We are thrilled to announce the tremendous success of our 2025 St Monica’s School Fete! What a day it was — not just for our school, but for the entire community. From the youngest to the young-at-heart, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Highlights included:
• My First Gym and face painting for the little ones
• A Book Stall featuring a selection from every genre
• A Garden Stall for our green thumbs
• A Cake Stall for those with a sweet tooth
• Coerver Soccer for the mini Messi fans
• A White Elephant stall for the thrifty shoppers
• Devonshire Tea for our over-30 crowd
• Fairy floss, popcorn, slushies, ice cream, and so much more!
• Thrilling rides, including Virtual Reality, Bungee Trampolines, Tea Cups, and Pony Rides for the whole family to enjoy.
This year, the funds raised will go directly back into enhancing your child’s learning experience. We are delighted to share that we purchased class sets of novels for Years 3–6 and decodable readers for Kindergarten through Year 2, enriching the English Curriculum for reading and literature.
A Special Thank You to Our Incredible Volunteers & Contributors
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and support of our volunteers. Your contributions helped make this day a success, and we are sincerely grateful to everyone who gave their time and effort.
A special mention to some exceptional individuals:
• Evelyn: After almost a decade of delicious treats and late-night baking for our Cake Stall, Evelyn is passing on the baton. The St Monica’s Cake Stall is legendary, with our Archbishop even making sure to get the first pick! Evelyn, your dedication has made this stall a beloved fixture in our community. Thank you for making every year memorable and selling out every time!
• Danni and Sam: For years, you have led our White Elephant stall with incredible passion. Beyond raising funds for the school, your stall has supported numerous charities, and we are so grateful for your continued efforts. Danni, even after your children graduated, you stayed committed to the cause. Your big hearts have truly made a difference.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors. Without your support, we wouldn’t have one of the most renowned fetes in the Belconnen district. Your contributions allow our school to create lasting memories and bring the community together year after year.
A special mention goes to our long-time sponsor ACT Home Improvements – the Fleming Family has supported the tattoo stall for many years, and this year marked their final year. We are deeply grateful for their community spirit and unwavering support.
A Final Word to the Fete Committee
To the fete committee — your hard work, dedication, and positive energy made this year’s event a standout. From the laughs to the challenges, you made the entire process enjoyable and rewarding. For those of you who are stepping down, you will be dearly missed. You’ve set a high standard, and we are thankful for the friendships formed and the incredible success we’ve achieved together.
Our Fundraising Goal Achieved!
Despite a challenging 2024, our fete committee set an ambitious goal of raising $45,000 this year. Thanks to your support, we surpassed that target, raising a record-breaking $47,035.11!
Once again, thank you to everyone involved in making this year's fete a huge success. Together, we’ve made a real difference for our school and our community. We look forward to another fantastic fete in 2026!

Religious Life of St Monica's 

Pope Leo 

With great joy we welcome our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost. In his first message to the world Pope Leo called us to be peacemakers, urging all people to reject division and embrace a spirit of unity and compassion. “Let us walk together as friends of Jesus,” he said, reminding us that the Church is a community built on love, hope, and the Good News of the Gospel.  As a school community we pray for Pope Leo and ask the Holy Spirit to guide him as he leads the Church with wisdom and grace. 

Whole School Prayer 

This term, our focus is on Opening our Hearts to the Holy Spirit to live out our Footstep of Resilience to flourish in our relationships with ourselves, others, God, and our surroundings. Next Friday 4 White will lead us for our Whole School Prayer on Opening our Hearts to the Holy Spirit to use the Footstep of Resilience to flourish with others. You are warmly invited to join our community in St Monica’s Church at 9.10am. 

Sacrament of First Eucharist 

Sacraments at St Monica's are parish based, family centered, and school supported. Many of our students in Year 4 and older were presented to our parish community last weekend at their commitment mass and this weekend we will see more children being presented. I ask you to keep these children and their families in your prayers as they prepare to receive Jesus’ body for the first time in the Eucharist. 

