From the Principal
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
I hope that you are all travelling well and that you are managing to find the time to look after yourself and do something for you.
Things for me are a little different at home at the moment. My daughter, Sienna, is experiencing her lead-up to exams as a Year 10 student. Sienna is a great young person, so witty and funny. She is normally so full of life and eager to help anyone that needs anything. As her dad, I am so proud of the person she is becoming, always wanting to do her best.
With that, however, comes a bit of pressure. Wanting to do well in her exams means she is studying pretty hard. We stress to her that she finds a good balance and that she still finds some time each day to just take a breath and chill. Easier said than done, as I am not the one sitting the exams, and to be completely honest, I was pretty much the same when I was sitting my high school exams.
On the weekend, I saw Sienna pretty tired and a little flat. She seemed to be filling her mind with thoughts like, ‘What if I don’t do well?’ Now the easy response is to say, ‘Try your hardest and do your best,’ however I fully understand how negative thoughts can creep in and take over. This is because, as humans, we have a tendency to focus on the negative, even when it is insignificant or inconsequential. This is known as negativity bias and is built into our brains from when our ancestors needed to survive in challenging environments. I mean, I get it—remembering negative situations like predators was more important than remembering the positive, like a meal!
Now, you can imagine the response I got from a 15-year-old preparing for exams when I tried to explain negativity bias! However, I kept going because I wanted her to understand something. Our lives are now much safer, and we have the opportunity to teach our brains to relax, to cherish, and to focus on what is good in our lives. One of the best ways to do this is to train our brain through gratitude.
Last week, I pulled out my copy of the Resilience Project book which talks about the importance of gratitude. Gratitude has been scientifically proven to increase optimism, build relationships, boost self-esteem, foster positive emotions, and reduce feelings of depression or anxiety.
So there I was, finally getting to the point of my conversation with Sienna. I explained that one way I try to live a life of gratitude is to write someone a brief letter, SMS or email using the acronym PAL (proud, admire, love). These messages don’t require a response; they simply express things you would like to say. Don’t get me wrong, this can be quite challenging, as it requires you to be vulnerable and put yourself out there without knowing how the other person will react.
So I challenged her to write a PAL message to someone and see if it lifted her mood—and she did. I could see the smile on her face grow as she thought about the person she chose, recalling positive moments and memories. There were some nerves as she pressed send, but she did it. When I asked her how she felt, she said, as any teenager would, ‘good!’
The ripple effect of expressing gratitude is that it often comes back to you. Sienna not only received a thank you from the person she chose, but also a PAL message in return. It completely made her day and helped her put her exams back into perspective.
I encourage you all to give this a try. If you’re sceptical, try it anyway. If your reaction as you read this is, “This is so not for me,” do it as an experiment. Gratitude is a skill and a habit you can develop. Just because it doesn’t come naturally doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you or that you won’t benefit from it. I can assure you, it can shift the way you think and move through life—helping you notice and appreciate the small, good moments that are already there. You may even find yourself looking less for happiness “out there” and more able to find it right here.
Welcoming New Staff to Our Community
We are pleased to share with our school community the appointment of two new teachers who will be joining us in the coming weeks. Both bring a wealth of experience, having worked across a number of CEWA schools, and we are excited for the knowledge, skills, and passion they will bring to our students and staff.
Ms Teresa Arfuso will be joining us at the commencement of Term 3, teaching in Year 2.
Mrs Sharon Hume will be joining our Year 3 team, working Monday to Wednesday, commencing in Week 8 this term.
We warmly welcome Teresa and Sharon to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School and look forward to the positive contribution they will make to our community. We are confident they will continue to support and enrich the mission of Catholic Education here in High Wycombe.
Mr Andrew Richards will formally finish his time with us next Wednesday, 3 June. We sincerely thank Andrew for his dedication and service to our students and wish him and his partner the very best as they prepare for the journey of parenthood.
LifeLink Fundraiser – Crocs & Socks Day
Thank you to our wonderful school community for your generous support of our recent Crocs and Socks Day. Together, we raised $287.80 for the Archbishop’s LifeLink Appeal — a fantastic effort and a great example of our community coming together for a meaningful cause.
The LifeLink Appeal supports a number of Catholic agencies across Western Australia that provide vital services to people in need. These include support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, mental health challenges, and crisis situations. The work of LifeLink ensures that some of the most vulnerable members of our community are cared for with compassion and dignity.
As a Catholic school, supporting initiatives like LifeLink is an important way we live out our faith in action. It reminds us of our call to serve others, particularly those most in need, and helps our students develop a strong sense of social responsibility and empathy.
Thank you again for your generosity and for helping us continue the mission of the Church through acts of kindness and service.
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 last 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.
Year 4 First Eucharist – Keeping Our Students in Your Prayers
We ask our school community to keep our Year 4 students in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare to celebrate a very special milestone in their faith journey.
On Sunday 7 June at 11:00am, our Year 4 students will receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time at St Francis of Assisi Parish, Maida Vale. This is a significant and sacred occasion, as they come together with their families and parish community to deepen their relationship with Jesus.
In the coming weeks, our students have been preparing thoughtfully and reverently for this important step. Your prayers and support mean a great deal to them as they approach this special day.
