St Monica's Primary North Parramatta Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are so pleased that restrictions have been lifted slightly so that we can hold our Kindergarten Orientation sessions (for students only) in a few weeks’ time and that we can invite fully vaccinated guests to the Year 6 Graduation Mass in December. 

During the last two years, we have been reminded to not take anything for granted.  Having parents and visitors onsite here at St Monica’s has definitely been one of those things I will remind myself never to take for granted again.  We have missed you and can’t wait for you to be here in 2022!

I visited my parents in regional NSW last weekend after not being able to see them for over 6 months.  The joy on their faces when they were able to spend a weekend with their three daughters will stay in my heart forever.  It truly is the little things in life, especially family, that matter the most.

As we approach my most favourite time of the year, let us remember that we are all healing from a year that made us feel disappointment, frustration and loss.  We need to be kind to each other and celebrate when we can, how we can, with those we can.

Stay safe ?

Lisa Crampton
Principal

Parents are invited to join us for our Remembrance Day Liturgy via Zoom.

When:    Today - Thursday 11 November 2021

Time:      11am

Where:    via Zoom 

Please use the link below: 

https://parracatholic.zoom.us/j/64064644923?pwd=MjE4ZEtOM0d2aFJsRWtuSm5PZnNuQT09

Mr Andrew Baker
Religious Education Co-ordinator

Dear Parents and Carers,

As St Monica's is now a cashless school, we have introduced the new "St Monica's Cash Card" for purchasing Zooper Doopers and Icy Poles at lunch time.

Each cash card is worth $5.00 (10 x 50c) and will be available for purchase via the Qkr! App. 

When purchasing your card:

• Please purchase a separate card for each child.  
• Ensure your child's profile details are correct  - especially their Homeroom Group. 

Once payment is received, a cash card will be created for your child and stored securely to prevent loss or theft.

Your child will then be able to use their cash card to purchase 50c Zooper Doopers (Mon-Thur) and $1.00 Icy Poles (Fri).  

Please be advised that Zooper Doopers and Icy Poles will not be sold at lunchtimes when students are indoors due to wet weather. 

Please note that no cash will be accepted.

SMNP Staff

A reminder that supervision at St Monica's commences from 8:20am.  There is no supervision for students prior to this time.  Thank you to everyone who has ensured their children have not been at school early!

We fortunately have Before and After School Care available onsite at St Monica's, through Ambrose School Age Care, previously known as St Monica's Catholic Out of School Hours Care (COSHC).  If you require care for your children before 8:20am please contact them on 0429 990 179 or stmparramatta@cdpsl.org.au

From 2:45pm, students in Years K-2 (as well as their siblings) can be picked up from Kiss 'n' Ride (vehicles) or the hall gate (walkers).

From 3:00pm, all other students may be picked up from Kiss 'n' Ride (vehicles) or the hall gate (walkers).

Thank you for wearing a mask at drop off and pick up!

SMNP Staff

Due to the restrictions in place until the end of Term 4, we are not permitted to sing in school.

This means we have had to put our plans on hold for a concert with Andrew Chinn that was previously scheduled for Friday 10 December.

Our creative teachers are working with students on an interesting way of presenting the Christmas story in a visual presentation that adheres to COVID-19 restrictions for schools.

We look forward to sharing this with you throughout Week 10.

Each grade/stage will present something which will be distributed to families via the normal communication channels. 

Mr Andrew Baker
Religious Education Co-ordinator

COMING UP……...

As a whole school community, now that we are back at school - we will be celebrating Book Week in Week 7  (November 15th - 19th). 

We have lots of exciting events for our students to look forward to and enjoy!

Mrs Rita Davino, Library Assistant

2021 Theme: “Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds”.

Our Kindergarten 2022 Orientation Days may now go ahead in accordance with our COVID-safe plan. 

The Orientation Dates are below and your child is required to attend all three sessions: 

• Thursday 25 November
• Thursday 2 December
• Thursday 9 December

Parents will receive an email in the coming days with details of their child's attendance schedule and other requirements. 

Parents are requested to confirm your child's attendance at all three sessions by replying to your email. 

