities and those who contribute to the broader community, particularly the St Monica’s Football and Netball Clubs.

Thanks to everyone for your fabulous support at our recent school activities with outstanding participation at our Mother’s Day activities and our coffee and chat last Monday. Congratulations to our P&F on their work leading the Mother’s Day events.

In Faith and Community,

Tim Edwards 

- Acting Principal