Mr. Roberts’ letter to the parents

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Dear Parents and Guardians

I am delighted to be able to write this, my first newsletter as the new Head of School at St
Monica’s amidst the busyness of our children’s abundant energy in a term that is clearly
flowing with freewheeling momentum.

It is good to be present and to be leading this remarkable school in our town. I have
experienced a wonderfully warm reception from the children and young adults here and my
interaction with the staff has been exceptionally welcoming. I feel blessed to be part of the
amazing staff team at St Monica’s. Thank you to the Chairman of the Board, Revd. David
Lloyd-Jones for entrusting me with the opportunity and responsibility to serve this remarkable
school – an ‘education oasis’ in Matatiele.

St Monica’s, just like any other organisation, is evolving over time. In addition, the
environment in which we operate is constantly changing. It is, therefore, crucial that we
continue to provide academic excellence in our role as one of the leading schools in the
Eastern Cape and as a Christian school in Matatiele. I am impressed with what I hear, see
and feel already in my three days here.

I firmly believe that the greatest constraint to our future success will be our mind-set. With the
correct mix of attitude and ambition, almost anything is possible. To continue on the path of
institutional growth established over the past twenty-nine years will require us to continue
involving ourselves in rich and robust strategic conversations about the bright future of our
extraordinary education centre.

I am truly excited to be part of this, the next phase in the development of St Monica’s, which
burns vast quantities of energy and produces stimuli which are endless to those who come
here daily to ‘feed’ in a place that we simply call school.

I look forward to the opportunities for interaction with you and to finding common ground, and
in getting to know your precious children in the forthcoming months.

In ending this newsletter editorial I am reminded of what Blaise Pascal, the well-known
mathematician once admitted, “I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the
time to make it short.”
P.O. Box 498
Matatiele
Eastern Cape
4730

Email: secretary@stmonicas.za.net/staging
Website: www.stmonicas.za.net/staging
Phone: 039 – 737 4053

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Postponement of St Monica’s Day (Saturday, 6 May)
We have unfortunately had to postpone St Monica’s Day that was to take place this
Saturday due to unforeseen circumstances. This was communicated to parents via
WhatsApp groups yesterday and by SMS.

Once the new date has been decided on, we will let you know when this fun-filled day for
our community will be taking place in the forthcoming months.
Thank you for your understanding and support in this.

Communication
In our endeavour to improve our communication with parents and guardians we will be
establishing whole – phase WhatsApp platforms where key information regarding all phases
of the school will be distributed. This will include newsletters and important communication
pieces. This will not be an interactive WhatsApp group but purely an outgoing
communication medium for your convenience. It also serves our quest to limit paper and
printing and to move to a paperless system of communication.
Should you prefer to receive a hard copy or email of our general correspondence; please
advise your child’s guardian teacher or the school secretary.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

School Fees: A reminder that school fees for the first months of Term 2 are either overdue
and due for the month ahead.
Kindly ensure that you set up a stop order if not already done so, which provides a nominal
saving each month, or that fees are paid to the front office in good time.
Uniform Shop
Ties are now available at the Uniform Shop, having been on back-order.
Tuckshop service

The tuckshop will once again be in operation from Monday, 8 May. The menu of food
available, as endorsed by the school and available sundries will be distributed shortly.
The system of pre-ordering for food choices will continue as before.

Winter Sports

The Prep and College sport has got off to a good start with practices having continued after
the half-term break and with some matches played yesterday.
Your children are encouraged to participate in the variety of sports being offered and which
forms an integral part of their all-round education; most of all, the opportunity to play in a
team and to enjoy the thrill and physical benefits that participation in sport provides.
We wish you a fulfilling term ahead.
Blessings,

GRAHAM ROBERTS
Headmaster