Mel Maria Catholic Primary School

Newsletter - Term Two Week Four - 2024

Dear Parents and Staff

Celebrating Mothers: The Heartbeat of Our School Community

As Mother's Day approaches, we take a moment to honour and celebrate the incredible women who are the backbone of our school community. Our mothers, grandmothers and aunts, play a vital role in shaping the lives of our students and enriching our school environment.

Mothers are often the first teachers in a child's life, imparting invaluable lessons about love, kindness, and perseverance. From the early years of teaching us to tie our shoelaces and read our first words, to the teenage years filled with guidance and support, mothers are there every step of the way, offering unwavering encouragement and unconditional love.

In our school, we see the impact of mothers every day. They volunteer their time to help in classrooms, organise events, and support various school activities. Their presence is felt in the thoughtful lunches they pack, the notes of encouragement they slip into backpacks, and the comforting hugs they offer during challenging moments.

Beyond their roles within our school gates, mothers are also pillars of strength within our broader community. They juggle countless responsibilities, from managing households to pursuing careers, all while nurturing their families and supporting their children's dreams.

This Mother's Day, let us take the opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for all that our mothers do. Whether it's a simple "thank you" or a handmade card filled with love, let us show them how much they mean to us.

To the mothers of our students, we say thank you for entrusting us with your children's education and for being our partners in their journey. To the mothers among our staff, we thank you for your dedication and for the positive influence you have on our school community.

As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us remember to cherish and honour the mothers in our lives not just on this special day, but every day. Their love, guidance, and support are the heartbeat of our school community, and we are grateful for their presence in our lives.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing mothers out there! Your love truly makes the world a better place.

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Sacrament of Confirmation

Next Wednesday evening Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, along with our parish priest, Fr Don Kettle, will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our Year Six students at Mel Maria Catholic Primary School, St Joseph Pignatelli Campus. This is a significant milestone in their faith journey, marking their commitment to grow deeper in their relationship with God and their Catholic faith.

Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church, along with Baptism and First Holy Communion. Through Confirmation, our students will receive the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, strengthening them as they continue to mature in their faith.

During this sacrament, students will be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and will receive the seven gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts empower them to live as faithful disciples of Christ, to bear witness to His love in the world, and to actively participate in the life of the Church.

Preparation for Confirmation has been a journey of spiritual growth and discovery for our students. They have learned about the teachings of the Church, reflected on the meaning of Confirmation in their lives, and participated in various forms of prayer and service. Through their dedication and commitment, they have deepened their understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

As our students prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, let us continue to support them with our prayers and encouragement. This is a momentous occasion in their lives, and it is a joyous time for our entire school community.

We invite parents, guardians, and family members to join us in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation. The ceremony will be held at St Joseph Pignatelli Church on Wednesday 15 May, commencing at 6pm. We look forward to coming together as a community to witness and celebrate this important step in our students' faith journey.

May God bless our students abundantly as they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Twilight Tours

Last Thursday evening, we welcomed families, both familiar faces and new, to our Early Childhood Campus, Pater Noster. It was a momentous occasion as we hosted our very first twilight tour, offering a glimpse into the new structure for 2025.

Led by our dedicated staff members, teachers, and members of the Leadership team, families were treated to a practical experience which the children certainly enjoyed. From the inviting classrooms to the new outdoor play areas, the tour showcased the nurturing environment in which our students thrive.

Parents and students had the opportunity to engage with staff, learning about our innovative curriculum and the personalised approach to learning that sets Pater Noster apart.

For our current families, the twilight tour was a chance to reconnect with the school community and to view the new opportunities that await our students on the Pater Noster Campus. For our prospective families, it was an invaluable insight into the warm and welcoming environment that awaits their children.

I am delighted to report that the evening was a resounding success, thanks to the efforts of a number of staff and the enthusiasm and support of everyone who attended. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff, teachers, and members of the Leadership team for their hard work in organising this event. Please see below for future School Tour dates.

