2025 Term 1 Week 2

Dear Parents & Carers,

It is a long one, but remember, from this point forward you will only need to read my waffle every fortnight!!

Welcome back to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School for the 2025 school year.  We welcome all new students and families to our beautiful community.  We hope that your time here with us will be enjoyable for you and your children.  An extra warm welcome to all our new 3 Year Old and 4 Year Old Kindy students.  I have had the best time visiting the Kindy area and watching the confidence of the students in their new learning environment.  We also welcome Mrs Nicole Smith (Kindy Teacher), Ms Fiona McDonald (Kindy Education Assistant) and Mrs Bruna Formato (Italian) to our staff and community.

I am sure you have all enjoyed being out of routine over the summer holidays, not needing to iron uniforms or make lunches!  I am also certain, the last week and a bit may have been hectic trying to re-establish those old routines.  My eldest daughter, Izabella, has commenced her first year of Uni, that is right, and she is doing teaching!  My youngest, Sienna is moving into the glorious Year 9 level so you can imagine what that is like!!  Finding routines at home is proving difficult as both want to study but I also want them to find the balance to enjoy life.  Please be gentle on yourselves as these routines once again fall into place, which they will.

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 the new year, I have once again read a quote from Pope Francis which I do each year.   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 enters this new year, 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 MG, 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 Catholic Primary School 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 email 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 work 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.

As a staff, we have been looking forward to the beginning of another year and I must say that as parents you should be very proud of the way your children have settled into their new classes, especially as this has not been a normal start with some routines changed and new classroom learning environments. The children at Matty G 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.

Parent Handbook

The Parent Handbook has been updated with important information for our parents and caregivers in relation to procedures at out school.  The Parent Handbook is available for parents and caregivers to download from our website.

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.  This year, we will be reinforcing our Code of Conduct with all families and at our Catholic School Advisory Council meetings.  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.

Should any member of the school community have concerns about someone not adhering to the Code of Conduct, they may access our Code of Conduct Breach Form via our school website.

Parent Dispute and Complaint Resolution Procedure

At Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, we are committed to handling complaints and concerns effectively and efficiently.  Our full procedure can be found on our school website.

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.

P&F Meeting

Please note that the first P&F Meeting of the year will take place on Wednesday 19 February in our Library commencing at 7:30pm. It is always great to see new faces and hear new ideas. This is a wonderful way for you to contribute to your children’s education. So please come along and join in the planning for the year ahead and invite other parents to come along with you.

Matthew Gibney’s Catholic School Advisory Council

The Matthew Gibney Catholic School Advisory Council is a great example of how our school and parents/caregivers work together to make our community the great place it is.  We will be holding our first meeting on Wednesday, 19 February.  I thank the members of our CSAC for their commitment to our school and the students that walk through our gates each day.

Holiday Works

Our school is looking amazing with all the works being completed over the holidays, including classrooms and a fresh new garden bed!  As well as this, our vacation clean and garden maintenance that took place ensures our school is looking fantastic.  Stay tuned for lots more exciting things happening this year at MG.

Kiss and Drive

Thank you to all of you for being so patient as we get back into the swing of things especially in our Kiss and Drive.  Staff are on duty until 3:20pm each day so there is ample time for you to collect your children.  The more families we have spreading out their pickup means we have less banking of cars creating issues for our neighbours.

Merit Awards

Merit Awards will be given out at our Friday Merit Awards Assembly. If your child is receiving an award, an email will be sent to you prior to the event so that you may attend if you wish.  Our Merit Awards Assembly commences at 9.00am sharp.

Performing Arts – Drama

Each school is mandated to report to parents on a performance side of The Arts learning area.  We at MG have delivered a Music program for a number of years and this year we are supplementing this with the introduction of a Drama program for Term One.  I would like to thank Mrs Alysha Emanuele for taking on this initiative and sharing her passion and expertise with our students.

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

Clinton Payne

Principal

2025 Term 1 Planner for Parents

For the Term 1 Planner for parents, please click here.

PLEASE NOTE THIS HAS BEEN UPDATED SINCE THE PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER.

Dates for the following have changed:

• NAPLAN
• Class Assembly
• Easter Story

Canteen News

Due to our longstanding and very supportive volunteers moving on as their Grandchildren go onto High School, we will require volunteers once again to help in our canteen.

Without the volunteers our canteen cannot provide the selection of homemade items on the canteen menu.

Please see Alison in the canteen if you are available to help next year.

Book Club News

Please be advised that cut off for the Scholastic Book Club order is this Monday 17th February. Please order online via the LOOP website. Thank you.

WOW what a start to 2025!! The Year 6 students have made a great start to the year, becoming leaders and being given extra responsibilities around the school. Wednesday saw our Leadership councils commissioned at a beautiful liturgy where they all made a pledge to all staff and students to be responsible and fulfill all duties of their councils. They are enjoying their new learning spaces!!

In English they have been practising their sizzling starts by researching some weird but true facts…did you know that herring communicate by farting?

Children’s Liturgy at St Francis of Assisi Parish

Each Sunday during the 9.30am Mass, a Children’s Liturgy session is held for children from Pre-Primary to Year 4.  The children sing a song and say prayers then listen to the Gospel Reading of the day at their level, followed by an activity.  We then go to the church during the Prayers of the Faithful.  Please bring your child to the hall before 9.30am.

We would also like more volunteers and/or helpers.

Contact Philomena on 0417 936 757 for any further Information.  Thank you.

The event is free to attend but we are taking RSVPs for catering purposes. Please register via the link below.

North: Wednesday 12th March, 6pm at Padbury Catholic Primary School

https://events.humanitix.com/cspwa-induction-evening-north-location

Central: Wednesday 19th February, 6pm at St Peter’s Primary School

https://events.humanitix.com/cspwa-induction-evening-central-location

South: Wednesday 5th March, 6pm at Emmanuel Catholic College

https://events.humanitix.com/cspwa-induction-evening-south-location

Enrol now at La Salle College

La Salle College is now taking enrolments for current Year 5 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.