2025 Term 1 Week 4

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Whatever you are doing, the parent stuff, and for our MG staff, the school stuff, keep doing it!  Based on the quote by the Dalai Lama it means we are in flow!  It means you are fully present, even though you are going flat out with keeping up with everything you have going on.

I have a very privileged position as a Principal. You trust me with your kids. You trust our staff with your most precious gifts.  Trust is what lets flow happen and allows us to be present in the moment. For me as a Principal, this is the big picture stuff that I want for our staff, how do we stay present in the moment with our kids?  I believe it means as educators we need to keep to what we all got into this profession for and what is the most important part of what we do, connecting with others.

It sounds easy, flow is wonderful when we can stop the distractions, stop the worries that stop us living in the moment.  While this is a challenge of everyday life, and as many of us have personal struggles that we deal with each day, the one thing I have discovered about MG is the support we offer each other.  So many times, over these first few weeks, I have witnessed support from our families to each other.  Just the other day I saw a parent helping point a new family in the right direction to the Uniform Shop, just brilliant.  With our P&F, School Advisory Council and our staff, all of them have the wellbeing of our community at the heart of all they do.  This makes MG the place where we are all meant to be.  How good is it to be part of this community.

If we are all present here at MG at this time in our life, as a parent or staff member, then we are meant to be here.  It is not by fluke.  Whatever it is, we are here for a purpose.  I truly believe God puts us where we need to be.  It is Him and our flow that has brought us here.  Take a moment to stop and reflect on a time where you felt your life was in complete rhythm.  What was happening for you during that time?

Seriously though, good things are happening here at Matthew Gibney. No matter where I turn at the moment there is a sense of gratitude that I find surrounding me. Whether it is here at school or within all other moments that make up my life, it just seems relentlessly positive. There was a saying I once heard; ‘fear and worries disappear when we are grateful’. This is so true. I know I have written about it before, but every day I wake up I ask myself these three things:

• What am I grateful for in my life?
• Who will I serve today?
• What is one exciting thing about my day?

Anyhow, my point is to stay focused on gratefulness. It truly changes the world you know. Changes who we are as people. Try these three questions right now, and no matter what time you read this, I promise you, the world will change for that moment. You still have time, right now to do it. There will be something that you can still do that is so exciting. Now, that could be the fact you might go to sleep half an hour earlier because your kids are asleep.  Now imagine having an undisturbed night’s sleep, this is something that I take for granted now, but for you guys with young families and the few families with newborns, this must be the absolute GOLD!

Next week we commence our Lenten season.  Lent is a time that allows us to focus on our connection to others and be a hero for those in need.  It is clear to me that there are many little heroes here at MG.  One of my favourite people I love looking at is Kid President.  He is always on about the good stuff in life, about building up confidence in kids.  Looking at this quote of his, that you don’t need a cape to be a hero is truly alive with our kids.  Last week I had a visit from a student who brought me some of their personal coins to add to our fundraising.  They said they wanted to help.  No cape, but what a hero!

I would like to end by sharing a Lenten Reflection that may get you going this Lent if you are stuck on what you can do:

A Lenten Reflection

Give up complaining………………….. focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism……………………… become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments…………… think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry …………………………….. trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement………….. be full of hope.

Give up bitterness ……………………… turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred…………………………… return good for evil.

Give up anger………………………………. be more patient.

Give up jealousy……………………………..pray for trust.

P&F Welcome Picnic

Tonight is our P&F Welcome Picnic.  I hope that all of you can attend, throw a picnic rug and enjoy each other’s company.  Seriously, how good is it?!  I am so grateful to our P&F for organising these events that help us get together.  Please support these events as all the money we raise goes directly back to our kids at Matthew Gibney.

Attendance Procedure

Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School believes there is a need to engage students and establish positive attendance behaviours in the early years of schooling; to support student attendance at transition points and to raise parent and community awareness of the fact that, where academic achievement is concerned, everyday counts.  There is a mutual obligation of schools, parents, and communities to develop strategies that link directly to the local causes of student absence.

Each term in Week 3 and 7, our Assistant Principals will be formally checking student attendance and where a student has fallen below 90% attendance, contact parents and caregivers through a standard letter.  If attendance remains at or falls below 90%, a formal meeting will be arranged.

Our school’s Attendance Procedure can be found on our website.

Kiss & Drive

Thank you to all of you for doing the right thing in using our Kiss & Drive after school.  It is something that causes a bit of anxiety at every school in the afternoon.  It is up to parents to do the right thing outside the gates by not banking across footpaths or intersections which the council has reminded me of.  These are things that we cannot control so if a staff member on duty asks you to stop, please remember they are doing the best they can for our kids.  Thank you for your support.

School Uniform

How good are our kids?  They are looking impeccable at the moment.  The odd slip up with uniform but most of them are wearing the correct uniform on the correct days.  The uniform is something I will continually push with the kids as it is a way of us representing who we are and what we stand for.  Well done to all of you.

Catholic School Advisory Council

Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School is committed to ensuring a Christ-centred and child focused environment for its students.  Our School Advisory Council acts as an invaluable support to the realisation of this aim.

Being a member of your school’s Advisory Council is a wonderful way to get involved in your school, whether you are a parent or community member. It is an opportunity to contribute your skills and expertise in a meaningful and structured way, to help shape the future of your school.

