From the Principal
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
This week has been full on! You know what I am talking about, you’re on the go from the moment you wake up and you are that busy that you miss the opportunity to enjoy the simple things in life. This week I struggled to find something to write about, however, I was inspired by a mate of mine who also is in education and he discussed the topic of laughter with me!
I have many blessings in my role as an educator and Principal but for me the thing that makes me appreciate my job and think how lucky I am is when I see the students and staff truly happy. You know, the kind of happiness that comes when achieving something for the first time or sharing a joke with someone you care about. A lot like this picture, sheer laughter and enjoyment!
In today’s busyness laughter does not get the recognition it deserves. In asking Mrs Copilot about laughter she presented me with a quote from Charlie Chaplin: “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” I think this is so true. I know when our kids, staff and parents are laughing our school is a true place of joy. It represents being content, something that we often forget due to having a bad day, when we tend to focus on the negative things that have happened rather than the good things.
For me personally, laughter plays a huge part in my life. There are times I can be serious but for those that are close to me, you know how I love to make others laugh and have a good laugh myself. Some of my fondest memories involve the laughing I do with my own girls at home. Izabella attempts to tell us jokes and usually messes them up which makes us laugh. Then there is Sienna who is an absolute cracker with her impersonations! These two can have me in stitches and it is something I hope they never lose.
When I see our kids here at MG laughing and having a good time I also experience that sense of true joy. I love my job as a Principal, especially when I’m out and about chatting with the kids. Like last week when I was on duty and the Year 1 boys were playing soccer. One of the boys lined up a free kick and after the longest run up ever, they missed the ball completely! This had everyone, including them in stitches, laughing with that belly type of laugh! Then there was the Year 2 boys at lunch building tunnels in the sand pit. You could sense their happiness and engagement in doing something they love.
I guess I am writing about laughter because we all tend to be so busy and serious these days that moments of happiness just slip by and we do not recognise or appreciate them. The pressures these days on us all, including our children, is very different to the past that when we do have a moment of pure joy, we must store it away and call upon it when times are tough. I mean they do say laughter can be better than a vacation!
Our life these days is measured by success or failure, data, data and more data and there are many studies on this that tell us a person with a positive self image is more likely to succeed over a person with a negative self image. Therefore, what tends to matter is not our ability but how we perceive ourselves. I marvel at many of you out there, staff and parents, in the way you encourage your children, and this is something we need to do to help build that positive self image.
So how do we measure if we are a successful Christian? Jesus tells us there are two things we need to do, love God and love our neighbour. Easy! When we love our neighbour, we help them develop a positive self image. If someone encourages us, we see ourselves as valuable. Further to this, if we are made in the image of God, that should be enough to treat others with respect, love and kindness.
I know I tend to go on a bit in my section, a number of staff tell me all the time and also at last week’s Jumps and Throws, a parent said to me they completely skip over my waffle, but I find it very calming in reflecting on my week and my faith. Who knows, maybe you agree with them or maybe you get something out of it!
Athletics Carnival – Tomorrow
We’re all looking forward to tomorrow’s Athletics Carnival! The excitement is building, and we can’t wait to see the joy on the students’ faces as they take part in the various events. It promises to be a highlight of the term.
A huge thank you to Mrs Hewitt for her incredible organisation – this is shaping up to be one of the best Athletics Carnivals yet! We also extend our gratitude to our community for your understanding and support with the change of date due to the weather. It’s moments like these that truly show what makes our school so special.
Following the carnival, Mrs Hewitt will work through the results to select students for our upcoming Interschool Athletics Carnival.
Year 1 Assembly
Our Year 1 Assembly has been moved to Friday, 24 October due to the change of carnival date.
Year 3 Reconciliation – A Special Journey of Faith
Our Year 3 students are making their final preparations for their First Reconciliation, which will take place on Wednesday, 24 September. This is a significant milestone in their faith journey, as they take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.
Reconciliation is a beautiful expression of God’s love and mercy, and it invites our students to reflect on their choices, seek forgiveness, and grow closer to Christ. As a Catholic school, we are privileged to walk alongside our students as they learn to live faithfully and embrace the Gospel values of compassion, honesty, and renewal.
