In 1861, Mary MacKillop went to work in Penola, a small town in South Australia. Here she met a Catholic priest, Father Julian Woods. Together they opened Australia's first free Catholic school. At that time only the rich could afford schooling. Penola Principal Post ISSUE 2 15 TH FEBRUARY 2017 Cassowary Drive, Ballajura WA 6066 PO Box 2185, Malaga WA 6944 Telephone (08) 9241 7500 Facsimile (08) 9249 9315 Email: admin@mmccps.wa.edu.au Website: www.mmccps.wa.edu.au The Nudge How did I get here? Somebody pushed me. Somebody must have set me off in this direction and clusters of other hands must have touched the controls at various times. Joseph Heller (Author of Catch 22) Canteen (08) 9249 9190 Monday, Wednesday, & Friday Uniform Shop: Tuesday Thursday 8:00-9:00am 2:30-3:30pm Do you ever wonder how we ended up where we are right at this very moment? I know I do. There are times where I think about how I ended up becoming a Principal. It is a good thing to stop and reflect on this every now and then. We will be amazed at the number of people that have influenced where we end up. We will know the key nudges and bumps along the way. Each bump is an influence. Every day we all have chance encounters with others, passing conversations with neighbours and workmates. If you think they do not matter, consider this: A ball placed on the crest of a hill might roll into several different valleys depending on slight differences in its initial position, or simply by an unexpected bump or nudge along the journey. By the time the ball gets to the bottom of the hill it is in a totally different spot to where it had initially planned to go. The ball s pathway changed along the descent. It is like the golf shot off the tee. I know you have hit one of these, when it goes flying off the slice into the trees, then suddenly appears 5ft from the pin off a rebound from a friendly tree. Puts you right back in the game. This is the nudge at work. There are so many people or events that take place in our lives that alters our direction, or puts us back on the right path.
PENOLA Community Mass Times: Sat 6.00 pm, Sun 8.00 am, 9.30 am, & 5.00 pm PAGE 2 We do not have to be a person of influence to be influential. It may well be that some of the most influential people in our life does not even know they had any impact on the course we have taken, the things they have taught us, or the direction they moved us. Sometimes a patient, loving, wellintentioned minute from a busy, but caring person can translate into a life-changing nudge. Every one of us have this gift, you have this gift. Nudge away with kindness and see what then takes place. If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement, or attempts to understand, extraordinary things begin to happen. Loretta Gizartis Being in a school, we are provided with opportunities to serve others. I know I have spoken about this before, but the greatest gift St Mary MacKillop offered in her life, was that she served others selflessly. Serving others and thinking of their needs before our own is what it is all about. It takes the focus off our own needs and we start to appreciate how fortunate we are. This is the nudge thing mentioned in the quote. When we look around at the things which are happening here at Mary MacKillop, it is easy to recognize just how many little nudges of influence take place. Think of all the nudges we provide for others in our day. A little nudge to our kids about manners, watch the influence it has. Every person has an opportunity to influence. Who will we influence today? Staffing News Angelo Fanetti, one of our long serving groundsmen, will be retiring next week. Angelo has been with us at Mary MacKillop since 1997. He had a break for five years, but could not resist returning to us in 2013. Angelo has contributed much to the life and being of Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School and his presence will be missed deeply. Angelo is what we are about, seeing a need and doing something about it. I wish to personally thank Angelo for going far beyond what is expected in ensuring our school is always presented to the highest standards. We know the years ahead will be filled with enjoying his grandchildren, family, friends and the odd bit of travelling. I am sure there is a list of jobs for around the house as well that will keep him busy. Over the coming weeks continue to take good care of yourself and treat others with kindness and gentleness. This will nudge them in a direction of great influence over others. Wait and see what you create. Many blessings to you and your family Art Lombardi
PENOLA Community Mass Times: Sat 6.00 pm, Sun 8.00 am, 9.30 am, & 5.00 pm PAGE 3 MATHS MATTERS (An activity to try at home) Tape Measure Counting The purpose of this activity is to help your child to count forwards and backwards using numbers to 100. What you need: A tape measure What to do: Choose any two numbers on the tape. Practise counting, backwards and forwards, between these two numbers. For example, start counting at 34 and stop at 45, or start counting backwards from 26 and stop at 15. Follow the numbers on the tape measure as you count together. Ask questions about the order of the numbers on the tape measure. For example: What number comes before 87? What number comes after 49? Children can use the tape measure to help answer these questions if they need to. Variations: Count in twos, fives or tens between any two numbers on the tape. Remember to count both forwards and backwards. SWIMMING TRIALS Swimming trials will be held NEXT WEEK at Ballajura Aquatic Centre. (Cnr Illawara Cres and Kingfisher Ave.) The students will be driven by bus to the venue and back to the school grounds when the trials are completed. The trials for the different classes will be held on the following days: DATE 10AM 11AM 12PM 1PM 2PM Tuesday 21 st Feb 6P 6A 5P 5A 5O Wednesday 22 nd Feb 6O 4A 4P 4O Students are to wear their sports uniform to school on their trial day. Please ensure that all their clothing is clearly marked with their name. Racing bathers are preferred to board shorts as they don t drag as much in the water. There will also be a lifeguard at the pool specifically to supervise our children. Parents who are available to help Mr Power are to meet him at the pool. Thank you Mr Laurie Power Library News We have had a great start to the year with many new books on display ready to be taken home. The Library has been re-arranged to make the area more comfortable for students and teachers. We encourage all students to borrow from the Library every week.
