Dear Parents and Staff

As we prepare for Christmas, let us ponder a while on three human beings like us: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We try to imagine how they reacted to the extraordinary events in their lives. In a vulnerable, fragile and beautiful new-born baby God’s gift of love was made known to us. The baby Jesus challenges us to live with the tenderness he stirs in our hearts.

How will Christmas be this year? Hopefully, it will be a family celebration that builds treasures of memories for our children which will include a respect for Christ’s humble entry into our world. As Christians, we are a community that should be known for its compassion, care and love without discrimination. Christ came for all people but especially the disadvantaged; we need to be bearers of his attitude to the people who come in and out of our lives.

Where will the gift of Christ be born this Christmas?

· in the retelling of a well-loved family story?

· in a reconciling phone call to an estranged family member or friend?

· in the giving up of the commercial excess of the day and sharing with those in greater need?

Perhaps we could give the gift of ourselves this Christmas, in all our vulnerability, fragility and beauty.

God, our Father, We ask the Spirit to, “clothe us with compassion, humility, meekness

and patience and to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts”, so that we,

“God’s chosen ones” will give true witness to the message of Christ.

Amen. (Colossians 3. 12:15)

May the Christ Child bless whatever we bring to him, and may we carry that blessing with us to all the people that we meet in the year ahead.

The transition to Mel Maria Catholic Primary School’s new dual-campus model in 2025 marks a transformative moment in the school’s journey. This exciting development will see the establishment of an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Campus for Pre-Kindergarten to Year Two and a Primary Campus for Year Three to Year Six. This innovative restructure is the culmination of extensive planning, collaboration, and a shared vision to enhance our educational offering. It is designed to better meet the needs of our students, create vibrant learning environments, and establish a clear identity for each stage of learning. The anticipation and energy surrounding this change are palpable as we prepare to unlock new opportunities for growth and excellence.

The transition embodies our commitment to delivering a high-quality, Catholic education that nurtures every child’s academic, spiritual, and personal development. The new model allows us to optimise resources, create age-appropriate facilities, and tailor teaching strategies to specific developmental stages. Teachers and staff have been integral in shaping this vision, contributing their insights and expertise to ensure that the new campuses provide an exceptional learning experience.

As 2025 approaches, excitement within the Mel Maria community continues to grow. Families, staff, and students are eagerly awaiting the benefits that this new model will bring. It is a time of great pride as we come together to celebrate this milestone and the shared efforts that have made it possible. We look forward to watching our students thrive in these dynamic, purpose-built campuses and to strengthening the legacy of excellence that defines Mel Maria Catholic Primary School. This transition is not just a structural change but a bold step toward shaping a vibrant future for our school community.

These were the words of many parents that spoke to me with after the Christmas Concert a few Fridays ago. It was an amazing atmosphere, and it was sensational to see so many parents, grandparents and family members in attendance.

I would especially like to thank the staff for their support and effort with the Christmas Concert this year. It was wonderful to see the enjoyment on all of the children's faces … they really had a fantastic night.

A special THANK YOU to Mrs Jo Scouler, Luke Murphy, Trish Spencer and Genevive Sumich for coordinating, choreographing the dances as well as music for the concert this year.

Thank You also to the P&F Executive for coordinating the sausage sizzle and drinks for the night.

Farewell to Our Departing Staff

As the year draws to a close, it is also a time for reflection and farewells. This year, we bid goodbye to valued members of the Mel Maria Catholic Primary School community who are moving on to new chapters in their lives. Whether retiring, transitioning to new roles, or completing their contracts, their contributions have left a lasting impact on our school.

We extend our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to the following staff:

Mrs Joanne Ciccarelli (42 Years)

After an incredible 42 years of dedicated service, Jo will be retiring at the end of the year. In her role as a Support Teacher Jo has been much more than the allocated three days a week – Jo has always gone above and beyond to provide the best for her students and colleagues. Her unwavering commitment and quiet contributions behind the scenes have shaped the lives of many and enriched our community. We wish Jo all the best in the next chapter of her life.

Mr Andy Carr (9 Years)

Andy has accepted an exciting teaching position at Iona College. His enthusiasm, passion for teaching, and positive influence will surely be missed by students and staff alike.

