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Term One Dates
| WEEK FOUR | |
| Thursday, 22 February |
First Reconciliation Faith Formation Evening (Parent and Child) at St Matthew's Church 6:00pm |
| Friday, 23 February |
Prayer Celebration 9.00am led by Year Five 2024 Swimming Carnival Presentations Community Council Family Barbeque Picnic from 4.30pm |
| Saturday, 24 February or Sunday, 25 February |
Reconciliation Commitment Mass St Matthew's Church Sat. 6.00 pm/Sun. 8.30am St Vincent's Church Sun.10.00am |
| WEEK FIVE | |
| Tuesday, 27 February |
Meninga/Daley Legends Day for Years 5/6 Girls - Please complete the Compass Expression of Interest |
| Wednesday, 28 February |
High Impact Teaching Practice Coaching for Staff with Toni Hatten Roberts from COGLearn Last Kindergarten Rest and Assessment Day Mrs. Talbott at the Classroom Teachers Network Day - Catholic Education Office Manuka |
| Friday, 2 March |
Year Six Mass at St Matthew's Church 9.30am - All welcome! |
Year Six Camp
I would like to congratulate our Year 6 students on their impeccable behaviour and enthusiasm during their recent excursion to the Jindabyne Sports and Recreation Centre. Their positive attitude and exemplary conduct truly reflected the spirit of St. Matthew's Primary School.
I would like to thank the dedicated staff, Mrs Cole, Mr Hunt, Miss Beissner, Mr Hargraves, and Mr Crutcher, for attending with the students and making the experience possible.
I was thrilled, but not surprised, to hear that the camp staff have expressed their fondness for hosting St. Matthew's students and their eagerness to work with our groups and become competitive amongst their staff. Over many years, our student's behaviour and enthusiasm have left a lasting impression.
Congratulations, Year 6, on a successful and enriching camp experience. Your positive attitude is a testament to the values of our school community. Well done!
2024 Welcome Barbeque
Your support is appreciated.
External Notice Board
Student Assessment
DIBELS ® (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills. They are designed to be short (one-minute) fluency measures that can be used to regularly detect risk and monitor the development of early literacy and early reading skills in kindergarten through eighth grade.
DIBELS results will be used to evaluate individual student development and provide grade-level feedback toward validated instructional objectives.
What is ACER PAT (Australian Council for Educational Research - Progressive Achievement Tests)?
Another assessment that is used each year is ACER PAT Adaptive for Reading and Mathematics.
PAT Assessments establish what students are capable of and then challenge them at the appropriate level for effective learning.
The tests are administered at recommended intervals to measure learning growth over time. Each assessment is administered in under 60 minutes through ACER’s secure online platform.
The regular assessment data gathered at St Matthew's enables staff to support your child best and highlights students requiring intervention and/or enrichment programs.
2024 Student Residential Address and Other Information
Each year, the Australian Government Department of Education asks us to provide a residential address and other information.
Under the Australian Education Regulations 2023, the school is required to provide the department with the following information about each student at the school:
* names and residential addresses of the student’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s)
* student residential address (excluding student names)
* whether the student is a primary or secondary student (education level)
* whether the student is boarding or a day student (boarding status).
The school collects the above information by generating a unique and unidentifiable student reference number (SRN) for each student record. The school only uses the SRN for this collection. The SRN cannot be used for any other purpose. The number only indicates to the department that each record provided is for one student.
Purpose of the collection
The Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection (the collection) informs the Australian Government school education policy and helps ensure funding for non-government schools is based on need. The information collected is used to inform school funding calculations. It is combined with the Australian Bureau
of Statistics (ABS) data to calculate a non-government school community’s anticipated capacity to contribute to schooling costs.
What do you need to do?
You are not required to do anything. Your school is responsible for providing the department with the requested details; however, you can contact the school to update your family’s details.
If you would like further information about the collection, an information page is attached below.
Newsletter Submissions
In truth and love,
Sarah Lowe
Principal
Prayer Celebrations and Mass
Thank you to the families and friends of our St Matthew’s School Community who were able to join us in our celebrations over the last two weeks.
The Opening Prayer Celebration was a beautiful opportunity to welcome our students and families into the new year, whilst also blessing and acknowledging our Year 6 leaders for 2024. We look forward to seeing our senior students grow in their role and follow our teachings of Jesus, to make Him real in our community.
Our Ash Wednesday Mass was early this year, held in week 3. We thank Fr Simon for celebrating this occasion for us. Our teachers were all so proud of the respectful behaviour the St Matthew’s students portrayed on Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of our Season of Lent. During this time, leading up to Easter, we focus on the 3 pillars of Lent; almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.
