Our Explicit Improvement Agenda

Student Voice and Agency

Planning for Improved Student Learning - key focus in Mathematics

Celebrations of Community

Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week with the culmination of a very special week taking place on Thursday where we had our whole school Mass and Student Led Fundraisers.  The Student Led Fundraisers are an exemplary example of our faith in action, our call to serve others and the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching alive in our school community.

'I am making all things new' Revelations 21:5

Celebrating the beginning of Winter - Beanie Day Fundraiser gold coin donation

All students, staff and parents are invited to wear their favourite beanie for a gold coin donation on Monday 3 June to celebrate the beginning of Winter!! 

Student feedback

Each week as a school community, we stop to reflect on the amazing things our students are collectively doing in their classroom and on the playground.  Here is this week’s feedback . . .

Week 6 student feedback

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Lightning Premiership Sports last week. It was great to see sportsmanship throughout the day. During one of the soccer games, a boy from another school was playing goalie. He really didn’t know what he was doing and kept throwing the ball in allowing Mary Mac students to kick easy goals. The goalie became very upset and overwhelmed, and ended up leaving the field. At the end of the game the Mary Mac students went up to the boy from the other school and patted him on the back. They made comments such as, “Better luck to you next time.” “Don’t worry, we all had to learn how the game works too.” “Being the goalie is actually a hard job.” The Mary Mac students displayed empathy and sportsmanship during this time. Well done to the team - we are very proud of you for being good sports. 

Week 7 student feedback

Great work from Year 5 students this week - showing respect and responsibility when CRTs were in your room.

Amazing work from Year 4 students who experiences their first Student Fundraiser this year - the mixture of charities being supported and the creative ideas for stalls was so exciting to see - Great job!

Well done 4FW for the detailed information reports you are producing - lots of facts, images and data included so far - looking forward to hearing your presentations.

Fantastic efforts and congratulations to all students who led fundraisers last week during Catholic Education Week. Students showed great engagement and commitment to their chosen charity and enacted their responsibility towards helping others in need by raising funds. Great teamwork and desire to live the Good News! Well done students!

Fr Michael and the Parish team were very thank you for the kind and thoughtful messages sent on the video to the Parish. He sent his best wishes to all students and your families for the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians.

It is so wonderful to see and hear students from all levels in the school present a reading during assemblies and whole school Masses. So many students find this experience nerve racking, yet show courage and do an amazing job. Keep it up everyone! 

Well done to the Year 2 students for welcoming Miss Broomhall to Mary MacKillop. You have definitely made her feel welcome in our school. 

Fantastic work Year 3 students in your eagerness and presentation skills with your information reports - we are very proud of the effort you have put in to your work!

PSG Meetings NCCD Information to parents

Throughout Term 2 we have held our PSG (Parent Support Group) meetings for students who have Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) or Student Adjustment Evaluation Plans (SAEPs).  Thank you to parents for working in partnership with us to support your child on their learning journey.  The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) for students with disability and/or adjustments in their learning takes place each year.  The NCCD is a collection that counts the number of students at school receiving an adjustment or assistance due to disability and the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.  The NCCD Information Sheet for parents is attached to this newsletter. 

School Photo update - Message to our school community from Advancedlife Photography

'Advancedlife would like to apologise for the  delay in the distribution of the school photographs. We recently implemented new software and systems to enhance our photo processing and delivery procedures. Unfortunately, unforeseen technical issues arose during this transition period, causing delays in editing, processing, and ultimately delivering the final products to you. We understand the importance of these school photographs, capturing precious moments and memories that will be treasured for years to come. We deeply regret that our new systems and software issues have jeopardized the timely delivery of this year’s school photo packages.

We want to assure you that every effort is being made to speed up the delivery process without compromising the quality of the final product. Measures have been put in place to prevent such delays from happening again, and we are committed to ensuring a smoother and more efficient distribution process moving forward. All our staff understand that you have placed your trust in us to capture and deliver these important school memories. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we are dedicated to making this right for you.

We are truly grateful for the opportunity to serve your school community. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the delay or if you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Advancedlife directly on 9852 1133. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we are here to assist you in any way we can.

Thank you for your understanding - Advancedlife Photography.'

Staffing

Mrs Sally Lane is on LSL leave from Monday 3 June to Friday 14 June, Mrs Helen Fourna is currently on bereavement leave and I will be attending School Review at another DOSCEL school next week.  Mrs Lize Privitera will be Acting Principal in my absence.  As mentioned in previous newsletters, there is a critical teacher shortage and every attempt is made with ou  teacher agencies to fill positions on a daily basis. 

School Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting

On Tuesday 21 May at 7.00 pm we held our second SAC meeting for the 2024 school year.  Items for discussion included Child Safety, OH&S, Principal Report, REL Report, Staff Report and General Business.  The SAC comprises of nominated parent representatives and provides an opportunity for school staff and parents to work in partnership, share and discuss the many events happening in the life of our school.  Thank you to Lize Privitera (Deputy Principal) and Helen Fourna (Staff Representative) and all staff for their contributions to our SAC meetings and to our parent representatives Danielle (Imogen and Jenson’s mum), Stephanie (Charlotte and Amelie’s mum), Marina (Ava and Matteo’s mum), Louise (Emma’s mum) and Yogesh (Maya’s dad) for giving of their time, talents, insights and for working in partnership with us.  Our next SAC Meeting will be held in Term 3.