Mrs Melissa Giancola (12 Years)

Melissa, too, is heading to Iona College for a new teaching role. Her energy, creativity, and dedication have been an asset to our school, and her presence will be greatly missed.

Miss Bree Spencer

We thank Joanne, Andy, and Melissa for their incredible dedication and contributions to the life of Mel Maria Catholic Primary School. We wish them every success and happiness in their future endeavours and hope they carry fond memories of their time with us.

We also acknowledge and the staff that stepped in and helped this year:

• Miss Briana Ryan
• Mrs Lisa Yensch
• Mrs Lisa Alston
• Mrs Lisa Lombardi
• Mrs Lisa Dujmovic
• Miss Simone D'Alton
• Ms Gemma McGinnity

Additionally, we extend our best wishes to Mrs Jo Scouler, who has been seconded as Acting Principal at Star of the Sea School in Rockingham for the first fifteen weeks of 2025. This is a wonderful opportunity for Jo to bring her leadership skills to a new community, and we know she will excel in this role. We look forward to her return, enriched with fresh ideas and experiences to share with us.

To all our departing staff, thank you for your service, dedication, and hard work. You will always be a cherished part of the Mel Maria Catholic Primary School family. Best of luck and God bless!

We are delighted to welcome the following talented educators to the Mel Maria Catholic Primary School community. Their diverse experiences and expertise will undoubtedly enrich our school as we continue our commitment to providing an exceptional educational environment for our students.

Ms. Clare Moffat

Clare brings a wealth of experience to our school, particularly in the junior primary years. With a distinguished career that has included roles as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal, Clare’s extensive knowledge and leadership will be an invaluable asset to our community. In 2025, Clare will join the Year One teaching team, and we look forward to the energy and expertise she will bring to this foundational stage of learning.

Miss Brittany Tyson

Brittany joins us with three years of teaching experience and a strong focus on catering to diverse learning needs, including a special interest in supporting children with autism. Her dedication to understanding and addressing individual learning needs aligns with our commitment to fostering inclusive education. Brittany will be teaching Year Four and is sure to make a meaningful impact on her students and colleagues alike.

We warmly welcome Clare and Brittany to Mel Maria and are excited for the contributions they will make to our vibrant school community in the year ahead.

Our deepest condolences to Mr Aaron Gale (School Groundsman) on the sad passing of his father this week. We keep Aaron and his family in our prayers.

May He Rest in Peace!

Student reports will be accessible online on Friday, 6 December, from 4:00 pm onwards. These reports offer valuable insights into each child’s progress and achievements throughout the year.

In addition to academic progress, the reports highlight the level of effort students are dedicating to their learning. Recognising and valuing effort is essential, as it lays the foundation for long-term success and personal growth. We encourage parents to take some time to sit down with their child, review the report together, and celebrate both achievements and the hard work that made them possible.

We remind all parents that all students attending Mel Maria Catholic Primary School in 2025 are required to wear the Summer School Uniform on the return to school next year. We appreciate that there will be a mixture of uniforms as we transition to the new uniform over the next three years.

We thank the follow members of the community who have volunteered their time to be on the School Advisory Council in 2025:

· Mr Anthony Chillino - Chair

· Fr Don Kettle Parish - Priest

· Fr Joseph Lee Parish - Priest

· Deacon John Keily - Deacon

· Monique Strauss - Secretary

· Tanya Woods - Treasurer

· Mr Ivan Dzeba - Committee Member

· Mrs Holly Tickner - Committee Member

· Mrs Tracey-Anne Muta-Muaysa - Committee Member

· Mr Errol Thomson - Committee Member

· Mrs Hannah Bres - Committee Member

First School Advisory Council Meeting

· Week 6 - Tuesday 11 March 2025

We thank the follow members of the community who have volunteered their time to be on the P&F Executive in 2025:

· Mrs Bec Foster - President

· Mr Darren Pereira - Treasurer

· Mrs Gabrielle Azzollini - Secretary

First P&F Meeting

· Week 5 - Tuesday 4 March 2025 at 5.30pm

Our Back to School Picnic will be held on Saturday 15 February at the Melville Park Tennis Club from 4.30pm – 8.30pm. Please put this date into your calendar. This is a fantastic way to commence the year and welcome new families to the school.

