Mel Maria Catholic Primary School

Dear Parents and Caregivers

As Term 3 draws to a close, I am filled with deep gratitude and pride as I reflect on the many moments of learning, faith, and community that have shaped these past ten weeks. It has been a season alive with growth and achievement—one that truly reflects the heart of Mel Maria Catholic Primary School and our shared mission to #MakeADifferenceEveryDay.

From classrooms alive with inquiry and creativity to joyful celebrations of faith and culture, our students have embraced every opportunity to learn, lead, and shine. Highlights this term included our Open Night, where families and visitors explored an inspiring showcase of student innovation under the theme Innovate and Create.

The Catholic Performing Arts Festival once again saw our students perform with confidence and grace, earning recognition receiving the much-coveted Zenith Music Award for the Most Consistent performing school. In Tournament of Minds our STEM team excelled by winning the State Finals, a testament to their problem-solving and teamwork. This team will now travel to Sydney for the National Championship. Sporting spirit was equally on display through interschool carnivals, cross country, and running club achievements, reflecting perseverance and school pride.

Behind every success at Mel Maria stands the dedication and generosity of our exceptional staff. Our teachers, education assistants, and support personnel give far more than their time and expertise, they freely offer their energy, creativity, and heart without seeking recognition or reward.

The many extra things they do are always for the benefit of our students, ensuring they have every opportunity to participate, learn, and grow through rich experiences and special events.

Through their professionalism, innovation, and faith-filled service, every child is truly known, valued, and inspired to flourish in mind, heart, and spirit. The care and attention invested in classroom learning, specialist programs, and whole-school celebrations continue to enrich and strengthen our community in immeasurable ways.

I also extend heartfelt thanks to our parents and caregivers. Your support—whether volunteering at events, cheering at sports days, helping in classrooms, or assisting with P&F initiatives—strengthens our community and sends a powerful message to your children about the importance of faith, family, and education. The P&F Father’s Day BBQ, held despite the wild weather, was a shining example of your commitment and generosity.

As we enter the holiday break, I pray it will be a time of rest, renewal, and joyful family moments. May you find space to slow down, give thanks for the blessings of the year so far, and prepare for the excitement of Term Four, which promises further opportunities for learning, celebration, and growth.

Thank you all for making Term Three such a remarkable chapter in our school’s journey. May God continue to bless our students, staff, and families as we walk together in faith and excellence.

Thank You for a Wonderful Open Night

I extend my heartfelt thanks to all our staff for their outstanding effort and commitment in preparing for Open Night last week. The theme for the evening, Innovate and Create, was beautifully reflected in every classroom and learning space. From thoughtfully presented displays to engaging student projects, the creativity, inquiry, and innovation showcased by our students were truly inspiring. Every detail spoke of the professionalism, dedication, and pride our staff bring to their work each day.

A special thank you also goes to the many parents, grandparents, and friends of the school who visited both campuses to share in this celebration of learning. Your presence not only affirmed the efforts of the students and staff but also highlighted the strong partnership that exists between home and school, a partnership that is central to the success of Mel Maria Catholic Primary School.

As I moved through classrooms at both campuses, I was inspired by the positive atmosphere that filled the evening. Conversations with families continually reinforced their admiration for the quality of teaching, the depth of learning, and the opportunities for creativity and innovation that our students enjoy each day at Mel Maria.

Open Night is a significant event on our school calendar and a true reflection of our school mantra, #MakeADifferenceEveryday. Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Open Night such a memorable and vibrant celebration of the outstanding teaching and learning happening at Mel Maria.

Principal’s Renewal Leave: 15 October – 11 November 2025

I wish to share that I will be on Senior Leaders Renewal Leave from Wednesday 15 October through Tuesday 11 November 2025.

As a system leader, I am privileged to have access to System Leader Renewal Leave (SLRL). The primary aim of SLRL is to engage in professional learning and/or personal faith renewal experiences that enhance an individual’s leadership capacity.

This leave, supported by Catholic Education Western Australia, is designed to provide school leaders with valuable time for professional reflection, spiritual renewal, and growth, ultimately strengthening our service to the school community.

During my absence, the Executive Director has appointed Mrs Ros Nichols as Acting Principal. Ros will primarily be based on the Early Childhood Campus, ensuring continuity and strong leadership for our youngest learners.

At the Primary Campus, Mr Roman Popadynec will oversee daily operations and provide leadership support to staff, students, and families.

