Mary's Mount Primary School
Term 1, Week 10 - 8 April 2022
EASTER PRAYER
Lord,
We lift our hearts to you. As the dawn breaks, may we carry the unity we share into every moment knowing that we are one with the risen Christ. Lord, we lift our eyes to you. As the sunrises, may this moment stay with us, reminding us to look for the beautiful colours of promise in your word. Lord, we lift our prayers to you. As the dew air falls, may we breathe this morning in and know that like the earth, you sustain us, keep us and work within us always. And so, we lift our voices to you. We celebrate the greatest day in history, when Jesus rose from death, defeated darkness and bathed the world in stunning resurrection light. May we ever live to praise you!
Amen
PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
Dear Parents and Carers
As Term 1 comes to a close, I would like to thank our school community for your unwavering support as we navigated the multitude of challenges.
The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, the floods in the east, and the trials we face in our personal lives have certainly tested our resilience and patience in ways we have never known. It has been overwhelming and all-consuming.
I am incredibly grateful to our community for the way we have responded. Many families have shared with me the remarkable acts of kindness and generosity as a result. By standing alongside our teachers and staff you have enabled us to support your child’s learning in the most challenging of times. Your child’s attendance at school underpins their learning, social and emotional development, as well as their physical and mental wellbeing.
I recognise how concerning it has been for many of our families who have faced a COVID-19 diagnosis and understand the stress this may have placed on many households. Thank you for doing the right thing by isolating for the required period of time.
The Department of Health (WA Health) has brought to my attention that some of our parents have reported a positive COVID-19 RAT result on the school’s COVID-19 Self-Reporting Portal, but have omitted to do so on the WA Health RAT Register, as is required by the WA Government.
As a reminder, if your child has a positive RAT result you need to:
- Self-isolate for a minimum of 7 days. Register via the WA Health RAT Register here or call 13 COVID for assistance.
- Please use the self-reporting portal to record COVID-19 results via this link for all positive student cases – even during the holidays - and upload a screen capture of the WA Health SMS confirming your positive registration.
- At day 7, if symptoms are still present, continue isolating until symptoms clear.
- If no symptoms are present after day 7, you can leave self-isolation. No testing is required.
The Easter period brings with it a reminder of the importance of lived Gospel values. As we reflect during the season of Lent, we pray in solidarity for those in our community affected by COVID-19. We have been humbled by the remarkable acts of generosity and kindness in our school community. Easter is also a time for renewal and hope. As we prepare for the solemnity of Holy Week and the joy of Easter, let us reflect on the strength of our Christian unity.
NAPLAN
This year, our students in Years 3 and 5 will undertake NAPLAN online, commencing on Tuesday 10 May. Our preparations for this are already well underway. Our teachers will be working during class time to ensure that students are very comfortable with the question styles and formats before sitting the tests.
To assist students, parents and teachers to explore the test format and become familiar with all the tools and settings that can be used in the tests, there is a public demonstrations site available. All parents are invited to explore this site if they are interested.
https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
WINTER UNIFORM
A reminder that students are to wear the MMPS winter uniform when they return to school in Term 2. There will be a two-week transition period from the summer uniform to the winter uniform. All children will be expected to be wearing the winter uniform by Monday 9 May, 2022. Click this LINK to access the Mary’s Mount Parent Handbook which has full uniform requirements. Uniforms can be ordered online via www.quickcliq.com
P&F NEWS
Although our P&F group has not been able to meet in person this term, they have been busy! I wish to extend my gratitude to them for the gifting of funds to Mary’s Mount Primary School. The generosity of the group is so greatly appreciated, and we look forward to working in partnership throughout 2022.
So far this year the P&F has;
- Supported the Make a Move program.
- Provided the annual contribution to the Library to purchase books to encourage the love of reading.
- Funded the build of a long jump pit by Mr Gair.
- Funded sports equipment to enhance the Mary’s Mount Primary School athletics program.
- Funded resources for classrooms to enhance learning opportunities.
