Mel Maria Catholic Primary School

Dear Parents and Carers

“Called to Excellence”

As we commence the 2026 school year, I extend a very warm welcome to all our students, families, and staff. It has been wonderful to see our students return looking refreshed, enthusiastic, and ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. The beginning of a new school year is always filled with hope, renewed energy, and a sense of possibility. This year, our theme is “Called to Excellence.”

As a Catholic school community, we believe that each person is called by God to grow, to learn, and to become the very best version of themselves. Excellence is not simply about academic achievement; it is about striving to do our best in all aspects of life; spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally. It is about living our values of respect, compassion, service, and justice each day, and using our gifts to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

At Mel Maria, we are committed to fostering a culture where every child is encouraged, supported, and challenged to reach their personal best. Excellence is achieved when we work together with a shared purpose and a common vision.

We all know that children receive the best education when parents and staff work in genuine partnership. Parents’ enthusiasm, support, and involvement are integral to the success of our school, just as the skills, dedication, and professionalism of our teachers are essential to high-quality learning. Together, staff and parents can provide educational excellence for every student, ensuring that each child has the opportunity to flourish. By working collaboratively, we create a welcoming learning environment where achievements are celebrated and every child feels valued.

Education in today’s world is a complex and dynamic undertaking. Children are exposed to a wide range of influences, particularly through media and electronic communication. In this context, our school plays a vital role in supporting parents in the education of their children. Together, we strive to help our students develop a strong sense of personal responsibility, sound values, and the ability to use their freedom wisely and respectfully.

Throughout the year, our school will offer many opportunities for prayer, liturgy, and faith formation. These moments invite us to deepen our relationship with God and to experience His great love and friendship. It is our hope that Mel Maria continues to be a place where staff, students, and families encounter God’s presence in their daily lives.

As we begin this new year, I pray that our staff and parents will continue to work in true partnership, united in our shared responsibility for the education and faith formation of the children entrusted to our care. Together, let us answer the call to excellence and continue #MakingADifferenceEveryday.

May God bless our school community throughout the year ahead.

Our Gospel values of Justice, Respect, Compassion, and Service are powerful enablers. Most schools and Christian organizations endeavour to aspire to these Gospel values. However, what will set Mel Maria Catholic Primary School apart, if it does not already, is the way we go about honouring our school motto of 'Unity is Strength'. We need to continue to strive to work, act, and think as one school in all that we do as a school community. Let us all strive to live by our school mantra #MakingaDifferenceEveryday. What a wonderful gift to give our children and all those who enter the gates of Mel Maria Catholic Primary School.

It was fantastic to see so many parents join us for the Parent Information Evening on Tuesday and Wednesday. Your presence and engagement reflect the strong sense of community that makes Mel Maria Catholic Primary School such a special place.

Throughout the evening, there was a strong sense of excitement and optimism for the year ahead. Your enthusiasm and support for your children’s education are deeply valued, and it was wonderful to witness the positive partnership between home and school in action.

A special thank you to our dedicated teachers and staff for the time, effort, and passion they put into making these evenings so valuable. Their commitment to fostering strong relationships and providing insightful information ensures that our students receive the best possible learning experience.

We look forward to a fantastic year ahead, working together to inspire, nurture, and support every child at Mel Maria.

If your child has a medical condition, e.g. anaphylaxis or asthma, please complete the required paperwork that is available from the school office. All medications need to be left at the School Office with your child’s completed paperwork. Students in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Pre-Primary will have medications stored in the classroom; however, the School Office will still need to be notified of your child’s medical condition.

As our school newsletter will be published fortnightly, we will share it via email and Seesaw, providing you with a direct link to the document. The newsletter will also be available on our school website, allowing us to showcase the wonderful things happening at Mel Maria Catholic Primary School and “Spread the Good News”.

Class teachers will continue to use Seesaw to keep parents informed about class activities. To stay connected, please ensure you have downloaded the Seesaw app.

This year, we are committed to keeping parents up to date with current and upcoming school events. Follow us on Instagram to stay informed and engaged with our school community.

