NEWSLETTERTerm 1 Issue 7 March 17th 2016

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

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Children,

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Today as the school celebrated St. Patrick's Day, a group of student leaders represented our school at the St. Patrick’s Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It was an honour for our students to represent their school along with several thousand other students. Our school banner was proudly carried in to the Cathedral by School Captains Hannah and Hamish and Liam Jones performed at the concert in the park after Mass.

Year 3/4

Production please see over

page for

details

Open Day

Yesterday we had a huge turnout for Open Day with many families from the local area spending consid-erable time touring the school, asking lots of questions in the process. We were very proud to show the visitors around. If you have a sibling to start Foundation in 2017, I remind you that enrolments close on Thursday 24th March at 4:00pm. We handed out approximately 85 information packs in 2 days.

Year 3 and 4 School Production

This evening at 6.00pm the Year 3 and 4 children will perform their school produc-tion ‘The Lonestar Cowboy’. The children have been rehearsing over the last couple of weeks and had a full dress rehearsal today. We invite all families to come along and watch this premier event.

Year 3 and 4 children need to be at school by 5.30pm and seated with their class and teacher by 5.45pm. Show starts at 6.00pm sharp!

Yeehah!!!!

You will have noticed that Mr Moore has been absent this week, he’s spending time with his father who is gravely ill. We keep Mr Moore and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Have a wonderful week ahead.

Regards,

Michael Di Nuzzo

Deputy Principal

Let Your Light Shine No-one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all

in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and

give glory to God in heaven. Mt. 5:15-16

We travelled to Mt Baw Baw where dad (Phil) completed a 16km trail run (unfortunately suffering a 'hammie' otherwise on track for a win). Jude came first in the all ages 1km run (which was up a big hill!) - for a six year old I think this is a mean feat! Charles participated in a 3.8km trail run from Baw Baw village, across the summit and back again. He was third, with a sprint finish up a massive hill. It was a fantastic effort!

Well done to Lachlan Gordon and Heath Cashin (left) who both served as ‘First Time’ altar servers at Mass on Sunday.

Congratulations to Anton Galt, Luke Mathews and Eloise Sexton (above) who all competed in the Weetbix Triathlon that was held on Sunday in St Kilda. They all had a ball and something they look forward to every March long weekend.

Liam Murphy (above) after competing in his first Weetbix Tryathlon at St Kilda over the weekend. Congratulations Liam!

The Splash, Flash and Dash! (pictured below) team of St Monica's entered and competed in this year’s Weetbix Tryathlon. Congratulations to Thomas, Jack, Harry, Charles, Luke, Hugh G, Max H, Hugh A, Lachlan, Max T and Henry!

A fun weekend of tennis was had by a few of our St Monica’s Tennis Club juniors at the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Open over the Labour Day long weekend. Olivia Bourke (6M), Julia Sicilia (6C), Rory Joyce (5H) and Connor Joyce (Grade 6 – 2015) played some great tennis against some tough competition and came away with some success. Olivia and Julia made it to the Semi Finals of the 12andU Girls Dou-bles, Olivia and Connor came Runners Up in the 12andU Mixed Doubles and Olivia and Rory were both Runners Up in their respective 11andU Singles Finals. Looking forward to next year already and going one better!!!

Caleb and Bailey participated in the Weetbix Tryathlon on the weekend. Well done boys!

Above - Heath Cashin and Lachlan Monger at the Weetbix Tryathlon.

Divisional Swimming Trials 2016 Congratulations to all those children who competed in last week’s Divisional Swimming Championships held at St. Albans Leisure Centre. A special congratulations to Ryan Gustincich (11 Year Boys 50m Backstroke), Sofia Galea (11 Year Girls 50m Backstroke), Jemma Dorian (11 Year Girls 50m Breaststroke), Anton Galt (12/13 Year Boys 50m Backstroke) and Noah Rizzo (12/13 Year Boys 50m Breaststroke) who were successful in their events and have now qualified for the upcoming Western Metropolitan Regional Championships to be held in Geelong. Well done!!

Mr McGuinness.

Year 6 Gala Day - Bat Tennis and Softball

Premier’s Active April Challenge I have recently put up some posters around the school displaying information about the Premier’s Active April Challenge, a Government initiative promoting healthy lifestyles. Children and their families are encouraged to undertake 30 minutes of physical activity a day for 30 days, with the possibility of winning some promotional prize packs for both the individual as well as the school. Just by signing up the children become eligible for a num-ber of discounts and benefits. The challenge will begin during the school holidays, and then stretches through till the end of Week 3 in Term 2. For further information and registration details log on to activeapril.vic.gov.au. Let’s get active! Mr. McGuinness.

Calling All Altar Servers

Altar Servers are required for all Church celebrations over Easter.

