2025 Term 2 Week 2

Dear Parents,

I hope you are all travelling ok and are enjoying your week.  Like you, I am getting back into the routines of school life with making lunches and ironing uniforms!  My holidays were pretty full on; my oldest, Izabella needed her car serviced after having kerbs jump out at her and my youngest, Sienna turned the dreaded 14!  I hope you all enjoyed some time with your kids.  We are all so glad to see them back at school.

Pondering what to write for our first newsletter for Term Two had me focus on the word forgiveness as it was something that was briefly touched on during of staff training day on the Berry Street Education Model that we are implementing parts of at MG.  I found the following quote which I think is a good one.  Listening to our presenter, it was so obvious that forgiveness can be so powerful.  I mean, we all mess up, all the time and what a gift it is for us as humans, to be forgiven.  Our lives are simply full of stuff.  Some of that stuff can bring us pure joy, but other stuff can bring pain.  So too are our many relationships; ones that can bring us ultimate happiness, but others that can make times tough.  These times may be a single moment, or they can go on for some time.

Which is why I love this quote and continually refer to it throughout the year.  Think about it, forgiveness may bring us untold peace.  As I am getting older, I am learning more and more that we are not in control of anything.  Although we get wiser as we get older, there are things that I hold onto for reasons I cannot explain.  At times I feel these things consume me.  What I need to keep working on as a person, is to be gentle on myself and others when things become uncomfortable, when things don’t work out as I wanted, or when relationships become strained.  I am realising more and more, that if I can keep being gentle on others at the core of my person, I find this untold peace.  Those feelings of challenge or uncomfortableness disappear when I am in this frame of mind.

None of this is simple in any way.  Our past experiences influence who we are.  But living in the past and thinking the same thing will happen again blurs our future happiness.  Watching the kids at MG work through friendship fires is inspiring when they live out forgiveness.  God lifts that weight off our shoulders and gives us that sense that everything is going to be ok.  Hopefully all of us can remember to ‘cut others some slack’ when things are not going how we had hoped.

So if forgiveness brings us untold peace, the flow on has to be gratitude and turning what we have into all we need to.  The challenge is to keep this constantly in our mind.  We all know it is pretty easy to be grateful when things work out how we want but what about those time that are tough?  We find it difficult to show gratitude.  This is the human part though.  All of us find it challenging to be positive and grateful all the time.  This is why acceptance of ourselves and those around us is so important.  Again, not the easiest of things to do at times, so the challenge is how much do we want it, to make things lighter for us.  Let’s see how I go with all of this, I know it will make me a better person if I continually work on this as will you.

Over the past week and a bit I have thought a fair bit about my mum and how the busyness of life stops me from seeing her.  In all seriousness it’s not hard to find the time but it seems impossible to get there.  I know if I was to drop in unexpectedly my mum would be so excited and the curry puffs would keep on rolling out of the oven!  This is something I am going to try and do more often as it is the simple things in life that mean the most! When I think about my mum I realise just how special mums are.  Mums just seem to stop what they are doing and give.  We all know dads do this also, but the relationship between a mother and her children is something beyond our understanding.  To all our MG mums, grandmas, nannas and significant female figures, we hope you have the best day on Sunday being spoilt by your kids.  Soak it up, you deserve it.

And speaking of mums, how lucky are we here at MG to be surrounded by so many of them who simply want to make this place as special as it can be!  A last minute call out to the community for a small cake stall on Election Day saw an amazing group come together and make magic happen.  To all of those that contributed to the cake stall by assisting on the day, setting up or baking, we are so grateful for what you do for our school and kids.  Seriously, how blessed are we here at MG.

Lockdown Drill

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of everyone at our school, we will be conducting a lockdown drill on Wednesday, 14 May. Practicing these drills is essential for preparing us to respond effectively in the unlikely event of an emergency. By participating in the drill, we can familiarise ourselves with the procedures and ensure that everyone knows their role in maintaining a safe environment.

Attendance Procedure

Next week, our Assistant Principals will be conducting attendance checks for students whose attendance falls below 90%, in accordance with CEWA’s attendance procedure. Ensuring regular attendance is crucial for our students’ academic success and overall wellbeing. Any student falling below 90% will have a standard letter sent home regarding the importance of attendance at school from the Assistant Principals. Please note, even if the absences are explained due to illness, we are obligated to send these letters home.  We thank you for your understanding around this procedure. Together, we can help our students stay engaged and achieve their full potential here at MG.

Reporting at Matthew Gibney

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) has established a comprehensive reporting policy to ensure consistent and transparent communication of student achievement across Western Australian schools. This policy mandates that all schools implement the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline, which sets out the required knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes for students from Pre-primary to Year 10.

