NEWSLETTER Term 1 Issue 9 March 30th 2017

St. Monica’s Primary School 20 Robinson Street Moonee Ponds 3039

Phone (03) 9375 1132 www.stmonicasmp.catholic.edu.au

Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Anthony Feeney Principal: Mr. Peter Moore

Parish Office: Phone 9370 5035

Mass Times: Saturday 6:30pm (Vigil), Sunday 8:00am, 9:15am in Italian, 10:30am and 5:30pm

OSHP Number 0412 616 491

Faith

Hope

Love

Dear Parents,

As we approach the end of term and the

period of the church’s year we commonly

call Holy Week, I cannot help but think of

these two little boys that I encountered on a

site we often read about in the Gospels.

I took this photo on the Mount of Olives in

Jerusalem; a place well known to Jesus and

an important location for a key event in His

Passion. I climbed the hill to ‘look for

Jesus’ and the boys were far more

interested in the actual olives. It was a

lovely moment to witness modern life in a

place that plays such a pivotal role in our

Gospel narrative.

In today’s Newsletter there is a welcome

note from the Year Five Classes who will

lead the school in a reflection on Jesus’

Holy Week Journey. The weather is

becoming unpredictable and so the children

would like to use the Senior Learning

Centre and the un-refurbished library space.

We wish them well and on their behalf, I

welcome you all to this special event.

On Tuesday the Year Five students

conducted a very successful Learning Expo

that was very well-attended by students

from across the school, as well as numerous

parents and grandparents. It was lovely to

see so many of our children being well-

supported as they shared their learning.

Congratulations to Mrs. Mifsud, Miss

Biondi and Birthday-boy Mr Bendall for

their work in leading this term’s learning. It

was wonderful to see so many children

proudly and confidently sharing their work.

This tiny little picture is of me (!) in Poppy Dennert’s “Colonial Days Stocks”,

designed for punishment in years gone by. It was a very undignified position for

a Principal to be in and would have better suited the Deputy Principal.

Unfortunately Mr. Di Nuzzo is on Long Service Leave, so I had to ‘grin and

bear it’. Poppy kindly let me out after a few seconds. No doubt you would have

liked a full-page A4 photo, but believe me, it is never going to happen.

Tuckshop News

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my personal

thanks to Cathy McNeill for her diligent work in the

school canteen throughout 2016 and 2017. It has run like

clockwork and is a reflection of Cathy’s dedication and

hard work. Cathy’s work as interim-manager will finish at

the end of this term with the announcement of a new

Canteen Manager. I warmly welcome Mrs. Melissa

Caputo to this position.

New Administration Staff

A Warm Welcome to Mrs. Nancy Lo Monaco and Mrs.

Louise Mizzi who have joined the Office Staff. Nancy

will work as an Administrative Officer Monday to Friday

and Louise’s main focus will be on the school’s finances.

Louise will also work every day. Please join with me in

making our new staff members feel welcome. Both are

parishioners of St Therese’s and are very much looking

forward to being a part of the St. Monica’s School

Community.

Sienna’s Seamstress Shop

Ceremonies at St. Monica’s Parish Church

Palm Sunday 10:30am (plus Normal Mass

Times)

Holy Thursday 7:30pm

Good Friday 3:00pm

Holy Saturday 7:30pm (Easter Vigil)

Easter Sunday (Normal Mass Times)

Holidays and School Closure Day Reminder

We break up for the end of term on Friday of this week at 3:30pm. School resumes for Term Two on Tues-

day 18th April. The Easter Calendar is kind to the children this year, giving them two weeks and one day

holiday. Following our first week of school, we encounter the Anzac Day holiday in week two. Our School

will have its first Closure Day on Monday 24th April. This means that the children will have a long week-

end at the end of the first week back. Anzac day is on Tuesday 25th April.

I hope you all have a wonderful break at the end of this week. The children will be keen to keep reading

and writing as well as being helpful around the house! To those families who will be heading away for the

Easter Break, I wish you safe travels and I hope that during Holy Week that you will all be Blessed by our

loving God.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Moore

Principal

Let Your Light Shine No-one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the

house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory

to God in heaven. Mt. 5:15-16

Congratulations to Max Caruso on achieving

his black belt in Taekwondo on the

weekend.

Xavier Malcolm

4G and Charlie

Arnold 4D

successfully

gained their Black Belts in Taekwondo last

Saturday. Both boys have been working

towards this for 3 years at Professional

Taekwondo. Charlie also received a

distinction with his Black Belt.

Last Friday, Jacinta Ripa and her father had

the privilege of meeting Sebastian Vettel in

between practice races at the Grand

Prix. Sebastian went on to win the

Melbourne Grand Prix on Sunday.

On Saturday it was the Little Athletics presentation. The president of the

Bombers Club informed everybody that after the end of the general

presentation they would be awarding a special inaugural award. Everyone

listened to the President make a big speech about an athlete who had

persisted throughout three seasons (3 years) to constantly produce personal

best results with a near perfect

attendance record. The athlete was

recognised due to their resilience and

their dedication to the sport with little

reward along the way. Congratulations

to Hamish from 3O was recipient of

this wonderful award. The plaque

included the following quote: "Sports

do not build character. They reveal it".

What a great message for not just

children but adults too!

Holy Week Reflection

During this significant time of Lent, the Year Five students have been working

behind the scenes to prepare a special event.

We are delighted to announce that we will be inviting the whole school

community to join us on a most special journey. We will be leading a

Paraliturgy focused on the key events of Holy Week.

This will take place TOMORROW in the Senior Building at 9:30am

This is a reflective time in which you are warmly invited to attend. Classes

will be moving through the stations in a quiet and reflective way in staggered

times. Parents are able to join their child’s class at the time they are coming

over or alternatively move through themselves.

Gather at /START TIME CLASSES

9:20 / 9:30 6M & FC

9:25 / 9:35 1C & 3B

9:30 / 9:40 2D & 4D

9:35 / 9:45 6C & FT

9:40 / 9:50 1S & 3O

9:45 / 9:55 6K & FS

9:50 / 10:00 2M & 4P

9:55 / 10:05 1L & 2T

10:00 / 10:10 3M & 4G

Teachers who love teaching … teach students to

love learning! Here are some examples of passionate

‘teaching and learning' at St Monica's this week!

Cross-Curricula Learning

The Year 4 students have been comparing Australia to Africa in their Geography

studies. They were able to transfer some of their learning into Writing and I was

impressed by a number of creative pieces from the students ...here is one in particular

from Charlie Arnold.

Its cuteness mesmerised me.

Excitement filled me but it was followed by anger.

It’s being hunted, killed and lives are ending.

Its wispy hair fluttered in the wind

and it waved its tiny trunk from side

to side. When it is older it will be

killed for its tusks.

The greediness of man has lead it to

be endangered.

Maths Games

Students in Year 3 were encouraged to make a board game

using number. I enjoyed have a game of ‘ladders and poles’

with Jacob!

Respectful Relationships - With Others

Although this term is drawing to a close, our whole school

focus on ‘Respectful Relationships’ does not. The emphasis will now shift from ‘with

others’ to ‘with ourselves’. How can you beeeeee respectful these holidays?

Easter

I would like to take this opportunity to wish

everyone a Happy Easter. The students have been

listening to stories about Holy Week and it is with

great anticipation that we look forward to the Paraliturgy in the

morning. Are you going to create some Easter craft these holidays?

The Foundation students used shaving cream in their Easter creations

and the Year 1 students followed a ‘net template’ to create their Easter baskets.

OSHClub

After school it was great to see the students in OSHClub playing ‘respectfully’

with one another. I think I need to brush up on my soccer skills!

Lockdown Drill!

It is imperative that as a school community, we practice

lockdown and evacuation drills. Today, the students experienced a ‘mock

lockdown’, whilst the teachers enacted roles such as ‘Warden’, ‘Communications

Officer’ or ‘Chief Warden’.

Dear Parents,

The 2017 Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge (PRC) is now open for students at St Monica’s school

and your child has been allocated a unique user name and password (which will be sent out later this

week). This user name and password will enable you to log on to the site www.education.vic.gov.au/prc

and enter the titles of books read.

For children in Foundation, Year 1 or Year 2, books can be read by the child or with someone else. For

example, a parent, grandparent, teacher, brother, sister, classmate, buddy or friend might read the books to

the child. The titles of these books then need to be entered on the child’s PRC page by parents before

being verified by myself. Please note that some of the books read by a teacher to the class or by students

over the P.A. system will be automatically uploaded to your child’s PRC book list.

For your child to receive a PRC certificate and be entered onto the Premiers Honour Roll, the number of

books that need to be read are as follows:

Last year, St Monica’s students read a total of 8, 233 books over a few months and we are aiming to

surpass this target in 2017. The PRC runs from March until the 1st September 2017.

