Mel Maria Catholic Primary School
Newsletter - Term Two Week Nine - 2024
Dear Parents and Staff
First Holy Eucharist (Communion)
Last weekend, our Year Four students from the Pater Noster Campus celebrated receiving Holy Communion for the first time, which was a most significant time in their life and their families.
Those old enough minds cast their minds back to the time when churches had altar rails. This was a type of small fence-like structure, often presented in fine marble or crafted wood, that divided this century of the church from its main body. At Communion time during Mass, members of the congregation knelt at the altar rail to receive communion from the priest who moved from person to person along the other side. After receiving communion, the recipient returned to their place in the church and convert intimately with Christ now presents within them.
After the Second Vatican Council numerous changes were made to the external expressions of the Church. One change that seem to be of a somewhat minor nature was to remove the altar rail. However, there was a strong message associated with this change. Now, we were encouraged to understand the reception of Christ in the Eucharist as St Augustine explained it, “We eat the Body of Christ to become the Body of Christ.” Nowadays, we stand at the altar to receive Communion; ready to take Christ within us out into our local community.
The Eucharist is the most powerful prayer in which a Christian can participate.
· Firstly: Union with Christ in the Eucharist enables a Christian to offer the day-to-day life to the father in the most intimate way possible.
· Secondly: we are bonded more deeply in Christ and empowered to love one another as he loved us.
· Thirdly: “. . . Only say the word and I shall be healed,” allows the power of Jesus’ healing to flow into our hearts.
This threefold effort of revitalization offers the Christian the opportunity to return to their community - home, neighbourhood, workplace - strengthened to rise above human failings and live joyfully, honestly and non-judgementally. It takes courage to maintain our day to day lives and the opportunity to share Jesus’ love can give us the strength and purpose to not simply exist, but to celebrate our lives.
The apostles of the Last Supper must have been startled when Jesus stood up to do his duty as host and say that blessing over the cup and the bread. Here, where new words spoken: “This is My Body which is given to you”, “This cup is God’s new covenant which is poured out for you.” Here, was Jesus offering Himself and telling his Apostles to “Do this in memory of me”. The Apostles might have been bewildered at the Last Supper, but they were full of purpose after Pentecost and took Jesus’ request to various parts of the world. The Eucharist is the centre of Christian heritage and should be cherished by Christians as the principal means to union with Christ.
Parents have the responsibility and privilege to hand on this heritage to their children. What better way to achieve this than to share the Eucharist with their children in union with other members of their Christian community. As we watched our Year Four students receive Communion for the first time, we are thrilled by the beauty and simplicity of their belief in who it is they are receiving. We congratulate all our Year Four students on receiving their First Holy Communion.
Building Resilience
Children love to be praised. It is one of the joys of living and working with them to see them display pride and happiness when they do something well and we, whether parent or significant other, observe their achievement. Most importantly, children love to please those they care about the most - their Mums and Dads!
As parents, this can be difficult to remember at times, particularly after our children have done something mischievous or wayward; or we’ve had a busy, demanding and tiring day; or we are just not feeling that well.
The task of being a parent is, to say the least - quite a challenge! There is no instruction kit available, user manual, or teachers’ guide to follow that comes with the privilege of being a parent. However, what is available is the support and experience of those we love and trust, our parents, grandparents, friends and neighbours who, through their life experiences, may be able to assist us with the challenges we face each and every day.
As parents we want to help our children to deal with life’s challenges, as well as build the necessary skills to deal the with these when they arise. We want to help develop resilience in our children. Resilience is defined as our ability to cope with problems and change and bounce back after these challenges. Below are some practical tips for parents about how to develop positive connections with your child’s school.
Resilient people have:
· Self-esteem –feel good about themselves and have a sense of being special and value just because who they are
· Skills – skills to cope with stress and challenges
· Support – Good Role Models – at least one caring adult
· Outlined below some of the ‘tips’ for how parents can help children become more resilient.
· Parents are the most important people in a child’s life. There are many things’ parents can do to foster resilience.
Action
· Show children you love them and accept them just as they are. Assure them whether they succeed or not, they have the same intrinsic value.
· Model positive attitudes and values.
· Have realistically high expectations for achievement and behaviour.
· Foster success – encourage your children in whatever area they are good at and value.
· Take time to listen to your children.
· Teach your children to solve problems and make decisions.
· Teach children about spiritual awareness – the capacity to reflect, to know their life is valuable; to know they have inner resources, to be prayerful.
Encourage children to accept themselves as unique and special and to be accepting of the uniqueness of others.
Lifelink 25th Anniversary Celebration
On Wednesday 5 June our Year six leaders represented Mel Maria at the Life link 25th Anniversary
of Lifelink Day.
