What glorious holiday weather we’ve just enjoyed! We hope your family had the chance to rest and recharge after the long winter term. Though Term 3 brought its fair share of chilly days, it was also filled with memorable moments and happy learning experiences for our Primary students.

One highlight was the much-loved Book Character Parade, where students brought their favourite literary characters to life with their imaginative costumes.

The term was rich with excursions and hands-on learning. Year 1 stepped back in time during their visit to a school in “the olden days”, Year 3 explored the Maritime Museum and Year 4 discovered colonial life at Hyde Park Barracks. Each experience sparked curiosity and brought classroom learning to life.

We were delighted to host a group of Japanese students, who visited our Primary classrooms to share elements of their culture, crafts and language. These cultural exchanges always enrich our community and broaden our students’ global awareness.

Several classes took to the stage last term, delivering wonderful performances during our Thursday assemblies, marking the conclusion of class items for the year. Meanwhile, students from Years 2–6 impressed judges and peers in the Public Speaking Competition, with speeches that were thoughtful and confidently delivered. The calibre of presentations continues to amaze us every year.

A particularly touching moment was the Year 12 Farewell Assembly, where our Primary students presented handmade gifts to the graduating class. These tokens are always deeply appreciated, with many Year 12 students sharing that they treasure them as reminders of their years at Montgrove.

Congratulations to 1 Green who earned the title of “Best Class” for Term 3! Their consistent display of good manners, playground care and seamless transitions, all noted by our ever-observant “Secret Spy Teacher,” set a fantastic example for others to follow.

Looking Ahead to Term 4

Term 4 is always a highlight in the school calendar, filled with energy, celebration and special events.

We’ll be literally “hitting the ground running” in Week 1 with the Infants Cross Country Carnival. Parents are warmly invited to come and cheer on our youngest athletes. Weeks 2 and 3 will see Years 2, 3 and 4 dive into their annual swimming program, getting them well-prepared for the summer months ahead.

On Tuesday, Week 3 (28th October), we welcome our beloved grandparents and relatives for Grandparents Day. They’ll be treated to performances by both our Primary and Secondary choirs, and we’re especially excited for Kindergarten’s debut performance on this special day.

We also look forward to welcoming our Kindergarten 2026 students during their orientation sessions in Weeks 3 and 4, while our Year 1 boys and girls will be spending time with their future teachers, preparing for their transition into Year 2.

In Weeks 4, 5 and 6, some of our enthusiastic and creative Primary students will be preparing and presenting their own assembly performances independently, a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate their initiative and talent.

As the term progresses, our Year 6 students will celebrate the end of their Primary journey with a special celebration day at the end of Week 5. It will be a day of mixed emotions as we prepare to farewell these wonderful students, while celebrating all they have achieved. Later in the term, they’ll also enjoy an introduction to Year 7 expectations as part of their transition to Secondary school.

A community favourite, the Twilight Markets, returns later in the term and promises to be another fantastic evening filled with food, fun and festivities for all ages.

We’ll conclude the term, and the year, with two wonderful events: our Swimming Carnival for Years 2–11, and our much-anticipated Primary Christmas Concert. This concert never fails to fill us with joy and is always a highlight that leaves a lasting impression on students, staff and families.

As we head into the final term of the year, we’re filled with gratitude for the support that makes Montgrove such a special community. May God bless you and your families as we look ahead to a joyful end to 2025 and the many possibilities that 2026 will bring.

Warm regards,

Trish Warda

Mary and her husband David moved into a ground floor flat of a block of flats, which was right against the footpath. They had no front yard, and no backyard, but they really wanted a garden. So, they decided to buid one, on the inside of their flat. They laid a green carpet and green patterned curtains. Mary put her plants on the window-sill and installed a small tropical plant in a corner. Her living room became filled with all kinds of flowers: geraniums; begonias; and fuchsias, with ivies and other plants. All because Mary did not waste time longing for the , but set about making the best of what she had.

Allow me to put to all of us this thought, from St Josemaría, in “The Forge”, 377: “Follow Saint Paul’s advice: hora est iam nos de somno surgere! — it is time to get down to work! Both on the inside, building up your soul; and on the outside, right where you are, building up the Kingdom of God.”

Fr Anthony Khoudair

Please pray for our sick and injured family and friends:

Zoey de Villiers (KW); Irene Nimenzo, grandmother to Anastasia (5G) and Jacinta (KB) Campbell; Cecilia Obeid (5G), sister to Clare (4G) & Lucy (2G); Giorgio Murgolo, son to Michael Murgolo (Founding Class); Simon Elbayeh, father to Olivia (7G); Joshua Gibbons (Yr5 Wollemi) , brother to Catherine (8B) & Madeleine (7B) Gibbons; Helen Stanojevic (Teacher); & Emmanuel Hanna , brother to Cecilia (10B) & Lucia (7G) Hanna.

Please also remember those who have passed away:

Michael Lucas , Grand Uncle to Raphael Magat Y1W; Nicholas Mentis, grandfather to Mariah (10) Seecy; Lucrecia Concepcion , great-grandmother to Lael Nasayao (4B); Stephen Leitch, uncle to Marcus Dowsett (KG); Vince Bellet , brother to Donna Murphy (English Teacher); Aden McFarlane, great grandfather to Charlotte McFarlane (4G); Jamie Dowsett , father to Marcus (KG); Argyna Santiago (Class of 2025) & Aiyana Cabanero (Yr10 2019) sister to Amara (10) 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.

For more information please contact Jolene Haar: