2025 Term 1 Week 6

Dear Parents,

We seem to be building more momentum into the school year as the days roll on.  There is so much goodness that happens each and every day here at MG.  Just take a look at our Kiss and Drive in the afternoon.  I was watching the flow of traffic through the office window last week and how Mrs Gray and Mrs Hawley just had things under control.  They sure have mastered the ropes of moving the cars along all while experiencing such patience and understanding from our parents and carers.  On the odd occasion we do have some moments of stress or parents making the incorrect choice, which is normal during school pickups at times.  There will always be opportunities to continue to improve in our Kiss and Drive, but in the words of one our Pre Primary students ‘it’s O.K.!’

This student got me thinking about ‘okayness’ and the theory out there about this.  Basically, the okayness theory suggests we be gentle on ourselves and others and the need to embrace imperfections.  I have written about this sort of thing before, however, embracing imperfections and knowing that things won’t go as we want all the time is pretty affirming and freeing.  Our world at the moment is full of constant pressures, like constant.  I guess this is what life is all about; moments of peace and calmness, and then moments of pressure where we have to challenge ourselves to keep going.  The thing is, this place Matthew Gibney, who knows what will come our way in 2025, however, I do know we will get through it, and everything will be okay because we genuinely care for one another.

Last weekend at Mass I was pretty zoned out, thinking about the upcoming events and all the things that needed to be done, however, one word caught my attention during the homily, Mercy.  Lent is a great time to once again think about the word Mercy.  Simply put, the word Mercy means we must approach all things with compassion and understanding.  Imagine if we could bring this alive in all our relationships and interactions here at Matthew Gibney.  However, Mercy is also difficult especially when we are in those moments where we may not be at our best, like times of tiredness or frustration.  But the best part of working towards showing Mercy is learning to be gentle on ourselves.  I know me as a person, when things do not go how I want them to, I am pretty hard on myself.  Realising its okay to show ourselves Mercy will encourage us to do the same with others.  Being gentle on ourselves allows us to bring gentleness to our interactions and relationships.  This stuff will help change the world.

Our world is quite troubled at the moment.  There is a lot going on and our kids seem to be surrounded by images and news reports that constantly create a sense of stress.  Learning to show Mercy during Lent is a great place to start to make our world a little better.  Me personally, I tend to think about how my two girls would describe me.  I also think about what do the kids here say about me, not just as the Principal but more as a human.  This thinking holds me to high account.

Last week we had the privilege of having a conversation with some CEWA consultants.  As a group, we expressed that our job is the best and a massive privilege, because we have the opportunity to help our kids and their families each and every day.  And with the opportunity to help others comes that sense of fulfillment.  As parents and carers, you are constantly engaged with helping others, your kids, your partner, your colleagues.  These are the moments that bring that feeling of fulfilment.  When we help others, we bring that moment of joy into our world.  This is where Mercy reminds us to show compassion and understanding.

I am sorry I am waffling a bit, but my opportunity to write brings a moment of reflection for me, either on the past week or something that may have grabbed my attention.  As we move through Lent may you take moments to be gentle on yourself and others. Make sure you look after yourself and others with compassion and understanding.  This is the stuff that can help change our world.

Parent Communication
At Matthew Gibney, we do our utmost to provide the best communication as possible to our parents and caregivers.  This week we received two emails from parents stating that they were not informed of the Pupil Free Day last week.  After looking into this, I can confirm that the Pupil Free Day was advertised in our Parent Information Night, Classroom Overviews, multiple Newsletters, school calendar on our website, and our social media.

Parents are encouraged to stay up to date with the happenings of our school through the above avenues.  Thank you for your ongoing support.

Upcoming Pupil Free Days / Early Closes & Public Holidays

• Pupil Free Day – 28 April
• WA Day – 2 June
• Pupil Free Day – 3 June
• Early Close (11:50am) – 11 June
• Pupil Free Day – 22 August
• Pupil Free Day – 10 November
• Early Close (11:50am) – 19 November

Kindy Enrolments

Enrolment interviews for Kindergarten 2026 will commence shortly. Parents/Carers of students currently attending the Matthew Gibney are reminded that they are required to submit an Enrolment Application Form if they intend to enrol a younger sibling into the Kindergarten or Pre-Kindergarten programs for 2026 or beyond. Due to high demand at Matthew Gibney, please encourage family/friends to submit applications as soon as possible.

