newsletter - St Monica`s Primary School

Term 4 Issue 1 October 8th 2015 NEWSLETTER
St. Monica’s Primary School 20 Robinson Street Moonee Ponds 3039 Phone (03) 9375 1132 www.stmonicasmp.catholic.edu.au Faith
Hope
Love
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
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Children,
The sun is shining and term four has begun with gusto! It is great to be back amid the hustle and bustle of a
vibrant school environment. The children look very happy to be back at school and I witnessed more than a
few happy faces on parents as they dropped their children off on Monday.
I would like to publicly thank Mr. Michael Di Nuzzo (Acting Principal) and Mrs. Janine Turville (Acting
Deputy-Principal) who both took the reins while I was away at the end of term three. It is very challenging
to take an extended period of Long Service Leave as a Principal, so my three week break was a perfect
opportunity to give Mr. Di Nuzzo a taste of Principalship without pushing him over the edge completely.
Both Michael and Janine did an excellent job and I thank them sincerely for their dedication and attention
to detail during my absence.
I missed seeing the children during
my break and it has wonderful to
come back to hear so much about
their achievements. A lot can
happen in a short period of time.
Have a look at the photos of
Jemma (right) with two First
Prizes for her artwork. One was
awarded at the Swan Hill Show
and the other is from the Royal
Melbourne Show. Congratulations
Jemma.
The rest of our ‘Let Your Light Shine’ section today is choc-a-block with
students whose lights have been shining brightly over the past few
weeks. Well done to you all.
This weekend the first group of Year Three students will receive the Eucharist for the first time. We wish
these students and their families our warmest congratulations as they undertake
an important step in their lives as Parishioners at St. Monica’s. We have
included a list of the children’s names in this newsletter so that you can include
them in your daily prayers between now and the weekend.
The Year Three children will receive the Eucharist at a number of Masses across
three weekends. Our school staff will support the children, mostly in groups of
three and four at these Masses so that we can have a school presence for as many
as possible across the month of October. I thank the staff for their support of the
Parish Program.
Gold Coin Donation Day Wednesday 14th October
On Wednesday of next week, the Parents Association have requested a
Casual Clothes Day to support the fete. The children can come in
casual clothes if they bring a gold coin donation to school. The money
will be used to buy lollies for the fete stalls.
Graduation Photo
The Grade Six Graduation Photo will be taken on Wednesday 21st October. I know the
students always come to school looking their best, but this advanced warning will give the
boys plenty of time to locate enough ‘product’ for their hair. Boys, if your jar of wax is
getting low, re-stock now.
News from the Skoolbag App Team
For those parents who have a Windows Phone, firstly congratulations for being an individual and resisting
the urge to be a part of the world-wide devotion to Apple products. Secondly, you will be pleased to know
that Skoolbag App alerts can now be sent to your phone if you have version 8.1 or higher.
Uniform Swishing
In today’s Newsletter there is an advertisement for an up-coming uniform stall to be held on Wednesday
21st October. We will be generous, therefore with our expectation that Summer Uniform be worn for term
four until the stall has taken place. I hope this extra time will enable all parents to make the change to the
correct uniform.
I hope you all enjoy the week ahead.
Regards and best wishes,
Peter Moore
Principal
This weekend the following students will be receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the
first time. Please remember these children and their families in your prayers as they
celebrate this important milestone in their faith journey.
Saturday, October 10th
6.30pm
Anthea Gollant
Sunday, October 11th
8.00am
Tom Traficante
Sunday, October 11th
10.30am
Madeleine Moody
Sunday, October 11th
5.30pm
Sienna Rocci
Renato Mammoliti
James Ragg
Harry O’Farrell
Tara Hornibrook
Lachlan Monger
Daisi Kukuljan
Charlize Donlan-
Isabella Page
Zoe MacLaren
Bravo
Bailey Coningsby
Aaron Bruzzaniti
Elizabeth Billen
Aysia Hanna
Joel Tsiounis
Matthew Russo
Alexander Di Nuzzo
Saxon Farrell
Lexie Liddell
Eloise Licciardello
Andrew Kelly
Jules-Anton Clarke
Jack Cassidy
Sophie Barresi
Ben Maslac
Zane Raciti
Jack Cassidy from 3L (bottom left). Played basketball finals last term for St Bernard’s and just missed out winning
back-to-back premierships!
Samuel Paravizzini
received his black belt
in Taekwondo.
Congratulations
Samuel!
Sofia Galea 4D competed at a Gymnastics Comp on the
weekend against 50 girls in National Level 4. She came
1st overall and placed 1st Bars, 3rd Beam, 4th vault and
7th floor. Sarah is currently preparing for Victorian qualifiers at end of October.
Congratulations to Paris
Docherty from Grade 5,
who made the Grand Final of the u/12 Basketball
Competition. Runners up
in a nail biting final. Well
Done.
Congratulations to Paris
Docherty (Grade 5) and
Annika Sirotic (Grade
4), who were given their
Grand Finalists Medal
along with the Aberfeldie
Jets Club Trophy at their
Basketball presentation.
Congratulations to Reagan Docherty (Grade 6) and Hugo Stolfa, who made the football Finals for Essendon Doutta Star Football Club U/12 div 2.
Both Reagan and Hugo were given a coaches award trophy along with their Club Trophy. Well Done
Boys.
Caitlyn McDonald (6C) and Gabriella Barresi (6M) recently competed in the Metropolitan Performing
Arts Challenge, performing in both solo and troupe dances.
Caitlyn received first place for her Novice Character Solo performance, and
an honourable mention for her Novice Jazz Solo performance. Gabriella
received third place for her Novice Song and Dance performance, and an
honourable mention for her Open Song and Tap performance. This is a great
achievement by the girls.
They also performed in three troupe routines, receiving a first place for their
Song and Dance routine, second place for their Neo Classical performance,
and an honourable mention for their Tap routine.
Sophie Barresi (3K) also competed, receiving a first place with her troupe
for their Song and Tap performance.
Well done girls!
WELLBEING NEWS
To Support Mental Health Week (Oct 4 - 11th) The ABC is showing some great programmes.
Australian Story shares Garry MacDonalds Story. The performer has suffered from anxiety since his 20s
but never understood his condition until it triggered a major and very public breakdown in the 1990s.
Garry shares his journey and insights as well as how CBT has helped him manage his anxiety.
Watch here >> http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/australian-story/
9 Quick Tips for Helping Kids Keep Cool and Calm from Sue Larkey

