Mel Maria Catholic Primary School

Dear Parents and Staff

As we move into Week 8 of what has been another busy and rewarding term at Mel Maria, there is certainly much to celebrate across our school community. The coming weeks provide wonderful opportunities for our students to demonstrate their learning, celebrate their achievements and live out the faith and values that sit at the heart of who we are as a Catholic school.

Our Year Three students are currently continuing their preparation for the Sacrament of Penance, an important milestone in their faith journey.

The Sacrament of Penance invites our children to reflect upon the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation and making choices that strengthen our relationships with God and with one another. Through their preparation, the students are developing a deeper understanding that God’s love and forgiveness are always available to us and that we, in turn, are called to extend that same forgiveness and compassion to others.

I acknowledge and thank our Year Three teachers, our parish priest, Fr Don and Fr Joseph, the parish sacramental coordinators and all those involved in preparing and supporting the children. Most importantly, I ask our community to keep our Year Three students and their families in your prayers as they prepare to receive this special Sacrament.

This week, on Tuesday 8 September, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the birthday of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

This feast has particular significance for us at Mel Maria. Mary is at the heart of our school identity and, through her example, we are reminded of the qualities of faith, humility, courage, compassion and service that we seek to nurture within our students.

Mary’s life was characterised by her willingness to say “yes” to God, often without knowing where that response might lead her. Her trust, strength and unwavering commitment provide a wonderful example for each of us. In celebrating her birth, we are reminded that God works through ordinary people who are prepared to respond with faith and generosity.

As a school bearing Mary’s name, we are challenged to follow her example; to notice the needs of others, to respond with compassion and to use the gifts we have been given in service of our community.

May Mary, our Mother, continue to guide and watch over the students, staff and families of Mel Maria.

This week, September 6–12, is National Child Protection Week across Australia. This year’s theme is “Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action.”

The theme is an important reminder that while conversations can raise awareness, build understanding and give children a voice, meaningful change occurs when those conversations lead to action. National Child Protection Week calls upon all Australians to play their part in creating communities in which children and young people are heard, valued, safe and supported.

As a Catholic school, the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every child entrusted to our care is fundamental to everything we do. Child safety is not simply a policy, procedure or compliance requirement, it is a shared responsibility and an essential part of the culture we seek to create at Mel Maria.

The words “Every Conversation Matters” are particularly powerful in a school setting. Every interaction we have with a child provides an opportunity to listen, notice, encourage and respond.

Importantly, this year’s call to “shift conversation to action” reminds us that listening must be followed by what we do, how we respond, the environments we create and the decisions we make to ensure children genuinely experience safety, care and protection.

At Mel Maria, we want every child to know that their voice matters, that there are trusted adults who will listen to them and that they have the right to feel safe at school, at home and within their community. This responsibility belongs to all of us - staff, parents, carers and the wider community.

Child Protection Week and in particular, the theme for this year, connects strongly with the commitment we make as a school to:

Every Child. Every Classroom. Every Day.

Congratulations to all our students who recently represented Mel Maria in the Tournament of Minds competition. Tournament of Minds provides students with an opportunity to work collaboratively to solve complex and challenging problems, requiring creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, communication and plenty of perseverance.

These are precisely the types of skills and dispositions we want to develop in our students. While competitions provide an opportunity to test ourselves against others, their greatest value often comes through the journey - the conversations, challenges, problem-solving, persistence and teamwork required along the way.

A very special thank you to Ms Teresa Marra, Mr Roman Popadynec, Mr Damian Williams and Mrs Ros Nichols for the considerable time, energy and commitment they gave to preparing and supporting our students. Opportunities such as these do not simply happen, and we are extremely grateful to staff who willingly give so much to ensure our children have opportunities to extend themselves beyond the classroom.

Next Wednesday, 16 September, we will hold one of the significant events on our school calendar, our Mel Maria Open Night.

Open Night provides our students with an opportunity to proudly showcase their learning and gives parents and families the chance to visit classrooms, view student work and experience firsthand the wonderful learning taking place across our school. I strongly encourage all families to attend.

There is something particularly powerful about children having the opportunity to show their parents and families what they have been learning. Their excitement and pride in sharing their classrooms, their work and their achievements reminds us that learning is about much more than a final product - it is about growth, effort, curiosity, persistence and improvement.

