Our Explicit Improvement Agenda

Student Voice and Agency

Planning for improved student learning - key focus in Mathematics

Thank you

It is with my deepest gratitude to our Mary MacKillop School Community for the honour and privilege of being Principal for the past 6 years.  I started at Mary MacKillop in Term 4, 2018 and my first celebration in the school community was Grandparents’ day.  How fortunate and coincidental that my first and last celebrations were with this very special annual event in our school calendar that celebrates our families. It is hard to capture in words what our school community means to me so I will share some precious memories that will stay with me, and I hope with you, as we all continue on the next steps of our journey . . .

Welcome Garden

Doing duty every morning and afternoon - rain, hail or shine is the best part of my day.  Our Welcome Garden is a special place that is transformed for significant events such as the Olympics, Harmony Day, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day!  Tomorrow will be my last time to set up our knitted poppies, and my hope is that this important ritual in our school community is continued for years to come in honour of all those who sacrificed their lives throughout history.  It is also poignant during this time with the unrest in parts of our world where peace, the dignity of the human person, solidarity and human connection have been lost.  We pray for peace and for all families in our school community who are impacted by War in the Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and the Middle East.  Thank you to my beautiful friend Avril, grandmother of Harvey (past MMPS student), Fletcher and Darcy for her generous contribution of knitted poppies over the past few years.  Avril’s efforts have transformed our Welcome Garden into a very scared and memorable space for ANZAC and Remembrance Days.

Families

It is with gratitude to the families of Mary MacKillop for choosing our school.  Our Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day celebrations are our gift of thanks to you in celebration for being with us on your child’s journey.  How amazing these morning are to come together, to celebrate and honour all members in our school community.  Thank you for your unending support and guidance you offer our students and for working in partnership with our school community to ensure our students have the best possible learning outcomes.  Thank you for the gift and memory of our MMPS families.

Students

Thank you to the students of MMPS for your inspiration, the way you enact our school values - respect, responsibility, courage, compassion and problem solving.  Thank you for sharing and celebrating in your learning growth, for continuing to build your student voice and agency in your learning, for your fundraising efforts and social outreach to those in need and for allowing me to bear witness to your growth, your progress and celebration of your achievements - these memories will forever be in my heart.

Our Staff

A very big thank you to MMPS Staff for their unending support and desire for improved student learning outcomes, for their solidarity, teamwork and ability to stand side by side in support of each other.  Thank you for being welcoming, student centred and faith filled so that our students experience a community modelled on Jesus’ teachings and Gospel messages.  It is with my deepest gratitude and respect for the tireless work our staff do day in and day out to ensure we are educating the whole child - spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally.

Celebrations

It is an absolute joy to witness our students’ participation in school concerts throughout the year - Footsteps & Harmony Day, Andrew Chinn and our annual Christmas Concert with residents from Bupa Aged Care for their extra special performance.  Other events such as Footy Day (go yellow and black), Kaboom Sports, our termly Student Art Gallery, displays of student learning - just to name a few of the many events held throughout the school year - thank you for these very special memories.

Our Community Spirit

The photo below is of Isabel and Tahlia at our Athletics day two weeks ago.  The photo captures two students, one who came first and the other second.  What is most important and significant about the photo is the spirit in which they embrace and celebrate each others’ achievements.  They are both winners and this photo beautifully captures the essence and spirit of what it means to belong to our school.  Our community spirit is both seen and felt on a daily basis in our school community.

Our Story - Mary MacKillop student created mural and into the future

Next year our school community will celebrate its 30 year anniversary.  As you can imaging lots of planning is already underway.  Our school community is shaped by the charism of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop - I will always remember our student created mural that shares her story of service to others and the ways in which our students live out Mary MacKillop’s story in our school community through student led fundraisers.  Next year Andrew Chinn and his family will come back to work with all members of our school community to capture the essence of who we are, our sense of belonging and in celebration of our diversity.  While this memory is not yet formed, it captures the next steps in our school community that I look forward to hearing about. It is with my deepest gratitude that I thank you for allowing me the honour and privilege of being on this journey with you!