Get Organised. Rushing is nearly always stressful, and so is forgetting things. Having clear
systems for everyday tasks is vital, and so is scheduling regular ‘chill out’ times in between
activities.

Get Active! Regular exercise is great for releasing tension and creates a natural ‘happy buzz’.
Getting active might be playing a sport, walking the dog, dancing to an MP3 or doing some
push-ups.

Have a laugh. It is almost impossible to feel stressed while you are having a laugh or sharing a
joke, so make sure that the young person has plenty of time to have fun each day!

Break the mood. You can also use humour and a playful approach when you want to quickly
change a mood and create some ‘breathing space’. This gives the young person an opportunity
to regain control

Check the basics. Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and drinking enough water are
all vital ingredients in ensuring that the brain and body get the sustenance it needs to function
effectively.

Timing is everything. Remember that specific strategies to help a young person deal with
stress should only be used in the early ‘rumbling’ stages. Once the young person is ‘exploding’
no strategy will be effective and they could actually create additional problems. Prevention is
the key!

Don’t add demands. Learn to identify the early warning signs of stress that are unique to the
young person and make sure you don’t add demands or ‘remind’ them of what they should/
need to be doing when they are in this stressed state. Focus on avoiding escalation by instead
giving them a short break or by actually reducing demands.

Lead by example. Show the young person how to cope with stress in a positive way by doing it
yourself, even if you have to practice ‘faking it’ at times! Staying calm yourself when dealing
with difficult situations is an invaluable skill for both you and them (and it can take lots of
practice!).

