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Dear Parents and Carers,
This Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I am attending the Catholic School Principals’ Retreat at Bowral. This is an annual retreat generally held at a location which is a midpoint in our archdiocese. Most schools in this region are located in the ACT; however, a significant number are situated in regional areas of New South Wales. The archdiocese stretches from Pambula in the South to Lake Cargelligo in the West. As a visiting lecturer once remarked “Good Lord! That’s about as big as Ireland.”
Given the significant distances between schools, this will be one of two occasions this year that principals throughout the archdiocese have an opportunity to meet and catch up.
Our Director, Mr Ross Fox, will subsequently use Wednesday as a day where he will outline System-wide initiatives, such as the Catalyst Teaching and Learning program, which is being promoted throughout our archdiocese.
During my absence Mrs Cole will act as Principal.
Congratulations
Last weekend, a group of St Matthew’s children travelled to Sydney to represent ACT in the Tag20 Pacific Cup at Minto. A range of children from Years 2, 3, 4, and 6 represented the ACT and St Matthew’s. In hot and steamy conditions, they played their hearts out. They were all proud of their efforts across the weekend and so were the coaches and parents.
Isaac Hardy and Xander Marks played in the U7’s team who were undefeated over the weekend and walked away with championship medals.
Violet Murray, Dylan Hardy, Ethan Szabo, Isaac Marks and Archer Pollheim played across two U9’s team, one of which made it to the semi-finals.
Isaac Willson, Coby Ogilve, Nicholas Marks and Angus Murray all represented U11’s across two teams and again one of the teams made it to the semi-finals.
Congratulations, everyone!
May God bless you and your families this week.
Graham Pollard
Principal
Dear Families,
NAPLAN Weeks 7 - 8
Next week, our students will participate in NAPLAN, the national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.
Schools have transitioned from paper-based to computer-based assessments. All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper. Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are more engaging for students. One of the main benefits is tailored (or adaptive) testing, where the test presents questions which may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway.
Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best. Teachers have already familiarised students with the types of questions in the tests. Students understand the purpose of NAPLAN and are comfortable with the format of the tests.
On the testing days, from Wednesday to Friday of Week 7, you should ensure your child has a healthy breakfast, is well-rested, and arrives at school on time. It’s not necessary to prepare in any other way. Students have plenty of time for eating, rest and play on the day.
See the types of questions and tools available in the online NAPLAN assessments at the public demonstration site. More information for parents and carers can be found here.
Reading Information Session
Our Classroom Support Team is presenting two short information sessions that may be of interest to parents of students in Kindergarten, Year 1 or Year 2, who would like to learn more about how to support their child’s reading journey.
During the sessions, we’ll discuss some of the activities you can do at home to encourage your child to practise a range of literacy skills, and how you can assist your child during home reading.
More information can be found in the flyer attached to this newsletter. Questions or RSVPs can be sent to petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au.
Petra Cole
Assistant Principal
petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au
All families have received their log in details via email for our new Compass Parent Portal. The Compass Parent Portal is an online portal that allows you to interact with the school and access up-to-date information. Once you have your log-in credentials and download the app, you’ll be able to:
- Enter absence notes for your child
- Give consent for excursions
- View school reports
- Communicate with your child’s teacher
- Book parent-teacher interviews
- Receive communication from staff
If you didn’t receive log in details, please contact our Front Office (office.stmatts@cg.catholic.edu.au) or check your “junk” mailbox.
Click here to install Compass on Apple devices
Click here to install Compass on Android devices
When prompted: Search “St Matthew’s P” and then you’ll see “St Matthew’s Primary School – Page” as a drop down.
Happy birthday wishes to Lucy M, Audrey P, Pasquale A, Mia P, Isaac R, aaron H, Andrew P, Serchen P, Xander M, Mikko T and Jaina H, who recently celebrated birthdays.
