2025 Term 2 Week 6

Dear Parents & Carers,

I hope you are all well and are finding some time to be still and enjoy the simple things in life.

Over the past fortnight I have been discussing issues around child development with a few of my Principal colleagues at other Catholic schools.  The one thing we all shared were examples of younger children showing signs of anxiety.  As I began to read about this issue, it got me thinking about our younger children in primary school, but in particular our youngest children in our Kindergarten, Pre-Primary and lower years. All the research indicates getting to children in their early years really makes a difference for their future self-management. It all makes sense; form their habits early and they will be with them for the rest of their lives. Further discussion with a mentor of mine, he put me on to a website called ‘Hey Sigmund’ which had some terrific articles on managing stress and wellbeing. I think you will find the following tips really helpful in your household.

Why Parents can Make a Difference!

Anxiety in very young children is a pretty normal part of their development. They’re getting used to the world and making sense of their place in it. For about 1 in 4 kids though, anxiety can have a more intrusive impact on their lives. For older children, explaining what anxiety is and why it feels like it does will make a huge difference. They can do pretty amazing things with the right information. For younger children though, this can be a bit more difficult, particularly if their language is still developing. The good news is that there are plenty of things the grown-ups in their lives can do to help them through. The truth is there’s no-one better.

TOUCH

Humans were meant to be touched.  It’s why we’re covered in skin and not spikes.  If your little one is feeling anxious, touching them will initiate the release of neurochemicals that will start a relaxation response.  Touching is one of the most healing things we humans can do. This is as simple as holding their hand while you are sitting with them. The sense of touch is one the of keys to unlocking their anxiousness and worry. They relax immediately. You will calm your children and take away their worries just by being with them. You will see the difference immediately with your children when you sense they are worried or anxious. Ever notice how they will grab onto you if they are anxious or worried, they cling to you. They are just waiting to feel your hand on them, holding them.

GROUND THEM

Even better than touching them is holding them. Anxiety feels flighty. It feels insecure and turbulent. Help your little person feel grounded by holding them. Research has found that hugging brings on a significant reduction in cortisol (the stress hormone). The huggable target doesn’t have to be human – just something huggable. (Though does it get much better than human?) Let them feel you as a steadying presence. One of the symptoms of anxiety is clinginess. This isn’t surprising and actually, is another brilliant adaptive human trait. Young children might not be able to articulate it, but their body knows it needs to be grounded. If it’s what they need, give it. This won’t always be convenient, but if you can, let them fold into you. Stop cooking dinner, put down the phone and just for a couple of minutes, let them feel you keeping them safe. Make sure your own breath is steady so they don’t feel you as flighty. They’ll pick up whatever you send out.

We are one of the few cultures that don’t walk around holding our babies close to us. This is completely understandable of course – having a baby attached isn’t always practical (though I’ll never stop being amazed by what people can do with little ones attached!) but when they’re reaching out for a cuddle or clearly in need of one, it’s important to respond. They’re just doing what humans are wired to do – looking for connection.   Having said this, make sure that after a quick cuddle, you also encourage a brave response. You don’t want to inadvertently reinforce their anxiety by giving them something positive (a cuddle) every time they become anxious. Cuddle them, then encourage them to try something that will ultimately move them towards learning an effective response, even if it’s just holding steady and breathing.

SOFTLY NOW, IT’S SLEEPING

This will help teach them the skills to calm themselves. First, find your child their very own soft toy pet. Make sure it’s an animal that’s fairly lifelike – a dog or a cat or something else that they would be happy to have against them. If you can get one that’s sleeping, all the better. At bedtime, tell them that the puppy/cat/whatever, let’s say, puppy, has fallen asleep too. Put it in against their tummy or nestle it into the side of them and tell them that they have to try to keep the puppy asleep by breathing and moving very gently so as not to wake it up. This will focus them on their own body and develop their capacity to control their breathing – a valuable skill. Breathing initiates the relaxation response, a process discovered by Harvard cardiologist Dr Herbert Benson. When triggered, the relaxation response instantly sends out neurochemicals that neutralise the fight or flight response. The relaxation response will decrease blood pressure, lower heart rate, lower pulse rate, reduce the oxygen in the bloodstream and increase alpha brain waves, which are all associated with relaxation.

