Colour Run

A fabulous afternoon was had by all at the Colour Run last Thursday!

Before the colour run kicked off we presented our Christmas presented our Christmas appeal hampers to Tony and Pat who represented the Vinnies Society of Kangaroo Flat.

Thanks to everybody who helped with the organisation, set up and support of this marvelous celebration. What a fantastic way to finish 2024! We even made the news!

https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8846413/picture-gallery-st-monicas-students-shine-in-joyful-colour-run/

Christmas Carols

Graduation Dinner

Kangaroo Flat Sports Club

Graduation Mass

Lead by Fr. DJ and Fr. Brian

Awards

Mercy Award - for academic excellence in recognition of the Mercy sisters.

went to Caitlin & Darby

Kangaroo Flat Sports Club Award - for display of leadership in sport

went to Darcy for his achievements in Athletics & Alice for her achievements in Equestrian

Marist Award - goes to students who show the qualities secondary school look for

Maddison & Dash

Y Mens Club Award goes to students who have a real effect on the community they live in and was awarded to Tayden & Bridget

Congratulations to the award recipients and all our graduates.

Know that you carry with you the values, friendships and memories you've made at St Monica's, we are honoured to have been part of your story. Go forward with kindness and curiosity.

God Bless.

Grade 6 vs Teachers Games

With great support from the side lines the students came away from both the basketball and netball game with the win.

2025 Student Leadership Announced

We are proud to announce our student leadership team for 2025

School Captains: Remi. M & Harry. S

Augustine House Captain: Oceane

Mercy House Captain: Ekamveer. B

Backhaus House Captain: Matilda. S

McAuley House Captain: Matt. L

Congratulations, we look forward to seeing your wonderful leadership skills in action next year.

Fire Carriers commissioned

On Tuesday, November 26, St. Monica's School welcomed 19 new FIRE carriers into their program. Troy Firebrace from the Catholic Education Office commissioned the students, who proudly accepted their FIRE carrier badges and the responsibility that comes with being part of the program: Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education (FIRE).

Since 2009, the FIRE Carrier Program has been embedded into the culture of the Sandhurst Diocese as a way of promoting reconciliation, using the power of fire as a symbol of new beginnings, of trust and understanding.

Fire is central to Australian Aboriginal culture; it represents the spiritual connection between individuals to Mother Earth and Ancestors. It is around fire that Dreamtime stories are told, and laws are taught. And so, it is fire that represents the learning, teaching and journey of a community towards reconciliation.

Congratulations to the newest FIRE carriers at St Monica's, to teacher and Indigenous Education Leader, Carina Johns, and to all the students throughout the diocese who have committed to this important program as we move closer to the reality of reconciliation, and a nation that truly celebrates the rich history of our land and the people who have walked this earth for over 60 thousand years.

Fire Carrier End of Year Lunch

5/6 Big Day Out

Pizza Lunch and Ten pin bowling

Holiday Reading Challenge

While enjoying your holiday reading this summer, fill in this form below to enter the draw to win one of five scholastic vouchers. Entries close Friday 31st January and the winners will be drawn at our first assembly in 2025.

New CDFpay mobile app

Please download the new CDFpay app ready for online purchasing in 2025

From the start of Term 1, 2025 we will be using the new CDFpay mobile app for online ordering; canteen, uniform shop, events and fundraising.

Keep an eye out for an email with further details over the break so you can be set up ready to go for 2025.

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

2025 School Fees & Direct Debit Forms

If you choose to have your fees direct debited please return the form confirming your details and debit preference at your earliest convenience. The office will be open before school goes back on the Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th for any enquiries or assistance with fees/finance or feel free to email finance@smkangarooflat.catholic.edu.au and we will endeavour to assist with urgent matters.

Using SimonEverywhere

Here are some handy instructions for using SimonEverywhere

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 clearly named lunch order bag/container when you place a lunch order.

Available through the Uniform Shop for $12.

Uniform

Summer uniform fort Term 1.

Lost property can by found at the office. Please label uniform items clearly so they can be returned to their owner.

Please see information above regarding the new CDFpay app and follow the instructions to register so you can order uniform online.

The uniform shop will be open on Tuesday 28th January 10am-11am

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.

P&F News & Volunteering at St Monica's

Congratulations to all of the lucky winners!

P&F News
& Volunteering
at St Monica's