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Father’s Day Stall and Breakfast
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to our staff (particularly Marita Glass) and parent community for your support for our Father’s Day Stall and Breakfast. As we move towards rejuvenating a Friends of Mary MacKillop committee in 2026, we have a core group of parents who constantly put their hand up or say “Yes”, when asked, to assist with events. We can’t do this without you and really appreciate your support.
What a wonderful sight it was to see so many Dads, grandfathers and special people attend our school and join in our prayer and Assembly this morning.
May you all have a lovely Father’s Day on Sunday. May God’s blessing be upon all men who are fathers in some way whether they be dads, grandfathers, uncles and other special men in our young people’s lives.
Raising Kids in a Digital World
It’s not too late - please register!!!!!
At the moment we have 32 families registered for this evening on Thursday 11 September: @ 6.30 - 8pm in MMPS Allen Hall. In order to enable more families to attend we will offer a movie in a classroom if you are unable to find babysitters/carers. We do ask, that if you do access to a baby sitters/carers that you use them but if you are not attending because of this barrier, then please bring your children with you and they can watch a movie in a classroom and be supervised by staff. There are 210 families in our school - it would be wonderful if at least 50% attended this evening. For more information please go to:
https://www.informandempower.com.au/program/parent-seminars
Please register by using the link below:
Staffing News
Next week we welcome Carita Cirocco to our school. Carita will be joining our Admin team so please introduce yourselves as she gets to know our Mary MacKillop families.
Staff Feedback to Students
Congratulations to all Year 4 students for the reverence you showed during our Level 4 Mass last Thursday. You participated prayerfully and respectfully, creating a wonderful sense of community. Your creative artwork responses showed how we can live a faith-filled life—by spreading kindness and never seeing a need without doing something about it. We are very proud of you!
Well done Year 3 boys who come off the oval straight away when the music plays at the end of recess and the end of lunch.
It was wonderful to hear about the reverence and participation of our Foundation and Year 1 students in Mass thai week - thank you for showing such reverent and respectful behaviour in Mass!
Thank you to the Year 6 students who helped set up and sold all the gifts at the Father’s Day stalls on Wednesday. You all did a fantastic job of spruiking your wares and were a great help to the admin team! (from Mrs Glass)
Due to our special Father's Day Assembly this morning, there is NO ASSEMBLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON - Friday 5th September
A Bird’s-Eye View of 30! - Aerial Photograph Celebrating 30 Years
What an exciting moment for our school! Earlier this week the school photographers 'Advanced Life' we took to the sky to capture an aerial photo of our whole school community. Students and staff came together to form a giant “30” outline on the small oval, celebrating our special milestone in style. We’re looking forward to seeing the final photo – and spotting ourselves in the picture!
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Sunday, September 7, 2025
Luke 14:25-33
Jesus teaches about the demands of discipleship.
Next Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 14:25–33) teaches that the most important choice in life is to follow Jesus. Family love is very special, but discipleship comes first. When Jesus is placed at the centre of life, real joy and happiness are found. Showing that God is the number-one priority can be lived out in many ways: making time for daily prayer, placing Gospel values at the centre of decisions, living with kindness and forgiveness, choosing service and generosity before personal gain, keeping faith practices such as Mass and the sacraments at the heart of life, and trusting in God’s guidance above all else.
Bravehearts Day – Friday 12th September
Next Friday, 12th September, we will recognise Bravehearts Day, a national day that raises awareness and funds to support child protection programs across Australia. Students are encouraged to wear a splash of purple to show support. Donations can be made directly via the Bravehearts website: www.bravehearts.org.au
Child Safety Week 2025 – Message from Bishop Greg
The Diocese of Sale and Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL) jointly promotes Child Safety Week from 7 – 14 September 2025. This coincides with NAPCAN’s National Child Protection Week (7 – 13 September) and Safeguarding Sunday on 14 September 2025. This year’s theme is: Every Conversation Matters – Shifting Conversations to Action
To highlight the importance of this week in our school, we will be holding an in-school Child Safety Picture Competition. Students are invited to create illustrations or images that may be included in the 2026 Child Friendly Edition of our Child Safety Policy. This is a meaningful opportunity for students to use their creativity and voice to contribute to such an important document.
