Our Explicit Improvement Agenda

Student Voice and Agency

Planning for Improved Student Learning

Celebrations of Learning

Footsteps Dance Company!

We are very excited to have Footsteps Dance Company back working with our students to choreograph dance moves as part of our Harmony Day celebrations.  We look forward to their presentations at our Assembly in Harmony Week on Friday 24 March.  More information on Harmony Day celebrations on Thursday 23 and our Assembly on Friday 24 March is included below in the newsletter.

Division Swimming

Our warmest congratulations to the students who attended the Division Swimming event in Noble Park yesterday.  The following students competed in this high level of competition.  Congratulations to Joel K, Joshua S, Rahul B, Jake F, Kade F, Dinnesh T, Isaac S, Jayden C, Fleur I, Coral K, Chloe F, Layla M, Dior I - well done to you all for your efforts and participation and representing our school with pride.

Japanese

In the newsletter this week, you will find news from our Year 2 students and learning in Japanese lessons.  Another week of exciting learning and building our students’ voice and agency.

Student Learning Conversations (Parent Teacher Interviews)

It was great to see so many students and parents at our Student Learning Conversations this week.  Thank you for working in partnership with us and supporting your child on their learning journey.

Thank you to all those families who have already so generously sent donations for the raffle.  Any further donations are gratefully accepted at the office!  Thank you also to the parents who have volunteered to help put together the easter baskets and raffle ticket books.  We will be in touch next week with further information.

Raffle tickets will be sent home via the eldest child on Thursday 23 March - $2 each ticket.

2024 Student Enrolments

Enrolments are now open for Foundation 2024 and filling fast.  If you would like a guided tour by our Year 6 Student Leaders, please call the office 8794 5777 to arrange a time.  Our open days are Tuesday 28 March and Thursday 30 March, 2023 - 9.30 am to 10.30 am and 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm.

Program Support Group (PSG) Meetings

PSG Meetings are an important factor in providing for the social, emotional and academic development of students with specific learning needs as identified through the Nationally Consistent Collection Data [NCCD].  The PSG meeting focus is to review and monitor student plans such as a Personalised Learning Plan [PLP], Student Adjustment and Evaluation Plan [SAEP], Behaviour Support Plan [BSP] and/or Safety Plan.  The PSG also provides an opportunity to work in partnership with parents, the student and other professional agencies for improved student learning outcomes.  Information about the PSG meeting includes:

• Members of the PSG meeting
• Learning Adjustment Leader - Lize Privitera
• Class Teacher
• Parent
• Student (invitational)
• Other representatives may include - Psychologist, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, DOSCEL representative
• Minutes and actions of the PSG meeting are recorded and signed by all parties present
• PSG meetings are held during school hours 8.45 am to 3.30 pm
• PSG meetings are held towards the end of each term and are 30 minutes in duration
• Parents and students are invited to attend their child’s PSG meeting.

More information will be sent to parents with students with specific learning needs and/or plans over the coming weeks.

Parent questions or raising concerns

Our school community is committed to building positive and respectful relationships that support the learning and development of all students and value the innate dignity of each person.  In the event that a question or parent / student concern arises, it is important that all members of our school community have the opportunity to be heard.  We commit to ensure procedural fairness is observed when dealing with complaints, grievances or any misunderstandings that may arise.  We welcome feedback and are committed to continuous improvement. We value open communication with our families and recognise that the complaints process provides an important opportunity for reflection and learning.  Concerns in the first instance are to be directed to your child’s class teacher and/or specialist teacher.  

Reminders to Parents/carers

Friday 10 March, 2023

Staff Professional Learning Day

STUDENT FREE DAY

&

Monday 13 March, 2023

LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

FOOTSTEPS Dance Company will be visiting our school over the next 3 weeks providing three dance sessions for all grade levels.  Footsteps has taught throughout Australia and New Zealand focusing on the creative, fun and engaging connection between student and dance.

Students will engage in a scheduled session once per week over the next 3 weeks, beginning today and be taught a variety of dance styles as an individual and in groups. The program is directly linked to the Dance, Creative Arts & HPE cur­riculum and students will establish skills in fundamental movement as well as appreciation for cul­tural dance. There is a focus on familiarising students with the elements of dance, choreography, characterisation and more. Students will strengthen their interactions with others and continue to establish good social skills with their peers.

The program will culminate with a School Presentation during Assembly on Friday 24th March concluding Harmony Week celebrations. Parents and friends are welcome to join us to celebrate the benefits and strength cultural diversity brings to our nation and Australian way of life.

