Mary's Mount Primary School
Term 1, Week 2 - 11 February 2022
Dear Lord,
decisions with one another. My prayer
is that You help us to do this in peace. Help
us to respect each other's opinions. Help us to slow down
and truly consider all sides, whether the decision is
great or small. Help us to be aware of how our decisions
affect others. Show us how to be quick to listen and slow to
anger. Also, I pray for those who have a difficult time
speaking up at all. Please bring a balance of communication to people in our lives.
Most of all, with every decision we make, may
Your will be done as You guide us.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
Dear Parents and Carers
After my newsletter article last week, I received many affirming emails and comments about the Ben Crowe courage mantra that we are encouraging in our school community. I wish to extend my gratitude to those who have taken the time to express their thoughts with me. At times, sitting in your office pumping out newsletter pieces, you do not know if people have read it or if it is having the impact on the reader that your intended. To those who reached out to me, thank you for being the best part of my day!
CODE OF CONDUCT
Over the first few weeks of 2022 the classroom teachers have been spending time unpacking the Mary’s Mount Primary School Code of Conduct for Students. During these conversations each class has co-created, with their teacher a Code of Conduct that suits their cohort and year level. The teachers have guided the conversation to be inclusive of our 5 Pillars; Truth, Wisdom, Tradition, Faith and Community.
Once the co-created Code of Conduct is complete, Mrs Muscat and Mrs Leech are creating special posters for each classroom. The teachers will be sharing this with you when our digital parent information packs are sent home on Thursday 17 February.
SCHOOL OVAL
During the January school holidays the school oval was reconditioned. During this process there were delays in the contracted work. This resulted in a period where Mr Gair could not water the lawn. As you know, we experienced an extremely hot January this year. Since our return to school and the completion of the work, Mr Gair has been repairing pipes and sprinklers that were damaged in this process. Mr Gair cares for our school meticulously and is disappointed as am I for the children that the oval was not ready for their return. I have every confidence, once our watering systems are back in place, the oval will be looking great.
DAILY FITNESS
As part of our Way 2 Wellbeing Strategy, Mary’s Mount Primary School is introducing daily fitness from Monday – Thursday for Year 1-6 children. Mrs Curulli has designed fun fitness tasks for each year level to complete from 8.50am-9am.
The Wellbeing leaders will help set up the stations each morning for the classes to participate. The purpose of daily fitness aligns with our wellbeing strategy. Research suggests that physically active people have a greater capacity to thrive mentally.
Physical activity promotes many aspects of child and adolescent development, including social and emotional skills, as well as physical development of motor skills.
It also supports mental wellbeing. We know that high levels of inactivity can lead to a greater risk of both physical and mental health problems.
Physical activity:
- can increase levels of serotonin and endorphins; the neurotransmitters involved in regulating and improving mood
- promotes sleep – which also helps regulate moods, increase energy levels and improve memory and learning
- increases the connections between the brain neurons, which improves memory and learning capacity
- pumps blood to the brain to boost mood, concentration, and alertness
- promotes relaxation by reducing skeletal muscle tension
- provides children and young people with an outlet for excess energy and frustration, which relieves tension
- improves motor and cognitive skills, which boosts self-esteem
- distracts children and young people from negative thoughts.
These benefits also serve to improve classroom behaviour and promote a more positive learning environment.
(https://beyou.edu.au/fact-sheets/wellbeing/physical-activity-and-mental-health)
The DAILY FITNESS schedule will commence on Monday 14 February.
COVID 19 UPDATE
Further to the letter that families received yesterday I would like to draw your attention to some key points.
PARENT and TEACHER MEETINGS
All meetings will be held online via a TEAMS call where you will be able to engage in a face to face meeting virtually. The classroom teacher will invite you to a TEAMS chat via email. You will receive a link that you click at the time of the scheduled meeting. You don't need to have an account for this. Another option to this is that a telephone conversation can be had with the teacher and yourself.
