2025 Term 1 Week 8

Dear Parents & Carers,

Last fortnight, Mrs Keddie, Ms Zurzolo and I had the opportunity to attend CEWA’s annual Leaders Forum.  The best part of the day is connecting with people who you have known for a long time but also get the complexities of schools now days and the responsibilities that come with leading a school.  At the forum, I was feeling a bit ‘under the pump’ thinking about the various things that are due by the end of the term.  It’s funny though.  I used to joke around with my old Principal who is a very good mate of mine and say Principal life must be easy!!  Meetings, coffees and cake!  However, I am very much aware that leading a school and moving it into that next era can be challenging and at times overwhelming.  Lucky for me, I have an amazing bunch of people with me on this journey, and let me tell you, the pressures they face in their role here at Matthew Gibney drive me to be the best I can be as a person and Principal.

Something that takes my mind off the tasks and red tape that comes with my role is visiting some of the classrooms.  I always look forward to going in the classrooms and seeing the kids and teachers.  I get a buzz in there, not only from the kids but also from seeing the amazing things our staff are doing in there!  I did find the time during the day to just stop for a second and I got the sense of just how important all of us are in the children’s lives and how we impact them, not just now but also who they may become.  I am sure you are the same; we all want the best for the ones we care about.  I look at my two girls at home and all the students here at MG and wonder about the dent they are making in our universe each day.

The quote is also very meaningful as we move into the closing stages of the Easter period.  Jesus was a great man and what I like about him is his thinking outside the box and how he challenged peoples’ values to spread the Word of God.  He sure did achieve a lot during his short time on earth, the most important is his commitment to placing our life before his, what a dent!  By living as Jesus did we, as parents and teachers, aim to do this each day with our children and those close to us.  This is our dent in the universe.   We have the ability to do something special and leave a dent through each interaction we have!

Last week, our Year 5 students organised some treats for our St Partick’s Day fundraiser.  The joy of the kids’ faces was awesome, but chatting to some Year 5 students and hearing how proud they were about helping others in need made it extra special.  These are the simple things in life that make the biggest dents.  Just sitting back and watching the kids chat and eat the treats was very rewarding.  The kids at MG are so special, and I hope that I have made a small dent during my time with them, and I can assure you, they each impact me in so many ways!

The highlight of my term is visiting the classrooms and saying hello to all the children.  A hello soon turns into chaos as I end up telling stories or a dad joke or two!  The teachers give me that look, the one that says ‘you can go now’!  Sometimes however, our humour is the greatest impact we have on others.  The world, and schools, are becoming very serious places.  One thing I have learned from my time as a teacher, an Assistant Principal and now Principal is that relationships can create high levels of impact, which in turn can create high levels of learning.  Sounds simple.  I think humour is one of those things that helps build solid relationships.

Therefore, these dents are about us placing priority on others, something that our community has done exceptionally well this term with our social justice fundraising through Project Compassion for Lent.  What an amazing effort from our community and how humbling to know we have all made a huge difference in the lives of people we do not even know.  I encourage our students and families to continue to bring in spare coins as this plays a big part in impacting those less fortunate.

As the Easter season moves into its final stages, may we all take the message of ‘new life’ to create places of JOY.  My Parish Priest in Ballajura discussed on the weekend the meaning of joy and how it relates to Easter.  J is for putting Jesus first, O is for others second and Y is then for yourself.  With this understanding of joy, the dents we make in this universe will be enormous.  Every moment and interaction is a time for impact.

Many blessings to you all over the last weeks of Term One.  Enjoy your children and look for those moments of impact, the simple things in life like going for a walk or Googling sneakers (something my Sienna loves to do with me)!  Thank you for your support in making our community such a special place.

Easter Story

We are delighted to invite you to join us in celebrating the Easter story at Matthew Gibney on Wednesday, 9 April at 9:00am. This special event will focus on the profound meaning of Easter and the significant events of the Passion, leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection.

This year, we have placed a strong emphasis on creating a simplified reflective experience that all students can participate in, making it a unique and inclusive celebration compared to previous years. Our goal is to ensure that every student can engage with and understand the importance of the Easter message.

We believe that the message of Easter is vital for our community and students, as it embodies themes of hope, renewal, and love. We look forward to sharing this meaningful time with you and your families.

