2024 Term 3 Week 2

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

I hope that you are all travelling well.  Make sure you are looking after yourself and be gentle when things don’t work out how you want them to.

Life just seems to be extremely busy at the moment with lots of things going on at once.  I mean, in our roles as parents, partners, friends, teachers, there are times we are juggling so many things at once.  For me, when times get like this I tend to worry! It seems to be a common emotion for many of us at certain times.  While I always try to stay positive most of the time, there always seems to be those ‘what if?’ thoughts that enter my mind.

Perhaps there are many things in our world that cause us anxiousness. The health of those we love, the future of our children, loneliness. Research shows that for some of us there is a genetic element to worrying. Some of us have low levels of serotonin, some of us may worry because it is a generational thing. I know my mum worries constantly and that’s where I have got it from! Some of us may worry more than others due to a traumatic experience. Fear and worry come in different forms, but the commonality is that it can bring us torment.

Worry also changes as we change. As a teenager we may worry about what others think of us. As parents we may worry about finances. As we get older, we may worry about losing our loved ones. The list goes on and on. Worrying can consume us and last week I have let it consume me. I have found myself not being fully there for others as I have been so focussed on getting things done.  Maybe it is because I am learning the procedures of a new school?  Maybe it is because I want to make sure I am across it all?

Last week when I was on recess duty I was spending time with some Year 6 students.  Just asking them what was going on in their lives made me also witness them having their own worries. It seems as though the world is very different than it was when I was in Year 6. As we were discussing our week, one of them mentioned challenges on social media as a factor that worries them about the future.

I then asked my good friend Mrs Google about this topic of worrying and being afraid in the Bible and she told me that the words ‘Do not be afraid’ are written 365 times. That is once for each day of the year! We can celebrate each day the victory of Christ and what his sacrifice did for us all. Knowing this, when we are experiencing worry, maybe we should ask ourselves ‘what is the worst thing that can happen and if it did happen could you cope?’ Maybe on our own we couldn’t, but knowing that God is there, surrounding us with others that care is a pretty awesome feeling.

Mary’s life was all about service to others with Christ as her core. We too must be open to serve others especially those who may be experiencing worry or fear. My hope is that I never forget or take for granted that idea of ‘being in the present’ and ‘being there’ for others.  In the coming weeks, we will celebrate the feast of this special person who continues to impact me as a person and Principal.

And going back to how God works in a mysterious way, last week I caught up with the same friend and mentor who gave me the quote about worrying.  While I shared with him the worries and pressures I was facing, he reminded me of a quote that I once shared with him, about pressure being a privilege.  He gave me the challenge to remember this and switch my thinking, and it actually has helped, big time.  It has made me refocus and remember my purpose and the privilege that comes with my role here at MGCPS and my calling to serve as a Principal.  I encourage you all to do the same, especially in those moments where you are so busy.  The role each of you carry out here at MGCPS is a privilege.  We have the privilege of providing learning experiences that impact our kids and who they become.  We have the privilege of supporting one another here in our community to bring the joy of Christ alive for each person we encounter. I don’t know about you, but when I flipped my thinking, I once again found the spark and joy in the little things that make working in a school the best!

May your week be worry free. And, if you do find those negative thoughts creeping in, remember that God tells us ‘do not be afraid’ for through him all things are possible. Something at home that we do around the dinner table is talking about three good things that happened in the day. Why not try this? It not only promotes great conversation, but it also models to your children the idea of always looking for the good in life.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN reports for our Year 3 and 5 students will go home on Monday.  When looking at your child’s report, please remember that this is a snapshot of your child and does not paint the true picture of them with all their gifts and talents.  NAPLAN does not show how your child opens a closed door for a teacher or friend with their hands full, and it does not show how they include others in their games when they look sad or lonely. NAPLAN does not show how your child reaches out to a classmate who is looking sad or tells them a joke to make them smile. It definitely does not show how your child encourages his/her classmates when they have achieved something new, how they wave to welcome visitors and how they rush to make sure the new students have someone to play with. NAPLAN can’t tell you about the great goal he/she kicked today, or the wonderful sportsmanship that he/she showed at the end of the races and games.

As a school we use our NAPLAN results to drive us forward in our school improvement journey by working out what is the next step for our staff and students.  I congratulate all our students that participated in NAPLAN this year, we are all so proud of you.

Disputes and Complaint Resolution Procedure

Our school supports the rights of parents/guardians, students, and staff to have their complaints taken seriously, and responded to promptly and thoroughly.  Please take the time to read our Disputes and Complaint Resolution Procedure.

Religious Education Assessment

Next week our Year 3 and Year 5 students will complete the Religious Education Assessment for all CEWA schools.

The REA measures student learning of the mandated content in the Religious Education Curriculum. Test items relevant to each participating year level are developed by the Religious Education Directorate at the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia. The test items consist of multiple choice, short and extended response.