Get it out in the Open. Talk about stress on a regular basis – make it an important topic for
everyone, discuss examples from TV, talk through your own stressors and swap ideas and
strategies. and move away from feelings of blame or shame.
Michelle McNamara
Student Services and Wellbeing Leader
Parish Office News
ST MONICA’S LECTOR READER AND EUCHARIST MINISTERS
ROSTER BUILDING FOR NEXT ROSTER
ROSTER PERIOD OF DEC 1 2015 TO MARCH 31 2016
Hi Everyone, welcome to Term 4 … just a short note to advise that I am now building the new
roster for the next roster period which is from 1 December 2015 to March 31 2016. Over the next 4
weeks please either email me on [email protected] or call the Parish office on 93705035
and advise if you have a known absence period. I will then mark you as away during this period
and you will not appear on the roster during your absence period . It is important that you do this if
you want to avoid looking for a person to fill in for you once the roster is set and published.
Similarly if you are a new or existing family or parishioner and would like to be involved now is a
great time to step forward so that I can easily insert you into the next roster.
On November 3rd, I will print out and distribute the new roster. The current roster will finish on
November 30th. (Important: please also supply your email address to me, if you have not already.)
If you have received this notice in the Parish bulletin/ School Newsletter, or school news skoolbag
app.. and not also via email , then it means I don’t have your email address , so do please take the
small amount of time to supply one , it does make it much easier to distribute hundreds of rosters and
also saves on paper wastage. It will also make it possible for me to send you a reminder , 7 days
out from each of your scheduled dates of roster).
If you are a Parishioner or school parent or family, who is not yet on the roster and would like to
participate then please do contact me as soon as possible so that I can include you in the new roster,
all are welcome!
Kind regards Lesley-Ann Wilson .
Parish Secretary .
St Monica’s Social Dance
A “social dance” will be held on Friday 9th October at the Symons Centre from 7.30 pm till 10 pm and
on the 2nd Friday of every month. You are invited to join in a fun-filled night of dancing and music.
All ages welcome, however, it will probably suit the 30+ age group.
Organised by our Sunday evening choir, this is a great way to meet new people or catch up with friends
and help build a vibrant parish community! Entry is only $10 and will go towards the parish. If possible, please bring a plate for supper. For further details please ring Renus Burke on 0430 392 152.
Important Dates
October
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Thursday
Friday
9th
10th
11th
14th
15th
16th
17th
Year 3 - 6 Assembly 3.00pm - Hosts 6B
First Eucharist at Mass
First Eucharist at Mass
Parish Education Board Meeting - 7.00pm
2M and 5G Buddy Mass
Whole School Awards Assembly
School Working Bee
First Eucharist at Mass
18th First Eucharist at Mass
22nd FT and 3M Buddy Mass
23rd Year 3 - 6 Assembly 3.00pm - Hosts 6M
24th First Eucharist at Mass
25th First Eucharist at Mass
29th 2A and 6C Buddy Mass
2016 Foundation Information Evening
30th Whole School Awards Assembly
November
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Report Writing Day - School Closure
Public Holiday - Melbourne Cup
Parents’ Association Meeting - 7.30pm in the staffroom
1S, 4D and 5C Buddy Mass
Year 3 - 6 Assembly 3.00pm - Hosts 6C
Tuckshop
Week Beginning 12th October
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
Michelle Wing, Melinda Hogan, Trish Baxter
Friday 16th Jaklina Visalli, Franca Abbenante, Cathy McNeill, Melissa Moran
Week Beginning 19th October
Monday
Toula Hopman, Melanie Calafiore, Julie Condidorio
Tuesday
Anne-Marie Donlan, Tracey Van Der Linde, Rowen Hanna, Sanja Scher
Wednesday Michelle Thomason, Jane Henderson, Sonia Vendramini
Thursday
Loretta Joyce, Kate Lloyd-Regis, Tamie DeFazio
Friday 23rd Kim Sansoni, Andrea Pesavento, Skye Page
Week Beginning 26th October
Monday
Elise Rizzo, Sonia McDonald, Mary Marcaccio, Sharon Rodgers
Tuesday
Vicki Barresi, Sonya Coleman, Christel Mason
