A SAINT MARY MACKILLOP Primary School Keilor Downs

05 August 2014

No 23

Email: office@mmkeilordowns.catholic.edu.au Tel: 9367 6199 www.mmkeilordowns.catholic.edu.au123

e-NEWS

From the Principal

Individual Highlights

Inside Story 2

Inside Story 3

Inside Story 4

Inside Story 5

Inside Story 6

Inside Story 7

Last Story 8

Trust in God

Dear Community,

Sometimes I think we can be too intense, worrying about all that may or may not be happening around us. Discussing this concern with a friend yesterday, he reminded me that it is good to ‘stop and smell the roses’! And that is exactly what I am doing here at SMMPS at this moment. There are lots of good to great things happening in our school, and whilst we will never rest on our laurels, it is good to celebrate the goodness in our school.

I particularly acknowledge our children, who are in the main, wonderfully calm and gentle children who show great respect. We have issues along the way, but when you have up to 700 people on site all day, that is going to happen. It is how we move forward and the attitude we take that makes all the difference.

I acknowledge too, the confidence you as parents and caregivers show in our school and the direction we are taking. I am grateful for the partnership we have and what we can do together to make our school an even better place to be for all members of the community. Thank you!

We have a staff committed to serving your children. I am grateful for their dedication.

And it is these factors that have at different times over the life of SMMPS, 30 years in fact, that have made our school such a great place to be.

SMMPS opened, as Mary MacKillop Primary School, in two portable classrooms behind Sacred Heart School St Albans in 1984. The portables were moved to the rear of our present site in Odessa Avenue for the 1985 school year and we moved into the first permanent buildings in May of that year. The school opened with a student population of 57 children in St Albans and grew to 195 students when the school moved to Keilor Downs. The school peaked at 670 in 2008 and now hovers around the 630 mark.

The first Principal was Mr. Bernie McHugh who served the school for 16 years. Ms. Glenda Goodyear followed as Principal for 8 years and I am currently serving in my eighth year as principal of SMMPS.

SMMPS has a proud history and we keenly look forward to building on that tradition into the future. Continued on page 2

The wisdom of

St. Mary MacKillop

“God is watching over you.”

4.7.1876

IMPORTANT DATES

2014-Term 3

Monday 4-8 August

Book Fair

Friday 8 August

Feast of St. Mary of

the Cross

9.30 am Whole School

Mass

CANTEEN CLOSED

Friday 15 August

Feast of the

Assumption

12.00pm Whole School

Mass

30th Anniversary of

SMMPS

10th Anniversary of St.

Mary MacKillop Church

Saturday 16 August

Dinner Dance

Monday 18 August

Wakakirri Heats Book Week ‘Book

Character Parade’

(9.10am-10.30am-in place

of assembly)

Monday 8-10 Sept

Yr.6 Canberra Experiernce

Thursday 18 Sept

Wakakiri Finals

Friday 19 September

Term 3 Concludes

@1.00pm

ST MARY MACKILLOP PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NO 23 TUESDAY 05TH AUGUST 2014

From The Principal Continued..

On Friday of this week (8 August) we are celebrating St. Mary MacKillop Feast Day with a Mass at 9.30am. This Mass will be followed by a Morning Tea in the Hall for any parents who wish to join us.

Each child will receive a cup cake, sort of like a birthday cake, to celebrate our 30th birthday as a school. (Children with anaphylaxis/allergies should have received correspondence regarding the cup cake, seeking your approval ).

And don’t forget to check out the great things happening in our school. See over. Have a great week everybody.

Anthony McCluskey

Principal

Welcome We welcome Ms. Jane Taffe. Jane will be teaching Phys.Ed 2 days a week this term and then three days a week next term. Jane will be replacing Mr. James Quinn who is moving more into the managing and teaching of ICT in our school.

Term 3 Excursions and Incursions

Tuesday 29th July Year 5- The children will be visiting the State Library to view the exhibition, ‘Changing Face of Victoria’. The students will then participate in a walking tour to visit various historic landmarks to investigate change, continuity and time our community.

