Dear Parents and Carers

It seems that everyone is in agreement that we are about to conclude the most challenging, drawn out year in our lifetime. I was recalling that the year commenced with Canberra still blanketed in the residual smoke from the bushfires, was quickly followed by a hugely damaging hail storm and moved seamlessly into a global pandemic.

Through all of this trial and tumult though our school community has remained largely positive and resilient. This resilience was evident in the attitude and behaviour of our children and is due in no small part to their parents largely shielding their children from the worst of all the bad news.

I would particularly like to thank, on your behalf, the staff of St Matthew’s who worked very hard to keep school as normal as possible. Despite all of the interruptions children continued to learn and flourish and when it’s all said and done, we really could not wish for any more!

Departing Staff

I would like to acknowledge the contribution of several staff who will be leaving us at the end of this year. I thank them very sincerely for their contribution to our school and wish them well in their future endeavours.

Thank you to Clare McPhillips, Kel Hathaway, Rosemary McIntosh. Melissa Tuite and Ana Zaja

Departing Families

Those families whose Year Six child is leaving our school were farewelled and thanked during the Year Six Farewell Dinner. There are also several other families who will be leaving our school from other grades. On behalf of our community I would like to thank them for their contribution to our school and wish them every blessing as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

School Resumes

School resumes for all children on Monday February 1^st. A reminder that our Kindergarten children will not attend school on the Wednesdays during February.

I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy a restful break with your family.

May the peace of Christ surround your family during the festive season.

Graham Pollard

Principal

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers 2020

A massive thank you for your generous donations to our Christmas Hamper Appeal. Our Conference Members as well as all our staff were blown away by your generous contributions. In total we made over 28 hampers for our 14 families. It will bring much joy to those in our local community who are in need this Christmas season.

Advent

This week is the third week of advent. On Sunday we lit the third Advent candle, the candle of Joy. The candle is pink and symbolizes the joy the world experienced at the birth of Jesus. We find true peace and joy by following God’s word. As we light this candle each day, we reflect on the joy that the coming of Christ will bring.

Advent Inquiry

As a part of their unit of Inquiry, Matthew the head of Youth at The St Vincent de Paul Society came to speak to the students about being social justice super heroes and making a difference in our world through active citizenship. The students were able to see how their good works through their donations to the Christmas Hampers truly make a difference in people lives.

As a part of their inquiry the students imagined themselves living at the time when Jesus was born. They had to think about what it would feel like to be someone who had heard of the birth of the new King.The students wrote an account from the perspective of a traveler on their way to meet baby Jesus. The below story is by Hector Sticpewich and is a moving account of the wonderful ways in which God works in our lives.

A Story by Hector Sticpewich 3M

“Lost, cold hungry…. Must go further…..Ouch!”

I stepped on a pointy bone. “Fred, Fred!” I called.

Fred is my weasel, but my name is Freddy. We are in a forest, but I’m used to it. I grew up in the forest. I’m friends with all the animals in the forest except for the Coo Coo bird.

“Fred!” I called.

The little red weasel was amongst the lush open grass. “Hop on!” I cried.

He ran up and sat on my shoulder.

“Hey croc!” I shouted to the massive crocodile lazing in the water.

It shot out of the river. I clambered onto the croc’s back and it slithered back into the river.

“Now this is the way to travel!” I said.

Soon we entered a river that was crossing the wide-open plains.

“Slow down, slow down!” I cried, “I’ve seen a shepherd!”

“Why are you here young boy?” said the shepherd with a shocked look.

“I’m going into a town.” I replied.

“What’s your name?” The shepherd asked me.

“My name is Freddy, but where are you going?” I asked the shepherd

 “I’m going to see baby Jesus.”  He replied.

“But why?” I asked.

“People say you become kinder and more generous by knowing the baby Jesus.” said the shepherd.

“Forward.” I said to the croc and soon we were in a mountain stream. “Alright stop!” I said. I got off the crocs back and said goodbye. This is where I left him.  He turned around and slithered back into the stream.

“Kaa  Kaa!” I screamed knowing it would bring them to me.

Instantly, two massive eagles flew into sight. I stretched out my arms and the eagles picked me up with their talons and lifted me up off my feet.

“Nothing can stop us now,” I shouted, “Nothing can stop me from getting to Jesus!”

One minute later……

“Oh man, it’s raining and I’m flying through the sky!” I whined.

“Ok Fred.” The weasel nodded his little head as he was clutching my shoulder.

“Go down there!” I shouted, over the fresh clap of thunder.

The eagles landed on a lush green plain. The rain stopped and soon I saw it. I saw the special barn. I knocked on the door and it was answered by a woman.

“Who are you?” she said.

I answered and she told me to come in. I saw a basket and in the basket was a baby. I spoke to him and when I came out, my life had changed in many ways.

Now I want to follow him forever.

Happy Holiday

The holidays are upon us after what has been a long and challenging 2020. Our school community has worked together to support and uplift each other in times of need. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do

to support Religious Education at St Matthew’s. It has been an absolute privilege to work in the position of Religious Education Coordinator and I look forward to continuing the journey in years to come.  We have some very exciting things planned for Religious Education and the religious life of our school in 2021. I wish you a safe and happy holiday with your loved ones. May your Christmas be filled with love, peace, and happiness.

 

Louisa Mitchell

Religious Education Coordinator

Happy birthday wishes to Tijana S, Phoebe C, Shourya s, Charlotte W, Aston P, Benjamin F, Luis D, Jack T, Owen N, Sasha N, Scarlett S, who recently celebrated birthdays and to the following children celebrating brithdays in the December holidays, Michael B, Luke D, Thomas F, Liam M, Frankie R, Lucy D, Nokutenda D, Zara C, Emmy P, Leo L and Bella C.