DOSCEL Christmas Card Design Competition 2021 

Students have been invited to enter the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited 2021 Christmas Card Design Competition.  

• Entries are open to all students from Prep to Year 6
• The due date has been extended! All entries are to be on the paper Entry Form attached and emailed to your child’s class teacher by Monday 18th October, 8.30am. 
• Entries become the property of DOSCEL and may be used for publicity purposes. The artist will be acknowledged at all times. 

This year’s theme for the Christmas Card Design is:

'… they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh' (Mt 2:11)

• Only religious images are to be used, not images of Santa, Christmas trees or presents 
• The Artwork must not be decorated with such things as leaves, cotton wool, sparkles etc. 
• No words are to be written on the picture. 

Please contact your child’s class teacher or the school office for further details.

October Month of Mission - Socktober

While the epidemic has disrupted our plans once again for many events during the month of October, please spare a thought for the work of Catholic Mission. When all students return, our school plans to take part in Socktober, an initiative of global mission. As an aid agency Catholic Mission Australia raises awareness and funds for critical projects supporting vulnerable children in developing countries.

The focus of the learning and fundraising efforts that the students will carry out will aid a Kindergarten in Bangkok that provides a safe learning environment for children and life-changing empowerment for their mothers.  Class teachers will continue to let families know of our Socktober Event Day. 

Concluding Statement from the Plenary Council 

The First General Assembly of the Plenary Council

The Journey so Far..

With the closing of this First Assembly, the Plenary Council process now enters a time of prayer, reflection, maturation and development. This will involve continuing reflection by the Members of the Council, and consultation with the wider Church community, as propositions are developed for presentation to the Second Assembly of the Council next July. This will be coordinated with Australian preparations for the 2023 Synod, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. Dioceses across Australia will this weekend hold launches to mark the commencement of local participation in the two-year journey towards the 2023 Synod of Bishops. Keep in your prayers all those involved in this important event.  A Prayer for the Synod is attached.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B - Sunday, October 17, 2021

Mark 10:35-45 (shorter form Mark 10:42-45)

Jesus teaches that those who wish to be great must be the servant of all.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we continue to read from the section of Mark’s Gospel that reports Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. Jesus talks about leaders. Jesus said that some leaders act in ways to show that they are better or more important than other people. Then he talks about what it means to be a leader in the Kingdom of God. Jesus came to teach us about God’s love and forgiveness and to save us from sin. He gave up his life so that we would have life forever in heaven with God. He shows us how to be a Christian leader by being helpful and loving to others. We can be leaders too. When we put others’ needs before our own and look for small ways to be helpful each day and to get along with others, we are being leaders.

Child Safety and Wellbeing

At Mary MacKillop Primary School, we believe that ensuring the safety of the students in our care is an integral part of who we are as a Catholic faith community. We adhere to Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order No. 870.  We embed a culture of child safety and the matter is taken very seriously.

“Children are the future of the human family: all of us are expected to promote their growth, health and tranquillity,” Pope Francis 2021

Resources to support parents and carers

eSafety parent guide to digital technologies and mental health

Between 19 October and 18 November, the Australian eSafety Commissioner’s office is offering a series of webinars to provide parents and carers with an understanding of how online activity can affect young people's mental wellbeing. These webinars will cover:                                                                                                          

• current research on young people, time online and mental health
• what to do about accidental exposure to content about suicide, self-harm or eating disorders
• using games, apps and social media to support mental wellbeing
• the pros and cons of digital mental health platforms
• strategies for young people to support friends online. Register now

October is Mental Health month, with one of the themes being, ‘Tuning in means being present’. The MacKillop Institute is a part of MacKillop Family Services. The MacKillop Institute provides a suite of evidence-informed programs and services to support those who have experienced change, adversity, loss, grief and trauma. To support families feeling present and connected, the evidence encourages families to pause and using the five senses, mindfully notice the colours and shapes, sounds, smells, flavours and textures in your surrounds. Being mindful of family members’ thoughts and emotions can support well-being. Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing provides helpful ways to support children (evidence-based tips). The handout is attached below:

Children’s Week is a national celebration of children’s rights, talents and citizenship and complements Universal Children’s Day. Each year the theme of Children’s Week highlights a particular Children’s Right.  The Theme for 2021 is Article 15 – ‘Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.’

Due to current restrictions the celebration of this event in our school community will coincide with the return of all students to face to face learning on Friday 5th November. An Operoo permission eform will be sent out tomorrow. Please ensure that you respond by the due date in order for students to participate in our special event, celebrating National Children’s Week.

City of Casey Join the fun of Children's Week   There's a packed calendar of events for Casey kids to enjoy as part of this year's Children's Week celebrations.  Held from 25-29 October, children aged from 0-12 can enjoy activities including discos, science, coding workshops, scavenger hunts, story time, cooking and more. Activities are all free and held online. Find out more at the City of Casey website

Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Information    

Mary MacKillop Primary School is one of the three Parish Primary Schools belonging to the Parish of Our Lady Help of Christians, Narre Warren within the Diocese of Sale. Fr Brendan Hogan is our Parish Priest and Fr Isuru Weliwatte is our Assistant Priest. We are grateful for their ongoing prayers, involvement and support of the students, families and staff of Mary MacKillop School. 

Parish Bulletin

Click on the link below to download the weekly newsletter.

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