School Tour Dates:

17 May - PN (9:00am) and SJP (11:00am)

20 June - Twilight Tour - SJP (6:00pm)

23 August - PN (9:00am) and SJP (11:00am)

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Meeting Reminder for Tuesday 14 May - Both meetings will be held at Pater Noster.

School Advisory Council Meeting at 6:00pm
P&F Committee Meeting at 7:00pm

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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 found online on the school website.

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. Forms can be obtained from the office or on the school website.

Kind regards

Paul Hille

Principal

#MakingADifferenceEveryday

The Importance of Curiosity

Encouraging and nurturing our children's natural curiosity is essential for their educational journey. Trevor McKenzie's quote, "Curiosity is the oxygen to learning," highlights the importance of curiosity in driving exploration, inquiry, and a passion for knowledge. When children are curious, they become more engaged, motivated, and eager to learn, extending their love for discovery beyond the confines of the classroom. By fostering curiosity in our children, we are giving them the foundation for continuous growth and development.

Let us inspire our children to be curious, as it is the key to unlocking the joy of learning and embracing new ideas and concepts.

Mel Maria Playgroup

Embark on a new adventure with Mel Maria as we introduce our family-operated school-based playgroup! Emphasising hands-on learning, creativity, and play-based activities, our program provides a dynamic and engaging space for children to develop and thrive, while offering moms a chance to connect and work together.

Expressions of interest are now being accepted. For more information, contact Joanne Scouler at joanne.scouler@cewa.edu.au or call us on (08) 6330 0550.

Do not miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be a part of our wonderful playgroup community!

Keeping Safe Program

Throughout each term, students are educated on the importance of respectful relationships and child safety. The curriculum is designed to empower students to build and maintain healthy relationships, identify and address potential risks, and advocate for themselves and others.

By providing students with the knowledge and skills to navigate relationships and protect themselves and their peers, the curriculum aims to cultivate a safer and more respectful community for all.

Protective Behaviours education through the Keeping Safe Curriculum is about providing students with information and skills that can help prevent abuse, without making students frightened of their world and includes topics such as:

· Feelings

· Body signals/warning signs

· Networks (trusted adults)/Persistence

· Safe and Unsafe Secrets

· Correct anatomical names for body parts

· Rules about touch

· Personal space and consent

· Assertive skills – the right to say no

· Problem solving strategies

· Responding to emergency situations

· Online safety

Each Newsletter we will outline the importance of each topic.

Feelings

The Keeping Safe program recognises the significance of understanding and managing our feelings in maintaining personal safety. By educating students on how to identify and express their emotions, the program helps them develop the awareness and skills needed to effectively navigate challenging situations.

Through engaging activities and discussions, individuals learn how to recognise the signs of discomfort, fear, or unease and how to appropriately respond to these emotions to protect themselves from harm. By promoting emotional intelligence and self-awareness, the Keeping Safe program empowers individuals to make informed decisions and seek help when needed, ultimately fostering a safe and supportive environment for all.

Ros Nichols and Jo Scouler

Head of Campus

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"Young Vinnies" refers to the St. Vincent de Paul Society's youth group, which engages young people in community service and charitable activities. In Year 5 at Mel Maria, it involves our students participating in such initiatives. These activities often include volunteering at local shelters, organising food drives, visiting elderly care homes, and fundraising for various causes. It's a great way for young students to develop empathy, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility.

"Young Vinnies" in the classroom includes many discussions where the teachers explain the mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and we as a school, make a positive impact on the community through various service projects. At Mel Maria, we incorporate Young Vinnies activities into the school environment and curriculum, and discuss how this builds on our faith formation.

To further inspire and educate our students about the work of Young Vinnies, the school arranged for a guest speaker from the local St. Vincent de Paul Society to come and speak to the students. This speaker shared examples of past projects, and the importance of community service showing other ways that we as a school can do more and be more like Jesus. This was followed by the students receiving their Young Vinnies badges that they will wear throughout the year.

