NEWSLETTERTerm 4 Issue 8 November 26th 2015 

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

A picture says a thousand words!

Dear Parents, Students and Caregivers, Without a doubt, our Carnival of Fun on Saturday was an incredible success and I endorse the comments of the children when I hear them say, ‘Best Fete Ever’. The activities, rides and food on offer to our children and the wider community were amazing. There truly was something for everybody and the smiles were clearly evident. It is difficult to find the words to thank every single member of the community for their collective endeavours, so I will say one huge:

Thank You Some families worked for months on their contribution; others put in an all day effort on Saturday and went home exhausted. Every contribution added to the whole effort. I could see the evidence of: making, baking, collecting, cooking, painting, constructing, begging, melting, buying, contacting, doing, drawing, decorating, wrapping, joining, icing, threading, ...and the list goes on. It was a privilege to see the final result come together. I would like to offer a sincere vote of thanks, along with my gratitude, to Jess Lothian for volunteering a year ago to be the Fete Coordinator. The Fete has been like an additional member of Jess’ family and she has lovingly nurtured it for well over a year. It is only now that she can put this child to bed! Jess was incredibly well supported by Ange Horton, our Parents’ Association President. Ange has lived and breathed this Fete - and her cool, calm and collected nature has meant smooth sailing, despite moments when the sea was choppy! I would also like to thank Kelly Clark for making up the third Member of the Three Musketeers (along with Jess and Ange). Kelly’s organisation, management, persistence and diligence turned problems into solutions. If we think of the Fete as a Giant A380 Jet - Jess, Ange and Kelly are sitting in the cockpit and were the Captains of the flight. We salute you! There were also hundreds of others who made up the flight crew on the various decks. We also had the ground crew, who worked underneath the plane, unseen to the passengers. We also thank the people who prepared things off site and dropped them off - a bit like airline catering, but far better quality! We also celebrate the passengers themselves, who handed over their hard-earned money to support us financially. If I imagine myself as someone who got to walk through the airport, inside the plane, underneath, before, during and after the flight – I can see the names and faces of the people who carried out all of these roles. There are too many to mention by name and if I start to single people out, I’ll end up needing a parachute! Often people see me staring into the sky as planes fly over. I am fascinated by these incredible machines. I was really proud to walk around the fete on Saturday, equally struck by the community effort that resulted in St. Monica’s Carnival of Fun. It was a First Class experience (and I’ve never flown First Class, but I know quality when I see it). Yours sincerely,

Peter Moore Principal

Oh what fun we had!

FETE Report Another fete done and dusted! Thank you to everyone who coordinated a stall, volunteered their time, made craft, baked, donated things, supported our casual clothes days, purchased raffle tickets, provided their expertise and turned up to enjoy an amazing day in such a wonderful community. Our school benefits enormously from the fundraising the parents undertake and it is only with the sup-port of the whole community, each doing what they are able, that we can pull off a massive event like the fete. The fete is about much more than money though. It is a chance to form friendships through coming together for a common goal, it allows us to provide an outstanding day for our students and it gives us the opportunity to show the wider community what a wonderful school we have. On a day where there were several other fetes taking place in the local area, it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying themselves. We were blessed with perfect weather and I think everyone would agree that seeing the children’s excited faces made all the hard work worthwhile. There are so many people who deserve special thanks that I can’t possibly name them all, but Kelly Clark and Ange Horton deserve a special mention for the hours and hours of work they put in. So much goes on behind the scenes that no one sees and without the work of these two extraordinary women there wouldn’t have been a fete. Thank you to all of the organising committee for being so positive and dedicated. And a massive thank you to the staff in the school office who took on so much extra work without batting an eye. We are so lucky to have you. We welcome any feedback, both positive and negative. You can send your comments to stmoni-casfete2015@gmail.com. Jess Lothian Fete Coordinator

Carnival of Fun – Foundation Silent Auction I thought I'd share a pic of the Teepee which we won through the silent auction at the Carnival of Fun. Charlize is so excited to show her friends when they come visit. Thanks for all the effort each and every Foundation student and the teachers put into their pictures...... it's very colourful and we will treasure it forever!! Regards Abbey Vandeloo

Let Your Light Shine

Congratulations Morgan Last Sunday Morgan Kukuljan ran at Geelong with her Aunty and cousin. They ran six km's in the 'Run for Geelong'. With proceeds go-ing to the Maternity hospital in Geelong. Great effort!

