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Our Explicit Improvement Agenda
Student Voice and Agency
Planning for improved student learning - key focus in Mathematics
Celebrating Learning- Social Justice
Please note School Assembly will start at 2.15pm tomorrow. Maria Fracalossi, Student and Youth Engagement Officer from Catholic Mission will be visiting & will be sharing a brief presentation at Assembly.
Celebrating in our School Community
School Athletics
Our whole school athletics day was held yesterday at Casey Fields. Firstly, congratulations to all students who participated in the day so well. Your skill, compassion and gratitude was evident right throughout the day’s events. Well done to all. Once again a huge thanks to Mr Timothy and all staff for their organisation and preparation. Also, sincere thanks to our parent volunteers. By working in partnership with each other, we were able to move through the whole school program with ease. We truly value everyone’s contribution to a most successful and enjoyable day.
Parent helpers to assist with Grandparents Morning Tea
We kindly ask for some parent helpers to assist with the setting up and serving of tea/coffee at our Grandparents morning tea on Thursday 24th October. If you are available to assist from 9.45am - 11.15am, please email frontdesk@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au OR alternatively leave your name at the Office so we can prepare a MMPS apron and badge for you.
We are very much looking forward to this very special celebration of all the Grandparents in our school community.
School Advisory Committee [SAC] Meeting - Annual General Meeting - Tuesday 22 October, 2024 at 7.00 pm
The Annual General Meeting of the SAC will be held on Tuesday 22 October - 7.00 pm in the Boardroom. Nomination forms for parent representative positions on the School Advisory Committee 2024-2025 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 2023-2024 School Advisory Committee comprises of the following members:
- Chairperson - Liz Jones
- Parish Priest - Fr. Michael Willemsen
- Parent Representative - Danielle Davis (Secretary)
- Parent Representative - Stephanie Miller
- Parent Representative - Marina Valladares
- Parent Representative - Louise Broadhurst
- Staff Representative - Helen Fourna
- Staff/Parish Representative - Lize Privitera
Please don’t hesitate to email or make contact with the office OR a member of the School Advisory Committee if you have any questions.
Term 3 Student Learning Portfolios
Just a reminder that Term 3 Student Learning Portfolios are due back now so your child can continue to document and celebrate their learning journey.
Student feedback
An integral part of our cycle of teaching and learning is student feedback. Every week, staff record and acknowledge feedback to students and this is shared with them in class and via the school newsletter, at Assembly and in MMPS News on Wednesday mornings. Read on for this week’s feedback to students.
Well done to ALL Year 5 students for their participation in the Year 5 Toolangi Camp. Students were challenged by a few activities and put out of their comfort zone, however displayed quality social values. Some students used courage to have a go at activities requiring a harness and high climbs, while others showed empathy by supporting and encouraging them. The Year 5s were responsible with all camp equipment and respectful when interacting with camp staff. Overall it was a fun learning experience for all Year 5 students!
Well done to 4FW for the varied and interesting persuasive text titles you generated - I can't wait to read the finished text!
Fantastic work to all Year 3 students with your respectful behaviours and remaining reverent during our Reconciliation Celebration last week. We were so proud of the responses you gave during our celebration on the ways to forgive others and to let go of grudges. Well done!
Well done to all Year 1 students who have showed a big improvement when lining up after play times. It is great to see you sitting in straight lines ready to enter the building again. Keep it up!
The First Aid attendant was very impressed with students who needed first aid. He found our students to be very polite and showed wonderful manners.
Amazing work Year 2’s for cheering each other on during our Athletics Day. You had a great positive attitude and should be proud of your efforts.
Amazing job to the 6 MV and FGN buddies on the way you have supported each other in preparation for your Buddy Mass. You were respectful and reverent in the way you interacted with each other and through the Mass practices.
Well done in particular to the Year 6’s who were helpful and caring towards their buddies in FGN. Great Job!
WHOLE SCHOOL COLOUR FUN RUN
What an amazing start to this fundraising event. We love our students enthusiasm and efforts so far! Many students are looking forward to a fun filled school event, raising funds and earning prizes at the same time. Thank you to all sponsors and those making donations. Keep up the great effort!
A PAM permission form for the event has been sent home for each child today. Please ensure that you complete the form by the due date - 6 November.
Assembly
Please note School Assembly will start at 2.15pm tomorrow. Maria Fracalossi - Student and Youth Engagement Officer from Catholic Mission will be visiting & will be sharing a brief presentation at Assembly.
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Mark 10:35-45 (shorter form Mark 10:42-45)
Jesus teaches that those who wish to be great must be the servant of all.