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Prayer

Loving God,

We thank you for the love of the mothers you have given us, whose love is so precious that it can never be measured, whose patience seems to have no end.

May we see your loving hand behind them and guiding them.

We pray for those mothers who fear they will run out of love or time or patience. We ask you to bless them with your own special love.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother.

Amen.

Thought for the Week

“Love is most divine when it loves according to needs, and not according to merit.”

George MacDonald

Class News

Community Meeting
Our weekly community meeting fosters informed engagement with current events, aiming to equip students with the skills to form opinions and participate actively in discussions. Through encouraging students to research news topics, we empower them to develop informed viewpoints to share confidently during meetings. This approach not only enhances critical thinking skills but also enables students to contribute meaningfully to conversations, such as last week's debate on fiscal responsibility regarding naval spending.

Skye: It’s a good use as we need up to update technology so we can protect boats in the ocean reaching other countries.

Amelia: We can use the money for other commodities, the navy protect these so we need more navy.

Alessia: I disagree as we can spend the is money on schools on hospitals and water food and shelter. for those less fortunate.

Isla G: I agree, as our ships are old, not as advanced as other countries and we need to update them.

The Arts

We have delved into the legacy of Jimmy Pike, celebrated Aboriginal artist, renowned for his vibrant works reflecting the Great Sandy Desert. Exploring how his artistry inspires our own creations on authentic boomerangs. Our journey includes studying his techniques, researching his life, and meticulously planning our unique designs

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Last term, Year Four PN visited Point Walter under the guidance of Greg Nannup who explained the significance of the area and the adaption of Noongar people to the environment. An emphasis was placed on sustainable living and connection to land. Students researched the environmental changes that occur during the six Noongar seasons, particularly the flora and fauna.

Following this, students have been studying the vital role rivers play in sustaining life on Earth. They have engaged in creative short burst writing exercises, fostering a personal bond with rivers, and inspiring a sense of stewardship towards these natural resources.

In Religious Education, we have been focusing on our upcoming celebration of the Eucharist and receiving the Holy Communion for the first time. Students have learnt that the story of the Eucharist evolved from a Passover dinner celebrated by Jesus with his friends at the Last Supper.

In Visual Arts, students have created digital illustrations for their mothers in preparation for Mother’s Day. We hope all motherly figures have a wonderful celebration with their families.

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Last week, 48 of our top swimmers attended the Catholic Primary Schools Sports Association 'A' Division Swimming Carnival at HBF Stadium.

As expected, our students put in a great performance throughout the day.

Our girls finished fifth in a tough field, and our boys were fourth by a mere 42 points. These results landed us in fourth place overall. We had some outstanding results as well, with four of our students being rewarded with individual honours - well done to the following students:

- Winnie De Silveira: Year Four - Runner Up Champion Girl

- Koby Coleman: Year Four - Champion Boy

- Orlando Armaro: Year Four - Runner Up Champion Boy

- Ella Minchin: Year Six - Runner Up Champion Girl

We had great parent support in the stands, but also had a number of parents help with timing and place giving through the day. Thank you to Mel Coleman, Fiona and Bill Armaro, Maryn Lord and Nick Piani for their help. Thanks also to Mr Andy Carr, Miss Stephanie Figueira and Mr Damian Williams for their assistance in organising the students and helping out through the day.

David John

Physical Education Teacher

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CEWA Childsafe Framework

This framework of nine elements combine supporting a child safe culture, healthy and respectful relationships and extended guardianship in school communities, based on the latest research and recognised best practices. Teachers are responsible for delivering this curriculum to students. Please view the video below for an introduction to the framework.

https://childsafe.cewa.edu.au/introduction-key-concepts/

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Online Safety Basics – eSafety Commissioner

Help your children safely navigate their digital world and educate them to avoid harmful online experiences. Explore websites, games, apps and social media together and set some rules.

Your support and guidance can give your children the confidence to make sound decisions online – and ask for help when they need it.

Please read the article on online safety from the eSafety Commissioner below:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/online-safety-basics