More about Harmony Week in the next newsletter.

Project Compassion

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Tereesa, a Gamilaroi woman from Western Sydney who struggled with homelessness while raising her four children. At just 16 years old, she had to leave school after falling pregnant with her first child. A single mother struggling with homelessness, Tereesa’s only concern was finding stability for her children.  

Seeking a better future for her family, Tereesa joined Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation’s Young Mums and Bubs Group, supported by Caritas Australia. Baabayn helped Tereesa access housing and psychological support. Through Baabayn, Tereesa was also able to hear stories from Indigenous Elders and reconnect with her culture. 

Today, Tereesa is studying a certificate in Community Services so that she can strengthen her skills and give back to her community. Tereesa now works at Baabayn, providing support to young mothers and mentoring the next generation of young people.   Watch a short film about Tereesa’s story here.

Please support Project Compassion: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion Project Compassion boxes are located in each classroom for student donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion Your support is greatly appreciated.

Second Week of Lent 

Third Sunday of Lent, Cycle A 

Sunday, March 12, 2023

John 4:5-42

Jesus reveals himself to the Samaritan woman at the well.

On this Sunday and the next two Sundays, we break from reading the Gospel of Matthew to read from John’s Gospel. The Gospel of John is the only Gospel not assigned to a particular liturgical year. Instead, readings from John’s Gospel are interspersed throughout our three-year liturgical cycle.

In next Sunday’s Gospel, We hear Jesus and the Samaritan woman talk a lot about water. When do we use water in church?  

Lent is a time when we remember what Baptism means. We also try harder to live as followers of Jesus. When we were baptized, we are like the woman at the well: We come to know Jesus as our Saviour, and we are sent to bring the good news of Jesus to others.

OLHC Parish

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 Ajin Albarnas 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 Sacramental Program 2023

Click on the link to access a copy of the 2023 Sacrament Program Booklet

https://www.olhc.org.au/parish-sacrament-program/

It was great to see so many of you this week during our student progress meetings. We are very proud of the way the students were able to discuss their learning with their parents and inform you of their Personal Learning Goals within Reading, Writing and Mathematics.

Year 2 students have had a busy start to the year. They are currently working on the completion of their combined prayer cloth. The Mary MacKillop quote chosen by the students was ‘Be a gift of love and compassion for one another’ 1899. Students voted for their favourite quote, with this one being the most popular. Students are now in the process of painting either a heart or a dove to represent themselves, which was also a student choice.

In Inquiry, we have been looking at the emotions we experience and identifying the body cues we are given when we feel a certain way. We will be exploring how we deal with such emotions and what is and is not an appropriate response to these emotions. Soon, students will move to looking closely at how they keep themselves safe at home, on the internet, around medicine and at school. 

We have moved to looking at persuasive texts within Literacy this week, so don't be surprised if your child comes home trying to convince you that they need a new pet!

On Wednesday, students participated in the Footsteps Dance Incursion. This was led by a dance instructor, who is teaching the students a dance that they will perform as part of our school Harmony Day celebration. Students will have two more sessions with the dance instructor prior to Harmony Day Celebrations.

こんにちは、

March 3rd is Hinamatsuri (the Dolls Festival) This festival celebrates  the health and happiness of children. Japanese children display a set of ornamental dolls (hina-ningyō) representing the Emperor, Empress, and attendants.

Junior students enjoyed looking at the hina doll display Sensei bought from home. They made their own hina dolls to take home to celebrate the festival.

SENIOR LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP DAY

On Wednesday March 29, all year 5 and 6 students will participate in the Berwick District Lightning Premiership day in the sports of basketball, cricket, tennis and rounders. Information and permission forms have been sent out through PAM. If any parents of children participating  have a valid working with children check with MMPS as the nominated school, we would appreciate your assistance on the day, so please indicate this on your child's PAM eform if you are available, particularly if you have an interest in the sport your child is participating in.

Child Safe Standards

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

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. 1359.  We embed a culture of child safety and the matter is taken very seriously.

MMPS Child Safe Standards

Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV)

The updated CECV Statement of Commitment to Child Safety - A safe, nurturing and empowering culture for all children and young people in Catholic schools, is attached to this newsletter.  This statement has been updated in light of the revised Child Safe Standards coming into effect from 1 July 2022 and the supporting Ministerial Order No. 1359

Here is the latest weekly insight 'NAPLAN week is almost here'.  View the attached article below: