It was a big week for sport last week with the Hills Zone Swimming and School Cross Country Carnival both landing in the same week. Congratulations to all the girls who were selected to compete at the Hills Zone Swimming Carnival. We had a good number of girls placing in their heats, with Chloe Leggatt (Yr6) taking runner-up for 12-13 years Age Champion and Lucy Casserley (Yr 6) coming 3rd in the same age group. 

Thank you to everyone who came to support the girls for their Cross Country races last week. They did well battling against the heat. Congratulations to the girls who placed in their races, and particularly to those who set new School Cross Country records: Hanna Romanowska (Yr 7), Mia Hanson (Yr 8) and Somtochi Igbojiaku (Yr 12). Special mention also goes to Samantha Magat (Yr 11) who, on top of competing in the Hills Zone Swimming Carnival and achieving age champion for Cross Country, also played for the Hills Zone Sports Association Basketball Team last Tuesday. They won 5 out of their 6 matches and came runner up. This is the first time our girls have tried out for the HZSA Basketball Team, and the first time that HZSA has placed in this competition.

As we have done for a number of years, Montgrove hosted the first round of the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition. I have watched a good number of the competitions, and have to say that the level this year was very high. Well done to the three students who represented Montgrove this year, Mikha Joseph (Yr 7) Rihanna Japon (Yr 10) and Janice Arul Selvan (Yr 11). They all delivered their speeches very convincingly and all three received runner-up for their division.

The School Captains and Class reps have been busy organising some great activities for the students. Last Friday, the High School held a Pink Day to raise money for breast cancer. All the girls came to School with something pink and each class decorated their door with a woman they considered inspirational. One of the classes dedicated theirs to all their mums. What a lovely way to say ‘thank you’!

Montgrove Basketball Club has been having an exciting season. There are 9 teams playing in the semi-finals this weekend. We wish them all the best and hopefully many of them will go through to the finals! Everyone is welcome to come and support them at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre in Cambridge Park.

Congratulations to

• Melanie & Angelo Armas, on the birth of Adaline, sister to Aralina (2B) and Azariah (1W)

At our recent Primary and Infants Assemblies the following students received the Principal's Award: 

• The Infants Orchy was awarded to Joseph Anthony Lattouf (1B) for helping to clean up when another student spilled his water bottle, making several trips to get paper towels for cleaning the spill. 
• The Primary Monty was awarded to Shriya Siddharth (6B) for moving the bins during cross country so that the playground could be left tidy when the ice blocks were handed out.  

Mass

Mass is held Monday to Friday at 12:15pm.  Parents are welcome to attend Mass in the Chapel.

Chapel Visits

Parents are welcome to visit the Chapel from 2:30pm for prayer. 

Confessions

Fr Anthony Khoudair is available for confessions on:

• Tuesdays from 2:45pm to 3:30pm
• Wednesdays from 2:45pm to 3:30pm 

 Fr Felix Navarro is available for confessions on:

• Thursdays from 3:00pm to 3:30pm
• Fridays from 3:00pm to 3:30pm 

Please pray for our sick and injured family and friends:

Amelia Acasio, mother to Anne Bernacer (Teacher's Aide) and grandmother to Renae (11) and Regine (9G) Bernacer; AntoineScoulou, grandfather to Mona-Maria Scoulou; Candido Valenton, grandfather to Elyssa (6G), Marcela (1W) & Daniela (KW) Valenton; Benjamin Santiago, father to Agryna (10B); Kathrin Triantoplous mother to Nektaria (12B) & Irene (9B); & Emmanuel Hanna, brother to Cecilia (8B) & Lucia (5B).

Please also remember those who have passed away:

Joan Sattler, grandmother to Emilie-Kate Maslak (10); Mary Mallett, grandmother to Angelica (10), Clare (8) & Antonia (4); Rajko Ivanac, Great-Grandfather to Angelina (12B) Adriana (10B) and Natalia (8B) Badrov; Aiyana Cabanero (Yr10 2019), sister to Anthea (12B) & Amara (8B) Cabanero.

If you would like to add any intentions to the Prayer Board, please send them to melanie.merriman@montgrove.nsw.edu.au. Please also let Melanie know when your intentions can be removed. 

• The office door will be locked from 9:00am
• Mrs Merriman will unlock it remotely when she sees you
• To enter please wait for the click before pulling the door towards you gently
• If reception is unattended please ring the door bell and a staff member will let you in

Kindergarten to Year 6

Start:            8:50am

Finish:           3:00pm

Kindergarten and Year 1 students may be picked up at 2:45pm from their classroom. Please note that this is only applicable for parents who ONLY have children in Kindergarten and Year 1.

