St Mel's Primary School Shepparton

F.I.R.E. CARRIERS

Early this week our Year Five students participated an an annual formation and education session as an important part of our school's commitment towards continuing learning of our nation's rich Aboriginal culture, tradition and history.

We welcomed Michael Chisholm from the CESL Aboriginal and Torres Strait Education Team who led this important session with support from Danae Napier,our Deputy Principal: Catholic Education, Learning and Teaching.

The Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education initiative of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry invites students and staff from our schools to become F.I.R.E. Carriers following a formation process and commissioning ceremony.

These F.I.R.E. Carriers commit to continuing to promote respectful recognition of and continued promotion of Aboriginal perspectives within our school community and wider community.

Our Year Five children will be supported in this period of discernment prior to being commissioned as F.I.R.E. Carriers in a special whole of school assembly in Term Four.

MEETING ON COUNTRY

Today's CESL Principal's meeting an opportunity for Danae and Steve to experience the hospitality and facilities of the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation's newly opened Dharnya Centre in the Barmah Forest.

The cultural hub of the Yorta Yorta People, in the heart of Yorta Yorta Country within Barmah National Park, Victoria. For generations, it has been a place of knowledge, celebration, and healing.

Now entering a new chapter, Dharnya is being renewed with modern facilities. School camp bookings are open for 2026, while day experiences are available now for schools and businesses.

Corporate packages can be tailored for conferences, team building, or cultural immersion — all led by Yorta Yorta Knowledge Holders.

A wonderful local cultural resource.

FR RONALD RETURNS

With sadness we confirm our Parish Priest Fr Ronald Masilang is to return to the Philippines at the end of this month to take on a new ministry.

Fr Ronald, who joined our parish and local regional combined parishes last year, has made this decision after a period of deep reflection and contemplation, being called to return to continued priestly ministry in Manila in a few weeks. Bishop Rene Ramirez RCJ has confirmed the news this week in a letter to the five parishes.

We are saddened to be losing our supportive and much valued Parish Priest, who has led the local congregation of Rogationist fathers in their ministry across our FIVE parishes and SEVEN schools.

We look forward to appropriately recognise Fr Ronald for his devotion to our parish, and school, prior to his return to his home country.

Bless you and thank you Fr Ronald.
🙏🏼



SYMPHONY OF STORIES

Excitement is building as we approach the beginning of Book Week this Saturday.

Once again Maria has transformed our library into an engaging and intriguing space in keeping with this year's theme.

With the recent arrival of our Book Fair titles, the excitement has significantly listed this week.

Our students have been visiting in Pastoral Groups to view the wide selection of quality books on offer for purchasing.

Details to follow in regard Opening Times for parents, carers and parishioners to visit, view and purchase.

Looking forward to seeing everyone come dressed up in the theme or as a book related person on the morning of Friday 28 August.

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK?

A full week of school learning coming up at St Mel's PS this week after a couple of four day weeks recently. Our Staff Team looking forward to implementing many of the High Impact Teaching Strategies we focussed on last Thursday at our 'Teaching For Impact' professional learning day in Nathalia.

We commence Monday also recognising the ongoing need to support resilience strengthening in children and young people, whilst actively discouraging bullying and bullying behaviour.

One of the most powerful supportive strategies is supporting bystanders in their efforts to STAND UP TO and CALLING OUT undesired behaviour of concern in individuals who make life hard for others.

We need a united approach to encouraging appropriate, desired and expected behaviour, whilst we condone, discourage and address undesired and inappropriate behaviour.

This week we also welcome the team from SkillZone who are offering exciting and active Physical Education session for our students from Years 3 to Years 6 with thanks to successful grant applications to the Sporting Schools Grants Program.

Best wishes to all our learners for another focussed, engaged and positive week of school learning ahead!

RUNNING FOR FUN & FUNDRAISING

Congratulations to St Mel's PS staff members Rachael and Ayva for completing a loooong run in the Shepparton Running Festival today at Princess Park, Shepparton.

A huge weekend of running with competitors from all over here in Shepparton for three days.

Well done Rachael and Ayva!

SINGING FOR MARY

Fortunately I arrived in our Year 1/2 Learning Community during their morning prayer as they were singing a hymn in honour of Mary.

On screen, our great friend, singer, songwriter, performer and composer, Andrew Chinn, accompanied by students from another of his devoted schools was/were leading our children.

We sing to Mary!

Butterfly Music

MASS WITH OUR PARISH

We joined St Mel's parishioners today for the Feast of St Maximilian Kolbe (& an early dedication for tomorrow's Feast of the Assumption).

Parishioners and students shared the readings and Fr John Paul called us to consider the sacrifices we make in our daily lives for others.

Fr Maximilian, a polish priest, volunteered to take the place of a prisoner of Auschwitz, in German occupied Poland during World War Two. An ultimate sacrifice.

Fitting we also celebrated the Assumption early today, given Fr Maximilian's own special devotion to Mary.

Our children were complemented on their most respectful and prayerful presence in our parish church by Fr John Paul, parishioners and our members of staff.

Our children joined in with responses throughout the mass and enthusiastically joined our choir-led singing. Many thanks to Catherine Whitford and our St Mel's Choir for leading us in singing these beautiful songs.

A wonderful way to start our last day of school learning for the week.

STUDENT FREE DAY: Thursday 13 August

A reminder there is NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS tomorrow as our Staff Team will be away in Nathalia focussed on 'Teaching For Impact'.

We join teachers, Learning Support Officers and Wellbeing staff from St. Patrick's PS (Tongala), St Francis' PS (Nathalia) and St Mary of the Angels College (Nathalia).

Looking forward to our day of professional learning facilitated by the Teach Well MAGNIFY partner.

St Mel's PS Uniting Outside School Hours Care will be operating at school tomorrow for students who are booked in.

COMING UP THIS WEEK...

Back to school learning from the start of this coming week as we approach the middle of Term Three.

Reminder: On Thursday our Staff Team will gather with schools at St Mary of the Angel's College in Nathalia for a CESL Professional Learning day focussed on enhancing teaching skill, practice and application.

Given we will be off site Thursday, St Mel's Uniting Outside School Hours Care will offer a day long program of activities here onsite at St Mel's. Parents and carers seeking this support are reminded to book in through the usual ways as detailed in our fortnightly newsletter.

Year 3/4 students will have their Specialist Program delivered on Friday.

With the Feast of Maximillian Kolbe on Friday and Feast of Mary MacKillop on Saturday, we are exploring the possibility of attending the parish weekday Mass on Friday morning.
(To be confirmed!)

Best wishes for Week Five!