- Funded the purchase of specific books that align with the School Improvement Plan goals of 2022.
UNBELIEVABLE – again I thank you.
I wish you a joyous Easter and an enjoyable break that will no doubt serve as an opportunity to connect with family and loved ones, as much as we can within pandemic constraints.
I conclude with the recent focus Pope Francis presented the world with the consecration of Ukraine and Russia.
His Holiness stated: “The vicious war that has overtaken so many people, and caused suffering to all, has made each of us fearful and anxious”.
“Human reassurance is not enough. We need the closeness of God and the certainty of his forgiveness, which alone eliminates evil, disarms resentment, and restores peace to our hearts. Let us return to God and to his forgiveness.”
God bless
Emma Bell
Be the best part of someone else's day - Ben Crowe
TERM 2, WEEK 1 PLANNER
Tuesday 26 April
- Students return, Term 2 commences
Wednesday 27 April
- 11.15am: Whole School ANZAC Day Service (Y3)
Thursday 28 April
Friday 29 April
** KEY DATES for TERM 2 **
Friday 6 May - Cross Country
Tuesday 31 May - School Photo Day
Thursday 2 June - Pupil Free Day, School Closed
Friday 3 June - Pupil Free Day, School Closed
Sunday 19 June - Sacrament of First Eucharist (Y4)
Friday 1 July - Last day of Term 2
BUY SUNFLOWER SEEDS FOR THE CHILDREN IN UKRAINE
One of our Year 6 students, Louisa recently met with Mrs Bell and spoke to her about her concern for the people of Ukraine. Even though we are so far away Louisa felt that something could be done to support the Ukrainian people during their time of need. She suggested a fund raiser. After a few heads together it was decided that we would sell our sunflower seeds that were recently harvested from our sunflower garden to our school community and extended community.
Seeds are on sale on the table outside our school office. A donation tin will be there to place your money. All the seed packets were beautifully decorated individually by all our Year 6 students.
Thank you in advance for your support. We have so far raised $150!
Together we make a difference.
PRE-ORDER YOUR CULOTTS NOW FOR TERM 2!
Price: $50.00
Sizes available: 4 to 16. There are also some quarter sizes available in between.
The new culottes are being introduced via a phased-in approach. As students in Year 1 will be required to wear the MMPS winter uniform for the first time this year, Year 1 students are to commence wearing the new culottes next term.
All other students will have the next 18 months to transition to the culottes when the grey pinafore will be phased out and all students from 2024 will be required to wear the new culottes.
Please note, the grey pinafore can still be worn by students in Years 2 to Year 6 until 2024 and can still be purchased from the uniform shop - now at the reduced price of $25 each.
The new culottes will be available online via quickcliq from this weekend for pre-orders. Orders will be delivered next Term when they arrive. Students in Year 1 can continue to wear their summer uniform for the first two weeks of term which is a grace period between uniform transitions while waiting for the new culottes to arrive.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
LAST CALL FOR 3K and 4K 2023 ENROLMENTS
Interviews for 2023 3 Year Old Kindy and 4 Year Kindy will be taking place in Term 2 so if you have submitted an application, please keep an eye out for an email.
Starting 3 Year Old Kindy in 2023: Children Born – 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020
Starting 4 Year Old Kindy in 2023 : Children Born – 1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019
If you have any questions about this process or enrolment for 2023, please contact me via the school office.
Gabby Hoffmann
Administration
UPDATED IMMUNISATION HISTORY STATEMENTS
For parents with children in 4 Year Old Kindy and Pre-Primary
It is a requirement we have a record of your child’s updated immunisation history statement on file. If/when your child has completed their 4 Year Old vaccination program, can you please send an updated copy of their immunisation statement to the office via admin@mmps.wa.edu.au so we can update our records.
Note – we do not require evidence of COVID vaccination. This update is only for the Childhood Immunisation Schedule.
Administration
P&F NEWS
A special thank you to the Year 2 class for arranging this year's Easter Raffle.