Each class will help choose the entries that best reflect the policy, which will then be submitted for consideration. Entry forms will be available for all students.
Life Ed Healthy Harold
Last Monday the Foundation students took part in Harold’s Friend Ship Life Ed session. The students learnt all about being a good friend and staying safe. Here are a few words from the Foundation students:
What did you learn from Harold?
We learnt about different emotions and what it looks like when we are sad and angry. - Lana
We were learning about being kind and caring about our friends. - Alessia
What makes a good friend?
Good friends don't push, and they don’t use hands on. Good friends use nice words and are respectful. - Leo L
A good friend is kind, they let you choose the games you and take turns on the playground. - Olivia
What doesn’t make a good friend?
A bad friend isn’t kind to others, and they use hands on. You have to ask to give people a hug and to touch them. You have to say please as well. - Klara
Where do you go when you need help?
Go to a teacher. - Sarah
Your mum and dad. - Zayn
How do you know when you're feeling sad/happy/angry?
When people are happy they smile. - Zeiko
You might be a little sad, and you might cry a little and your eyebrows go up and you frown. -Oliver
What did you like the most about the session?
We learnt about being happy and smiling. I thought it was really funny when Harold was being really silly and slipped on the bananas. - Emmanuel
I like learning about being a friend. - Arvi
6-MV chose the Mary MacKillop quote ‘Be calm and full of Hope’ because we are heading into high school next year and we need to prepare for the next phase of our school journey. The quote inspires us to think how we can get through this and to stay calm and hope that all will go well.
We choose the anchor/cross symbol as it signifies hope, stability and safety. The anchor is also a symbol of the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Each one of us is represented by a dove which symbolizes peace and a new beginning. We wrote our names inside as we are like doves as we go into high school to begin a new chapter and to try and be calm and full of hope along the way. The dove is also a symbol used as part of the preparation for Confirmation and many Year 6’s have celebrated this sacrament so we have made that connection in our prayer cloth.
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
Child Safe Policy
Child friendly version of Child Safe Policy (updated June 2022) Congratulations to our Year 6 Student Leaders on their creation of the student friendly version of the Child Safe Policy. This policy has been uploaded to our website. Child Safe page and can be found in the following link https://www.marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au/child-safety-standards
Parental Use of Mobile Phones (Privacy Laws)
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
Child Safe Resources to support Students, Parents/Carers
eSAFETY COMMISSIONER - https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents.
Webinars for parents and carers
Join one of the free webinars for parents and carers.
- The changing face of cyberbullying: Protecting your child in 2025
- Cyberbullying is evolving, with the use of AI-powered tactics, coded emoji language, and the covert manipulation that many adults may miss. This 45-minute webinar helps parents spot the signs, build support at home and guide children on how to respond and stay safe. It’s suitable for parents and carers of primary and high school students. Term 3 (AEST) 5 August at 12.30pm
- Register here - https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2536814565012663130
- Cyberbullying is evolving, with the use of AI-powered tactics, coded emoji language, and the covert manipulation that many adults may miss. This 45-minute webinar helps parents spot the signs, build support at home and guide children on how to respond and stay safe. It’s suitable for parents and carers of primary and high school students. Term 3 (AEST) 5 August at 12.30pm
FOR FAMILIES - https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/parent-resources/online-safety-for-every-family
CCYP - Commission for Children and Young People https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/
School TV https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news
- Multilingual videos now available on SchoolTV!
- Because wellbeing shouldn’t get lost in translation, SchoolTV has introduced a powerful new feature — multilingual videos.
- Until now, families could access written content in more than 60 languages. Now, expert-led videos are also available in Chinese, Hindi and Arabic, with more languages to be added next year.
