2024 Term 4 Week 6

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

One of my favourite things to do at school is the Kiss and Drive duty in the morning and afternoon simply because I get to talk to the kids and parents. During these interactions, it is pretty clear why so many of you bring your children to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School. I mean, the benefit of being at a small school is that we are like a family.  It can be tough for little schools like ours competing with larger schools.  It is clear that you as a parent body get along very well and that many of you, through your children, have made strong friendships which is a main reason why you send your kids to MG, for that sense of belonging. This is evident in the way you are all so relaxed in each other’s company. To me, this is what the spirit of life is all about.

This is why the quote from Romans above is one of my favourites from the Bible. Actually, being in ‘life’, which is all about our relationships and love for others, has a direct correlation to our spiritual side. Spirituality is us connecting what we feel to our beliefs, our God. This connection is a very natural thing but it is something we rarely take the time to think about. If you think about it, the times when you feel most peaceful is when you are in harmony with others. The next time you feel this peacefulness, take the time to stop and you will know that it is your spiritual side at work. We all thrive from that feeling of being connected.

November is the month we remember and connect with all those we love who are now resting in the peace of Christ in heaven waiting for us to join them. It is awesome how the earthly relationships we had with them are still very much with us even though these loved ones are no longer physically with us. We all have those moments of peace where we can feel those we love close. I can think of so many occasions where I think about my Grandpa and can literally feel his presence. My Grandpa was a great man, very witty. He was very knowledgeable and skillful with his hands. The funny thing is, as I am writing about him right now, I am thinking about how he taught me as a kid to make very cool paper aeroplanes and play Lotto! These are now things that I find myself teaching my two girls at home! I am certain all of this reminiscing is what the quote from Romans is all about. Don’t you find it when you think about the moments and milestones in your life that were impacted by those who have left us? I am sure you have hundreds of stories to share just like I do.

So it is simple, life is spirituality! Just like last week when I had a chat to a parent about my sneaker collection! From a very simple conversation I ended up giving her a 10 minute rundown on Air Jordan shoes. I am sure she thought I was crazy but nevertheless we did make a connection. Needless to say, we chatted for another 10 minutes or so. This is what it is about, people love to chat. They love having the chance to tell their story. Forming these connections is spirituality at work. I have studied this sort of thing and it has always been confusing. Now, as I am getting older, I realise it is all about relationships and accepting differences! Easy!

Spirituality will lead to connections to life and peace. We each have many opportunities, in all our interactions with others for the chance to be spiritual. I hope you enjoy this week as you go about your daily life making connections memorable for those you meet.

Thank You Father Joseph

This week, we gathered to express our heartfelt gratitude to Father Joseph for his six years of dedicated service to our parish and school community.

Father Joseph’s unwavering commitment, spiritual guidance, and compassionate leadership have profoundly impacted all of us here at Matthew Gibney. He has been a source of strength and inspiration, always ready to lend a listening ear and offer wise advice based on our faith. His presence has enriched our school, fostering a sense of unity and faith that we will cherish forever.

As it is written in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Father Joseph has truly been a shining light in our lives, and your good deeds have left an indelible mark on our hearts and community.

As he embarks on this new chapter of his life, we wish him the very best in his retirement. May it be filled with joy, peace, and fulfilment. Though Father Joseph will be greatly missed, his legacy will continue to inspire us and guide our community.

Thank you, Father Joseph, for everything you have done for us. We are grateful for your service and wish you all the happiness in the world.

Annual Community Meeting – Wednesday 20^th November, 7:00pm

Please pencil our ACM into your calendars.  On this night you will hear about our achievements and our future goals.  There are many exciting things in the pipeline at MG for 2025 and it would be great for as many people from our community to hear about them!  We will also be announcing our 2025 staffing which I know is a hot topic!  For those of you that can get there earlier than 6pm, we will be having a small gathering with some food and drink.  We look forward to seeing you there!

2025 Enrolments

There are very limited places available in 3K and middle and upper primary for 2025 to join our MG family.  There are so many benefits of being a part of a single stream school especially seeing our older students caring for our younger students.  We truly are a little family here at MG.  If you know of anyone interested in enrolling their child, please direct them to contact Mrs West in the Office.

If your child is moving to a new school at the end of the year, I ask that you put this in writing for our records and also pass it on to Mrs West in our Office.

Edu Dance Concert

We cannot wait for our Edu Dance Concert on Friday, 29^th November.  For our concert to be successful, we need all students and their families to attend!  Stay tuned for further information!

