2026 Term 3 Week 2

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Welcome Back to Term 3!  I am sure you all enjoyed your break and some time to rest and find time for self after what was a long and busy Term 2.  It seems to be getting a little easier for me to find time as my two girls are that little bit older and not so dependent on me for stuff.  Those of you with younger children may not get that time but hopefully not having the rush of getting ready for school in the morning and not having to rush to get to pick-up made it a little less busy some days.

It is always exciting starting a new term. As with every start of term, getting back into routines takes a little time for some of us.  Having to get organised for school uniforms, lunches, homework and all the other things in life, let alone our own work, it can have an impact on us and those we encounter.  My Mum reminds me this is where the value of Mercy is so important.

It is pretty special knowing that each new day is a fresh start and an opportunity to bring this value alive for ourselves and our kids.  As a kid growing up my parents instilled in us (that is my older brother Mark and younger sister Priscilla with me being the dreaded middle child) the value of Mercy is all about being kind and gentle on self and others.  It can be difficult to remember this at times, however, imagine if we kept this at the forefront of our minds.  We get to be gentle. This gentleness leads to an acceptance that things may go smoothly and other times not smoothly.  Much like the early morning routine.  There are times we get out the door ten minutes early because everything goes to plan, or then there are times my daughter Sienna may have one of her dramatic meltdowns which means we leave ten minutes late!  What I am saying is you need to know that I get this and as a school we need to remember the meaning of Mercy with our kids, ourselves and our interactions with others.  We all have a responsibility to be living out this value.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Catholic Primary Principal Conference.  Spending the time with friends who also have the privilege of being a Principal was so refreshing.  I also got the opportunity to engage with a number of sponsors, one being The Resilience Project who I think are an amazing group of people simply promoting good stuff.  As a result of my conversation, I once again opened their first book called The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness by Hugh van Cuylenberg.  Hugh is a teacher and about my age so relating to many of his stories is extremely easy.

The idea of being resilient and the value of Mercy go hand in hand.  Resilience is the ability to bounce back when something negative occurs in our lives.  Hugh explains that your coping skills in these moments improve if you are able to apply GRATITUDE (noticing positive things in your life), EMPATHY (the act of thinking of others before yourself) and MINDFULNESS (being present in the moment).  We all have the power within ourselves to control our emotions and how we respond.  I mean this doesn’t come easy, it takes practice.  But the better we get at it the more we live in the moment and stop worrying about the what if.

So how can you use these concepts at home with your families?  Studies show that kids today receive 52 times the information than we did as kids.  All this information can be extremely taxing have a direct impact on their anxiety levels.  Why not try some of these simple ideas at home:

• Reduce the number of messages your child’s brain is receiving. You can do this by reducing the time spent on screens
• Take the time to walk to school
• Start a Gratitude jar
• Play your families favourite music in your house
• Be active and exercise together
• Laugh More
• Introduce the concept of meditation and stillness to your family
• Get your children to do something kind for each other or others regularly
• Do some mindfulness colouring with your children

I am very much looking forward to re-reading this book but am not sure I will reach my two week goal, but I am going to give it a good crack.  The one thing I have reflected on is that I tend to get distracted by all the operational matters of the school day and thinking about the future that I forget about Mercy and practicing gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.  I also understand that this is okay due to busy periods or life events, but it also reminds me of the need to get better at bringing this alive in our community.  The one thing I do know, it’s the little things we do that can have the biggest impact.  If we all think of one action each day where we can bring this alive, imagine how richer our lives will be.

Holiday Works

Over the break we have had a number of works completed at our school including some fresh limestone for our sandpit area in Kindy and Pre Primary, as well as extending our veggie garden bed.   And speaking of gratitude, the best part of these projects is having a Pre Primary student come into the office and say thank you.  How special is that!

Uniform

Thank you to all our students for trying their best in wearing the correct uniform to school.  Our students should be in their Winter Uniform.

Pupil Free Day

This term a Pupil Free Day is set for Friday, 21^st August.

School Census Day – Friday 7 August

On Friday 7 August, our school will participate in the annual Non-Government Schools Census, a national data collection conducted by the Australian Government. The information gathered on this day helps determine funding allocations and supports planning for schools across Australia. Attendance on Census Day is therefore very important, as student enrolment and attendance data are used as part of this process.

We ask families to make every effort to ensure their child attends school on Friday 7 August. If your child is unable to attend due to illness, a medical appointment, or another legitimate reason, please notify the school as soon as possible so that their absence can be recorded as an explained absence. Accurate attendance records are essential for both school reporting and census requirements.

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain accurate records and ensuring the best outcomes for our school community. As always, we appreciate the partnership between home and school in supporting our students’ learning and wellbeing.

Please contact the school office if your child will be absent on Friday 7 August.

Planning for 2027 – Please Let Us Know if Your Child Will Not Be Returning

As we begin planning for the 2027 school year, we ask families to please notify the school as soon as possible if their child will not be returning to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School next year.

Accurate enrolment information is essential in helping us plan class structures, staffing, specialist programs, and resource allocation. Early advice from families enables us to make the best possible decisions to support all students and ensures a smooth transition for those moving on to new schools.

If your family is relocating, transferring to another school, or has already made alternative arrangements for 2027, please contact the school office in writing at your earliest convenience. This information will be treated with care and assists us greatly in our preparations for the coming year.

As a Catholic school community, we value the partnership we share with our families and thank you for your support in helping us plan effectively for the future.

Should your circumstances change, or if you have any questions regarding enrolment for 2027, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Thank you for your assistance and cooperation as we prepare for another successful year of learning and growth at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School.

Concert Fever is Building!

Excitement is certainly growing across the school as our students continue rehearsing with Ms Mercedes in preparation for our School Concert on Wednesday 28 October.

Each week, students have been enthusiastically participating in their dance lessons, learning routines, building their confidence, and showcasing their wonderful talents. The energy and commitment on display have been fantastic, and it is clear that our students are thoroughly enjoying the experience.

This year’s concert is shaping up to be an unforgettable event, featuring a collection of banging hits that are sure to have our entire community singing along, clapping, and moving to the music! From the youngest students to our senior classes, everyone is working hard to bring an exciting and entertaining performance to the stage.

Events such as our concert provide wonderful opportunities for students to develop teamwork, perseverance, creativity, and confidence while sharing their gifts with others. We are incredibly proud of the effort being shown by all our performers and grateful to Ms Mercedes for her enthusiasm, expertise, and dedication in preparing our students.

We encourage families to save the date and join us for what promises to be a spectacular celebration of music, dance, and community spirit.

Mark your calendars: Wednesday 28 October. We can’t wait to see our Matthew Gibney stars shine on stage! 🌟🎶💃🕺

Take care of yourselves.  Goodness your way.

Clinton Payne

Principal

Book Club

Scholastic Book Club Catalogue issue 5 was sent home with students last week. The closing date is today, Friday 30th July.

Please place any orders using the Loop website.

Term 3 2026 Parent Planner

Please click here for the Term 3 Parent Planner.

🌱 The Year 4 Charity Garden is Growing… in More Ways Than One! 🌱

Over the school holidays, our Year 4 Charity Garden has had a major growth spurt! Not only are our vegetables growing, but the garden itself has doubled in size, giving us even more space to learn, grow and support our school charities.

This term we’ll be growing an amazing selection of fresh produce, including:
🥕 Carrots
🍓 Strawberries
🥗 Snow Peas
🥬 Baby Spinach
🥬 Red Cabbage
🥬 Green Cabbage
🥬 Silver Beet
🥬 Pak Choi
🥬 Lettuce
🥗 Rocket
🌶️ Chilli
🌿 Celery
🌱 Chives
🌿 Two varieties of Mint

🌿 Our Charity Garden Markets will also be returning in the coming weeks! Fresh vegetables, herbs and our popular worm tea will once again be available, with all proceeds supporting St Vincent de Paul this term.

Thank you for your continued support of this special project. Together, we’re growing more than just vegetables—we’re growing sustainability, service, community, and a love of caring for God’s creation. We can’t wait to share another exciting season of growing, learning and giving back! 🌱💚

What is Co-Regulation?

Co-regulation is the process of a calm, emotionally regulated adult helping a child or young person manage overwhelming emotions. Rather than relying on punishment or consequences, co-regulation is built on connection, empathy, and emotional safety. By remaining calm ourselves, we help regulate a child’s nervous system, enabling them to feel safe enough to regain control of their emotions and behaviour.

Children are not born knowing how to regulate their emotions—they learn this skill through repeated experiences of being soothed and supported by trusted adults. Over time, these experiences help them develop the ability to self-regulate independently.

The 3 R’s of Co-Regulation

Effective co-regulation follows three simple steps:

1.Regulate Yourself First

Children naturally mirror the emotional state of the adults around them. Before responding, take a moment to notice your own body. Relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw, take a few slow breaths, and approach the situation calmly. Your calm presence is one of the most powerful tools you have.

2. Relate Before You Correct

Connection comes before correction. Get down to the child’s eye level (if they are comfortable), speak in a gentle, reassuring tone, and acknowledge what they are feeling without judgement.

For example:
“I can see you’re feeling really frustrated right now.”

Feeling understood helps children feel safe and supported, making it easier for them to calm down.

3. Reason Once They Are Calm

When a child is highly distressed, the thinking part of their brain is temporarily offline. This is not the time for problem-solving, consequences, or lengthy discussions. Wait until they have settled before talking about what happened, exploring solutions, or teaching coping strategies.

Practical Co-Regulation Strategies

• Breathe together. Model slow, deep breathing, such as “Smell the flower… now blow out the candle.”
• Use calming sensory activities. Playdough, colouring, weighted items, heavy work (such as carrying books), rocking, or gentle movement can help regulate the nervous system.
• Use fewer words. During moments of high emotion, keep your language simple and reassuring. Too much talking can overwhelm an already distressed brain.
• Name the emotion. Help children identify their feelings by saying things like, “It looks like you’re feeling disappointed,” or “I can see you’re worried.” This builds emotional awareness and vocabulary.
• Offer comfort if welcomed. Some children benefit from a hug, sitting beside a trusted adult, or a gentle hand on the shoulder. Always follow the child’s cues and respect their need for personal space.
• Create a calming space. A cosy “calm corner” with cushions, sensory tools, books, fidget toys, or mindfulness activities provides children with a safe place to regulate when emotions become overwhelming.

 

Remember, children do well when they can. By responding with calm, connection, and compassion, we are not only helping them through a difficult moment—we are teaching them lifelong emotional regulation skills.

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.