We are grateful for your continued support and participation in our school events. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to reflect on the profound message of Easter and its significance in our lives. Coming together as a school community to celebrate and reflect is a vital part of our shared journey.

We look forward to seeing you all at the celebration and hope that you find the experience meaningful and enriching. Should you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Importance of Arriving on Time

We have noticed recently that a number of students are arriving after the 8:40am bell. We understand that mornings can be hectic, but arriving on time is crucial for your child’s preparation and success throughout the school day.

When students arrive on time, they have the opportunity to settle in, organise their materials, and mentally prepare for the day’s activities. This helps them start the day with a positive mindset and ensures they don’t miss out on important instructions or the beginning of lessons.

Arriving late can disrupt not only your child’s routine but also the learning environment for their classmates. It can make it challenging for students to catch up and fully engage in their learning.

We kindly ask for your support in ensuring that your child arrives at school by 8:40am. Together, we can create a more productive and positive start to the school day for all our students.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Student Behaviour & Safety

I always value the feedback I receive from the students especially when it comes with the thinking of how we can make MG the best school ever.  Recently it was brought to my attention from the students that we have a few instances of students not demonstrating appropriate and safe behaviour in the playground as well as some students not caring for our school environment.  To address these student concerns, I addressed all students and reminded them of their commitment to our Student Code of Conduct by showing pride, acting safely and caring for our school environment.  I will be monitoring and setting high expectations for our students in these areas both in and out of the classroom.

Kindy Applications 2026 and 2027

It has been great to meet so many new families wanting to join our community here at Matthew Gibney through our Kindy program.  We do have limited places left for our 2026 and 2027 class.  If you know someone interested in joining our school, please encourage them to get their applications in to avoid missing out on a place.  I am very much looking forward to meeting all our new families.

Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct sets the standard for our behaviours and interactions with one another here at Matthew Gibney.  The living out of the code is the responsibility of all community members.  Staff, students and parents are able to report breaches of the Code of Conduct through the Breach Form found on our website.

Online Behaviour

In relation to the Code of Conduct, I have recently had a few discussions with parents and students around cyber safety and online behaviour. All parents are encouraged to monitor their child’s behaviour, in particular chats they might be having while playing various online games.  Unfortunately, it seems as though some students feel the game is the forum to treat others differently to how they would here at school.  If this flows into the classroom we will notify you so that we can work in partnership to address the issue of appropriate online behaviour.  Thank you for your support in this.

Being Nut Aware at Matthew Gibney

A Nut Aware School is an educational environment that prioritises the safety and well-being of students with severe nut allergies. Nut Aware Schools like Matthew Gibney, educates the community about the risks associated with nut allergies and encourages everyone to make mindful choices to minimise exposure. This approach helps create a safer space for all students, particularly those who could experience life-threatening reactions from even minimal contact with nuts.

How Families Can Support a Nut Aware School?  Families play a crucial role in supporting a Nut Aware School. Here are some ways you can help:

Choose Nut-Free Alternatives: When packing lunches and snacks, opt for nut-free options to reduce the risk of accidental exposure.

Educate Your Children: Teach your children about the importance of avoiding nuts at school and the potential dangers for their peers with allergies.

Communicate with the School: Stay informed about the school’s nut-aware policies and participate in any related activities or discussions.

Be Considerate: Encourage empathy and understanding in your children, helping them to be supportive classmates to those with allergies.

By working together, we can ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to making our school a Nut Aware community

Term One finishes on Friday, 11 April.  Term Two commences on Tuesday, 29 April.

Upcoming Pupil Free Days / Early Closes & Public Holidays

• Pupil Free Day – 28 April
• WA Day – 2 June
• Pupil Free Day – 3 June

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 ahead for these early closes.

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

Nothing but goodness your way.

Clint

Kalamunda Show Colouring Competion

If your child is wishing to enter the Kalamunda Show Colouring Competion, please ensure their entries are handed in to admin no later than Monday 31st March. (Pictures were sent home earlier this month).

The Year 1 children have been learning about Lent and how they can be more like Jesus. The children have explored primary colours to make secondary colours.

Over the past few weeks in Pre-Primary we have been talking about New Life and Jesus’ love for us. This week we planted cress and can’t wait to see this start to grow! Great work Pre-Primary!

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.

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/