We have come to the end of the term, and with it the end of formal classes for our Year 12 class. The girls will only be returning to school to sit their HSC exams and for Presentation Night. Throughout the week we have been saying our farewells to the Class of 2024. They put on a Heroes and Villains Fun Day for the other school students, while the Secondary classes prepared some very entertaining dances, skits, presentations and videos and the Primary classes prepared gifts for each of the girls to say thank you and to wish them luck for the future.

This term we also said farewell to Annette Carter, Aiesha Oringo and Elyse Griffiths. Mrs Carter has been taking Art and some Technology classes while Mrs Lennard was on maternity leave. She did a wonderful job especially with guiding the Year 12 girls through their Visual Arts Bodies of Work. In the two years that Miss Oringo has been part of the staff, her passion for developing the students’ talents gave rise to our successful Band Nights. She also encouraged the girls to create their own initiatives such as last year’s Christmas Twilight markets. Ms Griffiths has been at Montgrove since 2016, and worked hard to develop the PDHPE Department in the school, introducing a number of new processes to enhance the students experience and participation in sport. We thank them all for their hard work and the great contribution they have made to Montgrove.

Despite the rain and blast of cold weather, we had an excellent Key Parent Function last night. Our guest speaker, the Hon John Anderson, with a few broad brushstrokes, gave an insightful summary of the cultural crises that we see today and what an impact good fathering can have for the future of children. He recommended Bruce Robinson’s BUS principle for dads. B is for being present as much as possible, U is for unconditional love, and S is for special – recognising each child is super special and making sure they know why they are special. Perhaps these holidays could be a great opportunity to put the BUS in motion.

Wishing you all a safe and relaxing break, and see you in Term 4.

Congratulations to:

• Marlene and Robert De Meo on the arrival of Olivia-Mae, sister to Elias (1G)

The Monty went to Madeleine Bolton (6) for willingly and cheerfully giving her time to help another student on crutches. 

The Orchy went to Shrija Siddarth (1G) for helping her desk partner with her Maths, being encouraging and helping her stay on task, 

In her novel, Mansfield Park, chapter 16, Jane Austen comments on the experience of the heroine, Fanny Price, who had been fostered, from her large and poor family, starting at the age of nine, into her Aunt, Lady Bertram’s, aristocratic home. On reaching the age of 18, she made the following reflection upon the previous nine years: “Though Fanny's motives had been often misunderstood, her feelings disregarded, and her comprehension undervalued; though she had known the pains of tyranny, of ridicule and of neglect, yet every recurrence of either had led to something consolatory; every former affliction had its charm.”

St John Chrysostom asserts that this is in fact how loving God’s Providence treats each of us, for our good, a constant “see-sawing” of sorrows and consolations. St Josemaría, in his book, The Forge, point 533, declares: “I was told — and I write it down, because it’s very beautiful — about the way of speaking of a goodly nun from Aragon, in her gratitude for God’s fatherly goodness: ‘How “smart” he is! He’s got his eye on everything.’”

As we go so quickly into the last part of 2024, many of us hurtling towards the Holy Year of 2025, as Pilgrims of Hope, we can keep taking up anew this way of looking at the events and circumstances of life.

Please pray for our sick and injured family and friends:

Amelia Acasio, grandmother to Renae (12) & Regine (10G) Bernacer; Lucy Bates, sister to Sarah Tuballa (Religion teacher), grandfather to Charlotte (9B) & Felicity (3G) Tuballa; Walter Daniel Valenton, uncle to Elyssa (7G), Marcela (2B) and Daniela (1S) Valenton; Joshua Gibbons (Yr4 Wollemi), brother to Catherine (7G), Madeline (6B) and Lucas (1W) Gibbons; Gregory Haines, husband to Marina Haines (Mentor); Vengie Pangilinan (Mentor & Diverse Learning teacher); Helen Stanojevic (KG Teacher); Carolina Quianzon Alvarez, grandmother to Maria Zamora (12);  Paul Ruhl, uncle to Mary (10G), Clare (8B) and Lucia (7B) Ruhl; Zenaida Oringo, grandmother to Aiesha (Secondary Teacher) & Kara (12) Oringo; Charles Rafanan, father to Jiannah-Marie (8B); Tom Gelevski (PARED Maintenance); Nikita De Souza, girlfriend of Michael Carrington (PARED Maintenance); Fr John Flader, Tangara Priest; ; Benjamin Santiago, father to Agryna (11); & Emmanuel Hanna, brother to Cecilia (9B) & Lucia (6G) Hanna.

