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Our Explicit Improvement Agenda
Student Voice and Agency
Planning for improved student learning
Celebrating Student Learning
Write a Book in a Day Competition - Winners for best illustrations
Congratulations to our Year 6 - Write a Book in a Day illustrators for winning the best illustrations category in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Mrs Vlajankov and the Write a Book in a Day Competition Team will share their exciting news at next week’s assembly - we are so proud of their achievements and for being recognised for their talents. Well done to all.
Foundation Zoo Excursion
Our Foundation students enjoyed their first school excursion to the Melbourne Zoo yesterday. Thank you to Sally Lane and Gabby Di Biase for their organisation and planning of this very important event in our Foundation students yearly calendar as well as our support staff - Tylah, Terri and Terry for their assistance on the day. We also had many parent helpers join the excursion and are so blessed in our school community with so many offers from parents to assist and join in the fun. We look forward to reading about the Foundies experiences to the Zoo.
Victorian Water Safety Certificate - Intensive Swimming Program Year 3 students
The Year 3 students have been participating in intensive swimming lessons as part of the progression of learning towards the Victorian Water Safety Certificate. These lessons are important as they focus on specific water safety skills and water safety knowledge.
Victorian Water Safety Certificate - Rescue and Survival Year 5 & 6 students
The Year 5 & 6 students have been participating in learning how to be safe around all waterways and the essential skills of rescue and survival. Rescue skills focus on rescuing a person using non-swimming rescue techniques, a non-rigid aid, weighted rope and a buoyant objected. Students are taught how to perform survival sequences wearing light clothing, entering the water safety, scull, float and to tread water for 2 minutes and signalling for help intermittently. Your child’s learning of the Victorian Water Safety Certificate will be included in their Student Learning Portfolio.
Australian Mathematics Competition
This week the school took delivery of formal certificates recognising the students who completed in the Australian Mathematics Competition. The AMC certificates will show an explanation of your child's score and level of achievement. Teachers will place the certificates in your child's Student Learning Portfolio which will be distributed on Tuesday 13 December..
2023 Student Leaders
We are in the final stages of the Student Leaders Appointment process and wish to congratulate all students for their demonstration of 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 soon:
- School Leaders (x 2)
- Faith Leaders (x2)
- Learning Leaders (x2)
- Environmental Leaders (x2)
- House Leaders (4 x 1 per House)
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 Graduation
Our Year 6 Mass and Graduation ceremony will be held on Wednesday 14 December from 5.00 pm. The format of the evening is as follows:
- 5.00 pm Student Dinner
- 5.45 pm Year 6 Graduation Mass Celebration with Families followed by Year 6 Graduation Presentation
Information has been communicated to all Year 6 students and their families via PAM. We look forward to a very special evening to celebrate our Year 6 students and to wish them all the very best on their educational journey.
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. Application forms are also available from the office.
End of 2022 school year for students
End of Term 4 for 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
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) and Foundation students start 9.15am (only on the first day of school to help ease carpark congestion)
End of Year Whole School Mass and Christmas concert will be held on Thursday 15th December in Allen Hall. Parents and friends are most welcome to begin this final school day by attending Mass at 9.00am. Families are also invited to join us for the Christmas concert which will be held from 1:00pm to 2.30pm in the Allen Hall, followed by the Grade 6 Farewell on the small oval at about 3.00pm.
St Vincent de Paul 2022 Christmas Appeal
Many families are struggling to survive the increasing cost-of-living pressures this Christmas. Your generosity can provide urgent relief for families who are doing it tough, and help provide a lot more joy this Christmas.
The MacKillop Kids group have organised a Christmas Appeal supporting the Narre Warren St Vincent de Paul Conference Group who are seeking support from Parishes and schools to give generously to the 2022 Christmas Appeal. Donations of suitable new toys for children aged 5-12 years would be greatly appreciated for parents to give gifts they know their children dream of. Please place unwrapped gifts in classroom collection boxes. The 2022 Christmas Appeal will run through to 9th December.
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.
Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle A
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist appears in Judea preaching a message of repentance.
In this week's Gospel Reading and next week's, our Advent preparation for Christmas invites us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus. In this week's Gospel, Matthew describes the work and preaching of John the Baptist. John the Baptist tells us that we prepare the way of the Lord when we repent, or turn away from sin and back toward God. We can reflect on any poor choices we have made and ask God for forgiveness. We change our behaviour by making good moral choices. In this way, we prepare our minds and hearts to welcome Jesus at Christmas.
OLHC Parish
Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Information
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:
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This week in Japanese, Middle level students made traditional family tree scrolls. Foundation students made 3D rainbows using Japanese colour words.
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/
- The videos and advice sheets cover:
- Daniel Morcombe Foundation
- Parenting Ideas
- 'No No NO' View the attached article:
| Name | Class | Learning award |
| Mia | F-CT | Learning Awards - Be Responsible |
| Ethan | 1-BC | Learning Awards - Be Responsible |
| Roko | 1-BC | Learning Award - Be Respectful |
| Marina | 3-RJ | Learning Award - Be Compassionate |
| Chloe | 3-BE | Learning Awards - Be Courageous |
| Amir | 3-RJ | Learning Awards - Be Problem Solvers |
| Ashton | 3-BE | Learning Awards - Be Responsible |
| Angelina | 4-HF | Learning Awards - Be Courageous |
| Adrian | 4-HF | Learning Award - Be Respectful |
| Lily | 5-AB | Learning Awards - Be Courageous |
| Lennox | 5-SD | Learning Awards - Be Responsible |
| Emma | 6-MV | Learning Awards - Be Courageous |