Our Open Night is also an opportunity to celebrate what makes Mel Maria such a special learning community. Across our two campuses, our staff continue to work hard to create engaging learning environments where children are challenged, supported and encouraged to achieve their very best.

As we continue our commitment to being Called to Excellence, Open Night allows us to make that commitment visible. It is an opportunity to celebrate the quality of our programs, the talents of our students and the dedication of our staff.

I look forward to welcoming our families next Wednesday evening and, most importantly, seeing our students proudly sharing their learning.

Last week our community came together for a wonderful Father’s Day celebration, providing our dads, grandfathers and significant father figures with an opportunity to spend some special time with their children at school.

Events such as these are an important part of building community at Mel Maria. They provide opportunities for families to connect with one another and, most importantly, for our children to share their school with the significant people in their lives.

My sincere thanks to our P&F for their ongoing support of our school and for organising the Father’s Day celebrations. In particular, I would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs Mika Sangalli for coordinating the event and for the considerable work that went on behind the scenes to make the celebration possible.

Thank you also to all our fathers, grandfathers and father figures who joined us. Your presence in the lives of your children and within our school community, is greatly valued.

We also recently recognised National Education Assistant Appreciation Day, providing us with an important opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful contribution our Education Assistants make to Mel Maria each and every day.

Our Education Assistants are an integral part of our school. They support learning, provide encouragement, nurture confidence and help ensure that children feel known, valued and supported. Their work is often quiet and undertaken without fanfare, but its impact on the children in their care can be profound.

We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of Education Assistants across both campuses, and I thank each of them for the patience, compassion, commitment, professionalism and care they bring to their work every day.

As we approach the final week of Term Three, we will celebrate Mercy Week from Monday 21 September through to Thursday 24 September.

Mercy Week holds particular significance for Mel Maria. Our Mercy heritage and charism continue to shape who we are as a Catholic school and remind us of our responsibility to put our faith into action through Respect, Service, Compassion and Justice.

Throughout the week, students will participate in a range of activities and celebrations designed to deepen their understanding of what it means to be people of Mercy. Importantly, Mercy is not simply something we celebrate for one week each year. It should be evident in the way we speak to one another, the way we care for those around us, the way we respond to those in need and the choices we make each day.

Catherine McAuley famously reminded us that “We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.” Mercy Week challenges each of us—students, staff and families - to consider how we can be that light for others and how, through our actions, we can continue Making a Difference Every Day.

Further details regarding our Mercy Week activities will be communicated to families.

As we head towards the end of another very full term, I thank our students, staff and families for their continued support of Mel Maria. The next few weeks will again be busy, but they also provide us with many opportunities to celebrate our students, our faith, our learning and our community.

There is much happening at Mel Maria, and much of which we can be very proud. At the heart of it all remains our commitment to providing an outstanding Catholic primary education for every child entrusted to our care.

Every Child. Every Classroom. Every Day.

One School. Two Campuses. Endless Opportunities.

A reminder to all families that Friday 25 September is a Pupil Free Day, and students do not attend school on this day. Thursday 24 September will therefore be the final day of Term Three for students.

Planning is already well underway for 2027 and beyond, and I encourage families considering Mel Maria Catholic Primary School for their child to submit their enrolment applications as soon as possible.

Interest in the school continues to be strong, and places in some year levels are limited. Families with younger siblings who have not yet submitted an application are also encouraged to do so, as sibling enrolment should not be assumed without an application being lodged.

For families who are considering Mel Maria, one of the best ways to understand our school is to come and see it in action. School tours provide prospective families with an opportunity to visit our campuses, see our learning environments and gain a greater understanding of our unique One School. Two Campuses. Endless Opportunities. model.

We are enormously proud of what Mel Maria offers: a strong Catholic identity, high expectations for learning, outstanding opportunities for our students and a community committed to ensuring that every child is known, supported and challenged to achieve their best.

If you know a family considering schooling options for their child, please encourage them to contact the School Office to arrange a tour or obtain further information about enrolment. As always, thank you to our parents, staff and students for the many different ways you contribute to the life of Mel Maria. It is through these shared experiences, opportunities and partnerships that we continue to live our commitment to Every Child. Every Classroom. Every Day.

Kind regards

Paul Hille

Principal

#MakingADifferenceEveryDay

Loving God,

As we celebrate the birth of Mary,
we give thanks for her example of faith, courage and compassion.

