St Monica's Primary North Parramatta Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

On Sunday we celebrated the First Sunday of Advent and the new liturgical year.  The first candle on the Advent wreath symbolises hope, something which many of us may have struggled with this year.  

Pope Francis, in Fratelli Tutti (2020) said “I invite everyone to renewed hope, for hope ‘speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning.  Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfillment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… Hope is bold; it can look beyond personal convenience, the petty securities and compensations which limit our horizon, and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile’.  Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope.”

May this Advent season bring your families hope, faith, joy and peace.

With Christmas blessings,

Lisa Howell
Principal

Parents are reminded that morning supervision commences at 8:20am.  Students ARE NOT supervised before this time.
It has been noticed that a number of students have been arriving at school well before 8:20am. 

If you need your child/ren supervised before this time, please contact COSHC.  (Details below)

Phone: 0429 990 179
Email:  COSHCStMonicasParra@parra.catholic.edu.au  
Morning 6:45am to 8:45am            Afternoon 3:00pm to 6:30pm

School start time is 8:50 am.  Parents are advised that the gates will be closed after the morning bell at 8:50 am. 
Students arriving after 8:50 am will need to be signed in at the office via Daking Street.  

A standard email will be sent to all families who have children absent from school. 

If your child is absent from school, one of the following must be done BEFORE they may return to school: 

If they displayed flu-like symptoms during their absence or were sent home with flu-like symptoms:

● Return a negative COVID-19 test and be symptom free.   Provide us with a copy of the NSW Health or COVID-19 Testing Centre correspondence (e.g. SMS screenshot or email).

If they were suffering from a medical condition without flu-like symptoms:

● Provide us with a Medical Certificate or Letter from a Medical Practitioner, clearly detailing medical condition and clearance to return to school.

If they were absent due to a non-medical reason:

● Provide us with a detailed description of the absence.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community.

In 2021, all children from Kindergarten to Year 6 will sit for a Mathematical Assessment Interview (MAI) which is conducted by the teachers at the beginning of the school year. This allows teachers to identify each student’s strengths and misconceptions in Mathematics. Teachers use this data to plan the mathematical teaching in the classroom. 

For Years 1-6, these interviews will be conducted  on Wednesday 27th January from 11.30am - 4.30pm and Thursday 28th January from 11.30am - 4.30pm.

Students starting Kindergarten will be interviewed on Friday 29th January from 8.30am - 3.30pm.

These interviews can be booked through the School Interviews website (link to be provided soon).

A note will be sent home AND via Skoolbag explaining this process and how to book an interview for your child. The booking window will be open from Monday 7th December commencing at 4pm and will close on Tuesday 15th December at 4pm.  Interviews take approximately 30 minutes. 

These are student only appointments, and parents are not required to attend, but we invite you to drop your child off at the Parish Hall entry gate.  Staff will be at the gate waiting for students to arrive. Parents must remain offsite.  Students can be collected at the gate when they have finished their interview.

Please note that this is not a full school day, students are not required to wear school uniform, and students are only required to attend school for the duration of their interview.

Due to the length of interviews, we ask that you provide a water bottle for your child. Please arrive at the gate 5 minutes before your appointment time. Your child will be collected from here by a staff member and taken to their interview. 

Normal school resumes for Years 1-6 on Friday 29th January 2021 and for Kindergarten, Monday 1st February 2021.

Mrs Mary-Anne Stenning
Assistant Principal

Early Stage 1 explored the presence of God in the world through symbolism. They have explored the symbolism of colour and the meaning of objects that we use for worship.

As we move into Advent, they have also been learning about the importance of Mary and her role in making God present in our world.

Stage 3 have been looking at how Advent is a season of hope and they have been searching for sources of Hope and Joy around our school. They want to share this with you through a news broadcast where they will be highlighting the events and people of St. Monica’s who make our community a place full of hope and joy.

We will be sharing a link to their news show, Advent News, shortly so keep an eye out for it.

Kind regards,

Therese Coutinho
Religious Education Coordinator

We remind students that there is NO SHARING OF FOOD at St Monica's. 
Parents are requested to please send only healthy food options for your children to eat at recess and lunch. 

Chocolates, lollies and lollipops are treats for home and should not be sent to school, this includes Christmas Candy Canes. 

Thank you for your support. 

The final Kindergarten 2021 Orientation Day will be held tomorrow  

The same procedures as last week will be followed.

Congratulations to the following students who received awards at our recent Assembly.

Parents are reminded to please ensure your child has a water bottle every day. 
A number of students are still forgetting to bring in their water bottle each day. 

As the bubblers are not in use, it is most important that students bring at least one bottle of water each day so that they are not dehydrated.

NO glass bottles please.

Students are to wear their sport uniform on this day. 

A reminder that our Competitors Only Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 10 December 2020 at Blacktown Aquatic Centre. 

Students from Years 2-5 (and Year 1 students turning 8 in 2021) who have registered will be participating.

Due to the current Covid regulations, no spectator parents are permitted to attend the carnival.

Lauren Hartz
Leader of Learning / Sports Co-ordinator

Ice Blocks and Popcorn will be available for sale during Term 4.

