Primary News

‘Who we are and how we engage with the world are much stronger predictors of how our children will do’…

 Brene Brown 

As we tick off Week 4 today and continue to slowly but surely progress through another vibrant, energetic and academic year in the Primary I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and engagement in our year already. To our established families, thank you for your continued trust in us, and to our new families, we are delighted to have you join our Primary family.

As the African proverb reminds us, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This wisdom perfectly encapsulates our philosophy at MCC, where we believe that the strongest educational outcomes emerge from the synchronised efforts of both parents and staff, much like rowers working in perfect harmony to propel their vessel forward.

Your involvement in your child's education extends far beyond the classroom walls. When parents and staff work together, sharing insights, supporting initiatives, and maintaining open communication, we create an enriching environment that nurtures not just academic excellence, but also personal growth and character development.

We've witnessed incredible parental support already in 2025.  From the many parent/carer/grandparent drop off and pick ups where conversations have been aplenty, to our successful Primary Swimming Carnival held last Wednesday and our Parent Connections Evening attended by many of you on Tuesday evening.  These moments of connection strengthen our collective bond and demonstrate to our students the value of community engagement. However, there are still many exciting opportunities ahead throughout the year for you to become even more involved in.  

We encourage you to take full advantage of the numerous events and activities we have planned throughout the year. Whether it's attending our performing arts evenings, assisting in the classroom or canteen as a parent helper, or supporting our sporting events, your presence makes a significant difference. 

For our new families, we understand that joining a new school community can feel overwhelming at first. Please know that our doors are always open, and we have a wonderful network of experienced parents and staff who are more than happy to help you navigate your way through your first year with us.  

Looking ahead, we are filled with optimism for the wonderful experiences and achievements that await us this year. Your partnership in this educational journey is invaluable, and together, we can ensure that every student within the Primary has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Thank you once again for your continued support and trust in our school community. Here's to a year filled with growth, learning, and shared successes.

Welcome to New Staff 

At the start of the year we welcomed some new staff to our Primary team and we are so blessed to have them as part of our community.  We would like to welcome the following staff:

• Libby Piesse - Head of Department Theology and Spirituality - Primary 
• Luana Perri - Kinder Teacher Assistant
• Zelah Duttah Nelson - Primary/ Secondary  Teacher Assistant 
• Melissa Burdon - Prep Cadet Teacher 
• Abby Burnett - Primary/Secondary Teacher Assistant 
• Phoebe Duncan - Student Support

Primary Leaders

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all our newly appointed Primary Leaders for 2025! To our Primary Portfolio Leaders, House Captains and Restorative Practice leaders.

The responsibility of leadership is both an honor and a privilege. As they step into these important roles, they will help shape our Primary school community, inspire their peers, and create a positive environment where everyone can thrive. Their commitment to serving others and representing the school values will make for a meaningful difference in the year ahead.

I, along with the staff portfolio leads and all the Primary staff look forward to seeing our Year 6 leaders grow throughout the year and remind them that leadership is about listening, collaborating, and setting a positive example for others to follow.

Congratulations once again to all on their well-deserved appointment. We can't wait to see all that you will accomplish!

Primary Portfolio Leaders

Curriculum: Sophie Henderson and Ellie Huxtable

Environment: Kimberly Bartels and Ivy Martin

Mission: Lottie Compton and Emmy Cui 

Wellbeing:  Evelyn Jeffrey and Amaya Johnson

House Captains

Carmel: Elise Hutchinson and Bella Seeber-Peattie 

Loreto: Sasha Curtayne and Grace Moriarty 

Lourdes: Christelle Ghanam and Olive Hall 

Restorative Leaders

Prep - Year 6 Morning Line Up

We are excited to share a change in our morning routine for 2025 with all students required to be on the Basketball Court by 8:30am. In the past we have had students scattered across the Primary but now we come together as one collective.

It is recognised that some buses have not yet arrived and at times it can be tricky to get a park but where possible it is asked that students are at school and ready for our 8:30am gathering.  These mornings allow staff to convey messages for the day, remind students about expectations and at times providing our Primary Leaders with a voice.  On occasions we will share a whole primary prayer together, celebrate an achievement or acknowledge students for what they have accomplished.  Your support in helping us create this positive start to each day is greatly appreciated.

Uniform 

At our College, our school uniform stands as a proud symbol of our shared identity and values. More than just attire, it serves as a visual representation of our community's unity and excellence. The uniform plays a vital role in cultivating a strong sense of belonging and pride among all students, from our youngest learners in Primary through to our Secondary students.

We believe that maintaining high uniform standards helps prepare our students for success while reinforcing our College's commitment to excellence. The consistent presentation of our uniform reflects the respect we have for our learning environment and each other.

We understand that families may occasionally face uniform-related challenges. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to myself (Melanie Sluyters) or contact Jasmin Reynolds.  For specific uniform requirements or purchases, Branna Magill at the Uniform Shop is also available to assist you.

Key Uniform Requirements:

• Blazers must be worn to and from school each day unless directed otherwise
• White fold-over socks are mandatory
• Students may wear up to two plain earrings only
• Hair ribbons must be in correct College colours
• College sunhat is required for outdoor activities
• All uniform items should be clearly labeled with student's name
• Students from Year 3 and above are required to wear to and from school their trackpants when wearing the PE uniform - not just shorts or a skort. They are encouraged to change into their shorts or skort once at school.
• All students from Year 1 to Year 6 are encouraged to bring their runners and change into when at school.
• Runners should not be in place of school shoes

We appreciate your support in ensuring that all students wear their uniform correctly and with pride. 

Fruit Break 

A quick reminder about packing fresh fruits and vegetables for your daughter's fruit break which often occurs just before 10:00am. Please pack fresh fruits or vegetables in a separate, easy-to-open container. This is especially important as students get older, as many continue working while eating during their short break times. Having healthy snacks readily accessible encourages good eating habits.

A few important notes:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables should be cut/prepared for quick, convenient eating
• Use containers that children can open independently
• These healthy options should be separate from other snacks
• Remember that fruit jellies, squeeze pouches, fruit dips, and biscuits are not substitutes for fresh produce

Thank you for supporting your child's healthy eating habits at school.

A Quick Snapshot Of Requests

• Please check that you have altered your daughter’s grade under the profile tab in the Qkr App as we have quite a few lunch orders going to other grades.
• If you are a Kinder - Year 4 parent ensure you have opened and are aware of the Seesaw app.  Please see your daughter’s classroom teacher for help.
• Unless instructed by Student Services, all parents are to use Kiss and Drop to drop off and collect students.
• The View is the main source of all information with support from Facebook and Instagram.