Like Mary, help us to listen with open hearts,
to notice those who need our care,
and to respond with kindness, understanding and love.

During National Child Protection Week,
we pray especially for all children.
May they always feel safe, valued, respected and heard.

Give us the wisdom to listen carefully to their voices
and the courage to turn our conversations into action.

Bless our Year Three students
as they prepare for the Sacrament of Penance.
May they come to know more deeply
your unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness.

Guide our Mel Maria community
to be people of compassion and service,

always looking for opportunities
to make a difference in the lives of others.

Mary, our Mother,
walk beside us and guide us
as we strive to follow the example of your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Thought for the Week

“When we truly listen, we show others that they matter.”

Dear Early Childhood Families

At Mel Maria Early Childhood Campus, our educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that every child is precious, capable and unique. We strive to inspire students through engaging experiences that nurture their strengths, curiosity, confidence and sense of belonging. Throughout the last two weeks our students have participated in an exciting array of learning opportunities that ensure every child, in every classroom, succeeds, every day!

Our recent assembly, beautifully led by Year 2 Red, was a wonderful celebration of the many talents and achievements within our school community. It was inspiring to see so many students celebrated for their dedication, perseverance and willingness to challenge themselves. These moments remind us of the importance of recognising every child’s unique strength and achievement.

Our PP–Year 2 students were delighted to welcome our RoboCup teams for an exciting showcase of their moving robots. Our older students proudly demonstrated their engineering creations and shared their coding skills, inspiring their younger peers through hands-on peer teaching and learning. This wonderful cross-campus connection gave our Early Childhood students a glimpse of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead as they progress to the Primary Campus at Mel Maria.

Our Early Childhood Liturgy of the Word provides meaningful opportunities for children to encounter Jesus through wonder, curiosity and age-appropriate faith experiences. Through Scripture, prayer, song and reflection, children make connections between Jesus’ teachings and their own lives, growing in their understanding of His love and presence. A big thank you to Deacon John from our Pater Noster Parish who leads these prayerful services.

Last week, Our Kindergarten and Pre-Primary classes were delighted to celebrate Father’s Day with some very special visitors! It was wonderful to see our dads engaging so enthusiastically in classroom activities and taking the time to share these special moments with their children. On Friday afternoon, our Father’s Day celebration provided further opportunity for connection to strengthen our Mel Maria spirit and remind our students that the important adults in their lives are valued members of our school community. Thank you to the tireless efforts of our P&F who created such a wonderful event.

With the coming weeks filled with many more moments of connection,

Out last two weeks of term continue to offer joyful opportunities for connection, fun and continued learning at Mel Maria. We look forward to making more wonderful memories together as a campus community!

With God’s Blessings,

Danielle Damjanovic

Head of the Early Childhood Campus

Year One has been making a splash with curiosity, creativity and discovery! Our young investigators have asked fascinating “I wonder…” questions and dived into finding the answers. In Science, we became water detectives—creating water cycles and discovering why water is so important for all living things. Armed with keen eyes, we headed outdoors for HASS observation walks, spotting natural, constructed and managed features. Inspired by Jeannie Baker’s Window, we then transformed our observations into wonderful window-view artworks.

Once upon a time in English, our classroom became a land of imagination! We retold and acted out fairy tales, created magical story boxes and invented our own characters and settings. These ideas came to life as the children wrote and published their very own narratives—our classroom is certainly full of budding authors!

Maths was both tasty and terrific as we discovered skip-counting patterns and explored fractions by making fraction pizzas and fairy bread. In Religion, we learned when, where, how and why people pray before writing beautiful prayers of thanks.

To top it all off, Book Week brought our favourite stories to life as Year One filled with colourful and creative book characters. What an action-packed adventure of learning it has been!

Our Call to Excellence

As we come towards the end of Term Three, we are looking forward to Open Night,

in celebration of the excellence in learning that our students have been participating in.

Our commitment to parents as first educators, is a serious undertaking at Mel Maria.

Sharing the open night experience with your children is an important way for you to experience what they have access to daily, supporting them to succeed and flourish as lifelong learners.

You will see evidence of how our educational philosophy is lived and experienced daily within each year level for your child.

Our dual-campus model’s structure allows us to tailor learning environments, teaching practices and opportunities to maximise student growth, engagement and success.

Thank you for supporting our Year Five Young Vinnies this term.

