Newsletter 20th November 2024
From the Principal
Dear Parents and carers,
We have been busy working on our staffing and class structures for 2025. I’m happy to announce that the 2025 staffing process has been finalised. The staff have been informed of their class for next year. Due to another increase in our enrolment numbers – predicted enrolment for 2025 – 201 - we will be continuing to operate with nine classes. The class allocation for students in Prep and 5 will be completed and communicated by the end of the year.
2025 Staffing and Class structure
Prep – Mrs Hoffmann
Prep – Mrs Conneely/Mrs Shellshear
Year 1 – Miss Smith
Year 2 – Miss Grant
Year 3 – Miss Keleher
Year 4 – Mrs Anderson
Year 5 – Mrs Roberts
Year 5 – Mrs Fagan
Year 6 – Mrs Malone
Learning Support Teacher: Mrs Elizabeth Smith
Teacher Librarian – Mrs Tindall
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity/Middle Leader – Mrs McGregor
Music Teacher – Mrs Hughes
PE Teacher – Mrs Bruggemann
Next year, Mrs Bruggemann will be taking on a new role outside of her classroom teacher position. Mrs Bruggemann will be continuing her role as our PE Teacher and Sport Co-Ordinator but will also be leading her experience and skills to Sacred Heart Primary School in Toowoomba as their PE teacher. Mrs Bruggemann is excited for this opportunity to share her skills and passion for all things Sports and Health with another school and we look forward to her still being a part of our wonderful community.
Mrs Fagan is a very experienced teacher who has previously worked for our Toowoomba Catholic Schools at Mater Dei Primary School in Toowoomba and most recently at Toowoomba Grammar School in the Junior School. She has also completed roles as a Deputy and Assistant Principal throughout her career. Mrs Fagan is currently completing her Master of Education focusing on Special Education. Mrs Fagan is excited to join our team and to be part of our growing school community.
We also welcome to our school a new part time teacher – Mrs Trost. Mrs Trost is currently a relief teacher at St Joseph’s Blackall, who has previously completed roles as a classroom teacher as well as an acting APRE. Mrs Trost and her family are moving to the region to reconnect with family. Mrs Trost will be working in the Year 6 room with Mrs Malone who will be working 4 days a week next year, so she can support her daughter who is completing Year 12.
During this last month of the term, I am working towards finalising our school budget in preparation for 2025. To that end, I am asking families to ensure that their School Fee Accounts are settled. We have a number of outstanding fees currently and this has an overall impact on the school’s purchasing ability for classroom resources and future infrastructure such as laptops, classroom refurbishments and library resources. Please come on in and speak with me or Mrs Gillam, so this can be sorted before the end of the school year.
A reminder to parents that students under the age of 12 must be accompanied to and from school by a family member or older sibling. This also applies for students who attend the Thursday afternoon community BBQ at Rotary Park. If you are running late for pick-up, please let the office know, so we can look after your children until you arrive instead of asking them to walk home.
From the APRE
Advent
This year, Sunday the 1st of December, marks the first day of Advent. Advent is such a busy time of year, and we so easily forget that — at its heart — it is a time of preparation, waiting and hope for the coming of Jesus into our world and lives. Advent invites us to a commitment to watch and wait, look beyond ourselves, expand our minds and hearts in order to open ourselves up to the needs of others, and the desire for a new world. Advent is also a time of prayer as we await the birth of Jesus at Christmas who is the way, the truth and the life.
2024 Spelling Bee Competitors
Kokoda was the winning Spelling Bee House
Spelling Bee
Today we held our annual Spelling Bee in the school hall. Congratulations to all who students who completed and to the winners in each year level. You all demonstrated tremendous spelling knowledge as well as the learning dispositions of confidence, persistence and resilience. You should all be very proud of your efforts. A big thank you also to the amazing Miss Keleher for organising this event each and every year. It is another great opportunity to allow our students’ talents to shine.
2024, Semester 2, Report Cards
Over the next week, our teachers will be finalising student report cards. When teachers make a judgement about a child’s progress, they use a variety of methods including work samples, observations, questioning, and discussions.
