Dear community of St Monica’s,

At last week's School Advisory Council meeting I presented the review report. I have attached the report in full.

The five recommendations will inform our strategic plan and school improvement plan for the next four years. At our whole school closure day on Friday 11th August we will begin work on our strategic plan. Thank you to all who participated in our review process. I hope that you feel that your voice has been heard.

Our Reconciliation program started with formation night on Wednesday night. We have 13 students receiving the sacrament this year. As this is a school program all students in year 3/4 will participate in the lessons and learn about Reconciliation , about how the choices we make can break relationships with one another and with God and that forgiveness can be given and received by, and from, each other and God in order to heal.

Families are invited to the Commitment mass this Saturday at 6pm

Congratulations to our preps who celebrated 100 days at school this week. It was great to see our students dressed up and excited about their learning so far this year. It is quite a milestone! See photo gallery for photos.

On Wednesday our school football team competed in the district competition. I congratulate them on their school spirit. This was also evident at the netball competition last week. I am proud of how our students conduct themselves and represent our school. Thank you to Mr Epps, Mrs Freemantle and coaches and parents for their support of this program.

The Disabled carpark at the front of our school is being used by non authorised users which makes it very difficult for those who need it to access and get to and from school. Please ensure that you leave this space clear at all times. Unfortunately the council workers covered the space next to the carpark during the week which created problems for access to school. As a community we can support each other by ensuring all our students can safely enter the school grounds.

St Monica's football club under 9s have started training on Wednesday nights on the oval. It is great to see them out there and using the space while their usual training ground is unusable. You will be pleased to know that work will being on the oval playground development in the school holidays in September.

Please note that Breakfast club has changed to Friday to accommodate changes in staff timetables and to coincide with run club which takes place on Friday.

There are many opportunities to help out at school-see volunteering page for more information which includes-

Whole school athletics- 8th August

St Monica's Feast day- 18th August

Senior school production 20-21st October

Other events happening around the school this term

As part of the Health curriculum senior school teachers will be facilitating the Life relationships program for our yr 5/6 families. This occurs every second year and I encourage all families of 5/6 students to attend. Life relationships is scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday 9th August.

The Festival of the sacred is a Catholic Education, Sandhurst initiative for senior students supported by ASPA (Australian School for Performing Arts) who will work with our students to prepare them for their performance on Wed 6th September.

Gurri Wanyarra dance group will be coming in to performing arts sessions for Prep, 1/2 and 3/4 over the next two weeks.

St Monica's feast day will be held on Friday 18th August and will commence with a whole school mass. This year we are focusing on the Mercy charism of welcome and hospitality. We wish to celebrate our diverse cultures at our school and will do this by inviting families to share food from their culture on the afternoon of the 18th. If you would like to be part of this whole school event please contact Bron who is coordinating. We are asking all families to complete a poster showing where their children were born, where parents and grandparents were born and what these countries are known for. This could include, photos, flags, drawings or pictures of food and places. See

Could these posters be sent to school by Thursday 10th August so they can be displayed in the Jaara building.

See dates to remember page for more school events this term. (This has changed so please look at other items on this page.

We wish Martyn Dillon safe travels and an amazing experience in Spain and Portugal as he heads off to World Youth Day in the next two weeks. Jayne Robertson will be teaching 3/4D.

We welcome Cillian Moloney in 3/4 on Monday and farewell Shaun O'Brien on Tuesday.

Lord, our school is like a jigsaw with each of us a unique piece.

With your guidance and support help us to celebrate our diversity as a positive Christian community.

Amen

Warm regards

Fiona Dearn - Principal

Photo Gallery

100 Days of Prep