Newsletter 19th September 2025
From the Acting Principal
Term Three – What a big term we have had!
What a big Term Three we have had at St Monnie’s. From quality teaching and learning in classrooms to talent shows, sports days, and excursions, there has been so much on offer to build a love of learning in our students. A big thank you to the students for their excellent behaviour and the kind and caring way they interact with each other and members of the community. Thanks also to all the parents for their continued support of the school expectations and the gentle guidance and encouragement they give the children. Lastly, thank you to all the teachers and school officers for the huge effort they put into planning interesting learning experiences to engage the students. Our community is certainly an example of how working together can achieve great things!
Term Four Uniform Days
In Term Four, the students will be required to wear the sports uniform on Tuesdays and Fridays. Formal uniform is to be worn on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Preps will continue to wear the sports uniform every day.
Semester Two Parent Teacher Interviews
A reminder that our Semester Two parent teacher interviews will take place in Term 4, Week 2. The digital sign-up form has been sent out via the parent portal. If you haven’t already, please book in for a meeting as soon as possible. This is an opportunity to meet with the teachers and discuss your child’s progress and individual needs. However, a parent need not wait until these formal events to have an interview with a teacher. Please do not hesitate to make contact with your child’s teacher if you ever feel there is a need. It is in effective parent/teacher relationships that our students will thrive both academically and socially.
Prayer for the holidays
Spring is such a beautiful time of the year, with reminders of new life and God’s creation all around us. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and peaceful Spring break, and special time with your famiy and friends.
We are looking forward to welcoming you all back at the start of Term Four on Tuesday the 7th of October.
The Hope of Spring
Dear God, thank you for Spring
and the hope of warmer, longer, brighter days.
Thank you for all the things that are coming awake in the world.
Thank you for the gift of new life.
We remember, that on the last day of creation,
you rested and told us to do the same.
Give us rest from our routine during this Spring Break.
Fill us with joy. Keep us safe and be with us,
as we play together and enjoy the gifts of creation.
With faith, hope, love and peace we pray.
Amen.
Coming Up - Term 3, Week 10
Thursday Sep 18 End of Term Thanksgiving Mass 9:00am
Friday Sep 19 Last Day of Term 3
Save the Date - Term 4, 2025
Week 1
- Monday, Oct 6, King’s Birthday Public Holiday. No School.
- Tuesday, Oct 7, First Day of Term 4.
Week 2
- Monday Oct 13th, Prep excursion to the Darling Downs Zoo.
- Tuesday Oct 14th – Thursday Oct 16th, Parent/Teacher Interviews.
- Friday, Oct 17, Maths Olympics after assembly in the hall.
- Friday, Oct 17, Loud Shirt Day for Hearing Impairment Awareness Day.
Week 3
- Year 5/6 Western Safari Camp.
Week 4
- Wednesday, Oct 29, Socktober – Crazy Sock Day to raise money for Mission Australia.
- Thursday, Oct 30, Beersheba Day.
- Thurs Oct 30, St Monica’s School Arts Night, 6:00pm – 7:00pm.
- Friday, Oct 31, Day for Daniel (Wear Red).
- Saturday, Nov 1, Parish/Family Mass – All Saints Day. 6:00pm.
Week 5
- Tuesday, Nov 4, Melbourne Cup Hat Parade.
- Friday, Nov 7, World Teachers Day celebration.
Week 6
- Monday, Nov 10, Swimming Lessons.
- Tuesday, Nov 11, Remembrance Day Liturgy 11:00am.
- Wednesday, Nov 12, Swimming Lessons.
- Thursday, Nov 13, Prep Transition Day 1.
- Thursday, Nov 13, Legends of League workshop.
- Friday, Nov 14, Spelling Bee after assembly.
Week 7
- Monday, Nov 17, Swimming lessons
- Wednesday, Nov 19, Swimming lessons
- Thursday, Nov 20, Prep Transition Day 2
- Friday, Nov 21, Swimming Carnival.
Week 8
- Tuesday, 25 Nov, Ball Games Carnival.
- Thursday, 27 Nov, Prep Transition Day 3, Step Up Day and School Locker Uniform Pop-Up Shop.
Week 9
- Monday, Dec 1, Year 6 End of Year Retreat
- Wednesday, Dec 3, Graduation Mass at 9:00am followed by Graduation Morning Tea for Yr 6 families.
- Thursday, Dec 4, Christmas Concert at 6:00pm. P&F BBQ begins at 4:30pm.
- Friday, Dec 5, 11:00am, Final Liturgy: Prep Nativity and End of Year Awards Ceremony.
- Classes finish at approx. 12noon.
From the Classrooms
Prep
Last week the Prep students were excited to experience army vehicles and a black hawk helicopter up close. The dress ups were a hit, with a few students wanting to pilot a helicopter once the helmet was in place. Students have worked very hard this term and are ready for a well-earned holiday. Regular lessons and small group activities have continued this week as students are working on consolidating concepts in both English and Mathematics. We look forward to interviews in week two of Term 4. These meetings are very important, and we enjoy catching up as well! We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday and we look forward to seeing you all next term.
My New Gallery
Year 1
We have been busy planning what we would like our creeks to look like. The students have been drawing scientific diagrams to share their knowledge of which plants and animals call our beautiful creeks home. A reminder that we are creating our creeks tomorrow and the students have been invited to bring in natural resources and any Australian animals they have at home to include in them. We look forward to sharing these with you! Thanks for another fabulous term and have a wonderful break!
Year 2
What an exciting and busy fortnight we have had in Year 2!
We had three amazing excursions last week. On Tuesday we walked to the Oakey High School to watch the airshow and look in some trucks and a helicopter. We had so much fun! On Thursday we had our 'Significant Places in Oakey' excursion which helped our HaSS learning this term. It was amazing to see so many artefacts and learn lots about Oakey’s past. We visited the Oakey Historical Museum, Army Aviation Museum and the RSL. We loved being able to explore everything and sometimes we were even allowed to touch and play with different artefacts! On Friday we went to Millmerran to see St Joseph’s performance of Moana Jnr. It was so amazing to see students the same age as us, performing so confidently on stage! We loved watching the show!
Back in the classroom we have been finishing up our English assessment. We had the chance to type all our writing which is so much fun. We are going to be making posters showing our toys later this week. We can’t wait!
Year 3
What a fantastic term of learning we have had! In Science the students have been concluding their unit about the exploration of the sun, earth and moon and their connection to each other. As part of this they conducted a demonstration of how the earth orbits the sun using torches and models in the darkness of the library. In HASS the students have been developing their research skills as they studied a chosen neighbouring country of Australia. They have then used this information to develop a travel brochure about their chosen country. It is hard to believe we are already at the end of Term 3. I hope you all have a safe and restful break and look forward to welcoming the students back for their final term of Year 3!
Year 4
The Year 4's have certainly had a big finish to Term 4. In the last two and a half we have enjoyed our Movie World trip, sleepover, Moana excursion, and the Touch Gala Day. We have also been working diligently to complete assessment tasks and been engaging positively in classroom learning. They have certainly been Fantastic Fours. I wish all our families a happy and safe break from the school routine and look forward to seeing you all in Term 4.
Year 5M & 5R
Week 10 has been bursting with energy, learning, and heart. Last week, our Year 5 students took part in a special retreat focused on the theme of Community. Through stories, discussions, and reflective activities, we explored how even the smallest, good deeds can ripple outward to create real change. Inspired by the message of the Good Samaritan, students reflected on what it means to live with compassion, kindness, and responsibility in their everyday lives. They then channeled these values into action by designing their own service projects, each inspired by the Beatitudes, with the goal of making a meaningful impact in their communities—no matter how big or small. In our Health unit, we’ve been diving deep into respectful relationships—examining who we are, what influences our choices, and how we can build positive connections with others. Students have shown thoughtful engagement as they unpack the role of peers, family, and media in shaping identity and decision-making. Meanwhile, in Science, curiosity has been in full bloom. Our focus on animal and plant adaptations has sparked wonder and creativity. Students became “observologists,” leading scientific explorations around the school grounds to observe local flora and fauna. They also designed their own imaginative creatures, each with unique adaptations suited to specific environments—combining biology with creative thinking. From spiritual growth to scientific discovery, week 10 has been a celebration of learning in all its forms. We’re so proud of the way our Year 5 students have embraced each challenge with enthusiasm and care.
Year 6
Here we are in the final week of Term 3. One term of Primary school to go!!! We have been very busy finishing off assessments and have had a chance to do some self-guided work in preparation for next year. The students had five assessment tasks to complete, they were able to choose which assessment they would like to work on and for how long. I am happy to say they have been very productive and used the time well. As we enter into Term 4, some students may begin to feel increasingly anxious about what is coming next. We will be having many discussions throughout next term about this transition and hopefully the students will be feeling a bit more confident.
From Music
Thank you to those parents who attended Oakey Sing Fest on Wednesday 3rd September at the Oakey Cultural Centre. It was a amazing opportunity to work with accomplished musicians- Melissa Buccholz and Julee-Anne Bell (from The Voice). Our Choir members also had the chance to rehearse and perform with students from Oakey State High School; St Stephen's, Pittsworth and Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Dalby. Our Choir members were wonderful ambassadors for our school.
A reminder that Choir meets each Thursday lunchtime at 1:20pm. Ukulele Club meets each Wednesday at 1:20pm. New members are now welcome!
Sports News
Year 4 Touch Gala Day
Yesterday, the Year 4 students participated in the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Touch Gala Day at Kearney’s Spring, Toowoomba. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn new skills and participate in some friendly competition against other Catholic schools in the diocese. Congratulations to everyone on your participation, sportsmanship and behaviour.
Term 4 Swimming Lessons and Swimming Carnival
All students from Prep to Year 6 will be participating in Swimming Lessons in Term 4. These will be held in Weeks 6 and 7, with the Swimming Carnival taking place on Friday 21 November. More information will be provided next term.
From the Art Room
Year 6 Splatter Painting
Be Well at St Monica's
Put a Spring in your step
Spiring is the season of change and new growth. As the weather warms up and flowers blossom, it is hard not to be inspired to feel more optimistic and joyful. Spring has been proven to have a positive impact on our physical and emotional wellbeing and it does in fact put a ‘spring in your step’. Studies show that during winter, an increased level of the sleep hormone melatonin in produced causing us to feel more lethargic. In Spring, however, the warmer temperatures and increased hours of daylight boost our energy levels and our mood, leaving us feeling more alert and energised. This is the perfect time to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors. If Summer is too hot for you and Winter is too cold, that makes Spring just perfect for outdoor exercise which has been proven to have greater impact on physical and mental wellbeing than sweating it out inside.
As we break for the school holidays this Spring, why not take the opportunity to get the whole family outside and active. Bushwalking, for example, is a great activity to do as a family and the benefits are significant. Walking is one of the easiest and best forms of exercise that anyone can do but taking it to the next level of bushwalking and hiking can be so beneficial to your mental health and physical wellbeing. Working out in the Australian environment has been proven to be good for the body and soul. Beyond Blue has advocated bushwalking as an activity for managing moderate depression and anxiety. Additional benefits for children include getting them out of the house and off screens, connecting them with nature, allowing them to use all their senses, it is a free activity that helps to bond as a family, and it helps build life-long skills.
So, put a Spring in your step these holidays! Within the Toowoomba region there are a number of walks and trails, as well as National Parks, that offer participants everything from a leisurely stroll to a challenging hike. Some of these are located in nearby areas such as Cooyar, Kingsthorpe, Highfields, Toowoomba, Westbrook and Crows Nest. For more information on walk and trails, go to the Toowoomba Regional Council’s website http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/sport-recreation/walks-trails/227-where-to-walk
(Source: Sharon Lovett, 2021)
Uniforms
School uniforms are now available at School Locker online theschoollocker.com.au
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, Wednesday & 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 - Tuesday 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, Wednesday & 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 - Tuesday & 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.
Enrol Now for 2026 and 2027
Mini Monnie's Playgroup
Outside School Hours Care
