News and Info 

Celebrating the significant achievement in earning pebbles (by displaying the school expectations) as a collective whole school team throughout 2024.

- Thursday 12th December

- From 2.20pm on the oval

- Wear white or a lighter colour (not your best clothes)

- Colour powder formula uses simple and 100% natural ingredients including corn starch and natural-coloured dyes. It is free of harsh chemicals, heavy metals, and all other toxic ingredients. For more information you can visit the website .

 - We ask that your child please bring a pair of protective eyewear as a precaution. (Sunglasses or googles).

 - There is no cost associated with this event. 

Please refer to email sent on Thursday 5th Dec or contact Dan Boulton dboulton@smkangarooflat.catholic.edu.au for more information. 

Before commencing the colour run, we will present St Vincent De Paul with our donations so please bring along any last-minute donations for your child's class basket.

Grade 5 Leadership Day 

Bendigo Braves athletes Cassidy and Isaac joined St Monica's Grade 5's at Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre last week to deliver a presentation on Leadership.

We are confident that our future school leaders for 2025 have come away with some valuable insights on teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Thank you Cass and Issac. 

Some of the students feedback: 

 "I enjoyed the leadership presentation because of the fun games, especially the teamwork activities."

 "I enjoyed the slideshow showing good examples of leadership and teamwork."

 "I wish it was a longer day."

Grandparent's Day 

We welcomed so many special visitors for Grandparent's Day. It was heartwarming to to see the joy and connection as they joined in a variety of activities. Thank you to everyone who came along to make this day so memorable for our students. 

FIRE Carrier Commissioning Ceremony 

Thankyou to Troy Firebrace for leading our special ceremony to announce our 2025 Fire carriers. 

The aim of the FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carrier Project is to promote respect, fairness and inclusion for Aboriginal people. The FIRE Carrier Project promotes enculturation and reconciliation in Sandhurst schools. The FIRE Carrier project Covenant is like a Reconciliation Action Plan.

What is the role of a FIRE Carrier?

To be a FIRE Carrier is to exercise an important leadership role in the school community. FIRE carriers are students and teachers that share a passion for learning about Aboriginal culture and history and are committed to sharing this knowledge and promoting reconciliation within and beyond the school community.  

Caritas Leadership Day 

Last week, a selected group of Grade 5 students attended the Caritas Australia Just Leadership Day at St Joseph's Primary School, Quarry Hill.

This inspiring event introduced students to important social justice issues and empowered them to lead with fairness and compassion in their school and community. Through discussions and activities, they explored ways to create meaningful change, both locally and globally.

We are incredibly proud of these 4 budding leaders for attending this day and showing true dedication to making a difference.

Did you know: If you have:

- and a roof over your head with:

- a bed

- a fridge

- and a closet 

You are richer than 80% of the world!!

Deputy Principal Announcement 

On Monday a letter was sent to families announcing Anthony Chalkley as the new Deputy Principal of St Monica’s Primary Kangaroo Flat beginning in 2025. Anthony was selected following a rigorous and comprehensive process, and we are confident he will bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to this key leadership role. 

A note from the Canteen

Our last canteen day for 2024 is tomorrow, 6th December.

Any Preps who placed an order will receive a refund as they are on an excursion. Please remember to pack their lunch. 

Important Health Updates

If your child has an infectious condition, you may need to keep them at home from school to stop it from spreading. Here’s a list of common childhood illnesses and their recommended exclusion periods.  

Primary School Fee Concessions 2025

Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd (CESL) is pleased to inform Primary School families holding a valid Health Care Card (HCC) that you are eligible for a significant reduction in school fees for the upcoming year including all fees and levies. The discount will be automatically applied to your school fee account once you provide a copy of your HCC to the school office, complete a CSEF form, and set up a direct debit arrangement. If you've already submitted your HCC, completed the CSEF form, and have a direct debit in place, no further action is needed — the discount will be applied automatically.

We understand that many families have varying circumstances and in response to the rising cost of living expenses, we are committed to supporting those who need additional assistance.

Please be assured that this support is provided to ensure all students have the opportunity to thrive in our school community. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact the school office.

School Saving Bonus 2025

The following is information as provided by the Victorian Government as at 28/10/2024 and is subject to change.  All details are on the education.vic.gov.au website – click below.

School Saving Bonus Policy - Victorian Government Information

Summary

• The School Saving Bonus is a one-off $400 support for non-government school students who are enrolled in Prep to Year 12 in 2025 as at 18 October 2024 and who are receiving the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2024.
• The School Saving Bonus is provided to help with the costs of uniforms, textbooks and school activities (including camps, excursions and incursions).
• The School Saving Bonus will be provided to schools and families in late Term 4, 2024. Payment date has yet to be confirmed.

School Saving Bonus eligibility

Non-government school students receiving a payment from the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2024 are eligible for additional support through the School Saving Bonus. There is no application required for non-government school students to receive the bonus.

Non-government schools will receive funding based on the number of families eligible for the CSEF in November 2024, and are responsible for managing the distribution of funds to eligible students to assist with 2025 education costs.

Refer to Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund for further information on eligibility criteria and the application process for access to the CSEF.

Actions for parents and carers 

Ensure your contact information is up to date with your school. Please email or see the office with any changes as soon as possible. 

See letter below from Jacinta Allen - Premier of Victoria

Parent Notified Absence 

If your child is going to be away, please remember to do a parent notified absence on Simon Everywhere App/PAM or phone the school office (even if you have mentioned the upcoming absence to the classroom teacher). If you are going to be away on a Friday and have placed a lunch order please let us know to cancel your order. 

If you need any assistance setting getting SimonEverywhere on your phone or logging in please see the office. 

We often send reminders via push notifications so if you would like to receive these please make sure your notifications are turned on for SimonEverywhere App. 

Hats 

We are a SunSmart School and hats will be compulsory for outside play in Term 4. 

Please make sure a clearly named hat comes to school and is kept at school or in your child's bag. 

If you need to purchase a new hat please click the link below to order through CDF Pay or pop into the uniform shop on Thursday afternoons or Tuesday mornings.

Fresh Fruit Friday

Thank you to Mckern Steel Foundation for our weekly delivery of fresh fruit. 

Canteen

Orders must be placed by 9am Thursday Morning on CDF pay or cash in lunch order bag and lunch order bags placed in class tub. 

Please note: the office cannot accept late orders over the phone. 

Absent on lunch order day 

If your child is going to to be away on a Friday and you have ordered a lunch order please call or email the office by 9.30am on Friday to notify of absence and to hold lunch order. 

Absences are not automatically communicated to the canteen so lunch orders get made and will be wasted.

Please remember to supply a lunch order bag/container when you place a lunch order. Students place these bags in the lunch order tub in the classroom by 9am Thursdays and their lunch order will be packed in it on Friday. Please make sure it is clearly labeled with students name and class. 

Lunch order wallets are available through the Uniform Shop for $12.

Uniform 

Term 4 and Term 1 are  Summer uniform. 

If you think you will need new uniform items for next year please place orders via CDF so we can place orders as needed. We hold a limited amount of stock in the uniform shop. 

Also please check lost property before the holidays and be sure to label uniform items clearly so they can be returned. 

School Phone Numbers

It has been noted that calls from the school number are often coming up as unknown and are therefore going unanswered.

Please add both of these numbers to your contacts in some way to be St Monica's

(03) 5447 7832 and (03) 4433 2719.