PARENTS/CARERS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS AND MASK WEARING
You are allowed onto the school grounds for drop-off and pick-up in outdoor locations only, and are asked to physically distance and avoid gathering. Mask wearing for parents/carers is expanded to outdoor areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Please be aware that the safety and wellbeing of your child is our primary focus. If at any time a teacher believes that for your child’s social and emotional wellbeing, you being in the classroom is required this will be facilitated.
~ IMPACT OF SCHOOL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ~
LIBRARY - will be closed at lunchtimes
EVENTS
- Bowling Evening with SAC and P&F Executive – postponed
- SAC. P&F Executive and Staff Commissioning Mass – postponed
- Ash Wednesday Mass -TBA
- Swimming Carnival – TBC
- Year 6 Cricket Carnival – TBC
- Drawing Club - postponed until further notice
- Chess Club - postponed until further notice
- Hymn Singing - postponed until further notice
- Choir - modified progam
- The Big Splash - cancelled
- Assemblies - TEAMS from classroom
CHOIR
Mrs Freeman has adjusted her timetable to facilitate a revised Choir Plan for individual cohorts. These sessions will ensure that our Choir is able to keep singing and developing during these times of restrictions. Students who join Choir do so to learn, to develop, and foster their joy for the Arts and many see it as a time of wellness where they can freely express themselves in a safe environment.
Mrs Freeman plans to use these Choir sessions to prepare students for the possibility of Catholic Performing Arts Festival and other external events going ahead in some capacity (live or online) but to also create student-led Hymn Singing resources to share with the rest of the school.
SHOULD YOU ATTEND SCHOOL?
Thank you for your assistance with keeping your child home if they are exhibiting any signs of COVID-like symptoms. This information is provided to assist parents/carers with decisions regarding school attendance when their child is unwell. Catholic Education WA offers the following advice regarding whether a student or staff member should stay away from school:
If a child is unwell
Staff, students and parents are not to attend schools if they are unwell (symptomatic) or test positive to COVID-19, until permitted under public health requirements. Parents are asked to seek medical advice if their child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 and are encouraged to notify the school if they have undergone testing. Processes for advising the school of a child’s absence are addressed below.
Confirmation of COVID Case or Close Contact
It is of significant importance that you inform the school if your child or a family member are considered close contacts, or are being tested for COVID-19 and provide us with the result. Please email this information to me directly on the following email
Please see below the school community close contact testing and isolation protocols shared with Catholic schools by CEWA on 8 February 2022.
I have great faith in our community and our capacity to thrive and face adversity as a connected community.
Enjoy the weekend and we look forward to seeing you on Monday.
God bless.
Emma Bell
Principal
Be the best part of someone else's day - Ben Crowe
TERM 1, WEEK 3 2022 CALENDAR
- Speech screening continues
- Testing commences
- Daily Fitness commences
Tuesday 15 February
Wednesday 16 February
- Make a Move - Week 3
Thursday 17 February
- Digital Parent Information & Term Overviews will be shared with Community by 4.30pm
Friday 18 February - SCHOOL CLOSED
- PUPIL FREE Day - Students do not attend school
KEY DATES FOR 2022
TERM DATES 2022
Term 1 Monday 31 January – Friday 8 April
Term 2 Tuesday 26 April – Friday 1 July
Term 3 Monday 18 July – Friday 23 September
Term 4 Monday 10 October – Friday 9 December
PUPIL FREE DAYS 2022
Term 1 Friday 18 February, Tuesday 8 March
Term 2 Thursday 2 June, Friday 3 June
Term 3 Monday 22 August
Term 4 (n/a)
EARTHCARE NEWS
PS: Just on another note our well loved School Sustainability Blog is being refreshed and relaunched this year as MMPS Earthcare there will a lots more of our eco and social justice stories to share, tips and information about how "together we make a difference". Please keep an eye out for the link to our new 2022 blog link in next weeks newsletter.
Thank you,
Belinda Henderson
Sustainability Coordinator
CANTEEN NEWS - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are very light on for helpers and volunteers this term, 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.
Friday 11 February
Friday 25 February
Friday 4 March
Friday 11 March
Friday 18 March
Be sure to check out the online menu each week when you order, as the items will change. There are lots of new drinks, and some new food additions too which will change over the term.
Thank you.
