From the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I hope you are all travelling ok and are enjoying your week. I am feeling a little sad and excited at the same time this week. You see, my oldest, Izabella is finishing schooling in the next few weeks. As parents you are told enjoy each moment because it goes by so quickly, and let me tell you, it has done exactly that. This week I interviewed a young family and their daughter for our Three-Year-Old Kindy program, and I could literally remember that same interview for Izabella. And here we are, ending that chapter. I am so excited for her and what the future may offer her, but also feeling a little sad with how time does literally fly by. Enjoy your little ones and the everyday moments that you share with them.
Pondering what to write had me focus on the word forgiveness as we had our recent Parent Workshop and Retreat for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I found the following quote which I think is a good one. Listening to our facilitators, it was so obvious that forgiveness can be so powerful. I mean, we all mess up, all the time and what a gift it is for us as humans, to be forgiven. Our lives are simply full of stuff. Some of that stuff can bring us pure joy, but other stuff can bring pain. So too are our many relationships; ones that can bring us ultimate happiness, but others that can make times tough. These times may be a single moment, or they can go on for some time.
Which is why I love this quote and continually refer to it throughout the year. Think about it, forgiveness may bring us untold peace. As I am getting older, I am learning more and more that we are not in control of anything. Although we get wiser as we get older, there are things that I hold onto for reasons I cannot explain. At times I feel these things consume me. What I need to keep working on as a person, is to be gentle on myself and others when things become uncomfortable, when things don’t work out as I wanted, or when relationships become strained. I am realising more and more, that if I can keep being gentle on others at the core of my person, I find this untold peace. Those feelings of challenge or uncomfortableness disappear when I am in this frame of mind.
None of this is simple in any way. Our past experiences influence who we are. But living in the past and thinking the same thing will happen again blurs our future happiness. Watching the kids and their parents at the Reconciliation Workshop discuss that forgiveness takes our relationship with God to a deeper level. God lifts that weight off our shoulders and gives us that sense that everything is going to be ok. Hopefully all of us can remember to ‘cut others some slack’ when things are not going how we had hoped.
So, if forgiveness brings us untold peace, the flow on has to be gratitude and turning what we have into all we need to. The challenge is to keep this constantly in our mind. We all know it is pretty easy to be grateful when things work out how we want but what about those time that are tough? We find it difficult to show gratitude. This is the human part though. All of us find it challenging to be positive and grateful all the time. This is why acceptance of ourselves and those around us is so important. Again, not the easiest of things to do at times, so the challenge is how much do we want it, to make things lighter for us. Let’s see how I go with all of this, I know it will make me a better person if I continually work on this as will you.
And speaking of gratitude, I am feeling completely blessed to be here at MGCPS due to the people that surround me each day. There are so many things that happen each day that we are grateful for; a Year 1 boy tying his mate’s shoe laces, the Year 6 boy that asked me how I am, the staff that go that extra mile to work out the next step for the student in their class. These are the things that make this place what it is. Then there are you all, the wider community that want to make this place the best it can be for the students that come here each day. Getting to spend some time at last weekend’s Bunnings Sausage Sizzle, I witnessed people doing the hard yards for our school. Don’t get me wrong, the afternoon session was filled with great conversation and company, but it was with people that gave up some of their time for our community. How special is that? And the amount of preparation and drive from Jennifer O’Meara and her gang of helpers to make the day a success is something I am truly grateful for. And Jen, putting up with the smell of onions for days is a true indication of the quality of your person.
Enjoy this place, and most importantly, enjoy your little ones. I wish you a wonderful weekend and week ahead.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Please keep all our students making their first Reconciliation this term in your prayers. May the gift of forgiveness help you build positive things in your life. Extra special thanks to Fr Joseph, Mrs Keddie and Ms Curley for preparing our students.
CEWA Child Safe Framework
This week’s focus is on the element, Governance & Leadership
School leaders understand, create and promote environments that are safe, supportive and engaging. They make their decisions based on the best interests of students.
What does this look like?
- Our school’s leaders prioritise the safety and wellbeing of students.
- Our school’s leaders ensure everyone understands and enacts child safe behaviours.
- Our Principal and School Advisory Council understand and carry out their obligations as outlined in CEWA Child Protection Procedures.
- Parents are treated as partners in child safety and have access to information and support on all aspects of child safety.
- Teachers and staff are alert and aware about how others treat children and young people
Interschool Athletics
We wish our Year 3-6 Interschool Athletics Team the very best for next week’s carnival. We hope you have fun while representing MGCPS. We are so proud of each of you. Thank you to Mrs E for all the behind-the-scenes organisation and preparation.
Have a wonderful week. Goodness your way.
Clint
School News
Canteen News
There will be an End of Term Special for next Friday 20th September consisting of homemade Mexican Mince (mild) in a pita pocket with lettuce, diced tomato and cheese. Included in the deal is also a homemade mini waffle with a scoop of ice cream and fruit (to be collected from canteen after the first half of lunch). Yum! The meal deal costs $8.50.
Forms have gone home with children today and spares will be available from the office.
Please return your forms in a paper bag with cash (or you can pay EFTPOS in the office) to the office by TUESDAY 17th September at the latest – no late orders can be accepted!
Here is a link to the above survey: 2024 National Parent Survey
Good News
Recounts from Year 2’s Kalamunda History Village Excursion.
Counsellor's Corner
FREE Parenting Workshops
This week I am sharing a range of free workshops hosted by Parenting Connection WA and Ngala.
Many of these workshops have creche available for those with younger children.
Circle of Security – 8 week program (2hr per week) for parents of children 0-5 years old. Exploring parenting styles that increase a child’s sense of security and connection.
Drama Stars – weekly creative play classes for parents and kids. Groups for children aged 2-5 or 6-10 years old.
Keeping Kids In Mind – 5 week online program for parents who are going through separation ongoing conflict. Learn how best to support your child/ren and build their (and your) resilience.
Now You’re a Dad – 3 week online program (1.5 hours per week) for new Dads and father figures.
Protective Behaviours – a session to learn about the protective behaviours programs taught at schools across Australia so it can be reinforced at home.
Tuning Into Kids – 6 week online program for parents of children 4 -11 years old. Learn how to support your children to develop emotional intelligence.
Flyers with more information and registration details below!
Circle-of-Security-North-Perth-Mondays
Circle-of-Security-North-Perth-Thursdays
Community News
