Our school is safe, student centred and animated by our school values.  

We aim to Inspire Hearts and Minds.

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

Student Leaders Process – Year 5 students

Congratulations to all our Year 5 students who have nominated for student leadership positions.  Speeches for School Leader, Faith Leader, Learning Leader and Environment Leader were held yesterday.  The Speeches for our Sports Leaders will be held on Friday morning. 

Our Year 5 students are to be commended on the quality and presentation of their leadership speeches.  Their speeches highlight how very blessed and fortunate we are at Mary MacKillop to have such dedicated and passionate students who demonstrate our school values, not only through their speeches, but also in the way they congratulated and supported each other throughout the leadership formation and application process.  Our students were inspirational in overcoming nerves, to memorise their speech and present them in an engaging way to our Year 5 and Year 4 students.  We look forward to announcing the successful candidates for the following positions next week:

• 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.

Year 6 Mass, Dinner and Graduation

Our Year 6 Liturgy and Graduation ceremony has been planned in accordance public health directions and DOSCEL guidelines.  As communicated to our Year 6 families, all adults (Parents and adult family members) attending the Year 6 Mass on Thursday 9 December (6.00 pm at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish) and Year 6 Dinner and Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday 14 December (entry for Parents via Lomas Gym from 6.00 pm) MUST have evidence of their vaccination status that school staff are required to sight on entry.  Parents and adult family members will also be required to register via the Government QR code. 

2021 Staffing farewells

It is with very mixed emotions that we farewell the following staff from our school community at the end of the 2021 school year.  While we are very sad to see the following staff leave, we are also very grateful and fortunate to have had them at Mary MacKillop - our school is richer because of them. 

Peter McMahon – Buildings and Facilities - Our warmest congratulations to Pete on his retirement.  Pete is one of our long standing staff members beginning at MMPS.  He began his career here 21 years ago!!  Pete has left an indelible mark on our school community and will be greatly missed, not only for being a Tigers supporter, but also for his knowledge and expertise of our school grounds and facilities.  We will miss his presence and spirit which is encapsulated in Mary MacKillop's quote so aptly - "Never see a need without doing something about it."  We wish Pete all the very best for this next phase in his life journey – happy retirement!

Tracey Dortmans – ESO Support - We wish Tracey all the very best as she undertakes leave from her role as an Education Support Officer.  Tracey has been working at MMPS for a quarter of a century - 25 years!!! and in that time has supported students in the classroom with her artistic talents, in literacy and maths as well as targeted intervention through Lego Club.  In her work at school, Tracey has exemplified the Mary MacKillop quote of "Finding happiness in making others happy."  We wish Tracey all the very best as she undertakes time of rest and relaxation - it is time to literally put your feet up!! Our very best wishes to you Tracey!

Jessica Wator – ESO Support - We wish Jessica all the very best as she continues her career and University studies.  Jessica has been working as an ESO for the past 5 years at Mary MacKillop Primary School.  In her role at MMPS, Jessica has supported students in the classroom in literacy and maths and has offered targeted intervention to students through the Lego Club Social/Emotional program.  In her work at school, Jessica has exemplified the Mary MacKillop quote “We must teach more by example than by word.” We wish Jessica all the very best as she continues her career in the psychology/philosophy field of education.

Annette Scott – Year 3 Teacher - Our congratulations to Annette on being appointed a teaching position at St. Agatha's in Cranbourne.  We have been very lucky to have Annette's experience in teaching and contributions to the Middle level.  While we know St. Agatha's will welcome her with open arms, we thank Annette for being on the journey with us for the past two years.  Annette, as you venture over Cranbourne way, we are reminded of the words of Mary MacKillop “We are all but travellers here.” Go gently Annette.

Alex Maciszewski – Year 3 Teacher - We wish Alex all the very best as she continues on her teaching journey.  Alex you are to be commended for the way you began your teaching career at Mary MacKillop in Term 3, 2020 - in Lockdown and Remote Schooling.  Your ability to be flexible, adapt and target your students' learning within the context of COVID-19, Lockdown and in/out of Remote Schooling is remarkable and a testament to your teaching abilities.  Mary MacKillop says "Go on with courage and strength" we hope you continue to be blessed with courage and strength in your teaching career.

Briana Whibley – ESO Support - Our warmest congratulations to Briana on accepting a temporary transfer ESO role at St. Clare's in Officer.  In her role at MMPS, Briana has supported students in the classroom in literacy and maths, as well as targeted intervention to students through LLI and GRIN and 1-1 ESO support.  In her work at school, Briana has exemplified the Mary MacKillop quote “We have much for which to be thankful.” Our gratitude and thanks to you Briana, not only for your work in supporting our students, but also for your farm fresh eggs!

2022 Staff and Grade information

The following grade structure will be in place for the 2022 school year:

2022 Timetable

Our 2022 Timetable will continue to be the same as this year and includes 6 learning blocks throughout the school day and a morning and afternoon class gathering.  Below is an example of the 2022 Timetable and learning blocks. 

Semester Two Reports

As per DOSCEL and VCAA Guidelines, the Semester Two Report will report on student progress in Religious Education, English and Mathematics.  Learning Area descriptions for all subjects studied in Semester Two will be included in the Report along with evidence of student learning in the Student Learning Portfolio.  Teacher comments on student progress will be included on the students’ learning samples in their Portfolio.  The Semester Two Report, PLP documentation (where required) and Student Learning Portfolio will be distributed on Monday 13 December.

Scholastic Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair which was scheduled to be held at school from Thursday 2 December to Thursday 9 December, will be postponed to a date in 2022.  More information about the Book Fair will be communicated to families in the 2022 school year.  Thank you for your understanding at this very busy time of the school year.  Please find below a message from Patricia Papanastasiou to school families.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Patricia (a very busy working mum, who has dedicated her time and energy to support our students’ reading opportunities and access to reading books both at the Book Fair and throughout the school year with Book Club orders - thank you Trish!!).

Dear families

As we have been preparing for this year's book fair, we were looking forward to hearing the buzz amongst the children as there has been in recent years, however, certain limitations have since transpired which has prompted us to make the difficult decision to postpone the event.  There is nothing we love more than to put books into the hands of our wonderful students, so we encourage you to order via issue 8 of the Scholastic book club catalogue in place of the book fair.  Issue 8 catalogues will be distributed soon.  Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Patricia Papanastasiou - Book Club Coordinator.

2021 Dates and School Events / 2022 Beginning of the school year

LEARNING AWARDS FROM WEEKS 7 - 9