You may have read about a recent study conducted by Telethon Kids Institute Senior Research Officer, Mary Brushe. The research involved over 200 Australian families over two and a half years, and found that the average three year old could spend three hours in front of the screen each day. Researchers quantified the effect of this amount of screen time on the children’s language development and found that the average three-year-old could miss out on 1100 adult words, 840 vocalisations and 194 conversations per day from spending three hours on screens. Dr Brushe encouraged parents to find a balance “making sure that you are doing non-screen-related activities with your child throughout the day and being mindful when you do decide to turn on the screen and think about what you’re putting on and how your child’s using it.” While this is particularly important for children in their early years, it is also something we can all be more aware of. We all lose out on the opportunities for meaningful conversations when we spend too much time on our screens.

Last week we announced the Primary House leaders at the Primary Assembly. Congratulations to Felicity Wiggins (Brindabella), Amalia Gil (Diamantina), Eileen Cao (Menindee) and Eve Wilkinson (Tanami). They have already been putting their heads together with suggestions for initiatives for the Primary students.

Thankfully the weather cooled down just in time for the Cross Country Carnival. Thank you to Mrs Clare Bolton, Mrs Charmaine Grobler and to all the teachers and parents who helped with organising and supervising the check points. I could see the girls trying their best in all the races.

Congratulations to the girls who were selected to compete at the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition. We had a record number of students trying out for the competition and I was very impressed with the quality of the girls’ speeches. It was a very successful afternoon for us, with Montgrove winning three out of the four heats. Well done to Janice Kosman (Yr 7), Mikha Joseph (Yr 8) and Janice Arul Selvan (Yr 12) who won their heats and will be competing in the Regional finals in May.

We are coming to the last weeks of Lent, and I would encourage our mothers to think about coming to the Lenten retreat that is being held at Montgrove on Saturday 23^rd March. It will be a good way to take a break from the normal rush of life, and to spend some quiet time in prayer and reflection while preparing for Holy Week. More details can be found later in the newsletter.

On Thursday 7th March 2024, our Year 6 House Leaders were announced at a Whole School Assembly.   Congratulations to:

• Felicity Wiggins - Brindabella
• Amalia Gil - Diamantina 
• Eileen Cao - Menindee 
• Eve Wilkinson - Tanami 

On Tuesday 5th March our 2024 Class Representatives were announced.  Congratulations to: 

Year 3 Blue

•  Monica Wilkinson

Year 3 Green 

•  Adelaide-Rose Mowad

Year 4 Blue

• Clare Le Grand

Year 4 Green

•  Serenity Clarke

Year 5 Blue 

•  Cecilia Ison

Year 5 Green

•  Aubrey Victorino

Please find attached, the flyer for more information.

At a recent graduation ceremony, at Campion College, Professor Tracy Roland declared: “To have the truth, without goodness and charity, is to have a very lopsided and unattractive personality”.

Indeed, truth, goodness and gracefulness were always mutually well-balanced in the Blessed Virgin Mary, something we strive to imitate and foster in and around our schools. It can be seen in everything Mary said and did. As St Josemaría pointed out in his book, “The Way”, 510: “See the simplicity [naturalness and gracefulness]?... ‘Behold the handmaid [of the Lord]!’ And the Word was made flesh. That’s how the saints worked: without any outward show. And if there was any, it was in spite of themselves.”

And so, normally, we should not want to “grandstand”, or make a “spectacle” of ourselves. By the way, this is not meant to be an advertisement for Specsavers Optometrists.

Please pray for our sick and injured family and friends:

Fr John Flader, Tangara Priest; Amelia Acasio, grandmother to Renae (12) & Regine (10G) Bernacer; Victor Sciberras, father to Raelene Pirotta (Registrar); Benjamin Santiago, father to Agryna (11); & Emmanuel Hanna, brother to Cecilia (9B) & Lucia (6G) Hanna.

Please also remember those who have passed away:

Antonio Singson, grandfather to Marina Fahkry (KS); Jeannette Azzi, grandmother to Maria (7) and Jane (4) Azzi; ReginaldSantos, uncle to Santiago Santos (1G); Peter Ruhl, grandfather to Mary (10), Clare (8) & Lucia (7) Ruhl; Antoine Scoulou, grandfather to Mona-Maria Scoulou (3B); Victor Asdiollo Tuballa, father-in-law to Sarah Tuballa (Religion teacher), grandfather to Charlotte (9B) & Felicity (3G) Tuballa; Priscilla De Leon Yabut, grandmother to Samantha Magat (12); Aurea Ingco, great grandmother to Mila Kottatis (2G); Aiyana Cabanero (Yr10 2019) sister to Amara (9) 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. 

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 

• 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

Montgrove College would appreciate donations of the following items of clothing to be kept as spares for when a student needs a change of clothes. The previous style of the summer dress is also suitable: 

• Size 6 summer dresses
• Size 8 summer dresses
• Size 4 boys shorts
• Size 6 boys shorts
• Sports shorts
• Size 6 & 8 winter dresses 
• Boys long sleeve shirts

We thank you for your donations. 

On Monday 18th March, students as usual are encouraged to wear green accessories to school if they bring in a gold coin donation.  Students are still to wear their school uniform.  No hairspray or face paint please.

There is also an option to bring in extra money for a "Guess how many chocolate coins in the jar" competition.  Each guess will cost $1.

Earlier this term, Montgrove sent several students to trial for the HZSA basketball teams. Of those students, four were selected to form part of the HZSA Opens Basketball team. These students were Magdelena L (Yr11), Rica T (Yr11), Klara T (Yr11) and Samantha M (Yr12). 

