Mary Immaculate Primary Newsletter

Term 4 Week 3: Monday 26th October 2020

Principal's Message

What an exciting week!

I don't want to say too much this week as there is so much happening that you can see from our newsletter and from our social posts. I will let the students communicate with you what a great week they had! Sometimes it's best just to create a space of silence to make sure children's voices are heard and amplified!

With appreciation for your ongoing support,

Stephen Dowd

Principal

Religious Coordinator's Message

Catholic Mission Socktober “Crazy Sock Day” Fundraiser

As part of our Religious Education Mission work during October, Mary Immaculate is registered to participate in Catholic Mission Australia’s initiative of “Socktober”. We will have a “Socktober Day” on Friday the 30th of October. Our students are asked to wear CRAZY SOCKS (this can be as simple as wearing odd socks, different coloured socks, adding bling to your favourite socks!) and encouraged to donate online to support the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia. 

Distressingly, in Cambodia, people with disabilities are not always accepted and given equal opportunity. Children with disabilities are sometimes not able to go to school and gain an education, and their families may struggle to care for them. The Arrupe Centre, established by Bishop Enrique ‘Kike’ Figaredo Alvargonzalez in 2001, is a home for children with disability, providing them with support and opportunities to live a fulfilling life. Arrupe Centre strives to show the love of God through caring for and empowering those in need. 

 The survival of the Arrupe Centre, and similar programs like it around the world, rely so much on the support our school community can provide today. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we stand with our mission partners like the Arrupe Centre to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Stage 3 students will lead our school community in prayer, advocacy and fundraising for this cause. We will also use the world game of soccer to connect with our brothers and sisters around the world.

So let’s kick some goals for kids around the world! Keep an eye out on our Facebook page and Skoolbag App for more information and details to donate.

Students will wear whatever uniform they wear to school on a Friday- just add a pair of crazy socks instead of school socks.

Mrs Helen Moore

Religious Coordinator

Learning at MIPS

BOOK WEEK 2020- Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

During Week 2, students at Mary Immaculate celebrated Book Week!

All students were able to listen to a range of shortlisted books, vote for their favourite book online, read with buddies/Peer Support groups and participate in our Book Week parade. What a week!

We also celebrated with an award ceremony for our Book Cover competition and Readathons. Our prize winners included:

Wushkathon WInners:

Madeline T, John S, Aman T, Diva R, Rebecca M, Michelle E, Dante S, Yavniel F, Alexander T, Nissa N

Read-a-thon Winners:

Ruby B, Aviel F, Chelsea M, Dominic D, Samantha S, Lexi H, Lillian D, Anna R, Campbell S, Allegra L and Kanav S.

Design a new Book Cover Winners:

Alannah S, Manvitha C, Samantha M, Kai B, Leila P, Lilly H, Stephanie S, Jemma F, Kayleigh G, Ruby D, Elyssa V, Dylan S, Gabriel E, Amber R, Aria P, Jayden M, Kiani A, Lillian D, Anna R, Harrison H, Lily T, Darrell S

Congratulations to the prize winners, and all students for participating in such a special week. Thank you parents for all of your support during Book Week!

Thank you for your support,

Mrs Kylie Behrens 

Wushkathon, Read-a-thon and Design a new Book Cover Winners

Book Week Parade

Read Aloud over PA

Buddy Reading

Peer Support Reading

Upcoming Dates

Thursday, 29th October, 5th, 12th November- Kinder 2021 Orientation Days

Kindergarten 2021 families received an email last Friday outlining details of Kindergarten Orientation sessions, with the first one commencing this Thursday 28th October. If you have a child starting kindergarten at MIPS next year and you didn't receive an email please contact the school office on 9933 7800. 

Friday 30th October: Socktober Day

Latest News

Star Athlete

Congratulations to Sienna A for achievements in Basketball outside of school. Only a few weeks ago she made it into the DAP and Sand Slam Squad. We asked Sienna to share her experience with us and this is what she said….

On Saturday the 10th October I represented the association ‘Hills Hornets’ and trialled for the Basketball NSW High Performance Program. The day consisted of 2 x 1.5 hour sessions focusing on different plays on the court and scrimmages. It was lots of fun trialling with my friends and teammates.

I was selected in the U14s Developing Athlete Program (DAP) and the U14s Sand Slam Squad, where I will train and compete with the top representative players across NSW Country, NSW Metro and ACT.

Sienna 


MIPS GARDEN

Bunnings have kindly donated garden supplies for MIPS students to get the school garden up and running. On Thursday we picked up a garden bed, soil, plants, gloves, hand shovels and a live worm compost! We hope to get our garden ready in the coming weeks and the students are extremely excited to get planting. 

Thank you to Bunnings in Marsden Park for their support and generous donation. 

Absent Explanation Reminder

If your child is sick or absent you are required to notify the school. All explanations for absences must be provided within 7 days of the first day of any period of absence. 

Absences can be explained using one of the following methods:

  • Online: log the absence directly using (Skool Bag App)
  • Email: the school at mimmac@parra.catholic.edu.au
  • Telephone: the school office ph. 9933 7800
  • Note sent with your child
  • Where an explanation has not been received within the 7 day timeframe or the explanation has not been accepted, the school will record the absence as unexplained or unjustified on the student’s record. The school will not be able to accept explanations which are not received within the 7 day timeframe. 

    2020 School Fees

    You should have received a copy of your 2020 statement by now, if not, please contact the school office.

    Note that payments made after 7th October 2020 will not appear on this statement.

    If you would like to organise a flexible payment plan for 2020 school fees please email Liz Padlan on imac-qkhlfees@parra.catholic.edu.au.

