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Dear Parents and Carers
The second major celebration of our Silver Anniversary year was held last Friday evening at Pialligo Estate. The event was an outstanding success with well over 100 parents, ex-students and staff attending. Many parents expressed their joy at being able to reconnect, in a social setting, with other members of our school community.
On behalf of all who attended, I would like to sincerely thank our Organising Committee, comprised of Jessana Pirotta, Chelsea Rey and Julia Rutter. This group worked steadily for over a year to ensure the night’s success including defraying the costs to make the evening accessible to all attendees. The Committee’s final fund raiser was a silent auction, held on the night, which raised over $2000.
Our next event will be held on St Matthew’s Day which falls on 21st September. The day will be a back to the 1970’s day when children come dressed in clothing befitting the era. A Committee of staff members is busily preparing a fun day which will include rotational activities playing 1970’s games. Other activities will involve a whole school liturgy and a joint art activity. The Committee has also purchased a commemorative gift for every child and staff member.
The final initiative, the construction of an Anniversary Wall will be completed during Term Four.
During the final days of Term Two the Director of Catholic Education, Mr Ross Fox, indicated that all Catholic schools will be holding two pupil-free days in Term Three to address significant staffing disruptions due to COVID-19. The second of these days is this Friday, September 9. We have endeavoured to minimise the disruption to classes at St Matthew’s by backfilling staff absences using other St Matthew’s teachers. You can appreciate, however, that this means teachers are “short changed” in their allocated preparation and planning time. The pupil-free day is intended to redress this issue.
Building Update
We are hopeful that the new windows will be installed in Stage One during the next two weeks. This stage will then enable much of the internal construction to commence and literally take shape. Quotes for an automatic front door have also been tendered hopefully providing ease of access for all users in the future.
NCEC Conference
This week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) I have been attending the National Catholic Education Commission’s Conference in Melbourne. The NCEC is the Peak Body for Catholic Education throughout Australia, and my former employer. I was joined by over three hundred delegates comprising principals and other associated employees of Catholic education.
Leave
I will be taking Leave in Term Four to travel overseas with my wife, Margaret. During our travels I will attend a leadership conference in Devon, England.
Petra Cole will act as Principal during my absence, Rachel Powell will return from Maternity Leave to act as Assistant Principal and Sally Judd will remain as Acting Coordinator.
May God bless you and your families
Graham Pollard
Principal
Tell Them From Me Survey – Parent Comments
Our survey provided us with many, many messages of support which was particularly affirming. But, of course, surveys will also inform about the things that require improvement. The last two-and-a-half years have seen our usual school routines and celebrations seriously impacted by the roadmaps and health directions that safeguarded the health, wellbeing and safety of students, staff and the community, and you let us know that you’re ready for more community involvement – and so are we, when we get the green light! We’re also aware that Catholic Education’s use of Compass has been a source of frustration for you (and us!) as we move away from paper and email and towards the Compass app. We have taken all of your suggestions seriously, and we’re using your input to garner staff and parent support for a number of initiatives.
However, your responses overwhelmingly tell us that St Matthew’s is a Catholic community that is characterised by joyful, inclusive, and respectful relationships:
- I love this school. It offers a beautiful, nurturing environment for my child to learn in. I have been impressed with my child’s teacher.
- I have found the school to be warm and welcoming and teachers are approachable.
- It is a warm, friendly environment and there is always someone there for my child to play with in the morning… The kids know each other and look out for each other.
- There is a strong sense of community and belonging at St Matt’s. The staff are very diligent in responding to concerns that are raised and allow parents and students to feel heard and valued.
- My children’s teachers are caring and enthusiastic…. My children love their friends at school and enjoy the learning experiences offered.
Clothing Pool Open September 9
Our Clothing Pool will be open on September 9 (the pupil-free day) from 10am to 12pm. Entry through the K/1 playground gate.
Homework Survey
The Homework Committee at St Matthew's is comprised of a small group of teaching staff who are eager to find out more about your family's availability and desire for homework.
We have designed an initial survey for this purpose, and highly encourage parents and carers to fill out the five question Google Form linked below. It is anonymous and will help us gain a better understanding of your thoughts on this topic.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGUCyuehoMoruhc_vV4uyA5r1n9_H7e3Fkxx_i77KwS1nWXg/viewform?usp=sf_link
The St Matthew’s Homework Committee thank you in anticipation of your time.