The policy emphasises the importance of plain language reports, which are provided to parents and carers at the end of each semester (Mid-Year Report and End of Year Report). These reports include information on student progress, including an overall general teacher comment and descriptions of their personal and social learning development. Importantly, the policy states that one overall grade (A–E) is provided for each Learning Area. In line with the policy, at Matthew Gibney teachers will be providing an overall grade for each Learning Area, however, for English and Maths there will be grades on the various strands e.g. Reading and Viewing, Writing and Creating, Speaking and Listening, and Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Probability and Statistics.

Our school is also moving away from reporting an effort mark for each Learning Area to keep with the policy. Instead, we will use personal and social development and work habits to inform parents about their child’s work habits, behaviour, and effort. This approach provides a more holistic view of each student’s development and engagement at school in general.

To foster a collaborative environment, schools must also share their Assessment and Reporting Procedure with the school community. We are currently updating ours which will be available via the school website. This transparency helps parents and carers understand how their children’s progress is being measured and reported, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding educational goals and outcomes.

Should you have any questions around reporting, please see a member of the school’s Leadership Team.

Staffing Update

Two of our long serving MG staff members, Freda Burgess and Sue Swaby, have tendered their resignations and will be concluding their time at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School later this term. While we are saddened by their departure, we are deeply grateful for the significant contributions they have made to our school community over the years.

Freda has been with us for 22 and a half years, during which time she has inspired hundreds of students through our Early Childhood program.  Sue has served our school for 20 and a half years, supporting our student’s needing intervention and support while building relationships and connections with them.

Their unwavering commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment aligns with our school’s vision of empowering each student to reach their God-given potential within a faith-filled community. Their presence will be missed, but their legacy will continue to inspire.

We plan to celebrate the remarkable service of Freda and Sue later this term. This will be an opportunity for students, staff, and families to express their appreciation and bid them a heartfelt farewell. Further details regarding this event will be shared in due course.

To provide continuity for our students at MGCPS, Mrs Renae Armstrong will continue as our educator in Three Year Old Kindy.  Renae joined our staff at the end of Term One to lead Three Year Old Kindy during Freda’s Long Service Leave and will now continue for the remainder of the school year.  Renae brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in Early Childhood education.  Mrs Nicole Smith who currently works in our Four Year Old Kindy will also take on Freda’s additional time, making her the lead educatory in there.  Again, this change provides consistency for our students.

Should you have any questions or wish to share your personal messages of gratitude, please feel free to contact the school office.

MacqLit at Matthew Gibney

We are thrilled to announce that our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Keddie, will be continuing the MacqLit Intervention program at our school. This program is a vital part of our commitment to ensuring every student achieves their full potential.

The MacqLit Intervention program is designed to support students who need extra help with literacy. It provides targeted instruction in reading and comprehension, helping students develop the skills they need to succeed academically. Programs like MacqLit are essential because they address learning gaps early, giving students the tools they need to thrive in all areas of their education.

Schools offer intervention programs to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their starting point. These programs are tailored to meet the individual needs of students, providing them with the support they need to overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals. By offering intervention programs, schools can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. Keddie leading the MacqLit Intervention program, working alongside our other Assistant Principal, Ms Zurzolo leading the MiniLit Intervention program. Having our Assistant Principals continue these programs ensures that it remains a top priority for our school.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and our students.

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Please keep all our students making their First Eucharist this term in your prayers.  May the gift of the Body and Blood of Christ help guide you in your life.  Extra special thanks to Fr Benny, Mrs Gray and Mrs Keddie for preparing our students.

Uniform

I would like to thank all our students for their commitment to wearing their uniform with such pride.  I will continue to monitor the students wearing the correct uniform on the correct days and send home reminders to parents if their child is in the incorrect uniform.  Thank you all for your efforts in this area.

School Pick Up Time

A reminder that school finishes at 3:05pm each day and our Kiss and Drive is open until 3:25pm.  It is an expectation that all students are collected by their parents or caregivers by this time.

Our Extend OSHC service is available for families to enrol in if you are unable to get to school by this time.  Please see Extend’s Website for information on how to enrol and the service they provide. https://www.extend.com.au/

Early Close

A reminder that school will close at 11:50am on Wednesday, 11 June for Parent Teacher Interviews.  Please ensure you plan accordingly for the upcoming early Close.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Our upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 11 June from 12:30-6:00pm. These meetings are a valuable opportunity for you to engage with your child’s teachers and discuss their progress, strengths, and areas for growth.

Research consistently shows that strong partnerships between schools and families significantly enhance student outcomes. When parents and teachers work together, students benefit from a more cohesive and supportive learning environment. Effective home-school partnerships can improve students’ academic performance, behaviour, and overall engagement in their education. By collaborating, we can ensure that each child receives the support they need to thrive both at school and at home.

