Hello to Students, Parents, Staff and Friends of St Matthew’s,
We are so glad that we have been able to relax the mask rules and also allow parents of students from Years 1 – 6 into pick up their students each afternoon now. Once again I sincerely thank all parents for your patience with this. It is greatly appreciated. You may still see me wearing a mask, but that is my own choice and also doctor’s instructions. Please remember if you child/children have any symptoms please keep them at home for their classmates and teachers sake.
Please remember Students and Staff break up for the end of Term 1 this Thursday (Holy Thursday) at normal time 3:15 pm for Easter and the school holidays.
ENROLMENTS ARE OPEN FOR 2022
In Catholic Education Week a couple of weeks ago we conducted our annual Open Day tours. We had quite a number of new parents attend the four sessions throughout the week for Enrolments at St Matthew’s for the 2022 school year for Prep and all other grade levels.
If you have a younger sibling or family, friends or neighbours that are interested please let them know they can still have a tour of the school. We will be continuing these through the first half of Term two before enrolments close. So please ring the office to book a time that is both convenient for yourself and Mrs D’Amato and myself. We certainly look forward to meeting you and taking throughout our wonderful school. If you are unable to come in or have a younger sibling starting next year please come into office to receive an enrolment pack asap.
PREP A & B: WELCOME MASSES
We were blessed to have two lovely Saturday evenings recently in three separate ways:
1. Firstly, our Prep students and parents and siblings attended a very meaningful Mass celebrated by our Parish Priest Fr Boy. Both grades capped off both masses with their vibrant rendition of “If I was a Butterfly.” Two wonderful performances.
2. Secondly, the weather on both occasions was very comfortable and pleasant.
3. Finally, we enjoyed a picnic outside at the park benches on the Soccer field. A good night had by all.
4. My sincere thanks once again to all the families who attended, your presence as members of our school community is truly valued. Also my sincere thanks to Mrs Helen Howden (Our Religious Education Leader) for planning the Mass, to both our Prep teachers Miss Vanessa Piscitelli and Miss Jenna Pedersen, our members of the Leadership Team – Mrs Carmela D’Amato(our Deputy Principal & Leader of Teaching & Learning), Mrs Rina Carfi (our Literacy Leader), Mrs Katrina White (our Mathematics Leader) and our two Learning Support Officers for Prep Mrs Silvia Gauci (Prep A) & Mrs Sue Kynigopooulos (Prep B). Well done everyone on a great team effort!
PROGRAM SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS
The Program Support Group (PSG) is a vital and ongoing component of planning that is provided for students with diverse learning needs at St Matthew’s.
Mrs Helen Howden (our Learning Diversity Leader) has been very busy meeting with the majority of parents face to face and a couple through virtual meetings last week and also this has continued this week as well. In total Helen will have made contact with 60 families regarding their child’s learning needs, which is a mammoth effort. Thank you to the many parents for commitment and input at these meetings. Also a Big Thank You & Well done Helen, I am sure you are looking forward to the upcoming holidays.
2021 RIDE TO SCHOOL DAY– WHAT A HUGE SUCCESS!
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr Andrew Burrafato (Mr B our PE Teacher) for organising our ride to School Day last Friday week. It was a huge success with so many students riding their bikes, scooters, skateboards and roller blades to school. Also a big thank you and congratulations to Emilia Fileccia (School Vice-Captain) for coming up with the great ideas of having designated areas for Grade levels to park their bikes and to have set times for each grade level during the day so there wasn’t congestion during riding time. Well Done Emilia!! Also many thanks to the staff who assisted at the beginning, during and at the end of the day.
Please see photos (Happy Snaps) of the day on the accompanying pages.
FRIDAY 19TH MARCH – TAKE ACTION TOGETHER
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.
At St. Matthew’s we have a number of different programs and processes that we use to support the children to understand: what bullying is, to support them to take a stand against bullying and how to seek help if they feel they are being bullied.
On the National Day of Action against Bullying on Friday 19th March more learning took place to ensure that all children understand that bullying is not ok and won’t be tolerated at St. Matthew’s.
This year’s slogan is Take Action Together. This is a lovely way of working together to ensure we are all happy, safe and respected when we are at school.
As a school we have revisited our school rules with the children and this is a great way to help the children understand how to be safe when they are at school. Throughout the year we will continue sharing our learning and knowledge through the newsletter and displays around the school so keep your eyes out.
I hope the predicted weather takes place this week and that you all have a most joyous Easter with your Families and Friends and a most enjoyable two weeks in the school holidays. I look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces back on Monday 19th April at 8.40 am sharp.
Take care everyone!
Mr Bob Brown – Principal