Holy Thursday Mass 7.00pm Thursday 24th March (this mass incorporates the washing of feet)

Good Friday March 25th 3.00pm

Easter Vigil Mass 7:30pm Saturday 26th March

Easter Sunday Masses 8am, 9:15am Italian, 10:30am

This is a wonderful opportunity to support our parish at this special time of the Church year.

If altar servers are available please contact the school with their name and contact details.

Many thanks for your support with this

Gaye Mifsud and Mary McPherson

On behalf of Fr Minh

TOMORROW is the National Day of action where we STAND TOGETHER to pledge as one community and say ‘BULLYING NO WAY’!

All children have participated in a variety of activities this week and we will conclude with two assemblies. Foundation to Year 2 at 10.30am and Years 3 to 6 at 3.00pm. Assemblies will be held in the hall.

All families are invited to join us and sign our pledge as a commitment to our ongoing responsibility to developing positive partnerships.

March 2016 Thursday 10th Confirmation Workshop 5.30pm or 7.00pm Friday 11th Year 6 Gala Sports Day Year F - 2 Assembly - Hosts 2T [in the hall] Monday 14th Public Holiday - Labour Day Tuesday 15th Enrolments for Foundation 2017 open Wednesday 16th Open Day - School Tours 9.30am, 12.15pm and 2.30pm Thursday 17th Class Mass 6M Friday 18th Year 3 - 6 Assembly - Hosts 5H [in the hall] Saturday 19th Foundation Family Picnic - Easter Egg Hunt Queens Park Wednesday 23rd Special Food Day - Details to follow Thursday 24th Class Mass 4D Whole School Assembly 3.00pm - End of Term 1

April 2016 Monday 11th School Closure Day

Tuesday 12th School Closure Day

Wednesday 13th Parish Education Board Meeting - 7.00pm in staffroom Thursday 14th Class Mass 3L Sunday 17th Year 2 Family Mass 10.30am

Tuckshop

Reminder - all lunches need to be ordered via QkR. Week Beginning 7th March Friday 11th Sandra Gaunt, Julie Wibrow, Kim Murphy Week Beginning 14th March Monday 14th Public Holiday Tuesday 15th Mary Marcaccio, Larissa Cole, Carmen Richardson Wednesday 16th Kate Lloyd-Regis, Julie Farrugia, Linda Mantello Thursday 17th Rebecca Jones, Peta Goodear, Ange Horton Friday 18th Julie Durling-Landa, Michelle Christian, Annmaree Carmichael, Abbey Vandeloo  Week Beginning 21st March Monday 21st Ann Staberhofer, Kate Leonard Tuesday 22nd Tracey Van Der Linde, Rowen Hanna, Sanja Scher Wednesday 23rdMelissa Khoury, Lisa Saunders, Laureen Hornibrook Thursday 24th Silv Pane, Vivian Scarpino, Carol Moudoukoutas, Michelle McMenamin  

 If you are unable to work on your rostered day would you please arrange a swap. Alternatively please contact the office.

Reminder...this is coming up after the holidays!

Student of the Week

Certificates will be presented at assembly on Thursday 24th March, Whole School Awards Assembly (Location: Senior Yard) Stella Krasoudakis FK For being a valued class member of Foundation K and for coming to school each day with her bright, happy smile. Griffen Tate FK For always displaying beautiful manners and for being an enthusiastic learner. Well done! Caitlin Willoughby FS For her great organisational skills and always entering the room with a smile. Well done! Beau Grogan FS For his great listening skills and working hard towards improving his handwriting. Well done Beau! Anthony Scarpino FT For always contributing his great ideas to class discussion. Fantastic work Anthony! Nina Ioannidis FT For being an amazing helper in the classroom and encouraging others to do their work during independent group time. Well done Nina! Violet Adams 1B For always being a thoughtful and kind member of the class. Samuel Bongiovanni 1C For the wonderful ideas he contributes to class discussions. Charlie Carew 1S For always working hard throughout the school day and for being a good friend to his class mates in 1S. Well done Charlie! Emily McCleave 2C For always doing her best work and for the kindness she shows to others. Fantastic Emily! Isla Quick 2D For her attention to detail in all Reading and Writing tasks. Well done Isla. Eloise Moody 2T For working hard in class and being a kind and thoughtful friend to her Year two buddies. Sibel Goncalves 3B For designing an information poster to educate others about a rule. Lachlan Larobina 3L For persevering with difficult writing tasks. Well done Lachlan! Isabel Khoury 3M For her outstanding acting in the Years 3 and 4 production, ‘The Lonestar Cowboy’. Heath Cashin 4D For his focussed approach to his learning and for being a role model in always displaying outstanding manners. Anthony Mathews 4P For being a most engaging and inspiring class member in class discussions. Bridget Lavery 4T For consistently following the school rules and always completing high quality work in a timely manner. Charlotte Pegus 5G For showing respect to both her classmates and teachers. Samuel Paravizzini 5H For demonstrating empathy and support towards others in the classroom and school yard. Amy Gaylor 5M For her excellent use of language in persuasive texts. Well done! Ruby Cullen 6B For her preparedness to extend her learning by following through with personal Inquiry questions. Well done! Luke Mathews 6C For his willingness to share his strong knowledge of Australian politics at our Parliament excursion. Julia Brock 6M For supporting and encouraging her cricket team members at the Gala Sport Day.

Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal Paula, mum of Max in Foundation K is a metafit certified fitness coach and is extremely excited to be running a charity fitness (metafit) class on Good Friday, 25th March. Please see attached flier for details.

Thursday, 10th March, 2016

Dear Parents of Year 2-6 students,

The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is an independent, quality skills-based as-sessment program which rewards and recognises achievement. ICAS gives you broad insights into your child’s performance across English, Mathematics, Science and Spelling. ICAS (sometimes referred to as the UNSW as-sessments) has been developed by Educational Assessment Australia (EAA) since 1981.

Each student receives:

an engaging and challenging full-colour test booklet

an individual diagnostic report highlighting strengths and weaknesses and year to year progression

login details to access their online results which can be analysed and downloaded

a High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, Merit or Participation Certificate acknowledging their level of achieve-ment

the chance to receive an individually-engraved UNSW medal for the highest scoring student in each year level for each subject.

Help your young ‘spelling bee’ succeed

The early years set the stage for lifelong learning. From 2016, Year 2 students will be able to sit an ICAS Introduc-tory Spelling paper. This paper will help your little ‘spelling bee’ succeed by measuring their spelling ability and, importantly, identifying very early in their schooling where your child may need some extra help. This paper is the only Spelling paper available in advance of Year 3 NAPLAN testing.

The decision to introduce a Year 2 Spelling paper is based on 30 years’ experience in school assessments, which have allowed EAA to identify some common difficulties that children face in Year 3. This paper will help every child get the best start.

You can learn more about common spelling problems faced by Year 3 students and the new ICAS Year 2 Spelling Paper at: www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/icas/spelling-introductory-paper

To learn more about ICAS go to www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/icas/about Remember, EAA has some very helpful tools to help your child prepare. You can access practice assessments at www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/icas/preparation

To enrol your child in ICAS, please complete the registration form below and return it, with your entry fees, to the school no later than Friday, 22nd April, 2016. This is six weeks away from today.

PLEASE NOTE - NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Kind regards,

Janet Dobson

(ICAS Co-Ordinator)

PERMISSION FORM

2016 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

Permission Form

Please return this form to school in a clearly labelled envelope via your child’s tote box.

Please complete an entry for each of your eligible children.

I give permission for my child, ______________________________ of _______________________ [Child’s name] [class] to participate in the following 2016 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS).

Please select the subjects you would like your child to enter by highlighting or circling:

Students must sit on the official sitting date for each subject to be eligible for UNSW medals. However, your school may choose to sit at another time to fit in with other school activities and routines.

Please find enclosed total entry fee paid by cash, cheque or credit card.

Cheques to be made payable to ‘St Monica’s Primary School’.

Entries Close Friday 22nd April at the close of the school day.

Name of Parent/Guardian Date

__________________________________________________ _______________________

Signature of Parent/ Guardian

Subject/Paper Official Sitting Date Entry Fee, incl. GST Fee 

Enclosed Science 31 May 2016 $8.80

Spelling 15 June 2016 $12.10

English 2 August 2016 $8.80

Mathematics 16 August 2016 $8.80

TOTAL

OSHClub News Before School / After School Care Program

Next Week’s Activities…

Program Update Dear parents and families, We’re getting ready for Easter this week at OSHClub with lots of Craft and Activities. Come join us as we make Easter baskets and Bunny masks from paper plates, do some Easter egg potato stamping, and create some very cute chickens from craft sticks. -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.)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday  

Before Care Activities

- Chicken Pa-per Craft - Silent Ball

- Easter Finger Puppets - Zap!

- Easter Bun-ny Masks - 4 Corners

- Craft Stick Chicks - Giants Treasure

Good Friday

 After Care Activities

- Easter Cards - Soccer

- Potato Stamps - Tennis

- Paper Plate Easter Baskets - Gaga Ball

- Cooking Popcorn East-er Eggs - Cricket

Good Friday

Parent Information

OSHC program phone: 0412 616 491 Coordinator: Jyoti Assistants: Abdi, Leonie, Jarrah, 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.

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 24th June 2016.