NEWSLETTER
Term 4 - 17 October 2019
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
Faith
Hope
Love
First Communion
St Monica’s
THIS WEEKEND
9:00am - 12:00pm
&
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Two shifts this year, morning and afternoon, so choose which ever
suits.
We’ll be looking for hands on labour, helpers and supporters for
maintenance, carpentry, painting and gardening, along with some
tools, ladders and equipment.
RSVP, enquiries, or particular pledges of support to:
Andrew McCleave - 0404 880 872 or Gerard Carew 0439 636 471.
Many hands make light work, even an hour of your time will help.
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Children,
Tomorrow I will relinquish the role of Principal and hand it over to Master Thomas Kelly from 2B. It will
no doubt be a very exciting day*. Thomas is pictured (above) with two of his friends who must have heard
that ‘an apple for the teacher’ is a good idea.
To help prepare the community for the big day ahead, here’s a short interview with the man himself:
What sort of Principal do you think you’ll be: Kind, nice and a Principal who cares for students.
What do you hope to achieve in your one day as Principal? I’d like to visit classrooms and give
stickers to children who are nice.
Do you think any of your friends might get into trouble from the Principal? Yes!
What will you be wearing on Friday? A black suit.
What might you say to the children at Assembly? I’ll ask them to be good kids and encourage
them to be what they want to be.
What is the hardest thing about being Principal? I think it will be looking after students.
Are you going to appoint a Vice-Principal? I think it will be Dean Spicuglia because he is very
helpful and he looks after people. And he’s funny.
Will you use the teachers’ first names? I’ll use their full name.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to? Being Principal!
As Mr Moore will be out of a job for one day, what should he do to keep busy? Have a day off!*
Thomas Kelly
This weekend the following students will be receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. Please remember these children and their families in your prayers as they celebrate this important milestone in their faith journey.
Saturday October 19 at 6.30pm Sunday October 20 at 9.15am
Students Staff Attending Students Staff Attending
Beau Grogan Gabrielle Burke Massimo Bhandari Tim Lavery
Faith Finn Alex Grant Grace Fisher Sonya Coghill
Hope Finn Elda Pilatti Patrick Caruso Gaye Mifsud
Nina Ioannidis Danielle Tulloch Rakel Lopez Vanessa Coulter
Carys Hancock Alessio Interlandi
Katia Karagiannis Samuel Sheldrick
Thomas Jefferies
Sophia Becker
Orlando Vandrine
Vincent De Rango
Anthony Scarpino
Sunday October 20 at 10.30am Sunday October 20 at 5.30pm
Students Staff Attending Students Staff Attending
Ava Makdesi Natalie Galtieri Jackson Ryan Christine Lo Giusto
Amy Catania Leanne Schmidt Ai-Linh Vu
Luke Sevenson Michelle Evans
Ella Vescio Rosa Pierorazio
Evie Akers Peter Moore
Olivia Smith Emma La Mari
Lola Palmer Mary McPherson
Max Theocharides Kirby Hillier
Liam Colman
Aidan Connors
Nicholas Visalli
William Degg
Students NOT returning in 2020: Apart From
Year 6 Students
At this time of the year we ask for any families
whose children will not be returning in 2020 to formally let us know. Please drop us a line and let us know
which area of Victoria (or beyond) that you’re moving to.
We have had a significant number of enrolment inquires and we are also working on class lists for 2020, so
it is vital that we are aware of any transfers that may affect either of these decision-making processes.
Please email Maria in the office: [email protected]
_______________________________________________________
Class Compositions for 2020 REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK
If you have been a parent at St. Monica’s for a number of years, you will be expecting this part of the
Newsletter; it always appears at around this time of the year. If you’re new to the school this year, please
read on and please pay careful attention to the detailed explanation that I have provided.
During October the staff enter into the very involved process of deciding class structures and class
compositions (class lists) for 2020. This usually takes about a month and a great deal of time and energy
goes into the decision-making process. We will again have straight classes from Foundation to Year Six in
2020.
The process of working out classes ultimately ends when children are placed into their grades for 2020
and they meet their new teacher on Orientation Day (Monday 16th Dec). Deciding class compositions
(class lists) is an extensive process in itself. The Staff work tirelessly to ensure that children are placed in
a supportive learning environment. This process is coordinated by Mrs. Olivia Hodgetts and the process
begins now and takes approximately four to five weeks. We take into account friendship groups,
educational needs - and balance groups as evenly as possible across the school. We challenge and support
our students to grow by exposing them to new friendship groups and new teachers where possible. We
ask for your support and trust during this process.