MAKE SURE YOUR BREATHING IS JUST RIGHT

In the midst of anxiety, breathing changes from slow and deep to short and shallow. This is one of the reasons for the physical symptoms of anxiety. Have your child practice breathing every day so that when he or she is in the midst of anxiety, it will be easier to call on effective breathing. Effective breathing comes from the belly, rather than the chest. Have your child practice their strong breathing by placing a soft toy on their tummy when they lie down. If the toy moves up and down, their breathing is perfect.

There is much more in this article that can be found on the ‘Hey Sigmund’ website. If you feel these few tips may be helpful, then maybe this is something you wish to follow up.

CELEBRATING PENTECOST – THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH

This Sunday, we joyfully celebrate Pentecost, one of the most important feast days in the Catholic calendar. Pentecost marks the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to go forth and spread the message of Jesus to the world. It is often referred to as the birthday of the Church, as it signifies the beginning of the apostles’ public ministry and the growth of the Christian community.

Pentecost reminds us of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives today—guiding us, strengthening our faith, and inspiring us to live with courage, compassion, and love. It is a time to reflect on the gifts of the Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord—and how we can use these gifts to serve others and build a more just and loving world.

As a school community, we give thanks for the presence of the Holy Spirit among us and pray that we may continue to grow in faith, unity, and purpose.

A Prayer for Pentecost

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created,

and You shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit

did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

grant that by the same Holy Spirit

we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Our community will celebrate the Sacrament of First Holy Communion on Sunday, 15 June.  Through this Sacrament our Year 4 students will be forever connected to Jesus’ love, peace and blessings by receiving His body and blood.  Please keep these students in your prayers as they make their final preparations for the important milestone in their faith journey.

TEACHING & LEARNING AT MG

Over the past fortnight, our school’s Leadership Team have met with Classroom and Specialist Teachers to discuss some of their teaching and learning programs for Term Two as well as their rich assessment tasks for the students.

Rich assessment tasks are an integral part of the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline, designed to allow students to demonstrate their depth of understanding, critical thinking, and application of knowledge in meaningful ways. These tasks go beyond rote learning and standard testing by encouraging students to engage in real-world problem-solving, creative expression, and collaborative learning.

Aligned with the WA Curriculum across all learning areas—from English and Mathematics to Science, The Arts, and Technologies—rich tasks are structured to:

• Reflect authentic contexts, making learning relevant and engaging.
• Cater to diverse learning styles and abilities, offering multiple ways for students to show what they know.
• Encourage higher-order thinking, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
• Support formative and summative assessment, helping teachers gauge student progress and inform future teaching.

These tasks are particularly valuable in helping teachers assess not just content knowledge, but also skills like communication, collaboration, and creativity—key competencies in the WA curriculum.

How Are Student Grades Determined?

In Western Australian schools, student achievement is assessed and reported in line with the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline, which is overseen by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA).

Teachers use a variety of assessment methods—such as classwork, projects, topic tests, and observations—to gather evidence of what students know, understand, and can do. This evidence is then compared to achievement standards set by SCSA for each learning area and year level.

Grades are not based on effort or behaviour or scoring 100% in a test or taking part in a ‘Challenge’ program, but on how well a student demonstrates their understanding and skills in relation to these standards for their year level. For example:

• A student who consistently demonstrates a deep understanding and applies skills independently may receive an A.
• A student who meets the expected standard for their year level would typically receive a C.

Teachers use professional judgement and follow school-based assessment plans and meet with the school’s Leadership Team to ensure grading is fair, consistent, and reflective of each student’s learning journey.

This approach ensures that grades provide a clear picture of a student’s academic progress and help guide future learning.

