Year 6 Camp 

Our Year 6 students had a wonderful time at camp last week. They participated in activities such as sliders, initiatives, mountain biking, archery, games, and trivia. It was wonderful to see them challenge themselves, build teamwork skills, and create lasting memories.

A huge thank you to our amazing staff who made this camp possible—Year 6 teachers Daniel Hunt and Hannah Beissner, along with Dillon Payne and Mrs. Cole, for their guidance and supervision. A special thanks also to Chris Answerth for assisting with the planning and organisation. Their hard work and dedication ensured a fantastic experience for our students!

Well done to our Year 6s for their enthusiasm and positive attitude—you represented St Matthew’s beautifully, and we are so proud of you! Many of the camp staff also commented on our students' consistently beautiful manners and behaviour, which is a true credit to them and our school community.

Thank You for Attending Meet the Teacher

Thank you to everyone who attended our Meet the Teacher sessions this week. These meetings were very productive and provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school.

We appreciate your time and commitment to supporting your child’s learning journey. Open and ongoing communication is key to a successful year, and we are grateful for the conversations that have helped build those connections.

Learning Beyond the Classroom: Supporting Social Development at St Matthew’s

At St Matthew’s, learning extends beyond the classroom walls. While academic success is essential, we also prioritise the development of social skills, ensuring that students grow into respectful, resilient, and empathetic individuals.

During structured learning time, students excel at following instructions, engaging with their teachers, and collaborating with peers in a closely guided environment. However, the playground presents a different kind of learning—one where students take greater responsibility for their social interactions. This unstructured time allows children to practise negotiation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. For some, these skills come naturally; for others, they take longer to develop.

As Dr. Albert Bandura, a Canadian-American psychologist and professor of social science in psychology at Stanford University, said, “Most human behaviour is learned observationally through modelling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviours are performed.” Just as students learn academic skills by watching and practising, they also learn social skills by interacting with their peers, making mistakes, and reflecting on their actions.

At St Matthew’s, we guide students through this process using restorative practices. This approach focuses on helping children understand the impact of their actions, repair harm, and rebuild relationships. Instead of simply punishing misbehaviour, we facilitate meaningful conversations where students can express their feelings, listen to each other, and take responsibility for making things right.

Through restorative practices, we teach students to:

• Reflect on their choices and their effects on others
• Develop empathy by considering different perspectives
• Find constructive ways to resolve conflicts
• Strengthen friendships and build a positive school culture

By supporting children in both their academic and social learning, we are preparing them for success not just in school but in life.

Support for Families – Multicultural Hub Canberra

At St Matthew’s, we value the diverse backgrounds of our school community and understand that settling into a new country can come with challenges. The Multicultural Hub Canberra offers a range of services to support migrant and refugee families as they navigate life in Australia.

The Multicultural Hub provides assistance with:

• Settlement support and community connections
• English language programs
• Employment and training opportunities
• Housing and financial advice
• Health and wellbeing services

For more information about the services available, visit Multicultural Hub Canberra.

We encourage families to reach out and take advantage of the support available to help make the transition smoother and more connected.

Drive-Through Pick-Up Reminder

As we work together to ensure a smooth pick-up process, we kindly ask all families using the Drive-Through area from Chewings Street down Stutchbury Street to keep residential driveways clear. Our neighbours need to be able to enter and leave their homes safely during afternoon pick-up time.

A reminder that supervision is provided until 3.20pm. Arriving around 3.15pm helps ease congestion, providing a clear drive-in without waiting in line. 

Online Lunch Orders at St Matthew’s

At St Matthew’s, we understand the challenge of packing lunches every day, especially without an onsite canteen. To support our families, we offer online food ordering options twice a week.

Sushi orders are available every Tuesday through Sushi Sushi Belconnen 2. To ensure your order is placed correctly, please follow these steps:

1. Go to Sushi Sushi Belconnen 2 Online.
2. Sign in and set up an account.
3. Order from the WHITE RICE HANDROLLS or DELUXE ITEMS menus.
4. Click on the item name (not "Quick Add") to select.
5. Click "+ Add Special Instructions" and enter:
   • Your child’s name
   • St Matthew’s and their class (e.g., Jane Brown - St Matthew’s - 6M)
   • Any preferences for soy sauce, wasabi, or ginger.
6. Add item to bag, order more if needed, or proceed to checkout.
7. If ordering for multiple children, repeat step 5 for each.
8. Select "YOUR ORDER SUMMARY" and choose SCHEDULED ORDER for a Tuesday at 12:45 pm.
9. Orders must be placed by 8:00 pm on Sunday for delivery the following Tuesday. Orders can be scheduled up to a month in advance.
10. Before ordering, always confirm you are on the "Sushi Sushi Belconnen 2" site.

Download the instructions here

Thank you for supporting this initiative—we hope it makes lunchtime a little easier for our families!

Week 6 – Family Week: A Time to Pause and Connect

At St Matthew’s, we know how busy family life can be. Between school, work, extracurricular activities, and daily routines, it can sometimes feel like there’s little time left for simply being together. That’s why Week 6 is Family Week—a special opportunity to pause, reconnect, and focus on the people who matter most.

During Family Week, there will be no formal homework or staff meetings. Instead, we encourage everyone to spend time together in meaningful ways. This might mean:

• Helping more with household chores
• Cooking a meal together
• Playing a board or card game
• Taking a walk as a family
• Reading a book together

We see this as a fallow week—a time to rest, refresh, and nurture the relationships that support our children’s growth and well-being. By slowing down and making space for connection, we build stronger families and a stronger school community.

We would love to hear about how your family chooses to spend this special week. Feel free to share your Family Week moments with us!

Catholic Education's Complaints Policy

Any person may make a complaint and Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn takes all complaints seriously. All complaints are dealt with fairly, impartially, and confidentially. People raising complaints can expect to: 

• Be treated respectfully and fairly 
• Have the matter dealt with as soon as possible, and 
• Be informed of progress.