Monday 28th July- Jump Rope for Heart Launch.

Tuesday 5th,12th & 19th August Year 3/4- Melbourne Storm Clinics.

Wednesday 13th August- SDPSSA Athletics Carnival.

Thursday 14th August Year 6- Incursion. Parliament Role Playing and Quest.

Tuesday 2nd Sept Year 5 & 6-Melb Storm Gala Day

Thursday 11th Sept- Jump Rope for Heart “Jump Off Day”

Monday 8th to Wednesday 10th Sept Year 6- Canberra Experience.

New Structures & Lines Of Communication

As you are aware Mr. Denis Daly is on secondment, hence there are some new structures now operating and personnel allocated to support the school community.

Principal: Mr. Anthony McCluskey

Acting Deputy Principal: Ms. Jennie Monaghan Please see Jennie for staff and student issues. Jennie will also act as Principal in my absence.

Deputy Principal-Learning and Teaching: Mr. Denis Johnstone Please see Denis for student learning issues and curriculum questions.

Literacy Leader: Mrs. Rita Krnac (supported by Ms. Jenny Melki)

Maths Leader: Mr. Aaron Kuras

Specialist Coordinator: Mr Jason Maxwell

Liturgy Co-Ordinator: Ms. Anne Marie Conte

Daily Organisation and I.C.T Leader: Mr. James Quinn

Your first point of call is always your child’s classroom teacher, however if you feel more support or input is warranted, please discuss the matter with the relevant school leader.

For all matters pertaining to Enrolments, Fees and Administration; please see our Office Manager: Mr. Joseph Murphy or our Admin. Officers: Mrs. Maree DiQuattro or Ms. Kellie De La Rue.

Book Character Dress Up

Monday 18th August

The 2014 Book Week theme is Connect to Reading - Reading to connect. This year’s theme is about enjoying the experience of exploring story and travelling to other worlds. It also has a broader social meaning, suggesting that reading assists in creating a bond with others. Book Week is an exciting time to celebrate outstanding Australian children’s authors. We invite the children to dress up as a favourite book character on Monday the 18th of August and we will be holding a parade in the hall at 9am instead of assembly. It is a time to promote and highlight the importance of reading and encourage a love of books. We would love to see you there.

ST MARY MACKILLOP PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NO 23 TUESDAY 05THAUGUST 2014

Parent Association - What’s On This Term

SCHOOL DANCE: FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST.

The dance party will be split into two time slots. One for the junior and senior. Times are as follows: 4.30pm – 6.00pm Juniors (doors open at 4.15pm) 6.30pm – 8.00om Seniors If you child/children would like to attend, please complete the attached permission slip and return to the office with payment no later than Friday 15th August. As this is a social event, parent helpers are required. You must hold a valid working with children check. If you are available, complete the form attached. Any parent that has a child with Anaphylaxis/Allergies that require medication will be required to attend.

FATHER’S DAY STALL: THURSDAY 4TH/FRIDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER.

Beautiful gifts available to purchase for Dad/Granddad.

MOVIE NIGHT: FRIDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER.

Further details will be available in the newsletter closer to the date.

SPORT’S DRESS UP DAY: FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER.

All students are asked to dress up in their favourite sports gear for a Gold Coin Donation.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

A sample copy is available to view in the office foyer. We are selling Entertainment Books for $65 each. These books offer discounts at restaurants, cinemas, attractions, retail outlets, hotels and many more. You can order and pay online by clicking on the link below, and you can choose to purchase an APP version for your phone or a hard copy. This will be an ongoing fundraiser until the end of term three. If you are a Facebook user please share the link below and encourage your family/friends to make a purchase as profits from these sales will also go to the school. There are over $19000 of savings available by using the book so take advantage and order one today. https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/9127y31 5 CENT AND 10 CENTS DRIVE 2014

Following the success of this in 2013, we would like to run this easy fundraiser again, where everyone can empty their wallets/purses of those small coins that seem to accumulate so easily. Please send these coins in with your kids. Once again, the class that raises the most at the end of this year will receive a reward (to be announced at a later date). NEXT MEETING: Thursday August 7th @ 9.00 am

ST MARY MACKILLOP PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NO 23 TUESDAY 05TH AUGUST 2014

Fees & Levies – Final Payment Due by 11

September.

