Mary's Mount Primary School
Term 1, Week 5 - 5 March 2021
EMOTIONAL WELLNESS PRAYER
Dear God, I come to you asking for your help in keeping me strong and healthy in body, mind and spirit.
I thank you that because you created me you know my inner thoughts. You know all of my fears, my hopes and my dreams. You know my past, present and future. Only you know my personality and you know all of my emotional needs.
I thank you that you are the source of health in my inner being. When I draw close to your, you add your strength to mine. You help me cope. You guide me. You comfort me. You strengthen me.
I pray that you will continue to develop in me the graces that create emotional wellness.
I pray that you will renew my mind daily and keep my thought process clear. Help me guard against negativity, judgementalism and worry.
I pray that you will help me handle my emotions well. I thank you that you understand my feelings and that you hurt when I hurt and you rejoice when I rejoice.
Guide me to use and express my emotions in appropriate and healthy ways.
Comfort me when I am hurting. Calm me when I am distressed and anxious. Heal me when I am broken.
Alert me when I am overreacting. Prevent me from acting before I think.
When I am overcome with negative emotions to the point that they are interfering with my life, guide me to seek help from others.
Show me how to handle stress. Guide me how to keep my life balanced.
Open my eyes to activities that can replenish my mind and spirit.
Connect me with others in meaningful ways. Deepen my friendships, strengthen my family ties, connect me with other Christians.
Show me your purpose for my life that I might be part of something bigger than myself. Give me vision, hope and promise.
Never let my heart grow old. Keep me moving from glory to glory in your Kingdom.
Help me care for my body and keep it strong. Help me to eat well and keep fit.
Most of all, draw me closer to you. Fill me with faith, trust, love, grace and peace.
Let me sit at your feet in your presence, safe and secure in You.
AMEN
PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
I am continuing to focus on the area of WISDOM this week. Change brings about an opportunity for renewal. During this term the staff of Mary's Mount Primary School have been engaged in refreshing their knowledge and understanding of the content of the Keeping Safe curriculum. It has been a great opportunity for staff to reflect on the scope and sequence of this program and when certain concepts are introduced to children across all year levels.
Catholic Education WA schools are Christ-centered and child-focused learning communities that support each child to develop to their full God-given potential. Key to this is ensuring the learning environment is engaging, supportive and safe. All members of our school share the responsibility for creating and maintaining this healthy culture. By working together we can ensure all children flourish in a safe and healthy environment.
Recognising that each child has the right to be heard is an important element in the CEWA Child Safe framework. At Mary's Mount Primary School we teach students that they have the right to be safe and we empower them with the language, skills and strategies to assist in their safety by talking to people that they trust. It is a requirement that all students receive a protective behaviours and sexual abuse prevention education (10.6 Registration Standards for Non-Government Schools).
At Mary's Mount Primary School we are implementing the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC) which is an evidence-based child safety curriculum that teaches children to recognise abuse, tell a trusted adult, understand what is appropriate and inappropriate touching and ways of keeping themselves safe. The KS:CPC fits primarily within the Health and Physical Education learning area of the Australian Curriculum but is also taught across multiple learning areas.
The curriculum is based on two main themes:
We all have the right to be safe
We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust.
The themes are presented through four Focus Areas:
1. The right to be safe
2. Relationships
3. Recognising and reporting abuse
4. Protective strategies
The newly introduced Highway Heroe's Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum fits hand in glove with the Keeping Safe Curriculum.
HIGHWAY HEROES LEARNING HUB
Staff Learning
The staff engaged in a Professional Learning event on Tuesday where we unpacked the Highway Heroe's program and how it is directly linked with brain-science. Grounded in research, this program is practical and links beautifully between home and school. Every child need:
- The opportunity to take appropriate and measured risks
- The opportunity to experience disappointment and failure
- Strong and consistent role models who show well-regulated behaviour - most of the time
- Scaffolded opportunities to practise skills (self management and other-management)
- test and repeat...test and repeat learning situations to stack and automate the skills.
We learnt that the Highway Heroes program provides children with the above opportunities.
Community Learning
Members of the Mary's Mount Primary School parent/carer community were invited to an information session on Wednesday evening. Thank you to those who attended. Those who came along were treated to a well informed, entertaining presentation by Claire Orange. The feedback I have received has been overwhelmingly positive. I have included some comments from our community below.
