Mel Maria Catholic Primary School

Newsletter - Term Two Week Four - 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

Feast of the Ascension of the Lord

This weekend as a Catholic community we celebrate the ‘Solemnity of the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord’ is a significant and joyful celebration in the Church’s liturgical calendar. Celebrated forty days after Easter, the Ascension marks the moment when Jesus returned to His Father in Heaven after His Resurrection.

In the Gospel accounts, Jesus gathers with His disciples, blesses them, and commissions them to “go and make disciples of all nations.” While the disciples were saddened to see Jesus leave them physically, the Ascension is ultimately a message of hope, promise, and mission. Jesus assures His followers that they are never alone and promises the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen them.

The Feast of the Ascension reminds us that we are all called to continue the mission of Jesus in our everyday lives — through acts of kindness, compassion, service, forgiveness, and love. It challenges us to be people who bring hope and light to others within our families, school, parish, and wider community.

For our students, the Ascension is a wonderful reminder that God calls each of us to use our gifts and talents to make a positive difference in the world. Just as the disciples were entrusted with an important mission, we too are called to live out our faith with courage, joy, and purpose.

As we celebrate this special feast day, may we continue to grow as a faith-filled community, inspired by the example of Jesus and guided by His presence in our lives each day.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
— Matthew 28:19

May the Feast of the Ascension fill our hearts with hope, faith, and renewed purpose as we continue our journey together.

Activity Overload

Of recent times an element of monotonous certainty might have made its way into the lives of our children. Their day can suffer from overload where they go from school to training, to music lessons, to a quick meal, then homework and often times, over seven days a week. Of course, organised activities can offer a host of benefits for children. They can foster social skills and provide opportunities for play and exercise. They can teach sportsmanship, self-discipline and conflict resolution. They can promote cultural enrichment.

However, children’s activities should be scheduled in moderation according to their age, temperament, ability and interests. The activity chosen should be for the child’s gain not the parents. Our children should never be involved in the multitude of activities because it boosts our self-esteem or simply because we had to do them when we were children, or we missed out as children, so our children will “do it all”.

We do harm to our children when we came in through the childhood. Children should be allowed to be children. Childhood is the preparation, not a full performance. Children needs space in which to grow, to learn and to develop. The value of true play, which fosters fantasy and imagination, has been diminished in our society and needs to be re-emphasised. Children need time for personal expression.

It is interesting, that just as adults often feel stressed and burned out by work overload, so do many children. Besides, could too much activity be replacing intimate family time or taking away time used to relax and unwind; Are our Christian practices such as family prayer and church attendance, being overrun. Too much activity can cause family life to suffer; meals are missed, and families might eat dinner together far less than is good for the well-being of the family; vital communication time is lost.

There is a saying that “Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.” Perhaps that is a thought we might all keep in mind as we begin filling our calendars with our children’s (and our own) activities. After all, childhood should be a time filled with joy, balance, fun, and spontaneity.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Our Year Six students continue their faith journey in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, an important and sacred milestone in their spiritual lives. Over the coming weeks, students will continue to deepen their understanding of the gifts and guidance of the Holy Spirit, while reflecting on what it means to live as committed followers of Christ within our Catholic community.

The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the grace received at Baptism and calls our students to live out their faith with courage, compassion, and service to others. Throughout their preparation, students have been engaging in prayer, reflection, learning experiences, and meaningful discussions that encourage them to grow in their relationship with God and their understanding of the Catholic faith.

We ask our school and parish community to continue to keep our Year Six students, their families, and teachers in your prayers as they prepare to receive this very special sacrament. May the Holy Spirit guide and inspire them as they take this important step in their faith journey.

Confirmation Masses

· Sunday 24 May at 11.00am – SJP Parish Church

· Saturday 30 May at 3.00pm – PN Parish Church

· Sunday 7 June at 9.30am – PN Parish Church

Kindergarten 2027 – Applications are Now Due

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.

Best Wishes

Paul Hille

Principal

#MakingADifferenceEveryDay

Parents are a vital part of each child’s life. Children often model themselves on what they learn and see from their parents. The following reflection is based on the importance of parents in our lives.

There are little eyes upon you

and they’re watching night and day.

There are little ears that quickly

take in every word you say.

There are little hands all eager

to do anything you do;

and a little boy who’s dreaming

of the day he’ll be like you.

You’re the little fellow’s idol,

you’re the wisest of the wise.

In his little mind about you

no suspicions ever arise.

He believes in you devoutly,

holds all you say and do;

he will say and do, in your way

when he’s grown up like you.

