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Dear Parents and Carers
Book Week Dress Up Day
The children are very much looking forward to tomorrow’s Book Week Dress Up day. I think of all the activities the school undertakes each year this would be top of most children’s list. Once again, our Librarian, Sally Judd has prepared a most exciting day where children rotate through activities designed around this year’s shortlisted books.
Do you recall dressing up in Primary school, do you recall any of the themes? Over many years the Children’s Book Council (CBC) has developed a love of reading amongst Australian children which is celebrated at Book Week. Each year since 1945 the CBC has brought children and books together though Children’s Book Week.
This year’s theme is Read, Grow, Inspire which will be celebrated from 19-25 August.
I hope the children have a fabulous day.
Father’s Day
Once again, our school will be hosting a Father’s Day Breakfast on the morning of Friday September 1st. This event is open to all fathers, grandfathers, and their families.
Please keep the date free, at a time when our capacity in recent times to hold social functions has been restricted due to COVID and our ongoing building works, this will be an opportunity to reconnect. Breakfast will be served from 7.30am and will consist of egg and bacon rolls, with gluten free options and coffee.
To avoid our building works, breakfast will be served on the Senior Playground at the Church end of our building.
We are planning to have a special massed choir of all children to sing one or two songs for their dads.
Finally, we will require the help of our parents to assist with the cooking and serving on the day. If you can help, please email your name to our Front Office at office.stmatts@cg.catholic.edu.au
Rostrum Public Speaking
Congratulations once again to Millie Fletcher who won her semi-final and will now progress through to the Grand Final of the Rostrum Public Speaking competition. The competition involves over 100 children across Canberra which makes Millie’s achievement even more remarkable.
May God bless you and your families this week.
Graham Pollard
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Tell Them From Me: Your Questions Answered!
Our recent survey indicated to us that there are some issues which are proving to be confusing, or which require clarification for some of our families. This term, I’ll be addressing these in my fortnightly newsletter inclusion. This week, let’s clarify the manner in which we enter the school buildings in the morning.
Students are able to access the K/1 playground from 8:30am, when the two teachers on duty arrive to unlock gates and toilets. Parents are welcome to join us in the mornings, and at that time, students engage in a number of activities: handball, handstands, hopscotch, playing on the equipment, and generally catching up on the previous evening’s happenings. At 8:50am, students line up in their class lines, we all greet each other, and then we listen to our wonderful Year 6 leaders present the Acknowledgement, lead prayer and announce the day’s clubs and birthdays.
In the past, we have moved from the assembly area to our classrooms in a rather noisy fashion. Our hallways were noisy places, with students yelling over the top of each other, having long and loud conversations in the corridors as they unpacked their bags, and generally being very unprepared for the day’s learning. We changed our model last year, and now encourage students to move in (almost!) silence to their classes, although they’ll still say a cheery hello to Father Simon, or share a smile or whispered conversation with a friend or teacher as they walk. This means that students with complex needs who may be highly sensitive to loud noise and chaotic movement are able to start their day in a more positive frame-of-mind. But, just as importantly, transitioning quietly into classrooms sets the tone for all other students that learning is about to begin, which it does – and very quickly!
Please get in touch with me if you have any other questions about our morning assembly or the ways in which we begin our day.
Petra Cole
Assistant Principal
petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au
To begin our Book Week celebrations, our Shadow Judging Team went to the National Library of Australia to hear the official announcement of the 2023 CBCA Book Week winners today. The Mint also announced their new coin to celebrate the 35th anniversary of 'Edward the Emu' by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement. Our students shared their experiences of being Shadow Judges and presented some of the creative responses they have produced. These Year 4 students have worked really hard over the last 12 weeks to carefully consider which book was the best for the Early Childhood category. They have developed insightful observations and deep connections with these books and worked collaboratively to choose their winning book. The Shadow Judges winners will be announced next Friday. We are so proud of the work and commitment of these Year 4 students!
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 Harry C, Lilah G, Alena L, Kuenzang P, Rosie M, Esther R, Callum T, Talitha C, Harry P, who recently celebrated birthdays.
We are back on with clothing pool on Friday afternoons at 2:45pm.
If you have some time free time to be able to volunteer to help Corrina, please contact the front office office.stmatts@cg.catholic.edu.au