- This new feature ensures every family can access trusted, practical guidance in a way that feels familiar, inclusive, and easy to understand.
- Explore this feature for yourself by clicking the link below to view SchoolTV content in your preferred language.
- http://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/stv-multilingual-feature
- SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating Father's Day
- For many years now, the role of fathers has changed and evolved. During the industrial revolution, fathers were often considered detached and distant due to working long hours in factories. However, today things have changed dramatically with many dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on.
- Recent studies have shown that children benefit greatly from having fathers who are present and interacting in everyday activities. This has transformed the understanding of how fathers shape children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.
- Research also suggests that fathers influence their sons and daughters in different ways, which is especially true during their transition to adolescence. Engaging in regular physical activities can play a key role in influencing children to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks.
- In this Special Report, fathers will learn about the positive impact they can have on their child’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also ensuring they indulge in a little self-care.
- Here is the link to your Special Report https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-fathers-day
BRAVEHEARTS - https://bravehearts.org.au
Inform & Empower
- To support parents/carers a Parent Seminar called Raising Kids in a Digital World on Thursday 11 September: @ 6.30 - 8pm will be held at MMPS in Allen Hall
Health, Wellbeing and Personal Safety Programs – Term 3
As part of our commitment to supporting students’ health, wellbeing and personal safety, a range of programs will be delivered across the school during Term 3:
- Foundation – Year 2: Life Ed Program – Monday 25 & Tuesday 26 August 2025
- Years 3 – 4: Kids Roar Program – Thursday 11 September 2025
- Years 5 – 6: Victoria Police Presentation – Wednesday 10 September 2025
These sessions are age-appropriate and aim to build knowledge, resilience, and confidence in our students. Further information will be provided closer to the dates.
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Child Safety Week & National Child Protection Week
This important focus concludes with Safeguarding Sunday on 14 September, a time for our community to reflect on our shared responsibility to keep children safe. Families are encouraged to continue these conversations at home and to visit the NAPCAN website for ideas and resources that support children’s safety and wellbeing.
From 7–14 September, we join with DOSCEL in promoting Child Safety Week, which aligns with NAPCAN’s National Child Protection Week (7–13 September). The 2025 theme “Every Conversation Matters” reminds us that every interaction with children and young people is an opportunity to listen, show care, and build trust. Together, we can create safe and supportive environments where all children can grow, learn, and thrive.
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 Live Webinars.
Insights Articles: A new Insights article is released weekly during the term and we will include these with the school newsletter. Insights articles are written by Dr Justin Coulson and provide parenting education and support for a wide variety of traditional and contemporary parenting challenges.
Here is your weekly Insights Article - Meta-AI is Designed to Prey on Your Kids for Profit
Supporting Children Through Friendship Issues
Friendship ups and downs are a normal and important part of growing up. Experiencing and resolving small conflicts helps children develop essential social skills, including empathy, communication, problem-solving, and self-regulation. Research shows that children who learn to navigate disagreements constructively are more likely to form strong, lasting relationships and develop resilience in social situations.
As parents and carers, there are practical ways you can support your child at home:
Listen calmly and validate feelings:
Acknowledge your child’s emotions without immediately trying to “fix” the problem. Simply saying, “I can see that you feel upset because of this situation” helps them feel heard and understood.
Talk about what makes a good friend:
Discuss qualities like kindness, respect, honesty, and sharing. This helps children reflect on their own behaviour and understand the behaviours they value in others.
Practise possible responses together:
Role-play simple phrases or strategies your child can use in tricky situations, such as: “Let’s talk about this calmly” or “I need some space right now, but I want to play later.” This prepares them to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
Remind them that sometimes friendships need space:
It’s normal for friends to have occasional disagreements or time apart. Encouraging children to take a step back and return to the friendship later can prevent conflicts from escalating and reinforces emotional regulation. By guiding children through these experiences, we help them build confidence empathy, and the skills needed to maintain healthy friendships throughout life.