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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
Student Leaders Process – Year 5 students
Congratulations to all our Year 5 students who have nominated for student leadership positions. Speeches for School Leader, Faith Leader, Learning Leader and Environment Leader were held yesterday. The Speeches for our Sports Leaders will be held on Friday morning.
Our Year 5 students are to be commended on the quality and presentation of their leadership speeches. Their speeches highlight how very blessed and fortunate we are at Mary MacKillop to have such dedicated and passionate students who demonstrate our school values, not only through their speeches, but also in the way they congratulated and supported each other throughout the leadership formation and application process. Our students were inspirational in overcoming nerves, to memorise their speech and present them in an engaging way to our Year 5 and Year 4 students. We look forward to announcing the successful candidates for the following positions next week:
- School Leaders (x 2)
- Faith Leaders (x2)
- House Leaders (4 x 1 per House)
- Learning Leaders (x2)
- Environmental Leaders (x2)
Our student leaders play a very important role in our school community. They are ambassadors and role models for our school and participate in many and varied activities from leading assembly each week, guided school tours, Mass Ministries, sporting events, growing and selling garden produce. Our current Year 6 school leaders have been exemplary role models to all students in our school community. We are very proud of the leadership potential and development of our students and the school values they display in their interactions and leadership roles.
Year 6 Mass, Dinner and Graduation
Our Year 6 Liturgy and Graduation ceremony has been planned in accordance public health directions and DOSCEL guidelines. As communicated to our Year 6 families, all adults (Parents and adult family members) attending the Year 6 Mass on Thursday 9 December (6.00 pm at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish) and Year 6 Dinner and Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday 14 December (entry for Parents via Lomas Gym from 6.00 pm) MUST have evidence of their vaccination status that school staff are required to sight on entry. Parents and adult family members will also be required to register via the Government QR code.
2021 Staffing farewells
It is with very mixed emotions that we farewell the following staff from our school community at the end of the 2021 school year. While we are very sad to see the following staff leave, we are also very grateful and fortunate to have had them at Mary MacKillop - our school is richer because of them.
Peter McMahon – Buildings and Facilities - Our warmest congratulations to Pete on his retirement. Pete is one of our long standing staff members beginning at MMPS. He began his career here 21 years ago!! Pete has left an indelible mark on our school community and will be greatly missed, not only for being a Tigers supporter, but also for his knowledge and expertise of our school grounds and facilities. We will miss his presence and spirit which is encapsulated in Mary MacKillop's quote so aptly - "Never see a need without doing something about it." We wish Pete all the very best for this next phase in his life journey – happy retirement!
Tracey Dortmans – ESO Support - We wish Tracey all the very best as she undertakes leave from her role as an Education Support Officer. Tracey has been working at MMPS for a quarter of a century - 25 years!!! and in that time has supported students in the classroom with her artistic talents, in literacy and maths as well as targeted intervention through Lego Club. In her work at school, Tracey has exemplified the Mary MacKillop quote of "Finding happiness in making others happy." We wish Tracey all the very best as she undertakes time of rest and relaxation - it is time to literally put your feet up!! Our very best wishes to you Tracey!
Jessica Wator – ESO Support - We wish Jessica all the very best as she continues her career and University studies. Jessica has been working as an ESO for the past 5 years at Mary MacKillop Primary School. In her role at MMPS, Jessica has supported students in the classroom in literacy and maths and has offered targeted intervention to students through the Lego Club Social/Emotional program. In her work at school, Jessica has exemplified the Mary MacKillop quote “We must teach more by example than by word.” We wish Jessica all the very best as she continues her career in the psychology/philosophy field of education.
Annette Scott – Year 3 Teacher - Our congratulations to Annette on being appointed a teaching position at St. Agatha's in Cranbourne. We have been very lucky to have Annette's experience in teaching and contributions to the Middle level. While we know St. Agatha's will welcome her with open arms, we thank Annette for being on the journey with us for the past two years. Annette, as you venture over Cranbourne way, we are reminded of the words of Mary MacKillop “We are all but travellers here.” Go gently Annette.
Alex Maciszewski – Year 3 Teacher - We wish Alex all the very best as she continues on her teaching journey. Alex you are to be commended for the way you began your teaching career at Mary MacKillop in Term 3, 2020 - in Lockdown and Remote Schooling. Your ability to be flexible, adapt and target your students' learning within the context of COVID-19, Lockdown and in/out of Remote Schooling is remarkable and a testament to your teaching abilities. Mary MacKillop says "Go on with courage and strength" we hope you continue to be blessed with courage and strength in your teaching career.
Briana Whibley – ESO Support - Our warmest congratulations to Briana on accepting a temporary transfer ESO role at St. Clare's in Officer. In her role at MMPS, Briana has supported students in the classroom in literacy and maths, as well as targeted intervention to students through LLI and GRIN and 1-1 ESO support. In her work at school, Briana has exemplified the Mary MacKillop quote “We have much for which to be thankful.” Our gratitude and thanks to you Briana, not only for your work in supporting our students, but also for your farm fresh eggs!