Each school has its own Advisory Council. As a member, you work with the Principal to enact Quality Catholic Education across the Catholic School community, as well as strategically plan for the present and future operation of your school.

The Advisory Council represents your Catholic school’s community and plays an active role in nurturing and strengthening the Catholic culture of your school by providing the Principal with the pulse of the community.  While they provide an understanding of the community perspective, the Principal maintains responsibility for the operational decisions of the school.

I am so grateful to be surrounded by our committed School Advisory Council members who support this year’s School Improvement Plan which is based on the quality education our students receive.

Parents and Friends (P&F)

Parent and Friends Groups (P&Fs) play an important role in supporting the Principal, school leaders and teachers to partner with parents and caregivers as the first educators of their children.  They also serve a vital function providing local and contextual support for schools as they work together to build strong, positive Catholic school communities.​

Parents and Friends Groups (P&F) have been established by the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA) to support the Principal to fulfil their responsibilities in leading the Catholic Identity, Education, Community and Stewardship functions of the Catholic school in pursuit of Catholic Education Western Australia’s vision to be Christ-centred and child-focused. ​​

The P&F collaborates with the Principal to coordinate activities that create opportunities for community engagement between parents, school staff, parish and students, whilst supporting the Principal in the facilitation of fundraising events for the benefit of students that complement the school budget.  This year our committed P&F Executive is leading our community building with less of an emphasis on fundraising.

Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct, which can be found on our website, is a set of statements that apply directly to the behaviour and conduct of all community members, parents, staff, students, and visitors of Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School.  As Principal, if I notice a breach of the Code of Conduct, it is my responsibility to address the breach to ensure the safety of our students.

All community members are also charged with the responsibility of ensuring the Code of Conduct is lived out through their own words and actions.  Should any community member notice a breach of the Code of Conduct, they can access and fill out a Code of Conduct Breach Form on our website.

Parent Concerns

In relation to our Code of Conduct, parents and caregivers are asked to follow the school’s Dispute and Complaint Resolution Procedure found on our website should they want to make a complaint of follow up on a concern in relation to a school issue.

The procedure stipulates that parent and caregivers should make a suitable time to meet directly with the staff member the issue relates to.  If parents and caregivers are unhappy with the outcome, they then are able to make a time with our Assistant Principals, followed by the Principal and/or CEWA if the issue remains unresolved.

As of late, I am aware of issues being discussed in the carpark, however, I remind you all to follow this procedure and discuss it through the correct avenues.  I also remind you, operational decisions are the responsibility of the Principal, guided by the School Advisory Council and staff.  If you are unhappy with an operational decision, please make a time to discuss this with one of our Assistant Principals or myself so as to gain an understanding of why decisions are being made and how best we can support you and your child in changes made at the school.

Kindergarten Enrolments 2026 and 2027

Just a friendly reminder to any MG School families that have child who were born between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023, enrolment applications for Pre-Kindy and Kindy 2026 can be handed in now.  Interviews for Pre-Kindy and Kindy 2026 will commence soon. Please see Julie in administration if you have any question regarding enrolments.

School Start Time

I wish to thank our community for how well they have responded to our gates opening at 8:25am, allowing the school and Extend OSHC to maintain all regulations by not having non enrolled OSHC students onsite.  I would also like to thank our students for how well they have been moving to class to prepare for they day which commences at 8:40am.  In 2024, the start time was 8:45am.  By commencing the minutes of instruction five minutes earlier based on our Registration Standards, we were granted permission to create two half day early closes for formal Parent Teacher Interviews, allowing the school and home to work in partnership for our students.  Kindy and Three Year Old Kindy commence at 9:00am as has always been the case at MG.

Early Closes

A friendly reminder that we have two early closes this year for Parent Teacher Interviews on Wednesday, 11 June and Wednesday, 19 November.  Please plan for these early closes.  School will close at 11:50am on these days.

Enjoy the fortnight ahead and thank you for what you bring to our community.  To all the families that have taken time out of their day to wish staff well and give me some words of encouragement, it is very much appreciated.  It is so good to be surrounded by people filled with kindness and compassion.

Goodness your way,

Clint

Tuition Fee Statements

Tuition Statements were sent home to families via the Finance email in Week 2. Please ensure you have completed the Payment Option Advice and either returned it to the office or via email to finance@gibney.wa.edu.au .

If you have not seen your Fee Statement, please check your spam or junk folders.

2025 Term 1 Planner for Parents

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

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.

Year 5 have been experimenting with warm and cool colours during Art.

Please click here for Therapy Dog FAQs.

Children’s Liturgy at St Francis of Assisi Parish

The Children’s Liturgy Program at St Francis of Assisi, Maida Vale, has started for the year.  Children from Pre-primary to Year 4 are welcome.  Please bring your children to the old Parish Hall before the 9.30am Mass on Sunday.  The children sing and pray and listen to the Gospel at their level.  They then do an activity about the Gospel, before coming over to the church after the Homily.

For enquiries please contact Philomena on 0417 936 757.

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

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.

Visit the link below to view the CSPWA Term 1 Newsletter:
https://cspwa.schoolzineplus.com/news?nid=59