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Celebrating our Feast Day – our past, present and future
Today we celebrated our Feast Day – in honour of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Students and staff were invited to dress up in Colonial times and we began the day with our special Feast Day Mass, followed by morning tea of scones and jam, olden day and buddy activities in classes. Planning for these special events in our school calendar takes many months of preparation and requires a team effort. A very big THANK YOU to Lize Privitera for her organisation and planning of our very special Feast Day, to the Vena Family for the generous donation, each year, of the students’ Feast Day lollipops, to our administration and canteen staff for the ordering and preparation of scones and jam to feed in excess of 370 students and staff and to Terry De Reus for placing our Feast Day lollipop with our story of Mary MacKillop. We are so very fortunate and blessed to have a team of staff and parents who consistently strive to ensure our students experience many varied, engaging and enriching learning opportunities and who authentically live out the words of Mary MacKillop through their interactions and actions . . .
Celebration of Learning
100 days at school! Congratulations to our Centenerians!
See the amazing photos of our Foundation Students celebrating 100 days at school in the Foundation section of today's newsletter.
Kaboom Sports – Olympics Theme
We are very excited to be holding an Olympics Theme sporting event for our students tomorrow. While this is a whole school celebration, we have ensured we are compliant with our COVID-19 Safety Management Plan and have obtained DOSCEL approval. Students will be divided into 16 teams of rotational ‘olympic’ activities and guided by Kaboom Sports facilitators throughout the event. We are very much looking forward to this very special Olympic celebration. We ask all students to wear their sports uniform and to ensure they have their water bottle.
Community Safety – COVID-19 Restrictions
In accordance with public health advice, all schools are required to apply density quotients of one person per four square metres in all areas of the school, except in areas used by students.
Therefore, parents are unable to attend assemblies, or assist with classroom activities, until restrictions are eased. Parents visiting on-site, are required to sign in using the Government and School QR code. Face masks are to be worn at all times. Thank you for your understanding in helping us to keep our school community safe.
Student Learning Conversations (Parent Teacher Interviews)
Student Learning Conversations have been rescheduled to Tuesday 17 August and Wednesday 18 August. Information on how to book your time for the Student Learning Conversations was sent out via email to parents. Unfortunately restrictions and density limits continue to be in place which do not allow for face-to-face interviews. Parents have the option to choose from a Google Meet or phone conversation. We look forward to sharing your child’s learning progress, achievements and learning goals with you.
Planning for 2022 School Year
Intention to return to Mary MacKillop in 2022
Student numbers impact significantly on staffing levels and class structures for the following year. An Operoo form has been sent to all families with students in Foundation to Year 5 asking for your child/s intention to return OR not to return in 2022. We ask that all families please complete this formas soon as possible in order to allow for future planning and class structures.
2022 Class Placements
Teachers will begin planning for our 2022 classes at the end of Term 3. We respect and value parent input and ask that you email me – ejones@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au, or put in writing, if you have information about your child that could impact on their placement for 2022. Please ensure your request is sent by Friday 27 August. Parents please be mindful of the following:
- Requests should be based on individual student needs.
- Requests are forwarded onto staff when placing students into their 2022 classes.
- Staff use a range of information to ensure an effective balance within classes across the level and to provide an optimal learning environment for all students.
- Please be aware that your letters of request are not a guarantee, they provide an opportunity for your input and assist us in the process of class placements.
- Please note that requests made in previous years are not necessarily considered in the process, so previous information provided by parents regarding their child’s placement will need to be re-submitted if the concerns expressed in previous years are still relevant for consideration in 2022.
School Advisory Committee [SAC] AGM - Tuesday 31 August at 7.00 pm
We will be holding our SAC Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 31 August at 7.00 pm.
Nomination forms for positions on the School Advisory Committee 2021 – 2022 are available from the Administration Office or you can request a nomination form via email frontdesk@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au.
The responsibilities of the School Advisory Committee are to:
- promote the Catholic ethos of the school
- provide feedback on and review of school policies
- plan for the future of the school and its ability to accommodate future enrolments
- provide advice on budget planning and finance-related matters
- contribute to the selection process for the school principal (when the position is advertised)
- provide advice on the appropriate provision of faith development and Religious Education programs
- promote child safety in the school
We look forward to seeing you there.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Feast of Mary MacKillop
Today we held our School Feast Day celebrations for 2021 working within COVID safe plan restrictions. Students and staff got into the spirit of the day wearing clothes and costumes depicting Colonial Australia as in the time of Mary MacKillop. It was a great day for our students and staff beginning the day with celebrating Mass in the Chapel and classes joining via Google Meet video live stream. Morning tea was a highlight for many enjoying the yummy traditional old-fashioned scones with butter and jam. This was followed with class groups enjoying many activities to raise funds for Mary MacKillop today Charity Foundation. We too like, our patron and School foundress Mary MacKillop enjoyed spending time with children having fun, being with friends and playing games of the times. Many thanks to all student, their families and staff for supporting the day’s celebrations.
Sacrament of Baptism
Congratulations to Isla in 5AB who was welcomed into the Parish of Our Lady Help of Christians through the Sacrament of Baptism. God’s blessings to you Isla as you begin your faith journey as a new member of the Catholic Church.
Winter Appeal
Many thanks to families who have donated wipes and facial tissues. The Appeal will continue into next week.
Shanti Bhavan Children's Project
All donations for this special cause organized by Tanisha Cowell can be sent to the School Office. Supporting this outreach project affirms our baptismal call to put our faith into action. This not for profit residential school located in Bangalore India provides education and accommodation for children from poorer socio-economic situations. Donations of clothing, linen and stationery are greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.
Fan the Flame - Towards Plenary Assembly One October 2021
‘Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well’ Matthew 6:25-34
The Church signifies and builds up the shared life of God’s kingdom. This calls all members of the Church to continual conversion from self-serving egoism to self-giving love and a willingness to “bear each other’s burdens” (Gal 6:2).
(Instrumentum Laboris #83)
www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/fantheflame/
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Sunday, August 8, 2021
John 6:41-51 Jesus responds to the murmurs of the crowd, who wonders what he means when he says that he came down from heaven.
In next Sunday’s Gospel Jesus’ words help us understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us. Jesus tells us that when we listen to God, we will learn that Jesus comes from God, and he tells us that when we believe that Jesus comes from God, we begin to see things more clearly. When we believe that Jesus is from God, we can also believe that Jesus gave us his Body and Blood in the Eucharist, which we celebrate at Mass. When we believe this and receive Jesus in the Eucharist, Jesus promises that we will live with God forever in heaven.
WELLBEING
Nurturing young boys’ friendships
Statistically little boys tend to struggle more than little girls in transitioning to big school. Having a friend at school can make a huge difference to our boys.
View the article below for further insights:
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 Isuru Weliwatte 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 BULLETIN
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こんにちは、
This week in Japanese club, Grade 2’s made ポケモン (Pokémon) Origami to celebrate Pokémon 25th anniversary!
Foundation 100 Days of School - Monday 2nd August
A very excited bunch of Foundation students arrived Monday morning all dressed up as 100 year olds! This was to celebrate their first 100 days of learning at school - all Foundies are now 100 days smarter! The students enjoyed a day full of activities, including counting, sorting, creating and making items. To complete the day each student received a certificate from their Buddy congratulating them on their accomplishments.
The Foundation teachers couldn’t be prouder of all students as they continue on their learning journey.