GATEWAYS Challenge The Grade 4 team SM Sporty Science made up of Noah Khoury, Rory Joyce, James Lavery and Louis Ambrosi came second in today's challenge. Now on to the finals next Friday 4th December. It was a great team effort! Well done to all the St Monica's participants.

Congratulations Congratulations to Valentino (5M) and Jules-Anton (3K) on the birth of their little brother Kendrick Emil. Kendrick was born last Thursday 19th November; everyone is doing well.

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge – Certificates Information Just a quick update in regards to the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge. For those students who completed the challenge the certificates will be presented at the Whole School Assembly on Friday 4th December.

Sports Carnival – Thank You Having returned to school after a short break, I would like to take the time to once again thank all of those parent helpers and staff who worked hard during the Sports carnival to help make the day an en-joyable event for the students. A special thank you to Rob Sicilia, Jacinta Dennert, Sonya Coleman, Cathy McNeill, Sally O’Farrell, Michael Sexton, Jon Woodyatt, Lynn Sweeney, Rob Rizzo and the rest of the set up team for coordinating the transportation of the marquees and bollards. Sorry if I have for-gotten anyone! Thanks also to our hard working integration aides Yasmin, Francesca, Rita and Stefania who came down to the track early in the morning to help set up. The support of the community is invalu-able.

Sports Day Bibs If anyone is willing and able to assist with washing and maintenance of the Sports Day bibs can you please let the office staff know. Each year the kindness of staff and parents within the community has enabled us to keep the bibs clean and ready for next year’s carnivals. If you can offer your assistance it would be greatly appreciated. Also if your child has accidentally taken home his/her bib from the Carnival, can you please ensure that it returns to school as soon as possible via the P.E. tote box. Thank you again for your cooperation. Mr. McGuinness.

Lost Property Could all families please check their child’s jumper and sports top and if you happen to have another child’s item of clothing please return to the school office.

Last Chance School Junior Yard Sale: Gourmet Delights and Craft Stall This Friday afternoon from 3.15pm will be your last chance to purchase a variety of goods from the fete. The Gourmet Delights stall has a variety of chutney, relish, jam, biscuits, truffles, fudge, nut mixes, roll-ing pins etc. The Craft Stall have a variety of handmade jewellery, hair accessories, magnets, Christmas Cards de-signed by students and Candles. The Stall will be set up in the junior yard so come along ready to start your Christmas shopping or stock up for the holiday season!

Mixed up Runners from FETE Could all families please check their child’s runners. The mix up happened at the jumping castle where one child took two different sizes, a size 3 and a size 4.

Important Dates November Friday 27th Year 3 - 6 Assembly 3.00pm - Hosts 5C Sunday 29th Year 1 Family Mass 10.30am Monday 30th Foundation - Year 2 Swimming Program

December Tuesday 1st Foundation - Year 2 Swimming Program Wednesday 2nd Foundation - Year 2 Swimming Program Anointing of the Sick Mass - 11.00am Parents’ Association AGM - 7.00pm and PEB end of year function Friday 4th Whole School Sports Awards Assembly Tuesday 8th Christmas Carols - 7.00pm Thursday 10th Whole School Social Justice Presentation 9.00am Friday 11th Year 6 Graduation Celebration Day Monday 14th 2016 Foundation Orientation Morning 9:15am to 10:15am Year 6 Mass and Graduation Dinner Tuesday 15th 2016 Orientation for Years 1 - 6 Wednesday 16th Children Finish at 3.30pm

Tuckshop Week Beginning 23rd November Friday 27th Jaklina Visalli, Franca Abbenante, Cathy McNeill, Melissa Moran Week Beginning 30th November Monday Jacinta Dennert, Grace Carew, Nadia Palombo, Leanne Daley, Mel Caputo Tuesday Nikki Liddell, Sue Harding, Kerry Day Wednesday Kellie Jeffery, Ann Stevens, Natalie Richards, Lisa Miller Thursday Loretta Joyce, Kate Lloyd-Regis, Tamie DeFazio Friday 4th Kim Sansoni, Andrea Pesavento If you are unable to work on your rostered day would you please arrange a swap. Alternatively please contact the office.

