Dear Families and Friends of Mary MacKillop Memorial School,
Welcome back to Term 2. I trust that you enjoyed some rest and relaxation with family and friends. Welcome to the very first edition of our e-newsletter!
At Mary MacKillop Memorial School we are continually looking for ways in which to improve – and one of these is in our forms of communication to the community. Many thanks to Alice Griessl (Catholic Ed Marketing) and Milla who have collaborated together to bring you our newsletter online.
On our website you will also be able to find a new e-calendar. This is still a work in progress, however, it will eventually replace the Term Calendar that comes home at the beginning of each term. The e-calendar will be able to be modified and updated in real time, which we believe will be a real win for our families.
This term we look forward to authentic learning with a focus on student agency and co-construction. We revisit our school priorities for 2025: name and live our values in action co-construct Mary Mac Reading Agreement engage with The Resilience Project and Positive Behaviour and Intervention Support Program With a continued focus on one year’s growth + for every child. Overarching our priorities is a deliberate intention to be a high performing team!
ANZAC Day
Our School Captains and members of our Choir capably represented our school at Penola’s Anzac Day service during the holidays. We are very proud of their outstanding singing and reverence at this significant event. Thank you to our families for supporting our students to participate.
Happy Mother's Day
This Sunday is a very important day—Mother’s Day. It is a day when we can celebrate the special people in our lives. It may be our Mum, sister, cousin, auntie, grandma or a family friend. We take time to think about, honour and let these important people know how much we love them and thank them for their unconditional love and support. May is also the month when we take time to think about Mary, Jesus’ mother and the very important role that she accepted without question from God. We are very grateful for all of the Mums and special people who joined us on Wednesday afternoon for a gathering, prayer, activities, food, fun and celebration. You all are no 1’s in our eyes. We also pray for those women who are no longer with us, but are so special to us in our memories and our hearts.
The Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival
This is a fantastic initiative for the Penola- Coonawarra region and if you have not yet checked out the program, I strongly suggest you do. The Kid’s program will be held down Petticoat Lane on Sunday 18 May. We will be opening up The MacKillop Markets, selling fresh produce and homemade goodies. We will also be offering the free activity of magnet/badge making. Our veggie patch has had a refresh and is yet to be really producing a lot of produce.
We are in desperate need of any surplus produce in families or grandparents/friend’s veggie patches who would be able to donate it to The MacKillop Market for us to sell! Any donations can be dropped into school next week. Thank you in advance!
Mary MacKillop Memorial School will also be running the BBQ and we thank those who are on BBQ duty throughout the day. Unfortunately, a number of families who nominated to assist with the BBQ for the Penola-Coonawarra Arts Festival are no longer able to help out. If you are able to help we are also extremely desperate for helpers.
A big thank you to the staff at MMMS, who have rallied together to coordinate our part in the day. We look forward to a fantastic community event!
Catholic Education Week
Next week we are celebrating being part of Catholic Education South Australia. At Mary MacKillop Memorial School we celebrate the excellent teaching and learning that happens in our school every day. We actively endeavour to raise the hearts and minds of the learners who fill our school. The theme for the week is #ShineWithOpenHearts. Look out for some great little snippets that will be shared on social media next week.
Mid-Year Intake 2025
We are currently accepting 2025 mid-year enrolments. If your child turns 5 on or before the 31st October, they are able to start mid-year. If you are interested in your child starting mid-year, please contact the school as soon as possible. All Reception mid-year intakes are fee free.
As planning begins for 2026, I strongly encourage all families in the Penola region considering Mary MacKillop Memorial School for their child’s education in 2026 to contact the school today! You are able to book a tour to see how we go about our core business at Mary Mac.
Wellbeing and Child Protection
As part of our duty of care and wellbeing of our students we want to assure all parents and carers of our absolute commitment to ensuring that Mary MacKillop Memorial School is a safe place for all. Our staff are committed and trained to protect the children and young people in our care. All staff and regular volunteers have Working With Children Checks. We teach our children age-appropriate strategies to keep themselves safe through South Australia’s Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum. Staff complete certification and undertake regular updated training in Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care Settings. Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum is a mandated part of teaching and learning in Catholic schools, and staff are supported by professional learning and appropriate resources as we teach this curriculum. Parents are invited to speak with class teachers about this curriculum and how we can continue to work in partnership to develop an environment that promotes children’s safety and well-being.
Additional information about the broader protection policies of Catholic Education SA can be found on their website. Click here to access.
Wishing all families a lovely weekend, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the special women out there!
