2024 Term 3 Week 3

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Each year I try and have a bit of a focus that impacts me both at school and in my personal life.  Towards the end of last year, I read a book called 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman.  It is a book basically about time management which has had a profound impact on me as a person.  His message is pretty clear; in our attempt to master time, time ends up mastering us.  And the 4000 weeks?  Well, that is the average life span.  When you think of that, life can be seen as terrifyingly short!

Burkeman writes about the issue of not having enough time along with an anxiety about the future.  He describes that although planning ahead is a good thing, the future is unpredictable, and things may not go as to plan.  Therefore, embracing the imperfection and realising there is uncertainty even though you may think you have planned meticulously, you begin to let go a bit of that anxiety.  In dealing with the limited time we have, he recommends prioritising work tasks and activities in the physical world over the digital world, as well as choosing to spend more time with family, friends and the community, all while realising that endless to-do list will never actually be accomplished.

In commencing my new role here, I have once again read a quote from Pope Francis.   It is one of those quotes that I think is worth all of us thinking about, not just for ourselves but also our children.  He says, “You can have flaws, be anxious and even be angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world.  Only you can stop it from failing.  You are appreciated, admired and loved by so many.  Remember that being happy is not having a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, a job without effort, a relationship without disappointments.  To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become the author of your own fate.  It’s walking through deserts but being able to find an oasis deep in the soul.  It is thanking God every morning for the miracle of life.  It’s kissing your children, cuddling your parents, having poetic moments with your friends, even when they hurt us.”

What I love about this speech is that Pope Francis is reminding us that when we make a mistake, we start over, and it ties so well into the message in the book.  Being happy is not about having a perfect life, instead our challenges and mistakes shape who we become from what we learn about ourselves and that we must make time for those moments that mean so much to us.

As your child begins the learning journey for Semester Two, if you have any concerns about them make sure you make an appointment to see their teacher as they are eager to work with you.  As Principal, I am always there to assist you during your time at Matthew Gibney, however, your child’s teacher should always be your first contact regarding your child and their learning.  Maintaining open and honest communication is important for us at Matthew Gibney as it is a way to help alleviate some stress for you.  Parents are encouraged to notify your child’s teacher of any concerns you may have and to make an appointment at a mutually convenient time before or after school. The easiest way to make an appointment is to message your child’s teacher directly or via Seesaw.

When emailing please consider what is appropriate to be emailed and what needs to be discussed face to face. In relation to emails, I need to reinforce that there is no expectation from me that staff members are to be communicating via email during the school day or after school hours or the weekend. Likewise, questions or requests sent via email cannot always be answered or responded to immediately. My expectation is that some kind of response, even if it is pending further follow up, should be received within a maximum of 24 hours of sending an initial enquiry, not including weekends. Our staff are very professional, and service focused, but their role involves them wearing multiple hats throughout the day. I ask that you allow them time to address your questions professionally and in a realistic timeframe.

I must say, that as parents and caregivers you should be very proud of the way your children have settled into the new term. The children at Matthew Gibney continue to set such a high standard and I encourage them to continue this.  I would also like to acknowledge the staff for the care they show our students each day.  How lucky am I to be working with such a great bunch of people.

Child Safe Framework

Have you heard of the CEWA Child Safe Framework?

Our CEWA Child Safe Framework help us to make decisions surrounding child safety in the school using nine elements.

These nine elements include:

Support and Healing: Responding to those who have been injured or hurt through abuse and harm and to assist them to heal.

Voice of the Child: Recognises each child and young person’s right to be heard and to have a voice in all that happens to them.

Culture: All members of the school community share responsibility for, and actively promote an environment that prioritises the best interests of children and young people.

Governance and Leadership: School leaders understand, create and promote environments that are safe, supportive and engaging. They make their decisions based on the best interests of students.

Policy and Procedures: Structures and processes that are accessible, consistent and transparent. Policies must be understood, implemented and actioned everyday.

Human Resource Practices: These practices assist our schools and care centres to identify the most suitable people to work with our students and to provide appropriate training.

Risk Management: Proactively identifying and limiting potential risks.

Investigation and Reporting: The development and implementation of processes that are transparent, fair and clearly understood by the school community.

Quality Assurance: Systematic, continual improvement is evident through ongoing evaluation and assessment.

Code of Conduct

At Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, all staff, parents, and visitors adhere to our school Code of Conduct.  The code is outlined below:

Conduct Statements

1. You act safely and competently.
2. You give priority to students’ safety and well-being in all your behaviour and decision making.
3. You act in accordance with the values of the Gospel as defined in the Code of Ethical Conduct.
4. You conduct yourself in accordance with laws, agreements, policies and standards relevant to your relationship with the school community.
5. You respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of each member of the school community.
6. You treat personal information about members of the school community as private and confidential.
7. You give impartial, honest and accurate information about the education, safety and well-being of students.
8. You support all members of the school community in making informed decisions about students.
9. You promote and preserve the trust and privilege inherent in your relationship with all members of the school community.
10. You maintain and build on the community’s trust and confidence in Catholic schools and the Church.
11. You act reflectively and ethically.
12. You allow students to have a voice in their education, safety and well-being.

