ACPPA Meeting & Archdiocesan Principals Retreat

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association (ACPPA) Meeting and the Archdiocesan Principals Retreat. The ACPPA Meeting provided a fantastic opportunity to meet and collaborate with principals from every state and territory in Australia—from as far north as the Tiwi Islands, as far south as Hobart, as far west as Perth, and every jurisdiction in between. It was inspiring to share insights with colleagues from diverse communities and learn from their experiences.

At the Archdiocesan Retreat, I joined 56 fellow principals and key Catholic Education (CE) staff to reflect on leadership and our work in our schools. A highlight was spending time with Pam Betts, our interim Executive Director, and meeting David De Carvalho, who will join CE as a new Executive Director in July.

The retreat, led by Clara Geoghegan, focused on charisms—the unique gifts we bring to leadership—and how to discern and nurture them in ourselves and others. It was a valuable time of professional and spiritual growth, and I look forward to bringing these insights back to our St Matthew’s community.

NAPLAN Testing

Yesterday, our Year 3 and Year 5 students began their NAPLAN assessments, engaging with the process with great focus and determination. While there were some minor technical glitches, our students have shown resilience and perseverance.

We recognise that NAPLAN is just a snapshot in time, influenced by many factors, and does not define a student’s overall ability or progress. At St Matthew’s, we have a comprehensive assessment plan that provides teachers valuable insights into each student’s learning journey. This ensures we can effectively support and plan for every child’s growth throughout the year.

Well done to our students for their efforts so far!

Harmony Day

On Friday, March 21, we will celebrate Harmony Day, a special occasion to recognise and appreciate the diverse cultures that make up our community. Harmony Day’s message—‘Everyone Belongs’—reminds us of the importance of inclusion, respect, and unity in our multicultural society.

At St Matthew’s, we value the rich cultural diversity within our school and the unique backgrounds, traditions, and experiences that each student and family bring. To celebrate, students are invited to wear their national dress for the morning sessions. To ensure these special outfits remain in good condition, students will change into their national colours or orange-coloured clothes for the rest of the day.

Students who are not wearing national dress are encouraged to wear orange, the official colour of Harmony Day, or clothing in their national colours as a symbol of unity and respect.

Throughout the day, students will participate in a range of engaging activities that highlight and celebrate different cultures, helping to foster understanding, appreciation, and connection within our school community. We look forward to coming together for a day of learning, sharing, and celebration!

School Hours & Supervision Reminder

A reminder to all families that school supervision begins at 8:30 am each morning. Students should not be on school grounds before this time.

Lately, we have noticed an increasing number of students waiting on the front verandah before supervision begins. This is an unsupervised area with regular foot and vehicle traffic, creating potential safety risks. Please be aware that students in this area are not under school supervision, and the school does not assume duty of care before 8:30 am.

For families who need to drop their children off earlier, Team Kids offers before-school care to ensure students are in a safe, supervised environment. We appreciate your support in keeping all our students safe.

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 assists 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.

Term 1 School Fees

Term 1 school fees were distributed via email on February 26, 2025. Fees are due by Friday, March 21 (Week 7) unless you are making payments through regular instalments.

If you have not received your fee statement or have any questions, please contact the front office. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, we encourage you to reach out to the school office for a confidential discussion about support options.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring timely payments.

Lenten Prayer

Heavenly Father,

As I continue my Lenten journey, guide me to the path that leads to you. Fill my heart with gratitude, patience, strength, and peace as I strive to become the best version of myself. Let me hear your voice in the deepest reaches of my heart. Give me rest in you. Help me to accept others, showing them your great love instead of casting judgment. Stay with me through the busy days this week and remind me that when I need comfort, solitude, wisdom, or guidance, I can always turn to you.

Amen.

For other Lenten prayers, click here.