I hope you have all had a good start to Term 4. It is a short but eventful term. Our HSC students are now half way through their exams. So far, they have been generally positive and coping well under pressure. We continue to keep them in our prayers for the rest of their exams. Our Year 7 to 10  students will be starting their Yearly Examinations in Week 5 and I was pleased to hear that many of the girls have started to prepare for them. Being organised certainly helps to manage exam stress and gives students a sense of accomplishment.

We welcome Mrs Lianne Guevarra, our new Director of Teaching and Learning. Mrs Guevarra has come from St Vincent’s College, Ashfield, and is experienced in curriculum management at both the Primary and Secondary level. We look forward to having her on our leadership team. We also welcome back Mrs Jayne Lennard, our Secondary Art and Technology teacher, who has been away on maternity leave, and  Mrs Maria Castro who will be taking on Religion and mentoring until the end of the year.

I had a lovely evening with the Class Parents on Friday evening, as we thanked them for the work they have done this year. We appreciate all they do in fostering a spirit of community and friendship with parents in their year groups.

You would have received an email regarding the School Survey that we run every two years. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. It is a great opportunity for us to receive feedback from the school community, and will help us in our future planning for the school.

Congratulations to:

• Annelise & Jay Pamintuan on the arrival of Philippa Anne, sister to Isabella (6G), Mia (3G) & Catherine (2B)
• Cheryl John & George Benny on the arrival of Benedict, brother to Claire (5B) & Colette (3B) George 

As we seem to be hurtling towards the end of yet another school year, I would like to quote some wise words, spoken by “The Smiling Pope”, Blessed John Paul I, just a few days before he would have met St Peter at the Pearly Gates:" ’Lord, may I love you more and more.’ Here, too, there is obedience to a commandment of God, who put thirst for progress in our hearts. From pile-dwellings, caves and the first huts we have passed to houses, apartment buildings and skyscrapers; from journeys on foot, on the back of a mule or of a camel, to coaches, trains and airplanes. And people desire to progress further with more and more rapid means of transport, reaching more and more distant goals. But to love God… is also a journey: God wants it to be more and more intense and perfect. He said to all his followers: ‘You are the light of the world, the salt of the earth’ (Mt 5:13-14); ‘You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect’ (Mt 5:48). That means: to love God not a little, but so much; not to stop at the point at which we have arrived, but with his help, to progress in love."

We can “slow time down”, while “growing rapidly” in Love and Friendship with God, which nourishes our love for one another, by often, and tirelessly, reciting these words from Psalm 18, so highly appreciated by the saints: “I love you, O Lord, my strength”.

Please pray for our sick and injured family and friends:

Easter Nasayao-Montenegro, aunt to Lael Nasayao (3B); 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)

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. 

Many medications are now available in a form which minimises or eliminates the need to provide students with medication during the school day. 

If this is not possible, medication can be administered during the recess or lunch breaks.  It should be brought to the office in its original packaging which displays the prescription instructions together with a signed note providing permission for office staff to administer the medication.  

Medication MUST be dropped off and collected by a parent. 

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.

All students from Kindy to Year 12 (and teachers) are invited to come to school in a crazy hat on Tuesday 5th November.  The cost of this will be a gold coin donation.  All funds raised will go towards the purchasing of school resources and equipment.

Just a reminder that coloured hair spray is not permitted. 

Market Stall Expression of Interest

We are excited to share that Montgrove's Twilight Market will be held on Friday 29th November 2024 from 4:30 - 7:30pm.  If you, or someone you know, are interested in running a stall, we kindly ask that you fill in the attached Expression of Interest form. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLkOQO81nIPu5I2N5eccYLBzodFPb_YZGWM0mzKqSuYd4HIg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Fathers matter. This was the message that John Anderson reminded parents of in his KPF talk last 26 September. Although it was a message that we all know, many dads expressed their gratitude for this reminder. Through stories and examples, John encouraged dads to get on the BUS of Fatherhood: That is, Be there for your children. Unconditional Love - show them that there are no conditions to your love for them. And Special - Help your children to understand that they are good in their own unique way. 

John Anderson is patron of the Fathering Project, a research-based organisation that provides support to fathers in facing the many challenges they have to navigate in today’s world. If you would like access to their Portal which has lots of useful and practical information for dads, please click on this LINK.

Last day for library borrowing for 2024 will be Friday 8th November. 

A stocktake of all the library books is underway and all borrowed books must be returned no later than Friday 22nd November 2024 so that the stocktake can be finalised by the end of the term.

Overdue notices are currently being emailed to parents.  Please check your junk email boxes. 

We also kindly request that if you still have a TOBET book can it please be returned URGENTLY to the library. 

Sarah Tuballa

   I AM A GIRL - COME 'N' PLAY (GIRLS 12-17 yrs)   

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed experience!

Immerse yourself in the dynamic game of 3x3 basketball, where creativity meets excitement. Enhance your skills and decision-making, and build teamwork and confidence on the court. Invite your friends to join the action!

: Montgrove College - 140 Bringelly Rd, Orchard Hills NSW 2748
: Tuesday 19th November 2024
: 12-17yrs: 3.30pm-5.30pm
Cost: FREE
Please use the below link to register and select your applicable program:
: bnsw.info/IAAG-Play

**** LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE ****

Year 2 students eagerly embarked on their Deep Learning Project, diving into an engaging task that involved researching a product’s evolution from the past to the present, and envisioning a future model. In collaborative groups, they designed and created a vibrant poster to showcase their findings, along with an impressive 3D model of their proposed future product. The creativity displayed in their ideas was truly inspiring! To celebrate their hard work, we organised a futuristic expo where they presented their designs to both their fellow Year 2 students and the Year 1 students, sparking excitement for their upcoming Deep Learning Project. The event was a resounding success, and all the students reflected on the enriching experience they shared.

Mrs Penny Gabin

Year 2 Class Teacher

Last term our primary students had the opportunity for personal prayer time with God in the Chapel. They independently engaged in writing a prayer in their Prayer Journals.

The students also wrote a prayer and decorated a flower to 'give life to Mary' in celebration of the Feast of the Assumption and the Queenship of Mary. 

Students created prayer through art for their Guardian Angel in celebration of the Feast of the Guardian Angels and Archangels. 

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

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