Term 2 - Tuesday 28 April – Friday 4 July

Term 3 - Monday 21 July – Thursday 25 September

Term 4 - Tuesday 14 October – Friday 12 December

Friday - 28 February

Tuesday - 3 June

Monday - 25 August

Friday - 26 September

Monday - 13 October

School Resumes for all students on Wednesday 5 February

God Bless

Paul Hille

Principal

#MakingADifferenceEveryday

Prayer for the Week

Christmas Prayer

Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter,

we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us:

for shining star and angel's song,

for infant's cry in lowly manger.

We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child.

We behold his glory and are bathed in its radiance.

Be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas,

the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made hard fact,

the helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder.

We kneel before you shepherds, innkeepers, Wiseman.

Help us to rise bigger than we are.

Amen.

Thought for the Week

Merry Christmas

Peace to all and a very Happy New Year

Wednesday's transition day was a joyful occasion, filled with beaming smiles as students had the chance to connect with their teachers and classmates. This engaging event fostered new friendships and eased anxieties, setting a positive tone for the upcoming school year. It was a delightful step forward for everyone involved.

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2024!

The heartfelt graduation ceremony was filled with touching moments, celebrating the Year 6 leaders who have truly made their mark on our school. We extend our gratitude for the beautiful palm and pot for the collaboration space and the lovely chair covers for future graduations.

What a fantastic way to conclude the school year! Our end-of-year assembly celebrated our graduating class and departing teachers in style. True to Mel Maria tradition, the teachers dazzled with their performances, showcasing their dedication to #MakingADifferenceEveryday. Wishing everyone a wonderful break, and we can't wait to see you in 2025!

Almsgiving beautifully prepares our hearts for the birth of Christ during this First Week of Advent. Our school community embodies the spirit of hope by supporting St Vincent de Paul and St Pat's Freo. Through our generosity, we make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need.

Thank you to all the families who generously donated throughout the year.

St Pats Freo and St Vincent DePaul extend their heartful thanks.

Calling all the young Parishioners of the Parish to join the choir for the Children’s and Family Mass on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, 24th December at 6.00pm.

There will be 2 rehearsals on Saturday, 14 December and Saturday, 21 December from 11.00am to 12.00pm in the Church.

If you are unable to attend rehearsals, you can still join us in the choir section for Mass on Christmas Eve.

Please contact Cynthia on 0412 075 499 if you would like to join the choir.

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 Pre- Kindergarten in 2025 are required to fill out an Enrolment Application Form. To enrol in Pre-Kindergarten, a child must be three years of age before the 30 June 2025.

Mel Maria Catholic School Primary School will continue to operate full day Pre-Kindergarten groups next year with the days of attendance being Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Classes are filling up fast, with limited positions now available, so it is important that parents 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.

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 an 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.

Transitions in education settings, such as our school’s move to a new education model, can bring exciting opportunities, and positive experiences. However, some children, young people, and their families, can find these changes stressful, even with plenty of preparation and information beforehand. Young children in particular may, due to their developmental stage, appear to forget what they have ben told about the new move.

Transitions are a period where children and families must adapt to new circumstances, expectations, people, environments and routines. Transitions are an important time to consider continuity between environments, expectations and relationships.

The transition to a new learning environment usually brings changes to a child or young person’s relationships, physical and social environments and daily routines. Transitions also bring challenges and opportunities for social and emotional learning.

This is also a time where educators, schools and early learning services adapt to their new entrants and respond to their needs.

The links below provide information for parents, and strategies to support children during this time, both immediately and in the longer term. Your child’s teacher and our school social worker are always available to discuss any concerns about their children.

https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/help-kids-cope-big-life-changes

https://www.heysigmund.com/how-to-move-children-through-separation-anxiety/

School Term Dates for 2025

Term 1: Wednesday 5 February - Friday 11 April

Term 2: Monday 28 April - Friday 3 July

Term 3: Monday 21 July - Friday 25 September

Term 4: Tuesday 14 October - Friday 12 December

Pupil Free Days for 2025

Term 1: Friday 28 February

Term 2: Tuesday 3 June

Term 3: Monday 25 August, Friday 26 September

Term 4: Monday 13 October