God bless,
Nicole
School Community Raises $520.75 for Project Compassion
We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that our school community has raised an incredible $520.75 for Project Compassion! This achievement highlights the generosity, compassion, and spirit of giving, serving and love that defines our school.
All funds raised will be donated to Caritas Australia, supporting their vital work in assisting communities in developing countries. Through this contribution, Caritas will help provide essential needs like fresh running water, improving health, hygiene, and quality of life for many families around the world.
Thank you to everyone who donated and supported this important cause — together, we are making a real difference!
ALLELUIA! HE IS RISEN
Alleluia, He is Risen!
It seems like such a long time ago that we celebrated Easter Sunday on the middle weekend of the school holidays. I am sure that there were some very excited young people waking up to celebrate this occasion with Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies.
Having Easter Sunday in the school holidays always makes it difficult to celebrate this as a school. Luckily the season of Easter in the church does not finish on Easter Sunday. There are 50 days (concluding at Pentecost) of Easter where we continue to celebrate and learn about Jesus being Risen and spending time with his disciples.
Thank you to the Yr 2/3 class who led a beautiful Alleluia Liturgy on the first day back at school this term.
MAY – THE MONTH OF MARY
Throughout the month of May we also honour Mary, Jesus’ mother. We reflect on the great love that she had for her Son and the many sacrifices she made for Jesus so that he could spread the word of God to others.
Mary, our model and mother, by your obedience and patience you have taught us how to be true children of God. Please help us by your powerful existence to overcome all our weaknesses, ands to fulfil perfectly our tasks in life
Amen.
We pray the Hail Mary:
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with you;
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Sometime during the month of May you may choose to pray a novena to the Blessed Mother for a particular intention that you want to entrust to her Immaculate Heart, for yourself or for someone else. Try one of these three Novenas to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Outside of the Mass, there is no prayer more pleasing to Our Lady for her intercession than the Holy Rosary. Try to pray the rosary with your family.
Our Lady’s fifteen promises to those who pray her rosary
Rosary instructions – how to pray the rosary.
The New Pope
We have a new Pope.
Robert Prevost entered this week’s conclave as a cardinal and emerged Pope Leo XIV.
He was a close confidant of the previous pontiff, Pope Francis, and in this first address following his appointment Pope Leo spoke of the late Pope Francis being his cherished friend. Peace, and the need to strive for it, was a key thread sewn through his message to the people.
Who was Pope Francis and Who is Pope Leo
Pope Francis was the leader of the Catholic Church and will be remembered as a humble Pope that spoke openly of our need to care for the poor, disadvantaged and lonely in society. He will be forever linked with his most well-known encyclical, Laudato si where he urges all of humanity to look after God’s creation. Pope Francis joined the Jesuits, a group known for helping others, especially through education and service. In 2013, he became the first Pope from South America (the first from outside of Europe in 1300 years!), the first Jesuit Pope, and the first to take the name "Francis", inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, who loved the poor and nature. Pope Francis died peacefully in 2025 at the age of 88. People around the world gave thanks for his gentle leadership, his care for the poor, and his love for creation.
Robert Prevost is 69 years old, and will be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. He is the first pontiff born in the United States. He spent many years as a missionary in Peru, before becoming a bishop there. Pope Leo shares the same views on migrants, the poor, the marginalised and the environment as Pope Francis and has been described as ‘’very down to earth’’ and ‘’a very kind person, very reserved.’’
We pray for Pope Leo, as he begins his ministry as pope for all Christians around the world.
Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build your Church into asacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.
Amen.
Let us pray for the pope.
Term 2 Mass and Liturgies
Whole School Masses
Friday 23rd May @ 9.15am – Mary Help of Christians
Friday 27th June @ 9.15am – Feast of the Sacred Heart
Class Masses/Liturgies
Tuesday 3rd June
Yr 6 Class Mass at 9.15am
Yr 2/3 Class liturgy at 10.30am
Tuesday 1st July
Yr 4/5 Class Mass at 9.15am
R/1 Liturgy at 10.30am
Sunday Family Mass
Sunday 25th May
Sunday 22nd June
PENOLA PARISH
PARISH PRIEST : Fr Peter Zwaans
SUNDAY 11 May at 9:15am
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
GOSPEL: John 10:27-30
The gift of eternal life.
SATURDAY 17 May at 4:30pm
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
GOSPEL: John 13:31-35
Jesus issues a new commandment, love one another.
Birthdays
Team Spirit Shines at Millicent Gala Day
Last Sunday, several of our students proudly represented our school at the Millicent Gala Day!
