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Welcome back to Term 2!
During Easter, Catholics are reminded of God’s great love for His people through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, Catholics are reminded of their mission - to go out and spread the Good News (the Gospel) which is a message filled with love. When we love others, we can live in a world of peace and we are able to say sorry and live good, faith filled lives. As we continue the Easter season may we all be faith filled people striving to be like Jesus in our words and actions.
Last week the school gathered for an ANZAC Day prayer service and students were reminded of the sacrifice serving men and women made and continue to make to keep our country and other countries safe and peaceful places to live. Once again, students heard messages about loving others and living peacefully.
Pope Francis - a shepherd of the people
The death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday was very sad news and had an impact on many people, not just the Catholic community. Pope Francis wanted the Catholic church to be accessible to all and greatly encouraged interfaith dialogue.He was a people’s Pope, always going out to be with and bless the marginalised, including migrants and refugees. This was further reflected in the Gospel reading he chose for his funeral where Christ charges Peter with shepherding His flock.
Pope Francis was continuously calling all people to be merciful and declared 2016 an Extraordinary Year of Mercy. In addition, he wrote two very important cyclicals which our students encounter here at school - Fratelli Tutti (human fraternity) and Laudato Si (environmental stewardship).
Using the words of Cardinal Re (who presided over the funeral Mass) we ask Pope Francis to now pray for us:
“May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world from heaven as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this Basilica in a final embrace with all the people of God, but also embrace humanity that seeks the truth with a sincere heart and holds high the torch of of hope.”
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-requiem-mass-cardinal-re-homily.html
We await now for white smoke from the Vatican chimney to know who will be our next Pope. Please pray for all the cardinals who are trying to choose the best possible candidate.
Review 2025
This term we continue to work on our Strategic Plan. The Explicit Improvement Agenda is:
- Student Voice and Agency
- Planning for improved student learning
The Strategic Plan is:
Within the next 4 years, our students will be confident and resilient learners supported by a community of caring adaptive experts.
Our school is safe, student centred and animated by our school values, our Christian story and the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
The final School Self - Reflection summary report has now been submitted to the Reviewers and all evidence has been provided. The Reviewers will visit our school in Week 6 (27 - 30 May) and complete the Review process during this time.
Before and After School Dismissal Routines
Students must be supervised prior to 8.30am by a parent/guardian at both Lowry Gate and the Welcome Gate. Drop off should not occur prior to this time.
Families sometimes choose to supervise their children playing on the playground from 3.10pm. Recently, we have had quite a few families here beyond 3.30pm. This puts extra pressure on Admin staff as the internal exit doors need to be opened and closed. If families choose to supervise students on the playground please exit using the Welcome Gate before 3.30pm to reduce the foot traffic through the Admin building.
A very big congratulations to Claire Knight (F-KC) and her husband Sam on the safe arrival of their beautiful little boy, Henry, on Anzac Day!
Mother's Day
Photos for Mother's Day Prayer
We warmly invite families to share photos of mothers, grandmothers, and carers to be included in our special Mother's Day Prayer, which will take place following the Mother's Day Breakfast on Friday, 9th May. Please send photos via email to Lize Privitera before Thursday 6 May 2025 lprivitera@marymacnarre.catholic.edu.au
Mother’s Day Breakfast and Stall are coming up soon! A letter with all the details has been sent home via PAM.
Join us for breakfast to celebrate our amazing mums and carers - we look forward to seeing you there! Don’t forget the stall on Wednesday 7th May where students can purchase a special gift for $8.00. Please send correct money as we have very limited change.
Thank you to those families who have already offered to help with the cooking of the breakfast - admin staff will be in touch shortly. We can always use more helpers!
SACRAMENT OF FIRST EUCHARIST/HOLY COMMUNION
PARENT FORMATION NIGHT - FINAL SESSION TONIGHT!
- Thursday, 1st May 2025 - 6.50pm arrival for a 7pm start
- Our Lady Help of Christians Parish - 496 Princes Hwy, NARRE WARREN
- A levy of $50 is payable via the Parish’s CDFPay online CDFpay - Sign up Making a payment through CDFPay confirms your child's enrolment in the Sacrament Program and registers the parent for Parent Formation Night.