To read the Premiers’ letter to parents, view the booklists and for more information about the Victorian

Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit www.education.vic.gov.au/prc

If you have any questions, please email

Mrs Trish Bremner

tbremner@stmonicasmp.catholic.edu.au

If you are in: To be entered onto the Honour

Roll: Number from the Challenge Book

List:

Foundation 30 books 20 or more

Year 1 30 books 20 or more

Year 2 30 books 20 or more

Year 3 15 books 10 or more

Year 4 15 books 10 or more

Year 5 15 books 10 or more

Year 6 15 books 10 or more

ICAS Competition Closes tomorrow

Entries close next TOMORROW at 3.30pm. No late entries will be accepted. An application form is

attached to this newsletter or can be collected from the school office.

Green Travel Plan Surveys Thank you to those parents who took the time to complete the Green Travel Plan survey. The data we

collected from both students and parents will be used to help inform us about current travel patterns as

well as to plan for ways we can encourage the use of more sustainable transport options. More details to

follow later...

Year 4-6 Cross Country Parent Helpers A special thank you to the following parents who returned an orange help form

and have been assigned the following roles for the upcoming House Cross

Country Carnival to be held at Aberfeldie Park on Thursday 20th April:

Place Judges

Renae McElligott – Girls, Rachel Plunkett - Boys

Recorders

Pauline Duggan

Starter

Ramon Bugeja

Marquees

Sonya Coleman - Coordinator

Checkpoints

Checkpoint 1

Michele McMenamin, Grace Carew

Checkpoint 2

Julie Durling-Landa, Ritta Malkoun

Checkpoint 3

Brad Hudson

Checkpoint 4

Alister Monger, Mark Dent

Checkpoint 5

Wendy Synan, Michelle Christian

Checkpoint 6

Laura Sharkey

Checkpoint 7

Darija Grgic

Also, if anyone is able to assist Sonya Coleman with marquee transportation and set up before or after the

carnival can you please let me know. The extra support is always greatly appreciated. Thank you again

kindly for your cooperation.

Mr. McGuinness.

Student of the Week Certificates will be presented at assembly on Friday 28th April at

3:00pm. Whole School Awards Assembly (Location: Senior Yard)

Marny Yiallourou FC For attentive listening, following directions and

polite manners. Mary Ramage FC For polite manners and always working to the

best of her ability. Sophie De Rango FS For always working hard throughout the school

day and taking pride in her work. Ira Redl FS For his increased confidence to participate

during shared reading sessions. Gabrielle Farrugia FT For demonstrating determination when

sounding out new words during reading. Keep

up the great work, Gabrielle! Maya French FT For being a role model to her peers in reading groups by staying on task

and finishing her work independently. Keep up the great work, Maya! Evie Akers 1C For trying really hard to improve her writing. Well done, Evie! Jackson Ryan 1L For showing kindness to his classmates in 1L and trying his best in writing. Caitlin Willoughby 1S For being such a responsible and sensible class member and for always

giving her very best to every task she completes. Congratulations, Caitlin! Tom Fleming 2D For being ready to take on new challenges with a positive attitude. Well

done, Tom. Liam Richardson 2M For always looking out for others and using manners in class. Well done,

Liam! Hayden Saunders 2T For working hard to improve his handwriting. Keep up the good work,

Hayden! Massimo Interlandi 3B For his fantastic puppet play of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" as part of

his Home Learning Tasks. Christian Marchionno 3M For having a wonderful attitude towards home tasks and presenting his

homework neatly. Charles Steinke 3M For coming to school with an enthusiastic approach towards learning every

day! Cooper Page 3O For always presenting his homework neatly. Well done on continually

striving to improve your organisational skills. Liam Murphy 4D For demonstrating initiative to build class spirit and for using Digital

Technologies effectively in his learning. Amy Willoughby 4G For her organisation and initiative in all areas. William Cerritelli 4P For sharing his amazing ‘Super Large’ World Atlas with his class, to help

everyone with their learning. Andrew Kelly 5B For his preparedness and willingness to be actively involved in all aspects

of school life. Sienna Blackmore 5J For fantastic research and presentation of her Museum Curator Project. Julien Staberhofer 5M For using his excellent knowledge of word origins to work out meanings of

challenging words. Olivia Russo 6C For her great initiative and leadership shown to assist with classroom

organisation. Ryan Gustincich 6K For always showing a willingness to share his ideas and insights in class

discussions. Micaela Guarnaccia 6M For actively participating in classroom discussions and contributing

valuable thoughts and ideas.

NEW EXCITING MENU The new Canteen will now serve an extended menu on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays…. this menu

will be updated from time to time! Basic Menu will be available on all days including Tuesdays and

Thursdays.

