Newsletter 4th December 2024
From the Principal
Today we had the privilege of celebrating and congratulating our Year 6 students at our annual End of Year Mass and Year 6 Graduation. It was wonderful to see so many families in attendance celebrating this important milestone for our Year 6 students. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate with us. The Mass was another prayerful and uplifting celebration, wonderfully co-ordinated by Mrs McGregor. Thank you for all your time and dedication you put into our liturgical celebrations.
Tomorrow night we have our last function of the year, annual Christmas Concert. All the students have been practicing hard in preparation for their performances. Thanks to all the staff especially, Mrs Hughes and Mrs McGregor for preparing the students for the night. Thanks in advance to our parents for running of the BBQ. If you are available to assist with serving, it would be greatly appreciated. Please see in the P&F section a basic roster for the night.
As this is the final newsletter of the year, I’d like to thank all our families for their support of the school throughout this year. We couldn’t have achieved all the things we have done this year without your ongoing support and dedication to our school. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back for next year. 2025 promises to once again bring many great opportunities for our school, building on the successful work from this year. We end this year with an enrolment of 191 and look to commence 2025 with around 200 students, 34 of whom are our Preps.
I’d like to thank all our staff (teachers and school officers) for all the work they do for the students. It has been a very productive, engaging and focused year. You have all worked so well and achieved great things with your students.
I would also like to thank our students for their work this year, especially around working towards and achieving the high expectations that we have set around academic performance. You should all be proud of your efforts. The staff certainly are.
To our departing Year 6’s students, we wish you all the best for your high school years and we thank you for your commitment to the school. You should all be proud of your efforts.
To our departing families, we wish you all the best and thank you for your time spent with us. Thanks again everyone.
Enjoy the Christmas season. May God Bless you during this time.
Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Please see below for the BBQ roster for the Christmas Concert
School Uniform Update
All school uniforms are available online only at theschoollocker.com.au.
Please sign up for the Student Advantage Program, this will entitle you to discounts and free postage if posted to the school for pickup (this will be available from January 23rd, 2025).
Next year, we will have a full range of uniforms if you need to try on, for sizes before you purchase online.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during the uniform transition period from Intersports.
From the APRE
What a Year!
As we approach the end of another wonderful year, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every member of the St Monica’s school community. In our busy lives, your support and involvement have been invaluable. Whether it’s helping with school events, volunteering in the tuckshop, covering books, assisting with homework, or simply being there for your children, your contributions make a significant difference. We are truly grateful for the strong partnership we share. As we look forward to 2025, we are excited about the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead for our students and school community.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a relaxing holiday season. May this time be filled with joy, peace, and rejuvenation. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, refreshed and ready for another fantastic year of learning and growing the St Monica’s Way!
St Vincent’s De Paul Christmas Appeal
Tomorrow is the last day to send in donations for the St Vinnies Christmas Apeal. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent in food vouchers and long lasting foods to support families in need this Christmas.
From the Classrooms
Prep
Week 10, we made it!
I would like to thank each and every one of you for a wonderful year.
I am incredibly proud of all the prep students and how they have grown. We have celebrated so many successes and I wish them all the best for next year.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday. See you in 2025!
Year 1
On Friday afternoon, the year ones made some White Christmas and some Christmas chocolates in class. Thank you to those parents who donated ingredients and special thanks to Sue Hay & Eleisha Park for helping with the cooking. Year 1s are going to sample these on Friday morning.
It has been a delight to be part of your child's journey. Fabulous Fridays with the Wonderful Ones has been a highlight of my year!
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday.
Year 2
What an amazing year we have had in Year 2! I can’t believe we are already at the end. Everyone should be so proud of the effort the Year 2’s have displayed with their learning throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone that has returned their library books. If you still have any at home, please return them ASAP!
I wish everyone a happy and safe holidays and I will see you all nice and refreshed next year!
Year 3
What a wonderful year we have had. It been a pleasure to teach every child in my class and I am proud of each one of them. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your child’s education as the rewards for teaching are in being witness to and being part of the educational growth and individual achievements of students during each day. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and restful holiday filled with wonderful memories and thank you for your support this year. I look forward to seeing you all in the new year!
Year 4A
The Year 4A students really enjoyed the transition day last Thursday. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all families for their support throughout this year. It has been a pleasure teaching Year 4A cohort this year and being a part of your children achieving their individual learning goals.
I wish all our families a safe and happy Christmas and send all the Year 4A students best wishes for Year Five.
God Bless
Year 4M
Welcome to the final newsletter for 4M.
It has been an absolute pleasure working with you all throughout the year, and the growth, both personal and academic, of the students has been rewarding to watch. On reflection, we have achieved so much, and I am very proud of where the students have finished the year. Thank you for your support and partnerships - only as a team can we achieve the best outcomes for the children.
I wish you all a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.
Year 5B
Well, it is hard to believe that the 2024 school year is coming to an end. I am so impressed with the academic and personal growth I have witnessed in the 5B students this year and I look forward to seeing them take on their leadership roles in 2025. Thank you for your support throughout the year. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Christmas Concert on Thursday night and the Final Assembly on Friday. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families all the very best for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Year 5R
Thank You for a wonderful year filled with learning, growth and memorable moments. I wish you all a safe and blessed Christmas season and a restful break with your loved ones. I'm already looking forward to an amazing 2025 together.
Year 6
The Year 6 students have been busily planning and preparing their products which they will be selling at the End of Year Christmas Concert this evening.