PENOLA Community Mass Times: Sat 6.00 pm, Sun 8.00 am, 9.30 am, & 5.00 pm PAGE 4 CANTEEN NEWS The new TERM 1 CANTEEN MENU for 2017 is available on the MMCCPS website or alternatively if you require a hard copy, at the office or canteen. Please refer to this new menu ONLY, as many changes have taken place. The canteen operates on a Monday, Wednesday & Friday. To alleviate using money, Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School has made an important change by registering for an online ordering system for Canteen orders. This enables a more efficient and effective service available to you and your family. You can visit www.ouronlinecanteen.com.au if you wish, just to have a look at what the school is offering. If you have any queries, please come and see either myself or Kath and we will be happy to help. Regards, Sylvia Campbell. UNIFORM SHOP Tuesday Morning 8.00am-9am Thursday Afternoon 2.30pm-3.30pm EFTPOS AVAILABLE IMPORTANT DATES Thursday 16 February Yr 3 Mass 8.45am Friday 17 February Assembly 8.35am (Merit Certificates Yr 4-6) (Announce Yr 6 Co-ordinators & Faction Captains) Friday 17 February Term 1 School Fees Due Tuesday 21 February School Board Meeting 6.30pm Thursday 23 February Year 4 Mass 8.45am Friday 24 February Assembly 8.35am (Merit Certificates PP-Yr 3) Friday 24 February P&F Family Fun Night 5.30pm Saturday 25 February Sacramental Commitment Mass 6pm Sunday 26 February Sacramental Commitment Mass/Family Mass All Year Levels 9.30am, followed by Morning Tea. Wednesday 1 March Ash Wednesday (Whole School Mass Yr 5, 8.45am) Friday 3 March Assembly 8.35am (Merit Certificates Yr 4-6) Saturday 4 March Yr 3 Students Reconciliation Dungeon Student Mass 6pm (Parish) Monday 6 March Public Holiday Labour Day Tuesday 7 March Pupil Free Day
PENOLA Community Mass Times: Sat 6.00 pm, Sun 8.00 am, 9.30 am, & 5.00 pm PAGE 5 NEWSLETTER and WEBSITE Please remember the Penola is available on-line and is emailed out to parents every fortnight on a Wednesday. Parents who do not receive the on-line Penola may collect a newsletter from the administration area. The Penola will also be available on the school website. We are continuing to look at ways of improving the communication with our parents. The ALEX & FLORA CLUB (Before and After School Care at the Church) The Alex and Flora Club provide before and afterschool care for children from Kindergarten to Yr 6, and also offer vacation care for the holidays. They are situated in the basement of the Mary MacKillop Catholic Church. Please contact Colleen Besterwitch on 0447 019 567. Parents and Friends Association News We hope that everybody, parents, students and staff have settled in for an awesome year at Mary Mac! We understand settling back into school life can be quite an adjustment therefore, we would love to invite you all to relax at our annual Family Fun Night! The family fun night will be held on Friday 24th February 2017. This is a free event, to help build our school community spirit! The more the merrier! So bring your picnic blanket down and enjoy the night! There will be a sausage sizzle and cool drinks available to purchase on the night, and of course Mick the coffee man! However feel free to bring your own picnic basket if you prefer. A flyer will be sent home today with more details about the event, as well as a volunteer sheet for any of those who wish to help out on the night. Please remember, many hands make light work! Any help would be much appreciated! Our next P & F meeting will be held in the staff room on Thursday evening, 2nd of March at 6:30pm. All welcome! Dee Wright P&F President PARISH NEWS OCTOBER 2017 PILGRIMAGE In the Footsteps of Mary MacKillop 23 day Pilgrimage with Fr John Jegorow & Ballajura parishioners. Begin at Lisieux France October 6 - then England, Wales, Ireland & Scotland BACK Oct 30, 2017. Only 4 places left. If you are interested please contact The Parish 9249 1247
PENOLA Community Mass Times: Sat 6.00 pm, Sun 8.00 am, 9.30 am, & 5.00 pm PAGE 6 COMMUNITY NEWS
PENOLA Community Mass Times: Sat 6.00 pm, Sun 8.00 am, 9.30 am, & 5.00 pm PAGE 7 MERCY COLLEGE TOUR Mercy College will be holding a Tour Morning Tuesday 21 Feb at 9.30am commencing in the Chapel at the Beach Rd entrance, concluding at 10.30am with morning tea in the Library. Any queries please phone Ms Lee-Ann Ottenhof 9247 9223. JOHN XXIII COLLEGE Open Day SATURDAY 11 MARCH, 9:00AM TO 12:00PM Come and see for yourself what our young people already know about John XXIII College. Students will proudly tell you about the facilities, programs and opportunities that exist at this very successful Catholic, co-educational college. Tours will run every half hour, with the final tour departing at 11:00am. For enrolment enquiries please call (08) 9383 0400. Please visit our website to registerwww.johnxxiii.edu.au Excellence in Co-Education