Service learning is an important element of our Mel Maria Community. Integrating our Mercy values of Service Respect Compassion and Justice is integrated throughout our curriculum with pride and commitment.

Ros Nichols

Head of Primary Campus

This term, the Year Five students have been exploring diverse countries, cultures and environments of North and South America. After researching a chosen country, the students have each chosen an animal from this country that they were interested in and researched its features, habitat and significance.

Using wine bottles, students are transforming their ideas into a three-dimensional animal sculpture. They have used clay to sculpt the head, paper mache to the body and then they will paint to add colour, pattern and detail.

Use Screen Time to manage your child’s iPhone or iPad

With Screen Time, you can see how much time your child spends on their device, including which apps and websites they use the most. You can also schedule daily app limits, block content that isn’t age appropriate and more.

Key Features

• Daily and Weekly Reports: See how much time you spend on apps, how often you pick up your phone, and how many notifications you get.
• Downtime: Schedule times when apps and notifications are blocked.
• App Limits: Set daily time limits for specific app categories or individual apps.
• Content & Privacy Restrictions: Block explicit content, purchases, and downloads. [1, 2, 3, 4]

More information on setting up screen time can be found on the following support article loc ate on the Apple website

https://support.apple.com/en-au/108806

A big thank you to everyone who supported our Sushi & Pizza Special Day! It seemed to be a big hit with the kids, and we hope they enjoyed their special lunch.

Weeks 7 & 8 – Fortnightly Special

Our next fortnightly special will be available for the next two weeks on Mondays at the Early Childhood Campus and Tuesdays at the Primary Campus:

Recess: Ham & Cheese Pocket
Lunch: Chicken Fried Rice

Orders are available through QKR!

Lunch Order Reminder

A little reminder to please have a quick chat with your child about what has been ordered for their recess lunch each day. We've had quite a few drinks taken from lunch baskets recently by students who weren't sure whether a drink had been included with their order. Making sure children know what they are expecting in their lunch order will hopefully help us avoid items accidentally going missing.

Canteen IOU Payback – Now on QKR!

You can now pay any outstanding money owing to the canteen directly through QKR! Simply look for the “IOU Canteen Payback” section.

If your child has been provided with lunch or another item from the canteen and payment is still owing, you can pay:

Through QKR! using IOU Canteen Payback, or by cash or card at the office at either campus.

We currently have a number of outstanding canteen payments from the past two terms. Reminder emails will be sent home next week for any amounts that are still owing.

Thank you for your continued support of our school canteen!

Most children will lie at some stage, whether it is to avoid consequences, gain approval, protect themselves from embarrassment, or simply to see what happens. Younger children may tell imaginative stories, while older children may lie about homework, friendships, or where they have been.

Children may also lie because they lack confidence, feel anxious, struggle with impulsivity, or have difficulty remembering details. For some children with ADHD, impulsive responses can sound like lies when they have spoken before fully thinking through their answer.

When responding to dishonesty, parents need to consider the reason behind the lie. Minor exaggerations that seek attention can often be ignored or gently redirected, while more serious lies may require reasonable consequences. Consequences should be calm, consistent, and linked to the behaviour.

Parents can encourage honesty by:

• Praising children when they tell the truth, especially when it is difficult.
• Creating opportunities for children to correct an untruth without fear of punishment.
• Reminding children that everyone makes mistakes and that honesty is valued.
• Giving children with ADHD extra time to think before responding.

Importantly, avoid cornering a child with questions when you already know the answer. Focus on the behaviour, not the child. Supporting honesty through understanding, clear expectations, and positive relationships helps children develop integrity and trust over time.

For the full article, click on the link below:

Why Do Kids Lie? Tips for Parents to Stop It

Sharlene Epis

sharlene.epis@cewa.edu.au

Reference

Arky, B. (2026, February 12). Why do kids lie? Tips for parents to stop it. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/why-kids-lie/

School Term Dates for 2026

• Term 1 (Monday 2 February to Thursday 2 April)
• Break (Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April)
• Term 2 (Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July)
• Break (Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19July)
• Term 3 (20 July – 25 September)
• Break (Saturday 27 September to Sunday 11 October)
• Term 4 (Monday 12 October to 11 December)

Pupil Free Days for 2026

• Term 1 – Friday 27 February
• Term 2 – Friday 29 May
• Term 3 – Monday 20 July and Friday 25 September
• Term 4 – Monday 12 October