Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome back to the start of a new term. It feels just like yesterday that we started the school year! I often get asked about the biggest challenges we face here at Mary Mac. For the most part, it is a very positive and happy community with high levels of welcoming, tolerance, inclusion and understanding as we are a very diverse school. Many of our challenges deal with the volume and complexity of the issues we face daily. However, if I did have to comment about the biggest challenge, I would say it relates to the traffic issues in the car park on Cassowary Drive. Most complaints I receive are from parents informing me that other parents are not following the directions which are clearly marked on the ground and on signs throughout the car park. We have four signs requesting that you don’t turn right onto Cassowary Drive at peak times and the crosswalks are also not being used properly. On several occasions, I have seen parents lead their children by hand in between moving vehicles, rather than using the crosswalks. Parents are still parking in the drop off zone, especially before school and I am aware of some parents having verbal confrontations with other parents. This has been an ongoing issue for a long time and ultimately, it is up to our parents and grandparents to do the right thing in the interests of the safety of our most precious resource; our beautiful students. There have been a few near misses this year and I dread to think what could happen. As you know, I am out there on duty on most afternoons, and most of you are doing the right thing. However, until everyone always does the right thing, this will continue to be a point of conflict. I often remind parents that the staff are on duty until 3.20pm and the car park usually becomes very quiet at about 3.10pm. If I was a parent here, I would be driving through at 3.15pm. No waiting in line, no issues with congestion and no problems getting onto Cassowary Drive. I strongly urge all parents to do the right thing and follow the directions in the interests of the safety of our students.
Scripture Reflection Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Edu Dance We have once again commenced the Edu Dance programme for Term 3 and this time, it will be the Kindy to Year 6 Gold classes plus Kindy Blue who will be participating. Keep Monday 21 September free as that is the date of the concert which will be held at 6.00pm in the hall.
Confirmation Parent Information Evening All Year 6 parents and students are invited to come along tonight and learn more about the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is the final sacrament of initiation. When most of us were baptised, our parents made the decision for us. However, this time, it will be our students who are making the choice to be fully received into the Church as an adult. This programme will be a very special time for our Year 6 students. The information session will be held in the hall from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Please keep them in your prayers.
Interschool Cross Country Carnival Miss Thorp has already sent out the information to all parents of our interschool squad along with all the necessary details. The carnival will be held at the UWA Sports Park in Mt Claremont next Tuesday 28 July. We wish our competitors every success as they compete to the best of their ability.
P&F Meeting The Term 3 meeting will be held in the staffroom on Friday 31 July straight after the assembly. All welcome.
Mary Mac Week This is one of the major highlights of the year for our community! Mary Mac Week will be held during Week 3 this term and it will have all the usual activities such as Cup Cake Day for our students, a whole school Mass on Wednesday 5 August at 8.45am followed by a lovely morning tea for our grandparents, parents and family members and of course, the Mission Fete which will include all classes with our Year 6 students leading a number of activities to raise money for the Sisters of St Joseph who are working in poor countries. This is an important occasion for our school as it links us directly to the legacy of Mary MacKillop herself. More information will be sent home soon.
Kindergarten 2027 I am well into the enrolment process for next year’s intake. If you have a younger child who is coming here next year, please contact the front office immediately.
Laurie Bechelli
Principal