2025 Term 3 Week 2

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Welcome Back to Term 3!  I am sure you all enjoyed your break and some time to rest and find time for self after what was a busy Term 2.  It seems to be getting a little easier for me to find time as my two girls are older and not so dependent on me for stuff.  Those of you with younger children may not get that time but hopefully not having the rush of getting ready for school in the morning and not having to rush to get to pick-up made it a little less busy some days.

It is always exciting starting a new term. As with every start of term, getting back into routines takes a little time for some of us.  Having to get organised for school uniforms, lunches, homework and all the other things in life, let alone our own work, it can have an impact on us and those we encounter.  My Mum reminds me this is where the value of Mercy is so important.

It is pretty special knowing that each new day is a fresh start and an opportunity to bring this value alive for ourselves and our kids.  As a kid growing up, my parents instilled in us (that is my older brother Mark and younger sister Priscilla with me being the dreaded middle child) the value of Mercy is all about being kind and gentle on self and others.  It can be difficult to remember this at times, however, imagine if we kept this at the forefront of our minds.  We get to be gentle. This gentleness leads to an acceptance that things may go smoothly and other times not smoothly.  Much like the early morning routine.  There are times we get out the door ten minutes early because everything goes to plan, or then there are times my daughter Sienna may have one of her dramatic meltdowns which means we leave ten minutes late!  What I am saying is you need to know that I get this and as a school we need to remember the meaning of Mercy with our kids, ourselves and our interactions with others.  We all have a responsibility to be living out this value.

This week I started rereading a book that aligns so well with this value and being gentle on ourselves and others.  The book is called The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness by Hugh van Cuylenberg.  Hugh was a teacher and about my age so relating to many of his stories is extremely easy.

The idea of being resilient and the value of Mercy go hand in hand.  Resilience is the ability to bounce back when something negative occurs in our lives.  Hugh explains that your coping skills in these moments improve if you are able to apply GRATITUDE (noticing positive things in your life), EMPATHY (the act of thinking of others before yourself) and MINDFULNESS (being present in the moment).  We all have the power within ourselves to control our emotions and how we respond.  I mean this doesn’t come easy, it takes practice.  But the better we get at it the more we live in the moment and stop worrying about the what if.

So how can you use these concepts at home with your families?  Studies show that kids today receive 52 times the information than we did as kids.  All this information can be extremely taxing and have a direct impact on their anxiety levels.  Why not try some of these simple ideas at home:

• Reduce the number of messages your child’s brain is receiving. You can do this by reducing the time spent on screens
• Take the time to walk to school
• Start a Gratitude jar
• Play your families favourite music in your house
• Be active and exercise together
• Laugh More
• Introduce the concept of meditation and stillness to your family
• Get your children to do something kind for each other or others regularly
• Do some mindfulness colouring with your children

I am very much looking forward to going through this book again by reading a few pages each night.  The one thing I have reflected on is that I tend to get distracted by all the operational matters of the school day and thinking about the future that I forget about Mercy and practicing gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.  I also understand that this okay due to busy periods or life events, but it also reminds me of the need to get better at bringing this alive in our community.  The one thing I do know, it’s the little things we do that can have the biggest impact.  If we all think of one action each day where we can bring this alive, imagine how richer our lives will be.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week at MG

This week, we proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week—a time to honour the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for 2025, “Keep the Fire Burning: Blak, Loud and Proud”, invites us to celebrate Indigenous voices and stories with strength and pride.

At Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, NAIDOC Week is a meaningful opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of First Nations cultures and reflect on the importance of reconciliation. Through classroom activities, storytelling, art, and prayer, we affirm our commitment to building a community that values respect, inclusion, and shared learning.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week aligns with our CEWA Vision for Learning, which calls us to be Christ-centred and child-focused, and to nurture a culture of belonging and dignity for all. It’s also a reflection of our school’s mission to ensure every child is known, valued, and inspired.

