From the Principal
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
Well, we have just about made it to the end of Semester One! It definitely has been a rollercoaster of a semester, lots of highs and lows, but being surrounded by Matthew Gibney people makes the journey so enjoyable.
This time of the term is a busy one. The students are finalising their work, the teachers are writing reports, and we get to check over them and celebrate the achievements of both the students and staff. Even though last weekend was a busy time with this task, Sunday was the best as I got to have lunch with my family for my sister’s birthday. I had not seen my brother and sister for a few weeks, and getting an opportunity to hang out with them is the best, especially when we get to do it over food like my mum’s world renowned biryani!
During lunch I was chatting a lot about things we are doing here at MG, both the good things and the challenges. It was actually quite a reflective experience as I am so proud of this place and the people that make us who we are. In the conversation though, I realised that I am extremely tired, something that I do not really admit too often.
Being a Principal is an absolute privilege. Seriously, it is one of the best jobs especially when you are surrounded by the kids, the reason we all get into the game of education. However, if I am truly reflecting on 2026 so far, the days are a dash from start to finish. To summarise my days, I sprint out the house, race to meetings, rush through conversations and emails and then scramble to meet deadlines. Then it is get home, attempt to exercise and eat with the family, get in some more work before crashing to get a few hours sleep.
Life was incredibly busy – and incredibly frantic – but I was proud of all I was cramming in before the stroke of midnight. In reality, however, if I am being true to my being, most days I was inefficient and ineffective. I often didn’t listen well and had to ask others to repeat important things. I showed up five minutes late to team meetings more often than not and wasn’t always sure of the focus before hustling in the door. I was getting it done, but clearly not showing up as my best self.
After lunch, we were all packing up and my mum said she wanted to speak to me. My mum is a tough lady, always wants us to be our best and does not hesitate to let us know if we are slipping. My mum has done it pretty tough ever since she migrated to Australia from India but she has always been so positive, so I knew I was about to get a reality check. Her words hit like a tonne of bricks, “Slowly. Slowly is the fastest way to get there.”
She was so right. Somehow, I had convinced myself that this fast pace and work ethic was an advantage, but somehow it was now being pushed to the extremes. I had fooled myself into believing high speed equals high performance. Looking into some research about this, I discovered that your prefrontal cortex – the part of your brain that manages planning, decision-making, problem-solving and self-control – doesn’t operate very well when you’re in a constant state of motion. That’s because uncertainty and instability make you feel anxious, pressured and scattered, which triggers your limbic system. This is the part of your brain that manages the fight/flight/freeze survival response. So instead of thinking your way through your day, you’re operating in a threat state of mind. As a result, you don’t think clearly. You’re more likely to jump to conclusions and have difficulty solving problems. You’re constantly on your guard, more apt to lose your temper and quick to misjudge others.
Having my mum remind me of this prompted me to go back to the true person I am, the true Clint. The person that still allows me to get things done, but to do so by showing up in a more present, intentional and efficient way. All I had to do was slow down long enough to remember one of the most important skills practiced by all successful leaders – the art of reflection. Reflection is an age-old practice of looking inward to draw insight from your life’s experiences. Experience alone does not necessarily lead to learning, which is why deliberate reflection on experience is essential. In reflective thought, you examine your underlying assumptions, beliefs, and ideas, while also taking a step back to look for patterns and identify meaningful lessons that can be applied to improve yourself. Being more self aware you start thinking about your presence and impact on others.
So how does reflection and slowing down link? Slowing down allows you to observe more clearly and pay attention to what worked and what didn’t, prompting learning. What an important thing for us as parents to remember when we are looking at our child’s Mid-Year Report. Go slow and celebrate their achievements. Have a discussion with them on areas they can further improve on and encourage them to reflect on what is working and what isn’t, and something they may be able to try differently. Slowly is the fastest way to get there and as parents we need to support our children in developing good habits that will benefit their academic and social/emotional development.
One thing I have also been reflecting on is the importance of the partnership between home and school. At Matthew Gibney, we are at our best when we work together with openness, trust and shared purpose. Like any busy environment, there will be times when communication doesn’t happen as quickly or as clearly as intended—please know there is never any malice behind this. More often than not, it is simply the pace and complexity of school life, and something unintentionally slipping in the moment. This is where embracing imperfection becomes so important. As a community, we all have a role to play in supporting one another, assuming positive intent and helping each other succeed—never allowing anyone to feel like they are navigating things alone or that they have failed. If conversations do occur outside of school that lead to uncertainty, confusion or concern, I strongly encourage you to come and see me or connect with us directly. Our doors are always open, and we value honest, respectful communication. By slowing down, checking in and working together, we strengthen the sense of belonging that makes our community so special.
The upcoming break has come at the right time for me. A time for me to slow down, reflect and hit the reset button. I hope this is the same for you all. We have achieved so much this year, mainly because of the people that make Matty G the place it is. May you take the upcoming break to rest and enjoy some time with your kids without the pressure of uniforms, lunches and school drop off.
Staffing Update
We would like to share some staffing updates at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School. Mrs Jordyn Dalton has extended her parental leave through to the end of 2027. Ms Fiona McDonald will commence well-deserved Long Service Leave during Term 3. At the conclusion of Term 3, Fiona will formally finish her time at the school and transition to the next stage of her life, focusing on caring for her son, Koby. Mrs Karen Keddie has accepted an extension of her role as a Religious Education Consultant with CEWA for 2027 and will resign from her position as Assistant Principal, effective at the end of 2026.
We sincerely thank Fiona and Karen for their dedicated service and significant contributions to Catholic education in High Wycombe, and we look forward to celebrating their time at Matthew Gibney later in the year. Over the coming weeks, we will commence the process of appointing an Education Assistant to succeed Fiona in our Pre-Primary classroom.
