Thank You & Upcoming Feast Day Celebrations

A heartfelt thank you to all students, families, and staff who attended last weekend’s School Family Parish Mass. It was wonderful to see so many come together in faith and community to be part of this year’s celebrations.

As we continue our 2025 Feast Day Celebrations, families have received detailed information outlining key events including our Mary MacKillop Pilgrimage Walk (held today), Whole School Mass, and Kaboom Sports Day. These events are a special way to honour the life and legacy of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop — our school’s patron and Australia’s first saint.

Pilgrimage Walk – A Journey of Faith and Hope

Our school community came together today to participate in a Pilgrimage Walk – a reflective journey through our school grounds that honoured the life and legacy of Saint Mary MacKillop.

Pilgrimage is an important part of our Catholic tradition – a symbolic journey that invites us to pause, reflect, and deepen our connection to God. Inspired by Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint and a true pilgrim of faith and service, each class moved through a series of special stations set up across the school. These sites highlighted key moments in Mary’s life and the ways her story continues to shape our Catholic identity and values today.

This walk was a reminder that, like Mary, we are all pilgrims – walking with hope, faith and purpose. Students and staff engaged in prayer, reflection and meaningful discussion, with opportunities to consider how we can live out Mary’s spirit of compassion, courage and trust in God’s plan.

As part of this special experience, each student received a Pilgrim Bag, which they will bring home today or tomorrow. Inside, students found a special pencil to record key moments from their journey on their Pilgrim Map, a prayer card for reflection, and a personalised wooden cross to keep as a meaningful symbol of their faith journey. And not to forget the delicious 30th Anniversary commemorative cookie – lovingly baked by our very own school parent, Leona T (mum of Nicholas T in Year 2). Thank You Leona!

We thank all staff who helped prepare and participate in this memorable day, and we encourage families to stop and view the beautiful student artwork displayed around the school, inspired by the spirit of pilgrimage and hope.

We warmly remind families of the upcoming events:

Whole School Feast Day Mass - Friday 8th August at 9:00am in the school hall.
All families are welcome to join us for this special celebration.

Kaboom Sports Day - Friday 8th August from 11:30am on the small oval.
Students are to wear their school sports uniform. Families are invited to come along, cheer on the fun, and stay for a picnic/Subway lunch at 1:00pm. Bring a chair, a picnic blanket, and enjoy the community atmosphere!

Let us continue to celebrate with faith, unity, and gratitude in this 30th Anniversary Year — walking together as Pilgrims of Hope.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated at OLHC Parish next Friday and Saturday. Confirmation Celebration and Rehearsal Schedule below.  We keep all our Confirmation candidates in our prayers during this special time and encourage them as they take this important step in their faith journey.

CELEBRATION MASSES                                                                                                    

• Friday, 8th August 2025 at 7.00pm                      
• Saturday, 9th August 2025 at 2.00pm                  
• Saturday, 9th August 2025 at 6.00pm                

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Luke 12:32-48

Being Alert Disciples 

Next Sunday’s Gospel reminds all to be alert disciples. But what does that mean? 

Jesus calls for readiness—not through waiting passively, but by living out love through action. This means noticing the needs of others and responding with kindness and care. In doing so, true discipleship is lived out. 

This week offers an opportunity to pay close attention to how support and help can be offered to family, friends, and those in need. Through small acts of love, faithful readiness is shown.

Health, Wellbeing and Personal Safety Programs

Wellbeing & Safety Programs – Semester Two 2025
This semester, students across all year levels will take part in a range of wellbeing and safety programs designed to build confidence, awareness, and respectful relationships.

Foundation & Junior Levels (F–2):
Life Ed Program – Monday 25 & Tuesday 26 August
Students will engage in age-appropriate sessions exploring healthy choices, safety, and emotional wellbeing through the Life Education program.

Middle Level (Years 3–4):
KIDS ROAR – Thursday 11 September
This program empowers students with personal safety skills, focusing on body safety, assertiveness, and recognising unsafe situations.

Senior Level (Years 5–6):
Victoria Police Visit – Wednesday 10 September
Senior students will hear from local police officers on topics including personal safety, making positive choices, and being responsible citizens.

Years 4–6: Inform & Empower Cyber Safety Workshops
Across workshops, students will explore digital safety, respectful online behaviour, and strategies for navigating the online world confidently and safely.

Whole School (F–6):
Bullying No Way – National Week of Action: 11–15 August
This year’s theme, Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up, invites students to reflect on and practice ways to build respectful relationships and stand up against bullying — online and in real life. Activities will focus on raising awareness and encouraging every student to play a positive role in creating a safe and supportive school environment.

Letter of Thanks from CatholicCare Victoria

We are pleased to share that Mary MacKillop Primary School recently received a letter of thanks from CatholicCare Victoria in appreciation of our community’s generous support.

This year, our school raised and donated $410 to support the important work of CatholicCare Victoria. In their message, they expressed sincere gratitude, acknowledging how our contribution is helping vulnerable individuals and families across the state—including those experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, relationship difficulties, grief, and trauma, as well as newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers.

CatholicCare Victoria commended our school community for its compassion and generosity, which plays a vital role in empowering others to build strength, resilience, and live life to the full. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important cause. Your kindness is truly making a difference.