Thank You to Our School Community

We would like to thank the entire St. Matthew’s school community for your support and generosity during our recent fundraising efforts.

A special thank you to Mick Shelton for coordinating the Election Day BBQ, and to all the volunteers who assisted on and before the day. 

We are also grateful to Cheryl Toussaint and her team of volunteers for organising the delicious cake stall.

A big thank you to Nadia Butler for her coordination of the raffle hampers, and to everyone who donated items—your contributions were appreciated.

We also want to acknowledge Kylie McNamara and her helpers for their organisation of the Mother’s Day Stall. Thank you to all the families who paid for gifts for their children to purchase, and for those who generously paid for other students to pick a gift for their mother.

Thank you, everyone - all your support and contributions make St. Matthew’s a very special place!

Reflections from the ACPPA Meeting in Melbourne

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of spending two days in Melbourne attending the Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association (ACPPA) national meeting. ACPPA brings together Catholic primary school principals from across the country to discuss matters of national importance in Catholic education.

The meeting provided an opportunity to engage in conversations about school leadership, the challenges schools face, and the shared mission we uphold in nurturing faith-filled, high-quality learning environments for our students.

A particular highlight was hearing from Stephen Gniel, CEO of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), who spoke about the evolving landscape of curriculum and assessment. His insights into how national curriculum developments will shape teaching and learning in the years ahead were both timely and thought-provoking.

We also heard from Jacinta Collins, Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), who shared updates on national advocacy efforts and the importance of maintaining a strong Catholic voice in educational policy and planning.

These discussions reaffirmed the importance of our collective work and the strength of our Catholic education network. 

I would like to extend my thanks to Petra Cole, our Assistant Principal, for stepping in and taking care of my duties during my absence. 

Semester One Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews

At the end of this term, you will receive your child’s Semester One Academic Report via Compass. These reports are part of our formal reporting process and are aligned with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) requirements.

For students in Years One - Six, student achievement is assessed using a five-point scale, which in our system is represented by the A–E grading format:

A: Outstanding
Demonstrates outstanding achievement of the standard. The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
B: High
Demonstrates a high achievement of the standard. The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.
C: At Standard
Demonstrates achievement of the standard. The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
D: Partial
Demonstrates partial achievement of the standard. The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
E: Limited
Demonstrates limited achievement of the standard. The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding of a few areas of the content and has achieved a very limited level of competence in some of the processes and skills.

Please note that a ‘C’ grade indicates that your child is achieving at the standard expected for their year level.

Before reports are released, we invite all parents and carers to attend a Parent-Teacher Conference in Week 9 (24–26 June). These interviews are held in lieu of written comments on the report and provide a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate their successes, and set goals for Semester Two.

Bookings for interviews will open in Week 7 and can be made via Compass.

We encourage all families to take part in these important conversations.

Long Service Leave

I would like to inform you that I will be taking Long Service Leave during Weeks 5 and 6 of this term. I’m looking forward to the opportunity for a short trip with family.

During my absence, Mrs Petra Cole, our Assistant Principal, will be stepping into the role of Acting Principal. I have every confidence in Petra’s leadership and know that the school will continue to run smoothly under her guidance.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to reconnecting with you all upon my return.

2026 Enrolments

Our official enrolment period for Kindergarten 2026 is now open and closing soon!

If you have a child ready to start school in 2026, or know a family who may be considering St Matthew’s, we warmly invite you to get in touch. We would love to welcome new families into our vibrant and nurturing school community.

We are offering school 'Walk & Talk' tours throughout May, providing a wonderful opportunity to see our classrooms in action and learn more about what makes St Matthew’s such a special place to learn and grow.

To book a tour or find out more, please contact Brooke in the front office on 6254 2653.

Enrolments close at the end of May, so don’t miss your chance to be part of the St Matthew’s school community.