Dear Parents
Welcome back to Term 3 and what is hopefully a return to a more normal way of life! I hope you enjoy reading the newsletter in this new format which should be more mobile device friendly. In this new format, you will have greater flexibility as you can choose which sections you would like to read and which sections you can come back to later. We are still living in the safest part of the planet, however, we need to be mindful that not all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. As we are still in Phase 4, we won’t be having an assembly this week. However, we will have one next week with just the junior classes as we can meet the two square metre rule with half the school attending. I’m hoping all restrictions will be lifted within the next fortnight and we can go back to whole school assemblies.
Professional Development Days
On Monday and Tuesday this week, we had two outstanding days of training in both Cooperative Learning and Mathematics. I would like to congratulate Mrs Lisa Liebregts who spent most of the holidays studying very hard to become a qualified Kagan Cooperative Learning trainer. Lisa is one of only four trainers in WA, and we are very fortunate to have her on staff. Lisa led us through the first day of learning how to design cooperative projects using a few new structures. Yesterday, we were fortunate to have Dr Paul Swan lead us through differentiating rich, open ended, problem solving mathematical activities. Our focus on teaching and learning at Mary Mac is well and truly on track.
Playground Upgrade
The students were thrilled today to play on their new equipment. I have added some photos for you to look at. Once again, I would like to thank the P&F for their very generous donation of paying for half of the cost of this upgrade which was in excess of $40 000. The P&F and Board have come together to embark on a five-year playground upgrade where they will both contribute fifty per cent each. As it is a very big and expensive undertaking, it needs to be stretched over five years. The P&F have made it very clear that all future fundraising activities will support this project. There are very exciting times ahead as we look to offer our beautiful students wonderful learning and playing experiences.
Movie Night
Please come along and support the P&F with their first fun activity for the term. It will be held next Friday 31 July in our hall. Doors open at 5.30pm for a 6.30pm start. As our hall is over seven hundred square metres, we can comfortably cater for three hundred and fifty people which is more than what attended over the past two movie nights. This is a great community building activity and all funds raised will go towards future playground upgrades.
Sacraments Term 3
As we could not celebrate the First Holy Communion Masses last term, we need to do a bit of catching up this term. Therefore, we will be having both the First Holy Communion and Confirmation Masses within the next four to six weeks.
The Commitment Masses for both Sacraments will be held on Saturday 1 August at 6.00pm and Sunday 2 August at 9.30am. All students in Year 4 and 6 are required to attended one of these Masses to make their commitment. Fr John would also like these students to attend every weekend Mass leading into these Sacraments as a part of their preparation. As well as this, the parent information nights for both Sacraments will be held on the following dates: First Holy Communion – Wednesday 29 July at 7pm and Confirmation – Wednesday 5 August at 7pm. Both nights will be held in the Church starting with Mass. Please make sure you come along to find out what is happening. The Confirmation dates are tentative for now as we are waiting on the Archbishop to give us the ‘all clear’ once we move into Phase 5. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Mary Mac Week
This is scheduled for Week 3 this term and hopefully, everything should proceed as normal. Please note that the Whole School Mass is scheduled for Wednesday 5 August at 8.45am. This will be followed by the Grandparents’ Morning Tea with open classes from 10am to 12pm. We will also be having our usual Cup Cake Day on this day. The Mission Fete will be held on Friday 7 August with the Year 6 classes leading the way as usual. Mrs Bowman and the teachers will have the annual art display on show in the Church hall during this week. As I said, it is going to be one very busy term. Say your prayers that our government keeps up the good work and keeps WA COVID-19 free and that we can do everything we have planned.
Yours sincerely
Laurie Bechelli