Community service is something that we like to encourage the students to do so that they develop a mindset that naturally sees the needs of others and looks for ways to help them. I have been pleased to see many of the girls in Secondary volunteering their time to help younger students with their school work, take charge of the ukulele groups and give catechism classes to students in other schools. In our busy world, we tend to forget that we live in a community and that we might be able to do something to bring happiness to others. Little things, like paying a visit or having a conversation with an elderly neighbour or parishioner, can make a difference in others’ lives. Perhaps we could all think about one small act of kindness that we could do during this Easter weekend.

Congratulations to Janice Arul Selvan (Yr 12) who was selected to participate in the National Schools Constitutional Convention, which was held in Canberra last week. She was one of 95 students from around Australia who spent several days learning about Federal government and discussing reforms to section 96 of the Australian Constitution. Decisions made at the Convention formed part of a Communiqué that will be presented and tabled in Parliament. The program also included the Prime Minister’s Reception at Parliament House, a meeting with the Governor-General, The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) at Government House.

This afternoon the Primary students came together to reflect on the Stations of the Cross, led by the Year 6 students. It was beautiful to see the children in prayer as we recalled Christ’s suffering and death. After the reflection, we reflected on Christ’s Resurrection by singing We Believe (Easter Song). It was a great way to put us in the right frame of mind for the next few days, as we accompany Jesus through his Passion, Death and Resurrection. I hope you are all able to have some quiet time to reflect on these great mysteries, which help to strengthen our faith in God and love for each other. Wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Easter!

The Primary Monty went to Clara Chircop (5G), Cecylia Romanowska (5G) and Olivija Simat (5G) for cheerfully volunteering to help find students for carline on a very hot day 

Congratulations to: 

• Clare and Jeremy McGrath on the arrival of Veronica Noelle, sister to Miya (2G) & Bridie (1B)
• Isabelle and Gerard Weber on the arrival of Luke Joseph, brother to Charles (1W) 

As Good Friday and Easter Sunday approach, we focus in on the suffering and triumph of Jesus Christ. In this context, where we might find ourselves reflecting on the meaning of suffering, we might be helped by Saint John Paul II, when, in his Apostolic Letter, “Salvifici doloris”, 29, he reminds us: “We can say that the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan has become one of the essential elements of moral culture and universally human civilization”… One of the key lessons of the parable is that every human being should be seen as the “neighbour” we need to love… This Easter, then, if “prayer for the living and the dead” is regarded in the Church as a spiritual work of mercy, we can pray for all people on Earth, while not forgetting the souls in Purgatory.

This Easter, furthermore, with Christ’s tremendously dramatic passing over from excruciating death on the Cross, via “the harrowing of hell” [for which, see the article, under that heading, in the Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent website], through to his glorious Resurrection, we might pray for everyone to discover, or re-discover, the following thought-provoking piece of wisdom from St Josemaría’s book “Furrow”, 887: “The great Christian revolution has been to convert pain into fruitful suffering, and to turn a bad thing into something good. We have deprived the devil of this weapon, and, with it, we can conquer eternity.”  

Please pray for our sick and injured family and friends:

Nikita De Souza, girlfriend of Michael Carrington (PARED Maintenance); 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 

*** On Wednesday 10th April, the afternoon confessions with Fr Anthony will be slightly shortened to 3:00pm - 3:30pm ***

 Fr Felix Navarro is available for confessions on:

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

We are in need of a few parents to help with the washing and folding of the Chapel Linen on a weekly roster system.

Training will be provided for those who have not done it before. 

If you are able to help please email your name and mobile phone number to Regina Rossetto at: regina.rossetto@montgrove.nsw.edu.au

Thankyou 

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. 

Every year on March 14th, we celebrate International Pi Day, honouring the famous irrational number 3.14 in Mathematics.  Last Friday, our Mathematics Club marked Pi Day with about 20 students. We enjoyed activities like PiKu, Two Truths and a Pi, and a Pi-themed riddle. The students had fun and 8 Σ πs (ate some pies).

A reminder that the Mathematics’ Homework Club meets every Friday during the 2nd half of lunch (1.05 – 1:25) in room 10G, where students can get help with homework or play mathematical games.  All students in high school are welcome to attend.

On Tuesday 5th March, Year 9 had the great opportunity to experience wheelchair basketball. 

We have been exploring the benefits of lifelong participation in physical activity and the different ways to do so for the variety of groups in society through an integrated theory and practical unit in PDHPE. 

Stephan Rochecouste, who was born with Spina Bifida, from Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT visited Montgrove College. He has played a variety of sports with the wheelchair such as tennis and rugby. His aim is to create a bridge of understanding between different levels of mobility and promote inclusion, discouraging the mindset of ‘Seeing it as a disability, but instead as a different form of mobility.’ 

Each of the Year 9’s had the opportunity to participate in a game of wheelchair basketball with professional equipment for wheelchair basketball athletes. We learnt how to manoeuvre the chairs during the game, learning to dribble, defend, attack and shoot from a chair. 

While also being enjoyable, the session was very educational and insightful, showing students how people with disabilities can still be involved in a variety of different physical activities. 

Anna L (Year 9)

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 2024

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

Montgrove College Fitting Room will open in the April School holidays by appointment only. 

• Monday 22nd April from 9:00am to 3:00pm 
• Monday 29th April from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Please book appointments through our online appointment system by using the below link

https://Midford.as.me/MontgroveCollege 

Please Note:This is for Fitting’s & Try On Service’s Only. No sales or orders will be placed onsite - all orders need to be placed online. 

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

Many thanks to the wonderful dads of Year 8 dads who brought their daughters for a walk along the river on Sunday

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