Mrs Jo Brescacin (Year 5) will be taking a period of leave commencing next week. She is expected to return in Week 8 of Term 3. We wish Mrs Brescacin all the very best for her time away and look forward to welcoming her back next term feeling refreshed.
During her absence, we are pleased to share that Mrs Kathryn Carter will be teaching the Year 5 class from Monday to Wednesday. Additionally, we warmly welcome Mrs Stephanie Giuffre, who will teach the class on Thursdays and Fridays. Steph has already spent time at our school this year in a relief capacity and has built wonderful connections with our students, making her a familiar and friendly presence in the classroom.
We are confident that this arrangement will ensure continuity of learning and a positive experience for all students.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Mid-Year Reports
Next week, your child will be bringing home their Mid-Year Report. In last fortnight’s Newsletter, I discussed that CEWA schools are implementing updated WA Curriculum reporting in 2025–2026, guided by SCSA requirements to keep parents informed through formal reports and ongoing communication. Student achievement will now be reported as a single overall grade for each Learning Area, based on a range of evidence and measured against end-of-year achievement standards. This replaces previous separate grades for strands (like reading and writing) to give a clearer, more holistic view of progress. Students with Individual Education Plans will have their progress reported according to their personalised learning goals.
When you look over your child’s Mid-Year Report, remember, celebrate the good stuff and set goals with them for the remainder of the year.
For further detail on our school’s Assessment and Reporting Procedure, please visit our school website.
Student Behaviour & Safety
At Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment for all students. To support this, we uphold a set of clear expectations that guide student behaviour across the school. Students are encouraged to take pride in wearing their uniform neatly, demonstrate safe and respectful behaviour in all areas of the school, and move calmly and responsibly throughout the day. They are expected to complete learning tasks to the best of their ability, care for school resources, and show respect for others and our shared environment. These expectations are consistently supported by staff, with gentle reminders provided when needed. Where ongoing support is required, staff will work collaboratively with families to ensure each child is guided towards making positive choices. Together, we strive to help every student grow in responsibility, respect, and a sense of pride in themselves and our school community.
In some instances, students may make the decision to not live up to our school’s expectations. If this occurs inside the classroom, staff will use a choice model to manage the behaviour:
- First occasion: Reminder of appropriate behaviour, Verbal Warning. (Warning)
- Second occasion: Reminder of appropriate behaviour, Second Verbal Warning. (Rethink)
- Third occasion: Reminder of appropriate behaviour, Verbal Warning and Reflection Time, involving the student to move to a reflection space such as another classroom and is given time to reflect on their behaviour (Reflect). The staff member will record this information for Leadership Team.
- Student re-joins the group with a fresh start with the processing beginning again.
- For continuous disruption, or serious breaches of our expectations, students may be sent to the Leadership Team.
For students choosing the physically hit another child or staff member with intent, parents and caregivers will be contacted immediately for collection, allowing the child to reset before coming back to school the next day.
Matthew Gibney Dance Concert – Exciting News!
We are thrilled to share that Miss Mersades will be returning to Matthew Gibney each Monday next term to begin choreographing routines with our classes in preparation for our highly anticipated Matthew Gibney Dance Concert!
Our students will have the wonderful opportunity to learn, practise, and refine their performances under her guidance as we build towards what promises to be a vibrant and energetic showcase of talent. The concert will take place in Term 4 on 28 October at 2pm, and we are already looking forward to seeing our students shine on stage.
We are excited to continue working in partnership with Miss Mersades to provide this memorable experience for our school community. Stay tuned for more updates as rehearsals get underway!
Once again, thank you all for your contribution to our community this semester. Enjoy your time with your kids. We look forward to reconnecting with you next term.
Goodness your way!
Clint
School News
Good News
Our Year 6 students have created and submitted their artworks for the 2026 Angelico Art Exhibition, one of Western Australia’s most prestigious Catholic student art exhibitions, with selected works to be displayed at the Forrest Centre in Perth during August. The exhibition celebrates creativity, faith and artistic excellence, and we congratulate our students on their dedication, imagination and willingness to share their talents with the wider community.
Jeremy and Kellee visited our Year 5/6 class to share a wonderful PowerPoint about the Torres Strait Islands. They spoke about their culture, family totems, and traditions, engaging the students with meaningful stories and insights. Both Xandar and Levi enjoyed sharing their culture with their classes. The children also had the opportunity to create beautiful ink printing artworks inspired by what they had learned. It was a rich and memorable cultural experience enjoyed by all. Thank you Jeremy and kellee.
Counsellor's Corner
Digital Detox
While technology has its place in our world, have you ever considered how an over-use of technology makes your children dependent on using devices and has a significant impact on their wellbeing? I have observed an influx of students lately who have forgotten how to play and seem lost without a device.
Social media, funny videos or video games give our brain a dopamine hit, lowering our attention spans and creating addictive behaviours similar to substance dependence. When we focus too much of our time on our devices, we miss being in the present moment, become disconnected from the people in real life around us and the overload of information sends a stress response to our brain telling it we aren’t safe. High use of screens is linked to poor mental health, sleep disruptions and burnout. I hear students reflect on why they are tired at school, because they have stayed up late on their device not wanting to miss out from playing with their friends. However, there is a toll when they come to school the next day tired and not ready to learn.
A digital detox involves avoiding digital devices or the internet for a period of time. It may help children connect with the world around them, use their imagination and improve their creativity. Being present in the moment shows our brain that our environment is safe, reducing stress.
Over the school holidays, I encourage you to have a digital detox and see where the day leads you, whether it is a new game, a conversation with your child or a moment of gratitude that you wouldn’t have had if your head was buried in a device.
Have a fantastic school holidays and I look forward to seeing you again in term 3!
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.