Student Led Fundraisers

During Assembly last Friday, Student Led Fundraiser Groups concluded their competitions and distributed their stall prizes. The total amounts each group raised for their chosen charity was shared at Assembly today. Thank you once more for your support of our Catholic Education Week activities. Enthusiasm and excitement filled the hall as students from Foundation to Year 6 came by the stalls and encouraged each other's fundraising efforts. We should all congratulate the students and their families for planning, organizing, and cleaning up after every fundraising. We are really grateful to the parents that cleaned and swept the hallway. Your help was amazing! Our students activated student voice and agency through these Social Justice efforts, which showed their awareness, compassion, and outreach to those in need. Well done to all!

National Reconciliation Week

Every year on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.  National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.

This Week is National Reconciliation Week & the theme for 2024, is Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.  Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  With this in mind we pray.... 

National Reconciliation Prayer

Creator Spirit,

All creation once declared your glory,

Your laws were honoured and trusted,

Forgive us our neglect as our country approaches

the most critical moment in its history.

Listen to our prayer as we turn to you,

Hear the cry of our land and its people,

Just as you heard the cry of Jesus,

your Son, on the Cross.

Help us to replace our national shame

With true national pride by restoring the

dignity of our First People whose antiquity is

unsurpassed.

May our faith and trust in you increase.

Only then will our nation grow strong and be

a worthy place for all who wish to make their home in our land.

Amen.

© Elizabeth Pike, September 1997

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Melbourne.

SOCCER CLINICS 

In the last few weeks, students from years 1,2,5 and 6 have participated in Soccer clinics run by Football Star Academy. Other classes will have their opportunity next week.

SENIOR WINTER LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP DAY 

This event was held a fortnight ago for our senior students . Each child participated in a team in one of the following sports : Soccer , Netball, Kickball. All students did a fantastic job on the day.  One of our boys soccer teams won their tournament and will progress to the Divsion playoffs next term. Our girls soccer team were also Runners up.  Thank you to the parents who assisted on this day.

DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY 

This event was held at Sweeney Reserve last week. MMPS had 35 students represent the school. All our students gave their very best efforts and achieved fantastic results with our school having 14 students finish in the top ten in their race and qualify for the division carnival. That equates to 23% of all qualifiers for the Division Carnival being from our school.

The following students will compete at Toomuc Reserve this Wednesday:

Ethan E , Alex T, Katya K, Cassiana F, Thomas P, Noah C, Leah T, Jasmine P, Tyler S, Jovan L, Rafael P, Archer P, Alyra C, Dior I.

Year 2 students have been very busy during their Inquiry lessons over the last 5 weeks. They have been exploring what an engineer is and does, as well as the steps involved in the design process. Students have investigated paper plane designs and learnt about the four things that affect the way a plane flies; thrust, lift, drag and weight. Using their knowledge of these four factors, students investigated different plane designs. They created a ‘control’ plane and measured the distance it flew. Students then researched other designs and tried to create a plane that would fly further than their ‘control’ plane.

Students have enjoyed being introduced to The Resilience Project this Semester. They have explored and reflected on GEM (Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness) and Emotional Literacy. We have been incorporating these terms into our daily learning in order to help students recognise the importance of managing their wellbeing and looking out for one another.

Year 3 students have been beginning to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history.

Recently, learning areas across the school have a display of the three flags - Australian flag, Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag - to grow in our connection and understanding. The Aboriginal flag represents the Aboriginal people of Australia, and their unique and ancient culture, while the Australian National Flag represents all Australians and their common traditions and beliefs. The Torres Strait Islander Flag is emblazoned with a white Dhari (headdress) which is a symbol of Torres Strait Islanders. The white five pointed star beneath it symbolises peace, the five major island groups and the navigational importance of stars to the seafaring people of the Torres Strait.

The students explored Aboriginal artwork and created their own guernseys inspired from the AFL ‘Sir Doug Nicholls’ round - another way of celebrating and making connections to Indigenous culture. 

Year 3 students began to grow in their understanding around ‘National Sorry Day’ and what reconciliation means. Students responded through artwork inspired from Aboriginal symbols and drawings.

In 6MV we chose the Mary MacKillop quote ‘Our courage should rise with difficulties and obstacles’ 1890.

We chose this quote because in Year 6 we have to rise with difficulties and obstacles being leaders of the school. We have to be courageous, respectful,  responsible, compassionate and a problem solver and sometimes that can be challenging but we need to try and overcome these difficulties and rise above it.

We have chosen the dove as our prayer cloth symbol, as it represents the way we should rise up through our difficulties just as Jesus would. We have included the Aboriginal Art which is around the wings of the dove which represents our respect to the owners here before us.

We wrote our names in the dove's wings because we see ourselves as doves as we all rise through our obstacles and challenges together.

Avi:  We designed this prayer mat for our class

Ariana: We acknowledge Indigenous and Torres strait Islanders on our mat with their artwork 

Scarlett: We have used the Mary Mackillop quote “Go forth in strength and courage” 

Izzy: We have put our footprints on our mat

Peter: They represent the journey we are on as Foundation students 

Mia: Which is learning about numbers and letter, making friends, learning about God and Jesus

Chris: As we go on our journey we need to be brave and have strength to keep going,  even when things are tough!

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

At Mary MacKillop Primary School, we believe that ensuring the safety of the students in our care is an integral part of who we are as a Catholic faith community. We adhere to Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order No. 1359.  We embed a culture of child safety and the matter is taken very seriously.

MMPS Child Safe Standards

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