Mary's Mount Primary School
Term 1, Week 3 - 18 February 2022
Prayer for patience
Help us we pray
With patience and perseverance in our way
That we may be gracious in all things
A calm and pleasant person in our living.
Grant us the virtue of patienceLord,
When we discern not Your will in all;
With prayer and perseverance, we can see
Your plans unfold in perfect timing.
Amen
PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
Dear Parents and Carers
It’s hot! With the heat can come frustration and tiredness and a little bit of irritability. This is a perfect opportunity for us to tune into our courage mantra, be the best part of someone else’s day. I have had to catch my thoughts a few times this week where my tolerance level has been tested. Our school mantra and my courage mantra has certainly helped me in these situations.
All educators at Mary’s Mount Primary School are working diligently to be the best part of your child’s day in the way they present the curriculum, the way they greet them at the door, the way they read to them, the way they communicate feedback to them. I trust that you are hearing good news stories regarding your child’s experiences during the day.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
While you are resting at home tomorrow the teachers will be learning together. The curriculum focus area at Mary's Mount Primary School for 2022 is Numeracy. Our quest is to encourage a culture of perseverance and grit while working through mathematical problems.
The capacity to not just 'do' a mathematical problem, but understand and more importantly explain to others the working, is at the centre of our focus this year. What does it mean to problem solve? People of all ages engage in problem-solving. A toddler might investigate how to obtain a toy that is just out of her reach. An adolescent might need to determine how to juggle multiple obligations, responsibilities, and desires effectively. Regardless of the task itself, people who engage in problem-solving are seeking a solution to a challenging and novel task. They may bring a variety of knowledge to the process, investigate several possible solution strategies, and experience various degrees of success with their methods. They will experience failure, struggle, and triumphs, all of which contribute to their knowledge base for future problem-solving situations. Mrs De Marte (Year 4 Teacher) and Mrs Williams (Year 2 Teacher) are our lead teachers in this area of our school life and will be providing updates and information for parents along the way.
LIBRARY
There have been some changes made to how each class visits the library this year.
Kindy - Year 2 Mrs Angela Smith will be working with the Kindy to Year 2 teachers in supporting the children in these year levels to make informed book choices when visiting the library. The children will engage in a story with a significant adult each time they visit. Mrs Smith loves helping the little people of our school choose just the right picture book to share with their families at home.
Year 3 to 6 Mrs Gamble is busy this year! Along with running Minilit and EMU sessions, Mrs Gamble will also be more present in the library. The Year 3 to 6 children, when visiting the library will be treated to a reading session with Mrs Gamble. I have sat in on a few of her reading sessions and the children are mesmerised by her craft of storytelling. Mrs Gamble will also be supporting the mature readers in book choices. Having a Lexile level is important, but not the only avenue for book choice in the library. Mrs Gamble has a wealth of knowledge in relation to book choice that aligns with Lexile levels.
Having a thriving, busy library at the heart of a school is a passion of mine and I am filled with joy when I see educators at MMPS bringing this to life. Thank you Mrs Gamble and Mrs Smith for all your hard work so far this year in sharing your passion with our school community.
PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS
You will be receiving your digital parent information pack today. In this pack you will notice that there are changes to the way we will be communicating with parents in 2022. All classroom communication from the teacher to parents will be received through the Seesaw App. The process of how you receive a login will be communicated to you from your classroom teacher.
IF YOUR CHILD IS UNWELL
The safety and wellbeing of all students and staff is our highest priority and as WA is now considered to be in a high caseload setting we need to remain vigilant and monitor for symptoms.
If your child is unwell they should not attend school and if anyone in your household displays any of the COVID-19 symptoms they should seek testing immediately, notify us and isolate until a negative result is received. Please notify us immediately of a positive test result, and note any communications which result will maintain identity confidentiality. Please also do not take offence if we contact you to collect your child from school during the day because they are feeling poor or have visible illness symptoms.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to keeping our community safe.
