From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope that you are all travelling well. I was not going to write much this week, however, I revisited this quote and it resonated so much with me that I thought why not! I believe that if you are feeling inspired about something why not share what is in your head!
Revisiting the above quote made me pull out my copy of the book and have a read. I try to get through a few pages each night before bed. In this book, Eckhart talks about developing a view on life that is more about living in the moment. One thing he stresses is how important it is for us to stop, like right this very moment, and think about and acknowledge all the good in our life. I am trying to make this a habit, just so you can sort hit that restart button, but on those challenging days this is not that easy to do.
What I am finding, and I am sure that you are all finding it too, we are told to simplify our days and life but somehow things become more and more complicated. Just consider petrol shortages and the cost of living for a second. These are the things that stop us being in the moment and seeing beyond the challenges faced in a day. But I suppose this is the human element, that even though our lives are enriched with joy, when times are tough we fail to recognise it.
So, I simply wanted to take this opportunity to tell you all what I am grateful for in my role here at MG. Firstly, I get to share in the joy and lives of so many families, both students and staff. I cannot put into words what I privilege this is for me as a person. Hearing about your ups and downs makes me feel a sense of awe of your resilience and commitment to your children and how as parents and teachers/teacher assistants you have courage to get through the tough stuff. Secondly, removing the hard stuff of being a Principal, I am so proud to be a part of the MG story and continue the faith story of this place that was influenced by previous Principals, staff, parents and students. This place is truly special, and it is the reason we are all invested in making this place the best it can be.
My hope for you all over the next fortnight is to live in the now when you get the chance and acknowledge the goodness in your life, even if you are experiencing a challenge or difficult moment in your life, be gentle on yourself and express gratitude. One thing I know about this place is that we are all here for each other. Never hesitate to reach out, our staff and our families are here for you.
Staffing Update
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Sheila Dhunookdharee as our new Education Assistant in Pre Primary. Sheila brings a sense of calmness and experience to working with students. We look forward to Sheila joining our team on a full time basis for the remainder of the year from Monday.
Along with Sheila’s appointment, we have made some necessary adjustments to our Education Assistant structures to provide our students with targeted support. The changes are as follows:
- 3K: Jenny Iffla
- 4K: Lucy Marchetti, Jenny Iffla
- Pre Primary: Sylvie Spadaccini, Fiona McDonald, Sheila Dhunookdharee
- Year 1: Chelsi Forder
- Year 2: Danielle Fanetti, Natasha Bloom
- Year 4: Simone Tormey
I would like to thank our Education Assistants for their commitment to our students and flexibility with these necessary changes.
Mother’s Day Morning
I would like to thank everyone involved in making our Mother’s Day Morning such a special event for celebrating our mothers and mother figures. I would especially like to thank the teachers and students for preparing their rooms and to our P&F for assisting with the set up. It was so great to see so many mums around the school. We hope you all had a wonderful day and were spoilt rotten by your kids!
Keeping Our Year 4 Students in Prayer
We ask our school community to keep our Year 4 students in your prayers as they enter the final stages of preparation for their First Eucharist, to be celebrated on Sunday, 7 June at St Francis of Assisi Parish, Maida Vale. This is a special and sacred milestone in their faith journey, and we pray that they continue to grow in their understanding of God’s love and presence in their lives. May this be a time of blessing, reflection, and joy for our students and their families.
Uniform
I would like to congratulate our students in maintaining the high standard they set by wearing their uniform with pride.
When students are enrolled at our school, families agree to support our school procedures including wearing the correct uniform. Recently I have had to speak to some students who have been wearing different tights or shorts to school that are not uniform pieces. Over the coming days I will be monitoring this with students and reminding them of the correct uniform as well as send home a Uniform Infringement letter.
Thank you for your support.
Canteen Update
Our Canteen Manager, Alison Honter will be taking some well deserved leave from Week 7 until the end of term. We wish Alison all the best during this time.
During this time, Mrs Marika Vajas will mange the Canteen with our volunteers to ensure we continue to offer our students the canteen services on Tuesdays and Fridays. We thank Marika for her commitment to our school and our students.
School Gate Times
Just a reminder that our school gates open at 8:25am. No students should be arriving before 8:25am unless they are enrolled in our Extend OSHC.