And, CONGRATULATIONS to all of our lucky Easter Raffle winners that were drawn at assembly this morning. Happy Easter and we hop you enjoy your baskets of chocolate goodies!
#1 Flynn Roughsedge
#2 Mrs Grabski
#3 Manni Rodriguez
#4 Nash Y4
#5 Nicole
#6 Denise Pollaers
#7 Maria Valleloanga
#8 Blake Castillo
#9 Zoe Pollaers - kindly offered to redraw - awarded to Dessauvagie family
#10 Blake Harper
#11 Maisie Dickenson
MMPS P&F Committee
CANTEEN NEWS - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for TERM 2
Our students love to order from the canteen, and Fridays are a busy hive of activity but we can't do it without volunteers. So please consider helping out on a Friday, even a few hours will be greatly appreciated.
So if you can help out on any of the Fridays below, please either contact Angeline or email admin@mmps.wa.edu.au and we will pass your information on.
Thank you.
Angeline Biggin
CONGRATULATIONS! - YEAR 5 BOYS BRINGING HOPE
Last week in our newsletter we told you about Noah and Adam, two of our Year 5 students who were raising money for the Starlight Foundation. Alongside their cricket team the played cricket last Saturday for 24 hours… from 10:30am on Saturday – 10:30am on Sunday.
Congratulations boys on having completed your challenge and raised $5,533 with donations still coming in. If you would like to help them reach their goal, you can click on the link below.
https://starlightfundraisers.org.au/net24/
Well done boys!
CYBER SAFETY ALERT: HUGGY WUGGY
Huggy Wuggy, a razor-toothed teddy bear character, sings about ‘hugging and killing’ in videos that have gone viral amoung children. The videos have slipped through the filters on YouTube and TikTok due to their innocent name and malicious creators are also deliberately hiding scary scenes of the character in content aimed at children, meaning young children are viewing the clips. There have also been reports that students are recreating the game imitating the characters’ actions and whispering scary dialogue.
It is important parents are vigilant of young children engaging in social media and viral videos and monitor your children. We also recommend you use filtering tools to block the video sharing platform TikTok and carefully monitor the use of YouTube too. Ensure you regularly review your filtering and make adjustments to minimise access to harmful content.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LA SALLE COLLEGE
La Salle College is an innovative Catholic co-education secondary school guided by our Lasallian principles.
The uniqueness of every individual is embraced at our College and our safe, inclusive and welcoming environment enables everyone to learn and flourish in their own distinctive way.
At La Salle College we offer a range of learning programs and academic pathways, as well as opportunities in a multitude of areas such as skill-based and work-based learning, music, arts, sport and extracurricular activities.
Our wonderful facilities and generous outdoor spaces provide an innovative and modern learning environment that inspires our students to explore their potential both within and beyond the classroom.
Our vision for learning is centred on Transforming tomorrow’s hearts, minds and lives.
Through our faith, culture of excellence, values and systems, we equip our students with the tools they need to become life-long learners and positive contributors, voices and leaders in the community beyond their College days.
To learn more about a La Salle College education visit our website at www.lasalle.wa.edu.au.
HOLY FAMILY PARISH
Mary’s Mount Primary School is the parish school for Holy Family Church in Kalamunda.
Fr Suresh celebrates mass at the beginning of each term, for solemnities and special feast days and offers reconciliation to students who are preparing to receive their Sacraments.
Parish Priest : Fr Antony Suresh
Parish Secretary : Mary Syme
Current Parish Bulletin : https://holyfamilykalamunda.org.au/?page_id=132
Email: kalamunda@perthcatholic.org.au
Website: www.holyfamilykalamunda.org.au
Location: 2 Burt Street, Kalamunda WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9293 1646
Facebook: facebook.com/holyfamily
MARY'S MOUNT PRIMARY SCHOOL
Email: admin@mmps.wa.edu.au
Website: www.mmps.wa.edu.au
Location: 47 Davies Crescent, Gooseberry Hill WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9290 5200
Facebook: facebook.com/marysmount