At St. Monica’s, our school is open to all who seek a Catholic Education
We welcome families of all backgrounds. We share and celebrate the diversity of our community. All students participate in Religious Education and learn about the Catholic Story. This is a central part of school life, including our pastoral care and student engagement, communication and interaction.
Our Catholic identity informs and influences all learning in the school and is integrated throughout the curriculum. Sending a child to a Catholic school involves supporting this religious aspect of school life.
When choosing St Monica’s Primary School, you are choosing to immerse your child more deeply in the Christian story leading to a sense of belonging, involvement and cultural identity.
At St Monica’s, the Gospel is central to our lives, and we regularly celebrate and demonstrate our faith. Working together with parents and our parish priests, we aim to give children a sound understanding of our Catholic doctrine, tradition and Gospel values. We also emphasise the importance of living out these values in our daily life.
St Monica’s Identity Statement – ‘Jesus is our guide. In him we live, we move, we are called to be’ – invites students to not just be more like Christ in how we act, but to carry out the work of Christ in service to others.
Religious Education
Each class participates daily in our Religious Education curriculum program, Source of Life, which brings together the essential components of knowledge, understanding, appreciation and celebration of our rich tradition.
This program provides opportunities for the development of skills for young people to meet the challenges of living in the Catholic faith in today’s world. The curriculum is intended to complement the work of the parents and the parish in assisting with the life-long process of the religious education of the individual.
Outreach
St Monica’s is involved in a number of outreach programs supporting those in need in our local and global community. Through these opportunities, our students learn more about those less privileged, and their greater responsibility as stewards of the earth.
During the year students are provided with opportunities to identify ways that they can support others in the community. Charitable activities from the time they start school in Foundation through to Year 6, such as Meals on Wheels, Caritas K’s and ‘Mission Madness’ fundraising to donate to Caritas.
The Mercy Sisters
The Mercy Sisters opened St Monica’s Primary School in 1973 as part of the Sacred Heart Parish.
Students at Mercy schools are part of an educational culture which they share in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, and inherit the legacy of Catherine McAuley, who was known for her hospitality towards visitors. Mercy schools such as St Monica’s are often described as welcoming and showing ‘God’s compassionate love in action’.
FIRE CARRIERS PROGRAM AT ST MONICA’S |
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EARTHCARE PROGRAM AT ST MONICA’S |
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At St Monica’s, we are proud to be part of the FIRE Carrier Program- Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education– a student led initiative that fosters understanding, respect and reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As FIRE Carriers, our Year 4-6 students take on the important role of: – Promoting Reconciliation – Living Gospel Values – Raising Awareness – Honouring the Wurundjeri/Wadawurrung (or local nation)
The FIRE Carrier Program empowers our students to be ambassadors of reconciliation, living out Catholic Social Teaching and helping our school grow in unity and respect for all cultures- especially the First Peoples of Australia. |
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Grounded in the Catholic tradition of stewardship, our Earth Care Program empowers students to care for God’s creation through meaningful action, education and prayer. Students from Year 4-6 can apply to be a part of this initiative that aims to:
– Inspire Young Leaders
– Cultivate Eco-friendly Practices
– Foster Community Engagement
– Pray for Creation
By weaving together faith, education and environmental action, the EarthCare Program at St Monica’s nurtures young hearts and minds to become responsible stewards of the Earth- reflection God’s love in creation and empowering them to lead change with compassion and purpose.
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CATHOLIC FIRE CARRIER PLEDGEAs a FIRE Carrier representative, students agreed to:
– Live out the 4 core values, of Spirituality, Culture Recognition & Awareness, Practical Reconciliation and Justice and Ecological Stewardship.
– Promote reconciliation in the school community.
– Organise activities to create awareness of significant dates of our shared history.
– Include Aboriginal spirituality into our schools Catholic Identity.
– Nourish and educate my school community about the Aboriginal Story of the School and surrounds.
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CATHOLIC EARTHCARE PLEDGEIn the spirit of God’s creation, Earthcare representatives pledge to: – Respect and care for the Earth, our common home.
– Reduce waste by reusing and recycling whenever I can.
– Use water and energy wisely, knowing these are gifts from God.
– Appreciate nature, spending time outdoors and protecting animals and plants.
– Make choices that help the planet, even if they are small.
– Pray for the Earth, and for those affected by climate change and pollution.
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FIRE Carriers will stand tall as the Living Flames that will ignite the Fire of Reconciliation. The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.
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With God’s help, each agreed they will do their part to care for creation.
Amen.
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