Families other than those who have a payment plan in place are reminded that payment of the balance of 2014 Fees & Levies should be made by 11 September 2014. Families can check the details of their account by logging onto the Parent Portal. NB: Please contact the school office if you have any queries regarding your account

Canteen News

We have some new items on the menu. Hot Chips and Soup. Also, check out the website for our weekly specials. www.flexischools.com.au

The canteen will be CLOSED this Friday 08th August.

Sports Wrap

Round 3 Sport Wrap

Vs Keilor Views P.S. (HOME) 01/08/2014

Basketball Girls Won

Basketball Boys Lost

Kanga 8s Girls Drew

Kanga 8s Boys Won

Volleyball Girls Lost

Volleyball Boys Lost

Softball Girls Lost

Softball Boys Lost

Euro Handball Girls Won

Euro Handball Boys Won

Softball boys & Volleyball Girls match reports: On Friday 1st of August our boys softball team versed Keilor Views at their home ground. It was a great and fair match for both teams. Alex I did a great job as backstop, Callum, Mario and I did a well pitching and the rest of the team fielded as best as they could. We were trying our best and we learnt a few new rules from their coach and ours (Ms Hirschauer). We did a great job but unfortunately we lost 19 to 5. Better luck next time! By Nathan Muscat On the 1st of August 2014 the Volleyball girls team played Keilor Views Primary School at their court. Our girls played a fantastic game, at first we didn’t go so well but as soon we started to serve we got stuck into the game and won a couple of points back. In the end the we lost 12 to 25. Great try girls, hopefully we get a win next time! By Ava Pervan Round 4 is a BYE. Our match is on the 15th of August vs Overnewton Keilor (AWAY)

ST MARY MACKILLOP PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NO 23 TUESDAY 05THAUGUST 2014

Year 5 Excursion

Tiffani Tran – 5 Blue On 29/7/14, the Year Five students went on a bus excursion to the city. The first location was the State Library of Victoria. We visited an exhibition called `Once upon a Time’ about illustrators from children’s picture books. We saw illustrations from books by Mem Fox and Graeme Base. We then viewed artwork in the Cowen Gallery. There were paintings of the first settlers and the Aboriginals. The second exhibition was called the `Changing Face of Victoria’. It was mainly about John Batman, William Buckley and Robert Hoddle. After the State Library, we went on a walking tour of the city. We saw the old and new buildings of RMIT, Parliament House and the Old Treasury Building, where they used to store the gold from the Gold Rush. We then went to Federation Square and saw the `Story of Film, Television and Digital Culture’ Exhibition at ACMI.

We then walked back to the State Library and caught the bus to school. I loved the excursion and hope to visit the city again soon.

Jessica Shay - 5 Red On the 29th July the year 5’s departed from school at 9:05am and took a bus to the state library of Victoria. We had got put in groups in class and I was in group 6 with Miss Amato. The first thing we attended was the ‘Once Upon a time’ exhibition. At that exhibition I saw lots of different books, authors and illustrations; I even saw a little clip of how to draw. After that we went to another exhibition called ‘changing the face of Victoria in that exhibition I saw lots of old and new things (mostly old).We also saw how Victoria has changed since 1800 due to migration. After the exhibitions we went on a Hoddle Waddle walk around the city. The things we stopped and looked at were the Melbourne gaol , Forum Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre, Pascoe Fawkner statue , St James church and finally flagstaff Gardens. They were all great.