Mel Maria will celebrate our Lifelink fundraising event later in the year, to raise donations for people in our community who need to use our agencies during times of crisis.
“I wish to sincerely thank and acknowledge the enduring and valued support of Catholic Education WA (CEWA), our Archdiocesan School Principals and teaching staff who have helped build the culture of LifeLink Day through their genuine and enthusiastic support. Perhaps most importantly, a HUGE thank you to all the students who have participated in special projects and activities, taken the time to discover and learn out the work of the Church’s social service agencies, and generously donated a gold coin each and every year to help someone in need.
It is truly remarkable that you have raised $3 million over the past 25 years. I congratulate you all. Thank you.
Let’s continue to work together to help make a difference in people’s lives.”
Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB
Catholic Archbishop of Perth
What you can learn from children
· A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 186sq m house 10cm deep.
· If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 19kg boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cap.
· However, if you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan and tie it to a paint can, it does spread paint on all four walls of a 6x6m room.
· Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
· Always look in the oven before you turn it on because plastic toys do not like ovens.
· The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earth worms dizzy.
Kindergarten 2025 – Applications are Now Due
In 2025, we will have a whole new Early Childhood space for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year Two. This is going to be very exciting for the students, teachers and parents.
Enrolments are now being taken for siblings and new students wishing to commence Kindergarten at Mel Maria Catholic Primary School in 2025. Families with children eligible for Kindergarten in 2025 are required to fill out a Kindergarten Enrolment Application Form. These can be collected from the office or please follow the link provided. https://melmaria.wa.edu.au/assets/Uploads/General/Application-for-Enrolment-Form.pdf.
Kindergarten places are limited so it is important that parents within the Mel Maria Catholic Primary School community submit their applications as soon as possible.
Pre-Kindergarten 2025 – Applications are Now Due
Enrolments are now being taken for siblings and new students wishing to commence Pre-Kindergarten at Mel Maria Catholic Primary School in 2025. Families with children eligible for Kindergarten in 2025 are required to fill out a Pre-Kindergarten Enrolment Application Form. To attend Pre-Kindergarten a child must be three years of age.
Mel Maria Catholic School Primary School will continue to operate full day Pre-Kindergarten groups next year with the days of attendance being Thursday. There will also be the option of a second or possibly even third day depending on numbers Pre-Kindergarten places are limited so it is important that parents within the Mel Maria community submit their applications as soon as possible. Application forms can be obtained from the office or please follow the link provided. https://melmaria.wa.edu.au/assets/Uploads/General/Application-for-Enrolment-Form.pdf.
Kind regards
Paul Hille
Principal
#MakingADifferenceEveryday
Give me a kind heart that will endure
One that’s strong and secure
To help someone along the way,
May this be my goal every day.
Let me lend a helping hand
To someone whose life has not gone as planned,
Reaching out to one in need,
May this be my daily good deed,
To provide a guiding light
For someone lost in the dark of night
Let me take time to care
For someone experiencing despair.
Whatever I do,
Everywhere I go,
Your Will, Lord, let me know.
Amen
Thought for the Week
The only way to have a friend is to be one.
Ralph Emerson
Transition Days
We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved in making our Year One and Year Three Transition Days a huge success!
Our dedicated staff members helped the students engage in fun activities, make new friends, and alleviate any nerves about transitioning to a new campus next year. Students had a blast and were excited about the upcoming school year after getting a sneak peek of their future classroom. We are grateful for the wonderful support and effort from all our staff and parents in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable transition for our students.
Safe and Unsafe Secrets
In the Keeping Safe Curriculum, the topic of Safe and Unsafe Secrets is explored to help children to distinguish and understand the understand the difference between the secrets that are okay to keep and those that are not. It is important that we empower our students to recognise when they should speak up and seek help if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Stay tuned for important discussions and activities to help our students navigate this important aspect of their safety education.
Sounds Write Program
At Mel Maria Catholic Primary School, we teach phonics using an evidence based linguistic phonics program called Sounds Write. This program helps students improve their reading and spelling skills. By incorporating a multisensory approach that focuses on phonics and decoding strategies,
through interactive activities and engaging lesson plans teachers create a supportive and nurturing environment where students can thrive and develop a strong foundation in literacy which empowers students to become confident and proficient readers and spellers.
Ros Nichols and Jo Scouler
Head of Campus
On the weekend the Year Four students at Pater Noster received the Sacrament of Eucharist. It was a weekend of celebration and spiritual significance that was made possible by the dedication and support of many.
The Sacrament of Eucharist holds a special place in the hearts of our children and families. It marks their first reception of the Holy Eucharist, where they partake in the body and blood of Christ. This sacred sacrament is not only a milestone in their journey of faith but also a profound encounter with the living presence of Jesus Christ.
