St Monica's Primary North Parramatta Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and we acknowledged the beginning of Lent as a whole school community in our church with Fr Ephraim. It is such a comfort to be connected in this way again. 

During this Lenten journey, our task is to reflect upon our life as disciples of, and ambassadors for Christ.  We are asked to ponder how we fail to love, to forgive, to speak out when there is injustice.  How are you going to open your heart to let God in this Lent?

• Give up Social Media

• Reach out to friends and family you haven’t spoken to in a while

• Give up Uber Eats

• Read a book every night with your children

• Be home early at least once a week

• Give up buying lunch

With an open heart,

Lisa Crampton
Principal

This is what some of our students at St Monica’s feel about being brave enough to be bad at something new!

Iryssa (Stage 3) - I’m going to be brave enough to be bad at swimming.  When I don’t know how to do something well, it makes me think I can be better and I just have to practise.  I feel happy when I do better than usual.  Sometimes I feel like giving up because it’s hard but I want to keep on trying because I really want to swim.

Atticus (Stage 2) - I want to get better at goal keeping.  It makes me feel bad about myself because I like to be the winner at everything. It makes me want to give up but I want to be goalie so I’m going to practise at recess.

Keira (Year 1) - I was bad at the running part in Sport. You just have to keep on trying. I feel nervous, afraid and worried when I’m bad at something. When I’m good at it, I feel happy.

Sarah T (Stage 2) - This week is just my second lesson at piano. I’m pretty bad at it at the moment. I feel excited and nervous at the same time.  I’m going to practise a lot at home.  I don’t want to give up because it’s just so much fun.

Christos (Year 2) - I’m bad at skateboarding but I want to get good at it.  I have to practise so I can do a flip.  

Amelia C (Stage 2) - We have this big slope that goes underground when I ride my scooter.  I need to learn how to not always crash into the wall.  Sometimes I feel nervous when I’m not good at it but I feel very brave to get good at it.  That would make me feel proud of myself.   If you give up, you’ll never ever learn.

Scarlett (Kindy) - I’m not really very good at cartwheels. I’m trying my best to do it. I’m going to practise a lot.

Evangeline (Year 2) - I’m going to be brave at hula hooping.  I feel a little bit sad because I see my other friends hula hooping but I’m going to try.  You have to practise it and practise it until you’re better at it.  You can’t give up because practise makes perfect.  My mum is going to be brave at reading maps and my dad is going to be brave at cooking.  I used to think that adults were good at everything but now I know that adults have to practise stuff too to get better and better.

Alexis, Eva and Annabelle (Stage 3) - It makes us feel sad when we’re not good at something. Our friends can help us get better.  We usually say things like “It’s ok, you can try again. Don’t give up. Believe in yourself.” It makes us feel better.

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.  

NSW Health and CEDP have issued us with further guidelines and restrictions to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff and Community.

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.

If they were absent due to ongoing medical symptoms: 

• In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurring symptoms, a letter from their treating doctor is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test. 

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

Parents are advised that all communication is delivered via the Skoolbag app. If you have not yet downloaded the Skoolbag app, please do so immediately as this is our primary source of communication with parents. 

Once you have download the app, please go to GROUPS and select the class groups that your child/children are in so that you do not miss any notifications.   Skoolbag

Kindergarten 2022 Enrolment Application packs are available from the school office.  Kindly let your family and friends know that we are now accepting enrolments for Kindergarten next year.

Enrolment Forms may also be downloaded from our  website www.stmonicasparra.catholic.edu.au

Due to COVID restrictions , completed Enrolment Applications, together with all supporting documentation, may be emailed to the school email address stmonicasnparra@parra.catholic.edu.au

Please note that the original Enrolment Application, together with original supporting documentation, will need to be submitted at a later date. 

Our Open Day for new families will be held on Thursday 11 March 2021.  There will be two school tours for families:  3:30pm-4:00pm and 4:15pm-4:45pm. 