We look forward to welcoming our 2022 Kindergarten children to the Orientation Days!

Tuning in to Kids - Emotionally Intelligent Parenting

A four-session online parenting program for parents and caregivers of children up to 12 years old. 

Please click on the link below for more information. 

Tuning in to Kids 

Parents of Year 6 students have been advised of Graduation Celebrations which will be held in Week 11 commencing Monday 13 December. 

A list of the activities can be found below. 

Monday 13 December 2021
Thanksgiving Mass and Year 6 Graduation (including Year 6 Awards Ceremony)

● St Monica’s Church at 9:30am
● Students are to wear full school uniform
● Two (2) guests per Year 6 student are invited to attend. As this is a school event, guests must be fully vaccinated and show evidence of their vaccination status when checking in to the venue before Mass.

• Masks must be worn at all times.
• This event will be live streamed.

Year 6 Morning Tea (following the Mass and Graduation)

• St Monica’s Primary School
• Year 6 students only

Tuesday 14 December 2021

Year 6 Fun Day (Motiv8)

● Lunch will be provided by the school for all Year 6 students.
● Students are to wear comfortable, casual clothes that may get wet and dirty. No crop tops, short shorts or tights, bike pants, thongs or singlets please.

Wednesday 15 December 2021
Students’ last day of school and Guard of Honour

●  2:30pm Guard of Honour (time has been brought forward to accommodate early dismissal time).

• Students may have t-shirts signed on this day, however, they must not be wearing them.

Charles Lukasik (Max’s dad) is the contact person for any enquiries regarding the Year 6 Social Function and the students’ gift to the school.

We are looking forward to celebrating these last few weeks and are excited that parents will be able to attend the Graduation Mass. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Stage 3 Team

We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Cooper family (Charlize S3 and Braxton S2) on the passing of their grandfather. 

Please keep the Cooper family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Staff - Mrs Bagnall and Miss Anschau

In an effort to keep everyone safe, we are trying to limit the number of people who are attending the office.

A table has been placed outside the office door with Partial Absence Notes, hand sanitiser and pens for you to use. 

LATE ARRIVALS

If your child is arriving late we request that you follow the instructions below.

After checking in using the QR Code on the gate:   

• Please wear a mask. 
• Use the Hand Sanitiser provided. 
• Complete a Partial Absence Note for each child (please ensure you complete all sections of the form - including your child's name/stage, reason, your name/signature and date).
• Your child may hand the Partial Absence Note to the office staff. 
• Parents do not need to enter the office.  

EARLY PICK UP

If you need to collect your child early for any other reason (illness, appointment), please follow the instructions below.

After checking in using the QR Code on the gate, we request that you:  

• Please wear a mask. 
• Use the Hand Sanitiser provided. 
• Complete a Partial Absence Note for each child (please ensure you complete all sections of the form - including your child's name/stage, reason, your name/signature and date).   Please leave your note in the Early Dismissal Box on the table and the office staff will collect it.
• Parents are requested to please wait outside the office and your child will be sent out to you.

If parents need to enter the office for any other matter, we request that only one family enters at a time.   Please ensure you are wearing a mask.

Thank you for your assistance and for keeping the staff and students of St Monica's safe. 

SMNP Staff

Just a reminder that Term 4 school fee statements that have been issued are due to be finalised by 18th November.

As previously mentioned CEDP is working hard to support the families in our communities who are struggling financially as a result of COVID -19.

As always we encourage parents who are experiencing hardship to seek support.

You are welcome to contact School Fees via email at mnic-parfees@parra.catholic.edu.au

As mentioned in the last newsletters School billings have processed reversals for our cancelled Stage 3 overnight camp. 

They have also reversed any anticipated excursion planned for Term 3 & 4 that cannot go ahead for Years K-6. These should be reflected in your next statement.  If your account is in credit due to the reversal, the credit will be applied against your 2022 School Fees. 

Lata Rebello
Senior Finance Officer

Staff

As per advice from the NSW Government and Catholic Schools NSW, all staff must wear a face mask or covering at all times when indoors.  