By Orientation Day, we hope to be able to finalise staffing for 2020, but this is not always possible. It is
always a fun time for the children to see who will teach them next year, especially if it’s a big surprise. I
regularly change the teachers’ levels and this exposes the children to many of our wonderful staff.
Special Concerns
It is vital that we do not complicate this process further by adding parent-based ‘friendship’ requests to the
decision making process. We strongly believe that if we combine teacher judgment and balance the
children’s friendship groups, then the best outcome possible will be realised. We ask the children for their
input as well.
That being said, parents often have special concerns that need to be communicated during this process. I
welcome the opportunity to hear from you if you have an educationally valid reason for making a
particular request for your child in 2020.
The first part in this process is to discuss your concerns with your child’s current teacher. It’s always good
to bounce ideas off someone who knows your child well. Once you have met with your child’s teacher
and reached consensus, you can then put your request in writing to me. All requests will be considered,
but we cannot promise that your request will be fulfilled.
I am sure you will understand that it is important for me to clearly indicate that this is not an opportunity
for you to place a request for a particular teacher. I also repeat that requests (from parents) for friendship
groups is not a part of this process.
No changes will be made to class compositions after they are formalised on the day of Orientation, so
we have a lot of work to do to get things right. It is vital that if you wish to let me know of a concern you
have, that you follow this process and act in a timely manner. Letters to me must reach the office no later
than Friday 1st November and please note: I prefer a printed and signed letter sent to the office in an
envelope rather than an email. Letters that arrive after the deadline are unable to be considered as the
process of thinking carefully about the needs of 535 children is complicated.
This comprehensive process is my commitment to you that we will do our very best to make highly-
informed decisions for your child.
Below, I have summarised the process described on the previous page and above...
Special Concerns Process
Classes 2020
1. Discuss your concerns as adults at home so that everyone at home is in agreement.
2. Children grow and change. This year, I have again decided to ‘wipe the slate clean’ regarding any
previous requests you have made. To be honest, it is very hard to track requests going back a number
of years. So from now on, each year is treated as a new opportunity. We will not be going back through
your old letters. Please write again if you would like your request to be considered.
3. Follow this up by discussing your concerns with your child's teacher. Bounce ideas off the teacher and
discuss the pros and cons. Please be open to the fact that the classroom teacher might not agree with
your thinking.
4. Once you have spoken with the teacher, if you feel the issue needs to be formalised through
communicated with the Principal, then please put it in writing. Mr. Moore prefers letters printed on
paper rather than emails (as emails are not guaranteed to arrive safely).
5. Mr Moore will confer with the Classroom teacher and then pass on your concern to Mrs. Hodgetts who
will endeavour to address the issue as the classes are constructed, although we cannot guarantee that
your request will result in the outcome you seek. The teacher should be well-aware of your concerns if
you have attended to step 2. If you skipped step 3, please expect a call from the Classroom Teacher.
6. Your note will be acknowledged with a “we’ve received your letter” card. If you don’t receive this card,
it means we didn’t receive your letter.
7. We will communicate with you should we require further clarification of your request. If your request is
straight forward, there may be no need to discuss the issue further.
8. A reminder that the following are not a part of this process:
-Parent requests for friends (Why? The children nominate five friends and we guarantee them a
minimum of one.)
-Parent requests for particular teachers
Please note: I cannot accept your letter if it arrives after the cut-off date of Friday 1st November. It is not
fair to Mrs Hodgetts if I do not have a firm cut-off date.
Welcome Fr Andrew
After 10:30am Mass on Sunday the Parish held a welcome ‘cuppa’ for our new Assistant Priest, Fr Andrew Choi. Originally
from Korea, Fr Andrew was recently Ordained at St Patrick's Cathedral for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. I went on-line and
found some photos of Fr Andrew’s Ordination and a group-photo from his first Mass at St Francis of Assisi, Mill Park. Fr
Andrew has now been appointed to St. Monica’s and we hope we can enjoy his company for a number of years.
I recently had a good chat to Fr Andrew and told him that I was keen to learn more about Korea. When I was about 15, Ballarat
had a Korean BBQ restaurant and I asked Fr Andrew if Korean BBQs were authentic or made-up. He assured me that they were
a part of traditional cuisine. He also disclosed that he’s a good cook. I feel a Korean BBQ coming on…
First Communions
Congratulations to the students pictured above, who all celebrated their First Communion last weekend.
Between members of the staff who attended, we managed to take photos of each group. We’ll try again
this coming weekend, but families are welcome to submit photos to the Newsletter. The more the merrier.