2022 Staff and Grade information
The following grade structure will be in place for the 2022 school year:
2022 Timetable
Our 2022 Timetable will continue to be the same as this year and includes 6 learning blocks throughout the school day and a morning and afternoon class gathering. Below is an example of the 2022 Timetable and learning blocks.
Semester Two Reports
As per DOSCEL and VCAA Guidelines, the Semester Two Report will report on student progress in Religious Education, English and Mathematics. Learning Area descriptions for all subjects studied in Semester Two will be included in the Report along with evidence of student learning in the Student Learning Portfolio. Teacher comments on student progress will be included on the students’ learning samples in their Portfolio. The Semester Two Report, PLP documentation (where required) and Student Learning Portfolio will be distributed on Monday 13 December.
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair which was scheduled to be held at school from Thursday 2 December to Thursday 9 December, will be postponed to a date in 2022. More information about the Book Fair will be communicated to families in the 2022 school year. Thank you for your understanding at this very busy time of the school year. Please find below a message from Patricia Papanastasiou to school families. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Patricia (a very busy working mum, who has dedicated her time and energy to support our students’ reading opportunities and access to reading books both at the Book Fair and throughout the school year with Book Club orders - thank you Trish!!).
Dear families
As we have been preparing for this year's book fair, we were looking forward to hearing the buzz amongst the children as there has been in recent years, however, certain limitations have since transpired which has prompted us to make the difficult decision to postpone the event. There is nothing we love more than to put books into the hands of our wonderful students, so we encourage you to order via issue 8 of the Scholastic book club catalogue in place of the book fair. Issue 8 catalogues will be distributed soon. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Patricia Papanastasiou - Book Club Coordinator.
2021 Dates and School Events / 2022 Beginning of the school year
LEARNING AWARDS FROM WEEKS 7 - 9
Christmas Card Design Competition
Maria Kirkwood Director of Catholic Education/Diocese of Sale Chief Executive Officer in a recent circular to schools, reports that this year’s DOSCEL Christmas Card Design competition has been a great success. Once again, the high standard of the students’ artistic talent and creativity was evident in their entries. Maria is very pleased to announce the winners of the Christmas Card Design Competition. A link to the winning entries can be found here: https://www.ceosale.catholic.edu.au/christmas-card-competition
It is very pleasing to announce that Rafael from 6MV won a place in the category Best of School Entries. He will receive a Top 10 Entry Award Certificate and a set of 24 coloured pencils. Winning entries are published on the DOSCEL website. Well done Rafael – we are very proud of your efforts!
The Season Advent
Next Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. The key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.
Each week a grade level will lead the school in prayer. Thank you to the Junior level students and their teachers who will lead tomorrow’s Advent liturgy, focussing this week’s prayer celebration remaindering us that the season of Advent is a time of joyful waiting as we prepare to welcome Jesus.
Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle C
Sunday, December 05, 2021
Luke 3:1-6 John preaches repentance and baptizes in the region of the Jordan.
During Advent, we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth. We do this by making good choices. When we make a poor choice, we can choose to turn back to God and ask for forgiveness. Next Sunday we will hear about John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord.
Christmas Appeal supporting St Vincent de Paul
Not long until Christmas! Donations of suitable new toys for children aged 5-12 years would be appreciated in support of this year’s St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Please place gifts in classroom collection boxes. The Appeal will run through to 10th December. Thankyou!
We hold in our prayers the students who have recently received and those receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist during mass celebrations to be held this weekend, with the final First Eucharist celebration on the week end of December 4th.
Lord Jesus Christ, bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time.
May this day be the step toward a life-long love of the Eucharist.
May the strength of Jesus' love and the joy of this holy day remain forever in your hearts.
Congratulations to all children who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, First Eucharist or the Sacrament of Confirmation during the 2021 year. Children and their families are to be commended on their commitment to their faith particularly during these uncertain times when necessary arrangements and plans were changing to keep in line with Government regulations. Your willingness and patience have been greatly appreciated and we look forward to celebrating together and working as a community together again.
Child Safety and Wellbeing
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. 870. We embed a culture of child safety and the matter is taken very seriously.
“Children are the future of the human family: all of us are expected to promote their growth, health and tranquillity,” Pope Francis 2021
Resources to support parents and carers
Parents want their kids to behave well, yet despite their best efforts to raise well-behaved, respectful kids, children and young people will make mistakes and mess up. By viewing indiscretions as mistakes rather than misbehaviour parents open the door to meaningful communication that helps children take responsibility for the way they behave.
Parents wishing to enrol their child/children in the Sacramental program in 2022 are asked to complete the information needed in the letter distributed by the Parish, which wsa sent home to all children in Years 2 - 6 on Tuesday this week. Completed forms are to be returned to the School Office by the 15th December 2021.
Click on the link below to download the weekly Parish newsletter:
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This week in Japanese, Middle students created Pokemon evolution cards and practiced different verbs. Junior students made chatterboxes using their farm animal vocabulary.
Year 5 Victorian Water Safety Certificate Excursion
The Year 5s had a great day yesterday at Paul Sadler learning more about water safety and practical swimming skills. There were lots of smiles and fun being had, along with some very important learning as we head into summer! Those students who obtained the Victorian Water Safety certificate should receive it by the end of the school year.