Levi, Michael, Harry, Charlie, and Matthew teamed up with Penola Primary School to form the Penola Eagles, coached by Jack Muhovics. The boys showed great determination, playing tirelessly in windy conditions on a large oval. Their efforts earned them one win, one draw, and two hard-fought losses.
Lola, Henna, Ruby, Saige, and Sophie also joined forces with Penola Primary to form a senior girls netball team. The girls had a fantastic time, sharpened their skills, and celebrated a number of well-earned victories.
In the junior girls division, Freya, Leila, Isla, and Bonnie took to the court as part of a combined schools team. For most of them, it was their first experience playing competitive netball—and they’re already looking forward to next year!
We extend our sincere thanks to Penola Primary School and Beachport Primary School for welcoming our students into their combined teams. Our gratitude also goes to the Millicent Football and Netball Club for hosting such a well-organised and enjoyable event, promoting fun and healthy competition among children.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all the parents and staff who generously volunteered their time and energy—your support is what makes days like these possible!
Congratulations to all the students who compted in in Cross Country today - your efforts were amazing.
More information and photos to come from today!
What a heartwarming afternoon we had celebrating the incredible mothers, grandmothers, and special women in our lives! From the touching prayer led by our school captains Camilla and Charlie, to the sweet songs from our students and the delicious treats made by our talented student chefs — it was an afternoon full of love and gratitude!
Families enjoyed fun activities like bracelet making, portrait painting, playdough fun, nail polish pampering, and origami, all thanks to Miss Heazlewood’s creativity! 🎨🌟
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us — and to our amazing community of mums and special people, Happy Mother’s Day! 💖
MMMS Easter Foil Challenge – Turning Chocolate into Change! 🌍♻️
This Easter, our MMMS students took part in the Easter Foil Challenge—a fun and eco-friendly initiative to help protect our planet!
After the holiday break, students brought in their collected chocolate foil, doing their part to reduce waste and support sustainability. Thanks to their efforts, our school community successfully diverted a significant amount of foil from landfill!
A special congratulations to Miss Heazlewood's R/1 class, who collected the most foil and were proudly awarded the Sustainability Cup! Their fantastic achievement was celebrated at our whole-school gathering on Tuesday.
SAGKP Cooking Program Recap – A Taste of Teamwork! 🥣🍪
Last week, our 4/5 students rolled up their sleeves and got creative in the kitchen as part of our special Cooking Program! From baking golden, crunchy ANZAC biscuits to simmering rich and warming pumpkin soup, the classroom was filled with the sounds, smells, and smiles of teamwork and tasty achievements.
This hands-on program wasn’t just about food—it was about building confidence, learning new skills, and sharing in the joy of cooking together. With plenty of laughs, learning, and of course, delicious results, it was a week to remember!
Well done to all our young chefs!
Important Dates
Occasional Care
Occasional Care
Year 6 Assembly
Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival
Occasional Care
Occasional Care
Whole School Mass Mary Help of Christians 9:15am
Upcoming Events
Ladies Dinner Night
SAVE THE DATE! 📅
We will be holding a Ladies Dinner Night on Friday the 23rd of May! (End of Week 4 this Term)
Come and join us at Pipers of Penola! A delicious 3 course meal prepared by the chefs.
Bring a friend or family members along to enjoy the night!
RSVP and mark the date in your calendars now!
Catholic Education Week
Join us in celebrating
This year, Catholic Education Week theme is With Open Hearts, We Shine
Mother's Day Message
Stay tuned for a special Mother's Day message from our School Captains and students on behalf of our Mary MacKillop Memorial School Community!
This special message will be posted on our Instagram and Facebook page this Sunday, 11th May 2025.
Resilience Project
Text Absentee Number
A reminder that if your child is absent from school, for any reason, it is important that this is communicated with the school. The Catholic Education system has advised all schools to follow up on unresolved absences with families. Your support and communication in this matter is greatly appreciated.
📱0488 280 771
When texting the Absentee Line to explain your child's absence from school please make sure you put both their name and reason so it can be recorded properly.
BBQ Volunteers Required
We’re thrilled about the upcoming Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival!
Alongside the MMMS Market Stall, we’ll also be running a fundraising BBQ. A big thank you to those who chose the BBQ as their volunteer event earlier this year—we truly appreciate your support.
To help things run smoothly, we’re still looking for a few more volunteers. If you’re available to lend a hand for a two-hour shift at the BBQ, please contact the school as soon as possible.
Your help makes a big difference!
Ready, Set, Progress
MMMS Playgroup Flyer
Social