We wish our Year 4 students every blessing as they receive the Eucharist for the first time and thank our families and parish for walking alongside them in faith.
Winter Wellness – Keeping Our School Community Healthy
As we move into the cooler months, we are seeing an increase in common winter illnesses such as colds, flu and other respiratory infections. During this time, it is very important that we work together as a community to prioritise the health and wellbeing of all students and staff.
We ask families to please keep children at home when they are unwell. Symptoms such as a persistent cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, lethargy, or gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting or diarrhoea) are clear signs that a child needs time to rest and recover. Attending school while unwell can not only slow a child’s recovery but also increases the risk of spreading illness to others, including vulnerable students and staff.
Medical advice strongly supports that children should only return to school once they are fully recovered and well enough to participate in the normal school day. As a general guide, children should be free from fever (without medication), and symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea should have ceased for at least 24 hours before returning.
We understand that keeping children at home can sometimes be challenging; however, this short period of rest plays a significant role in reducing the spread of illness and ensuring a healthier school environment for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe and healthy community, particularly during the winter season.
Kindy 2027
We would like to inform our school community that, following guidance from CEWA in relation to long-term planning and infrastructure, Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School will continue to offer a 3-day Kindergarten program in 2027 and will not be transitioning to a 5-day program at this time.
This decision has been made with careful consideration of our current facilities, projected enrolments, and the need to ensure that we can continue to provide a high-quality early learning environment for our students. Maintaining a 3-day program allows us to deliver a consistent, well-resourced and developmentally appropriate experience for our Kindergarten children.
We understand that there has been broader discussion across the system regarding potential changes to Kindergarten models, and we will continue to work closely with CEWA to monitor future planning opportunities. Should there be any changes in the future, we will communicate these with our community in a timely manner.
We thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to continuing to provide a strong, nurturing start to learning for our youngest students.
Enjoy the long weekend with your loved ones. I hope you find some time to enjoy the simple things in life.
Goodness your way.
Clint
School News
Book Club News
Issue 4 of the Scholastic Book Club Catalogue was sent home with students in week 5 (This week for Kindy and Pre-Kindy students).
Please note the last date for orders to be received is Friday 5th June.
Please place any orders through the Loop website which can be found here.
Term 2 2026 Parent Planner
Please click here for the Term 2 Parent Planner.
Good News
The Pre-Primary children created amazing paintings of their favourite places. We were also very lucky to have Mr Payne read a fun book called ‘Luna Roo’ as part of the National Simultaneous Storytime day.
Counsellor's Corner
Helping Children Include People with Disability
Children learn how to treat others by watching the adults around them. One of the most valuable lessons we can teach is that everyone deserves kindness, friendship, and inclusion — regardless of ability.
Including children and adults with disability helps build compassionate, respectful communities where everyone feels valued and connected.
Here are some simple ways parents can encourage inclusive attitudes and behaviours at home and in everyday life.
Talk Openly About Differences
Children are naturally curious and may notice when someone communicates, moves, or behaves differently. Rather than avoiding these conversations, use them as opportunities to teach understanding and respect.
Simple explanations such as:
- “Everyone’s brain works differently.”
- “Some people need extra support to do things.”
- “We all have strengths and challenges.”
can help children develop empathy and acceptance.
Encourage Kindness and Friendship
Encourage your child to:
- Say hello to everyone
- Invite others to join games or activities
- Be patient if someone communicates differently
- Focus on shared interests rather than differences
Sometimes small acts of inclusion can make a huge difference in helping another child feel welcomed and accepted.
Model Respectful Language
Children often copy the language they hear from adults. Using respectful, person-centred language teaches children to value others.
For example:
- “A child with autism” or “an autistic child” (depending on individual preference)
- “A person who uses a wheelchair”
- “A child with a disability”
It’s also important to avoid negative stereotypes or making assumptions about what someone can or cannot do.
Teach Empathy
Help children think about how others may feel in social situations by asking questions such as:
- “How do you think they felt?”
- “What could we do to help someone feel included?”
- “How would you want others to treat you?”
Books, movies, and real-life experiences can all be wonderful tools for developing empathy.
Celebrate Strengths and Differences
Every child has unique abilities, interests, and talents. Encouraging children to appreciate differences helps them see diversity as a positive part of life.
Children who grow up in inclusive environments are more likely to become understanding, confident, and respectful adults.
Inclusion Starts Small
Inclusion does not need to be complicated. It can begin with:
- Sitting with someone new
- Offering help when needed
- Inviting someone to play
- Being patient and understanding
These everyday actions help create a community where everyone feels they belong.
By working together, families and schools can help children develop the empathy, kindness, and confidence needed to build inclusive friendships and communities for everyone.
Community News
Catholic School Parents WA invites all members to play an active part in guiding our work by submitting any motions for consideration at the upcoming AGM on 23rd June 2026. We also encourage you to consider nominating for the CSPWA Board, or perhaps to nominate someone whose commitment and perspective would strengthen our mission of supporting families in Catholic education across Western Australia. Your involvement ensures our parent voice remains strong, representative, and future‑focused.
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.