Valentino, Audrey, Matilda, Beau, Oliver, Ella, Flynn, Ethan, Robin, Alison, Lucy, Ella, Greta, Lucas, Georgia, Leila, Archer, Archer, Leo, Huxley, Eden, Catherine, Ayla, Ryan, Olivia 

Religious Education 

In Religious Education, Year 3 have explored different images of God and created their own image of God. 

Nahum 

I made a picture of a volcano. God is powerful like the volcano, and he is strong too! God is bright and lava spreads just as God spreads his love for us and it keeps burning bright! 

Harper 

God is like a rock and he protects me from things that can hurt me. It makes me feel happy and safe and protected. 

Benjamin  

I painted a sunrise, because it describes the love of God for us. The sun is really bright and God's light is very bright like the sun and brings warmth like God's warmth. 

Samrat 

I drew Moses and the burning bush. Fire is dangerous, fire is warm and helpful because we can cook with fire. God is warm, God is powerful, God is helpful. 

Paige 

I painted Jesus on the cross with a sunrise. I thought it was a good idea because Jesus gave his life for us. It shows love and encouragement to help others. 

Tilly 

I created an image of God opening and pushing out. It's like a piece of light that tries to open. This is God to me because it's like God trying to help everyone. 

Elian 

God is like someone who helps people. I drew people around the world who are helping each other and being strong and happy. God is around the world making everyone happy and showing respect. 

Henry 

I created God as a star because he is also bright and shines in the dark. God is also bright and happy. 

Sienna 

I made a graveyard because my Nan, Pop and Poppy have died and they were important to me. That's my image of God because they feel special to me. 

Annelise 

I made a son because God is like the sun shining down on us, taking the dark away and making light. 

2025 Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and will be in Years 4-6 in 2025.

Sacrament of First Communion will be celebrated this term. Retreat Day and Parent Prayer Night will be held on 12 June 2025. Sacrament will be celebrated on 22 June 2025 (Corpus Christi).

Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in Term 3, 2025. Information Evening will be held on 31 July 2025. Retreat Day and Parent Prayer Night will be held on 4 September 2025. Sacrament will be celebrated on 10 and 11 September 2025.

For further Information – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or check the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

We often feel guilty for not enrolling the children in extracurricular activities or letting them be on the device too long. When the children do start after school or weekend sports, sometimes the whole family end up being exhausted from the activities, transport or meal arrangement although extracurricular activities offer many benefits.
Moving our bodies and incorporating exercise into our days is something we all know is good for us and yet it can be so difficult to fit in, and it can be difficult to get our young people moving too.
The good news is that we do not have to join a club team or sign up to a class to feel the benefits of movement on our physical and mental health. Moving our bodies can help to improve the quality of our sleep, boost our self-esteem, increase our energy levels and decrease our risk of physical health issues.

So how can we get ourselves and our young people moving more? Here are some ideas for you and your children to enjoy exercise together -

• Try a dance workout video online or just dance to a favourite song
• There are lots of kids, teens and adult yoga videos available for free online eg. Cosmic Yoga for kids
• Walk the dog (or any pets!)
• Go to the park
• Do some chores such as vacuuming or washing the car
• Play movement games like musical statues or Simon says
• Try some sit ups, burpees or press ups – why not make it a fun family competition
• Use a balloon to play ‘keepy uppy’ or kick a ball around outside
• When you go to the shops, park a little further away from where you are headed
• Walk or ride a bike rather than taking the car when possible

Get creative, especially with young children, and play games which involve movement. Ask them to ‘be’ different animals, find some puddles to jump in, play hopscotch, blow bubbles and run around to catch them…the possibilities are endless (and we might find ourselves getting involved and moving too). Your children will not only have fun with you but also feel confident and emotionally connected with you.

We have a range of opportunities for young people to learn valuable life skills through adventure. These include:

• Joey Scouts (5–8 years): Tuesdays, 6–7 PM
• Cub Scouts (8–11 years): Wednesdays, 6:30–8 PM
• Scouts (11–14 years): Mondays, 7–8:30 PM
• Venturer Scouts (14–18 years): Thursdays, 7–9 PM

Young people can come and try for 3 nights free before committing to join. Our Scout hall is located at 3 Kubura Place, Aranda.

For more information, contact: groupleader.southwell@scoutsact.com.au