As a system-wide assessment, the REA informs teaching and assessment practices in Religious Education by providing classroom teachers, school and system leaders with a ‘point in time’ snapshot of student achievement. Over time, the REA also provides information about student progress in Religious Education.

Unwell Students

It is very important for unwell students to stay at home until they are better. If your child has any symptoms of a cold or flu then they should stay home until the symptoms have ceased. A general rule of thumb about whether you should send your child to school is as follows:

• If you have to give your child Panadol or Nurofen for a fever today, they should stay at home
• If your child has a hard cough, constant runny nose, sore throat or swollen glands they should stay at home
• If you have given them Panadol or Nurofen in the morning to get them “through the day” they should stay at home
• If your child has vomiting and/or diarrhoea today, they should not come to school for 48 hours after symptoms have resolved

Please do not send your child to school if they are still unwell or recovering from an illness.

Students who are unwell will be sent to the Office and if necessary, parents will be called to collect them.  It is up to all of us to play our part in stopping the spreading of various illnesses at MGCPS.  Thank you for your ongoing support.

It was lovely to see so many parents grabbing a coffee today and getting to chat with them.  The community spirit is a strength of MG.  I look forward to the journey ahead, working in partnership with you for your beautiful children.

Enjoy the weekend with your family and friends.

Clinton Payne

Canteen News

In celebration of the Olympic Games the canteen will be placing a surprise ‘MEDAL’ token randomly into lunch bags. The token will be a canteen voucher of different values for Gold, Silver & Bronze. To redeem their ‘medal’ voucher, students can bring it to the canteen at lunchtime.

Good luck!

OLYMPIC GAMES SPECIALS!

The following items will be available from the canteen to celebrate the Olympic Games. These  will be available from Tuesday 30th July until Friday 9th August.

RECESS:

“Olympic Torch” – Ice Cream Cone with Popcorn – 50c

“Go Aussie Go!” – Cupcake with Icing – $2.00

LUNCH:

“Champion’s Carbonara” – Pasta in a cream sauce with bacon – $6.00

“Swimmers Relay” – Fish with mayo in a hotdog bun – $4.50

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 5 of Scholastic Book Club were sent home with the children last week. Please note that the closing date for orders is Friday 26th July 2025. Please order through the LOOP Website.

Click here to order online the LOOP Website.

Term Three Parent Planner

Please click on the below link for the Term 3 Parent Planner. Hard copies can be collected from the admin office.

Term 3 2024 Planner for Parents

On Pyjama Day, the Year 1 children celebrated ‘100 Days at School!’ The Year 1 children had lots of fun imagining what they would look like being 100 years old.

School Anxiety for Tweens and Teens

Have you seen Inside Out 2 yet? There is a new character/emotion called ‘Anxiety’ and the messages in this movie for children (and adults!) are amazing. When ‘Anxiety’ takes over, we can’t access our other emotions. A little bit of anxiety is helpful, but like with any emotion, too much is unhealthy.

It is heartbreaking to witness your child experience separation anxiety and even harder as they get older and it rears its head again in relation to going to school.  Two of my favourite experts/authors are co-hosting a webinar on ‘School Anxiety for Tweens and Teens’. Even if your child isn’t at this stage yet, there will be lots of helpful tips to support your child.

Tuesday 30^th July 2024

6pm – 7.30pm 

$35

A recording will be available to all ticket holders for 3 months following the event.

Use the QR code below to register

Term Three P&F Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Please keep in mind that the P&F Bunnings Sausage Sizzle is on Saturday 7^th September.  This is an important fundraiser date in our school calendar.

Now taking enrolments at La Salle College

La Salle College is now taking enrolments for students starting Year 7 in 2026 and 2027.

We believe that education extends beyond the classroom, encouraging our students to live out their
faith and values in the service of others, whilst making a positive impact on the world in which they
live. Through our teaching and learning, we aim to transform tomorrow’s hearts, minds and lives in
all that we do.

At La Salle College we offer a wide range of learning programs and academic pathways, as well as
opportunities in a multitude of areas such as skill-based and work-based learning, music, arts, sport
and extracurricular activities and clubs. Our wonderful facilities and generous outdoor spaces, which
includes Science Labs, Aquatic Centre with a 10-lane swimming pool, Performing Arts Centre with
orchestra pit, Chapel, Trade and Skills Centre and a double court Sports Centre, provide an
innovative and modern learning environment that inspires our students to be the best they can be.

With limited places available for Year 7 2026 and 2027, we encourage you to make an enquiry today or join us on a student led tour of the College

Term 3 Tour Dates:
• Tuesday 27 August at 4:30pm

Bookings can be made via the La Salle College website www.lasalle.wa.edu.au/book-a-tour/

If you would like to know more about our enrolments process please visit our website www.lasalle.wa.edu.au/enrolment or contact our College Enrolments team:
• Email lasalle@lasalle.wa.edu.au
• Phone 9449 0601