St Monica’s Bereavement Mass and Support Ministry A big warm thank-you to the generous families who provided plates for the November Memorial Mass held on Wednesday 18th November and to the lovely group of mothers who assisted in the kitchen dur-ing the evening. It was a beautiful mass and your efforts were very much appreciated by all in attend-ance. If you are interested in playing a role in the St Monica's Bereavement Support Ministry during 2016, we are currently seeking a volunteer to be responsible for Bereavement Cards on a monthly to six weekly basis (approx. one hour commitment). If you are interested in this role, please contact Kelly Maltman on 0439949244.

St. Monica’s Netball Club – Season 2016 St. Monica’s Netball Club is now accepting registrations from new and existing players for the season commencing next year. The Club fields teams across all age groups (from 9/Under up to 17/Open) in a Saturday competition at Aberfeldie Primary School. Current Year 2 children (Year 3, 2016), or older, are welcome to register. We would also welcome en-quiries from friends or siblings who are not St. Monica’s students. Please refer to our website – www.stmonicasnetballclub.com.au, for further information and a copy of the 2016 Registration Form. Alternately, you can email an enquiry to stmonicasnetballclub@gmail.com Registrations are due strictly by Friday 18th December

OSHClub News Before School / After School Care Program

Program Update

Dear parents and families, Bookings for the December and January Holiday Program are now open online at www.oshclub.com.au Please take note that we will be running on December 17th and 18th.

These dates have recently been added, so did not appear on the original flyer. We’ve got lots of fun excursions, incursions and activities planned, hop online to see what’s coming up! -Jyoti ***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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YOU CAN GET YOUR KIDS TENNIS LESSONS DONE WHILST THEY ARE AT AFTER-CARE!

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.)

Next Week’s Activities…

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Before Care Activities

-Marble Team Challenge -Reflection Journal

-Paperchain Christmas Tree Project -Everybody’s IT!

-Sparkle and Shine Angels -Silent Ball

-Pop-Up Christmas Cards -Giants Treas-ure

-Christmas Tree Experiment. -ZAP!

After Care Activities

-Crumpled Pa-per Art -Octopus

-Paperchain Christmas Tree Project -Cricket

-Cooking – Christmas Cin-namon Twists -Basketball

-Clucking Chicken Cups -Soccer

-Paper Plate Christmas Trees -Fruit Salad

Parent Information

OSHC program phone: 0412 616 491 Coordinator: Jyoti Assistants: Abdi, Melissa, Leonie, Maranda 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 account. For on the day bookings please contact the Coordinator direct at the program.

2016 Parents Association Positions The Parents Association will hold its AGM on Wednesday 2nd December at 7pm. At the AGM the election of positions for 2016 will take place. The Parents Association helps to build a sense of community in the school & parish by hosting and organising functions, supporting school activities and raising funds for the school. It would be great if all parents could seriously consider nominating him/herself or another parent for an elected position. There are many positions available and it really is a great way to get involved in the school and to contribute your time and ideas. Nominations can be made by filling in the slip below and returning it to the school office. If you would like to discuss any of the roles please feel free to contact Ange Horton (0410 303 463) or Cathy McNeill (0414 375 357). -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—————————————————-

St Monica’s Parents Association Election of Positions Nomination Form I propose ___________________________________ (name of person being nominated) for the 2016 position of (please circle) President Vice President

Treasurer Assistant Treasurer

Secretary Assistant Secretary

School Advisory Board Liaison Special Food Day Coordinator

Class Rep Coordinator Year F-3 Class Rep Coordinator Year 4-6

Name of person nominating the candidate _______________________ Signature of Candidate ______________________________________ Date _____________

Mitten the Kitten