PARKING
Parking is always an issue around schools so I please ask you to be vigilant and careful, especially at drop off and pick up times. Over the years we have worked with the Shire to ensure the safety of our students. Please remember parking at drop off and pick up is only allowed in the marked designated areas around the school on Davies, Crescent and Noel Road. An inspector has been known to visit our school periodically and issue fines to anyone parked illegally or not following the signs.
Please remember:
- do not park on the verge on the corner of Davies Crescent and Noel Road;
- do not block any driveways of residents around the school;
- drive slowly when exiting car bays and pulling out of school car parks;
- be aware of children on foot and on bikes (returning home from other schools);
- when exiting the Noel Rd Kiss and Drive area, please turn left not right.
Enjoy a rest tomorrow and keep cool. We will see you all on Monday.
God bless
Emma Bell
Be the best part of someone else's day - Ben Crowe
TERM 1, WEEK 4 PLANNER
- Speech & OT screening continues
Tuesday 22 February
- 1.30pm P&F Meeting Via TEAMS (link below in P&F news)
- 6pm SAC Meeting (online)
Wednesday 23 February
- Make a Move - Week 4
Thursday 24 February
Friday 25 February
- 9am Merit Assembly via TEAMS (recording link will be shared)
MMPS EARTHCARE NEWS
Kaya (hello in Noongar language)
We are excited to tell you about our new and improved Mary's Mount Primary School Earthcare Blog (formally known as MMPS Sustainability Blog).
Our goal with this exciting new blog is to share more of our Earthcare stories and adventures with our school community and wider communities near and far. Our stories matter to us. You will read stories about how we are caring for our Earth. You will read stories about the actions our staff and students and our school community are taking, to improve social justice, both locally and globally, and how all our actions are collectively contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's).
For more information of the UN's SDG's see https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Please see the link below that will connect you to our MMPS Earthcare blog. Enjoying reading our weekly stories about how we are all making a difference together.
https://mmpsearthcare.blogspot.com/
Thank you,
Belinda Henderson
Sustainability Coordinator
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER CORNER
I have really enjoyed spending time over the past three weeks meeting many of the Mary’s Mount students. I am very excited to be part of the Mary’s Mount community this year and I am looking forward to the opportunity to also meet lots of parents as the year progresses.
The beginning of the school year is an exciting time, but it can also bring up some anxiety for children and for us as parents. Anxiety is a normal part of life; we all feel anxious sometimes.
Psychologist, Karen Young, on her wonderful website ‘Hey Sigmund’ encourages parents that part of growing up brave is learning that the presence of anxiety doesn’t mean something is wrong. Mostly, it means that our children are on the edge of brave- and being away from you for a while counts as brave. Even if they don’t do it easily at first, when the opportunities for brave are in front of them, their brave will find them. Every time it does, it will grow more certain and more able to rise.
The key is for us to gently provide opportunities (experiences) for the brain to learn that anxiety doesn’t always mean danger. Sometimes it means that there is something important or meaningful we need to do. We can teach the brain that that there are ways we can feel safe when we have these experiences.
You can read the remainder of this article, which gives some great ideas for helping children through separation anxiety at the link below.
https://www.heysigmund.com/how-to-move-children-through-separation-anxiety/
Mrs Julie Merrells
Social Worker
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 25 February
Friday 4 March
Friday 11 March
Friday 18 March
Friday 25 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
P&F NEWS
PLEASE JOIN OUR MEETING NEXT WEEK - ONLINE
Our first P&F Meeting has been scheduled for next week Week 4 – Tuesday 22 February at 1.30pm.
Due to the current COVID protocols we are not permitted to meet face-to-face, therefore the meeting will be held online. Calling on all committee members, class coordinators and any parents looking to get involved - please join us!
P&F ONLINE MEETING LINK
Microsoft TEAMS meeting - Join on your computer or mobile app using the link below at the set meeting time. No account required. Please remember to turn off your camera and mute your microphone.
Click here to join the meetingMMPS 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 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