Student Voice and Agency

Planning for improved student learning - Mathematics

Mary MacKillop Primary School News

Yesterday morning, like every Wednesday morning, students led the MMPS News time which is broadcast across every classroom.  Each level contributes to a MMPS News time each term. Yesterday it was Year 5 featuring an evidence based reading strategy they are using to help them become more fluent readers and to help them comprehend texts with an increasing amount of detail. This showcased and highlighted our student’s ability to understand what a good reader does and the thinking process behind reading. Well done Year 5!

Cross Country

It was wonderful to watch our Year 3-6 students yesterday morning having a go at Cross Country. Thank you also to the many parents who arrived to support the students. We certainly have some very fast runners and some of these students will now go through to District Cross Country. A very big thank you to Mr Clint Timothy for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make these events happen.

Mother’s Day

The tradition of the Mother’s Day Breakfast at Mary MacKillop continues this Friday morning - we look forward to welcoming mums, grandmothers, aunties or special women in our student’s lives. Come and enjoy a bacon and egg roll and a guest speaker from Catholic Care. We will then commence our Assembly at 9am.

We have a limited number of gifts left over from yesterday's Mother's Day Stall available from the office if children would like to purchase an additional gift.  All gifts $8.00.

May all women who mother enjoy this Sunday and may you find joy and love in your role as a mother/grandmother/caregiver. You may find comfort in this prayer from the Diocese of Wollongong website:

Lord Jesus Christ, You chose to put yourself—tiny, needy and helpless—into the nurturing and watchful hands of a human mother. Since then, every act of mothering, both physical and spiritual, in every time and every corner of the world recollects Mary’s. Inspired by this example, we, too, honour our mothers and mother figures today. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers and nurturers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, honour them always with a spirit of profound respect.

We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

https://www.dow.org.au/a-mothers-day-prayer/

Staffing News

Mrs Jacqui Meunier, our Administration/Finance Officer,  has been successful in obtaining the Senior Finance role at Marist Sion in Warragul. Jacqui has exceptional skills and expertise in finance and is looking forward to the challenge of her new role.  She has worked in our school office for over 13 years and she will be greatly missed by students, staff and families.  Her dedication to Mary MacKillop Primary School has been outstanding.  We wish Jacqui well in her new role which commences Monday 2 June.

The advertisement for this position has been placed on our school website and on Seek.

Student Feedback

Well done 4-AB in our Reconciliation celebration last Thursday. You demonstrated reverence through your reflections and contributions to Fr. Michael’s homily. You should be very proud of the respectful behaviour that you all demonstrated. 

Well done to the Year 6’s for their consistent role modelling when the music is playing to stop their games and making their way back to class waiting for their teacher. Words that teachers can hear are; ‘pick up the ball’ and ‘let’s go back to class’. Keep up the good work.

Well done to the Year 6’s in their responsibilities during this busy week with the Mother’s Day stall, Child Safety booklet and setting up for Mother’s Day breakfast. Your continued enthusiasm is great to see.

Well done 4FW for the way you demonstrated reverence during our Reconciliation celebration. You should be proud of the way you behaved during this time. 

Well done Year 3 & 4 students for the way you demonstrated respect and responsibility during the Cross Country event this week. Congratulations to all who participated in this great team sport. 

Catholic Education Week in the Diocese of Sale 

Catholic Education Week – Diocese of Sale (16th–23rd May 2025) ?
Celebrating 30 Years of Faith, Learning and Community

We are excited to begin Catholic Education Week with a special announcement at TOMORROW during the morning’s Assembly (9th May) — the winner of our School 30th Anniversary Logo Competition will be revealed! Thank you to all the talented students who submitted their creative designs.

Catholic Education Week is a time to reflect on and celebrate the strength, spirit, and values of our Catholic school community. Across the Diocese of Sale, schools will join together in recognising the important role Catholic education plays in nurturing faith, learning, and service.

Throughout the week, we will be participating in a range of activities and reflections that highlight our commitment to living out the Gospel values and growing together as a faith-filled community.

We look forward to sharing this special week with our students, families, and wider community.

Student Led Fundraisers

Families, please save the date for a special day in our school calendar – Thursday 22nd May – as our Year 4-6 students take the lead in organising a series of fun and meaningful fundraising activities!

The day will begin with a whole school Mass at 9:00am, and from 1:30pm, students will host a variety of fundraising stalls and events to support chosen causes. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our school values of service, initiative, and community.

A full timetable of the day's events and activities will be published in next week’s newsletter.  We look forward to welcoming you and thank you in advance for your support!