Almsgiving refers to the act of giving, which can be in the form of money, time, or kindness. Every Lenten Season, Caritas runs a program called Project Compassion. They work towards raising money to make a difference now and for all future generations.
Each year, they unite thousands of Australian schools, parishes, and supporters, which enables Caritas Australia to support the most vulnerable communities in Australia and overseas.
Every class has a donation box for students to make any contributions they may have. Parents, we would appreciate your support in this cause. Using the QR code below or via the link, you can donate, read stories of those supported by Caritas, and find out more information.
This evening, Thursday the 22nd of February, at St Matthew’s Church, we begin our first Sacramental Program. We will hold a Faith Formation evening for both parents and the child who will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
During this meeting, our families will receive packs for home learning over the next five weeks. This will also include the key dates for attendance during this program, as listed below.
Faith Formation Evening:
Thursday 22nd February 6pm
Commitment Mass 1:
Saturday 24th February 6pm @St Vincent’s Church, Aranda
Sunday 25th February 8:30am @St Matthew’s Church, Page
Sunday 25th February 10am @St Vincent’s Church, Aranda
Home Program
26th February - 21st March
Commitment Mass 2:
Saturday 16th March 6pm @St Vincent’s Church, Aranda
Sunday 17th March 8:30am @St Matthew’s Church, Page
Sunday 17th March 10am @St Vincent’s Church, Aranda
Retreat Day:
Friday 5th April @St Vincent’s Primary School, Aranda
Sacrament of First Reconciliation
Tuesday 9th April 6:30pm @St Vincent’s Church, Aranda
Wednesday 10th April 5:30pm @St Matthew’s Church, Page
We pray for our students over the next few weeks and bless them on their Sacramental journey of Reconciliation.
Upcoming Events
This week is a busy one in relation to Sport at St Matthew's.
Here is a quick run-through of what is coming up and some reminders surrounding the coming weeks:
- Years 5-6 Girls Meninga/Daley Legends Day (Tag) is happening on Tuesday 27th of February (Week 5). A compass event with more information has been sent out. If your child is interested, please tick the attending button. Volunteers are more than welcome and are also encouraged to make the day a great success!
- Swimming Carnival Ribbons will be awarded after tomorrow's Year 5 Prayer Liturgy (23rd of February).
- Rugby Union clinics are finishing this week, with the OZTAG clinic starting Tuesdays and Thursdays in Week 5.
- Wests Rugby has sent an information flyer regarding a come-and-try day for Rugby Union.
St Matthew's Swim Stars
Congratulations to the following students on their success at the recent swimming carnival. The following students have qualified for the Belconnen district carnival: Elsie Hamilton, Caitlin Martin, Xander Marks, George Mattiske, Isaac Marks, Flynn Robertson, Ethan Szabo, and Frankie Rositano. Information about this event will be sent home to our representatives soon.
Finally, a big thank you to all the parent helpers who helped at the swimming carnival! Without your support, these events would not be possible.
Feel free to touch base with any questions or concerns relating to the counselling service at your school; I’m happy to chat through the program and the support I can offer in this role. I am at the school on a Wednesday and Thursday each week.
If you would like to make a referral for your child, please use the link below to access the form – once the referral has been put through, I will be in touch as soon as possible.
https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form
I look forward to working with you and your school throughout 2024!
Christian Meditation in Year 2
This year we have a whole school focus on Christian Meditation. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday after lunch, we practise being still and listening to God. We use an ancient word ‘Maranatha’ to stay focused. This word means ‘Come Jesus.’
In Year 2, we have been learning to meditate for longer each session, and the children have enjoyed the calmness and time with God.
Here is what the children think:
“ God tells me he will always look after me.”
“I feel so calm talking to God.”
“It makes me feel safe and peaceful.”
Marvellous Mattie's!
Our Community Council had its first meeting of the year last week. We welcomed a few new members and are thrilled about what our community has in store for this year at St. Matthew's.
We are in the process of putting together a calendar of events for the year, including fundraising events and community gatherings.
Our trivia night was a huge success last year, so we are already planning another one for this year on Friday, 20th September.
If you have any suggestions for events that we could hold this year, please reach out to us at our community council email:
stmatthewscommunitycouncil@gmail.com
We would love to hear your ideas.
We hope to see you all at the welcome BBQ on Friday afternoon.
Come join us for a sausage and say hello.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead.