Enrolments are now being taken for new students wishing to commence Kindergarten at Mel Maria Catholic Primary School in 2027.

Mel Maria Catholic Primary School will continue to offer three, four or five days of Kindergarten in 2027.

Kindergarten places are limited, so it is important that parents within the Mel Maria community submit their applications as soon as possible. Forms can be obtained from the office or on our website.

We are looking forward to seeing many of our families at this special community event on Saturday, 14 February, coordinated by the Mel Maria Catholic Primary School P&F Association. It promises to be a wonderful occasion to celebrate your child’s first few weeks at school, meet other parents, and warmly welcome the many new families who have joined the Mel Maria community this year.

The event will be held at the Melville Tennis Club from 4.00pm to 8.00pm. As in previous years, families are invited to bring their own picnic dinner and enjoy a relaxed and social afternoon together. This is always a highlight of the start of the school year and a fantastic way to build connections and celebrate our strong school community.

The updated Term Calendars for 2026 are available on the school website

As we prepare for our Ash Wednesday Mass next Wednesday, 18 February, we enter the sacred season of Lent; a time of prayer, reflection, and renewal. Lent invites each of us to pause, look within, and consider how we can grow closer to God and to one another. It is a time to let go of habits that hold us back and to embrace actions that bring life, kindness, and hope to others.

Through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, we are reminded of the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and service. Even small acts, offering a helping hand, showing patience, or speaking kind words, can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

As a school community, may this Lenten journey help us live out our theme of “Called to Excellence,” striving each day to be the very best versions of ourselves, guided by faith, love, and a spirit of generosity.

Best Wishes,

Paul Hille

Principal

#MakingADifferenceEveryday

Prayer for the Beginning of the School Year

Loving God,

Be with our students as they grow in knowledge,

Bless our teachers and staff

Bless our parents and families,

Lord, help us to live our school theme,

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Thought for the Week

As we begin this new school year under the theme “Called to Excellence,” may we each strive to give our best in all that we do, showing kindness, working with dedication, and using our gifts to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Dear Families

It has been wonderful to be on the Early Childhood Campus throughout the past two weeks, meeting your beautiful children as they commence their learning at Mel Maria for the 2026 school year. I wish to extend a warm welcome to all new families joining Mel Maria for the first time as well as the following new Early Childhood Campus staff:

· Miss Sophie Hackett – Pre Primary White

· Miss Karis Johnston – Year 1 Blue

On my daily visits to each classroom, the care and nurture offered to your children from our dedicated staff is evidenced by the joy, enthusiasm and smiles on the faces of the children. These early connections are examples of Pope Leo XIV’s reminder that, “The Catholic school is a place where faith, culture and life cross paths … a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every interaction.”

I am pleased to share an overview of our recess and lunch eating procedures for PP–Year 2. Our younger students enjoy their mealtimes together, which supports positive social interactions, shared routines, and developmentally appropriate eating habits. These shared times help students learn skills such as caring for their eating space, engaging in friendly conversation, and enjoying a calm, supportive eating environment.

During both eating breaks, students are supervised by their class and duty teachers, who encourage healthy eating and positive routines. The children listen respectfully to daily updates and are showing wonderful growth in how they manage their eating areas each day. Once they have finished, students are guided to their designated play areas under teacher supervision. Our Year 1 and 2 students continue to show great independence and serve as excellent role models for their Pre-Primary friends.

To ensure a smooth transition into school life, our Pre-Primary teachers escort their students to and from the hall each day. Duty staff remain with them throughout eating so that students who need a little extra time are supported. After lunch, the Pre-Primary teachers meet their classes on the oval and walk with them back to their learning spaces to begin the afternoon sessions.

We are very proud of the way our students are settling into these routines and supporting one another across the early years.

A friendly reminder to sign your child out of their classes when collecting for appointments during the school day and for early pick up times. Additionally, upon returning to campus, the children will need to be signed back in via the portal at the administration office.

Our URstrong Friendship Program has now commenced across PP–Year 6. This evidence‑based “friendology” curriculum provides our students with a common language to help them to build confidence, resilience, and relationship skills through simple, age‑appropriate strategies.

Save the date…

Families are invited to join an online Parent & Child Information Session on Thursday, 26 March to learn more about URSTRONG and how you can support friendship skills at home. Further details and the session link will be communicated in an upcoming Seesaw notification.

Thank you to those families who attended Wednesday evening’s Parent Information Sessions. It was lovely to hear such positive feedback from so many parents regarding the professionalism and commitment of our Early Childhood staff.

I look forward to sharing this exciting year with you all, one which inspires your children to embrace every opportunity for growth. As Lewis Carroll reminds us in ‘Alice in Wonderland’, "Learning is the greatest adventure—sometimes curious, sometimes challenging, but always magical." Thank you for partnering with us as we guide your child through this incredible, magical chapter of their educational story.

Yours faithfully

Danielle Damjanovic

Head of Early Childhood Campus

What a wonderful start to the year it has been! The children are settling beautifully into Year 2 and are learning the rules and routines with confidence while enjoying learning together once again.

The children loved joining classes for one of our maths lessons. Through games and shared experiences, they worked on reading and interpreting calendars and sorting months into seasons.

We have also begun our new friendship program, URSTRONG. The children are learning how to be “friendship ninjas,” starting with the important idea of being a good friend to themselves.

Students at our Primary Campus have settled well into new routines for 2026. A special welcome to our Year Three students and families who are learning to adapt to a new experience with flexibility and great confidence, as well as the following new Early Childhood Campus staff:

• Miss Phoebe Winn – Year 4 Blue
• Mr Ben Kelly – Year 5 Red

• Mrs Adrienne Plover - Year 5 White

Parent information sessions were a great way to get to know new faces as we settle into new classrooms. We are looking forward to a great year of engaging learning for our students. Our teachers teach with high expectations, delivering engaging curriculum-aligned lessons that challenge every learner to grow.

Clubs have started for Term One, and our students have opportunities to participate in a variety of experiences. A few places remain for some clubs if you would like your child to participate.

Please DO NOT PARK on Galloway Street outside the Year three Playground, between

Wichman Road and the drive-through entrance. The area is clearly signposted, and rangers will be patrolling next week.Drive-through is a very efficient and safe way to pick up students.

Parking is available in the church car park if you are visiting classrooms.

Ros Nichols
Head of Primary Campus

Year 3 has had a wonderful start to the year, filled with excitement, energy, and plenty of smiles! We’ve loved coming together to dance, play, sing and learn in a fun and supportive environment as we settle into our new routines on the Primary Campus.

Our Star of the Week program is already shining brightly and is a valued part of our classroom. It celebrates students who demonstrate our school values, show kindness, and approach their learning with a positive attitude. Each week, a student is recognised for their effort, responsibility, or willingness to give things a go, helping to build confidence and inspire everyone to be their best. We are also taking the opportunity to learn more about each of our Star of the Week students by reading letters from their parents and writing letters to them in appreciation of all they bring to our class community.

The children are also very excited to begin using their new one-to-one devices, learning how to be responsible and respectful digital citizens as they explore new ways to learn. We are especially looking forward to diving into programming and coding on our iPads, building problem-solving skills and creativity as the students grow in confidence and begin their journey towards becoming true tech wizards.

As a faith community, we have come together to attend Mass, helping us prepare for the Sacrament of Penance later in the year and strengthening our connection with one another and our church community.

We are so excited about what this year will bring and can’t wait to see our Year 3 students continue to grow, learn and shine throughout the year ahead.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy.

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum, and allows parents and carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with more information about students’ educational progress. NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working, and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy

Click here for more information:

https://www.nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/naplan/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf?sfvrsn=2551405e_14

Apple Parental Controls

Use parental controls on your child’s iPhone or iPad. With Screen Time, you can turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions to manage content, apps and settings on your child’s device. You can also restrict explicit content, purchases and downloads, and changes to privacy settings.