"I thought the evening was great. It was very informative, and answered all of the questions (and more) that I had about the program. I was left feeling appreciative that this program is being implemented in our school. Having Claire explain the fundamental elements and key concepts of the program enabled me to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of just how integral the development of emotional wellbeing is in our children."
"Often children behave great at school then dump their frustrations at home so having the language being used at school to use at home to help a child process things better will be great."
"Very informative, the program sounds excellent. I like that it is research based and practical. These are life skills that everyone needs. I am looking forward to this rolling out in the school and am very pleased to have an understanding so I can support the children and teachers."
I am affirmed by the positive response from staff and parents and this fills me with optimism as we work towards launching the program at the beginning of Term 2.
Please see below the link to the presentation and power point slides.
YEAR 6 CRICKET CARNIVAL
The Year 6 students had a great day at the carnival and have returned to school with smiles on their dials! Mr Sorg commented on how the students represented our school with pride. And a profound quote from a Year 6 student reflected their efforts, you don't have to win physically, winning mentally is the most important thing and we did that today! Thank you also to the parent helpers and teachers who supported the students today.
P&F BIG SPLASH
Thank you to our wonderful P&F for planning and coordinating the Big Splash event this coming weekend. I am looking forward to seeing families in a relaxed atmosphere on Saturday.
HOMEWORK CLUB
We look forward to launching this program once the Mazenod boys are on deck. Stay tuned for more information when it comes to hand.
CHANGES TO THE WEBSITE
Over the course of 2021, there will be a little website facelift! This will start with a WELLBEING TAB and feedback forms for students, parents and community members. I am presenting this to the P&F at our first meeting on Tuesday 9 March, to seek feedback from a core group of parents in our community.
PARENT HELPER WORKSHOPS
Well done to Miss Thresher for planning and delivering the Parent Helper Workshops over the past week. A big thank you to the parents who have volunteered to be involved. Your support of the school and educational outcomes of the students is greatly appreciated by the staff and students.
THANK YOU PARENT HELPERS
Mrs Leech coordinated a group of parents to organise the Year 1 math kits. Mandy Lowe, Lauren Ketteridge and Vina Castillo have been working for the majority of the day to prepare the kits for the class. Thank you ladies, for giving up your day to support this project!
I hope you have a happy and restful weekend.
God bless,
Emma Bell
Principal
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4;13
CLAIRE ORANGE PRESENTATION
>> Click here to watch the video recording from Wednesday night's Highway Heroes presentation
SNAPSHOTS @ MMPS
TERM 1, WEEK 6 2021 CALENDAR
- 9am - 10am - P&F Welcome Morning Tea
Tuesday 9 March
- 1.30pm P&F Meeting
Wednesday 10 March
Thursday 11 March
Friday 12 March
- Swimming Carnival @ Mazenod Y3 - Y6
Saturday 13 March
- 6pm Sacramental Enrolment Mass @ Holy Family Parish
Sunday 14 March
- 9am Sacramental Enrolment Mass @ Holy Family Parish
SCHOOL PHOTOS & SPECIALTY GROUP / LEADER PHOTOS
SCHOOL PHOTOS
The online ordering forschool photos will close 7 March. This is the last day to order school photos without incurring a $30.00 archive fee.
- The school has chosen to use the online ordering system. Your child was given an online ordering instruction slip and a unique student shootkey.
- Log onto www.msp.com.au and follow the prompts to place your order.
- If you have lost your shootkey the school reception has a copy to quote back to you. Please email admin@mmps.wa.edu.au and you will be emailed your child's shootkey.
- The expiry date for online ordering is the 07.03.2021 Any orders received after this date will incur a $30.00 archive fee. After this date, you can email your order request through to reorders.perth@msp.com.au or call the MSP office on 9240 8000
SPECIALTY GROUP / GREEN TEAM & Y6 LEADERSHIP PHOTOS
On photo day speciality group images were taken at your school.
These images can be viewed and purchased at a unique website, which is DIFFERENT to where you order the portraits and class photos online.
1. To place your Order online simply go to https://mspphotography.shootproof.com/
2. Locate the Schools Name, then select the album titled: Mary's Mount PS Specialist Groups - 2021
3. You will then be required to enter a password to view the Album. The password for this MWKEAB21
4. Please ensure that you use your child’s name at the checkout
5. The images you are viewing are uncropped and will be cropped to fit to a 10x8 print (as per the first image in your gallery, a sample of layout & colour)
- The online orders will be open until midnight on Thursday, 11 March 2021 – for the Bulk Pricing Offer
- The Bulk Pricing Offer is $20 per print and these will be delivered to the school BY CLASS GROUP
- After the $20 pricing expires, the photos will remain available online, but the photos are now at a cost of $35 per image and delivered to a preferred address.
