Principal message

Dear community of St Monica's,

I hope everyone had a lovely Fathers Day. Thank you to the P&F for organising our Donuts for Dads morning. We even made the Bendigo Advertiser. We have also been spotted in Flat matters magazine with two articles and lost of pictures! (See links below).

 

We are heading into the time of year when we start our planning for 2024. I have met with each staff member to ascertain their plans and at this stage we have received notification that Lauren Adcock will be leaving us at the end of the year. Lauren has been an  amazing member of staff leading our 3-4 team as unit leader, 3-4 teacher and taking on the responsibility for implementing the fire carrier program. We wish Lauren all the very best as she leaves St Monica’s at the end of the year.

I am also sad to inform you that Merridee Griffin who has been an incredible support for our staff is returning to Bendigo Health at the end of this term. Merridee has streamlined many of our processes and has led the admin team as well as being an amazing support to me. We wish Merridee all the best and gratitude for the time she has been working at St Monica’s. We are advertising for a full-time administration position, casual relief teachers and a classroom teacher position this week.

 

Ethan Roberts on placement for uni and then taking up a football clinic in Darwin for Term 4.  Ethan will return next year.

 

Throughout this term the consultative committee has been meeting to discuss class structures for 2024. As you know we try to keep the class numbers equitable and have continued with a composite structure for this reason. The consultative committee has made recommendations relating to whether we should continue using composite structures or move to straight classes.  I will inform the consultative committee by the end of term of my decision. 

In Term 4 we will start forming classes for 2024 so it is vital that if you are not returning that you let me know. You can call or send me an email with this information.

I have been very pleased to sit in on the PSGs this term and to hear the professionalism of teachers as they review the goals and share growth of the students in their classes. It is apparent how well the teachers know their students and how much they care and  support them emotionally and in their learning.

I'm sure that you are looking forward to meeting with teachers next week for your conversations and goal setting for Term 4.

Last week I was able to attend the Mass of creation with our FIRE carriers. It was held in Whipstick Forest and our students supported CMC with the singing. The 5/6 students attended the Festival of the Sacred during the week and the response to our soloists and singing group was amazing, Harveen, Josie and Zander all sang solos in front of the other schools which is an outstanding achievement  and made all who witnessed very proud.

 

Last week the fire carriers facilitated the Book swap to raise awareness and fundraise for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Thank you to all who participated. The school raised $241 from your donations. 

 

Keep your eyes open as you pass by the school in the holidays as there will be some action on the oval as we begin the redevelopment.

I wish you all a restful holiday when we get there next Friday. May you be safe and well and may you be conscious of God as your constant companion.