Please be assured that Mel Maria Catholic Primary School will continue to run smoothly under their capable care. If you have any concerns that require attention during this time, please do not hesitate to contact Ros or Roman directly.

I am most grateful for this opportunity as I take this time for renewal. I look forward to returning on Tuesday 11 November with renewed energy and vision as we continue to guide our school community into an exciting future.

Best Wishes to Mrs Joanne Scouler

We warmly congratulate Mrs Joanne Scouler on her appointment as Principal of Mater Christi Catholic Primary School. Joanne will commence in this leadership role at the beginning of Term Four 2025 and will serve through to the end of Semester One 2026.

Joanne has been a valued member of our Mel Maria Catholic Primary School community, sharing her gifts of faith-filled leadership, dedication, and deep commitment to the education and wellbeing of every child. Her passion for Catholic education and her capacity to inspire and support staff, students, and families have enriched our school immeasurably.

While we will miss Joanne’s presence and daily contributions, we are confident that her wisdom, experience, and warm spirit will bless the Mater Christi community just as they have blessed ours. Joanne has truly embodied our school’s mission Excellence in Catholic Primary Education, and we know she will continue to live this call as she leads Mater Christi into the future.

We assure Joanne of our prayers and ongoing support as she embraces this exciting new chapter in her leadership journey, and we wish her every success and happiness in this significant role.

Lisa Lombardi

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Lisa Lombardi for stepping in to cover Science this term. Her dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm have made a significant impact on both our students and staff. Lisa has been an invaluable asset to our school community, bringing a high level of expertise and commitment to the role. We are truly grateful for all the hard work she has put in and the positive energy she has brought to the classroom. Thank you, Lisa, for your outstanding contribution, it has been a pleasure having you on the team.

Tournament of Minds

Our STEM team performed in the into the State Finals over the weekend with the team winning the State final. This is a significant achievement by this team as the have been chosen to represent Western Australia in the National championship held in Sydney.

Many thanks to Ms Teresa Marra for her efforts with the TOMs Teams this year and also to Mrs Ros Nichols for her support of the program and working with the teams over thew weekend.

Robotics - ROBOCUP

Congratulations to the teams that participated in the Robo Cup a couple of weeks ago. Our Teams performed really well with one team winning the Open Division.

We thank Mr Popadynec and Ms Marra and for all the support with Robo Cup this year. Giving up their lunchtimes, after school and whole weekends to enable our students to participate in these events is certainly going above and beyond their roles as teachers in the school.

Enrolments Now Open

Enrolments Now Open

We are pleased to share that enrolments are still being taken across all year levels at Mel Maria Catholic Primary School. Interest in our school continues to grow, with many new families joining us after hearing such positive feedback from our current parents.

This year, we have been humbled by the number of families who have shared how much they value our welcoming community, dedicated staff, and the high-quality learning opportunities we provide. It is wonderful to see word of mouth and parent recommendations playing such a strong role in encouraging new families to consider Mel Maria for their children’s education.

If you know of any families considering schooling options for 2025 and beyond, please encourage them to contact our office for a tour or further information. We look forward to welcoming more children and their families into our thriving school community.

Term Three ~ School Holiday Dates

· Term Three School Holidays commence Friday 26 September

· Term Four – Students return Tuesday 14 October

Paul Hille

Principal

#MakingADifferenceEveryday

Prayer for the Week

Loving God,

As we come to the close of this school term,

we pause to give You thanks and praise.

Thank You for the learning we have shared,

for friendships strengthened,

and for the many moments of joy and growth

that have filled our classrooms and playgrounds.

Bless our students, that they may return refreshed and renewed,

ready to continue their journey of faith and discovery.

Bless our staff, whose dedication and care

nurture the hearts and minds of every child.

Bless our families, whose love and support

make our community strong and welcoming.

Keep us safe over the holiday break.

Guide us to rest, to play, and to cherish time with loved ones.

Help us to carry forward the spirit of our motto, #MakeADifferenceEveryday,

so that in all we do, we reflect Your love and light.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Thought for the Week

Our children are our only hope for the future, but we are their only hope for

their present and their future.

(Zig Ziglar )

Mone

Mercy Day Celebration at Mel Maria

Celebrated annually on September 24th, Mercy Day commemorates the founding of the first House of Mercy in Dublin by Catherine McAuley in 1827. It serves as a day for the global Sisters of Mercy and their affiliates to celebrate their heritage, remember their origins, and support those in need through community-building activities, fundraising, and charity work. At Mel Maria, we proudly uphold the values instilled by the Sisters of Mercy, focusing on compassion, service, justice and respect, values that guide us each day.

