Please keep the Year Four children in your prayers as they prepare for the Sacrament of the Eucharist which will be celebrated at the end of August. Thank you to the Year Four teachers Mrs Woodall, Mrs Barry and Mr von Bergheim for preparing the children so beautifully for this special sacrament in which they receive Jesus for the very first time.

Mary Mackillop is Australia’s first saint. Mary was born in Victoria in the 1800s and devoted her life to teaching children. She believed everyone, no matter how rich or poor should have the chance to learn. Along with Fr Julian Tennison Woods, Mary MacKillop set up many schools. She also founded an order of nuns called the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who continue to do the good work of Mary. Mary died on August 8th 1909 (her feast day). She was canonised a saint on 17 October 2010. As we celebrate her feast day this week, let us remember some of the words she lived by:

Never see a need without doing something about it

Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them bravely, remembering Whom you are trying to follow. Do not be afraid. Love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you all your life. God will reward you as only He can.

Find happiness in making others happy

On 15 August we celebrate the Assumption of Mary. Mary was a very special person in every sense of the word. She was the Mother of Jesus and as such was born without original sin. As a fitting reward for the life she dedicated so wonderfully to God, she was taken up to Heaven, body and soul, when the course of her life on earth was finished. There will be masses at Our Lady of the Mission church on Saturday 15 August at 8.30am and 6.30pm.

‘Almighty, ever-living God, you raised to eternal glory the body and soul of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son. Grant that our minds may always be directed heavenward and that we may deserve to share her glory. Amen’.

Tuesday pre-Kindy is full however we have a few vacancies left for Thursday Pre–Kindy. Once children turn 3 years of age they can attend Pre-Kindy. In Pre-Kindy we nurture creative and active minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts all in a safe and secure environment. Our little ones learn through imaginative, cognitive and sensory play, both the indoors and outdoors. Our little ones also learn to socialise, take turns and are introduced to basic routines. There is always lots of fun to be had including activities such as cooking, story and singing time and 'Walk of the Week' through the school, where our little ones visit the chickens, the prayer garden, the library and other areas of the school. This helps our little ones to develop that sense of 'belonging' to a larger community. If you have a child who is 3 years old or soon turning 3 years of age or have friends, neighbours or relations with children ready for Pre-Kindy, please contact the school office for the remainder of 2020. We are also enrolling now for 2021 and 2022.

It has been wonderful chatting with lots of parents in the morning as as I do my daily ‘meet and greet’ at the front of the school and some of our conversations have centered around good websites to go to for parenting tips. When we become parents we are never given a manual on parenting so thank goodness for such people as Maggie Dent https://www.maggiedent.com/common-concerns/ and Lenore Skenazy http://www.freerangekids.com/ who provide some sage advice on topics such as self-regulation, anxiety, building resiliency, raising boys, screen time, sleep issues etc. I hope you find the websites helpful.

We have a new Traffic Warden who does a fabulous job in helping our children safely cross Gibson Ave. However, at times when he is sick and the Traffic Warden State Management Unit cannot find a replacement, we are left without a Traffic Warden. I recently contacted the management unit and they are very happy for parents to be trained and then assist our school if we are ever left without a Traffic Warden. However, once you undertake the training you need to be aware that the yearly contract Type A Traffic Wardens sign, has a clause in it which says “During your contract, you may be called upon to provide Traffic Warden children’s crossing duties on a continuous or ad hoc basis as required by Traffic Warden State Management Unit.” This means that as a Western Australia Police Force casual contract employee, a Traffic Warden can be directed to work at any location for operational needs. Therefore, if a parent applies and trains to be a Traffic Warden, you will be required to work at other locations within the general area. If you are interested to find our more, including the hourly rate and other conditions of employment please contact Carole Taylor Manager Traffic Warden State Management Unit Western Australia Police Force on 6274 8726 l or by email carole.taylor@police.wa.gov.au

Enjoy your weekend.

Mrs Margaret Williamson

Principal