After School Pick-Up

Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School places an enormous amount of effort into child safety.  Over the recent weeks, I have witnessed a number of students are leaving the school grounds via the crosswalk unattended as parents are waiting in cars.  I will be informing students over the coming days that they are not to leave the school grounds unless they have a parent or guardian with them.  We urge you to use the school kiss and drive or take the time to walk into the school grounds to pick up your children in order to keep them safe.  Thank you for your support in keeping Matthew Gibney students safe.

NAPLAN

This week, our Year 3 and 5 students participated in the NAPLAN assessments.  At Matthew Gibney, we treat these days as regular school days and encourage our students to do their very best.  Thank you to Miss Zurzolo who has coordinated that NAPLAN assessments and to Mrs Dalton and Mrs Brescacin for administering the assessments.

School Attendance

Research shows that children who go to school regularly do better in school.  We all want our children to do better at school. Attending regularly also helps children to create more opportunities for the future. Going to school every day positively impacts their health, social and work outcomes.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance at school is not only a fundamental human right, it is also mandated by law.

Under The School Education Act 1999, all school aged children are required to attend school every day, unless they are unwell.  Did you know that going on a family holiday is not considered a legally valid reason for children to be away from school during days when the school is open?

Your child’s attendance at school is monitored by their classroom teacher and should attendance drop below 90%, the school will make contact with you to put support structures in place if required.  If your child’s attendance does drop below 90% due to illness, this is considered an explained absence, however, we will still notify you as part of our school procedures and Registration Standards.

Helping Your Child

There are a number of things parents and caregivers can do to help your child attend every day and get the most out of school:

• Arriving on time: This allows them time to prepare for their lessons and ensures that they do not miss out on key learning. Children arriving late can also be disruptive to the class.
• Monitor their attendance: Keeping an idea of how many days they have missed. If they feel unwell regularly, check to see if anything is going on at school that may be making them feel anxious.
• Talk and Share: Talk about school in a positive way and ask them to share some positive experiences each day. Support them to identify solutions to any concerns they may have. Encourage your child to set personal goals related to school, and acknowledge their efforts in trying to achieve them.
• Routines: Help your child develop the habit of going to school each day and being on time. Regular bedtime and evening routines sometimes help to make the morning routine easier too.
• Appointments and Holidays: Where possible, make appointments for your child outside of school hours. Family holidays should take place during school holidays.
• Seek Support: If your child is worried about school, contact their teacher and find out how they can support them.

Early Closes

A friendly reminder that we have two early closes this year for Parent Teacher Interviews on Wednesday, 11 May and Wednesday, 19 November.  Please plan for these early closes.

Thank you all again for being a wonderful support for you and our community.  Enjoy the fortnight ahead.

Clinton Payne

Sustainability at Matthew Gibney

We are excited to say that  we have had a Tumbler Compost Bin donated by the Dartnell family.  We are very appreciative of their generosity and support of the school.  The Year 6 Environment and Sustainability Council have been collecting our fruit and vegetable scraps to put in the bin, and we look forward to using our compost in the garden throughout the year.

Interschool Swimming Carnival

Some of our Years 4, 5 and 6 students had a great day at the Interschool Swimming Carnival today.

Scholastic Book Club News

Issue 2 of the Scholastic Book Club catalogue was sent home with students earlier this week. Please note the cut off for orders is Wednesday 19th March.

Please order online using the LOOP website which can be found here.

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.

This term, Year 3 have been learning about the seven elements of art. They have experimented with different types of lines, exploring how they can be used to create movement and texture. Students have also investigated the element of colour, discovering how different hues can be mixed and used to express emotions and ideas. Their creativity and enthusiasm have been wonderful to see, and they are proving to be natural artists!

Year 2 students used line, colour, shape and texture to create beautiful artwork, ‘Owls in the Forest’.

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.

Applications are invited from students entering Years 7 and 10 in 2026 to sit the St Brigid’s College Scholarship Examinations.  For further information and to download an Application Package, please visit the College’s website: https://sbcl.wa.edu.au/scholarships/

Applications open on Monday, 17th March 2025 and close at 3.30p.m. on Wednesday, 9th April 2025.  The Examination date is Monday, 28^th April 2025.  Please return the completed Application Form to the Principal’s Assistant via email to Guerinoni.pauline@stbrigids.wa.edu.au.

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.

Please RSVP for the Ollie Worrall Bird Watching Excursion using this link: https://www.wanaturalists.org.au/events/ollie-worrell-reserve-high-wycombe/