On Wednesday 6th March these selected students, along with the rest of the HZSA basketball team went to the Hills Basketball Stadium to compete in the AICES Basketball Competition. The team spent the day versing various representative teams from all different zones around NSW. The team played 5 games with only a short break in between each game. Of these 5 games HZSA won 4.

HZSA finished the competition placing 3rd overall. An outstanding effort for HZSA and for Montgrove! Congratulations girls on all your effort and hard work!

Congratulations to our Representative Swimming teams (Primary and Secondary) who competed at the Hills Zone Swimming Carnival on Monday 4th March. We had 27 students from primary and secondary competing on the day. The competition was extremely tough however we had some excellent achievements throughout the day. 

Our new Year 11 House Captains were also present to help, support and encourage both teams throughout the day.

A big congratulations to the following students for their achievements:

• Amelia Bolton - 3rd Place in the 13 years 50m Freestyle
• Samantha Magat - 3rd Place in 18 years 50m Backstroke 

Amelia and Samantha have qualified to compete at the AICES Swimming carnival on Friday 5th April.

Well done to all the girls who participated in the carnival. It is fantastic to see all our Montgrove swimmers participating in the events they were selected for and representing our school.

Clare Bolton

PDHPE/Sports Coordinator

BASKETBALL WINTER SEASON

APRIL TO SEPTEMBER 2024 (TERMS 2 & 3)

The summer season is coming to a close on Saturday 6th April and the winter season will commence shortly after. We are looking for new basketball players for U10s, U12s, U14s, U16s and U18s (skilled & beginners). Particularly looking for experienced or very athletic U12 players.

Associated Costs for new players as follows:

Annual Registration Fee 

Payable to Penrith & Districts Basketball Association (Active Kids Voucher accepted) (Registration with Penrith Stadium & Basketball NSW)

• $80.00 – Members NOT turning 12 yrs on/before 31st Dec
• 100.00 – Members 12-17 yrs on/before 31st Dec 
• $130.00 – Members turning 18 yrs on/before 31st Dec

Basketball Uniform

• $80.00 (Reversible Singlet $45 & Shorts $35)
• $36.00 (Hoodie - optional)

Seasonal Costs 

Payable to Montgrove Basketball Club to cover Winter Court Fees

• $170 Payable as a direct deposit before registration and start of season, or if you wish to pay by instalments (2 x $50, then $70) and need to be paid within the first 6-8 games. See payment due dates.

Direct deposit information

Account Name: Montgrove Basketball Club

BSB: 032 278

Account number: 552500 (Westpac Bank)

Please inform by email to basketballmontgrove@gmail.com with reference details and players surname

A Beginners Basketball camp will be held at the Montgrove COLA. Date to be confirmed and is subject to the number of new enrolments.

Parents are encouraged to volunteer for Coaching and Manager positions.

Application forms are available for NEW players only. FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Kathie Balmeo (0412 523 552) OR email basketballmontgrove@gmail.com by 1st March 2024.

New Players

Please note that it will take 4-6 weeks for new uniforms to be received from date of purchase. Accurate measurements in CMS required (Full Bust & Shoulder to Hip + Waist). Orders placed through the club. 

Thank you

Corine Morgan and Kathie Balmeo

An invitation to Wollemi and Montgrove Dads.

James Ramos, Wollemi Headmaster would like to extend an invitation to our Wollemi and Montgrove fathers to join us at a Dad's Night on Friday 5 April at 6pm at Wollemi.

This night will be an opportunity for dads to come together and enjoy a meal, beer and one another's company.  This term, the Wollemi and Montgrove Dad's Night will be enjoying a Potluck Dinner, feel free to bring a plate to share. 

To RSVP,   kindly complete this form. We hope you can join us and catch up on the night.

 Contact Person: Andrew Zahra 0420 581 427

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

Thank you to everyone that made the picnic! It was a great day - good food & great company.

Year 6 Families are invited to a Picnic!

Date: Sunday 7th April

Time: 1:00pm

Place: Tench Reserve Playground, Penrith

BYO Food, drink and picnic blanket

Contact Germaine Gil or Issa Galan for more details.

As announced at the end of Term 3, our school has partnered with Edstart to facilitate the payment of your school fees. 

The deadline for setting up an Edstart Plus account has already passed. If you have not already set up your account, please do so as soon as possible by visiting edstart.com.au/pared – it only takes a few minutes to create your account. The friendly Edstart customer success team will be able to assist you should you have any questions, you can contact them at 1300 139 445 or contact@edstart.com.au.

From 2023, all school fees must be paid via your Edstart account where you can opt for weekly, monthly, fortnightly, termly, or annual instalments. Pared will no longer accept direct payments.

As part of our commitment to parents, Montgrove will absorb the administrative fees for your Edstart Plus service, so that this service is free for families to use.

Edstart is a leading provider of payment and technology services for the education sector and currently works with thousands of parents at over 600 schools around Australia, with a key focus on providing personalised service for each family.

What are the benefits of partnering with Edstart?

1. Flexibility:

Edstart provides families with more options and greater flexibility when it comes to paying school fees, at no additional cost. For example, with an Edstart Plus account:

• Choose your preferred day for when payments are made

• Spread your payments over your preferred time frame during the school year

• Option to pay via direct debit, debit/credit card or BPay

• During difficult times, families can be offered flexible payment schedules

• Adjust your payments at any time

2. Paperless & secure:

●      Payment Information will be submitted and stored through Edstart’s secure online platform, so families can be assured of data security.

●      Direct debit forms no longer need to be printed. 

3. Customer Service:

●      Edstart provides Pared parents with a dedicated customer service team who can promptly respond to queries and questions over the phone, email or through their website’s live chat function.

If you haven't already, please set up your Edstart account online at edstart.com.au/pared.

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