2025 Term 4 Week 2

I love that it reminds us of the need to be joyful and give thanks for everything that is happening in our lives.  I truly believe this mindset helps us change the world and bring Christ alive.  I mean, last week, seeing the joy on the faces of the kids when they were seeing their friends on the first day of school was the best!  This is the good stuff.

However, sometimes life can also be tough and present us with challenges.  This is where the quote reminds us to pray and give thanks and find the strength to carry on.  This brings me to another quote: ‘God is the greatest trainer. When you think you cannot give anymore, he will challenge you and ask you to give him six more. God will challenge you when he knows you have the capacity within you, for God always believes in you.’

I love the concept of this quote. I actually do not know who the author is but I believe it is spot on. Our challenges we face are sent by God. There are a number of times I ask Him, “Come on mate, another one? Are you serious?”. However, this is God’s role in our lives, He challenges us to improve and always give more. This is something I hope our children learn, especially for the role we play in helping those less fortunate than us.

This quote also reminds me that God is not unreasonable. He urges us to ensure we are ready for the next challenge. We all at MG are truly giving people but we must also find time to regenerate and take some time out. Having a lazy weekend, catching up with family and friends, these times are invaluable and are the times that I realise how blessed I am. What I have realised is that the jobs will never stop. The garden will still be there along with the basket of ironing. God wants us to stop so make sure you do!

One thing I teach my own girls is that we are made in the image of God. They are better than no one and no one is better than them. Knowing that it is important to acknowledge that every person you encounter carries God within them. Keeping this in mind, you can see why we all have an unlimited potential, especially our children. This is why we continue to challenge our children, staff and parents with issues such as Social Justice, especially as we head towards the Christmas season. It can create opportunities that are exciting and go beyond what we believe is possible. I once read some thoughts of Pope Francis where he said the innocence of children is a true representation of the Kingdom of God.  However, sometimes as adults we develop an idea that ‘what’s mine is mine’.  Pope Francis goes on to explain that this is true, what we have is ours, but how we use it is what counts, this also includes our own personality and gifts.

Uniform Changes 2026

As part of our ongoing commitment to aligning our practices with our school vision — “Growing Together: Hearts, Minds, and Hands” — we are excited to share some upcoming adjustments to our school uniform beginning in 2026.

These changes reflect our evolving approach to learning, particularly in the Early Years, where we continue to embrace a more play-based and active learning environment.

Uniform Changes for Year 1 and Year 2

From 2026, students in Year 1 and Year 2 will wear their sports uniform full-time. To support families with washing and organisation, students will wear:

• Representative Shirt on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
• House Shirt on Tuesday and Thursday

For students entering Year 2 in 2026, the formal uniform may still be an option for families who already own these items and wish to continue using them on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

This change supports greater comfort and flexibility for our younger learners as they engage in hands-on, movement-rich learning experiences throughout the week.

From 2027 onwards, all students in Year 1 and Year 2 will be in their sports uniform full-time, with the formal uniform no longer in use for these year levels.

Introducing the Soft-Shell Jacket

We are also pleased to announce the introduction of a new soft-shell jacket that students will be able to wear with both their formal and sports uniforms. This jacket will eventually replace the current sports jacket and wool jumper, offering a more versatile and comfortable option for all students from 2028.  Our current wool jumper and sports jacket will be discontinued during this transition.

Families will have the opportunity to view and try on samples of the new jacket at our upcoming Open Afternoon, where you can also complete an Expression of Interest to assist with ordering for 2026.

We look forward to sharing these updates with you and continuing to grow together as a community that supports the wellbeing and learning of every child.

Looking Ahead to Matthew Gibney Week

Next week, our school community will come together to celebrate Matthew Gibney Week—a special time to honour our patron and reflect on the values that shape our learning and relationships.

We begin the week on Tuesday with a reverent Liturgy of the Word.  Unfortunately, Fr Benny has informed us he is unavailable that morning, hence we are unable to have a Mass.  Our Year 5 students will share the inspiring story of Matthew Gibney. Their presentation will highlight his compassion, courage, and deep faith—qualities we aim to nurture in our students every day.  Parents and grandparents are then invited to a small morning tea where some of the students’ artwork will be displayed.

On Wednesday, families are warmly invited to join us for our Dance Concert at 2:15pm and Open Afternoon from 3:30-5:00pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity to visit classrooms, engage with student learning, and enjoy lively dance performances that celebrate creativity, confidence, and joy.

We’ll conclude the week with the exciting MG Mini Fete on Friday, where students will run stalls and activities that bring fun, teamwork, and community spirit to life.  We thank our families for contributing to this event.  The kids seem very excited!

Matthew Gibney Week is a celebration of our school’s vision to be a Christ-centred learning community where every child is known, valued, and supported. Through these events, we honour our shared story and continue to grow together in faith, learning, and wellbeing.

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, 19 November 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. In Week 4, timeslots will be released to parents to book a time with their child’s classroom teacher.  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, 19 November is an early close day, with students finishing at 11:50am. We appreciate your support in ensuring timely pick-up arrangements.

Library Refurbishment Begins!

We’re excited to share that we’ve officially commenced the first stages of our Library refurbishment!

Over the past few weeks, Mrs Keddie and Ms Zurzolo have been busy engaging with designers and furniture companies to help create a vibrant, flexible, and inspiring space for our students to learn, explore, and grow.

This project reflects our commitment to providing high-quality learning environments that support creativity, collaboration, and wellbeing. We can’t wait to unveil the new Library in 2026—a space designed with our learners at the heart.

Stay tuned for updates as the transformation unfolds!

Community Use of the Oval – A Friendly Reminder

It’s been great to see so many of you enjoying our community oval after hours—playing sport, spending time together, and making the most of the space. Seeing our community engaging in such positive and active ways is representation of who we are and what we stand for.

While we absolutely welcome this use of the oval, we do need to remind everyone that the school buildings, including toilets, cannot be accessed during these times. This is due to regulatory requirements linked to our onsite Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service. Allowing access to the school facilities during OSHC hours would place the service in breach of its compliance obligations.

To ensure we remain within these regulations, I have instructed staff not to open gates or buildings during these times. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and compliant environment for all.

Thank you again for your continued support and for helping us keep our school a safe and well-respected space for everyone.

Goodness your way.

Clint