Thank you to our staff for creating rich and respectful learning experiences that help our students grow in understanding and appreciation of Australia’s First Peoples.

Celebrating the International Day of Friendship at MG!

On July 30th, we proudly celebrated the International Day of Friendship, a day recognised globally to promote friendship and bridge cultures. At Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, this celebration holds special meaning as it aligns beautifully with our commitment to nurturing respectful relationships through the UR Strong program.

Throughout the day, students engaged in activities that highlighted the values of kindness, empathy, and connection. From buddy class meetups to collaborative art projects and storytelling circles, our classrooms were filled with laughter, learning, and love. These moments reminded us that friendship is not just about having fun—it’s about building trust, showing respect, and supporting one another through life’s ups and downs.

The UR Strong program has been a cornerstone of our wellbeing curriculum, empowering students with the language and skills to develop healthy friendships. By teaching children how to express themselves, resolve conflict, and celebrate differences, UR Strong helps create a school culture where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

As we reflect on the International Day of Friendship, we are reminded that strong friendships are the foundation of a thriving school community. We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing these values and for being champions of kindness every day.

Let’s continue to grow together, support one another, and celebrate the friendships that make our school such a special place to learn and belong.

Term Three Overviews

Today, your child will be bringing home their Term Three Overview, prepared by their classroom teacher. This document outlines the key learning experiences planned across each Learning Area for the term ahead. It’s a valuable insight into what your child will be exploring, and we encourage you to take a moment to read through it together.

At Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, we deeply value our partnership with families in supporting student learning. Research consistently shows that when schools and families work together, children are more engaged, achieve better outcomes, and develop stronger social-emotional skills.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s learning further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher. Our staff are always happy to assist and work collaboratively with you to ensure your child thrives. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education.

Traffic Management

Recently we have had a few cars trying to enter our carpark / pick up and drop off zone via Munday Road which resulted in some near accidents for our community members.  Entrance is strictly through Worrell Avenue only.  Please see the image below.  Our full Traffic Management Procedure can be found on our website.

Farewell and Best Wishes to Mrs Dalton

We would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank Mrs Dalton, who will be finishing her time with us next week as she begins her parental leave.

Mrs Dalton has been a dedicated and passionate educator at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, and her commitment to our students and school community has been truly appreciated. Her warmth and care have made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for all she has contributed.

We wish Mrs Dalton and her husband, Mitch, all the very best as they prepare to welcome their new arrival. This is such a special and exciting time, and we know they will embrace it with love and joy.

Mr Mark Rafferty will now take over the role as Year 3 Teacher. Mr Rafferty brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our school, and we are confident he will continue the wonderful work in supporting our students’ learning and wellbeing.

Thank you, Mrs Dalton, for everything. We look forward to hearing your wonderful news and hope to see you soon.

Uniform

Thank you to all our students for trying their best in wearing the correct uniform to school.  By doing so, they set such a high standard for which we are so proud.  Well done to all of you.

2026 at Matthew Gibney

A reminder to all families, that if you are planning on not returning to MGCPS in 2026 please inform the school immediately as a term’s notice is required.  We thank you for your support.

Pupil Free Day

This term a Pupil Free Day is set for Friday, 22 August.  On this day, Extend is offering day for our students.  Please see the flyer below for further details on what is on offer and costings.

Take care of yourselves.

Clint

Book Club News

Issue 5 of the Scholastic Book Club Catalogue was sent home with students last week. The cut off for orders is tonight, Friday 1st August.

Please place any orders online using the Scholastic LOOP website which can be found here.

Term 3 Parent Planner

Please click here for the Term 3 Parent Planner.

Year 3’s been freezing — brrr! what a snap,

Perth’s cold winds gave us a chilly cold clap!

We made icy polar bears, frosty and bold,

Using art elements in the freezing cold!

Year two have been doing some great artwork learning about our First Nations art symbols and completing still life drawings.

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.

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