Please keep our Year 3 students in your prayers as they prepare their hearts and minds for this sacred occasion.
2026 Enrolment Update
As we begin planning for the 2026 school year, we kindly ask that families who know their child will not be returning to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School in 2026 notify the school as soon as possible.
This information is essential for our staffing and enrolment planning, and your early communication is greatly appreciated. Please contact the office directly if your circumstances are changing.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Glimmer Moment
I just wanted to share a beautiful experience with our Year 2 students. Last week on duty, a group of Year 2 students that are loving our sandpit area spoke to me about some new toys and resources they wanted. I encouraged them to write me a list for me to take to our P&F. A week later, this is the list I was presented with:
I presented this to our P&F Executive on Wednesday night for them to consider, and as expected, hearts melted, and approval was granted immediately!
Thank you to our Year 2 students for their initiative and creativity. We so look forward to seeing them play with their new goodies soon including little dinosaurs, little diggers and some shovels!!!
Enjoy the next fortnight with your beautiful kids and look for those little moments of laughter that show true joy and happiness. These are the things that will be looked back on as they get older.
Have a blessed week.
Clint
School News
Good News
Year 5 completed Poetry work about their Dad.
Year 4 have been investigating warm and cool colours as well as line art with Mrs Tenney.
Counsellor's Corner
P&F News
The P&F Bunnings Sausage Sizzle will take place on Saturday 1st November 2025 at Midland Bunnings. (Term 4 Week 3)
Look out for further information!
Community News
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.
Book a La Salle College Tour Today!
La Salle College Tour dates are now available for Term 1, 2026.
Join us on a student-led tour of the school and get to know the amazing people that make up our
vibrant Lasallian community.
You will explore our incredible facilities, expansive outdoor spaces, modern learning environments
and have the opportunity to speak with our senior leaders about our dynamic academic pathways
that inspire our students to be lifelong learners.
At La Salle, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom and through our innovative
teaching and learning, we aim to transform tomorrow’s hearts, minds and lives in all that we do.
With limited spots available, visit our website today at www.lasalle.wa.edu.au/book-a-tour/ and
book a spot on our next College Tour.
If you would like more information about our tours or enrolment process, please contact our
Enrolments Registrar Ms Susan Firth at enrol@lasalle.wa.edu.au.
Join us on a musical journey at La Salle College and watch your child’s talents flourish
At La Salle College, we’re delighted to offer an array of exciting opportunities for your child’s musical
exploration. Discover the difference between our Scholarship Pathway and Instrumental Tuition
Pathway and find the perfect fit for your budding musician. Instruments include:
Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba,
Voice, Piano, Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Double Bass and Percussion.
Year 7 Band Scholarship Pathways
The La Salle College Year 7 Band Scholarship Program is designed to nurture young talents – from
complete beginners to the experienced. Selected students receive financial support for Piano, Voice,
or Band instrument tuition. While participating in the Year 7 Band on Thursday afternoons from
3:30pm to 4:30pm, they become integral members of our College Bands and Ensembles. This
pathway includes rotational, joint instrumental lessons during school hours, taught by our
experienced tutors at a subsidised cost. Commitment spans two years and ensures comprehensive
musical growth.
Students who accepted a place at La Salle College for 2026 Year 7s can apply by visiting the La Salle
College website https://www.lasalle.wa.edu.au/music-and-arts:
• Register for the Year 6 Instrumental Trial Day
• Registrations close Wednesday 12 November 2025
• Attend the Year 6 Instrumental Trial Day
Compulsory Year 6 Instrumental Trial Day
Any students considering studying an instrument at La Salle College, must come along to an
information session and instrumental trial day on Saturday 15 November, 10am – 1pm. To register
your attendance for the day, make sure you have completed your registration via the College
website.
Please note: Your application for the Music Program does not need to be confirmed until the
conclusion of the trial day, so even if you are not sure of the commitment, it is recommended that
you attend the trial day before making a final decision. Non-scholarship options will also be
discussed at the Year 6 Instrumental Trial Day.
More Information
For more information, please contact our Director of Music, Ms Samantha Ashman by email
samantha.ashman@cewa.edu.au .