Due to COVID restrictions, 2 members per family may attend and bookings are required. 

Bookings may be made at schoolinterviews.com.au and use the code f7vfe

Enrolment Applications are required to be submitted by 31 March 2021.

Registrations will take place on the 20/21 February 2021 after Mass.  (The child is eligible to receive this sacrament if he/she has received the sacrament of First Holy Communion and is in year 5 or above )

** REGISTRATION 
After Mass on 20/21 February -  to register please bring to Mass a copy of the Baptism certificate along with a copy of the First Holy Communion Certificate (if completed at another parish) and a cash donation of $30 payable at the time of registration.

For all enquiries please contact stmonicasacraments@gmail.com

School photography day is coming up soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day.

NEWadvancedlife now offers Latitude Pay! To take advantage of LatitudePay and split the cost of your order into 10 small easy payments, simply order your school photos online as usual, set up a Latitude Pay account in just a few clicks and pay no interest or fees when you pay according to your payment schedule; it’s that easy.

3 easy ways to purchase:

Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au and enter online order code: FEF 88K ZMQ

SIBLING PHOTO ENVELOPES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

Congratulations to all of our Ex-Students who completed their Year 12 HSC last year in extremely challenging circumstances due to COVID-19.   

Special congratulations to two of our Ex-Students who were announced as Dux of their schools!

• Nash Hawkins - Dux of the class of 2020 at Parramatta Marist High School.  Nash achieved an ATAR of 99.90.  He received a Scholarship and will be completing a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Mathematical Sciences at Sydney University.
• Edward Joseph - Dux of the class of 2020 at Oakhill College.  Ed achieved an ATAR of 99.55 and will be studying a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and a Masters of Biomedical Engineering at UNSW.
• Jacob Khadi          ATAR  99.05
• Bernard Kneipp   ATAR 94.60
• Bryce Hossack     ATAR 92.05

Thank you to the parents for informing the school.  We always like to hear about the achievements of our ex-students!

We are requesting assistance from a parent or group of parents to co-ordinate our Mothers' Day Stall this year.  Anyone who would be interested is requested to contact the school via the school email. stmonicasnparra@parra.catholic.edu.au

Thank you in advance for your support!

A reminder that Ice Blocks are on sale at lunchtime during Term 1.

Zooper Doopers (Monday - Thursday)          50c each  

Icy Poles  (Fridays)                                            $1 each 

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.

Thank you for your support. 

Please ensure that every item of your child's clothing, lunch boxes and drink bottles etc have a clearly marked name label.

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.

We thank you in advance for your support. 

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.

 “We are SAFE, RESPECTFUL LEARNERS”

CLASS JARS:  Students have been working hard in class to earn "bees" from teachers acknowledging the appropriate behaviour they see. 

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

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

Bees are given out freely and frequently so students can contribute to and enjoy a whole class reward often.

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

The grade/stage is rewarded as soon as they fill the jar.

Some of the class rewards that can be earned are:

• 5 minutes early playtime at lunch
• 5 minute game of Heads Down,Thumbs Up 
• 5 minutes free choice sport
• 5 minute game of 4 Corners/ Kahoot

PLAYGROUND CASES:  Safe, respectful playground behaviour is also acknowledged with a white “bee” given out by teachers. 

Students place these bees into the class boxes in the playground which are then closely monitored by students to see who will be the next winner and what fun activity they will get to enjoy.

Congratulations to Stage 2 and Year 2 who are the first winners of our Playground Reward!!  Students will vote on the reward that they will enjoy!

Some great ideas for reward time might be - 

crazy sock day/jersey day/crazy hat day/class party/movie afternoon.

Mrs Rita Davino on behalf of the PBS4L Committee

You are warmly invited to the OLMC Parramatta Open Day on Sunday 7 March from 10am – 2pm.

Discover how OLMC is transforming learning and meet the new College Principal, Ms Lucie Farrugia.

Register for Open Day at www.olmc.nsw.edu.au

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. 

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