Our Explicit Improvement Agenda

Student Voice and Agency

Planning for improved student learning

Celebrating student learning

Japanese Culture Day

We are very much looking forward to celebrating our Japanese Cultural Day tomorrow - Friday 14 October.  Sensei has done an amazing job planning and preparing a fantastic day full of activities for students to be immersed in Japanese Culture and to experience the Japanese language, rituals and festivals. More information on the Japanese Day is included in the newsletter and we will have photos of the day published in the newsletter next week.  Arigato gozaimasu Sensei! 

ありがとうございました

Year 5 and Year 6 Camps

Year 5 and Year 6 students have completed their camp experiences.  Year 5 attended Toolangi Adventure camp and Year 6 students attended The Ranch in Cape Schanck.  A very big thank you to our Senior Teachers on their planning, preparation and organisation of these camps and to the staff that attended the camps.  A big thank you to our parents who took the time to provide such positive feedback to our staff for their efforts.  We have included some photos from the camps in the newsletter below.

2023 Foundation Students Transition to School Program

Our 2023 Foundation Students Transition to School Program is well underway with the first Google Meet held on Monday 10 October.  Thank you to our new and existing families and their 2023 Foundation child for joining in our Google Meet.  The first Google Meet session focused on a social story about starting school at Mary MacKillop.  We look forward to seeing our 2023 students at our next Google Meet session on Monday 24 October.

Term 3 Student Learning Portfolios

Term 3 Student Learning Portfolios were due to be returned this week on Monday 10 October for students in Foundation to Year 4 and Monday 17 October for our Year 5 and Year 6 students. 

School Advisory Committee - Annual General Meeting Tuesday 18 October, 7.00 pm in the Staffroom

The Annual General Meeting of the SAC is fast approaching.  Nomination forms for parent representative positions on the School Advisory Committee 2022-2023 are available from the Administration Office.  Alternatively you can request a nomination from via email frontdesk@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au.

The responsibilities of the SAC 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

Our current 2021-2022 School Advisory Committee 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

Face-to-face liturgies are permitted with COVID Safe measures implemented. There are no longer vaccination requirements for parents, guardians or carers attending a Mass / Liturgy celebration held on school grounds whether held indoors or outdoors.(DOSCEL update 26 April 2022)

When attending a celebration please sign in at the office and ensure that you are wearing your visitor sticker.  We do ask that all parents and visitors in our school that your mobile phones are either switched off, on silent and put away during prayer and liturgical celebrations. Thank you.

Grandparents and elderly are invited to attend a special whole school mass celebration – next week, followed by morning tea on Thursday 20th October beginning with 9.30am Mass in MMPS Allen Hall. Please see invitation sent home last week.

October is Mission Month

This year our school is participating in Socktober for Mission Month. We are partnering with Catholic Mission to invite our students to connect with young people experiencing challenges in the developing world through education and the world game of soccer. 

This year, our collective fundraising efforts will support vulnerable children in Ethiopia who are experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition. One example of what we are supporting is the Deberety Farm project in Emdibir, four hours from the capital, which aims to address these issues, primarily by raising goats that produce life-giving milk for infants who are most at risk. 

As a school, we can contribute in a special way, family and friends are invited to sponsor the 5 goals your child/ren kick.  The Socktober Event will kick off on Grandparents Day, where the students will begin making their own special Sockball to be used during the Socktober Shootout held during the following week.

Please come and join us if you are able on Grandparents Day.

 More news - students will need various materials to bring from home to make a sockball. Class teachers will let students know what is needed.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Luke 18:1-8

Jesus urges his disciples to pray and not lose heart, for God hears and answers prayers.

In next Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a woman who is persistent. She asks a judge for what she wants.

When we present our needs to God in prayer, it is called prayer of petition. We are familiar with this form of prayer because we offer this form of prayer at Mass in the Prayer of the Faithful.

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 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-bulletin/

Dear Parents and Carers,

A reminder we will be having a whole school Japanese Cultural day tomorrow on Friday the 14th of October. Students will be participating in a range of Japanese language and cultural activities throughout the day.

 We warmly invite our school community to attend our Japanese Day Assembly at 9:00AM on the day. 

Students are encouraged to dress up in Japanese and Japanese inspired clothing.

Simple ideas for dress up include:

• A white shirt and red circle for the Japanese flag.
• Black T-shirt and pants (ninja).
• Pokémon, Nintendo or Anime themed shirts or jumpers.
• Karate uniforms.
• Kimono style dressing gowns. 

We kindly ask you do not send your child with props such as swords or ninja stars.

Year 5 News - Camp Toolangi

On Wednesday 5th October - Friday 7th October, the Year 5s went to Camp Toolangi. We had a fantastic time! 

I liked the high ropes because it was very challenging and I like to face my fears. I liked the food a lot and overall it was a very good camp! - Telina (5-SD) 

I enjoyed camp a lot. I enjoyed abseiling, crate climbing and the high ropes course. It had a very nice view and we had lots of fun in the cabins with our friends. It was a very good camp! - David (5-SD) 

I liked the cabins because they were well put together and had bunk beds. The food was not what I expected - it was even better and very yummy! The activities were very fun - my favourite was abseiling because it really challenged me. - Kate (5-SD)

I liked the abseiling because it was scary at first but when you were actually up there it wasn’t as scary. I liked the food too and sleeping in the cabins. Camp was fun! - Lennox (5-SD) 

I liked the high ropes course because it felt high and I had to face my fears. I really liked the crate climbing too because it required a lot of teamwork and cooperation. Camp was the best! - Dennis (5-SD) 

I really enjoyed doing abseiling and spending time with my friends in my cabin. I had really good friends in my cabin. - Joshua S (5-AB) 

Camp was really fun! I really enjoyed the crate climb - I challenged myself with getting up to four crates high! The activity nights with the trivia and movie night were a lot of fun! - Kiera (5-AB) 

I really liked that there was never a dull moment on camp - we were always doing something. I really enjoyed the activities, especially abseiling, which was my favourite! - Ethan (5-AB)

Some aspects of camp were challenging, such as the flying fox because I found it too high. I did challenge myself with abseiling. Overall I really enjoyed camp and I would do it again!  - Katelyn (5-AB) 

I loved camp because you get to do some experiences that you wouldn’t normally do that pushes you out of your comfort zone. I cannot wait to go to Year 6 camp next year! - Tylane (5-AB)

Here are a few photos from the Year 6 campers....

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 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.

For families -  https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/parent-resources/online-safety-for-every-family

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
• Downloadable resources to help you start the chat about online safety issues and strategies with your child.

CCYP - Commission for Children and Young People https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/

Bravehearts https://bravehearts.org.au/

Parenting Ideas

SchoolTV is all about supporting schools and their communities with the challenges of raising happy, confident, resilient and mentally healthy young people.

October is Mental Heath Month, parents can access some wonderful resources to help support your children. Click on the School TV tab on the school website or click the link https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/channel-newsletter/314

Daniel Morcombe Foundation

• Get RED, ready for Day for Daniel 2022! Friday 28 October 2022
• Wear Red • Educate • Donate!
• Gold coin donation is requested on the day. Thank you for your support.