Principal Talk with Mrs Lowe
Welcome Back to Term 3!
Welcome back to all students, staff, and families! We hope you had a restful winter break and are feeling refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning and community.
A special welcome to our new staff members joining us this term: Mr Roberts, Mrs Marzano, and Mrs Sciacca. We’re thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the wonderful contributions they’ll bring to our school.
Our Term 3 Calendar has now been distributed, and it’s packed with exciting events and activities. Highlights this term include the Sacrament of First Eucharist, the Active Attitudes Gritty Kids Program for Years 3 and 4, our Science Fair, St Matthew’s Feast Day, a Music, Dance and Arts Show, the School Disco, various class excursions, Book Week, Father’s Day celebrations, and Kindergarten 2026 Interviews—plus lots more!
We’re looking forward to a term filled with learning, creativity, and community spirit. We can’t wait to share the term with you and your children.
Congratulations, Miss Moore – 2025 Emerging First Nations Program Recipient
We are very proud to share that our wonderful Classroom Support Assistant, Miss Moore, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Emerging First Nations Program through the Canberra Centre.
As part of this amazing opportunity, Miss Moore will travel to Darwin from August 4th to 8th to attend the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). This experience will allow her to connect with First Nations artists, designers, and cultural leaders from across the country, and we know she will return inspired and full of ideas to share with our school community.
Congratulations, Mickey. We can’t wait to hear all about your experience!
Morning Supervision Reminder
We’d like to remind all families that morning supervision at school begins at 8:30am. For the safety and well-being of all students, no child should at school before this time unless they are enrolled in the Before School Care program.
The school does not have a duty of care for students prior to 8:30am, and staff are not rostered for supervision before this time. Arriving early can pose safety risks, as there is no formal supervision to ensure students are safe and supported.
If you require care before 8:30am, we encourage you to make use of Team Kids our Before School Care service, which provides a safe and structured environment for students in the early hours.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep all students safe.
St Matthew’s Primary School Science Fair – Friday 25 July
Last Friday, St Matthew’s Primary School was buzzing with excitement as students showcased their creativity and curiosity at the annual Science Fair. The event, organised by Miss Judd, brought together budding young scientists from all year levels, each presenting hands-on experiments, innovative projects, and fascinating discoveries.
From erupting volcanoes and homemade circuits to environmental studies and robotics, the fair highlighted the students’ enthusiasm for exploring the world around them. It was wonderful to see many of our families touring the exhibits, engaging with the students, and celebrating their achievements.
Thank you to our parents and carers for supporting their children in preparing for the fair, and to Miss Judd for her impeccable organisation and dedication in bringing this event to life.
Swimming Program Update for K–2 Students
We would like to inform families that swimming lessons will no longer be offered as part of our learning programs. This decision follows a careful review of the program’s alignment with the Australian Curriculum (Version 9), which does not include swimming instruction.
While we recognise the importance of water safety, the current program—costing approximately $18,000 annually for lessons and transport—provides only five lessons over five days for students in K-2, which is insufficient for students to learn to swim effectively. Additionally, the time taken out of the classroom impacted valuable learning opportunities.
We also know that many families already engage in learn-to-swim programs outside of school, which are better suited to delivering consistent and comprehensive swimming instruction.
Families interested in sourcing swimming lessons can do so through the following links: Belconnen CISAC - https://www.clublime.com.au/swimschool/learn-to-swim-programs/pre-school-and-school-age-classes/ Stromlo Leisure Centre: https://www.stromloleisurecentre.com.au/learn-to-swim/goswim-swimming-lessons
Please be assured that classes will still cover Water Safety as part of their Health Program.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we focus on delivering the best possible educational outcomes for our students.
Medications Reminder
Please ensure that all student medication is delivered by an adult to the front office for administration. For the safety and well-being of all students, no medication is to be sent in school bags or self-administered by students under any circumstances.
If your child requires medication during school hours, parents/carers must complete the attached Medication Authorisation Record. This form gives consent for school staff to administer prescribed medication in line with our Medical Welfare of Students Policy.
Please note the following important requirements:
- Medication must be in its original packaging with a dispensing label that includes the child’s name.
- Expired medication will not be administered.
- A separate form must be completed for each medication.
- Wherever possible, medication should be administered outside school hours and first given by the parent/carer with a 24-hour observation period before returning to school.
- Long-term medication must follow the child’s Medical Management Plan.
Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safe administration of medication at school. If you have any questions, please contact the front office.
Winter Uniform Reminder
As we settle into the cooler months, a reminder that all students should now be wearing the full winter school uniform.
School Winter Uniform (not sports) (Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
- Tracksuit pants or leggings are not part of the winter uniform
- Students should wear dress pants or a tunic
- Joggers, skateshoes or sandshoes are not permitted with the regular uniform — joggers are for sports days only
Outerwear & Accessories:
- All students should bring their fleece jacket and wear long sleeves
- If purchasing a coat, please ensure it is navy blue
- Gloves, scarves, and beanies may be navy blue or maroon
Uniform plays an important role in creating a sense of belonging and pride in our school. Thank you for your support in maintaining our high standards.
2026 Dates