To make scheduling your Parent-Teacher Interviews more convenient, we will once again use an online booking system. This system will allow you to easily book a time to meet with your child’s classroom teachers as well as specialist teachers (Music, Performing Arts, Phys Ed, Science, Italian). The online platform is user-friendly and accessible, ensuring that you can find a time that fits your schedule without any hassle. Information around this will be sent to the community next week.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education. We look forward to seeing you at the Parent-Teacher Interviews and working together to support your child’s learning journey.

Understanding the NCCD

The NCCD is a nationwide data collection that counts the number of students receiving adjustments due to disability and the level of support they receive. This data helps schools, education authorities, and governments better understand the needs of students with disabilities and how they can be best supported at school

A disability is broadly defined as any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).  This includes physical, mental, sensory, and intellectual impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities

Each year, our school follows a systematic process to complete the NCCD:

1. Identifying Students: We identify students who have a disability and require adjustments to participate in education on the same basis as their peers.
2. Determining Adjustments: Teachers, in consultation with parents and guardians, determine the level of adjustments needed. These can range from supplementary to extensive support and are documented on a student’s IEP (Individual Education Plan).
3. Collecting Evidence: We gather, and document evidence of the adjustments provided, such as individualised learning plans, teacher notes, and medical reports.
4. Submitting Data: The collected data is then submitted to the relevant education authorities, ensuring it is accurate and comprehensive.  It is important to note, the data submitted consists of the student’s year level and adjustment, and they remain anonymous.

The NCCD is crucial for several reasons:

• Improved Support: It helps schools and governments understand and meet the needs of students with disabilities more effectively.
• Funding Allocation: The data collected informs the allocation of funding, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed e.g. MiniLit & MacqLit Intervention Programs
• Inclusive Education: By participating in the NCCD, we are committed to creating an inclusive educational environment where all students can thrive.

We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and the NCCD plays a vital role in achieving this goal. Your support and cooperation in this process are greatly appreciated.

For further information around NCCD, please click here to access the NCCD Parent Fact Sheet.

Pupil Free Days / Public Holidays

Parents and caregivers are reminded of the upcoming Pupil Free Days and Public Holidays:

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

Finally, some of our Year 6 Leaders have met with me to hold a Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser to raise awareness as well as some funds.  I love it when our leaders show initiative like this and hope the community will join in by wearing red and donating a gold coin, but please note there is no pressure to do so.  Have a look at the flyer they developed for further information.  So good!

Please continue to look after yourselves throughout the term.  We look forward to journeying with you.

Take care.

Clint

Cross Country 

Congratulations to all students for participating in our cross-country carnival, on Friday 1st of May. Cross Country is a tough run, and all students should feel very proud of themselves for taking part.  During sport lessons, students were encouraged to make a personal goal for the run; whether it was just to take part to help earn points for their faction, to walk some and run some of the distance or to run the whole length with interschool in mind. Regardless of each personal goal, it was wonderful to witness the sportsmanship displayed by students towards one another, especially as runners came down the finish line.  

As we prepare for the year 3-6 interschool cross country in week 4, students in year 1-6 are invited to attend before school sport where we will continue running training. This will be held on Fridays from 8.10-8.40am. Students who will attend before school sport must wait at the main school gate, for a staff member to let them in.  If students attend before school care, please provide written permission to Extend, to allow students to leave at 8.10am and participate in morning sport.

Kind Regards
Shannon Hewitt  

	Runner up girl	Runner up boy	Champion girl	Champion boy
1	Anaia	Samson	Jezelle	George
2	Georgia	Josh	Ivy-Rose	Alexander
3	Lola	Harry	Lillian	Fionn
4	Meabh	Darcy	Aria	Zachary
5	Arliya	Levi M	Octavia	Campbell
6	Ava	Lachlan	Amelia	Jake

	Points	Faction
1st	1258	Carson
2nd	990	Turner
3rd	758	Russell
4th	639	Durkin

Term 2 Parent Planner

Please click here for the Term 2 Parent Planner.

Book Club News

Scholastic Book Club Issue 3 was sent home with students on Wednesday 30th April. Please note that the cut off for order is tonight, Friday 9th May.

Please order online via the LOOP Website .

2025 WA State Interschools Equestrian Championship

Congratulations to our Year Two student Isabella who represented MGCPS at the 2025 WA State Interschools Equestrian Championship. She competed in the Vaulting Discipline in the primary school age group and placed a very impressive 4th in the state!

Year 5 have crafted some beautiful Mother’s Day Cards this week.

Year 4 are so grateful for their mums.  We hope you love your gifts and cards.

The booking links for the CSPWA Sessions are below:

https://events.humanitix.com/justin-coulson-parent-session-10-30am

https://events.humanitix.com/justin-coulson-parent-session-7pm

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/