Help Needed – Busy Bee for Classroom Refurbishment

We are so excited to be planning for our classroom refurbishments in preparation for the start of the 2025 school year.  We are seeking the assistance of our community to help us remove all existing cupboards, pin-up boards and whiteboards.  Think of it as a therapeutic demolition day!!  There will be five classrooms in total that will need to be gutted.  We are hoping to achieve this on Saturday, 7^th December.  If you are able to assist, even if it is for a short time, please send me an email at clinton.payne@cewa.edu.au

Please look after yourself.  We wish you nothing but goodness your way.

Clint

Book Club News

Scholastic Book Club Catalogue 8 was sent home this week with students. Please note that the last day for ordering is today, Friday 15th November to ensure we receive any orders back in time before school finishes for the year.

Please order online through the LOOP website.

Uniform Shop News

Our online method of ordering Uniforms (CDF Pay) is changing so will not be able to be used after the end of Term 4 this year (6th December 2024). New Instructions will be sent out at the start of Term 1 next year.

To order uniforms for next year there are three options:

1. Order and Pay Online using CDF Pay before the end of Term 4 2024.
2. Submit a paper order form (available from office and website) before the end of Term 4 2024 and Pay and collect your order in January when the Uniform shop is open. (Dates and times below).
3. Attend one of the uniform shop opening times in January.

The uniform shop is open every Thursday morning (8.15 – 10.00am) until the end of Term 4 with the last morning open being Thursday 5th December. It will also be open the following times in January 2025 for collection and purchases:

• Thursday 30th January 2pm – 4pm
• Friday 31st January 9am – 12pm

Term 4 Planner for Parents

Please click HERE for the Term 4 Planner for Parents.

This week, Year 3 students have been learning about 3D shapes, exploring their features such as faces, edges, and vertices, and understanding the difference between prisms and pyramids. They had fun spotting shapes around the classroom and school, and even created their own using playdough!

Last week, students also focused on angles, learning about right angles, acute angles, and obtuse angles. They had a go at using protractors to measure these angles. It’s been a week of hands-on learning, with everyone working towards becoming shape and angle experts!

Resilience is the ability to ‘bounce back’ when things don’t go as expected. That’s not to say you don’t feel the impact, it’s more about how you process and move on from challenges.

This is a significant life skill, and one so many struggle with even into adulthood. Studies have shown that resilience has a direct impact on mental health outcomes. It’s worth our focus!

Learning Links offer a free on-demand webinar for families of primary and high school aged children, teaching us to promote resilience with a range of resources.

The P&F Committee would like to provide an update on the Basketball Court refurbishment project. Due to significant recent price increases, obtaining an updated quote has been challenging, and we are still many years away from reaching the necessary funds to proceed. As we are keen to ensure that all existing students benefit from the P&F’s fundraising efforts, we do not wish to hold these funds any longer.

The school Leadership Team is now planning a full classroom refresh across the school, set for 2025. This exciting initiative will create more engaging and functional learning environments for students, with new furniture, portable whiteboards, reading nooks, and other enhancements.

Given these new priorities, the P&F has proposed redirecting funds to support the classroom makeover project. In addition, the P&F plans to fund new basketball backboards and rings, along with exploring fresh incursion opportunities to enrich all students’ experiences throughout 2025.

We deeply appreciate your ongoing support and understanding as we work together to enhance our children’s primary school journey.

Warm regards,

P&F Committee

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Join the fun and support a great cause; our kids education!

Tickets are just $10, and the winner will receive free 2025 tuition fees for one student. Sales have started and the lucky winner will be drawn at the EduDance Concert on Friday, 29th November! Limited tickets available, so don’t miss out! 🎟️

👉 Buy tickets now: https://rafflelink.com.au/mgfees

Enrol now at La Salle College

La Salle College is now taking enrolments for current Year 4 students starting Year 7 in 2027.

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.

Every student is given the opportunity to succeed. We believe that education extends beyond the classroom, and we encourage 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.

If you would like to know more about our enrolments process or learning opportunities at La Salle
College please visit our website www.lasalle.wa.edu.au/enrolment or contact our College Enrolments team:
• Email 8770svc_enrol@cewa.edu.au
• Phone 9449 0601

With limited places available for Year 7 2027, we encourage you to make an enquiry today.

Guildford Grammar School Year 7, 2026 Scholarships are OPEN

The Year 7, 2026 Academic and Music scholarships are OPEN at Guildford Grammar School.  An information link has been provided below to the scholarship page on our website.  Here you will find the range of scholarships on offer for Year 7 entry to your current year 5 students and families.

Scholarship opportunities – Guildford Grammar School

Please do not hesitate to contact admissions or direct any questions to 9377 9222 or Registrar@ggs.wa.edu.au