Please also remember those who have passed away:

Lynette Churchyard, grandmother to Eliza (12) and Lucy (7) James; Ludenlia Gavera Flordeliza, Great-great Aunt to Maria Bonus (5G); Ruben Oringo, grandfather to Aiesha (Secondary Teacher) & Kara (12) Oringo; Fortunato Meduri, great-grandfather to Alessandra Agius (KW); Melanie Khoury, great-grandmother to Catherine (2B) & Alyssa (KB) Mattar and Adelaide-Rose (3G) & Catilin (KG) Mowad; Dorothy James, grandmother to Eliza (12) and Lucy (7) James; 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;  Victor Asdillo 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 

Confessions for Families

• Every Saturday from 11:00am to 1:00pm (including school holidays)

Our school is using the Perspectives: Your school in focus suite of surveys developed by AISNSW to support our school improvement endeavours. The information gathered will assist in furthering the growth and development of our school community. We will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. 

These surveys have been specifically designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions of five important areas: School Environment, Teaching and Learning, Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Community. All staff, students, parents/guardians, and  leaders will be invited to participate. 

The surveys will be available from 28th October to 10th November and are conducted online, taking approximately 15- 20 minutes to complete. The survey link will be distributed in the coming weeks via email to all from ‘evidence@aisnsw.edu,au’ on behalf of the school.

Your input and contribution are important to the success of our continuous school improvement process as we aspire to improve the learning experience for everyone at our school. Based on the feedback from the 2022 survey, quite a few initiatives have been implemented. The feedback from the entire school community is highly valued. 

For any enquiries about the surveys please contact the school for more details: sandra.galea@montgrove.nsw.edu.au.

Siblings of current students are given priority during the enrolment process.  If you would like to submit an application for your son/daughter in Kindergarten 2026 please register via this form and an application form will be emailed directly to you.  Students enrolling in Kindergarten must have turned 5 years by March 31 of the year that they are to start school.

Those who have already submitted Kindergarten 2026 applications previously, there is no action required from you at this stage. This is just a reminder email for any current families who intend to but have not yet applied.

If you have any questions please contact our Enrolments Team enrol@montgrove.nsw.edu.au or call (02) 4749 4714. We look forward to assisting you in your enrolment journey.

On Saturday 14th September we hosted the Wollemi & Montgrove Mums Wine & Cheese Night. It was nothing short of enchanting. Set against the backdrop of smooth jazz, the evening executed class providing the perfect setting for mums to unwind and connect. The evening was absolutely delightful. The serene atmosphere, enhanced by ambient lighting set the perfect mood.

In the centre of the room was an extravagant grazing table, beautifully arranged with a tempting selection of meats, fruits, pastries, chocolates, cheeses, and more paired with glass of wine or a non-alcoholic punch to enjoy. A big thank you to Daphne (Lauren Tuipulotu's mum) who was the bartender on the night allowing guests to be treated to a night of culinary delight and great conversation.

It was wonderful to see mums from both schools in attendance embracing the opportunity to catch up with friends and meet new faces. There was definitely conversation and laughs filling the room.

Also a big thank you to Evelyn Finianos, Cindy Lapid and many of the wonderful mums who helped in the lead up or on the night for hosting such an enjoyable evening amongst our community. Until next time…

We missed showing you some photos from the Father's Day afternoon tea this term in the last newsletter publication but better late than never!  It was definitely a wonderful afternoon celebrating the dads, grandads and father figures in the lives of our beautiful Montgrove students.  Let us remember to celebrate them everyday!

Absence forms are done through the Engage Parent Portal and must be completed with 7 days of the last day of the absence. If your child is going to be late please complete the absence form indicating that they will be late and the approximate time of arrival.  Students will be marked present once they arrive at school.  If an absence form is not received you will receive a text message advising that your child is absent and a form has not yet been completed. 