THE SACRAMENT OF  CONFIRMATION  

Before enrolling in the Sacrament of Confirmation, children must have been baptised in the Catholic Church and have received the Sacraments of  Reconciliation and First Eucharist.  

PARENT FORMATION NIGHT (Parents only) Thursday, May 29th and Wednesday, June 4th, 2025. Arrive at 6.45pm for a 7pm start Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Centre  

A $50.00 levy is payable via CDF online at https:// olhc.cdfpay.org.au. Making a payment through CDF confirms your participation in the Parent Formation Night. CDF Payment opens Monday, 5th May and closes on Friday, 6th June, 2025, at 10:00am.  For all enquiries, please contact our Sacrament  Coordinator, Vea by phone (03) 9704 7935

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Next Sunday’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. A shepherd takes care of the sheep—keeping them safe and guiding them on the right path. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for all people. Each person is known by name, loved deeply, and never alone. Jesus shows the way to live close to God and offers the gift of eternal life in heaven.

Mother’s Day Breakfast tomorrow! Join us for breakfast from 8.00am to celebrate our amazing mums and carers.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Prayer for Mothers, Grandmothers, and Carers

Loving God,
You are the source of all life and love.
With the tenderness of a mother, You care for all creation.

Bless all mothers, grandmothers, and those who take on the role of carer—
those who nurture, protect, guide, and comfort.

When there is worry or fear, surround them with peace.
When they work hard to provide safety and support, give strength.
When they grieve, hold them gently in Your love.
When they celebrate the joy of those in their care, share in their laughter.

May each mother, grandmother, and carer be a living sign of Your love—
a reflection of Your grace to those they care for and to all they meet.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Walk Safely to School Day Friday 16th May 

Next Friday, 16th May, our school is proudly participating in Walk Safely to School Day!  This national event encourages children to lead a healthier lifestyle by walking to school where safe to do so, while also promoting road safety, environmental awareness, and the benefits of physical activity.

We invite all students and families to take part—whether it's walking all the way, or just part of the journey. Every student who participates will receive a special Walk Safely to School Day sticker to celebrate their involvement!  Let’s all step up for our health and the environment. See you on the footpath!

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.  

Here is this week’s Term 2 Insights Article: Protecting Our Youngest: Preventing School Harassment Before It Begins (see attachment)

Dr Justin Coulson is a dad to 6 daughters and grandfather to 1 granddaughter. He is the parenting expert and co-host of Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, and he and his wife host Australia’s #1 podcast for parents and family: The Happy Families Podcast. He has written 9 books about  families and parenting. For further details visit happyfamilies.com.au. 

School TV 

SPECIAL REPORT: Shaping Healthy Masculinity

In today's fast-moving world, many boys are struggling to find direction. Even well-meaning online searches about fitness, confidence or relationships can lead them to content that promotes rigid or unhealthy ideas about masculinity. The critically acclaimed TV show 'Adolescence' has brought fresh attention to this issue, highlighting how boys are often exposed to messages that glorify toughness and dominance, while dismissing empathy and emotional openness.

These outdated beliefs can limit emotional growth and impact how boys relate to others - with real consequences in schools, homes and communities. That's why it's more important than ever to guide boys with care, clarity and connection.

By offering healthier role models, safe spaces to talk, and encouraging respectful friendships - especially across genders - we can help boys develop the confidence, empathy and relationship skills they need to thrive.

This special report calls for a cultural shift and advocates for curiosity-driven dialogue that builds trust and critical thinking. The goal is to raise boys who are not just resistant to harmful influences, but actively capable of questioning and rejecting them. 

Here is the link to your Special Report https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-shaping-healthy-masculinity-au

The Resilience Project

We’re excited to introduce TRP’s evidence-based whole-school wellbeing program. Students participate in weekly lessons to develop and strengthen their skills in Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness, and Emotional Literacy. Our staff actively support students in practicing these wellbeing strategies throughout the school day.

Attached is a copy of these strategies that you can print out, discuss with your child, and even incorporate into family routines.

Gratitude

• Recognising and expressing appreciation for the people, places, and things in our lives.
  
• Helps us focus on what we have, increasing happiness and fostering a positive outlook.
  

Empathy

• Understanding others' feelings and perspectives through kindness, compassion, and curiosity.
  
• Strengthens connections, encourages kindness, and promotes positive emotions.
  

Mindfulness

• Being aware of life as we experience it, allowing us to respond rather than react.
  
• Supports balance, presence, and deeper connection in daily life.
  

Emotional Literacy

• Learning to identify, label, and regulate emotions effectively.
  
• Reduces the impact of uncomfortable emotions and enhances positive ones.

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