2026 Term 3 Week 10

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I hope you are all well and that you have been working on practicing some of the gratitude and mindfulness stuff I mentioned this term.  Well, here we are at the end of Term 3.  This term has been full on but so blessed with good stuff each and every day.  In truly reflecting on the term, the one word that comes to my mind is care.  I have had the privilege of having so many conversations with parents, staff and students this term and the one thing that stands out, is that people genuinely care for each other!  For me personally, this sense of care that I feel is most definitely the reason why I am feeling so grateful.

By chance, I jumped on Google to look up a quote regarding care to give me some motivation, and I came across this cracker.  Have a read and think about this community, so fitting as it embraces who we are as people.

As Pope Francis says, it can be tough to express care at times, but it is our duty to bring happiness to others.  Our Core Values of Joy, Growth and Service at our school can be our driving force for making our school one of the happiest places in our local community.  A real stand out for me this term was our P&F and the work they did for our Quiz Night, Father’s Day Stall and Book Week celebrations.  We were astounded by the generosity of our community and seeing people just wanting to assist in some sort of way.  Caring for others in this way can seriously change lives and it too changes us.  This is the reason that God put us here, to look for those opportunities in each day that allow us to care for others.  I am certain you can think of all the times you have made someone feel happy this week by caring for them or by being present in the meeting or conversation.

Now I know, in the tough times it can be difficult to remember this stuff and that is ok, that is the human stuff that we all experience.  I know I have mentioned it before, but I try and find a minute or two while I am driving to or home from work to think about the following; What are three things that went well for me today? Who will I serve today? What am I excited about today?  Even when I am out on afternoon duty at our Crosswalk, I find myself having these in depth conversations about this stuff.  I asked one of our Year One students what worked well for them and they told me their pillow was so comfortable and soft.  So funny but seriously, how good is that!

So in reflecting on this term, I wanted to share the three things that have worked well to bring happiness and care alive at MG:

1. The way our kids are engaged in their learning is something I really notice as I wander around the school each day. I love walking into the classrooms asking what they are doing and I get these excited responses that are genuinely filled with joy.  This is such testament to our staff as they are all so dedicated to what we stand for and living out their own professional and personal obligation to their role here at MG.  This makes me feel like I am the luckiest Principal alive!
2. The Athletics Carnival! This is one of the highlights for the year for me.  I love seeing the kids cheering, trying their best in the races, all while having the time of their life!  But when you watch carefully, you also get to witness them encouraging and supporting their mates.  This is the stuff that Pope Francis is talking about.  You as parents and caregivers are doing an exceptional job to create caring humans like this.
3. Our School Review. I mean what a way to affirm what we are doing here.  Last newsletter, I provided a snapshot of the panel’s report, but the one thing that was very clear, was the special feel that this place gave off to each of the panel members who conducted the review.  And that feel is because of the people here, the students, parents/caregivers and staff.

As the term comes to a close, my wish for you is that you find some time to celebrate your kids.  Look for those little moments that allow you to be in the present that bring that sense of joy and happiness.  We are all such gifts to one another so make the time for yourself and your loved ones.

Congratulations to Our Year 6 Confirmation Candidates

Last Sunday was a very special occasion for our Year 6 students as they received the Sacrament of Confirmation. This significant milestone in their faith journey marks a deepening of their relationship with God and their commitment to living as active members of the Catholic Church.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our Confirmation candidates. We are incredibly proud of the reverence, maturity and faith they demonstrated throughout their preparation and during the celebration itself.

A sincere thank you to Miss Hannah Marston for her dedication and commitment in preparing the students for this important sacrament. Her guidance, encouragement and support helped ensure that the children approached this special day with confidence and understanding.

We also thank Fr Benny and our parish community for celebrating this sacred occasion with our students and their families. We are grateful for the warm welcome, prayerful support and partnership between our school and parish as we continue to nurture the faith development of our children.

May the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to guide and strengthen our Year 6 students as they grow in faith and service to others.

Parent & Caregiver Survey 2026

Our school has been asked to share information about the CSPA 2026 Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning, being conducted by Catholic Schools Parents Australia (CSPA) in partnership with the University of New England (UNE).

This national survey provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to share their views on the issues that matter most to them regarding their children’s wellbeing, learning and educational experiences in Catholic schools. The survey will help identify existing and emerging trends and inform future advocacy and decision-making within Catholic education across Australia.

Participation is open to parents and carers aged 18 years and over who have one or more children enrolled in a Catholic school or preschool in Australia. The survey is voluntary, anonymous and confidential, and takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

The survey is now open and closes on 4 October 2026.

Interested in participating?
More information about the study, contact details for the research team, and access to the survey can be found here:

https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDFBiwnMuAjB0Ue

We encourage all families to consider taking part and helping ensure the voices of Catholic school parents and caregivers are heard on matters relating to student wellbeing and learning.

Working Together: Our Disputes Procedure and Code of Conduct

At Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all members of our community. As part of this commitment, we remind families of the importance of following our school’s Disputes and Complaints Resolution Procedure and the CEWA Code of Conduct.

If a concern or issue arises involving your child or another member of our school community, we ask that you always bring the matter directly to the school. Parents should not contact other parents directly to resolve school-related issues. This approach ensures that all concerns are managed fairly, confidentially, and in a way that upholds the dignity and wellbeing of everyone involved.

Our staff are here to listen and support you. By working together and following the correct procedures, we can maintain a positive and respectful environment for all our students and families.

Thank you for your understanding and partnership.

Matthew Gibney Week

We are so excited to for our Matthew Gibney week which is scheduled for Week 3 next term.  This week will have three special events:

• Matthew Gibney Mass and Grandparents Morning Tea – Tuesday, 27 October
• MG Dance Concert and Open Afternoon – Wednesday, 28 October
• MG Student Mini Fete – Friday, 30 October

You will receive more information regarding this upcoming week.  I encourage you to get involved and celebrate our school.  Please pay close attention to the donations we need for each class for our Student Mini Fete.

Term 4 will commence on Monday, 12 October

Pupil Free Day, Monday 9 November

Early Close (11:50am), Wednesday 18 November

Thank You, MG!

As we come to the end of another busy and rewarding term, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our students, staff and families for making Term 3 such a positive and successful one.

Throughout the term, our students have embraced every opportunity to learn, grow and participate in the many academic, sporting, faith and community events that make our school such a vibrant place. Their enthusiasm, perseverance and willingness to support one another continue to make us proud.

To our dedicated staff, thank you for your commitment, care and professionalism. The opportunities and experiences our students enjoy each day are a reflection of your hard work and dedication, and I am deeply grateful for all that you do.

To our parents and families, thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. The strong connection between home and school plays a vital role in the success and wellbeing of our students, and we value the contribution you make to our community.

As the holidays begin, I hope everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned break, spend time with family and friends, and return refreshed and ready for the exciting opportunities that await in Term 4.

Wishing all members of our school community a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next term. God bless.

Take care. Goodness your way!

Clint

Link to RSVP for Matthew Gibney Mass HERE

Term 4 2026 Parent Planner

Please click here for the Term 4 Parent Planner.

After reading the story of How the Birds got their Colours the Pre-Primary children made birds using clay and materials. They look fanfairytastic!

• Kindness Makes us Strong by Sophie Beer
• All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell & Allison Colpoys
• Feelings by Libby Walkden & Richard Jones
• The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
• Molly and Mae by Danny Parker
• A Day so Gray by Marie Lamba
• Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival
• I Promise by Lebron James
• The Boy Who Loved Everyone by Jane Porter
• Kindness Grows by Britta Teckentrup

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.