- CDFPay Online is now open and closes at 10am on Friday 2nd May 2025.
Social Justice Initiatives- Thank You for your support!
Caritas Australia would like to express their heartfelt thanks for your incredible support of Project Compassion this Lent. Your generosity this Lent is helping to empower the world’s most vulnerable communities, enabling them to overcome challenges and lift themselves out of poverty. Together, we are creating a better tomorrow, helping vulnerable communities build stronger futures for themselves and empowering them to break free from the cycle of poverty. Thank you for standing with us! Total raised $416.30
RSL Berwick would like to thank all the staff, parents and families who purchased ANZAC badges. Your generosity helps support our veterans and their families, and ensures their service is never forgotten. Well done to our amazing Year 6 students who did a fantastic job selling the badges—your efforts made a real difference! Total raised $302.00
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/
- New resources for parents and carers
- We have two new information sheets to help parents and carers navigate the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
The information sheets explain the Reportable Conduct Scheme and what happens when a child is involved in an investigation as an alleged victim or witness. - Information sheet 21: Information for parents and carers about the Reportable Conduct Scheme
- Information sheet 22: Information for parents and carers about investigations under the Reportable Conduct Scheme
BRAVEHEARTS - https://bravehearts.org.au
WE’RE TAKING IT IN OUR STRIDE ON FRIDAY 16 MAY 2025
Well it’s that time of year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking! Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. And although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine. You can teach your child the healthy habit of walking more by:
- Walking with them the whole way to school
- If you have to drive, park the car a few blocks away from the school and walk the rest of the way.
Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (and you!) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes. It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic. Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so get planning your own Walk Safely to School Day journey for Friday 16 MAY 2025! For more information, visit www.walk.com.au
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.
Here is your first Term 2 Insights Article: Protecting Childhood see attachment:
Dr Justin Coulson is a dad to 6 daughters and grandfather to 1 granddaughter. He is the parenting expert and co-host of Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, and he and his wife host Australia’s #1 podcast for parents and family: The Happy Families Podcast. He has written 9 books about families and parenting. For further details visit happyfamilies.com.au.
School TV
This month on SchoolTV - Cybersafety
Young people today are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology is part of their everyday lives –– for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the digital world offers enormous benefits, it also comes with serious risks. From cyberbullying and online predators to inappropriate content and screen time concerns, navigating the online environment can be challenging for young people and their families.
Cybersafety is not just about blocking access –– it's about empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to use technology responsibly and safely. This includes understanding privacy settings, recognising scams, and developing healthy digital habits. At the same time, it's important for parents and caregivers to stay informed, have open and judgement-free conversations with their children, and lead by example through positive online behaviour.
In today's digital age, safeguarding a child's wellbeing must also include protecting their online life. This edition of SchoolTV will help you better understand the digital landscape your child is navigating and offer practical strategies to help them stay safe, confident and in control online.
Here is the link to your Edition https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cybersafety-au
The Resilience Project
We’re excited to introduce TRP’s evidence-based whole-school wellbeing program. Students participate in weekly lessons to develop and strengthen their skills in Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness, and Emotional Literacy. Our staff actively support students in practicing these wellbeing strategies throughout the school day.
Attached is a copy of these strategies that you can print out, discuss with your child, and even incorporate into family routines.
Gratitude
- Recognising and expressing appreciation for the people, places, and things in our lives.
- Helps us focus on what we have, increasing happiness and fostering a positive outlook.
Empathy
- Understanding others' feelings and perspectives through kindness, compassion, and curiosity.
- Strengthens connections, encourages kindness, and promotes positive emotions.
Mindfulness
- Being aware of life as we experience it, allowing us to respond rather than react.
- Supports balance, presence, and deeper connection in daily life.
Emotional Literacy
- Learning to identify, label, and regulate emotions effectively.
- Reduces the impact of uncomfortable emotions and enhances positive ones.