Report cards provide an opportunity for parents and children to reflect on the learning and growth that has been achieved over the semester. A reminder that a ‘C’ grade on the report card means that your child is demonstrating the expected level and necessary skills and understandings for that part of the curriculum. As well as considering the grades attained, parents are also encouraged to look for personal progress both academically and behaviourally and recognise the importance of effort and improvement.
Report Cards will be uploaded to the Parent Portal by Wednesday the 4th of December. If you have any trouble accessing the parent portal, please make contact with the front office for assistance.
Prep Transition Days
Last week we held the first of our 3 transition days for our 2025 Preppies. It was so lovely to meet and welcome new families to our St Monica’s School community. The next prep transition day is tomorrow, Thursday the 21st of November, and our third is the following week on Thursday the 28th of November.
Swimming Carnival
This Friday, all students will be participating in the Swimming carnival. Students will need their sports uniform with house shirt and bring their usual swimming gear. Parents are reminded that they are warmly welcome to attend but need to remain on the opposite side of the pool to students to ensure marshalling can occur seamlessly. Parents are also not permitted to deliver food to their children, therefore it is encouraged that parents pack enough food and drink to sustain them for the day. Please also note that students in Pre to Year 2 will be taken back to school after their events.
St Vincent’s De Paul Christmas Appeal
Last week a note went home to families about our end of year charity fundraiser – The Vinnies Christmas Appeal. The Vinnies Christmas Appeal is all about bringing joy and festivity to families and individuals who may be in need of some extra support this Christmas Season. We are calling on our St Monica’s Families to consider donating grocery store gift cards and/or non-perishable food items to this very worthwhile cause. All donations will be presented to our local St Vincent de Paul chapter representatives at the final assembly in Week 10. Thank you in anticipation of your generosity and care for the less fortunate and vulnerable members of our community.
Events in the last Week of the School Year
Sunday the 1st of December – Choir and Ukulele Club performing at the Oakey Historical Village Christmas Carols.
Tuesday the 3rd December – Ball Games Carnival
Wednesday the 4th December – Year 6 Graduation Mass and Morning Tea
Thursday the 5th of December – Christmas Concert
Friday the 6th of December – End of Year Assembly – Prep Nativity and Awards Ceremony. A reminder that classes finish for the year after this assembly at approx. 12:00 noon. Please ensure your child is signed out with their class teacher or at the office.
From the Classrooms
Prep
I would like to start by saying well done to all the Preppies for their hard work and dedication to their assessments over the past fortnight.
As we get closer to the end of the term there are a few key events that I would like to remind you of:
Friday 22nd of November Swimming Carnival
Tuesday 26th of November NRL Gala Day
Thursday 28th of November Step Up Morning
Also, a reminder if your student has a speaking part in our Nativity Play to please assist them with learning their lines.
Year 1
Completing our units and work and assessing has been the order of the day in Year One of late. Reading testing is now complete, with many experiencing pleasing growth. I am pleased to report that assessment is all behind us now, so we can return to consolidating concepts and practising for our Christmas concert. Remember to start organising their Christmas outfit. Swimming lessons were enjoyed by all and well timed before the rain ! Homework is now finished but please remember to keep up the practice of nightly reading with books from home. All home readers and library books need to be returned to school as soon as possible.
Many thanks to all of those who generously donated to the Vinnies Appeal, your kindness shall make a great difference to many this year. The children have all worked hard this semester and are very much looking forward to a well-earned break from the school routine.
Jenny Shellshear
Some interesting discussions have emerged in year 1 about changes that have occurred since we were younger. The baby photos each student brought to share with the class were a great stimulus for this discussion and also provided a few giggles! Mrs Hughes is seeking parent helpers to do some Year 1 Christmas cooking next Friday afternoon (November 29th) at 2pm. If you are able to assist, please email Kate.Hughes@twb.catholic.edu.au. If you are unable to assist but would like to donate cooking items, feel free to send in:
- Ingredients for White Christmas (e.g. rice bubbles, glace cherries, coconut, copha)
- Milk chocolate or white chocolate melts
Unfortunately, parent helpers who have younger siblings with them are unable to assist. Thank you in advance.
Kate Hughes
Year 2
What an amazing few weeks of learning we have had in Year 2! Everyone has been trying so hard during our testing and assessment time over the past two weeks.
In English, the students have been finalising their writing assessment. They had the opportunity to innovate on the text ‘Maudie and Bear’ by writing a new chapter for the book. They all did an amazing job and came up with some great ideas.
In Maths, we have been reviewing everything we have learnt this semester.
In Religion, we finished our unit by writing a promise to God. We had the opportunity to link this to all the scripture we have learnt this year. The Year 2’s wrote some awesome promises, and they are going to try really hard to keep them!
Swimming carnival is on this Friday. All parents are invited to watch and cheer on.
Just a reminder to please bring in some non-perishable items for St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.
Until next time
Year 3
For the rest of the term Year three students are finalising classroom tasks and will be involved in many of the upcoming activities including, Step Up Day, the Swimming Carnival and the Christmas concert.
Year 4A
The Year Four students have written some interesting and very funny Superhero stories, I thoroughly enjoyed reading them. The ‘Superhero” staff of St Monica’s have some very interesting, and effective, superpowers.
Please remember to bring your child’s Secret Santa gift to school no later than Tuesday 3 December 2024. If you have not done so already, please email me to let me know if your child is participating in the Secret Santa exchange.
With the completion of swimming lessons, I look forward to seeing everyone doing their best at the swimming carnival on Friday. Please ensure your child has everything they need for the day, especially morning tea and lunch, and applies sunscreen in the morning before they come to school.
Have a fabulous week!
Year 4M
On Friday's 4M engage in maths games to practice skills learned during the week. It is a fun way to reinforce learned skills and practice social skills.
Don't forget we have our swimming carnival on Friday! Have a great week.
Year 5B
Well, here we are in Week 8 with just over two weeks left of the 2024 school year. We have had a busy couple of weeks and have many more exciting things to look forward to this term. Last week, the Year 5B students did a fabulous job presenting at Assembly for World Kindness Day. Thanks to those of you who were able to attend. The students participated enthusiastically in their swimming lessons and are looking forward to Friday’s carnival. Well done to Kimmy, Lachlan and Cathryn who were finalists today in the St Monica’s Spelling Bee. All of the students have been busy practising their ballgames and dance in readiness for the upcoming Ballgames Carnival and Christmas Concert. If you have yet to send permission for your child to participate in our class Secret Santa, please email me as soon as possible. The next couple of weeks will be action-packed and exciting and I look forward to spending this time with the 5B students before they move on to their leadership roles in Year 6 next year.
Year 5R
Exploring Science, Maths and Health Units
Year 6
This week, as part of their economics and business unit in HASS, the Year 6 students presented a Shark Tank business proposal in small groups. This process involved designing a product or service that will be sold at the End of Year Christmas concert, researching the materials required for production, and conducting surveys with students. Finally, they presented their pitch to the "Sharks" in the hope of receiving funding to cover their start-up costs. The students did a tremendous job with all groups successfully acquiring funding thanks to generous donations of community members. The Year 6 students are now looking forward to producing their products in the coming weeks as they prepare for the markets.
From the Library
From Music & LOTE
Thank you to all those people who have returned their permission notes for the Oakey CWA House visit next Wednesday (27th November). Please be wearing your FORMAL SCHOOL UNIFORM as usual. We look forward to performing for the residents. Those students performing for Carols at the Oakey Historical Village on Sunday 1st December at 4pm are also wearing formal school uniform. Please meet Mrs Hughes at 3:50pm. This should be a wonderful community event and a BBQ dinner is available afterwards.
Mini Monnie's Playgroup
Be Well at St Monica's
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
The Christmas concert is fast approaching! The P & F BBQ will be running from 5pm on the night with burgers, sausage sizzles, ice-blocks and drinks available. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!
The 2024 P & F Executive Committee would like to thank all our wonderful school community, volunteers, school staff and wider community for your help to make 2024 such a successful year. We would especially like to thank all of our tuck-shop volunteers for their hard work and commitment throughout the year.
We look forward to seeing you all back in the new year, ready for another exciting year of learning, growth, and community spirit!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Clothing Pool
The clothing pool is currently located in the OSHC, if you require anything please contact the school office or see Lauren in OSHC room near the Prep Classroom.
Community News