Apple’s parental controls are important tools that allow parents to choose how — and how often — their children can use their devices. Parental controls are built right into each iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Allow built-in apps and features

You can restrict the use of built-in apps or features. If you turn off an app or feature, the app or feature won’t be deleted, it will just be temporarily hidden from your Home Screen. For example, if you turn off Mail, the Mail app won't appear on your Home Screen until you turn it back on.

Open the Settings app, then tap Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Enter your Screen Time passcode.

Tap Allowed Apps & Features.

Select the apps that you want to allow.

Restrict Games

These restrictions only apply to games that use Game Center features.

Open the Settings app, then tap Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap App Store, Media, Web & Games.

Scroll down to Game Center, then choose your settings.

For more information. click on the link below:

https://support.apple.com/en-au/105121

https://melmaria.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/iPad-Controls.pdf

Mel Maria - Myaree Campus

Monday morning

Dates: 9/02/26 to 09/03/26

Time: 7.15am to 8.15

Years: Pre-primary - 2

5 sessions

Cost: $137.50

Mel Maria - Attadale Campus

Thursday afternoon

Dates: 12/02/26 to 02/04/26

Time: 3pm to 4pm

Years: 3-4-5-6

8 sessions

Cost: $220.00

Welcome back to the new school year and a special greeting to those families who are new to the Mel Maria community. As the School Social Worker, I am at the early childhood campus on Thursdays and the primary campus on Fridays.

A brochure outlining my services is available from the office. In summary I offer, at no cost to parents, private and confidential counselling to all students and families in relation to any school-based issues. These can include the impact of outside events on a child’s performance and behaviour at school. A signed consent form is required for your child to participate in counselling; however, I am always available to assist staff with general pastoral care and support.

I will be including in the newsletter some regular tips regarding parenting and/or articles about children’s social skills or other developmental needs. The first of these for this year is supporting your child’s transition into the new school year.

I look forward to working with you all and wish you and your children every success and blessing in the coming year.

Support your child’s transition into the new school year

The new school year is here and there is excitement or worry in the air, and that is just the adults! Transitioning into a new school year can be daunting, no matter the year. Whether it is starting kindergarten, moving from primary to middle school, or into senior schooling, each new phase welcomes new challenges and new opportunities.

For some children, transitioning into a new school year can be so overwhelming that it prevents them and blocks them from getting to school in the first place. A child in their first year of school who is struggling will usually do one of 2 things, they cry, and they cling so hard to their parent they will not let go. The other way is the child who withdraws, sits by themselves, doesn't engage with anyone, and sits alone in discomfort and even fear.

There are simple ways that as a parent you can help to minimise the fear of the unknown that comes with starting school, transitioning to a new year or even a new school.

Go shopping

Allow your child to choose one or two stationary items that they have been asking for or looking at for a long time. Having a funky set of pencils or a cool-shaped sharpener can do wonders for the classroom cred.

Practice school lunch preparation

No matter the child's age they need to be helping you in some way with preparing their lunches. Whether it is filling their water bottle or getting their snacks, taking this responsibility increases their independence and provides them with a sense of control and autonomy, which does wonders for a child's self-esteem.

Use a visual checklist

If your child has difficulties remembering everything they need to do in the mornings, a visual checklist will be your saviour. Having a visual schedule takes the verbal pressure off you and provides them with a visual reminder of what needs to happen.

Use positive language

Have conversations with your child about what opportunities being in a new year or a new school will hold for them. Even if you know things might get tricky this year for them, like a school camp or a class speech, if you use positive language in conversations with your child, they will look at the opportunities rather than the downsides.

Take the time to listen

The beginning of a school year can feel overwhelming; there is so much news to share. This time is valuable for you and your child. Take the time to stop and listen while they share their news from the day, their worries about starting or how things are going for them.

Sharlene Epis

Social Worker

BEd, MSW

sharlene.epis@cewa.edu.au

Reference

Lockwood, L. (2022, Feb 4). Support your child’s transition into the new school year without the tears. https://www.angelalockwood.com.au/blog/support-your-child-transition-into-the-new-school-year-without-the-tears

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 & Friday 25 September
• Term 4 – Monday 12 October