Kindergarten to Year 6 students arriving after 8:50am will be required to sign in at the office.

Year 7 to Year 12

Start:            8:30am

Finish:           3:15pm

Year 7 to 12 students arriving after 8:30am will be required to sign in at the office.

• If you have children in both Kindergarten and/or Year 1 AND a primary student, please collect them after 3:00pm. 
• If you have children in both Primary and Secondary school please collect them between 3:15pm and 3.30pm. 

The 2023 School Photos will be held on Thursday 30th March 2023.  

To reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day, orders for packages and sibling photographs will need to be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advanced order code. 

TO ORDER PHOTO PACKAGES AND SIBLING PHOTOS

Step 1:  Go to www.advancedlife.com.au

Step 2:  Enter school code ZHR 8VP K65 in the “order and download box”.  This will take you to the school’s secure online ordering site. 

Step 3:  Click on “Order Photos” and complete your details.  During this process you can place orders for additional children and sibling photos.   

Step 4:  Pay for your photos using Visa, Mastercard, PayPal or Latitude Pay

PLEASE NOTE:

• Portrait and group package orders can be ordered online right up until photo day
• Sibling Photos must be pre-ordered online up to 24 hours before photo day.
  • Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.
  • Only students enrolled at Montgrove can be included in the sibling photo.
• A Late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately.

We do have a small number of envelopes available at reception for those families who are unable to order online.  Should you wish to purchase using an envelope, these can be collected from the office no later than Monday 27th March 2023.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them via email to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au

On Photo Day, please ensure the following:

• Students should wear full summer uniform with shoes polished
• Hair which is shoulder length or longer must be tied back
• Top knots and multiple braids are not acceptable
• Ribbons and hair accessories must be in school colours
• Any jewellery worn to school must be in line with school policy
• Girls are NOT permitted to wear makeup
• This applies to class photos as well as individual portraits

Thank you to the 200+ parents and high school students who completed the survey. I have collated all the data from all your responses.

Just a few things to clarify:

1. A student may wear a costume that is different from his/her own cultural background.
2. A student may still participate in the parade even if she is not wearing a national costume. Students who are not wearing a traditional costume are asked to wear either a plain ORANGE shirt with any pants/skits OR the school uniform.
3. We encourage students to not wear sports jerseys representing a country. A traditional costume is preferred to be worn on Harmony Day.
4. A student who is performing is AUTOMATICALLY in the parade.
5. Students can only perform a dance or a song ONCE. Due to time limits, a performance should NOT exceed 5 minutes. There should be at least 4 performers in a group.
6. AUDITIONS for the performances: Week 10 at lunch time– Unfortunately if your group does not audition, they will not be able to perform. A costume is NOT required to be worn during the rehearsal.
7. DRESS REHEARSAL: Wednesday, 17 May.

Please see the attached pictures which contain the list of countries with parent-organisers. Please contact them for any enquiries about performances, exhibits, and the international buffet. As you can see, we still need some roles to be filled in by parent-helpers. Please email me at harmonyday@montgrove.nsw.edu.au should you wish to lend a hand in any of the roles required.

Vengie Pangilinan
Harmony Day Organiser

The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely

2023 Challenge dates

Students can include any books read from the end of the 2022 challenge on their 2023 reading record. Key dates for the 2023 challenge are:

27 February 2023 - challenge opens for student entries

Friday 18 August 2023 - challenge closes for student entries

The PRC rules have been updated for the 2023 challenge. Students can now include up to 10 choice books on their reading records, and can count 5 books from an approved series as PRC books.

www.premiersreadingchallenge.nsw.edu.au

Your child’s user id and password for the Reading Challenge will be sent home by their teacher towards the end of this week.

Any questions regarding the PRC should be directed to sarah.tuballa@montgrove.nsw.edu.au

In an effort to teach our students to take personal responsibility and to be accountable for their own items, we do not have a Lost Property box at Montgrove.   

We ask that all personal items be labelled with your child's surname and first initial, so that any items that are misplaced can be returned to the owner immediately.

Absence forms are done through the Engage Parent Portal. The Engage Parent Portal allows you to access your children's reports, complete absence forms and see your account details for both Wollemi & Montgrove. 