Petra Cole
Assistant Principal
Gospel Reading
Luke 15:1-32 Jesus responds to those who criticize him for keeping company with the unworthy.
Background on the Gospel Reading
In chapter 15 of Luke's Gospel, Jesus tells three parables about losing, finding, and rejoicing. The Pharisees and scribes are suspicious of Jesus. They complain about him associating with sinners. So, he tells them these three parables.
In the first story, the parable of The Lost Sheep, the shepherd leaves behind the 99 sheep to search for the 1 lost sheep. When he finds it, the shepherd rejoices not alone as in Matthew's version, but with friends and neighbours. In the same way, God rejoices more over 1 sinner who repents than over the 99 righteous like the Pharisees and scribes.
The second story, about a poor woman who will not stop searching until she finds her lost coin, makes the same point. Why are the Pharisees complaining? They should rejoice when the lost are found.
Finally, we come to what is probably the most memorable parable in the Gospels, the story we know as The Prodigal Son. Just as in The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin, this story (found only in Luke) is really about the seeker. The loving father is at the centre of this parable. Upon his son's return, the father, “full of compassion,” runs out to embrace and forgive him before the son can utter one word of repentance. At this point the rejoicing begins. The father's response teaches us that God's care and compassion extend to the righteous and sinner alike. When we are lost, God doesn't wait for our return. He actively seeks us out. And when the lost are found, how could we not celebrate and rejoice?
Family Connection
Read or retell in your own words, the three stories from the Gospel. Ask your children to recall games they play that involve losing or hiding something and then finding it. (Hide and Go Seek) Talk about how exciting it is to find the person or thing being looked for.
Ask your children if they have any memories of losing something special or being lost themselves. Share the stories as well as the fears or feelings. Then tell them that just as you would go to any length to find and bring them home if they were lost, so too would God. That is what Jesus is telling us in the three stories. No matter what we do, no matter how wrong we are, God, our loving father, is always anxious to forgive us and welcome us back home.
Year Four First Holy Communion Retreat Day
On Thursday 8 September all of Year Four are coming together to celebrate Holy Communion. The day will be focused on what Eucharist means for us as members of our local and global community. The day will be full of fun activities including team building games, contemplative prayer and reflection, guests’ speakers and learning more about the Last Supper and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The students will reflect on how they can be children of hope, sharing the Good News with their community and making a difference in the lives of others, guided by the values Jesus taught us.
The retreat is the final culminating activity before 15 of our Year Four students receive their first Holy Communion. Masses will take place on the 10th and 11th or September and the 17th and 18th of September. Please keep all these children and their families in your prayers as they make this big step in their faith journey.
Dear Parents
We all had a wonderful time last week celebrating the joy of books! Thank you to all the mums, dads, grandparents, aunties, uncles and friends who helped to make such wonderful costumes. The students also enjoyed wonderful activities that were led by our amazing K-6 teachers. The school was buzzing with excitement!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Sally Judd
Teacher Librarian
Congratulations to Raechel McKinnon, ex-student of St Matt’s who has just been elected Merici 2023 College Captain .
Pictured L-R: Anna Masters (Principal), Raechel McKinnon (2023 College Captain), Matilda Hanley (2023 College Vice Captain).
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 Jevik J, Liam O, Ethan S, Lily C, Archie M, and Georgia R, who recently celebrated birthdays.
Pop Up Clothing Pool
St Matthew’s Clothing Pool (pre-loved uniforms) will open on the next Pupil Free day which will be held on Friday September 9th September.
This will be an excellent opportunity to stock up on articles of summer uniform.
The Clothing Pool will open 10am – 12 noon.
Please mark this date in your calendar.
The South Belconnen Parish is celebrating a Multicultural Mass at St Vincent’s, Aranda, on Sunday 6 November at 10am. We are inviting all who are interested in attending this Mass. Please contact Jenny Murphy (jennymurphys@icloud.com) if you are interested in joining other members of our multicultural community at the Mass. I will ask you to wear your national dress and perhaps to bring a national dish to share as the Mass is followed by a shared meal in the church grounds.
I hope many of you will join in this wonderful opportunity to show us with pride your national dress and hopefully to sample some of your national food.