Through the teachings of our teachers, our children were well-prepared to receive this sacrament with understanding and reverence. They have learnt about the significance of the Eucharist, where we are nourished and strengthened by the presence of Christ.
To the parents, we thank you for your role in nurturing the faith of your children. Your love, prayers, and example have laid the foundation for their spiritual journey, guiding them as they take this important step in their relationship with God.
To our parish community, we offer thanks for your unwavering support and encouragement. Your prayers and presence have enriched the celebration, creating a sense of unity and belonging as we gather around the altar of the Lord.
May we continue to reflect on the profound meaning of the Eucharist in our lives. May the grace received in Holy Communion inspire us to live as disciples of Christ, sharing His love and mercy with those around us.
This term in Year Three, we are diving into the captivating world of "How to Train Your Dragon" by Cressida Cowell. Our discussions have centered around the main events of the novel, where we delve into the motivations and emotions of the characters, allowing us to empathize with their experiences. Through these engaging conversations, we are exploring themes of friendship, bravery, and overcoming challenges, which are prevalent throughout the story.
Story writing plays a significant role in our study of "How to Train Your Dragon." We are learning about story structure, including the introduction, rising action, climax, resolution and a range of exciting endings. With our imaginations ignited, we are crafting vivid descriptions of dragons, bringing these mythical creatures to life through our words and art.
Overall, our study of "How to Train Your Dragon" incorporates various art elements, comprehension exercises, and story writing activities. This approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and literacy skills among Year Three students. It is an enchanting journey into the world of dragons, inspiring us to explore our creativity and face challenges with bravery, just like the characters in the novel #makingadifferenceeveryday.
This term in Year Three at Pater Noster, we have donned our capes and become heroes! We have been working hard to explore the heroic qualities that live within each of us, and to put these amazing strengths to use to make a difference everyday. We have enjoyed a range of exciting learning opportunities including a trip to the Orchestra, attending a Spare Parts Puppet Theatre production, Year Three Transition activities and countless other wonderful experiences. We have very much enjoyed reading our class novel “ How to Train your Dragon”, and decided to use this book as the source of inspiration for our assembly.
Our assembly item explored the concept of what it means to be a hero. We shared that a hero is not someone who wears a cape, they are someone who cares for others and helps those around them at every opportunity. They stand up for others, respect everyone around them and always strive for excellence. We loved dressing up as wild Viking tribespeople, dragons and superheroes. As a class we worked very hard to learn our lines, remember our stage cues and perform a high energy dance item.
We have had such an amazing year so far, and we can’t wait to see what the remainder of 2024 holds for our outstanding group of students!-
Learning Japanese at Mel Maria is lots of fun. Our Junior Primary students are engaged in learning language through play and song. Japanese lessons are immersed in culture through the use of authentic items such as kimono, food and traditional toys.
Year 6 Ministries
The Public Relations Ministry at PN hosted a best class photo competition and Kindy Red won.
Year 2 Poem
Help kids learn to fail
Failure is a part of life. Teaching kids to fail and bounce back makes them stronger and more ready to face life’s challenges. When kids fear failing, they’re at risk for anxiety and meltdowns when things go wrong. But how do parents teach kids to fail well?
It’s hard, but parents need to try step back and give kids room to mess up. If you’re always over their shoulder guiding them, they can’t fail and try again. That’s an important experience that they need to learn and grow.
When your kid does fail at something, let them know you see how frustrated and disappointed they are. Skipping right to bouncing back doesn’t give kids the time they need to feel their feelings.
Then, you can make failing a teachable moment. When your kid is ready, talk about what went wrong and how they might do things differently next time. Or how they might try again. Help them weigh the pros and cons of their choices.
You can also talk about your own mistakes or failures. Show them those moments are part of life. It’s okay that things don’t always go our way.
See the link below for strategies that can help.
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-kids-learn-to-fail/
School Term Dates for 2024
Term 1: Wednesday 31 January - 28 March
Term 2: Monday 15 April - Friday 28 June
Term 3: Monday 15 July - Thursday 19 September
Term 4: Tuesday 8 October - Friday 6 December
Pupil Free Days for 2024
Term 1: Monday 11 March
Term 2: Tuesday 4 June
Term 3: Friday 16 August, Friday 20 September
Term 4: Monday 7 October
Sacramental Dates for 2024
Confirmation:
SJP - Wednesday 15 May at 6:00pm
PN - Friday 9 August at 6:00pm
Eucharist:
SJP - Sunday 10 November at 11:00am
PN - Saturday 8 June at 3:00pm and Sunday 9 June at 2:00pm
Reconciliation:
SJP - Wednesday 18 September at 3:30pm
PN - Wednesday 18 September at 9:45am