Mary Immaculate Primary Newsletter Update

Saturday the 8th August, was the Feast Day of St. Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Australia’s Patron Saint. It was also the 10th anniversary of her Beatification in 2010.

Previously, our Mary Immaculate community would have marked this celebration gathering together for a school and parish Mass and our annual Mary Mackillop Awards Ceremony. Unfortunately due to COVID19 restrictions (Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 4) Amendment Order (No 2) 2020) this year, we were unable to do so. 

Each grade will still hold a liturgical celebration in line with COVID19 restrictions at some point this week. In addition, teachers will also hand out the Mary Mackillop award to one student from each class who demonstrates and embodies the values given to us through the role model of Mary Mackillop. This is a very special award which commemorates the way Mary Mackillop lived her life by serving others and our Lord. In particular, the recipient is someone who, to quote Mary Mackillop herself, “Never sees a need without doing something about it.”

I am sure you will join with me and our Mary Immaculate School and Parish community in congratulating these students. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page where we will post photos of our Mary Mackillop Award recipients so we can still share in this special celebration together.

Kindergarten held their liturgy last Friday. Congratulations to Dhel M (KM), Holly R (KP) and Ava H (KP) who were our Kindergarten recipients. 

Yours in faith,

Helen Moore

Religious Education Coordinator

Types of friends is the focus in Peer Support this week. Children will explore what encourages them to form friendships with different people (common interests, admirable qualities, etc). Through various activities children will identify that their friends can fall into the categories of 'best friends', 'friends' and 'people we know'. Children will also discuss the fact that friendships can change over time for various reasons.

Discuss with your child the different friends they have in their lives and how friendships may change. Some friends may be more important at different times in their lives.

We would like to congratulate all students who participated in the MIPS Wushkathon over the holidays. There was such an overwhelming response to the reading challenge- what an incredible effort from our K-2 students!

Congratulations to the following Wushkathon winners:

KG - Erwan E

KM - Paige L

KP - Vihaan P

1G - Annabelle J

1M - Mishka B

1P - Boston L

1B - Kai M

2G - NJ N

2M - Sachshivreet K

2P - Rayan Z

Mrs Kirsten Cooper and Mrs Kylie Behrens

Thank you to the MIPS community for your participation and support in such a successful Jeans for Genes Day. It was so well received by both adults and children and was very heartwarming to see the generosity and participation of so many, during what is such a difficult time. It was also very captivating to hear different people within our community share their connections, stories and how they have been impacted by different genetic diseases. It is evidently a cause very close to many of our hearts. We raised a total of $1,688.20 from our mufti day for the Children's Medical Research Institute.

Kind regards,

Kathryn McHugh

Here’s a great opportunity to use your imagination….

The 2020 Mayoral Creative Writing Prize is open to adults and children aged 8 years and above, who live in Blacktown City.

Entries close midnight, Sunday 27 September 2020. Winners will be announced at the presentation ceremony.

Presentation date: Thursday 3 December 2020 at 6 pm to 7 pm.

Venue: Max Webber Library Function Centre

Entries can only be submitted online (entries available after 1 June 2020).

Submission criteria:

1.     The work must be original and completed in the last 6 months. Entries can be either:

·         poem, maximum of 25 lines

·         short story, maximum of 500 words.

2.     Only one entry per person is permitted in each category.

3.     Each entry must have one entry per online form.

4.     Members of staff, members of Council, their partners and members of their immediate families are ineligible to enter this competition.

5.     The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

6.     All participants will receive a letter acknowledging the receipt of their entry and their participation. A presentation ceremony will be held on Thursday 3 December 2020, where the winners will be announced.

Submit entries with a completed entry form online (entries available after 1 June 2020).

For more information go to….

https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Community/Awards-scholarships-and-competitions/2020-Mayoral-Creative-Writing-Prize#section-4

Our school has registered for Fruit & Veg Month 2020. 

The theme for this year is ‘Planet Fruit and Veg’. It's all about exploring fruits and vegetables through the lens of sustainability. 

Fruit & Veg Month 2020 runs during Term 3, Monday 31st  August to Friday 25th September. 

As part of Fruit & Veg Month, students will be involved in Crunch & SIP to encourage them to eat more local fruit and vegetables. Parents are asked to pack fresh fruit or vegetables from local growers for their child to eat during this time.

If you require more information or to support Fruit & Veg Month as a local farmer or producer, please contact the school. 

Miss Benjamin - PDHPE Fruit & Veg Month School Coordinator

Statements have been mailed home by the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP). If you have not received yours by next week, please contact the school office. 

A reminder if you have changed details, eg. new residential address, email, phone number or emergency contact please let us know in writing by using the "Change of Details" eForm in the Skoolbag app.

If you have any further questions or would like to set up a payment plan please contact Liz Padlan on 02 9933 7800 or email on imac-qkhlfees@parra.catholic.edu.au.