NEWSLETTER Term 2 June 1st 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

Our New Senior Learning Centre Shorlitsted

Australian Interior Design Awards 2017

Winner Announced

in Melbourne

Friday 9th June

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Children,

During the past few weeks our wider community has been saturated with

reports and news stories in the media about the Commonwealth Government's

proposed changes to school funding. I have been watching the situation

carefully because it is likely that we will be one of the schools who are most-

affected by any significant shifts in government policy.

Why? It is because our Socio-economic rating/ranking is so high (linked to the average income for

households in the Moonee Ponds area). The last time I checked, St. Monica’s was the highest ranked

school by SES in both the Western and Northern Regions.

In the coming week I will prepare some up-to-date information for families and send it home in a separate

envelope. I will attempt to find out the most accurate information available to me so that you will be

presented with a balanced perspective on what is the most likely outcome for our school, should any

proposed changes be implemented.

In recent years, I have not published many (if any?) reflections on Government Policy in relation to

proposed changes to school funding. This is because most of these announcements have been directly tied

to election promises and with the support of the Parish Education Board, I have concluded that families in

the school are happy to make voting decisions without any input or influence from the school. I am very

conscious that school funding is only a small part of each party’s suite of policies.

This time, there is no election on the horizon, so comments from the school cannot be seen as promoting

one party over another. The current government is proposing changes to law that could affect the way our

school is funded—forever. I am concerned about this, as being a high SES rated school, we are more likely

to be seen as a school whose parents can afford to contribute more to school fees.

Over the past five years, our school fees have risen more than I would like due to a formula called the

‘Capacity to Contribute’ model. This is again at the heart of the government’s “Gonski II” reforms and I

would not like to see our fees rise any more. I have communicated this to you before, but over the past four

years our fees have risen, but the benefit has not been passed onto the school. Each time the school’s

funding drops, the fees rise to compensate. We have seen this as a part of the recent reality of our fee

increases. As I understand it, the proposed changes to school funding would take this to a whole new level.

I will do my best to ensure that you are given factually correct information so that any action you take is

both informed and grounded in fact rather than opinion. Some of you may have seen St. Monica’s

mentioned in one of Melbourne’s easier to read papers, under the heading “Giving to the Poor”. I was as

perplexed as any member of the general public as to how a journalist could give such an ‘accurate’ figure

of our proposed school funding when it wasn’t even available to me. This whole topic has been one giant

media circus and I aim to take away the ‘grand-standing’ that has appeared in the media and reduce the

story to pure facts. Please wish me luck.

Biggest Morning Tea

I have just heard that the combined total of the Staff and Parent Biggest Morning Tea fundraising is a

whopping $3,242. This is a magnificent effort and I sincerely thank all involved, especially the organisers

Grace Carew (Parent Coordinator) and Maree Foley (Staff Coordinator). I am always so proud of the way

our school community raises money for worthy causes.

Check out the Australian Interior Design Awards

https://australianinteriordesignawards.com/pages/gallery/year:2017/awardid:4/

Trivia Night

I am also working on a separate letter to thank you for your

response to fundraising for Anil’s extended family. The Trivia

Night on Saturday raised a great deal of money and I want to

take the time to give you a complete picture of why I advocated

for this special consideration for Anil and his family. In the

meantime, can I please extend my sincere thanks to everyone

who attended the Trivia Night. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed

it immensely. My heartfelt thanks to Jess Lothian, Jane

Campbell, Julie Bibby and Cathy McNeill for the hard work in organising the night. Thank you also to the

Major Sponsor: Frank Dowling Real Estate, along with the numerous minor sponsors.

One of the highlights of the Trivia Night was Phoebe

DeMaria’s enthusiastic solo dance* to Kenny Roger’s

The Gambler.

