What a spectacular way to end the year, with so many great events in the last fortnight!

The Christmas Twilight Markets was a wonderful event for our students and families. It was great to see the variety of stalls, food and entertainment, and families just being able to relax while they looked out for some early Christmas gifts. The best part though was that it was a student led initiative. With the Student Council leading, the Secondary students took charge of organising the games, decoration and entertainment. It was a real opportunity for them to demonstrate their creativity and develop their leadership and organisational skills. Special thanks also to Miss Oringo and Mrs Galea for helping to bring the whole event together.

Congratulations to all our award winners and performers at the Primary Christmas Concert and Secondary Presentation Night. Thankyou to all the teachers for preparing their classes' performances, with special thanks to Mrs Christine Lay, who was the mastermind behind the Christmas Concert and to Mrs Bayliss who helped with its organisation. It was a lovely way to focus our attention on the Christmas story and to start preparing for this special season.

As if the week wasn't busy enough, in between the Christmas Concert and Presentation Night we had our annual Swimming Carnival. Perhaps it was the very hot day, or maybe it was something in the water, but there was something that really brought out the competitive spirit in the girls. By the end of the day the girls ended up breaking 15 school records. What a tremendous effort! Thankyou to Mrs Grobler and all the staff and volunteers for battling the heat and making sure the day ran smoothly. Thankyou also to our House Captains and Leaders who organised their teams and encouraged them throughout the day. Congratulations to Brindabella who had a clean sweep, taking out both the House Spirit and the House Points Trophy!

We farewell Miss Kaballan and Mrs Tamayo, who finished up this term. We thank them for all the good work they did with their classes and filling in for the second half of the year. Mrs Prcevich will also be taking leave from the beginning of next year. We wish her and Mrs Tamayo the very best for the birth of their new babies.

Christmas is less than two weeks away. It's always a busy time of the year, but I hope you are able to use these last couple of weeks to prepare for this great feastday. Many of us will feel very time poor during these days, and we may think we don't have much time to think about Christmas. But we don't need time to make room for Jesus in our day. We can make room for him in our hearts by acknowledging his presence and giving thanks for the many blessings we receive each day. 

On behalf of everyone at Montgrove, I would like to thank you for all your support throughout the year. Wishing you and all your families a safe and relaxing summer break. May the peace and joy of the Child Jesus, his Holy Mother and St Joseph, be at the centre of our hearts and homes during this Christmas season and I look forward to another great year in 2024.

The Infants Orchy went to Charlotte O'Connell (KG) for picking up paper towels in the girls bathrooms

The Primary Monty went to Emilia Salem (6B) for continually bringing in the flags on a Friday afternoon out of her own initiative. 

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. 

Wonderful Penrith Lakes

When we first arrived at Penrith Lakes on Thursday 16th November 2023 we spent some time learning about its history. The area used to be Aboriginal land and over time has had other uses such as dairy farming and market gardens. It was bought by some big companies who quarried the area for rocks. This mining earned them billions of dollars as the rocks were broken up and made into cement and tar for roads.

We had an opportunity to carry out some water testing. We tested for phosphate and water acidity, and we checked water clarity and the temperature of the water. Testing the water is important because, if there is something wrong with it, animals and plants can’t live in the water. Our water testing showed that the quality of the water at Penrith Lakes was excellent.

Later that day, we went dipnetting and caught 11 species of invertebrates which we looked at under a microscope.  We did some bird watching and found 8 different species of birds. The fact that there are lots of different species  means that the whole environment is healthy.  We really enjoyed the day.

Elizabeth L and Claire G

The Wonders of Penrith Lakes

Imagine a peaceful, green space filled with scenery, with glistening lakes and breathtaking sights. Well, you would be looking at the beauty of Penrith Lakes! Did you know that Penrith Lakes was not originally a lake? In the beginning, it was an Aboriginal meeting place. It was then transformed into farming land. This land was also quarried for 30 years and a surprising amount of money was made from the rocks, sand and gravel.  Then, rather than leave an ugly sight, they turned it into beautiful lakes.

If you go to Penrith Lakes, what is the water quality like? It is tested professionally and has an extremely amazing quality. It feels clean. There are many unique animals that live in the Lakes area like Swans and Pelicans, Back Cormorants and more. In the water live small insects and freshwater creatures.  Go and visit it yourself. It is a great place to have some fun!

Marianna J and Olivia E

Thankyou to everyone who came and watched The Primary Christmas Concert on Wednesday 8th December.  It is always a very happy occasion and it was wonderful to see so many faces filled with joy in the audience. Many people said it was the best concert we have produced by far.

We hope you all had a wonderful time and enjoyed our performances. 

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

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