Student Code of Conduct

Our Student Code of Conduct developed by our students presents the Code of Conduct in language that is easily understood by them.  Their Code of Conduct also provides them with avenues to discuss concerns or suggestions.

CONGRATULATIONS YEAR 2

We are so proud of our Year 2 students for their choral speech of ‘When I’m an Astronaut’ at the Performing Arts Festival.  The judges were extremely impressed with our students highlighting how well behaved they were, how clear their voices were, and their use of gesture emphasised the storytelling.  We congratulate all the students!  I sincerely thank Mrs Brescacin and Mrs Aldred for preparing the students so beautifully, and to Mrs Keddie, Mrs Fanetti and Ms Grant for all their efforts.

Thank You!

A very big thank you to our students and staff for our recent LifeLink Pyjama Day!  Everyone looked so cozy!  I am pleased to report back that no one fell asleep in class that day!

I am also extra pleased to announce that our school raised $239 for LifeLink.  Although these days are so much fun, they allow us to live out our calling to serve those in need.  Thank you to everyone that donated a gold coin.

Staff Fundraising

Have you noticed our staff wearing ‘Free Dress’ on Fridays?  This is because as a staff we have also made a commitment to raising some funds for a charitable organisation.  If you see a staff member wearing jeans, tell them well done!

Uniform

I would like to thank the students for wearing our uniform with such pride each day.  Thank you for your support with maintaining such a high standard at Matthew Gibney.

Evacuation Drill

Next week, our staff and students will participate in an Evacuation Drill.  This will allow our students and staff to practice our procedure in a controlled way.  The staff will discuss the drill with students and gain feedback as to what was effective and how we could refine our procedures.

This drill is part of our school’s registration standards.

Confirmation

Our Year 6 Confirmation candidates have been making their final preparations for receiving this special sacrament of initiation next Friday, 9 August.  Confirmation is the opportunity for our candidates to receive the Holy Spirit and become a full member of the Catholic Church.  During the ceremony, they strengthen their relationship by God and renew the vows their parents made for them at their Baptism.  Please continue to pray for our candidates in these final days of preparation.

Canteen Specials

How good do our canteen specials look to celebrate the Olympics?!!  I know I will be heading there each Tuesday and Friday until the 9^th August!!  Keep an eye out for those special surprise medals which can be used at the Canteen at lunchtimes.

I am looking forward to seeing you all over the coming weeks.  Thank you for making this community so special.  Goodness your way.

Clint

Canteen News

In celebration of the Olympic Games the canteen will be placing a surprise ‘MEDAL’ token randomly into lunch bags. The token will be a canteen voucher of different values for Gold, Silver & Bronze. To redeem their ‘medal’ voucher, students can bring it to the canteen at lunchtime.

Good luck!

OLYMPIC GAMES SPECIALS!

The following items will be available from the canteen to celebrate the Olympic Games. These  will be available from Tuesday 30th July until Friday 9th August.

RECESS:

“Olympic Torch” – Ice Cream Cone with Popcorn – 50c

“Go Aussie Go!” – Cupcake with Icing – $2.00

LUNCH:

“Champion’s Carbonara” – Pasta in a cream sauce with bacon – $6.00

“Swimmers Relay” – Fish with mayo in a hotdog bun – $4.50

Pre Primary painted colourful Rainbow Snakes as part of our NAIDOC Week activities. Anaia, Alana, Thomas, Nathaniel, Kenzie and Jade created beautiful pictures with Aboriginal artwork for their background. Well done Pre Primary friends!

Term Three P&F Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Please keep in mind that the P&F Bunnings Sausage Sizzle is on Saturday 7^th September.  This is an important fundraiser date in our school calendar.

Now taking enrolments at La Salle College

La Salle College is now taking enrolments for students starting Year 7 in 2026 and 2027.

We believe that education extends beyond the classroom, encouraging our students to live out their
faith and values in the service of others, whilst making a positive impact on the world in which they
live. Through our teaching and learning, we aim to transform tomorrow’s hearts, minds and lives in
all that we do.

At La Salle College we offer a wide range of learning programs and academic pathways, as well as
opportunities in a multitude of areas such as skill-based and work-based learning, music, arts, sport
and extracurricular activities and clubs. Our wonderful facilities and generous outdoor spaces, which
includes Science Labs, Aquatic Centre with a 10-lane swimming pool, Performing Arts Centre with
orchestra pit, Chapel, Trade and Skills Centre and a double court Sports Centre, provide an
innovative and modern learning environment that inspires our students to be the best they can be.

With limited places available for Year 7 2026 and 2027, we encourage you to make an enquiry today or join us on a student led tour of the College

Term 3 Tour Dates:
• Tuesday 27 August at 4:30pm

Bookings can be made via the La Salle College website www.lasalle.wa.edu.au/book-a-tour/

If you would like to know more about our enrolments process please visit our website www.lasalle.wa.edu.au/enrolment or contact our College Enrolments team:
• Email lasalle@lasalle.wa.edu.au
• Phone 9449 0601