What beautiful weather we enjoyed during these recent holidays! I hope that you and your family took the opportunity to unwind and enjoy some time outdoors soaking up the sunshine, exploring nature and taking time to enjoy the simple joys in life.There is something deeply restorative about simplicity; it opens our eyes to the beauty and value of what’s already right in front of us.

As we settle back into school routines, it’s the perfect time to find a healthier balance with our screens. By being intentional with technology—using it as a tool rather than a distraction—we ensure we don't miss out on real-world moments. Let’s head into this term mindfully, choosing to prioritise our immediate surroundings and the people who matter most: our families.

Transitioning back to a busy routine can be a challenge. Below are some small, intentional shifts we can make to ensure technology takes a backseat to the moments that truly matter:

Here’s to a wonderful term ahead, filled with fewer distractions, more laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the simple beauty in life, and treasured family moments.

Pope Leo XIV, on November 5, 2025, declared the following:

“ The Paschal Mystery is the cornerstone of Christian life, around which all other events revolve. We can say, then… that every day is Easter. ”

That is why, during Easter, daily at midday, we can confidently pray with the school-children: “ Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia! ”

And St Josemaría concurs:

“The Way”, 419; “Children. The Sick. — As you write these words, don't you feel tempted to use capitals?

The reason is that in children and in the sick a soul in love sees Him.”

Now, as the month of May approaches, with its pilgrimages and Rosaries, we can seek, and find support in, the prayers of our children and of our sick, for so many worthwhile intentions.

Mass is held at 12:15pm on school days and parents are welcome to attend.

When visiting Montgrove to attend Mass, please allow time to sign in via the PassTab tablet at reception. An instruction sheet has been placed next to the tablet to assist with the process.

To ensure an acurate record of people on site in the case of an emergencey, we kindly ask that each person sign in individually.

Kindergarten 2027

Applications for Kindergarten 2027 sibling enrolments has now closed. If you have not submitted an application for 2027 and have not been in contact with the enrolments team already please contact them URGENTLY on enrol@montgrove.nsw.edu.au or call (02) 4749 4714 .

Kindergarten 2028

Siblings of current students are given priority during the enrolment process.  Those who have already submitted Kindergarten 2028 applications previously, there is no action required from you at this stage. If you have not yet submitted an application for your son/daughter in Kindergarten 2028 please contact the enrolments team.  Students enrolling in Kindergarten must have turned 5 years by March 31 of the year that they are to start school.  This is just a reminder email for any current families who intend to but have not yet applied. Kindergarten 2028 applications will be reviewed one year prior to the commencment date.

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.

A number of our students have life threatening allergies to nuts, peanuts, nuproducts and sesame seeds.  Please ensure that when packing your child’s lunch box that you do not pack nuts, peanut butter, Nutella, and products containing nuts or traces of nuts and sesame seed products.

A child does not necessarily need to eat the nut product, they sometimes only need to touch or be touched by someone who has eaten nuts or a nut related product to have a reaction. As anaphylaxis is life threatening, your co-operation is required and appreciated.

We need to do our best to ensure that Montgrove is a safe place for our students by trying to make our school NUT FREE !

Please also do not send glass drink bottles (eg Voss Brand) or ring pull tins of fruit/tuna.

You are warmly invited to our Term 2 Key Parent Function on Thursday 7th May 2026 (7:45pm Registration for a 7:00pm start) . We have an international keynote speaker and one of the world’s leading experts on cyber safety, Kirra Pendergast , coming to address all parents of Montgrove College (K-12) on the important topic of forming our children's character online.  Please see the flyer below for more details.

To RSVP, please use this link: https://forms.gle/EsjtMWiHbiUSdFLc7

If you are able to assist on the day with the stall please register via the link below:

MD Stall Volunteering: https://forms.gle/32vEGyS5K6yZwRpv8

If you are able to attend please RSVP via the link below:

Mother's Day Blessing and Morning Tea RSVP: https://forms.gle/tCUMVd7bgTBxhVag9

Late Arrivals & Absences

If your child is absent from school please complete an Engage absence form as soon as possible in the morning.  Instructions on how to complete an absence form can be found further down in the newsletter.

If your child is absent or arrives late to school and no form is received you will receive a text message asking you to explain the absence or late arrival.  If your child is attending a morning appointment and you have already completed a late arrival form, you may still 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).

Early Pickup for Appointments

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 that you do 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.

An Engage Early Departure form must be completed beforehand. The parent or guardian is to come to the office and the student's teacher will be called and asked to come to the office. Due to limited space we can not have students sitting in the office waiting to be collected.

Afternoon Pickup for Kindergarten & Year 1

For families who ONLY have children in Kindergarten and Year 1 , to help ease traffic congestion in the afternoon, children in Kindergarten and Year 1 may be picked up at 2:45pm from their classrooms. Please enter and exit via the gate near Kindy Blue which will be opened by a staff member at 2:45pm and closed at 3:00pm.

The service was held at the St Mary's RSL Sub-branch on ANZAC Day.

Anna Lay and Charlotte Tuballa read the Prayer for the Defence Force.

Josephine Muema, Clare Ciappara and Lucy Ciappara laid a tribute during the Wreath Laying Ceremony.

This term, we are excited to introduce our new outdoor quiet library, The Whispering Tree Library .

Set up under one of our beautiful shady trees, this special space gives students a peaceful place to sit, borrow a book, read, draw or simply enjoy some quiet time in the playground while still being outside in the fresh air.

The Whispering Tree Library has been created for students who may enjoy a calmer space during play time. It is a gentle little corner of the playground where children can slow down, enjoy a story and take a quiet moment in their day.

We are also very proud of our wonderful Year 4 Library Monitors , who are helping to host the area. They are showing lovely leadership as they set up the books, welcome students and help care for this new space.

It has been beautiful to see students enjoying books outdoors and making use of a quiet, calm place in the playground. We hope The Whispering Tree Library becomes a much-loved part of our school community.

Mrs Penny Gabin

Infants Co-Ordinator & Year 1 White Teacher

On Wednesday 22nd April, Year 10 Geography students participated in a field trip to Taronga Zoo as part of their Environmental Change and Management unit. Although the day began with a light drizzle, the weather soon cleared, revealing a beautiful day for exploring the zoo.

Our excursion began with a warm welcome from the giraffes, before students attended a workshop led by Taronga Zoo’s zookeepers. Both classes attended either the Rainforest or Woodlands themed learning spaces, focusing on forests as their chosen environment. During the sessions, students learned about deforestation in Australia and Sumatra, why it occurs, and the impacts this has on ecosystems. Students also explored the palm oil plantations in Sumatra, learning about palm oil as a natural resource, the products it is found in, and the importance of sourcing it sustainably and ethically.

During the workshop, students interacted with a variety of animals including snakes, lizards, potoroos, finches, a long-neck turtle named Myrtle, and a sugar glider. Students were able to observe these animals up close, while learning about their characteristics and habitats.

Afterwards, students participated in the Tiger Trek, where they applied their classroom knowledge of forests by identifying the topography, climate, flora and fauna within the environment. Overall, the field trip turned out to be an enjoyable and educational experience where students could deepen their understanding while bringing their classroom learning to life.

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