Wednesday Amanda Barrell, Melissa Khoury, Lisa Saunders, Sarah Goodear
Thursday
Rebecca Jones, Peta Goodear, Ange Horton
Friday 30th Sally Bourke, Kerrie Gustincich, Ersilia Barbone, Andrea Breen
If you are unable to work on your rostered day would you please arrange a swap. Alternatively please
contact the office.
ICAS English Competition results
The English competition results have arrived and will be distributed at the Whole School Awards
assembly on Friday, October 16th.
There were 57 participants –
High Distinction – 2 students
Distinction – 10 students
Credit – 15 students
Merit – 6 students
Participation – 24 students
High Distinction was achieved by
Year 5 – Ruby Cullen and Quinton Nguyen
Distinction was achieved by
Year 2 – Charles Barrett, Donny Conidi,
Year 3 – Myles Quick, Lachlan Monger, Noah Storace,
Year 4 – Louis Ambrosi,
Year 5 – Hamish Quick, Eloise Sexton, Henry Steinke
Year 6 – Prudence Anderson
Credit was achieved by
Year 2 – Isabell Moschini, Jemma Moschini, Chelsea Pesavento
Year 3 – Ruby DeIure, Amber Nguyen, James Ragg,
Year 4 – Luke Farmelo, Amy Gaylor,
Year 5 – Alanna Haynes, Nam Le, Angelina MacLeod, Alisha Maslac, Emma McEniery, Isabella
Rumoro, Julia Sicilia
ICAS Mathematics Competition results
The results for our final competition of the year have arrived and will be presented at the Whole School
Assembly on Friday, 16th October.
Of the 65 participants, one High Distinction was achieved by Donny Conidi, Year 2.
Eleven Distinction certificates were achieved.
Year 2 – Chelsea Pesavento,
Year 3 – Myles Quick,
Year 4 – Noah Khoury, Erica Conidi
Year 5 – Ruby Cullen, Nam Le, Quinton Nguyen, Alyssa Pesavento, Hamish Quick, Eleanor Ragg
Year 6 – Domenico Conidi,
Twenty Two Credit certificates were achieved by –
Year 2 – Caleb Cukavac, Isabel Khoury, Jemma Moschini
Year 3 – Ruby De Iure, Nicholas Hulls, Lachlan Monger, Amber Nguyen, James Smith
Year 4 – Louis Ambrosi, Thomas Clark, Bryson Cobb, Julian Daniele, Amy Gaylor, Grace McCleave,
Charles Saunders
Year 5 – Celia Abbenante, Isabella Bourke, Alanna Haynes, Angelina MacLeod, Alisha Maslac,
Eloise Sexton, Henry Steinke
There were also six Merit and twenty five Participation certificates received.
Well done to all children for doing their best in not only the Mathematics Competition but all
competitions.
Thank you
Janet Dobson
ICAS Coordinator
Uniform Swishing
2nd Hand Uniform Sale Wednesday 21st October at 8.30 in the hall.
Please send any spare uniform that is still in good condition along to school
washed and ironed. Any assistance selling on Wednesday morning or sorting the
uniform from 2.00pm on Tuesday would be greatly appreciated.
Chess and Games Club
Chess club and games club recommenced this week and were as popular as ever. One group of children;
Ollie Pegus, James Pegus, Liam Dowling, David Dowling, Isabella Paige and Sam Jeffrey have created
their own Lego club within the games club and were having a ball. As with the games club, Lego is welcome to all at lunch time on a Thursday.
OSHClub News
Before School / After School Care Program
Program Update
Dear parents and families,
Welcome back for term 4 at OSHClub. I trust you all enjoyed your holidays. We’re looking
forward to an awesome term ahead. I’ve just received some exciting news from Steve at Riley Tennis. He’s going to come over and hold some free tennis workshops with us here at OSHClub
over the next few Thursdays. You might remember when we did this last year, a lot of fun was
had by all!
Term 4 means a focus back on SUN SMART practices! Please remember to bring your hats along
to OSHClub. If your child normally leaves their school hat in their classroom tub, please ensure
they have a second hat in their bag on the days they are attending.
***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.
- Jyoti
Note: Our menu for the week is displayed in our program room on the whiteboards. Feel free to pop in to see
what we’re eating.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------YOU CAN GET YOUR KIDS TENNIS LESSONS DONE WHILST THEY ARE AT AFTERCARE!
ST. Monica’s Tennis Club
Contact – Steve Riley – Club Professional
0403 433 750 or [email protected]
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