The products for sale will include rocky road, decorated biscuits, scented Christmas candles, lucky dip bags, Lolly bags, Christmas tree ornaments, loom bands and keyrings. There will also be a face painting service on the night. All money raised at the stalls will be added to our St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal donations. Make sure you get in early as I'm sure these will all sell out very quickly! These stalls will be CASH only.
It is hard to believe that the Year Six students have come to the end of their primary school journey. It has been an absolute pleasure teaching this year's cohort and I cannot wait to hear all of the incredible things that they are going to achieve in the future. To those families whose final year it is at St Monica's, I wish you all the best as you move into the next chapter.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and a restful new year.
From the Library
From Music & LOTE
Thank you to all the members of our Ukulele Club and School Choir who performed on Sunday afternoon at the Oakey Historical Museum. Despite the heat, the students did a wonderful job playing Row, Row, Row Your Boat (different versions) and singing Christmas Bells & Jingle Bells (Australian version). I look forward to working with you all again next year as well as welcoming new members to Choir & Ukulele Club.
Thank you also to Mrs Sarah Malone for her ongoing assistance with Choir throughout the year.
Mrs Hughes
Mini Monnie's Playgroup
Be Well at St Monica's
All I want for Christmas is …... Health and Wellbeing
With just over a month until Christmas, the excitement is building as we approach the festive season. This is a wonderful time for celebration, gift-giving and connecting and celebrating with friends and family. For some people, however, it is a very stressful time. This may be due to family conflict, isolation, financial issues, work commitments, loneliness or physical or mental health issues. Helping Minds is an organisation that supports children, young people, adults and families that are affected by mental illness, and they offer the following tips to help make the festive season more manageable:
- Make a Christmas budget and stick to it.
- Stay connected – keep in touch with family and friends.
- Find gratitude, even if it’s just something small.
- Try not to overindulge. (Yes, that’s a tough one!)
- Stay active – exercise is a huge mood booster.
- Try not to put too much pressure on yourself.
- Make sure you get enough sleep.
- Find time to relax.
- Remember everything doesn’t have to be perfect.
- Have realistic expectations of family and friends.
- Get involved with the community – volunteer for a worthy cause or donate resources.
- Recognise your signs of stress and use techniques that help you relax.
- Let someone know if you are struggling.
Make a difference this Christmas
St Vincent de Paul, Lifeline, Tony’s Kitchen and Base Services for the homeless all provide wonderful services to assist those in need at Christmas time. Non-perishable items are being collected at St Monica’s to donate St Vincent de Paul. We encourage all families to donate to this worthy cause. Additionally, volunteers are always required for Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland lights in Queens Park, which raised much needed funds for local charities. If you can help out go to https://christmaswonderland.com.au/
In challenging times, help is just a phone call away! Who can you call 24/7?
Lifeline 131114, Kids Help Line 1800 551800, Beyond Blue 1300 224636
Uniforms
School uniforms are now available at School Locker online theschoollocker.com.au or Intersport in Ruthven St Toowoomba.
Research has shown that one of the real advantages of an education at a Catholic School is that a special and unique pride is developed. One significant way to foster such pride is the enforcement of strict uniform guidelines. All children are expected to wear the school uniform as listed below:
School Uniform - Years 1 to 6
Girls – Formal - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
- St Monica’s School Dress Uniform
- Dress: Pattern, Sutton no 346(B)
- Dress: Fabric, Check 8021
- Collar: Cesarella 1301, Zip: Birch 265 Bottle Green
- St Monica’s School green school bucket hat
- Short white socks – (no ankle socks)
- All black shoes – may be leather or jogger.
Girls – Sports - Wednesday and Friday
- St Monica’s School Sports Shirt Yr.1 to Yr.5
- St Monica’s School Leader Shirt Year 6
- St Monica’s School Navy Blue Skort
- St Monica’s School green school bucket hat
- Short white socks
- White sandshoes/joggers
Winter Variation
- As Above
- St Monica’s School Bottle Green Fleecy Pullover with embroidered crest
- Green fleecy track pants with sports uniform only.
- Navy Blue Tights (optional)
Boys – Formal - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
- St Monica’s School Dress Shirt with tartan collar
- Shirt: Pattern, Simplicity 5581
- Fabric: Bottle Green Poplin 8021
- Shorts: Navy Blue Long Shorts (Ruggers)
- St Monica’s School green school bucket hat
- Short navy-blue socks – (no ankle socks)
- All black shoes – May be leather or jogger.
Boys – Sports - Wednesday & Friday
- St Monica’s School Sports Shirt Yr. 1 to Yr. 5
- St Monica’s School Leader Shirt Year 6
- St Monica’s School Navy Blue Shorts (Stubbies)
- St Monica’s School green school bucket hat
- Short white socks
- White sandshoes/joggers
Winter Variation
As Above
- St Monica’s school Bottle Green Fleecy pullover with embroidered crest
- Green fleecy track pants with sports uniform only.
- Long navy-blue pants - Ruggers – Formal uniform (optional)
It is expected that the correct and clean school uniform will be worn at all times. A school uniform can help instil in the students a sense of pride and identity. It also signifies unity and equality.
Prep students wear the sports uniform 5 days per week – Monday to Friday
All Students
Hair:
Collar length hair or longer must be tied back with a green band or green ribbon. Natural hair colour is expected. Rat’s tails and tracks are not permitted.
Earrings:
Girls: Sleepers and plain studs are the only acceptable earrings.
Boys: No earrings.
Other:
Clearly mark all clothing with your child’s name.
From the P&F