Celebrating the Life of a Great Parishioner
Yesterday I attended the funeral Mass for Mrs Mary Coghlan,
mother of our past Deputy Principal, Anne Ryan. Mrs Coghlan
lived to the great age of 101 and has been a part of this Parish for
her entire life, living two doors away from the church. Mrs
Coghlan attended St Monica’s Parish School as a child and then
went on to send her children to the school—including Mrs Ryan!
When we had the ‘Naming Weekend’ for the Symons Centre in
2014, Mrs Ryan attended with her Mum and there were few
people in attendance who had lived the life of the Parish like Mrs
Coghlan. She will be sadly missed.
Regards,
Peter Moore
Principal
It looks like the Year 1 students are having way too
much fun! They are making damper in English!
English? You may question! They used this hands-on
experience to then write a procedural text!
A group of Year 4 students had a lot of fun in
writing recently! They randomly selected a
character, event and setting and then started
writing a story. After a few minutes, they passed the
unfinished story onto the next person to continue
writing!
Shapes!
The Year 4 students
thoroughly enjoyed mak-
ing 3D shapes !
The investigated the
properties, such as
vertices, faces and edges!
What materials do you
have at home to create
some 3D shapes?
The Year 2 students were buzzing when they
returned from their excursion to Ceres.
This term they are learning about Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, in particular, the link
with Geography and Our Country.
Athletics News
Congratulations to Charles Barrett, Jude
Barrett, Charlie Tudor, Xavier Vandrine
and Sophie Kukuljan who competed in
Tuesday’s Regional Athletics
Championships held at Keilor Park. A
special congratulations to Sophie, who
finished 2nd in the Triple Jump and has now
qualified for the School Sport Victoria
State Championships to be held next week.
She will be competing against the very best
athletes from right across the state. An
outstanding achievement, well done
Sophie!!
Mr McGuinness.
Student of the Week
Certificates will be presented at assembly on Friday, 18th October at
3pm - Whole School Awards Assembly (Location: Church)
Elizabeth Hui FS For her detailed retell of ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’. Keep up the
great work, Elizabeth!
Joel Trevaskis FS For his incredible detail in his holiday recount writing. Keep up the
great work, Joel!
Etienne La Fontaine FL For his dedication, ensuring he puts in his best effort in all class
activities. Well done Etienne!
Harley Stipanic FL For his fantastic work in counting by 10s, on and off the decuple, in
Mathematics. Well done Harley!
Cecelia Connors 1D For always sharing insightful thoughts and ideas during Guided
Reading sessions.
Jessica Riseley 1P For her conscious effort to contribute her thoughts during guided
reading. Amazing Jess!
Erik Sevenson 1P For his great work in Mathematics. Keep up the fantastic problem-
solving skills, Erik!
Max Vescio 1S For making a great start to Term 4 and for solving Mathematics
problems efficiently and sharing his thinking confidently! Well done,
Max!
Marcus Pertile 2B For his active listening, participation and engagement during our
excursion to CERES.
Charlie Trevaskis 2C For taking time to consider her response to a challenging question
and her willingness to attempt an answer.
Kristopher Soch 2T For always putting in 100% effort! Well done, Kristopher!
Benjamin O’Connell 3B For his outstanding effort to improve the quality and quantity of
written tasks.
William Degg 3K For his terrific work in his word bank book. Keep up the great quality
of work.
Griffen Tate 3M For his growing confidence to share his thinking during whole class
discussions.
Isabelle Monger 4A For her enthusiasm and hard work as a part of the Gateways challenge.
Well done on refining your organisation skills.
Zoe Jeffrey 4G For her enthusiasm to generate ideas for our latest advertising
project.
Sophie Downey 4P For listening attentively to instructions at all times in order to
complete her work.
Patrick Phelan 5J For being a very considerate person at camp. Patrick had positive
attitude and went out of his way to help others with the activities.
Josephine Lilikakis 5M For her excellent use of descriptive vocabulary in all writing tasks!
Well done.
Bianca Pavia 5T For showing determination and grit when facing challenges . An
example to all
Noah Lavandeira 6C For consistently being respectful towards all students and staff.
Maggie Gray 6M For demonstrating great determination and persistence when
competing in the divisional Hooptime Basketball competition.
Chloe Medic 6R For being a motivated, independent learner who demonstrates
excellence in all tasks.
Form over the page or can also be collected from the
school office.
