Mary's Mount Primary School
Term 1, Week 7 - 19 March 2021
A PRAYER FOR COMMUNITY
Embracing Father,
You embrace each of us with equal measure with your love.
Let us learn to love our neighbours more deeply,
so that we can create peaceful and just communities.
Inspire us to use our creative energies to build the structures we need
to overcome obstacles of intolerance and indifference.
May Jesus provide us the example needed
and send the Spirit to warm our hearts for the journey.
Amen
-from Being Neighbour: The Catechism and Social Justice
PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
What is a community?
A community is more than a location or a collection of individuals who happen to live or work in the same place. When I talk about a ‘sense of community’ I consider the quality of the relationships and connections that bind people, rather than just the fact that they see each other regularly. In a school’s daily life, the manner in which people interact with each other significantly affects each person’s sense of self-worth, belonging and well-being. I believe that fostering high-quality interpersonal relationships among teachers, students, parents and the wider community is a responsibility shared by everyone.
I have been reflecting on how vital it is for parents and staff to work in unity for the development of the whole child. Having the opportunity to discuss ways to enhance the educational experiences for the children from Mary's Mount Primary School fills me with joy. I look forward to travelling this journey in harmony.
WELLBEING TAB - SCHOOL WEBSITE
I have had the opportunity to seek feedback from students this week on the wellbeing initiative we will be launching shortly. The students are most intrigued by the letterbox that will be positioned on the wall on my office in the WELLBEING WALK WAY. The purpose of the different avenues for students to have their voice is to provide all children with the opportunity to voice a concern, a worry or an idea in a way that they feel comfortable. In person, online form or a written feedback form.
A NEW FACE AT THE FRONT DESK
Welcome to Mrs Deanna Grabski, who will be supporting the administration team this year. Deanna will be the welcoming face at the front office on Tuesdays to Fridays. I am sure you will make her feel most welcome.
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS - MONDAY 29 MARCH
Parent Teacher interviews are fast approaching!
Our form of reporting to you this term is via a parent-teacher interview and an interim report on the social and emotional wellbeing of your child. Please take this opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher. They will discuss your child’s strengths and let you know any areas for development or focus for your child. It is an expectation that all parents will take up this opportunity to attend a meeting. If you are unable to meet in person, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange a telephone discussion.
Mary’s Mount Primary School will close early at 12.30pm on Monday 29 March so parent/teacher interviews can take place. Students will be able to be picked up from the regular pickup areas around the school.
Digital Booking for Parent Teacher Interviews
We will trial booking our parent teacher meetings digitally this term. This will allow all parents to have an equal opportunity to book a meeting at a time convenient for them. The online booking link will be sent to you via email in the afternoon on Monday 22 March and the bookings will open at 4.30pm.
SACRAMENTAL ENROLMENT MASSES
The final Parish and School Commitment Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 20th March at 6:00 pm in Holy Family Parish, Kalamunda. The commitment mass is an opportunity for sacramental candidates and their families to express their desire to fully participate in the Family Focussed, Parish Based, School supported Sacramental program. Candidates will need to bring their commitment certificate (signed by their parents), their Sacramental Passports (which will be signed by their parish priest) and their commitment pledge.
Fr. Suresh will call up students to read their pledge, they will receive a sacramental candle and prayer from the parish and school. Candidates will need to hand their commitment certificates to one of the leadership team or staff attending the mass after they have read their pledge.
Please remember the number restrictions for each mass, only three members from each family can attend. If families have not confirmed their attendance on the form please do so, as we need to know how many members are at each mass. We look forward to supporting your child through this important part of their faith journey.
CANTEEN
What a fabulous opening day the canteen has had. Well done to the wonderful helpers who have made this happen. There were many happy smiles around the school, and I am sure at home too not having to pack lunches this morning!
YEAR 5 CAMP
We extend a heartfelt thank you to Miss DeMarte, Mr Smith and Mrs Smith who attended the Year 5 camp this week. Without the attendance of these staff members, we would not be able to offer our children the experience of a camp excursion and we are truly grateful for their time. A good time was had by all and the children enjoyed a range of activities on camp that stretched and challenged them in many ways.
HOLY WEEK RE-ENACTMENTS
At the end of next week we commence our Holy Week re-enactments. Information on these will be sent home to all families at the beginning of next week.
I hope you have a restful and joy filled weekend!
Emma Bell
Principal
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4;13
SNAPSHOTS @ MMPS Week 7
TERM 1, WEEK 8 2021 CALENDAR
- Mazenod & St Brigid's visit for Year 4 students
- 6pm - School Advisory Council Meeting
Tuesday 23 March
Wednesday 24 March
- 9.30am - 10.30am - Lapathon 4K - Yr6
Thursday 25 March
- 9.30am - School Tour for Prospective Families
Friday 26 March
- 8.50am - No Assembly
- 9.30am - School Tour for Prospective Families
- 2.20pm - Year 5 Palm Sunday re-enactment
P&F UPDATE
There will be just two fundraising raffles the P&F will coordinate this year and they are both open right now!