Please keep an eye out for a weekly menu in the School Newsletter. Everything will be available to order

on the QKR! App…

There are also plenty of new items added and some taken away! But, I hope it will encourage healthier

eating options!

BASIC MENU

Tuesday 18/4 and Thursday 20/4

Cheesymite Scrolls (mini) Cheese and Bacon Rolls (mini)

Party Pies and Sausage Rolls

TOASTIES SALAD ROLLS AND WRAPS Vegemite Lettuce

Ham Cheese

Cheese Tomato

Tomato Ham

Avocado Mayo

Avocado

All bread will be supplied by Baker’s Deligh – Hi Fibre Lo Gi White or Wholemeal and Hi Fibre Lo

Gi Rolls

Mission Brand Wraps

DRINKS AND SNACKS

Fruit Cup (seasonal fruit made fresh)

Mainland On the Go Cheese and Water Crackers

COBS Corn Natural Sea Salt Popcorn 20g

COBS Corn Natural Sweet and Salty Popcorn 20g

Vege Chips BBQ

Vege Chips Salt and Vinegar

Just Juice Orange, Apple and Blackcurrant, Apple

Big M Chocolate or Strawberry

Devondale Plain Full Cream Milk

HOT FOOD MENU

Wednesday 19/4 and Friday 21/4

(all items from the BASIC menu will be available with the ADDITION of the following)

Penne Pasta with Napoli Sauce (plain tomato based sauce) Parmesan cheese optional

Chicken Strip Roll or Wrap – Plain with BBQ or Tomato Sauce or with lettuce and mayo

Sushi (supplied by Sushi Sushi) Chicken Teriyaki, Cooked Tuna, Avocado

Sushi can now be ordered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 8.30am on the day

Margarita Pizza (bases supplied by Baker’s Delight) with tomato base and mozzarella cheese

Key Dates

March 2017 Friday 31st Whole School Reflection on Holy Week 9.30am

ICAS competition closes

Last Day Term 1 – school finishes at 3.30pm

April 2017 Tuesday 18th Term 2 Starts

Thursday 20th House Cross Country

Friday 21st Assembly Years 3 -6 hosted by 3B

Saturday 22nd Confirmation medals given out at weekend Masses

Sunday 23rd Confirmation medals given out at weekend Masses

Monday 24th School Closure Day - Staff PD

Tuesday 25th ANZAC Day

Wednesday 26th School tours at 2.30pm

Thursday 27th Class Mass – 4D

Reconciliation and Communion Information Evening 6.30pm

Friday 28th Year 6 Winter Interschool sports

Whole School Awards Assembly 3.00pm

Saturday 29th Reconciliation Enrolment Forms due at weekend Masses

Sunday 30th Reconciliation Enrolment Forms due at weekend Masses

Year 2 Family Mass - 10.30am

Tuckshop

Reminder - all lunches need to be ordered via QkR.

Week Beginning 27th March Friday 31st Jane Henderson, Sonia Vendramini, Jane Padden

Week Beginning 18th April

Tuesday 18th Cherie Piaia, Tracey Van Der Linde, Tracey Perkins

Wednesday 19th Tamara Lourdes, Julie Bibby, Sarah Goodear

Thursday 20th Domenic Misali, Abygaile Cukavac, Skye Page

Friday 21st Kim Murphy, Sandra Boyle, Megan Gray, Michelle Wing

A note has been sent home today requesting volunteers, please return this ASAP or otherwise use the link

below to complete on line.

https://goo.gl/forms/ax1nWzZC9dXtTh1C2

NOTICES

Friday 19th May More details to follow in Term 2

St Mon’s Footy Tipsters St Monica’s Footy Tipping is on, commencing tonight

Logon to: www.tipping.afl.com.au

Enter code: 9L2A9359 to find St Monica’s footy tipping

Cost is $30 payable prior to Round One:

Acc Name: Felicity Jordan

BSB: 193 879

Acc No: 491 136 788

********Great prizes to be won *******

WANTED!

Do you remember the Disney dominoes from Woolworths? In Term 2, the Year 3 students will be in-

vestigating 'forces' and we are on a HUNT to collect as many of these dominoes as possible!!!

We would love your donations!!! Maybe ask your friends, family, friends of friends ...... please hand

them into the Office or to your classroom teacher! Sorry .... no returns!

OSHClub News

Next Week’s Activities

Program Update Dear parents and children, WOW! Our final week of term 1 at OSHClub, and what a super fabulous fun-filled week we have had!

