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Our Explicit Improvement Agenda
Student Voice and Agency
Planning for improved student learning
Welcome to the 2023 School Year
We warmly welcome you to the beginning of the school year. It is fantastic to have our students back at school, ready to begin another year of learning and growing. We especially welcome our Foundation students and congratulate them on the way they have settled into school life and routines. They have been amazing in being able to find their way around and getting ready to start their day of learning. Our explicit improvement agenda focus in 2023 will continue to be:
- Student voice and agency
- Planning for improved student learning.
We are, very much, looking forward to the year ahead, celebrating our student’s learning, growing and achievements.
Year 6 Student Leaders
The 2023 Year 6 Student Leaders were presented with their badges during our beginning of the school year Mass this morning. Our warmest congratulations to our 2023 Student Leaders, we know they will be exemplary role models in our school community:
- School Leaders - David and Marielle
- Faith Leaders - Katelyn and Adiel
- Learning Leaders - Ruben and Sienna
- Environmental Leaders - Ethan and Chelsea
- House Leader - Eden - Annabelle
- House Leader - Portland - James
- House Leader - Fitzroy - Katelyn
- House Leader - Penola - Tylane
School Day
Just a reminder to parents that the school day begins at 8.45 am. The Welcome Garden front gate and Lowry Court gate are open at 8.30 am. We ask parents if they are dropping off their child before 8.30 am to use the YLV Before and After School Care facility located in the Lomas Gym. The school day finishes at the new time of 3.10 pm.
Student Learning Conversations (Parent Teacher Interviews)
The beginning of the year Student Learning Conversations will be held on:
- Tuesday 7 March, 2023 from 3.40 pm - 6.20 pm
- Wednesday 8 March, 2023 from 3.40 pm - 6.20 pm
The purpose of this time is to acquaint yourself with your child’s teacher and for your child to share their learning data, goals and strategies for the Term. As a school we value the opportunity for students to be active in their learning, to meet with parents and to establish a positive working partnership for the 2023 school year. More information will be sent home to parents regarding the booking process for the Student Learning Conversations in the coming weeks.
Canteen
The Canteen is not open for orders (via CDF pay) until Friday 10 February. Thank you for your understanding, as per the notification sent home via SZapp
Important Dates, School Events and Student Free days
Newsletter
The newsletter is published weekly each Thursday afternoon. We strongly encourage you to subscribe to the Mary MacKillop SchoolZine App to receive the newsletter, school information, updates on school events, alerts and emergency information.
We look forward to an exciting year of learning and working in partnership with you.
Mass and Reconciliation celebrations
All parents, families and friends are invited to celebrate Mass and Reconciliation services during the year. When attending a celebration please sign in on the provided device/folder. 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. Photographs and video footage cannot be taken of students without parental permission. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
First Reconciliation Enrolment and Parent Only Workshop
Parents are invited to enrol their children for the 2023 Sacrament of Reconciliation. Your child should have received the Sacrament of Baptism before enrolling for their First Reconciliation. The enrolment and parent only workshop is held on Thursday 9th February and Wednesday 15th February at 7.00pm in the Church. Parents are required to only attend one of the enrolment nights. Attendance is mandatory if you wish to prepare your child for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a parent only workshop and children are not required to attend. If for any reason you miss the enrolment night, or cannot make it to any other meeting/workshop, we request you to wait until the following year, as the parish is unable to offer any catch-up workshops for those who are unable to attend. An enrolment levy of $50 is payable via CDF Pay https://olhc.cdfpay.org.au
Please bring your receipt number to the enrolment night. Bookings open from Tuesday, 16th January 2023 at 10.00am and closes on Friday 17th February at 10.00am 2023. For more information, please refer to the Sacrament Program Booklet 2023 on the parish website www.olhc.org.au or contact the Parish Office.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus teaches that his disciples are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
In Jesus’ time, people used salt to make things taste better. But, if we have salt on our table and we never use it, will it do any good for the taste of our food?
Read or listen to this week’s Gospel and hear what Jesus said about salt.
How might we make life better for others just as salt makes food taste better?
When we do these things, we show ourselves to be disciples of Jesus.
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.
2023 Parish Sacramental Program: Click on the link to access a copy of the 2023 Sacrament Program Booklet (updated edition Feb 2023)
https://www.olhc.org.au/parish-sacrament-program/
Parish Bulletin: Click on the link below to download the weekly newsletter.
https://www.olhc.org.au/parish-bulletin/
New playground installations
A number of playground pathway markings and custom buddy benches have been installed during the holidays. Lots of students have taken up the opportunity to play and learn while having fun.
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2023 PAM UPDATE
Emails regarding PAM login for 2023 were sent to all families at the end of January. Please ensure you update your PAM login and update your child/ren’s PAM profile if needed.
If you have not received the email from PAM (noreply@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au) please check your spam/junk mail. We have found that a lot of ‘Hotmail’ accounts go to junk folders!
Any further problems, please contact the office.
2023 Fee accounts statements will be emailed to all families early next week.
Hard copies of the fee information for 2023 was sent home to all families in November 2022. If you do not have a copy of our fee booklet, please check PAM for this information or click on the link below to view the documents on our website:
https://www.marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au/enrolments
Families that hold a current Centrelink Concession Card and have not applied for CSEF Funding for 2023 are requested to complete a CSEF Application and Fee Concession Application to the school ASAP to be eligible for any fee concessions for 2023.
Families who wish to utlise our direct debit payment arrangement for fee payments, please complete a direct debit arrangement form and email (jmeunier@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au) or drop a copy into the office as soon as practical so we can set this up for you.
All current families on direct debits from 2022 do not need to complete a new direct debit arrangement, unless you wish to change bank details or payment frequency.
Direct Debit, CSEF and Fee Concession Applications for 2023 can be found on our website or in PAM. Please contact the school office if you have any questions regarding your fee account.
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/
- School TV https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news
- Bravehearts https://bravehearts.org.au/
- Parenting Ideas
Upcoming Term 1 Event
What is Safer Internet Day? Save the date: Tuesday 7th February 2023
Safer Internet Day is a global event that brings together communities, families, schools and organisations from more than 200 countries to help create safer online spaces.
This worldwide initiative is celebrating 20 years in 2023, making it a great time to reflect as well as look forward.
Technology has evolved dramatically in the past two decades and the benefits have been huge. These developments have also exposed us to many risks with real-world impacts, making online safety awareness even more important.
That's why we are calling on Australians to Connect. Reflect. Protect.
Connect safely and with purpose – by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in positive ways.
Reflect before we act – by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.
Protect ourselves and others by taking action – by telling family, friends or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.
Mary MacKillop School is proud to support Safer Internet Day on 7 February 2023. Together, we can all #ConnectReflectProtect. Our school is committed to raising online safety awareness and helping students build positive online relationships. By using eSafety resources, our school is helping our students have safer, more positive experiences online.
All families at Mary MacKillop School are encouraged to take an active part by doing these simple things - Connect Reflect Protect. We can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day. Further information can be found in a separate letter sent to families via email.
SCHOOL TV – a wellbeing rescource
Today parents face a multitude of modern day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance.
SchoolTV addresses this as a new online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies.
All SchoolTV topics are divided into series. The number of topics relating to a series will differ and over time new topics will be added. Every month from February to November, a new topic is published for you to review. Take the time to explore each series and topic and make sure you visit the resources section. Here you will find useful factsheets, apps, books, websites and other additional videos - all on one single topic!
School TV link can be accessed via our school website - see link below:
