Celebrations of Learning

Yesterday our 2021 Foundation students had their first school excursion to the Melbourne Zoo.  It was a day that began with lots of excitement, fun and laughter as our Foundies ventured on a big bus ride to the City.  After nearly two years in and out of Lockdown, Remote Schooling and COVID-19 restrictions, it was great to be able to participate in this excursion.  With the easing of restrictions we are very much looking forward to celebrating our students learning and continuing to provide rich and engaging learning experiences in the days, weeks and months ahead . . .

Please find below the Foundation level excursion to the Zoo - lots of great photos to view!

Student Leaders Process – Year 5 students

Included in this newsletter is our process for our Year 5 students to nominate for Student Leadership positions in 2022.   Planning is underway for the selection of our 2022 student school leaders.  The following positions are available for our Year 5 students to apply for:

• School Leaders (x 2)
• Faith Leaders (x2)
• House Leaders (4 x 1 per House)
• Learning Leaders (x2)
• Environmental Leaders (x2)

Our student leaders play a very important role in our school community.  They are ambassadors and role models for our school and participate in many and varied activities from leading assembly each week, guided school tours, Mass Ministries, sporting events, growing and selling garden produce.  Our current Year 6 school leaders have been exemplary role models to all students in our school community.  We are very proud of the leadership potential and development of our students and the school values they display in their interactions and leadership roles.

Welcome to our 2022 Foundation Students

Last Friday we held our first on-site 2022 Foundation Orientation Session. We were really excited to welcome our newest students in person and to we look forward to our next on-site Orientation session on Wednesday 24 November from 9.00 – 10.30 am.  Students will meet in the Lomas Gym and then spend time with Mrs Sally Lane and Mrs Claire Giles our 2022 Foundation Teachers.

SIMON Learning Management System – Reports and PAM

At Mary MacKillop Primary School, we believe assessment and reporting:

• Promotes a positive attitude to, and celebrates, student learning
• Provides on-going feedback to target student learning needs
• Fosters a growth mindset, student agency, ownership and sense of achievement
• Encourages the pursuit of the student’s potential in a wide range of areas
• Enables students to experience success and to develop confidence in their learning
• Is aligned with the student’s age and stage of development.

Our school has transitioned to the SIMON Learning Management System.  The SIMON Report meets the requirements of CECV (Catholic Education Commission Victoria) and VCAA (Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority) Reporting Guidelines.  Student Attendance data in the SIMON Report is automatically populated from our Teachers’ daily recordings in the SIMON Attendance module.  Your child’s Semester Two report will include the following and will be accompanied by teacher feedback and samples of your child’s learning in their Student Learning Portfolio:

• Report front cover and Report Information
• Attendance summary
• SIMON Reporting legend
• Class Teacher General Comment
• Class Learning Behaviours
• Remote Schooling Learning Behaviours
• Religious Education Learning Area overview and achievement standards
• English / English as an Additional Language [EAL] Learning Area overviews and achievement standards
• Mathematics Learning Area overview and achievement standards
• Inquiry Learning Area overviews

• The Humanities: History
• The Humanities: Geography
• The Humanities: Economics and Business (Years 5 and 6)
• The Arts: Dance, Drama, Music

• Specialist Learning Area overviews

• Technologies – Digital Technologies
• LOTE – Japanese
• Health and Physical Education – Physical Education
• The Arts – Visual Arts
• English Enrichment - Poetry

• Capabilities

Your child’s Semester Two Report is to be viewed in conjunction with your child’s Student Learning Portfolio.  The Student Learning Portfolio includes evidence of learning with Teacher feedback as well as samples of learning your child has selected to support and promote student agency and ownership of their learning. 

In recognition of our partnership with you in your child’s education, we aim to provide the Semester Two Report and Student Learning Portfolio as a celebration of your child’s learning journey throughout the 2021 school year, including evidence of student agency, progress, strengths and areas for improvement. 

Semester Two Reports and Student Learning Portfolios will be distributed to students and parents on Monday 13 December.  We hope you find the Semester Two Report and Student Learning Portfolio valuable documents to highlight and celebrate your child’s learning journey.

PAM – Parent Access Module

Information about PAM was emailed to parents on Tuesday 16th November.  PAM will begin at the beginning of 2022.  PAM will provide families with a one stop place to submit and view the following information:

• Parent Notified Absences (replacing SZApp Absentee e-forms)
• Student Medical Profiles (replacing Operoo)
• Permission Forms (replacing Operoo)
• Parent Teacher Interviews (replacing PTO)
• Sick Bay Notifications
• Student Attendance
• Access to your child’s Assessment Reports (Semester One and Semester Two)
• Student Learning Awards
• Daily Messages and upcoming events
• Student Timetable
• Student Permission eforms

PAM also includes accessible information to families through the Knowledge Bank.  The Knowledge Bank includes such forms as Medication Permission Forms, direct debit and fee concession applications.   If you require support to set up or access your PAM account, please contact frontdesk@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au

Return of Student Chromebooks and Family Charger

Student Chromebooks and family chargers will need to be returned on MONDAY 6 DECEMBER, 2021 to ensure they are packed away in their charging carts over the Summer Holiday period.  Repacking the Chromebooks and chargers back into their carts takes several days and your co-operation in returning them on 6 December is very much appreciated.

School Advisory Committee Annual General Meeting (SAC AGM) – Tuesday 23 November at 7.00 pm will be held in the Staffroom

If you would like to nominate to be a parent representative on the School Advisory Committee, please leave your name at the administration office or email frontdesk@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au

If you have any questions regarding the role of SAC, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Camp & Swimming Levy Refunds

Families will receive a refund or credit on their fee account for cancellation of the following activities due to COVID-19 restrictions during 2021:

• Foundation, Year 1 & Year 2 Swimming $90.00/student
• Year 5 Camp $330.00/student
• Year 6 Camp $400.00/student

Levy credits will be applied in the coming weeks. Families who will not be returning to MMPS in 2022 will receive a refund of any overpaid fees before the end of the school year. Families returning to MMPS will have any overpaid fees credited and allocated towards your 2022 fee account.

Families who have a direct debit in place will have their final payment amended automatically.

Once fee credits have been applied to all fee accounts a revised statement will be emailed to all families. 

School Fee Relief for families

Many in our school community continue to face financial impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to supporting families experiencing financial challenges through our School Fee Concession programs, and encourage any parent/carer/guardian experiencing difficulties to contact us regarding fee assistance. Please contact Jacqui Meunier – 8794 5777 jmeunier@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au to explore confidential financial support arrangements or to obtain further information.