This year, our Mercy Day celebration at Mel Maria was a remarkable event filled with joy and unity. We began with a heartfelt Liturgy of the Word, setting a spiritual tone for the festivities that followed today. Our Year 6 leaders took charge, guiding their peers and inspiring the younger students through engaging Mercy Day activities. The camaraderie was tangible as they showcased the true spirit of mentorship, particularly in their collaboration with our Year 2 leaders. The day culminated in the exciting P&F Colour Run, where students had an amazing time running through a burst of colours, leaving smiles all around. This celebration truly exemplified our theme, "Unity is Strength," reminding us of all the power of working together as one community.

Together, we are making a difference every day! #MakingADifferenceEveryday

Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance ~ A Journey of Forgiveness and Grace

This week, our Year Three students will celebrate a very special milestone in their faith journey: the Sacrament of Penance (also known as Reconciliation or Confession). This sacrament is a beautiful gift of God’s mercy and love, offering each of us the chance to experience forgiveness and a fresh start.

The Sacrament of Penance invites us to reflect on our words and actions, to say sorry for the times we have turned away from God, and to renew our commitment to live as followers of Jesus. Through prayer, examination of conscience, and the humble act of confession, we are reminded that God’s love is stronger than any mistake and that His mercy is always waiting for us.

For our children, this is an important step in their spiritual growth. They have been carefully preparing in their Religious Education lessons and at home with the support of their families. Together, they have explored the meaning of sin, forgiveness, and the peace that comes from being reconciled with God and others.

As a school and parish community, we are invited to pray for our Year Three students and their families as they receive this sacrament for the first time. May this moment deepen their relationship with Christ and help them carry the light of God’s forgiveness into their daily lives.

Let us remember that the Sacrament of Penance is not only for children. It is a lifelong gift for all of us, a way to continually renew our hearts and embrace the joy of God’s endless mercy.

On Saturday, 13th September, Jemma Robertson from Year 5 Blue proudly represented Mel Maria Catholic Primary School at the annual Power of Speech event hosted by TSH (Teach Speak Hear) in Wembley to an audience of 200 guests. Among 32 students from TSH partner schools, Jemma was awarded with the ‘Most Improved’ award—a testament to her hard work and growth. Well done, Jemma!

Emme’s participation in the All-Schools National Cross Country Championships, where she proudly represented Western Australia in the Under 11 3km race. Emme finished 22nd overall and 4th among the WA athletes in a time of 12:32 (4:10 min/km).

Social Media Age restrictions -eSafety Commissioner

The Australian Government is protecting young Australians at a critical stage of their development, through world-first social media age restrictions.

From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account.

The restrictions aim to protect young Australians from pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts. These come from design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.

More information can be found in the link below regarding the restictions

https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions

How to help your child get the sleep they need

How much sleep do children need to feel well-rested and stay healthy? It is tempting to let bedtimes slide, especially when parents feel tired too. But it's important that children have a regular routine.

Sleep is crucial for all of us, and this is particularly true for children. Without enough quality sleep, children are more likely to have health and behavioural problems — and difficulty learning. Here are a few simple things you can do to help your child get the sleep they need.

Have a regular schedule

Our bodies do best when we go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day. Children need nine to eleven hours of sleep. Count back 11 hours from when your child needs to get up in the morning. That's roughly the time they need to be getting ready for bed.

Turn off the screens before bed

The blue light emitted by screens can keep us awake. It’s best if the screens can be off two hours before you want your child asleep. Use that time when they start getting ready for bed as the time that the screens go off.

Have an environment that encourages sleep

Quiet things down. If you are watching TV, turn the volume down, and in general try to not make much noise after children go to bed.

Room-darkening curtains can make a difference for children who tend to wake up at the first light of dawn — or who can't fall asleep if it's not fully dark outside.

Know how other factors influence sleep

Limit naps! For a tired older child naps may seem like a good idea, but they can interfere with night-time sleep. Naptime is okay through preschool.

Make sure your child gets enough exercise. It's not only important for their health, but it also helps their sleep.

Reference

McCarthy, C. (2024, Sep 12). How to help your child get the sleep they need. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-help-your-child-get-the-sleep-they-need-202008312264

Sharlene Epis

sharlene.epis@cewa.edu.au