    For those that have been financially impacted by COVID-19, please click on the following link for fee relief information: 

    CEDP Fee Relief

    The fee relief form can be completed online or downloaded as a PDF. If you are completing the paper document, please scan and email to cl@parra.catholic.edu.au (Community Liaison at CEDP). All information will remain strictly confidential.

    Liz Padlan

    Senior Finance officer




    School Canteen

    Paula's Pantry is open Monday to Friday: before school from 8:25am, lunchtime and recess

    Lunches can be ordered at the canteen in the morning before school or online via the QKR App. When ordering online please ensure you place your order by 7:50am.  Lunches can also be ordered at the canteen in the morning before school.

    Due to health and safety regulations canteen staff are unable to heat up any food brought from home. 


    Uniform Shop

    Online orders and emails for exchanges are to be placed on the QKR App by 4:00pm Monday and Thursday.  Uniform orders and exchanges will be delivered to your child's classroom on Tuesday and Friday mornings during the school term. 

    When exchanging items purchased from the uniform shop please send an email to elle@ozfashions.com.au prior to leaving the items at the school office in a bag labelled with your child's name and class. 

    All inquiries please contact Elle on 0421 216 414 or via email, elle@ozfashions.com.au.

    Community News

    ​Mary Immaculate Catholic Church Quakers Hill ~ Schofields

    UPDATE ON MASS ATTENDANCE

    On the 21st October 2020 NSW Health revised the COVID-19 guidelines for places of worship,

    effective on Friday 23 October 2020. The maximum number of people who can attend religious gatherings will be lifted from 100 to 300. This will still be subject to the 4 square metre rule.

    Please note based on how the church pews are set up in our church and to adhere to the 4 square metre rule, we are limited

    to 140 people in the Church for any liturgical celebration or at any one time. For our Sunday Masses we are permitted to

    accommodate 50 people in the Parish Schools Multipurpose area.

    DIRECTIVES: All people who are coming into the church are highly recommended to wear a mask as this is for your personal protection

    but also for protection of everybody else. We would describe it as an act of  fundamental charity. Please wear the masks to, during

    and after Mass. If you forget to bring a Mask these are available at the foyer of the church for  a donation of $1.00 each. 

    The four-square metre rule and 1.5m physical distancing requirements will continue to apply. As COVID-19 cases are escalating,

    we need to be very mindful of how we can eliminate risk. Due to the restrictions we encourage no  gathering outside the church before, during or after our services.  

    ​Breach of any of these orders referenced under the Public Health Act is a criminal offence and can attract penalties.  

    As has occurred in some parishes, we expect police may conduct random inspections of places of worship for COVID-19 safety compliance. 

    PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR PARISHIONERS  AND VISITORS TO THE CHURCH SAFE.

    Please follow instructions upon entry to the Church. 

    1. If you are unwell, stay home as the dispensation from Sunday Mass is still current. 

    2. Use hand sanitizer available in the foyer of the church.

     3. When entering Church, sign in.

    4. Sit in designated spots. Green Signs “Please Sit Here”.

    5. Keep your distance when lining up for Holy Communion. 

    6. Before leaving the church please sanitize the place and area you were seated with the anti-bacterial wipes provided in the church. 

     Breach of any of these orders referenced under the Public Health Act is a criminal offence and can attract penalties.  As has occurred in some parishes, we expect police may conduct random inspections of places of worship  for COVID-19 safety compliance. 

    PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR PARISHIONERS  AND VISITORS TO THE CHURCH SAFE.

    ​THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AND SUPPORT!

    Catholics from the Diocese of Parramatta continue to be dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation until further notice. (Canon 1248 paragraph 2 and Canon 2181).” 

    MASS TIMES THIS COMING WEEK:

    Monday: 6.00am only.Tuesday to Friday: 6.00am & 9.15 AM. 

    Saturday: 7.30am only.

    There will be no Wednesday or Friday evening Masses until further notice. Our live streaming and broadcasted Masses will no longer continue.

    ​SUNDAY MASSES

    VIGIL MASSES: 5.30pm

     SUNDAY MORNING MASSES: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12.30PM & 5.30PM

    FOR THE TIME BEING, THERE WILL BE NO SINGING AT MASS.

    THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE:  On Saturdays between 4.00PM – 5.00PM

    THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: for the time being, there will be individual baptisms on a Saturday with a total of 50 people apart from the priest and acolyte. This will take place at 11:00 AM. Please contact the parish office via email (parishoffice@maryimmac.org.au) or phone: 9626 3326, to make an inquiry or book a Baptism.

    ​VISITATION TO THE CHURCH: The main door of the Church will be a means of entering the Church. It is necessary that you use hand sanitiser and record your name and phone number before you enter the Church. We would also ask that you do not touch statues, the tabernacle, paintings, or any other religious object in the church.

     ​LITURGY ROSTER: We will be returning to our liturgy roster for readers, acolytes and junior servers.The parish office will be in contact with everyone involved to confirm their participation.

    We appreciate your continued prayers, patience, cooperation and understanding during this time. 

    ​Yours in Christ,

    Fr. Oliver, Deacon Leon and Parish Staff

    ​PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

    My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to possess You within my soul. Since I am unable at this moment to receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

    Carers NSW Australia

    Community Advertising

    "Please understand we are happy to support local businesses and programmes. However, the following notices are supplied for community information.
    This by no means surmounts to an endorsement by the school." (Principal, Mr Stephen Dowd)

    At Mary Immaculate we communicate with parents via the free Skoolbag app that is available from both the App Store and Google Play Store. Skoolbag can be installed on any iOS (iPad or iPhone) or Android device. Downloading the app means you immediately receive updates and reminders to your mobile phone or ipad. Remember to subscribe to your child's Year Group so that you will receive messages relevant to their year.  Instructions on how to download the Skoolbag App are available via this link.