Not since I captured Josh Akers doing “The Catwalk”

at a BBQ have I had so much fun witnessing a ‘dance

like nobody’s watching’ moment. It was unclear

whether the dance had been previously planned and

choreographed, but this is unlikely. *completely voluntary

Not to be outdone, the gentlemen once again demonstrated that all is fair in ‘love and air-guitar wars’ -

with young-gun Luke “Angus Young” Mahoney attempting to take down reigning champion Brendan “BB

King” Jones. All I can say is ‘Long Live the King’. Rumour has it The King needed a few well-placed ice

packs later that night.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Moore

Principal

Teachers who love teaching … teach students to

love learning! Here are some examples of passionate

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

Mushroom Mania!

This week, the year six students studied fungi/mushrooms and the way they

reproduce. Special thanks must go to the Mecca family for kindly donating

the mushrooms used as part of this learning!

House Got Talent! It is so exciting to see so many students

practising at lunchtime for House Got

Talent! It is not too late to consider an act.

Please refer to the advertisement in this

newsletter!

Science Experiments The Year 3 students are studying ‘Forces’. I

have been invited into classes to see a number

of experiments that the students have researched

themselves and demonstrated in front of their

classmates! Impressive!!!!!!

Student Expert Ollie has spoken to each of the Year 4s

separately about living with Cerebral Palsy.

Congratulations Ollie on a wonderful and

thought provoking presentation.

Fantasy Characters After reading a Fantasy text, a group of Year 5 students used procedural

picture prompts to draw a range of new characters. Next, the group made up

funny stories of how these characters could be connected! Impressive

drawing skills, Year 5.

Year 2 Zoo Excursion The Year 2 students enjoyed a fun excursion to the Royal Melbourne Zoo!

Year 3 SRC Report

Over the last two terms, we have been promoting the School Rules. We went onto the computer and did

a Power Point. We presented the Power Point to the Year 3’s and at the end we got some suggestions

about how to make the school even better than it already is. The children in our class even made posters

promoting the school rules. Be sure to look out for them around the school! We have enjoyed being

SRC’s and have had lots of fun things to do. For example, on Walk to School Safely Day we gave out

stickers and we tallied up how many kids walked to school in their Houses. It’s really worthwhile being

SRC because you have more responsibility and you get really confident speaking in front of the class.

Ava Kelic, Sean Dent, Hamish MacLaren

Why do our students love Lunchtime Knitting Club so much?

Knitting Club is proving to be an extremely popular lunchtime activity amongst

our Year 3-6 students. It’s truly wonderful to see those smiling faces and busy

hands creating a myriad of items every Monday in the Senior School.

It’s challenging and it’s also fun! (Hannah 4P)

It teaches you hand skills and it’s fun to do! (Mimi 4P)

It’s relaxing and it’s really good massage for your hands! (Evie 4P)

Everyone helps everyone! (Isla 4P)

Student of the Week

Certificates will be presented at assembly on Friday 9th June at

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

Amelia Smith FC For trying her best to transfer her knowledge of

letter sounds into her writing. Finn Kukuljan FC For giving everything a go and persevering when

challenged. Grace Stapleton FS For her increased confidence to participate during

shared reading sessions. Well done, Grace! Alimée Riley FS For always approaching tasks with a positive

mindset, and being a good friend to her classmates. Sienna Stipanic FT For her excellent reading during Independent Reading time

and using strategies to help her with tricky words! Keep up the great work,

Sienna! Oliver Winterbottom FT For always demonstrating cooperation in the classroom and being a role

model to his friends during work time! Well done, Oliver! Bradie Dorian 1C For confidently asking questions when needing to clarify something. Allena Paulose 1L For trying her absolute best in all learning areas and always 'having a go'

when she encounters challenges. Charlotte Khoury 1S For her expressive reading and for confidently sharing all she learnt about

African Elephants in her reading group! Fantastic, Charlotte! Amelia Humann 2D For showing great initiative with technology. Well done, Amelia! Noah McDonald 2M For displaying great behaviour and working hard in class. Well done,

