All parents, families and friends are invited to celebrate Mass and Reconciliation during the term.  The attachment outlines class and school celebrations for the term. When attending a celebration please sign in at the School Office.

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.

Than kyou to all family members who were able to attend our School mass yesterday celebrating Grandparents. It was great to welcome back this annual event held here at Mary MacKillop School after the past two years of COVID restrictions.  This event is one of the highlights of the year and seeing so many faces reminded us of the importance of coming together in faith. The morning event was very well supported and we thank grandparents and friends for joining us for Mass and visiting the classrooms.  Thank you to the Office staff who organised the morning tea, to all those who helped with setting up the areas, to staff and students who welcomed family members to their classrooms.

A great occasion shared today with all members of the school community.

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.  The Socktober Shoot out event will be held during class time next week. Family and friends are invited to sponsor the 5 goals your child/ren kick. Please send raised funds to your child’s class. Each class has a special collection sock to hold the donations. Your support is greatly appreciated. Students can wear their favourite socks with their sports uniform on the day.

All Saints' Day- November 1 and the Feast of All Souls – November 2

During the month of November, we remember all of the people we have loved who have died and give thanks for the special place they have in our hearts. To remember those who we have loved and who are no longer with us, families may wish to write the names of their loves ones on a card attached to the special knitted poppies displayed in the front Welcome during the second week of November leading up to Remembrance Day. Cards are available from the School Office.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Luke 18:9-14

Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee who prayed from his self-importance and the tax collector who prayed humbly.

In next Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about how to pray. One person is proud. The other is humble. The Pharisee brags about himself when he prays. Ask: Is he humble or proud? The tax collector is humble. Jesus wants us to be humble like the tax collector. Pray together as a family that God will give you the grace to be humble. When we are humble, we recognize our dependence and need for God. We acknowledge that God is the source of any talents that we have, and we recognize that any good that we are able to do is because of God's grace working in us.

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.

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
  • Our school has a membership with Parenting Ideas. As part of this membership, you can attend the upcoming webinar ‘Handling tricky friendship days’ at no cost. In this webinar, Michelle Mitchell offers a set of practical guiding principles to help empower children to handle tricky friendship days. Please refer to the attached flyer:
  • Parenting Ideas

    Parenting Ideas 134.82 KB
• School TV
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  Daniel Morcombe Foundation
  • Get RED, ready for Day for Daniel 2022! Friday 28 October 2022
  • Wear something Red • Educate • Donate!
  • Gold coin donation is requested on the day. Thank you for your support.
  • Now in its 18th year, Day for Daniel is Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day. Held on the last Friday of October, this year it will take place on Friday 28 October. In recent years, more than 1.5million Australians have united with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation (DMF) to raise child safety awarenessand remember Daniel.Day for Daniel urges Australians to wear red, educate and donate. Child safety activities will be conducted  and focus on keeping kids safe, and raising funds for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.In 2022, Day for Daniel’s theme is brave conversations. As a School in the Diocese of Sale, we believe Day for Daniel is the perfect opportunity to have brave conversations with children around personal safety in the real and online world.All DOSCEL school are  supporters of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, who help keep children safe and promote the annual Day for Daniel event.