Our Explicit Improvement Agenda

Student Voice and Agency

Planning for improved student learning

Lest We Forget . . .

Our school community participated in a Remembrance Day Service last Friday 11 November.  Our Senior Students led us in a meaningful and respectful prayer service honouring the sacrifice of others in a minute silence.  

This year, we were blessed to build on our knitted poppy display in the welcome garden to include a knitted poppy wreath.  The knitted poppy wreath was made by, and gifted to our school, by Avril - grandmother of Harvey, Fletcher and Darcy.  The wreath is a symbol of love and the strong connections we have in our school community to family.  Each strand of wool is beautifully crafted into the poppies that make up the wreath - we are so fortunate to have such a beautifully crafted wreath for our Remembrance Day service now and into the future - our deepest gratitude to Avril.  

Enterprise Bargaining Agreement - EBA

As you may be aware, teacher shortages and workload are being discussed and reviewed in the political arena and on the media.  After much consultation, the DOSCEL EBA 2022 Agreement was signed by all parties and endorsed by the Fair Work Commission.  The EBA takes into account, amongst other things, teacher workload including scheduled classes, planning times, student supervision etc.  Therefore, to reflect the conditions outlined in the EBA, the following changes will apply from the beginning of the 2023 school year:

• The school gates will open at 8.30 am in the morning and classes will begin at 8.45 am.  We ask parents not to drop their child/children off before 8.30 am as there is no student supervision before this time.
• The school day will finish at 3.10 pm in the afternoon..  We ask parents to please ensure their child is collected from school at this time at the end of the day so teachers can begin their scheduled staff/planning meetings within their allocated hours of work.

Youth Leadership Victoria will continue to provide before and after school hours services on site in the Lomas Gym. We ask parents to utilise this service, if required, and thank parents and families for working in partnership with us.  Youth Leadership Victoria's number is 0419 573 185.  You can call and leave a message and a staff member will get back to you.

Lamont - Book Fair is coming

The Book Fair information was circulated to class teachers and students in preparation for student visits next week.  Students will have the opportunity to browse the Book Fair and to create their wish list.  A big thank you to Trish Papanastasiou for organising and co-ordinating the Book Fair with Lamont, for promoting a love of reading and for providing this opportunity for our students and families.  Further information is under the 'Scholastic Book Fair' section of today's newsletter.

Change of Date - End of Term 4 for all students will now conclude on THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER, 2022 at 3.15 pm

Our last day of school for students will include:

• End of School Year Mass
• Student Christmas Concert (Footsteps Dance)
• Community farewell to our Year 6 students at the end of the day

2023 BACK TO SCHOOL DATES

Staff return on Friday 27 January 2023 (planning day)

Students commence school on Monday 30th January 2023 at 8.45 am (Years 1 - 6)

(Foundation students start at 9.15am on the first day of school)

Term 4 Mass and Reconciliation celebrations

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.

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, members of the school community may wish to write the names of their loved ones on a card attached to the special knitted poppies displayed in the front Welcome during month of November. Cards are available from the School Office.

Remembrance Day was celebrated last Friday 11th November – A huge thank you to all Year 6 students, Ms Vlajankov and Mr Fearnley for the preparations and the Order of Service conducted in each classroom. The Year 6 students led the service with pride and great respect. The Service concluded with a minute’s silence at 11.00am, laying of a handmade knitted poppy wreath and the playing of the Reveille.

Children's Mission Society Drawing competition - Sale Diocese

On 19th May 2023, the Pontifical Children’s Mission Society will celebrate 180 years. Catholic Mission Australia is holding a drawing competition - with one  winner from every Australian Diocese -  looking for the best picture illustrating how Pope Francis inspires children to help other children.

The entry form is attached or may be downloaded from Global drawing competition  Entry is free. Entries close 30 November 2022.  Entrants are to send their entry to -

Catholic Mission National Office PO Box 1668, North Sydney NSW 2059 (Attention: Drawing Competition)

Shepherd’s Table

Shepherd's Table is a ministry of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish who provide meals to those in need in our broader community. Meals are held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month in the Parish Centre between 11.30am-1.30pm. Call Max on 0407788845 to make a booking. The Team are extending an invitation to those who would benefit from receiving a Christmas Hamper to make this Christmas a little easier to cope with the demands of needs that some families find challenging to cover at this time of the year. Please forward your interest to the School Office.. With the rising costs of grocery items, small gifts and consumables Shepherd’s Table are offering some support to families this Christmas. All details are held in strict confidence.

