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Dear Parents and Carers
We have been informed that Health Authorities are anticipating a spike in the number of cases of COVID during the next few weeks. Catholic Education (CE) has taken a risk averse approach by advising schools to cancel all non-essential off site activities and by reimposing restrictions on adults visiting school sites.
CE has prioritised schools maintaining a consistent Teaching and Learning program. For this reason, given the chronic shortage in Relief (replacement) Teachers, Catholic schools have been advised to withdraw from any extra curricula activities which may result in teachers not being with their class for the day.
You can assist our school by:
- Informing our Front Office if your child has contracted the virus. Our school will then make contact with you to advise how to access our Remote Learning document.
- Regularly testing your child if a close contact in your family group has contracted the virus.
- Monitoring your child’s daily health and keeping them at home if they appear unwell.
Invitations to our much anticipated anniversary dinner were posted to your email address last Friday via Compass. The evening promises to be a wonderful celebration for our community and a great opportunity to reconnect with, or make new, friends.
Thank you to our wonderful organising committee who have worked steadily over six months to organise (and fundraise for) this event.
You can help the Committee in their organisation of the evening by making an early decision to commit to this function.
Staffing
I would like welcome Mrs Debbie Deighton who has joined our staff as a Specialist Music Teacher for the remainder of this year. Debbie is an experienced teacher having taught in several Catholic primary schools over many years.
Athletics Carnival
Last week’s carnival at Merici College was an outstanding success. The support of our parents and the wonderful Merici College girls and staff made for a great day.
Ribbons for all place getters will be awarded at a Morning Assembly along with the announcement of the winning house for 2022.
Finally, a very big thank you to Mr Hornby and Mr Payne who were the coordinators of the day.
Pupil Free Day
A reminder that the next Pupil Free day will be held on Friday August 5th.
May God bless you and your families
Graham Pollard
Principal
Conceptual Inquiry at St Matthew’s
Students had spent six weeks inquiring into human migration and its contribution to economic and social development. Guest speakers afforded students an opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and learn about migrant experiences from people in our community. They 
then conducted research about people who had migrated to Australia and created ‘suitcases’ containing artefacts that told the story of a chosen migrant. Letters inside each suitcase outlined the circumstances of migration, experiences of coming to Australia, and what life was like upon arrival.
Tell Them From Me Survey
Forty-six parents responded to our call to participate in the Tell Them From Me survey – thank you! Your responses tell us many things about our wonderful parent community.
Our parents feel welcome at the school and are very supportive of learning at home – something St Matthew’s teachers have been especially appreciative of during the last two years. The survey also told us that our parents encourage their children to do well at school, praising them, and taking an interest in their learning activities. You recognise that we encourage your children to do their best work, and that we have high expectations of our students.
We also learned that our community believe that St Matthew’s is distinctively Catholic, with a strong sense of making Jesus known, loved and lived. Our parents understand that Religious Education is delivered through a dynamic partnership between parish, school and home. Parents feel that our community supports and articulates the importance of the dignity of each person.
As is to be expected, we have areas that we will continue to improve – including keeping you informed and involving parents in school and social events as we emerge from COVID-19 restrictions. We look forward to working with you all to make St Matthew’s school the best it can be for our students and community.
Petra Cole
Assistant Principal
Sunday 31 July Gospel Reading
Luke 12:13-21
A person's life does not consist of possessions.
Background on the Gospel Reading
In Chapter 12 of Luke's Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples and the crowd on how to be ready for the coming judgment. A crowd of many thousands has gathered to hear Jesus. At first, he speaks only to the disciples, reminding them that it is not persecution they should fear but the judgment that is coming for all who do not acknowledge the Son of Man. Suddenly a man in the crowd shouts out to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” He seems to have grown tired of Jesus speaking only to the disciples. Jesus offers the man no help. Instead, he uses the question to teach what, in light of the coming judgment, life really consist of.
Jesus tells the crowd a parable. A rich man's lands have yielded more crops than expected. His response is not to consider how he might share all the extra food with others but to wonder how he can possibly store it all. He has what he thinks is a brilliant idea: to tear down his present barns and build larger ones. Then he will have many things stored up for years of eating and making merry.