We are pleased to announce that funds raised from our Easter Raffle will go directly towards finishing our Nature Playground, with plans to finish the area in the next two months! We'd love some more donations of Easter items so we have eight big prizes for our raffle, and some extras to give to local families in need. Donations of items can be dropped to your classroom and raffle ticket sales to the front office by 31st March. Many thanks to those families who have kindly donated items already.
Our 2021 Tuition Fee Raffle has also just opened, with first prize being $1000 paid onto your school fees! To enter just log in to your school Quickcliq account and then go to 'Events' - 'Tuition Fees Raffle'.
We'd also love to say a very special thank you to Liz Appleby from Bakers Delight Kalamunda for donating all of the bread rolls for our Big Splash event. Liz has also kindly volunteered to join our P&F Committee as School Advisory Council Representative. Thanks Liz!
Yours in education,
MMPS P&F Committee
LAPATHON - WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH
Next week is our annual LAPATHON - WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH - 9.30am - 10.30am. Students are to wear their faction sports uniform on this day.
Sponsorship cards were sent home with families last week. If you need a replacement, please contact the school office.
Parents, you are welcome to come along and walk (run, jog or just cheer) with your child on the day on the school oval. There is no need to sign in at the front office on this morning. We just ask you to arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to the event, and to leave as soon as it has finished.
Don't forget to keep collecting sponsors - per lap, or a set amount are all fine.
Donation cards to be returned on Wednesday 29 March
MMPS DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES CORNER
This week in Digital Technologies our Year 4 digital citizens have been learning about Cyber Safety. Students created a Pic collage expressing different emotions and we connected them to our Cyber Safety scenarios in class. Year 6 students designed various educational Applications with inspiration from a brilliant TED Talk.
Isaiah McDougall in Year 4 created an awesome VR headset for Genius Hour, how creative!! Mrs Henderson LOVED trying it out!!
Please click on the link below to access ESafety Kids Conversation Starters, you can discuss these at home with your children.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/eSafety_Ed%20Conversation%20S%20%20Kids.pdf
Mrs. Muscat
IT Learning Area Coordinator
ENROL NOW - STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO START 3K & 4K IN 2022
Interviews for students who will be entering 3 Year Old and 4 Year Old Kindergarten in 2022 will be commencing in Term 2.
If you have a child who falls into this group of students, please ensure you have submitted an application for them prior to 30 March 2021 so we can consider them for the first round of interviews.
Applications can be downloaded from our school website via here.
ENROL YOUR CHILD IN SCHOOL FOR 2022 IF THEY ARE:
3 Year Old Kindergarten
- Three years old by 30 June 2022
4 Year Old Kindergarten
- Four years old by 30 June 2022
INTERVIEW PROCESS
- Application submitted to MMPS and $25 enrolment deposit paid.
- Letter sent to families who have applied inviting them to attend an interview.
- Interview with both parents / guardians and prospective student.
- Letters of offer sent to successful families at completion of all interviews.
- Signed letter of offer returned to school and $100 enrolment deposit paid.
- Orientation for all new students and families will be held in Term 4.
SCHOOL TOURS
We also have a number of school tours scheduled for new prospective families, so if you know of any families who are thinking of joining the MMPS community, please invite them to register for a school tour.
Upcoming Enrolment Tour Dates - Please register via admin@mmps.wa.edu.au
Thursday 25 March @ 9.30am (includes visit to 3K class)
Friday 26 March @ 9.30am (includes visit to 3K class)
Tuesday 30 March @ 9.30am (includes visit to 4K class)
CANTEEN NEWS - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Yay, our canteen is back in business! A special thank you to Michelle Sanderson, Natasha Hansen and Angelina Pang-Biggen who worked hard today to prepare and deliver recess and lunch orders for our very excited students. Thanks also to our parents for supporting our canteen! The canteen was very busy today and the orders were a mile long.
But... we can't keep the canteen open without volunteers. Michelle is in need of two volunteers to help out next Friday 26 March. If you can help, please contact the school office via email admin@mmps.wa.edu.au We will then be putting together a roster for next term, so please let us know if and when you can help out. No experience necessary.
COMMUNITY NEWS
March 29 - Women Who Anoint Jesus: Recovering the Memory
Amidst the violence and betrayal of Jesus’ final days, when even those closest succumb to fear and denial, the scriptures draw us into a tender encounter of mutually empowering love: a woman anoints Jesus and prepares him for what lies ahead.
As a new heroism emerges from a Covid world and the uselessness of individualism, mechanistic responses and competition is exposed, may we recover the tender power of the anointing stories, and discover why all four evangelists chose to tell them.
Presenter: Dr Pina Ford Team Leader Catechist Service
The Council for Catholic Women Perth warmly invite you to join us at James Nestor Hall, Catholic Education Office 50 Ruislip St West Leederville on Monday 29 March 5.30-8.30pm. Gather for light refreshments at 5.30-6pm. RSVP by Friday 26 March to Kerry at kerrymacfarlane2@gmail.com / 0400 886 835. All welcome.
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