As there is just 19 more sleeps till Easter, the children decorated their very own Easter eggs and also

worked with Nairy to make handbags for the Easter Bunny! They were amazing! Pop in to OSHClub to

see their amazing work displayed in our journal. If your child is attending Holiday Program at St Monica’s, please book them in as soon as possible by

logging in to your account online at www.oshclub.com.au and book in under the Holiday

Program bookings tab. Holiday program will be filled with so much fun for all ages, including art and craft activities, sports,

board games, excursions and incursions, and of course heaps of fun with friends. Please pack your own

morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea and don’t forget to bring your hats!

-Carina

___________________________________________________________________________________

YOU CAN GET YOUR KIDS TENNIS LESSONS DONE WHILST THEY ARE AT AFTERCARE!

ST. Monica’s Tennis Club Contact – Steve Riley – Club Professional

0403 433 750 or steve@rileytennis.com.au

BOOK IN FOR A FREE HOTSHOTS TENNIS LESSON Just inform your OSHClub Co-ordinator

about your tennis lesson (day & time)

OSHCLUB DROPS OFF AND PICKS UP KIDS FOR THEIR TENNIS LESSONS!!!

(Children must be booked into After Care session to be dropped off and picked up.)

Parent Information

OSHC program phone: 0412 616 491

Coordinator: Carina

Assistants: Leonie and Nairy

OSHClub Head Office: 03 85649000

All families must be enrolled to attend the program, remember this is Free!! Please create an account

online at www.oshclub.com.au all bookings and cancellations can also be managed via your online ac-

count. For on the day bookings please contact the Coordinator direct at the program.

Thursday, 2nd March, 2017

Dear Parents of Year 2-6 students,

The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is an independent, quality skills-based

assessment program which rewards and recognises achievement. ICAS gives you broad insights into your

child’s performance across English, Mathematics, Science and Spelling. ICAS (sometimes referred to as the

UNSW assessments) has been developed by Educational Assessment Australia (EAA) since 1981.

Each student receives:

an engaging and challenging full-colour test booklet

an individual diagnostic report highlighting strengths and weaknesses and year to year progression

login details to access their online results which can be analysed and downloaded

a High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, Merit or Participation Certificate acknowledging their level of

achievement

the chance to receive an individually-engraved UNSW medal for the highest scoring student in each year

level for each subject.

To learn more about ICAS go to www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/icas/about

Remember, EAA has some very helpful tools to help your child prepare. You can access practice

assessments at www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/icas/preparation

To enrol your child in ICAS, please complete the registration form below and return it, with your entry

fees, to the school no later than Friday, 31st March, 2017. This is four weeks away and Term 1 break up

day. 2016 prices will be kept for this year if we order by this date. Price rise in 2018.

PLEASE NOTE - NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Kind regards,

Janet Dobson

(ICAS Co-Ordinator)

St Monica’s Primary School 20 Robinson Street,

Moonee Ponds Victoria 3039

Phone): 9375 1132 FaxÊ: 9370 7136

2017 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

Permission Form

Please return this form to school in a clearly labelled envelope via your child’s tote box.

Please complete an entry for each of your eligible children.

I give permission for my child______________________________, of _______________

Child’s name Class

to participate in the following 2017 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS).

Please select the subjects you would like your child to enter by highlighting or circling:

Students must sit on the official sitting date for each subject to be eligible for UNSW medals. However, your school may choose to sit at another time to fit in with other school activities and routines

Please find enclosed total entry fee paid by cash, cheque or credit card.

Cheques to be made payable to ‘St Monica’s Primary School’.

Entries Close Friday, 31st March at the close of the school day ( Term 1 break up day).

_____________________________________________ ______________

Name of Parent/Guardian Date

Signature of Parent/ Guardian

Subject/Paper Official Sitting Date Entry Fee, incl. GST Fee

Enclosed

Science 30 May 2017 $8.80 (2016 price)

Spelling 14 June 2017 $12.10 (2016 price)

English 1 August 2017 $8.80 (2016 price)

Mathematics 15 August 2017 $8.80 (2016 price)

TOTAL

St Monica’s Primary School 20 Robinson Street,

Moonee Ponds Victoria 3039

Phone: 9375 1132 Fax: 9370 7136

St Monica’s Primary School 20 Robinson Street,

Moonee Ponds Victoria 3039

Phone: 9375 1132 Fax: 9370 7136

If you have a Centrelink Health Care Card/ Pension Card you may be eligible for CSEF. Application

forms are available from the school office.

Application close on Friday 30th June 2017.