The 2024 IPSHA Debating season wrapped up last Friday with the conclusion of Round 7, and what a fantastic season it was! Our incredible team secured 12 wins out of 14 debates, competing against various schools from across the district. A big congratulations to our dedicated debaters: Amalia Gil, Olivia Elbayeh, Marianna Joseph, Angel Jobin, Angelyn Petson, Chloe Goes, Isabella Parmintuan, Grace Aldous, Layla De La Paz, Penny Tshien, Eileen Cao, and Miranda Reyes.

Their commitment and hard work truly paid off as they perfected their debating skills. A heartfelt thank you to the parents for transporting the team to away debates, to Mrs. Galea for her guidance in team selection and adjudicating, to Mrs. Blazevic for providing post-debate refreshments, and to the Year 6 teachers for their unwavering support and flexibility. What a season to remember!

Mrs Hoffmann

The Public Speaking Competition 2024 was a tremendous success, with students from Years 2 to Year 6 fearlessly taking the stage to showcase their public speaking skills. 

The thought-provoking topics for each stage were carefully chosen to challenge our students: 

• Stage 1 (Year 2) students spoke on "What it means to be a good friend."
• Stage 2 (Year 3 & 4) students discussed "The value of good manners."
• Stage 3 (Year 5 & 6) students tackled the topic "What makes a great leader?" 

The students poured their hearts and minds into interpreting their topics, resulting in awe-inspiring speeches that showcased their unique ideas and perspectives. 

It was truly impressive to witness the hard work and passion exhibited in all their speeches. Their exceptional oratory skills and profound insights captivated us all. 

Congratulations to our 2024 Public Speaking winners:

• Stage 1: Emily-Tresa Joseph,
• Stage 2: Serenity Clarke Mendoza,
• Stage 3: Elise Jordan.

We are all so proud of you! 

Mrs. Penny Gabin

Year 4 Blue have been working so hard this term on their presentation in History, which was to create First Fleet 3D Ship Models

On 12 September, the Year 12 Biology class went with their teacher Dr. Malabanan to UNSW’s Museum of Human Disease. During the excursion they got to see some interesting things, such as Golden Rice, a version of rice which scientists have genetically modified to include the beta-carotene gene from corn, enriching it with more Vitamin-A, which could help prevent blindness in poorer areas of the world. They also saw the micro-organism which causes malaria under the microscope, as well as technologies such as the cochlear implant, and the lens used to solve the problem of cataracts. The visit helped to deepen the students' understanding of the topics they have been learning in Biology this year to do with genetics and diseases. 

Reserve your UNLIMITED Rides tickets at the Wollemi Spring Fair ( 20 October 2024, Wollemi Grounds 4 Gipps St Werrington) with our special presale offer!

Purchase unlimited fun ride bracelets for only $35 each by ordering now. BOOK HERE

Don’t delay—bracelets will be $50 on the event day. Hurry and take advantage of the savings!

Rides available at the Spring Fair:

• Tea Cup: (age 4- adults) Individual Prices on the day: Single ride for $6, 2 rides for $10
• Storm Rider: (age 5 - adults)  Individual Prices on the day: Single Ride for $8,  2 Rides for $14
• Jumping Castle: (0 -8 years age limit)  Individual price on the day: Single turn for $6, 2 turns for $10
• Chair o plane:(5-15 years old only)  Individual prices on the day: Single ride for $6, 2 rides for $10

Date: Sunday 20 October 2024 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wollemi College 4 Gipps Street, Werrington, Werrington NSW 2747

Do you live in Glenwood, Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista, Quakers Hill and surrounding areas or on route to Montgrove and Wollemi Colleges. We are also able to do transfers between Montgrove and Wollemi.

Our driver has his RMS Driver Authority and completed his Working with Children checks.

Reliable Service at competitive prices.  There are currently spots available so call now and register your children.

Shokr Yassa 0411 575 782

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.

NOTE: Choosing home delivery is the fastest way of receiving your orders and home delivery is free for all orders over $50.

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 Uniform Fitting Range will open during the school holidays for fitting appointments and try-on services only.

No Sales or orders will be placed on-site. All orders are to be placed online only.

Wednesday 9th October 2024 

9:00am -3:00pm 

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