“You fool” is God's response to this man because that very night his life will be taken away. To whom will everything belong then, God asks. The rich man's world is small, just him and his possessions, and now he learns that he is to lose his life. What good are his possessions now? Jesus states the moral of the story. This is how it will be for everyone who stores up treasure for himself or herself but is not rich in what matters to God.
Centuries later St. Gregory the Great taught that when we care for the needs of the poor, we are giving them what is theirs, not ours. We are not just performing works of mercy; we are paying a debt of justice. Life does not consist in possessions but in sharing what we possess with others. The goods of the earth have been given to everyone.
Family Connection
Family life helps us learn about the values of solidarity and the common good. As a family, we strive to respect the rights of each family member and make decisions that promote the common good of the family. Talk about what it would be like if the family ordered a pizza and then divided it unevenly, with some members getting as many pieces as they wanted while others got only a half slice. Talk about how you work to make sure that everyone in the family has his or her fair share.
Talk about how your family is also a member of the human family, called to share the goods of creation fairly and justly. Explain that in this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus challenges us to remember that the goods of the world are intended to be shared by all. Read aloud Luke 12:13-21. Talk about the parable of the rich fool and ask family members to describe what they think he did wrong. Emphasize that although the man in the story doesn't seem bad, Jesus points out that this man's flaw was that he was thinking only about himself and his own comfort and security. Emphasise that when we fail to think about the needs of others, we call that a sin of omission.
Remind your children that each time we go to Mass, we ask forgiveness for what we have done and for what we have failed to do. Remember the poor in our community and pray the below prayer together.
Thank You
Thank you for all your generous donations to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. The Youth Ministry are so grateful for all your support. We filled a car full to take to the Head Office in Yarralumla.
Term 3 is an exciting term for libraries around Australia as it is the term we celebrate Book Week. This year we have some wonderful activities for St Matthew’s students to participate in.
K-4 Author Visit
Kate and Jol Temple, authors of the ‘Underdogs’ series and the Bin Chicken picture books, are speaking to our Kinder-Year 4 students on Monday August 1. Students have the opportunity to order signed copies of Kate and Jol’s books through The Children’s Bookshop via https://www.thechildrensbookshopspeakersagency.com.au/person/temple-kate-speaker/ . These books can be ordered before or after Kate and Jol’s visit and will be delivered to St Matthew’s.
Years 4-6 Author Visit
Our Year 4-6 students have the privilege to attend an author workshop with Allison Tait on Monday August 29. Allison has written the Maven & Reeve mysteries, The Mapmaker Chronicles and The Ateban Cipher series, as well as conducting her own writing courses.
Book Week Dress Up and Activity Day
On Friday August 26, we invite all students to come dressed as a book character, either fictional or real, or as something relating to the Book Week theme ‘Dreaming with eyes open’. We will begin our day with a short assembly and then progress into a day full of Book Week related activities. If possible, could your child also bring along the book or a picture of the book cover to let others know the book their character is from.
Scholastic Book Club
Just a reminder that orders for Issue 5 of the Scholastic Book Club close Wednesday August 3. In this Issue, Scholastic have a special book offer, where you can receive free books!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Sally Judd
Teacher Librarian
Term 3 School Fees were distributed via email this week.
Fees are due by week 5 (August 19) unless payment is being made by instalments.
Please contact the front office if you haven’t received your fees or have any questions. 
Just a reminder that students will need ‘hats on’ again from next week.
“The End of May is Hats OFF Day”
And
“The Beginning of August is Hats ON Again for All of Us”
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 Alastair M, Ivy C, Brooklin A, Lucas M, Sienna G, Yasmin F, Philippa H, Jessica B, Oscar G, Lottie B, Alexander F, Jacob G, Ethan W, Henry R, Isaac W, Lola R, Abigail D, Julijana L, Marianna R, Lucas P, Imogen O, Arthur M, Meisha Z, Elsie H, Alexander N, Eloise C who celebrated birthdays before and during the holidays and to Aidan C, Jassica M, Lullaby L, Jacob K, Eloise C, Luka K, Georgia R, Indigo P, Dylan H and Hudson M who recently celebrated birthdays.