Noah! Benjamin Gray 2T For being an extremely helpful and friendly class member. Thank you for

being so caring! Mila Pickett 3B For consistently completing Home Learning tasks to a high standard. Nicolas Pane 3M For showing persistence during the Maths assessment task. Matthew Rumoro 3O For his participation during our Science Works Excursion. Your ability to

clearly articulate your knowledge about forces was excellent! Henry Carew 4D For his application and focus in all learning tasks and for his willingness to

assist at any time. Olivia Batey 4G For her ability to work cooperatively in group tasks. Isabella McEniery 4P For her consistent willingness to apply herself to all of her tasks both in

class and for homework. Amber Nguyen 5B For her valued contributions to whole class and small group discussions. Isabella Page 5J For her brilliant writing, in her and class work. Nuanced and descriptive! Tara Hornibrook 5M For demonstrating excellent cooperative skills during group tasks.

Anthony Mathews 5M For fully participating in group tasks, demonstrating great leadership skills.

Please note Year 6 Student of the Week will be presented at a whole school assembly

on Thursday 29th June at 2.45Pm Charlotte McInnes 6C For the way she logically and carefully presents her work. Amelie Prentice 6K For continually providing valuable insights and contributions in class

discussions. Luke Farmelo 6M For actively participating in Reading focus groups, often sharing his

valuable thoughts and interpretations of a text with others.

Key Dates

June 2017 Friday 2nd Year 6 Winter Interschool sports

3.00pm Assembly Years 3 to 6 hosted by 3M

Tuesday 6th Parents' Association Meeting

Thursday 8th 3M Class Mass at 9.15am - Postponed to a later date Friday 9th Year 6 Winter Interschool sports

3.00pm Whole School Awards Assembly

Monday 12th Queen’s Birthday - Public Holiday

Wednesday 14th Parish Education Board Meeting 7.00pm

Thursday 15th 2M Class Mass at 9.15am

Year 3 Parent Function

Friday 16th Year 6 Winter Interschool sports

3.00pm Assembly Years 3 to 6 hosted by 4G

Sunday 18th Past Students Mass

Tuesday 20th Reconciliation 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Wednesday 21st Reconciliation 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Thursday 22nd Reconciliation 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Friday 23rd Year 6 Winter Interschool sports

Whole School Mass - Feast of the Sacred Heart

3.00pm Assembly Years Foundation - 2 hosted by 1C

Saturday 24th Eucharist Enrolment Masses

Sunday 25th Eucharist Enrolment Masses

Thursday 29th 2T Class Mass at 9.15am

Whole School Awards Assembly at 2.45pm in

Church, including all Year 6 Student of the week for

this term

Children finish Term 2 at 3.30pm

Parent/Teacher Interviews 4.00pm to 7.30pm

Friday 30th Parent/Teacher Interviews

Staff finish Term 2

Term 3 July 2017 Monday 17th Term 3 begins

Thursday 20th 1S Class Mass at 9.15am

Wednesday 26th Grandparents Day and Special People Day

Friday 28th Whole School Awards Assembly - 3.00pm

August 2017 Tuesday 1st ICAS English

Parents Association Meeting at 7.30pm

Thursday 3rd 1L Class Mass at 9.15am

Friday 4th 3.00pm Assembly Years 3 to 6 hosted by 3O

Wednesday 9th Parish Education Board Meeting at 7.00pm

Thursday 10th 1C Class Mass at 9.15am

Communion Workshops 5.30pm and 7.00pm - Senior School Building

Friday 11th Whole School Awards Assembly - 3.00pm

Tuesday 15th ICAS Mathematics

Thursday 17th Buddy Class Mass 1S and 3O at 9.15am

Friday 18th Bookweek

3.00pm Assembly Years Foundation - 2 hosted by 1S

Please note Sushi orders will close at 4.00pm the day before the lunch order, ie Sunday for Monday lunch

order, Tuesday for Wednesday lunch order and Thursday for Friday lunch order.

If you are rostered on and are unable to help out please contact myself or find someone else to swap with.

Thank you!

