Our Explicit Improvement Agenda

Student Voice and Agency

Planning for improved student learning

Celebrating Student Learning

100 days of Learning

It’s that time of year again when our families and staff tease the grey hair, unpack the shawls, braces, stockings and gloves, borrow the walking sticks and get ready to celebrate 100 days of learning.  We are very keen to celebrate our Foundation students 100 days of learning next week on Monday 1 August.  This annual event is a much celebrated tradition at Mary MacKillop - we are very much looking forward to our Foundation students and staff transformation to 100!   

Senior Students Interschool Sport

Congratulations to our Senior Students on their participation in Interschool sport yesterday.  Students braved the wet weather and competed against other schools in our local area.  Many thanks to Mr Tim and Senior School staff for the organisation and rescheduling of this event.  With some school events continuing to be impacted by COVID-19, it was great for our Senior Students to have this opportunity.

2023 Foundation Students

Planning and preparation to welcome our 2023 Foundation Students is well underway.  The office is very busy preparing our 2023 Foundation transition packs.  All 2023 Foundation places are now filled and we are very much looking forward to welcoming our new Foundation students through our transition program and welcome interviews.  Many thanks to Mrs Glass - our student enrolment officer and to Mrs Lane and Miss Di Biase for their work and efforts to ensure our newest students easily transition, and are welcomed, into our school community.

SAVE THE DATE – Our annual school family mass celebration at Our Lady Help Christians Parish will be held on Saturday 6th August, 6.00pm Parish Mass. All families are invited to attend Mass and join together celebrating the Feast of Mary MacKillop. Thank you to those who have indicated their interest in taking on the following ministries during the mass. There are still a few opportunities left:

• a family is invited to be part of the Offertory procession,
• students are invited to read the prayers of the faithful,
•  students can join the choir,
• students can present symbols of our school values during the entrance procession,
• student leaders are invited to read & present our School banner.

Any family or student interested in taking on a role as listed above are asked to contact Mrs Privitera by email lprivitera@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au asap. All positions will be finalised within the next week.

Social Justice Outreach Initiative – Winter Appeal

Student representatives from Years 3-6 have worked together as members of the MacKillop Kids Group to organise this year’s Winter Appeal – this year our Appeal focuses on winter woollies in particular we are collecting SOCKS of all colours, size and make. Donations must be new, which can be left in the prepared collection boxes in classrooms this week. We thank you for your contribution to this important way of reaching out to those who are in need. Please refer to the attached flyer.

Seasons for Growth Learning to live with change and loss                            

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At Mary MacKillop School we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering a very successful education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence on later this term. This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need the practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks.  Every family will receive a notice in the near future with more details about the Seasons for Growth program. If you think your son or daughter would benefit from Seasons for Growth we would encourage you to talk to him/her about participating in the program. We are pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved. If you require further information please contact Lize Privitera. 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sunday, July 31, 2022

In next Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to share what we have with others. Jesus challenges us to remember that the goods of the world are intended to be shared by all.  Jesus, points out in this parable, that this man's flaw was that he was thinking only about himself and his own comfort and security. Each time we go to Mass, we ask forgiveness for what we have done and for what we have failed to do.

OLHC Parish

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 BULLETIN - Click on the link below to download the weekly newsletter. 

https://www.olhc.org.au/parish-bulliten/

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

New Child Safe Standards - Updates

The Child Safe Standards were updated on 1 July and they set out the minimum requirements and outline the actions organisations must take to keep children and young people safe. Although similar to Victoria’s current Child Safe Standards, key changes include new requirements:

• to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
• for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
• to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
• in relation to governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe.

More information on the new Child Safe Standards:

• Telephone: 1300 782 978 or (03) 8601 5281
• Email: contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
• Visit the Commission’s website: www.ccyp.vic.gov.au

Child Safe Standards and Parent use of Mobile Phones, Privacy Laws

We ask all parents to be mindful of their mobile phone usage, child safety and privacy laws when visiting our school.  During such times as morning Prayer time, Mass, Assemblies and school events/gatherings, we ask parents to turn off or put away their mobile phones and to respect the privacy of all students.  Photographs and video footage cannot be taken of students without parental permission.  Reminders of safe mobile phone usage will be shared with the school community at morning prayer times and assemblies.  On special occasions such as student awards at assemblies or student graduations, space will be made available for parents to photograph their child in a child safe way.  We thank you for working in partnership with us to respect the privacy of all our students.

Child Safe Policies

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

Child Safe Resources to support Students, Parents/Carers

• eSafety Commissioner https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents.
• CCYP - Commission for Children and Young People https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/
• School TV https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/category-latest-newsletter
• Bravehearts https://bravehearts.org.au/
• Parenting Ideas - 'Supporting a highly sensitive child'  
• Does your child seem sensitive to just about everything? Perhaps your child is highly sensitive. Around 30% of kids are highly sensitive. With supportive parenting these kids can flourish. View the attached article

Term 3 Fee Accounts and any arrears are due by Monday 1st August for all families who do not have a current direct debit arrangement in place.

Families who wish to set up a direct debit arrangement (weekly, fortnightly, monthly or termly payments) direct debit forms can be found in PAM on our website, or by contacting the office.

Families who are experiencing financial hardship can contact the office to discuss options available to support them in meeting their fee commitments.

Fee Accounts have been emailed to all families this week.

Next Friday 5th August is Census Day.  Please see privacy information below:

This week the Year 4s have been working on Historical Narratives and brushing up on their spelling. Students were asked how they learn best in both these areas. Here is how they responded.

IN 4CM when we are  working on a Historical Narrative we …….

• Put in capital letters and punctuation - Archer
• Think of ideas for my plan,do my draft and edit it - Alyra
• Work on my plan - Jayden
• Think about how I want my narrative to be - Layla
• Plan my story and do a draft before I edit and publish my work - Adrian

In 4HF to get better at spelling we are…………..

• practicing writing my words out in my homestudy book - Adrian 
• double checking my words to make sure all the words are correct  - Selina
• redoing my spelling test at home - Milania
• writing  my words out many times  - Cruz
• asking our parents to test me at home - Dior 

SENIOR WINTER LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP

After last term’s postponement due to weather, the senior students finally got to participate in the Winter Lightning Premiership Day yesterday at Timbarra and Berwick Grammar Schools. The students all had a great time, with matches played in good spirit and with some great skill. Both our girls soccer teams won their divisions. Our Boys soccer teams were both runners up. Our Year 6  footy team was runners up , with our year 5 team finishing 3rd, and our netballers also finished 3rd.

Congratulations to all students for representing school in a fantastic way yesterday.

This week in Discovery Centre, Foundation and Grade 1 students looked at collecting, sorting and displaying data. They used ipads and lego to create pictographs, patterns and bar graphs.