Zooper Doopers (Monday - Thursday)          50c each   (lunchtime)

Icy Poles  (Fridays)                                            $1 each     (lunchtime)

Popcorn (Monday to Friday)                            50c each  (recess)

PLEASE NOTE THAT ICE BLOCKS AND POPCORN WILL NOT BE SOLD IN WEEK 10.

LIBRARY TIMES:  

Monday:            YEAR 2        Morning & Recess 

Tuesday:            YEAR 1        Morning & Lunch 

Wednesday:      S2                Morning & Recess

Thursday:          S3                Morning & Lunch 

Friday:               ES1               Morning

Morning Borrowing from 8.30am - 8.50am

Students who want to borrow will go upstairs with Mrs Davino at 8.30am

A big Thank You to those students who have already started to return their library books! 

Please continue to bring them in - all borrowed books need to be returned by the end of Week 9.

Mrs Rita Davino
Teachers' Assistant / Library Assistant

Thank you to our Lifesavers!

For Weeks 6 and 7, we would like to thank:
Lola, Ashton, Tiara, Riana, Evan, Aaliyah, Maureen, Kristian, Zi Han, Theo, Abbie, Sanoy, Theresa, Samuel, Nika, Simon, Charlize, John, Max, Ashleigh, Andrew, Liam, Sophie, L’Lysse, Sanoy, Sara, Siria and Madeline.

Therese Coutinho, Ivana Algeri and Kellee Bagnall
Stage 3 Team

Thank you for supporting this school fundraiser.

The donuts will be delivered to school on Thursday 10 December and will be delivered to classrooms in the afternoon.  If you have purchased a large quantity, they will be available for collection from the office.

Sympathy and prayers are extended to the HADDAD family (Maureen, S3) on the recent passing of Mr Haddad's mother. 

Please keep the Haddad family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time in their lives. 

Thank you to the CHANDRA family (Jessica S3 and Joshua Year 2) for printing our 2021 Parent Handbooks and Merit Awards. 

We are very grateful for your generosity. 

The last day for Student Banking this year will be on Wednesday 9 December (Week 9).

There will be NO STUDENT BANKING IN WEEK 10. 

Thank you. 

Dear Parents and Students, 

Have you worked out what our secret surprise is yet?? 

Stay tuned for more hints!

IT IS GOING TO BE VERY EXCITING!!!!

“We are SAFE, RESPECTFUL LEARNERS”

Students have been working hard to earn "bees" from teachers acknowledging the appropriate behaviour they see in the classroom and on the playground. 

Each grade/stage is rewarded with a fun classroom game or an extra 5 minutes of play as soon as they fill their class jar. 

Students encourage each other to contribute to the class jar so a whole class reward can be enjoyed. 

Bees can also be earned in the library when borrowing & returning books and even when students visit the office and display respectful behaviour!

The outdoor bee boxes are closely monitored by students to see who will be the next winner and what fun activity they will get to enjoy. 

Mrs Rita Davino on behalf of the PBS4L Committee

There will be an exciting announcement this week!  Who has reached the line and will be rewarded with something amazing?

2021 school travel applications are now open.

Applications for student travel in 2021 opened from Monday 12 October 2020.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).

Students who have changed school/campus, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should re-apply or update their details.
*Applications must be completed by the student's parent or legal guardian if the student is aged under 16 years. Students 16 years and over must complete the application form themselves.

Where there is a change of distance eligibility based on a student’s grade, the system will automatically update a student’s entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply. If a student needs to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2020 to ensure that current student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card remains valid. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2020, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2021. Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) are

Parents are requested to drive safely and slowly through the Kiss and Drop Zone.  To ensure the safety of our students please observe the speed limit and drive safely. 

Dear Parents/Carers 

All Volunteers/Contractors who now visit St Monica's School must have a BCSC number before they will be allowed to enter the school grounds.

In Catholic Education Diocese Parramatta (CEDP), we see parents and carers as partners in your child's learning journey. Parents and carers are encouraged to become involved in our schools in many important ways such as supporting classroom learning, being part of advisory groups, mentoring programs, coaching sporting teams and supporting other extra-curricular activities, canteen support and other kinds of help.

Please see the link below for more details.

CEDP has launched a new Building Child Safe Communities form and online training module that all volunteers/contractors are required to complete. 

ALL Volunteers/Contractors  will require a  BCSC status that is APPROVED to provide services to our school.

• You must provide your BCSC number to the school prior to assisting at an event. (Please forward the automated email to the school email address stmonicasnparra@parra.catholic.edu.au or provide a hard copy)
• No Volunteer/Contractors (parents included) will be granted permission to assist with a school event without a valid BCSC number. 

Oz Fashions supply all our student uniform requirements. 

115-127 Parramatta Road, Granville  (Corner of Parramatta Road and Good Street)

Phone:  9897 3121         Fax: 9897 3222

Email:  mail@ozfashions.com.au

Website:  www.ozfashions.com.au

Opening Hours

Monday—Friday 9:00am-5:30pm

Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm

Sunday CLOSED

Has your child lost clothing at school?  It is easy to return items that are clearly marked with a child’s name but we have many items where the name is not very clear and some which do not have any name on them at all.

Please check that all your children’s belongings are clearly labelled so that they can be returned to your child (including lunch boxes and drink bottles).