Wednesday
- Doll House
- Science! Rainbow Paper
- Corners
- Pokemon
- Bridge Building
- Puffy Paint
Challenge
- Basketball
- Basketball
Before Care
Building
Activities - Silent Ball
Tuesday
After Care Craft
Activities - Soccer
Thursday
Friday
- Origami Boats
- Sewing Cards
- Balloon Rockets
- Giants Treas- ‘ZAP’ Game
- Netball
ure
- OSHClub
Magazine
- Tennis
- Play Dough
- Octopus
Parent Information
OSHC program phone: 0412 616 491 Coordinator: Jyoti Assistants: Melissa, Jarrah, 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.
Battle of the Saints
Dads Match Report
Big thanks to the following Dads who put their bodies on the line in the annual Battle of the Saints Dads
footy game this year against St Vincent’s 2015. Also thankyou to the first year Dads who put their hand
up to play this year.
Paul Barlow, Sam Laverso, Aron Palmer, Ben Hogan, Josh Akers, Walied Makdesi, Elton Stevens, Jarrod Riley, Rob Scillia, Scott Pickett, Rick Dovido, Alfonso Dinuzzo, Peter Harding , John Spigulia, Peter
Falandia ,Steve Coleman and Anthony ‘the Doc’ Docherty. (Apologies if we have missed anyone).
Unfortunately we were unable to secure the Battle of the Saints Cup again this year which means it
stands at 5 Premierships to 4 until next year.The St Mons Dads put in a mighty effort displaying some
fantastic competitive spirit against a St Vinnies team once again stacked with some key players which
made a difference to the result again this year.
DOC Said “It wasn’t for a lack of effort, everyone played their role, but with a few key players out we
were unable to break the St Vinnies ‘WEB’!
Amongst the best players, Ben Hogan once again displaying his hard running and silky skills, Peter Harding and Elton Stephens putting their bodies on the line all day, John Spegulia best game I’ve seen him
play and Jarrod Riley Inspiring down back under pressure.
Also big thanks to all other parents and boys involved in particular Graham Nelson from North West
Physiotherapy Group for his services on the day, Adrian Gleeson who provides our footy jumpers every
year, John McElligott and Pete O’Farrell for the running and board duties, John Spegulia for organising
footy equipment, Isaac Coleman for running boundary, Patrick Scillia for goal umpiring and all the kids
running out water to some very thirsty Dads!
Also big thankyou to Phil Mason for organising the grade 5/6 kids at short notice game, and of course the
Parents and kids who supported on the day and anyone else we have missed.
Next year is our 10 Year Anniversary game.
It would be great to get as many Dads and kids involved as possible both current and past players.
Hope to see you then.
Thanks again, see you next year.
FOR THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSERY GAME IN 2016!
Kids Match Report
We turned out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to once more don the St Mons football jumper to take
on our arch nemesis St Vinnies. For the grade 6 boys in was the last time they could play football for
their school and they attacked the game with vigour. For the grade 5 boys it was an opportunity to represent their school and get a taste of what is to come next year.
The game was tight for the whole match and played in fantastic spirit with a fast and attacking brand of
footy.
The result went down to the wire in the dying seconds of the game with the crown kept at fever pitch as
the boys kept pressing forward. Unfortunately for us, we ran out of time and the boys lost by 2 points in
a thrilling game of footy.
Best afield included Jonah Phealan, Conner Joyce and Declan Synan with Lachie Mason playing a great
Captains Game.
I would like to thank all boys who participated as well as parents who turned out on the day. In particular Dr Ben Baressi for volunteering his time, Mathew Lynch for being runner, Harry O’Farrell for running boundary and Ryan and Lachie Gustinich keeping the boys hydrated on a warm afternoon. Also a
shout out to the Bye Bros who did an excellent job umpiring on the day (unfortunately can’t same the
same about the St Vinnies goal umpire!) also thanks to the three grade four boys who also volunteered
their services to play.
Great job boys!
Phil Mason