On Monday 27th February, Mrs Issa and Year 11 and 12 Music 1 students began their journey from Montgrove College to the Sydney Opera House to watch ENCORE - a concert showcasing last year’s outstanding HSC performances and compositions. Our excursion began with a walk to the bus station at 10:30am, with the Monday morning weather being neither too hot nor too cold, making it the ideal temperature for an outing. We arrived at St. Mary’s train station but unfortunately just missed the train we wanted, but this small mishap was nothing more than a minor detour in the day’s plans. At 11:12am, Mrs Issa and the senior Music students climbed aboard another train which took us to Central Station at around 12:08pm then after that, the group boarded the City Circle line to Circular Quay. When we arrived, we ate lunch then began walking towards the Sydney Opera House. The entire area was swarming with other students from different schools, all of whom were going to the concert as well! Once we received their tickets, we made our way past security and to our seats in the main concert hall. We were privileged to get the box seating area where we were able to observe the performances with a complete view of the stage! The concert began at 1:30pm. Before each performance was a brief description of the performer’s musical journey. There was a diverse variety of performances, ranging from classically-based styles all the way to jazz, rock, exotic and pop. The performers were all graduates of 2022, their skills unmatched and the definition of excellence. Types of performances included original compositions, vocal performances, string and wind instrument performances and drum covers.

This excursion allowed the Music students to see and experience the model Band 6 music performances who were evocative and inspiring to listen to. The event lasted for 2 hours and gave us a good insight into the talent of HSC Music students from all the schools present. 

Emmelia Inbaraj, Nicole Muema, Mrs Lauren Issa - Music Teacher

On 7th March, Montgrove College hosted the first heat for Rostrum Voice of the Youth Public Speaking tournament. Participating students are asked to deliver a prepared speech on a selected topic and 1 winner is selected from each division to progress to the Regional Final. 

Congratulations to Mikha Joseph (Yr 7) Rihanna Japon (Yr 10) and Janice Arul Selvan (Yr 11) who not only represented Montgrove at the heat, but each of them placed as Runner Up in their division. Congratulations girls!

On Friday, 3 March, Year 11 and 12 Physics classes took a bus trip to visit the RAAF Base Richmond for World Engineering Day. Upon arrival, the group was entertained with some fun activities set up by engineers and technicians in the Air Force. The stalls allowed the groups to learn how Physics is involved in many aspects of engineering at the Air Force. We learned about materials used to build structurally ideal parts for a plane, and also about those that could be used to create an effective bomb suit. 

The STEM-related stalls were also set up, giving the students the opportunity to learn how to operate bomb disposal robots. Students also had the opportunity to speak directly to people already working in the field. After a great hands-on experience, the students settled down for presentations given by the different engineers and technicians involved in the Air Force. The presenters shared their experiences with the gathered classes, showing them a plethora of career options that involved the use of STEM.

The excursion ended with the viewing of the “C-130J Hercules” and other aircraft, followed by an air-drop simulation. The visit to the RAAF Base Richmond was an eye-opening experience, demonstrating to the students just how many aspects of life rely on Physics.

Thank you to Miss Isip and Dr Blades for organising this excursion and to Wing Commander Chris Hersey for the special invite.

Johanna Mackenzie Year 11

The Montgrove College Cross Country Carnival was held on Thursday 9th March. It was a hot day, but luckily it was the coolest day of Week 6. It was fantastic to see so many students giving it their best go and completing as many laps as possible. The Montgrove spirit was very active as our Primary students eagerly cheered on the High School girls as they completed their 6km run before Primary classes began.

A big congratulations to Hanna Romanowska, Mia Hanson and Somtochi Igbojiaku for setting a new record in their age group. An extremely impressive effort from Somtochi who beat the 6km 18 years record by 9.5 minutes – what an outstanding effort!

The Montgrove representative cross-country team will be released in early Term 2 with the Hills Zone Cross Country Carnival occurring on Tuesday 23rd May at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. A maximum of 6 competitors from each age group can be sent to HZSA Cross Country. However, placing in the top 6 does not mean students will automatically progress to the HZSA carnival. Students who have placed 5th and 6th will need to be competitive in their age group.

Congratulations to all the girls who participated in this year’s events.

CROSS COUNTRY RECORDS

Elyse Griffiths

PDHPE Teacher/Sports Coordinator

On the 6^th March, Montgrove sent several girls to trial for the HZSA basketball team. Samantha Magat (Year 11) was a standout and was selected to form part of the HZSA basketball team. She attended a handful of training sessions over the past two weeks so the team could prepare to compete at AICES.

On Wednesday 8^th March (week 6) Samantha and the rest of the HZSA basketball team went to the Hills Basketball Stadium where they spent the day versing various representative teams from different competitions around NSW. The team played 6 different games with only a short break in between each game. Of these 6 games HZSA won 5.

HZSA finished the competition placing 2^nd out of 7 teams. An outstand effort for HZSA, Montgrove and Samantha! Congratulations on all your effort and hard work Samantha!

Montgrove Basketball Trials for 2023 Winter Season 

Montgrove Basketball Club will be holding Trials for the 2023 winter season which runs from 21 April until 23 September.   