Icy Pole Day - volunteers needed

Students from the school are requesting the return of 'icy pole day' during Term 4. With only a few weeks left, if a parent/s have a couple of hours free on a non-canteen day (Tues, Wed or Thurs), we would appreciate your assistance with the organization of  selling icy poles over the counter from the canteen. If you can help please call the School Office.

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Cycle C

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Luke 23:35-43

Jesus is crucified under the title King of the Jews.

As a Church, we conclude our liturgical year and celebrate the Feast of Christ the King this coming weekend. The Gospel we proclaim shows the great mystery of our faith: In the moment of his crucifixion, Jesus is shown to be King and Saviour of all.

Next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King. We call Jesus our King, but he is not like the kings and queens of countries. Jesus is the King of Heaven and the Son of God. He shows us the way to eternal life.

In next Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is dying on the Cross. Only one person recognizes that Jesus is our King.  Jesus offers us eternal life in heaven with him. When we believe in him and know his words are true, we honour him as our King.

OLHC Parish

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/

MATHS:

In Year 1 we have been busy learning about fractions. We are now able to split shapes in half and into quarters. We can also split a collection of items in half and quarters. We had lots of fun making fraction pizzas to show our knowledge of quarters! Our pizzas have lots of different ingredients on them and we needed to describe what was on our pizzas by writing down the fraction. Some examples have been included for you to see how yummy our pizzas look. 

ENGLISH: 

In Little Learners over the last few weeks we have been learning all of the different ways to make the sound /a/. Did you know that the ai, ay, a-e and a all make the sound /a/ like in the words snail, play, gate and April? We do!! We can even come up with a list of words for each of the different ways to make the /a/ sound. We are really good at reading many different words with these letters in them now but the trickiest part is trying to spell them. 

This week in Discovery Centre, Year 2 students coded a Bluebot to write letters and draw shapes. Year 2 students had a lot of fun exploring all the ways a Bluebot can move.

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.
  • 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.
• 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
• Parenting Ideas
  • The art of good conversation with young people - Good conversation with young people, comes down to time - creating the time and space and then using that time wisely. Please read the attached article
    The Art of Good Conversation

    The Art of Good Conversation 261.23 KB
• School TV - This month's topic - Bullying
  • Bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. It can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying in any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.  Despite the efforts made to reduce bullying behaviours, the research tells us that one in four students still report being bullied every few weeks. However, not all negative behaviour should be considered bullying. The key difference is that bullying does not stop on its own. It’s important young people learn how to identify behaviours that are rude, behaviours that are mean, and behaviours that are related to bullying.
  • Often the reasons for bullying can be complex. Some young people do it to get approval from others, some do it to regain control, whilst others may do it because it makes them feel safe. Supporting young people as they work through their emotions will help them unpack the motivation and reason behind the behaviour.
  • In this edition of SchoolTV, caregivers can better understand why some young people engage in bullying behaviours and what to do to support a child experiencing it. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.
  • If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
  • Here is the link to this month's edition https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/bullying

• Online orders/click and collect - parents/guardians can order online between Tuesday 22.11.22 and 4pm Wednesday 30.11.22 .  Instructions on how to order online can be found on the back of the wishlist (attached below).  PLEASE CLEARLY ENTER THE BOOK TITLE(S) IN YOUR ONLINE ORDER.  WITHOUT THIS WE CANNOT FULFILL THE ORDER.  Parents and/or students can collect the books from the Student Support Room (next door to the Student Foyer)  between 2.45pm and 3.30pm on Monday 28.11.22, Tuesday 29.11.22 and Friday 02.12.22.  Please remember to bring a bag to pop your books in!
• Onsite purchases - parents can come into school to the book display in the Literacy Resource area and purchase books using EFTOS only (no cash) and take them away once purchased.   Onsite purchases are open 3pm - 3.30pm Wednesday 30.11.22 and Thursday 01.12.22 and 8.30am - 9.15am Thursday 01.12.22.   Please remember to bring a bag to pop your books in!      

• Class 'shop/walk-through' of book display for wishlists - Tuesday 22.11.22 and Friday 25.11.22 
• Click and collect days -  between 2.45pm and 3.30pm Monday 28.11.22, Tuesday 29.11.22 and Friday 02.12.22 from the Student Support Room (next door to the Student Foyer)  Please remember to bring a bag to pop your books in!
• On-site sales - 3pm - 3.30pm Wednesday 30.11.22 and Thursday 01.12.22 and 8.30am - 9.15am Thursday 01.12.22 in the Literacy Resource area   Please remember to bring a bag to pop your books in!