There’s a wide-eyed little fellow

who believes you’re always right,

and his eyes are always opened,

and he watches day and night.

You are setting an example

every day in all you do,

to grow up to be like you.

Thought for the Week

Everyone has a unique role to fill in the world and is important in some respect.

Dear Families

As we approach the midpoint of the term, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to high-quality, intentional teaching and learning across our Early Childhood classes.

Our programs are thoughtfully designed to be inquiry-based and play-rich, guided by best practice contemporary pedagogy and aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework. Within this approach, educators provide engaging, intentional and targeted learning experiences across all curriculum areas, carefully scaffolding each child’s understanding according to their individual learning dispositions.

Assessment and reporting are ongoing and comprehensive, incorporating both teacher judgement and standardised measures. Families can also engage with their child’s learning through digital representations via Seesaw, offering ongoing and meaningful insights into their progress and learning experiences.

Mother Teresa emphasised that children learn best through love, example, and small actions rather than just words, reminding us that “we don’t just teach from books – we teach from the heart.” In this spirit, we strive to balance excellence in education with children’s natural curiosity, creativity, and sense of wonder and awe of the world, all grounded in the Gospel values of Jesus, which shape our nurturing and inclusive learning environment.

On behalf of the Early Childhood Team, thank you for your continued partnership.

Early Childhood Campus Reminders

Class doors open at 8:30am across all Pre-Kindergarten to Year Two students. Please ensure timely drop off to ensure your child does not miss their morning class routines and lessons.

When collecting your child/ren early from school due to external commitments a gentle reminder to inform your class teacher in advance where possible and to sign your child out at the Early Childhood Administration office. Thank you for your support with this.

Running Club commences on Wednesday, May 20 and we look forward to seeing as many students join this fun fitness opportunity before their school day commences.

Congratulations to all our Merit Award winners announced at our last SHARE Assembly, your commitment to striving for excellence in your education is wonderful!

Moments captured with our Pre-Primary students celebrating their Mothers.

The Year Twos have been learning about the story of Pentecost and discovering how the Holy Spirit helps us to follow the teachings of Jesus through kindness, courage and love.

We have also been having lots of fun exploring maps and globes, and researching facts to help us with our continent inquiry projects. The children have loved discovering all the different places around the world that we are connected to. We are becoming experts at identifying the continents and oceans on a world map, as well as locating the equator, the poles, and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

In Maths, we have been sharpening our mental maths skills by using doubles, near doubles and “bridging to 10” strategies to help us calculate quickly and accurately in our heads. We have also enjoyed measuring and comparing the length of objects using non-standard units.

Living A Sacramental life

We are immersed in the sacramental season at Mel Maria, as our Year Six students

are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The family is where we begin our journey through life. We learn to love, to celebrate, to forgive, to share joys and support each other. Families have their own unique celebrations and rituals that are rich in storytelling and traditions. Celebrations and rituals add to the life and substance of the family; they build bonds and deepen relationships.

The same is true for our journey in faith. Families are the place where we learn about Jesus Christ through stories from scripture, experiencing the liturgical cycle and sacramental life through community, symbols and rituals. It is through our family’s example and teaching that we learn about Jesus Christ. The next place of learning, alongside the family, is the parish where catechists and the Catholic school assist and provide support in the ongoing faith formation of the child and family. An essential part of this faith formation is preparation for and celebration of the sacraments.

At Pentecost, fifty days after Easter we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit into the lives of Jesus apostles. Our students are preparing to be gifted with the Holy Spirit and transformed to become who God has gifted them to be.

We never lose our dependence on the Holy Spirit to love us, nurture us, inspire our imaginations and, at the same time, provide the boundaries, the sense of right and wrong, within which we can grow.

Confirmation for Saint Joseph Pignatelli Parish will be celebrated on Sunday May 24th at 11.00am and Pater Noster Parish will celebrate the Sacrament on Saturday 30th at 3.00pm.

Please pray for our students and their families at his special time in their lives. And in our school parish school community.

Ros Nichols

Head of Primary Campus

The Year Three students have enjoyed a busy and engaging Term Two filled with meaningful learning experiences.

During Swimming lessons, students worked hard to build confidence and improve their skills in the water, demonstrating persistence, resilience and teamwork.

To commemorate ANZAC Day, students learnt about the importance of remembrance and respect. As part of this learning, they made and enjoyed ANZAC biscuits in class, creating a meaningful connection to the traditions associated with this important day.

This term, students are participating in Robotics with Mr Popadynec. They have already completed their first robotics lesson and absolutely loved it, showing great enthusiasm as they began developing coding, problem‑solving and teamwork skills through hands‑on activities.