From Wednesday 6 November, Mrs Lize Privitera will be Acting Principal for the remainder of the 2024 school year as I move into a role in the Diocese of Sale.  I thank Lize for her unending support as my Deputy Principal, for her faith filled leadership, student centred focus, tireless efforts to ensure teacher replacements were filled during such critical teacher shortages and for her professional, dedicated approach.  Lize reflects the Mary MacKillop quote “never see a need without doing something about it”. 

Junior Swimming Program

Our Junior students attended their intensive Swimming program at Paul Sadler Swim School this week.  The intensive swimming lessons form part of our Foundation to Year 6 progression of learning in swimming towards the Victorian Water Safety Certificate (VWSC).  The VWSC is a Victorian Government initiative, which describes specific competencies that should be achieved by the time students reach the end of primary school.  The competencies include:

• Water Safety knowledge
• Swim (continuously for 50 metres)
• Under Water (surface dive, swim underwater and search to recover an object)
• Lifesaving (respond to an emergency by demonstrating DRSAB and the recovery position)
• Rescue Skills (rescue a person using non-swimming rescue techniques)
• Survival Sequence (perform a survival sequence wearing light clothing)

Middle and Senior students will be attending Paul Sadler Swim School later on this Term.  Dates are included in the Term 4 School Events and Dates section of the newsletter.    

Staffing updates

Thank you to all families for your well wishes on my appointment at DOSCEL.  From Wednesday 6 November, Lize Privitera will assume the role of Acting Principal for Term 4.  More information on staffing updates will be included in the coming weeks.

Student feedback

An integral part of our cycle of teaching and learning is student feedback.  Every week, staff record and acknowledge feedback to students and this is shared with them in class and  via the school newsletter, at Assembly and in MMPS News on Wednesday mornings. Read on for this week’s feedback to students.

Fantastic job to the Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students for commencing their Swimming Program at Paul Sadler Swim School. Some students were keen to begin, while others were a little nervous. It was great to see students use courage to get in the pool, while other students displayed respect by encouraging them. All students were respectful to the swimming teachers and followed swimming expectations. Great job Foundies, Year 1 and Year 2! 

Amazing work by the Year 4 students who came into Art focused and ready to work on their creative masterpieces. You are all producing interesting and colourful art in your exploration of pattern and shape. They way you worked quietly and listened during group time created a positive art room environment. Well done from Mrs Fletcher

Fantastic work Year 3 students with your enthusiasm towards our Lucky Dip fundraiser! We love to see not only you donating money to an important cause, but also showing your compassionate heart and giving money to others so that they can join in on the Lucky Dip. We are so proud of you all! 

Year 2’s, you have created some clever and interesting puppets while exploring Textiles in art. The way you come into class ready to focus on your projects and take turns and share the materials  makes a great learning environment in Art, thank you for being a supportive Year 2 community of learners. ~ Mrs Fletcher

Well done to the Year 5’s in the way you respectfully participated in our level fundraiser scavenger hunt. It was fantastic hearing you linking your knowledge of the Catholic Social Teaching principles into our daily lives.

WHOLE SCHOOL COLOUR FUN RUN

What an amazing start to this fundraising event. We love students enthusiasm and efforts so far! Many students are looking forward to a fun filled school event and raising funds at the same time. Thank you to all sponsors and those making donations. Keep up the great effort!

Car Park Reminder: A timely reminder to the school community about the importance of safe parking in our school carparks and in the Lowry Court areas during school drop off and pick up times. Drivers must take care to observe the rules, park and drive safely. Please take note of the speed limit within the carpark areas (15km) and be aware of children and adults. As a community we need to work together to ensure our students are safe in our car park.

Please note: There is no School Assembly tomorrow, Friday 1 November 2024

Feast of All Saints - Friday, November 1, 2024

Tomorrow the Church calendar celebrates the Feast of All Saints. Saints devoted their lives to God. They show us how to live holy lives, just as Jesus taught us. In the Gospel of the day, Jesus teaches us what it means to be blessed, or happy. (Matthew 5:1–12) Jesus tells many different ways to be happy, or blessed. He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” What do you think it means to be a peacemaker? The saints that we celebrate today were peacemakers. What are some ways that we can be peacemakers at home and at school?

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day) - Saturday, November 2, 2024

On this day the Church calendar celebrates All Soul’s Day. We pray for all those who have died to be with God in heaven.

