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Dear Parents and Carers
Breaking News!
Winner of Pens Against Poverty Writing Competition
We are very excited to announce that Kerys Rezek in 4M has had her short story selected as a winning entry in this year’s Pens Against Poverty writing competition. The story has been honoured for quality writing and engagement with this year’s theme, Voices for Change. We’re so very proud of Kerys, and of all of our students who entered the competition. Congratulations!
Out of Hours Care Review
For the next two weeks I am seeking the support of parents whose children attend Before and or After School Care at our school. The current provider, OSHClub is nearing the end of their three-year contract. The renewal process, as required by the Catholic Education Office, will be to either reappoint the existing provider, or open the process to tender for other prospective providers.
The decision as to which way the school will proceed, will be based, in large part, on the information collected from your responses. Please follow this link: https://forms.gle/QMbF9XQFA9VGgxKk8
A panel comprising a member of the School Community Council whose children attend Before or After School Care, myself and Petra Cole will action the review process.
Please make every effort to complete the survey.
Swimming Lessons
The block of swimming lessons is drawing to a close. I hope you have found them valuable. From a school’s perspective the lessons have gone well.
Please be mindful that many swimming organisations are already offering dates for back up holiday lessons. It would be lovely to see the combination of lessons result in a higher participation rate at next year’s school carnival.
Catholic Leaders’ Day
Next Thursday, along with all principals in our Archdiocese, I will be attending the annual Archdiocesan Catholic Leaders’ Day. The day will be comprised of several presentations exploring What is a behaviour curriculum? The second sessions will then outline how best to support staff through the use of routines and scripts. Both sessions will further support the System wide Catalyst initiative which has been in place in Catholic school since its introduction in 2019/20.
The day concludes with dinner at which all retiring colleagues will be acknowledged. Not sure who that will involve!!!!
Finally thankyou to the organising Committee of last week’s Trivia Night. Our community (see report in this week’s edition) thoroughly appreciates your efforts.
May God bless you and your families this week.
Graham Pollard
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Inquiry Exhibition Friday 3 November
We can’t wait to show off our learning! We warmly invite parents, carers and families to our Inquiry Exhibition on Friday 3 November. Our Exhibition this term is a celebration of our learning and teaching in HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences). Students will present their inquiry journey and speak to visitors about their learning.
Classrooms will be open from 1:55pm to 2.30pm and entry is through the Front Office. You are encouraged to maintain social distance wherever possible, and to stay home if you’re not feeling well. Parents are welcome to take their children home after their visit by signing them out at the Front Office.
TIMMS – Year 4Some of our Year 4 students will be randomly selected to take part in the Main Study of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). TIMSS is an important educational research project investigating student achievement in mathematics and science. More than 60 countries, including Australia, are participating in this study. TIMSS is an important activity to keep us informed about how our students in Australia are performing in comparison to their peers in other countries. We are also able to use the data to compare programs of study and teaching practices. We will be able to obtain current national and international information which will help improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and science in our country.
Selected students will do an assessment in mathematics and science in Week 6, and complete a questionnaire about their experiences at home and school. There is no need for students to study specifically for the assessment as it will not affect individual students’ grades or progress in school.
All data will be kept strictly confidential and no individual student or school will be identified in published data or reports.
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 Gwin M, William L, Maddison M, Jacob W, Jasneha K, Jarahna N, Edwin G, Neve M and Banjo N, who recently celebrated birthdays.
Please share with your families the Positive Partnerships Online Parent/ Carer Workshops for Term 4.
The sessions will be 12pm – 1.30pm and a free. Participants will need to register for each session in the series through the website. They are filling fast.
https://www.positivepartnerships.com.au/
Parish Office Manager – Inner North Parishes
People are invited to apply for the position Parish Office Manager, Inner North Parishes (encompassing Campbell, Canberra Central, O’Connor & Watson). This is a full-time position (subject to review in 12 months)
Essential Requirements:
- An understanding of and support for the Catholic Church and its teachings
- Excellent verbal and written, interpersonal and communication skills
- Computer literacy in MS Suite and database skills, (in particular PACS database)
- Act with tact & discretion, maintaining high levels of confidentiality, honesty, integrity, reliability and punctuality
Please email Deborah.foote@cg.org.au for a detailed copy of the duty statement and selection criteria. Applications addressing the Selection Criteria with attached resume to Fr Anthony Riosa, SSS, anthony.riosa@cam.org.au must be received by Friday 3 November 2023.
