At our last Whole School Assembly we announced our school captains for 2024. Congratulations to Johanna Mackenzie (School Captain) and Olivia Guy (School Vice-Captain). They have taken on their new roles with much enthusiasm and some great ideas for leading the student body in the coming year. I am sure that, with the support of our senior students, they can look forward to a great year ahead.

We congratulate Janice Arul Selvan (Yr 11/12) who participated in the NSW Constitutional Convention. This event promotes understanding and informed discussion amongst young Australians about the Australian Constitution and system of government. It gives senior students the opportunity to debate a topic in Parliament House with students from other schools in NSW. Janice was one of 30 students who were chosen to participate in the National Constitutional Convention, which will be held in Canberra in March next year.

Yesterday we held a simple afternoon tea to thank our parents and friends who have volunteered at the school this year. We are so grateful for the time and effort they have given to the school, and recognise that, without their help, we would not be able to run many of our events. It was great to be able to thank them personally for all their efforts.

Jayne Lennard, our Secondary Art/Technology teacher, will be going on leave at the end of next week. We wish her all the very best with her new baby and look forward to her return in Term 4 next year. Leonie Nahhas will also be finishing up at the end of next week. We thank her for all the work she has done this year with starting up the counselling services at Montgrove and wish her well for her future career.

The month of November is traditionally a month for remembering the holy souls in purgatory. We are encouraged to pray for those who have died, remembering that, through the communion of saints we can help them and they can help us. Please take some time to pray for those who are mentioned in our Prayer Board. Your prayers will always be appreciated.

The Primary Monty went to Miranda Reyes (5B) for generously helping other students with their work, using her own inititative and without drawing attention to herself. 

Montgrove College will continue holding the Doctrinal Classes on the Sacraments in the Montgrove Spanish room during Term 4. They go for 1 hour commencing at 9am and will be presented by Fr Anthony Khoudair (School Chaplain).

There is class left for Term 4 and the date and topic is as follows:

• Wednesday 22nd November - Marriage & Holy Orders

For any enquires and to RSVP please contact Melissa Japon or Cat Abacum

As we move towards the end of yet another year, many of us may want to check up on a significant point of family life...

In his Angelus address given on October 5, 2014, Pope Francis encouraged every Catholic family to have a Bible in its home. He also said: "[The Bible] is not for putting on a shelf, but rather for having it at hand. It is for reading often, daily, individually, or in groups: husband and wife; parents and children; maybe at night, especially on Sundays. That way, the family can move forward with the light and power of the Word of God."

In The Forge, 754, St Josemaría backs up the Pope’s words:

"When you open the Holy Gospel, think that what is written there — the words and deeds of Christ — is something that you should not only know, but live. Everything, every point that is told there, has been gathered, detail by detail, for you to make it come alive in the individual circumstances of your life.

—God has called us Catholics to follow him closely. In that holy Writing, you will find the Life of Jesus, but you should also find your own life.

You too, like the Apostle, will learn to ask, full of love, ‘Lord, what would you have me do?…’ in your soul you will hear the conclusive answer, “

‘The Will of God!’

Take up the Gospel every day, then, and read it and live it as a definite rule. This is what the saints have done." 

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:

Mary Powell, mother of Lucy (3) and Sabina (KG) Powell, aunty to Christina (Class of 2023), Seraphia (7B), Miriam (5B), Jacinta (3) and Danielle (1G) Karam, Anna (10) and Azaliah (KS) Roberts; Christopher Bonanno, uncle to Lucy (3) and Sabina (KG) Powell, Christina (Class of 2023), Seraphia (7B), Miriam (5B), Jacinta (3) and Danielle (1G) Karam, Anna (10) and Azaliah (KS) Roberts; Jason Japon, husband to Melissa Japon (Teacher's Aide/Mentor) and father to Tamika (Class of 2023), Rihanna (10), Ellysia (8) & Mary-Jean (3); Nada Medved, grandmother to Natalia (8), Adriana (10) & Angelina (Class of 2023); Alice Cassar, grandmother to Evie (6G), Sofia (2G) & Giselle (1W) Paris; Igor Mileusnic, uncle to Olivia Giles (2B); Priscilla De Leon-Yabut, grandmother to Stephanie (12) and Samantha (11) Magat; Amelia Acasio, mother to Anne Bernacer (Teacher's Aide) and grandmother to Renae (11) and Regine (9G) Bernacer; 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:

Aurea Ingco, great grandmother to Mila Kottatis (1B); Carole & Brian McLaughlan, grandparents to Tahnae McLaughlan (Yr3 Class Teacher); Beryl Harris great grandmother to Alena (2B) & Levi (KB) Punch; Concetta Penna, mother-in-law to Annalisa Penna (Secondary Teacher) and grandmother to Chiara (11); William Carter, great uncle to Emily DiNatale (Secondary teacher), great great uncle to Isabella DiNatale (KS); Raul Nepamuceno, grandmother to Dei (10) & Francesca Malabanan, Wilma Wright, mother-in-law to Alyson Wright (KS Teacher) and grandmother to Emmaline Wright (Class of 2020); Aiyana Cabanero (Yr10 2019), sister to Anthea (12) & Amara (8) 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. 

Could any current parents with a child turning 5 years before the 31st March 2025,  and who have not yet submitted the application form for Kindergarten in 2025, please register via this form to be emailed the link for the online Application Form.  Those born in January, February and March will be assessed to determine their school readiness. If you are unsure if you have already submitted an Application Form, please contact enrol@montgrove.nsw.edu.au 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If the Enrolment Form for a 2025 sibling has not been received by the end of November 2023, a place at Montgrove will not be guaranteed. 

On Tuesday 7th November we had our annual Crazy Hat Day!  It was fantastic to see some very creative hats!! Well done to the students and their parents. 

We also raised $367 to go towards school resources. 

On occasion, when your child arrives at school late or is picked up early due to an appointment or other reason, you will be required to fill in the 01 Absence, Late arrival or Early Departure form on Engage on the day of their early departure/late arrival.

If you need to pick up your child(ren) up for an appointment that can’t be arranged outside of school hours, we kindly request for you not come during recess (10:15-10:30 for Secondary & 10:55-11:25am for Primary) or lunch (12:45-1:30pm) as it is difficult to get messages to students on the playground. 

We also kindly ask that you arrive at school with enough time before you need to leave the school premises with your child, so that we can have time to call their classroom and arrange for them to come to the office. Students will only be called to come down to the office once a parent or guardian arrives. 

If your child is attending a morning appointment, you may receive an absence text message.  Please disregard this message as their presence at school will be amended once they arrive at school (and you have submitted the absence form). 

The Pared Academy is pleased to invite you to 'Pay Cheque with a Purpose', a one-night event with renowned speaker Alexandre Havard! He spoke at the 2021 Term 2 KPF, and the feedback was so positive, we're bringing him back!

Click here to book your tickets now!

Alex wants to help you:

• Discover how to break free from the mindset that is dominated by the vision of unfulfilling work
• Learn how to attain a new vision of life and of self, and gain a better understanding of your unique talents
• Build stronger relationships, attain confidence to lead others, and find a greater focus on your purpose and mission

This event is open to the general public but as a member of the Pared community, you have exclusive access to a special pre-sale price until November 1, and seats are already going fast. Don't miss out!

To place an order for the Lowana Fundraiser please click on this link: link to google order form:  https://forms.gle/J2Fg6eJNAqDv7tF86

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: online@midford.com.au

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