Our Explicit Improvement Agenda

Student Voice and Agency

Planning for improved student learning

Celebrating Student Learning

Yesterday was a very exciting day in our school year.  Students were given the option to dress up as their favourite Book character as part of our Book Week celebrations.  Congratulations to all our students and their families on the very creative versions of their favourite characters.  It is a wonderful way to celebrate our love of books and reading.  Well done to everyone for their enthusiasm and participation in this very special event.

Welcome Interviews - 2023 Foundation students

Over the next two weeks, we are welcoming our 2023 Foundation students through our Welcome Interviews.  It is wonderful to meet new and existing families!  As part of our transition to school, all 2023 Foundies are provided with a welcome transition pack.  A very big thank you to Mrs Glass and our Foundation teachers - Mrs Lane and Miss Di Biase for all their work and preparation in welcoming our 2023 students and making our students and families so welcome to our school community.

Father’s Day Celebrations

Our school community is very much looking forward to celebrating our Father’s Day Breakfast on Friday 2 September.  Information regarding the breakfast was sent to families via PAM early last week.  We ask all families attending the breakfast to RSVP by today - Thursday 25 August, so we can adequately cater for everyone attending.  The eform will close off tonight as we will be placing the breakfast food order tomorrow.   The timetable for the morning of the breakfast is as follows:

• Father’s Day Breakfast - serving bacon and egg rolls from 7.30 am - 8.30 am
• Time in classrooms with your child - prayer, Father’s Day activity from 8.35 am - 9.00 am
• Father’s Day Special Assembly - in the Allen Hall from (including Father’s Day School Community Raffle) 9.00 am - 10.00 am approximately 

We look forward to celebrating this very special time with our dads.

Father's Day Stall - Wednesday 31st August.  All items $5 plus a limited number of 'mystery gifts' at $2 each.

Planning for 2023 School Year

2023 Class Placements - Teachers will begin planning for our 2023 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 2023.  Please ensure your request is sent by Friday 9 September, 2022.  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 2023.

School Advisory Committee [SAC] Meeting - Tuesday 30 August

The next SAC Meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 August at 7.00 pm in the Staffroom.  Our SAC comprises of the following members:

• Chairperson - Liz Jones
• Parish Priest - Fr. Brendan Hogan
• Parent Representative - Danielle Davis (Secretary)
• Parent Representative - Julie Gubbels
• Parent Representative - Stephanie Miller
• Parent Representative - Marina Valladares
• Staff Representative - Helen Fourna
• Staff/Parish Representative - Lize Privitera

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Gospel Reading

Luke 14:1,7-14

In next Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about doing good deeds, such as giving to others, without expecting anything in return.  Jesus tells a parable that describes who is invited to the Kingdom of God and he invites us to give to those who are in need without expecting anything in return. We build up the Kingdom of God when we give in this way.

Our Lady Help of hristians Parish

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

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 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 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 Resources to support Students, Parents/Carers

• eSafety Commissioner https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents.
  • NEW online safety for every family:
    • The ‘Online safety for every family’ resources will give parents and carers the confidence to talk with their children about online safety. The resources also have important links and information to help if something bad does happen online. 
  • The videos and advice sheets cover:
    • Helping your family stay safe online
    • Getting started with social media 
    • Safer online gaming 
    • Getting help when your child is being bullied online
  • 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
  • "A sense of belonging involves more than simply knowing other people. It is also focused on gaining acceptance, attention, and support from others as well as having the opportunity to provide the same to other people."    Dr Emma Woodward
  • SPECIAL REPORT: Building Belonging Post Pandemic
  • Click on the link above to read more

• Bravehearts https://bravehearts.org.au/

National Child Safety Week 

Child Safety Week will be jointly celebrated by the Diocese of Sale and Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL) from 4-11 September 2022.  A range of resources is now available to support schools to celebrate Child Safety Week and are available on the DOSCEL website.

The Child Safety Week Competition was well supported and thank you to all those who encouraged students to enter and participate. There were many creative entries received.  We are very proud of and congratulate the following students who produced the winning designs from our School:

• Natalie and Summer from 6MV [Poster design]
• Tyler, Eden, Chuderl, Lucas, Jordan, Ella, Savannah, Emma, Gabriele, Jaxon, Logan, Nicholas, Mackenzie, and Maikeli from FSL and FCG [video production]

Also, congratulations to the following students who were awarded 'Honourable Mentions':

• Zariana and Sophia from 2EM

The winners will receive a certificate and their designs will be professionally printed and distributed to schools and parishes around the Diocese of Sale in time for Child Safety Week.  The winning designs are also available to view on the DOSCEL website.

The Foundation students have been very busy the last few weeks learning a new Inquiry topic, focusing on Geography learning outcomes. They have been learning about where we live and what is special about our local community. Here is a snapshot of student’s new knowledge:

Televina: “We have been learning about our community. There's a park, my swimming class and my school all in my community. A community is when everyone is close to each other and we have special places.”

Jade: “My favourite place in the community is the swimming pool because I get to go with my family.”

Gabriel: “We learnt about different places in our community like Kmart. My favourite place is the park.”

Ezekiel: “There are lots of things in my community, my house is a part of the community.”

Nick: “We have been learning about the map of Australia, the dot down the bottom is where we live- its Melbourne. We talked about all of the states.”

Savannah: “We learnt about the map of Australia, which is where we live. We learnt about Australian animals.”

Fabian: “We found Australia on the big map and some countries looked like the same shape. I learnt about some animals, like the ones on our Australian coins. The echidna and kangaroos only live in Australia. We have to get on a plane to go to other countries.”

Elina: “We learnt that Tasmania is not connected to Australia but it’s part of our country. We are a big island surrounded by water. Our school is in Melbourne.”

FOOTY AND TENNIS CLINICS

This week, all classes participated in tennis clinics from 'We are Tennis'. The coach John commented several times on how well behaved and skilled our students were. If your child is interested in participating in tennis lessons, please see the flyers attached in this newsletter.

In week 5 , students from years 2, 3,5 and 6 participated in footy clinics facilitated by AFL Victoria . Students in years 4, 1 and Foundation will have their session on September 13.