In Religion, students are continuing to learn about The Parable of the Lost Coin and the Gospels as the source of Christian belief. They explored how God’s love and mercy are revealed through Jesus, who showed respect for God the Father by following the Commandments, taught forgiveness through parables, and sent the Holy Spirit to help people choose right from wrong. Through The Parable of the Lost Coin, students learnt that when people do wrong, God welcomes them back with love and rejoices, revealing God’s great love and forgiveness.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, students wrote persuasive pieces explaining why their mums are so special. They also decorated a personalised mug, creating a heartfelt and meaningful gift to take home.

Year Three is to be commended for their enthusiasm, effort and positive attitude, it has been a great start to Term Two!

Engineers Australia came back to Mel Maria following on from our engineer medals Australia win to test pilot a regional program taking place in Kalgoorlie. Our young engineers were visited by program Director Caitlin Sweeny and Susie Swatterson.

Students designed and built their own F1-style LEGO car making strategic decisions about key design elements, including:

Choosing a nose cone
Deciding whether to add weight
Selecting whether to include a spoiler

Once built, students will race their cars down the track to test their designs and discover which engineering choices create the fastest and most effective vehicle.

The second challenge was a siphoning challenge where students constructed their own siphoning straw system, exploring the science of fluid movement by attempting to transfer water from one container to another. This activity encourages problem-solving while introducing important engineering and scientific concepts.

These highly interactive, engaging, and educational activites encourage students to explore the real-world engineering principles through hands-on learning.

Last week, our Year 3 – Year 6 students on the Primary Campus took part in a wonderful origami incursion led by Sanny Ang. Using engaging storytelling, Sanny guided students step-by-step as they created a variety of paper models, keeping them motivated and involved throughout each session. Activities were carefully adjusted for each year level, with different models and levels of complexity so that every student could feel both supported and challenged.

Origami, a traditional Japanese art form, gave students a valuable opportunity to connect with Japanese culture in a hands-on way. Alongside being fun and creative, origami helps develop important skills such as concentration, problem-solving and fine motor coordination. This experience also links closely to the Western Australian Languages Curriculum, particularly in building intercultural understanding and engaging with authentic cultural practices.

It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm and pride in their work - something you’ll no doubt notice in the photos!

Cate Cooper

Japanese Teacher

eSafety Commissioner - Free webinars for parents

The eSafety commissioner provides free webinars for parents regarding being safe online. These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safer online experiences.

This 45-minute webinar:

explores what quality screen time looks like
how to create balanced family routines
ways to manage boredom and transitions
strategies to support children’s wellbeing at different ages and stages.

The webinar offers realistic and practical approaches to strengthen digital skills, encourage open conversations, and make screen time more positive and predictable for the whole family.

8 Tips for Helping Children Deal with Stress

1. Normalise, label, and validate feelings.
Help your child understand that people cope with stress in many ways. Encourage them to use words like “frustrated,” “worried,” or “scared” can help make it easier for them to express how they feel. Let them know it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes and that they can always come to you for support.

2. Show genuine interest in how your child is feeling.

As they share their thoughts with you, make sure that you’re actively engaged in the conversation. Listen without judging or rushing to offer solutions.

3. Stay calm.
As easy as it is to become anxious in response to your child’s stress, try to remain calm. Parents/Caregivers who can stay regulated in stressful situations are better equipped to help a stressed child.

4. Help children to be problem solvers.
You may not always be able to solve what’s causing the stress, but you can help your child develop problem-solving skills. Encourage them to identify the root cause and brainstorm practical ways to address it, such as getting more sleep.

5. Don’t think in extremes.
Help your child learn that it’s usually not helpful to blame themselves or others, jump to extremes, or imagine terrible outcomes. Instead, encourage them to focus on what they can control in the moment.

6. Get comfortable with discomfort.
When children are struggling, it’s natural to want to ease their distress right away. But learning how to gently tolerate uncomfortable feelings that come with stress is an important life skill.

7. Model positive coping skills.
Children learn from watching adults. One of the best ways to teach coping skills is to practice them yourself and point out what you’re doing.

8. Offer a variety of strategies.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to coping with stress. Help fill your child’s toolbox with options like deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, journaling, listening to music, or playing with a pet. These skills make it easier to bounce back once big feelings have had a bit of time to fade.

Reference

Child Mind Institute. (2026, Jan 29). 8 Tips for Helping Kids Deal with Stress.

https://childmind.org/positiveparenting/coping-with-stress/

Sharlene Epis

Social Worker

BEd, MSW

sharlene.epis@cewa.edu.au