I would like to thank everyone who attended our Parent and Carer Breakfast last Friday morning. It was wonderful to see so many of you enjoying the morning with your children.

Thank you to our dedicated staff for preparing and serving breakfast. We also thank Mrs. Deighton for preparing the students to sing three beautiful songs. 

We would also like to acknowledge our OSH Club for their assistance and for providing the muesli bars for the students. 

Once again, thank you to everyone who made this event a success. It is through the combined efforts of our entire school community that we create such memorable experiences for our students and families.

I would also like to thank our School Community Council Working Group, led by Kristy Marks, for ordering, preparing and assisting students with selecting a special Father's Day gift. All of our families appreciate your effort! 

Celebrating Our Wonderful Classroom Support Assistants

This week, the staff celebrated Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, a time dedicated to recognising the incredible work of our Classroom Support Assistants. At St Matthew's, we are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated, hardworking team supporting our students and teachers each day.

Our Classroom Support Assistants play an important part in our students' learning journey. Their patience, creativity, and commitment help ensure that every child receives the attention and support they need to thrive. Whether they're providing one-on-one assistance, helping to manage activities, or offering a kind word of encouragement, their contributions make a significant difference.

We thank each of our Classroom Support Assistants. Their tireless efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are immensely grateful for everything they do. 

Safeguarding Sunday

The Catholic Church in Australia will mark Safeguarding Sunday 2024 on September 8.  Safeguarding Sunday seeks to acknowledge the immense damage caused by the sexual abuse of children and adults at risk, including by priests and religious and lay people within Catholic contexts. It commits to practices and protocols that create and maintain safe environments for all people. It invites people to pray for those harmed by abuse directly and indirectly.

This year, Safeguarding Sunday has adopted the theme of National Child Protection Week: “Every conversation matters.” By adopting this theme, we are reminded that every conversation about safeguarding matters. Children and adults at risk are more likely to raise concerns and issues in an organisation that empowers and listens to them, and creating space for children and adults to have a say in decisions that affect them is an integral part of every safe organisation.

A Liturgy of Healing and Lament will be held at St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, Aranda, from 11.30 am this Sunday, after the Parish Morning Tea. All community members are invited to attend.

https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/safeguarding-sunday-september-8-2024/

St Matt's Family and Friends Trivia Night 

The school Community Council warmly invites the parents, carers, staff, and friends of St Matthew's to attend the annual fundraising Trivia Night.

Tickets can be purchased using the QR code on the flyer in the School Community Council section of this newsletter or by visiting Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com/CUWZT

From all accounts, the trivia night is great fun and raises valuable funds for resources that assist your child.