Our Welcome Garden will transform into a field of knitted poppies during the month of November. We also honour the memory of our friends and family members who have passed away. Families are invited to put a loved one's name on a card (provided at the school office) and attach it to a poppy as a gesture of remembrance.  Please email Lize Privitera if you are unable to make it to the School Office and you would like a card made up.

Remembrance Day - Monday, November 11, 2024

The Berwick RSL have once again provided Remembrance Day poppies and associated stock to be offered for sale on their behalf. The Remembrance Appeal raises funds to support former and serving members of the Australian Defence Forces and dependents when in need. Most of the funds are raised through the sale of Poppies. Leading up to Remembrance Day our student leaders will be selling merchandise during recess. Items range from $2, $3, $4 & $5 items.

On Monday 11th November student leaders will lead a Remembrance Day Prayer Service in classrooms. More details in the next newsletter.

Remembrance Day Ceremony and Wreath laying

• 11 November 2024 @10.40am  
• War Memorial   
• Berwick High Street 

Socktober – Mission Month

Earlier in the year Pope Francis' message for World Mission Sunday this year reflected on the theme: “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). He reminded us that, “every Christian is called to be a missionary and witness to Christ.”

Thank you to all the classes who participated in a fundraising event. These are wonderful opportunities for our school community to put faith into action by participating in fundraising initiatives during October and support Catholic Mission. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Sunday, November 3, 2024

In this Gospel, Jesus and a scribe are discussing a much-debated topic among Jewish teachers in Jesus’ time. Like other Jewish teachers, Jesus taught that all the commandments of God could be summarised to say that we ought to love God and love our neighbor. These remain pious statements, however, unless we examine real-life examples of how this might be put into action. How can you  show your love for God by loving your neighbor?

It certainly has been a busy start to Term 4. Students participated in our Socktober fundraiser, watching the movie ‘Inside Out’. The funds raised will go to the Caring Centre in Mongolia, which helps children who have nowhere else to go. We raised a total of $57. The movie also assisted students in developing their Personal and Social Capabilities, through its focus on emotions.

Students have been participating in Reader’s Theatre groups as a way to further develop their fluency, expression, pace and accuracy when reading aloud. They are busy rehearsing their scripts and have begun adding actions, linking with our Drama Unit. Students will perform these in front of their peers later this term.  

Last Thursday we celebrated Grandparents Day with a whole school Mass and morning tea. The Year Twos loved spending time with our special visitors. 

Sadly, we also said ‘Farewell’ to ‘Sweet Mrs Jones’. Students, staff and the Mary MacKillop community will miss you! 

It was great to see so many students dress up in red for Day for Daniel. Students in Year 2 learnt about how to react when they feel unsafe, such as screaming “Help!”, saying “No!”, running off or telling a trusted adult. 

This week, students are taking part in swimming lessons at Paul Sadler. They are very excited about this!

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

We are a Happy Families School!                                                           Our school is subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources. We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL (unique to our school) and password.

Unique URL - https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/mmnwn

Password - happymmnwn

We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you.  The latest weekly Insight Article: Hope Builders (see attachment

https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news

SPECIAL REPORT: Navigating AI Relationships

Despite governments globally moving towards raising the minimum age for social media access due to mounting concerns about the negative effects on youth mental health and wellbeing, there's now an even newer challenge on the horizon - the rise of romantic and companion AI bots. These virtual companions are becoming increasingly popular with young people, raising serious questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of relationships in the digital age.

The rise of AI-powered relationships is offering a new frontier in human interaction. Initially emerging in the gaming world, AI companionship has evolved into mainstream culture, with apps providing personalised experiences that range from platonic friendships to romantic encounters. These interactions can blur the boundaries between real and virtual relationships, creating confusion and potential psychological harm.

Criminologists warn that children as young as 12 are accessing dating apps, often bypassing age restrictions, exposing them to sexual content and predatory behaviour. Researchers have also found that many adolescents are turning to virtual partners for validation, risking unhealthy emotional attachments that can affect real-life relationships.

As AI reshapes social dynamics, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged. While AI can enhance education and creativity, it also presents challenges around privacy, mental health, and misinformation.This Special Report will help you foster an open dialogue and balanced approach to help young people navigate this evolving digital landscape.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-navigating-ai-relationships-au