Key Dates
Term 4
October Friday 18th Whole School Awards Assembly at 3pm in the Church
Saturday 19th St Monica’s Working Bee : 9am-12pm & 12pm-3pm
First Communion
Sunday 20th First Communion
Wednesday 23rd FETE Free Dress Day
Thursday 24th 1S & 4P Buddy Mass at 9.15am
Foundation 2020 Information Evening at 7pm
Friday 25th Foundation L & Foundation S Assembly in the Hall at 3pm
Saturday 26th First Communion
Sunday 27th First Communion
Monday 28th Channel 10 - Mike Larkin Weather to promote FETE 4.30pm
Thursday 31st FE and 6R Buddy Mass at 9.15am and Year 3 Thanksgiving Mass
November Friday 1st Whole School Assembly - 3.00pm in the Church
Monday 4th Report writing day - NO Students
Tuesday 5th Melbourne Cup - Public Holiday
Wednesday 6th Parish Education Board Meeting 7.00pm
Thursday 7th
Friday 8th Senior Assembly Year 3 to Year 6 - hosted by 4G
Thursday 14th Class Buddy Mass 9.15am - 1P, 3M, 5M
Friday 15th Whole School Awards Assembly at 3pm in the Church
Saturday 16th FETE - Oh, The Fun You’ll Have!
Tuckshop Roster Term 4
Week Beginning Monday 14th October
Friday 18th Yvonne Yuen, Natalie Gunn, Jay Doolan
Week Beginning Monday 21st October
Monday 21st Jamie Tate
Tuesday 22nd Fiona Kennedy
Wednesday 23rd Anita Enes, Mic Scardamaglia
Thursday 24th Julieanne Hancock, Maha Delia
Friday 25th Michelle Wing, Skye Palmer, Volunteer Required
Week Beginning Monday 28th October
Monday 28th Kelly Schaffer, Angie Kelly
Tuesday 29th Jaklina Visalli
Wednesday 30th Tracey Van der Linde, Cherie Piaia
Thursday 31st Margaret Caccamo
Friday 1st Melissa Leffanue, Michelle Giaquinta, Kim Murphy
NOTICES
Children’s Liturgy
Term 4
10 November - 10:30am 17 November - 10:30am
24 November - 10:30am
1 December - 5:30pm 8 December - 10:30am 15 December - 10:30am
School Fees Now Due 1st , 2nd & 3rd Instalment and Levies for 2019 are now due and are to be paid immediately. Families unable to meet their
school fee commitment are to contact Mr Peter Moore or Father Tony.
EFT SCHOOL BANKING DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
St. Monica's School General Account
BSB 083 347 Account No.69868 9654 National Bank.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR FAMILY NAME.
Saturday 2nd November 2019
8.00am; 11.00am; 6.30pm
OSHClub News
Before School / After School Care Program
Program Update
Dear Parents and Families,
Starting next Wednesday we will be running a 3 week Soccer program during ASC. These lessons will be run with
the assistance of Steve Riley and his team at Kids Edge. Two sessions will be held each week catering for
Foundation-Grade 2 and Grade 3-6. All children must be enrolled and booked into OSHClub to attend. No extra
cost will be charged for the program, just the flat ASC rate of $31.25.If you have any questions please call or text
0412 616 491 between 7-9am or 3-6pm. Bookings can now be made for our pupil free day program running on
Monday November 4.
These bookings can be made through the parental portal. As we don’t serve food on pupil free Days, can you please
make sure your children have something for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Also because of the weather
getting warmer, we ask that all children have a drink bottle and hat in their bags. Some important news for Term 4,
as the weather will be warming up all children must have their hats while at OSHCLUB. Children without their hat
will not be allowed to participate in outdoor activities. We will also be encouraging children to put on sunscreen
before they go outside to play. (We use a Coles branded sunscreen).
***Important Reminder***:
Please remember to book in for Before and/or After School Care if you know in advance. It helps us to ensure we
have enough staff rostered on and also for catering purposes. If you do need to make a booking on the day, please
text the program phone on 0412 616 491.
Registration and future bookings can be competed through our website www.oshclub.com.au
Take care,
Jess
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 [email protected]
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.)
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Before Care Activi-
ties
-Kinetic Sand
-Fruit salad
- Play doh art
-Octopus
- Pancakes
-Silent ball
- Lego
-Whispers
- Painting
-Heads down thumbs
up
After Care Activities
-Muffins
-Snap
-Cricket
-Skipping rope
- Painting
-Uno
-Soccer
-scavenger
hunt
-fabric art
-Checkers
-AFL
-One bounce
- Milkshakes
-Marble race
-Scarecrow tiggy
-Helicopter
-Colouring Comp
-Pictionary
-Ball tiggy
Next Weeks Activities