PARENT & TEACHER INTERVIEWS: STRENGTHENING HOME-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

At the heart of every successful learner is a strong partnership between home and school. When families and educators work together, students benefit from consistent support, improved engagement, and better academic outcomes. To foster this collaboration, we warmly invite all parents and caregivers to meet with their child’s classroom teacher on Wednesday, 11 June from 12:30pm to 6pm. This is also a valuable opportunity to connect with our Specialist Teachers in Music, Physical Education, Performing Arts, and Science. If a Specialist Teacher’s timeslots are fully booked, please reach out to our Assistant Principal, Christina Zurzolo, who will be happy to arrange an alternative meeting time on another day. We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to build a strong learning community together.

Please also note that Wednesday, 11 June is an early close day, with students finishing at 11:50am. We appreciate your support in ensuring timely pick-up arrangements.

BUILDING STRENGTH THROUGH CHARACTER: STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

On Tuesday 3 June, our staff engaged in professional learning focused on the 24 Character Strengths, a framework developed through the science of positive psychology. These strengths—such as kindness, perseverance, curiosity, and teamwork—help us understand the positive traits that contribute to individual and collective wellbeing. They teach us how to recognise and build on what’s strong, rather than focusing solely on what’s wrong.

Our goal is to build staff capacity in using the strengths-based approach so that we can model and embed these principles into our school culture. Once our team is confident and equipped, we will begin to roll out the strengths approach to our students, helping them to identify and grow their own unique strengths. This initiative supports our commitment to nurturing a positive, inclusive, and empowering learning environment for all.

We look forward to sharing more about this journey with you as it unfolds!

A Sweet Success – Thank You to Our P&F Cake Stall Team!

A huge thank you to Kacey Waddington and the wonderful group of mums who led our recent P&F Bunnings Cake Stall! Through your generosity, time, and delicious baking, you raised an incredible $900 – all of which will go directly towards purchasing new reading books for our students.

Your efforts are a beautiful reflection of our Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School Vision: “To grow in faith, and love, and to be a community of learners who strive to be the best we can be.” Your commitment to our school community and to enhancing student learning is truly appreciated.

Thank you for making a difference – one cupcake at a time!

Have a blessed fortnight.  Goodness your way.

Clint

School Photos

School photos were sent home in Week 5.

The online portal has been reopened until just after the Pre-Kindy Photo Day which is Tuesday 1st July.

Parents may still order their photos online up until then but please be aware that the late orders may be received at the start of Term 3.

Term 2 Parent Planner

Please click here for the Term 2 Parent Planner.

The Year 1s had great fun measuring the length of their hands!

On Thursday Pre-Primary were so excited to have St John Ambulance visit their classroom and then give them a tour of an actual ambulance! We had so much fun and learnt all about paramedics, emergencies and the special number we need to ring in an emergency…000. Well done 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.

CSPWA will be holding our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 11^th June. During the AGM we are hoping to make amendments to our Constitution.

We are required by our Constitution to give our schools 28 days’ notice both of the AGM date and of any amendments to our Constitution.

Please follow the link to find the relevant documentation.

https://www.csp.wa.edu.au/upcoming-events/updates-to-the-cspwa-constitution

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.

Bingo is back!

La Salle College Parents & Friends is excited to announce Bingo will be returning to the community as their major fundraising event of the year.

When: 1 August 2025 from 7pm –10pm, doors open at 6:30pm

Where: La Salle College – Patricia Rodrigues Centre (gymnasium)

We hope you can join us for an exciting evening of musical bingo featuring Australian hits, fabulous prizes and raffles plus the opportunity to dress up as your favourite Aussie icon!
> Hosted by Bamboozled Quizmasters
> Tickets $15 per person (One bingo card per person)
> Tables of 10
> Dress up as your favourite Aussie icon!
> Cash/Card payment options
> BYO Nibbles
> Raffles and Auctions
Get your family and friends together for a night of fun and book your table now!
Tickets available via the Trybooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DBNCA