Evacuation Drill – Building Safe and Prepared Learners
Recently, our school conducted a whole‑school evacuation drill as part of our ongoing commitment to student safety and wellbeing. These drills are an important part of ensuring that both students and staff are well prepared to respond calmly and effectively in the unlikely event of an emergency.
I am very pleased to share that our students responded so well. They listened carefully to instructions, moved purposefully to the designated assembly areas, and demonstrated a growing understanding of what to do in an emergency situation. Staff also worked collaboratively to ensure all procedures were followed and that every child was accounted for.
Practising evacuation procedures is essential. While we hope we never need to enact these plans in a real situation, rehearsing them allows students to build confidence, reduces anxiety, and ensures that responses become familiar and automatic. It also provides us as a school with the opportunity to review our processes, reflect on what is working well, and make any necessary improvements.
Following the drill, staff engaged in a brief review to ensure our procedures remain effective and aligned with best practice. These reflections help strengthen our systems and ensure we continue to provide a safe environment for all.
We thank our students for the maturity they showed and encourage families to reinforce the importance of listening to instructions and staying calm in unfamiliar situations. Together, we are building a safe, prepared, and supportive school community.
CEWA Executive Visit – A Proud Moment for Our School
Recently, we were pleased to welcome Mr Dan Wood for a CEWA Executive visit to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School. I am delighted to share that the visit was a wonderful success and a positive affirmation of the work taking place across our school.
Mr Wood spoke highly of the strong sense of community evident among both staff and students, and the positive learning environment that has been developed. It was an opportunity to showcase the collective efforts of our staff in creating a school culture that is supportive, purposeful, and centred on student growth and wellbeing.
A particular highlight of the visit was the school tour led by our Year 6 Student Representative Councillors. Our students represented the school with great pride, confidence, and maturity, speaking thoughtfully about their learning and the opportunities available to them at Matthew Gibney. Mr Wood was extremely impressed with their leadership, authenticity, and the way they articulated what it means to be part of our school community.
We extend our thanks to our Year 6 leaders for the outstanding way they represented our school, and to all staff and students who continue to contribute to making Matthew Gibney a welcoming and vibrant place of learning.
This visit was a valuable opportunity to reflect on our journey and reinforces the positive direction we are moving in together.
Early Close
A reminder that school will close at 11:50am on Wednesday, 3 June for Parent Teacher Interviews. Please ensure you plan accordingly for the upcoming early Close.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Our upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 3 June from 12:30-6:00pm. These meetings are a valuable opportunity for you to engage with your child’s teachers and discuss their progress, strengths, and areas for growth.
To make scheduling your Parent-Teacher Interviews more convenient, we will once again use an online booking system. This system will allow you to easily book a time to meet with your child’s classroom teachers as well as specialist teachers (Performing Arts, Phys Ed, Science, Italian, Health). The online platform is user-friendly and accessible, ensuring that you can find a time that fits your schedule without any hassle. Information regarding how to make a booking was released this week.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education. We look forward to seeing you at the Parent-Teacher Interviews and working together to support your child’s learning journey.
Reporting Across All CEWA Schools
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) has established a comprehensive reporting policy to ensure consistent and transparent communication of student achievement across Western Australian schools. This policy mandates that all schools implement the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline, which sets out the required knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes for students from Pre-primary to Year 10.
The policy emphasises the importance of plain language reports, which are provided to parents and carers at the end of each semester (Mid-Year Report and End of Year Report). These reports include information on student progress, including an overall general teacher comment and descriptions of their personal and social learning development. Importantly, the policy states that one overall grade (A–E) is provided for each Learning Area. In line with the policy and directives from CEWA, at Matthew Gibney teachers will be providing an overall grade for each Learning Area including English and Mathematics.
To foster a collaborative environment, schools must also share their Assessment and Reporting Procedure with the school community. We are currently updating ours in line with CEWA’s directive which will be available via the school website. This transparency helps parents and carers understand how their children’s progress is being measured and reported, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding educational goals and outcomes.
Should you have any questions around reporting, please see a member of the school’s Leadership Team.
Enjoy your fortnight and goodness your way.
Clinton Payne
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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.