Mel Caputo

Week Beginning May 29

Friday 2 - June Jane Henderson

Kim Murphy

Lyn Garvey

9.30 - 11.30

9.30 - 11.30

10.30 - 11.30

Week Beginning June 5

Monday 5 - June Skye Page 9.30 - 10.30

Tuesday 6 - June Anne Ryan

Fiona McCleave

9.00 - 11.00

9.00 - 11.00

Wednesday 7 - June Chloe Colman

Lisa Saunders

10.30 - 11.30

9.30 - 10.30

Thursday 8 - June Andrea Palmeri

Silv Pane

Skye Palmer

Michele McMenamin

9.00 - 11.30

9.00 - 11.30

9.00 - 11.30

9.00 - 11.30

Friday 9 - June Carmel Rugolino

Sonia Vendramini

Annmarie Carmichael

9.30 - 11.30

9.30 - 11.30

10.30 - 11.30

NOTICES SCHOOL FEES

The second 2017 school fees instalment of $1,015.00 was due 30th May. Thank you to those families that

have made their payment so far. Just a reminder that, as usual, payment can be made by cash, cheque,

Visa, Mastercard or via the Internet (our banking details are below for your convenience). If any family

is unable to meet their school fee commitment, they are asked to contact Mr. Moore or Fr. Tony.

For Internet Banking (Electronic Funds Transfer) our bank account details are as follows:

Account Name: St. Monica’s School General Account

BSB: 083-347

Account Number: 69868 9654

Please use your SURNAME and ACCOUNT NUMBER as payment reference

ANNUAL ST MONICAS DADS FOOTY MATCH VS

ST VINCENTS, STRATHMORE

Let’s make it back to back wins.

WHERE: THE SNAKEPIT @ ST BERNARDS CAMPUS

WHEN: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2

****PLAYERS NEEDED. ****

****NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. ****

TO QUALIFY: BE AN EXISTING ST MONICAS PARENT OR TEACHER (YOU

KNOW WHO YOU ARE)

FIRST TRAINING SESSION: THIS SUNDAY

(JUNE 4) WINDY HILL @ 4PM.

DEBRIEF AT WINDY HILL SOCIAL CLUB

5PM - 6PM. WAGS & KIDS WELCOME.

CONTACT BEN HOGAN (0402 919523) or PAUL BARLOW (0410 338716) IF YOU

ARE INTERESTED.

OSHClub News

Next Week’s Activities

Program Update Dear parents and children, At the end of this term, I will be leaving OSHClub to persue my career as a teacher. Working at St Mon-

ica’s has been a wonderful start to my career in education, and I have absolutely loved the time I have

spent at OSHClub! I am so grateful to have met such fabulous and kind parents and children. I will miss

you all so much! In other news, this week at OSHClub, the children have completed the most amazing

chalk drawings and one line drawings! You must come in and check out their amazing creations dis-

played in our reflection journal. Also, from the beginning of Term 3, the Foundation children will be re-

quired to make their own way to OSHClub afterschool, so please prepare your children for this transition. Let’s have a super awesome week, Carina

-When children are being picked up or dropped off at OSHClub, please ensure that you only park in

allocated parking spots. Please do not park in the Keep Clear/No Standing zones. It is unsafe and

some parents have reported this to be a hazard. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Before Care

Activities

-Packing Away

Coles Delivery -AFL Football

-Children Or-

dering With

Coles

-2 Leg Race

-Winter Animal

Bookmark -Basketball Tricks

-Our Reflection

Journal -GaGa Ball

-Draw Zoo An-

imals -Downball

Competition After Care Ac-

tivities -Popstick Winter

Animals -Blind Fold Paint-

ing -Free Play Adven-

ture Playground

-Winter Col-

ouring Sheets -One Line

Artwork

Drawings

-Fruit Salad

-Winter Umbrella -Feather Painting

-Playground Fun

-Water Penguin -Team Uno

-Playground Chal-

lenges

-Winter

Wordsearches -GaGa Ball

Parent Information

OSHC program phone: 0412 616 491 (Operating hours are from 7.00am-9.00am and 3.00pm-

6.15pm) Coordinator: Carina

Assistants: Leonie, Shannon, Nairy, Maddie 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.

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.