The celebrations that we have been having over the last two weeks have been a reminder to me that the end of the year is fast approaching. Last Tuesday we had the Formal Dinner for the Class of 2023 at Oatlands House. It was a beautiful evening and the girls looked stunning in their formal dresses. It was lovely to see the girls so happy and relaxed. There was a special atmosphere to the evening that reflected the friendship the families had built up over the years. It is always a great joy to see the girls and at the end of their school journey, and to see what fine women they have become.

Last week, we hosted a supper for the Class Parents. This was an opportunity for us to say thankyou and to take advantage of the collective wisdom in the room to gather ideas for the coming year. There are many people in the school who work together to build the sense of community in the school, and the Class Parents play an important role in this. We are very grateful for the work they do and it has been  great seeing that community spirit bounce back and continue to grow this past year.

Next Friday 1st December, Montgrove will running its inaugural Christmas Twilight Market. The Student Council and High School girls have been working very hard to make the afternoon a success, and I am sure it will be. There will be a variety of stalls ranging from arts and craft to food. The girls have also prepared an afternoon of games and live entertainment. Donations and profits from the student led stalls will all go towards the new chapel. Please come and bring your family and friends. Your support will be much appreciated, and it can be a great way for everyone to start gearing up for Christmas.

Congratulations to:

• Yasmine and Michael Tolentino on the birth of Layla, sister to Ysabelle (1G)
• Rita and Michael Michael on the birth of Clare, sister to Teresa (1G)

Lisa Zengarini, working for Vatican News, recently reported on Pope Francis’ Address to parents, just this last weekend, November 10-11.

Quoting the Pope, she reminded us that the parents’ mission for the education of their children “can be said to be successful when children come to realise the beauty of life” and “grow confident and enthused about the prospect of embarking on the adventure of life,” which, said the Pope, “presupposes the deeper realization of God’s immense love for us.”

The Pope’s Address is a lot richer, of course, but I just wanted to focus on one of his words, just quoted: “adventure”, for it relates closely to the word “Advent”, or “coming”, that special  season of the year, which is fast approaching, and in which we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

 In the book, "Conversations", St Josemaría alludes to the sense of “adventure” that parents should share and foster in their children:

“Parents should... endeavour to stay young at heart, so as to find it easier to react sympathetically towards the noble aspirations and even towards the extravagant fantasies of their youngsters."

And so, with the seasons of Advent and Christmas, 2023 comes to a close, as 2024 rapidly approaches.  

Mass

Mass is held Monday to Friday at 12:15pm.  Parents are welcome to attend Mass in the Chapel.

There will be NO Mass at Montgrove on Thursday 7th December 2023. 

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:

Victor Sciberras, father to Raelene Pirotta (Registrar); 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. 

The Montgrove Swimming Carnival for Year 2 to 12 will be held as follows.  

Please note that the Swimming Carnival is a compulsory school day, therefore all students are required to attend.  There will be no bus transport to Ripples from Montgrove.

Parents are invited to attend the carnival to support your daughter/s. For safety and organisational reasons, pleasedo not sit along the side or wander on the pool deck at any time. An allocated seating area under the shade cloths will be made available for parents. All students are to remain in their schoolhouse area unless marshalling or racing.

All students in Years 2 to 12 are required to participate in a minimum of 2 events. For primary students who are not capable of swimming 50m, they are encouraged to participate in the 25m freestyle race (senior girls will assist students as they swim) and land-based novelty activities, additional water activities will be included if time permits.

Parent helpers needed: If you are able to help at the carnival, please complete the parent help slip attached to the permission slip that was sent home.

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!

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