Trials will be held on Thursday 9th March from 5:00 until 6:00pm in the Montgrove COLA.  Registration will then take place from 6:00 – 6:30pm.

If your child is keen to play, is athletic and can handle a fast paced sport, please

• Text 0418 961 626 with your child/children’s names who will be attending the trials
• Arrive by 5:50pm 

What’s required:

• Good attitude
• Quick learner
• Bring a pumped ball of the correct size  
  • Size 5 ball (Ages 7-11)
  • Size 6 ball (Ages 12 and upwards)
• Wear comfortable clothing and proper trainers
• Lots of water

FYI - A basketball camp will be organised a week before the start of the season to enable new players to understand the basketball game/rules before they play their first game. You will be advised of the date after registration with the club.

Look forward to seeing you.

Thank you.

Corine Morgan
President, Montgrove Basketball Club
M: 0418 961 626

The Semi-finals of 2022/2023 Summer Season will be held on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th March 2023.

9 Montgrove Basketball Club teams will be competing.  What an amazing team and club effort!!

Please bring your family and friends to support and cheer on the teams to Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre at 30 Herbert Street Werrington!!  Wear green and white to show your support and bring your pom poms too if you have any!!!

Friday 17th March 2023

Under 18 Div 2 - Montgrove Sparks v CPSM Stingrays - Court 4 @ 6:30pm

Under 18 Div 2 - Montgrove Falcons v Team Jacob SC - Court 3 @ 6:30pm

Saturday 18th March 2023

Under 12 Div 2 - Montgrove Mighty Minion v Raindrops RBC - Court 5 @ 8:00am

Under 12 Div 2 - Montgrove Phoenix v Dragonflies NEP - Court 5 @ 9:00am

Under 16 Div 2 - Montgrove Boomers v Owls - Court 6 @ 9:00am

Under 10 - Montgrove Nuggets v Mini Wolves SC - Court 4 @ 10:00am

Under 10 - Montgrove Ladybugs v Unicorns Nep - Court 4 @ 11:00am

Under 14 Div 2 - Montgrove Mighty Stingrays v New Moon SC - Court 6 @ 11:00am

Under 14 Div 3 - Montgrove Shooting Stars v Razzlers RBC - Court 5 @ 12:00pm

Montgrove College Trading Hours 2023

Mondays: 8:30am to 12:30pm

Ordering online couldn’t be simpler.

 Go to www.midford.com.au

1. Select Montgrove College from the online School Shops tab.
2. New users to click the ‘Register New Account’ button.
3. Start the registration process by selecting Montgrove College from the drop-down menu and add Montgrove unique school pass phrase: Montgrove2007
4. Add your personal information, create a username and password.
5. Order the items you need, select pick up from the uniform shop on Monday's or option of home delivery.

Please book appointments through our online appointment system by using the below link.  https://Midford.as.me/MontgroveCollege

For enquiries please email: montgrove@midford.com.au

Date: Saturday 18th March

Time: 11:00am

Place: Mulgoa Park, 358-364 Littlefields Road, Mulgoa

Please bring a plate to share for lunch.  BYO drinks, picnic rugs, scooters and balls. 

RSVP: KS - Jess (0423 132 158); KW - Emily (0403 804 697)

Date: Saturday 25th March

Time: 1:00-3:00pm

Place: Caddens Oval, 1 Heaton Ave, Claremont Meadows

Please bring a plate to share for lunch.  

Date: Sunday 2nd April

Time: 11:00am-1:00pm

Place: Jordan Springs Village Oval, 2995 Greenwood Parkway, Jordan Springs

Join us for a Sausage sizzle.  BYO drinks, snacks picnic rugs, scooters and bikes. 

RSVP: Noellyn (0400 017 345) by 26 March for catering purposes

Thankyou to everyone who came and joined us for the Year 2 Father and Daughter bushwalk.  A great time was had by all!

1. PARED will issue the Invoice / Fee Account Statement once by week 2 of every Term 1, 2, 3 and 4.
2. This Invoice includes: Tuition Fees, Curriculum and Technology Levy (CTL) and Building Levy only.
3. The Pared Schools have partnered with Edstart to provide more flexibility and choice with your school fee payments. All school fees must be paid via your Edstart account where you can opt for weekly, monthly, fortnightly, termly, or annual instalments.
4. As it occurs, PARED will issue separate invoices for activities other than those in Item 2 above.  This will include major camps, major excursions, certain elective co-curricular expenses, band program, elective music software,  loss of or damage to laptop, PDHPE workbook, school diary, etc. 
5. These should also be paid via your Edstart account