In next Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus talks about leaders. He speaks about what it means to be a leader in the Kingdom of God. Jesus came to teach us about God’s love and forgiveness and to save us from sin. He shows us how to be a Christian leader by being helpful and loving to others. We can be leaders too. When we put others’ needs before our own and look for small ways to be helpful each day and to get along with others, we are being leaders.
Mission Month
World Mission Day is on Sunday 20th October. Let's take this wonderful opportunity together to reflect on our shared mission and the incredible impact we can make together. World Mission Day is a time to celebrate the global impact of our collective efforts. By participating in Socktober, our students are learning about empathy, compassion, and the importance of helping others.
Pope Francis' World Mission Day message invites us to “Go and invite everyone to the banquet”. This call to action highlights the importance of inclusion, union, and compassion. By participating in your child’s fundraiser during the month of October you are uniting with other schools all over the country to bring opportunities to children around the world.
The students in our School will be participating in fundraising efforts as outlined in the schedule attached below. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thursday 24th October Special Morning Tea and Grandparents Mass
The morning schedule is outlined below. Families with grandparents can attend some or all the events. Invitations have been prepared and sent home with students.
WHEN: Thursday, 24th October - 10.45am - 11.15am - Morning Tea in the Lomas Gym
- 11.30 - 12.15 Mass celebration in the Allen Hall
- 12.20 - 12.40pm Time in Classrooms
Photos of grandparents and families can be sent to lprivitera@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au A PowerPoint presentation will be created and presented during the mass. All photos must be in by COB 21/10/24. Look for your special invitation which was sent home recently. Any parents who would like to assist with helping out at the morning tea please see our friendly Office staff.
INVITATION FROM FR MICHAEL, Parish Priest OLHC Narre Warren
Pope Francis has dedicated 2024 as the Year of Prayer, in anticipation of the Jubilee Year of 2025. To celebrate the Year of Prayer, I would like to invite all families from Mary MacKillop Primary school to pray the Rosary together with your Parish family on the 23rd of October 2024 from 7pm to 7:30pm.
The Parish Rosary is prayed every Wednesday night online via Zoom and you are invited to join in from the comfort of your own homes. My hope is that this will encourage many of our school families to pray together in the month of the Rosary in a way that could lead to regular family prayer, which always bears much fruit in those relationships.
If anyone participating has a particular intention that they would like to be prayed for, please feel free to put them in the chat room once logged in. Families interested in participating are asked to send an email to Lize Privitera at lprivitera@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au. In compliance with safeguarding procedures, a response email will contain the Parish Zoom link. Families are requested not to share the link with others.
Thank-you for considering this request.
Fr Michael
Thank you to those families who have already set up their child's profile and started fundraising. We have had an absolutely fantastic response this week. Each Friday at assembly we will let you know our latest tally! Don't forget, the more money you raise, the more prizes you can win too!
A PAM eform was sent out today with more information for parents, together with a permission to participate in the colour fun run. Please complete it by the due date 6 November.
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
Child Safe Policy
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
Parental Use of Mobile Phones (Privacy Laws)
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 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
CCYP - Commission for Children and Young People https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/
BRAVEHEARTS - https://bravehearts.org.au
DANIEL MORCOMBE FOUNDATION - Day for Daniel Wear RED, EDUCATE, DONATE - Friday 25th October. Students are invited to wear something red and support this worthy case by donating a gold coin on the day.
Celebrating Children's Week
With Children’s Week around the corner (19-27 October 2024), we're encouraging parents, carers and other trusted adults to talk to your children about how to create, connect and explore the wonders of technology in a safe and appropriate way. Here’s some ideas to get you started!
We are a Happy Families School!
Our school is subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources. We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL (unique to our school) and password.
Unique URL - https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/mmnwn
Password - happymmnwn
We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you. The latest weekly Insight Article: 15 Ways to Raise Kids Who Bounce Back: No Fluff, Just Grit (see attachment)
School TV
https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news
SPECIAL REPORT: The Cost of Living Crisis
In our ever-changing economic landscape, parents and caregivers are increasingly faced with the task of broaching the subject of growing expenses with their children. While the instinct may be to shield young people from life’s challenges, there's a growing belief that addressing real-world issues, including financial uncertainties, can actually foster resilience and understanding. Striking a balance between protection and education is crucial for those looking to empower their children.
To effectively introduce the topic of finances, we need to be mindful of the timing and setting of the conversation. Using straightforward, age-appropriate language helps maintain transparency, and openly discussing adjustments to the family budget can carry significant weight. By encouraging children to participate in finding creative ways to save and make thoughtful spending choices, parents can nurture a sense of responsibility.
This Special Report offers a valuable opportunity to enhance children's financial literacy, equipping them with the resilience needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-cost-living-crisis-au