Thomas Bonnici - 5 Red At 9:05 am the Year 5 departed for the State library of Victoria. On the bus I sat next to my friend Alex and my dad who was helping Mr Johnston sat opposite me. We attended the changing face of Victoria exhibition. There we saw Ned Kelly’s armour and some of the old guns people used. Then groups swapped. So we went to the Once Upon A Time exhibition. We saw some paintings of book characters and we also saw a painting of the black Friday bushfires. After that we went outside the library and ate lunch. After lunch we began our Hoddle Waddle walking tours. My group saw the Customs Building, Bunjil statue, Flinders Street Station and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. We had a snack break then caught the bus back to school. We all went into Miss Borghetti class. We kids watched a show called art attack while the teachers talked. We did this until the bell rang. My favourite part was seeing how big the library was and seeing how much Australia has changed since the 1800’s. Alyssa Manlio and Tyrell Trajkovski – 5 Yellow

On the 27th of July 2014, the four year 5 grades had a wonderful privilege to have a excursion in the city. This excursion was about Australia's history and how things have changed over time. Our first destination was the State Library of Victoria. As well as books, it had a lot of information about Australian history. The two exhibits were ‘The Changing Face of Victoria’ and ‘Once upon a time’. We learnt about these people in Australia’s history: John Batman, William Buckley, Robert Hoddle, Indigenous people and their lives.

To get more information about Australia's history, we went for a walk around the city and saw lots of buildings but only little bits of land that have been left alone from history, Flagstaff Garden was one of the spots. We took lots of photos with the school’s iPads that were given to us for the day. We went to explore about the city. After we were finished, we went back to the State Library and took the bus back to school. We loved the excursion and hope to visit again soon.

ST MARY MACKILLOP PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NO 23 TUESDAY 05TH AUGUST 2014

ICT in 2 Yellow

Thursday 31st July, 2014 Today we got a surprise…we got to have a play with some iPads. We had to take a selfie, a picture of a classmate, a close up picture and a long distance one. My favourite part was seeing all my friends happy and getting to try some new things. After taking pictures inside we got to take pictures outside. I took a picture of a pretty bush and a branch in the sunlight…it was glimmering! Sienna Zeine Today we got iPads from Mr Quinn. We took photos of classmates and we also took selfies. We went and took photos and videos outside too. Everyone got an iPad to use. After taking our photos we shared with two friends. We deleted our photos at the end. Dylan Aquilina Today Mr Quinn came to teach us how to use an iPad. I thought that we were doing well. We were taking photos of ourselves, classmates, close up objects and also a faraway picture. It was a lot of fun. Everybody was excited when Mr Quinn came in with the iPads. Jacob Kosylo The funny part was when I took a close up picture of Mr Quinn and a video of Joshua P, Dylan and Thien. I loved it when I first saw Mr Quinn…I got excited! They had the Garage Band App and I used to have that on my iPad. The fun part was when I went outside and took a long video. Joshua Fazzalari

We had a great time!

Olivia took this

photo of

Eliza…cute!

Check it out!!

Close up!!

Sharing!!

ST MARY MACKILLOP PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NO 23 TUESDAY 05THAUGUST 2014

St. Mary MacKillop

Primary School

2014 Dance Party

Get ready to dance along to some great music with all

your friends!

W h e n : Friday 22nd August 2014

Grade Prep-3 from 4.30pm-6pm

(Hall open from 4:15pm)

Grade 4-6 from 6.30pm-8.15pm

Where : in the School Hall

Entry price is $5 per child and includes a Hot dog, drink and

glow band!

To attend, please complete permission slip and return to

the office by Friday 15/08/14 Please Note: This is a parent supervised event.

No Staff will be in attendance.

ST MARY MACKILLOP PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NO 23 TUESDAY 05TH AUGUST 2014

2014 Dance Party

Permission Slip Family Name

Student/s Names

Class/s

Number attending

Parent Name Contact

Contact Number on Night

I am available to assist on the night Yes No

My working with Children Check

Number is: My child has anaphylaxis /allergies,

asthma issues and I will attend with the

child’s medication to ensure

appropriate care is available.

Signed

Dated