Students

• Masks are strongly recommended for primary students when indoors and outdoors (unless eating or exercising). 
• We are not able to enforce this, but we strongly recommend that all students wear masks. 
• Masks are not provided by the school.

Parents  

• If parents enter the school foyer, they must wear a mask. 
• Parents are also asked to wear a mask during Kiss ‘n’ Ride and at the gate when dropping off and picking up children.

Parents are reminded of our School Uniform requirements and guidelines regarding hairstyles at St Monica's as per our Parent Handbook. 

Hairstyles    -   Hair is to be clean and neatly cut.

Girls

• Shoulder length or longer hair must be tied back.
• Ribbons or scrunchies in school colours only must be worn.
• Hair colouring is not permitted.  This includes streaks, colour, dyes or excessive gel. 
• Decorative headbands are not permitted.

Boys

• Neat and simple haircuts.
• No undercuts, shaved heads, number ones, mullets, rat’s tails or ponytails.
• Hair colouring is not permitted.  This includes streaks, colour, dyes or excessive gel. 

As Per Public Health Orders

Oz Fashions is open to the fully vaccinated from 9am-5:30pm weekdays and 9am-4pm on Saturdays. 

When you visit our store we ask for only one parent or guardian to be present during their child’s uniform fitting and that you observe the NSW Public Health Orders:

• check-in with the QR code; 
• be fully vaccinated & show staff your Covid-19 digital certificate;
• wear a face mask;
• hand sanitise as you enter.

If you have any symptoms we ask that you not attend our store, stay home and go and get tested.  

You can still do business with us online, by phone and email. Purchases are also encouraged to be made prior to the new year to avoid lengthy queues in January. 
Purchases through Oz Fashions can also be made via the St Monica’s Primary School Qkr! app until Friday 17 December 2021.

Best regards

OZ Fashions Team

We wish to advise that there are vacancies available in some grades. 

Enrolment applications may be downloaded from our school website

You may contact the school office on 8832 4100  or by email stmonicasnparra@parra.catholic.edu.au for more information.

PLEASE READ

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please see NSW Health and CEDP guidelines below for students returning to school after an illness (NB: these guidelines have not changed):

• Students must not attend school if they are unwell.  This includes even minor flu symptoms.
• Students must return a negative COVID-19 test result and be symptom free before returning to school.
• Schools must sight the negative COVID-19 test result prior to allowing students to return to school.

If you are unwilling to allow your child to undertake a COVID-19 test or provide the school with a negative COVID-19 test result, the student is to be excluded from school for a 10-day period.  Additionally, the student must by symptom free for at least 3 days before returning to school.

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 (as per the Government Health Guidelines)

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly.
People with coronavirus may experience symptoms such as:

• fever
• respiratory symptoms
  • coughing
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath.

Other symptoms can include:
runny nose, acute blocked nose (congestion), headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite and fatigue.

To stop the spread of COVID-19 people with even mild symptoms of respiratory infection should get tested. 

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safety of all students and staff at St Monica's.

To keep informed of upcoming events, parents may subscribe to the School Google calendar.  The Google calendar will be the primary source of information about school dates in the future.

Go to our School Website and scroll to the bottom of the calendar.

Click  “subscribe" near Parent Calendar.

Thank you to those parents who have downloaded the Qkr! app.  

To ensure payments are processed correctly, we request that you please update your child's profile.  A profile needs to be created for each child. 

Please check that you have correctly entered your CHILD'S NAME and CLASS.  If you are unsure what class your child is in, please contact the office.

There are a number of payment options available on the app.

• Enrolment Deposit - only to be used for NEW students to the school.
• Library Book Replacement Cost - only for parents who receive a letter from Mrs Davino requesting payment for library books.

Please do not use these two payment options unless you have been requested to. 

Instructions to download the Qkr! app can be found here.

Thank you.

Skoolbag is the school’s primary avenue for immediate communication with parents.

Skoolbag is a communication app which all parents are strongly advised to install on their smartphones, ipads etc. 

Please ensure you have this app downloaded so that you do not miss any important messages.   

Remember to subscribe to your child's class group! 

Once you open the St Monica's Skoolbag app - Select Groups - then add your child's class.      You may add/remove class groups as required.