If you have any queries please contact MSP Photography on 9240 8000 or via email on ordering.perth@msp.com.au
WELCOME BACK FROM THE P&F
We have a busy week coming up for the P&F, with four events and activities planned that are sure to make a difference to our school community:
Our Big Splash Welcome Back party will take place this Saturday 6th March from 3pm - 6pm on the oval. Bring swimmers, towels, sunscreen, a picnic blanket, dry clothes and some cash to buy a sausage sizzle dinner, drinks, sweet treats or ice-blocks from our food tent. We're sure you and your children will have a ball so come and join in the fun! Special thanks to our fabulous Year 3 parents who are coordinating this wonderful event.
We are also pleased to be hosting a Welcome Morning Tea for all families on Monday 8th March from 9-10am under the trees beside the school canteen area. We'd love to see as many parents as possible join us as we welcome our new Principal Mrs Emma Bell, our New Assistant Principal Mrs Erin Leech and all of our new families. Monday is also International Women's Day so we'll be celebrating and thanking all of those mums who can join us on the day too. We'd also love donations of a plate for morning tea if you can provide one. Tea and coffee will be provided and children are welcome to come along too.
Next Tuesday 9th March sees us host our first P&F Meeting (agenda below) for the year, which will take place from 1.30pm - 3pm in the School Hall (please note new venue). We're excited about this meeting as we will be electing our new Committee, welcoming our new Parent Class Representatives and looking at some new initiatives for the year. The more parents that attend our meetings means the more ideas, more feedback and more fun we have. All parents from all year groups are welcome to join us. You don't need to take on a role or come to each meeting and please feel free to bring your little ones and their favourite toy(s) as children are welcome to join us.
And... look out for our Easter Raffle note next week. We'll be holding just 2 raffles this year (our Easter Raffle and Tuition Fees Raffe), so make sure you grab some tickets in each. We'll be asking each family if they would like to kindly donate a small Easter item (Easter egg/s, fluffy toy, Easter book etc etc) to make up our 8-10 raffle hampers that will be on offer as the winning prizes. This raffle will be drawn on Thursday 1st April, which is the last day of Term 1.
We look forward to welcoming you to these P&F events next week.
Yours in education,
MMPS P&F Committee
MMPS DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CORNER
This week Year 5 students learned all about the basics off Pseudocode and created a Flip Grid video explaining different coding principles around the school. They created some brilliant digital videos and uploaded them onto the Flip Grid platform for their teachers and peers to view.
Year 6 students started 'Genius Hour' this week, and wow, they absolutely LOVED it. Here is the link to the video they watched before the planning process took place:
What is Genius Hour?
Genius hour is a movement that allows students to explore their own passions and encourages creativity in the classroom. It provides students a choice in what they learn during a set period during school.
Mrs. Muscat
ICT Learning Area Coordinator
SEASONS FOR GROWTH PROGRAM
Over the holidays and throughout the last term, I have been involved in professional learning about the programme "Seasons for Growth" which focuses on learning to live with change and loss. The work is motivated by Mary MacKillop's principle, “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At Mary's Mount Primary School we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering a very successful education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence early 2021. This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need the practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The programme focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks.
Some families will receive an invitation in the near future with more details about the Seasons for Growth programme. If you think your son or daughter would benefit from Seasons for Growth we would encourage you to talk to him/her about participating in the programme.
Mary's Mount Primary School is pleased to be able to offer this important programme and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved.
If you require further information please contact Miss DeMarte (Program Coordinator and Companion).
Karlie De Marte
Y5 Teacher
OUR NATURE PLAY IS RAMPING UP AGAIN AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
But in order to do this we need your help. It's nothing too difficult, but as they say many hands make light work.
So please mark this date in your diary, and we will let you know closer to the time if we need you to bring anything along on the day. The P&F will also be supporting helpers with a treat on the day.
For more information, please contact Kate MacRae via mmpsnatureplay@gmail.com
CANTEEN NEWS - Opening later this term!
Please note, the school canteen will not be open at this point. Stay tuned for more information and commencement date! Thanks for your understanding.
COMMUNITY NEWS
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 : Louisa Sizer
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