Angeline Biggin
PARENT HELPER WORKSHOP
In the past, MMPS have been blessed with some amazing classroom volunteers who offer their time to support students in their learning. We were looking forward to continuing this tradition in 2022 however, due to the current climate, this is not possible.
We will be postponing the Parent Helper Workshop (scheduled for 24th February) until further notice however, we hope later in the year, we have be able to start the program back up.
Teagan Thresher
Year 1 Teacher
UNIFORM SHOP - 2022 (uniform@mmps.wa.edu.au)
EMAIL -> uniform@mmps.wa.edu.au
ORDER ONLINE HERE -> https://quickcliq.com.au/Default.aspx
UNIFORM PRICE LIST -> https://marysmount.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Uniform-Price-List-2021_2022.pdf
P&F NEWS
P&F MEETING - ONLINE - TUES 22 Feb @ 1.30pm
Our first P&F Meeting has been scheduled for Week 4 – Tuesday 22nd Feb at 1.30pm. Due to the current COVID protocols at the school we will not be permitted to meet face-to-face therefore the meeting will be held online. A link will be published here in the newsletter next week for you to join the meeting. More information to come on this but we encourage all committee members, class coordinators and any parent looking to get involved to please attend. All are welcome!
CLASS REPS - WE NEED YOU
There are still some year groups that do not have a class rep for 2022. If you are interested in volunteering to be the class representative for your year group, please discuss this with your class teacher.
BIG SPLASH & BREAKFAST IN THE PARK - CANCELLED
Also due to the new COVID protocols and CEWA directives we are unable to host our Welcome Big Splash Event scheduled for Saturday 19th Feb or Breakfast in the Park (BIP) scheduled for next month. We are all super disappointed to hear these fantastic P&F events cannot go ahead but the committee are working on other exciting events and fundraisers that will meet our schools COVID safe requirements. This year is looking like another challenging year for all so we thank you for your continued support and patience as we try to press ahead through rapidly changing conditions.
WE NEED YOU!
If you are looking to do something new and interesting, actively contribute to your child's education, meet new people and have some fun... then the P&F is for you! We're a positive and proactive bunch, and we'd love for you to join us! We still have a position available on our Executive Committee for anyone interested, but if you just want to see what it’s all about and get involved where you can, then simply tune in to one of the online meetings!
MMPS P&F Committee
JOIN THE MMPS INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM
Join the Mary's Mount Primary School Instrumental Program in Term 1!
Enrolments are now OPEN for Term 1 2022
Mary's Mount Primary School is pleased to offer its students the opportunity to learn an instrument at school.
Lessons are facilitated by the staff from Focus Music who attend the school each week during the school day to deliver individual and small-group lessons to students who select to take part in the program. There are concerts and performance opportunities each semester for all students.
Choose from Piano, Violin, Drums, Guitar, Ukulele and Singing.
End of Year Concert 2019
For more information please watch our video, read our Parent Info Guide or contact the Program Coordinator Greg Barnett at greg@focusmusic.com.au or on 0431 499 766
Enrolments for Term 1 close at the end of Week 3 - Saturday 19 February 2022.
COMMUNITY NEWS
MERCEDES COLLEGE OPEN MORNING 2022
Located in the heart of Perth’s beautiful heritage precinct, Mercedes College are proud to be opening its gates for prospective families. The tour provides an opportunity for parents to hear from the Senior Leadership Team and enjoy a tour of College grounds and facilities led by some of our Student Representative Leaders.
There are two sessions on offer: Tuesday 15 March - 8:30am-10.30am or 11am-1pm. Both sessions conclude with some light refreshments and the opportunity to speak with some of our Teachers. Please register via the College website. Limited places available; www.mercedes.wa.edu.au/open-morning/
MERCEDES COLLEGE ENROLMENTS 2022
Interviews for enrolments for Year 7 2025 students are being conducted this Semester for sisters of current and past Mercedes students. If you have not enrolled your daughter, please contact our Enrolments Officer, Nicole Kirk, on 9323 1340 or enrol online via the College website at www.mercedes.wa.edu.au as soon as possible.
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