Dear Parents and Carers,

Pens Against Poverty Award Winners!
Last  Wednesday, some lucky students attended the Pens Against Poverty award ceremony at Government House, on behalf of all our Year 5 and 6 students who entered the Australia-wide writing competition. St Matthew's was presented with the Jackie French School Award for high quality writing reflected across all student entries. The speakers were impressed with the winners' level of empathy and compassion towards people living in difficult situations. Once formalities concluded, students were invited to morning tea complete with Honey Joys and fairy bread! After revealing to the Governor General and Mrs Hurley that they loved both horses and fancy cars, students were shown the former stables, now home to a very impressive Rolls Royce. We are very grateful to Their Excellencies for the time they spent with our students, and immensely proud of all entrants.

Kinder Nativity
The Kindergarten classes presented a meaningful Nativity Liturgy for the school this morning. What a beautiful reminder of Advent as a special time to prepare in prayer and action as we wait to celebrate Jesus’ birthday at Christmas. 

Upcoming Events
There are so many exciting events planned for the final week of school.

• Year 6 Farewell Mass and Light of Leadership
  Tuesday 13 December at 1:30 pm
• Year 6 Graduation Dinner
  Tuesday 13 December at 5:30 pm
• Meet the 2023 Teacher
  Wednesday 14 December at 2:00 - 2:20 pm
• Class Lists and Semester 2 Reports distributed
  Wednesday 14 December
• Year 6 Big Day Out
  Thursday 15 December
• Year 6 ‘Walk of Fame’
  Thursday 15 December at 2:45 pm

Please also remember that we have a Staff Development/ Pupil-Free Day on Friday, 16 December. Students should not come to school on that day.

May God bless all of our families this week.

Petra Cole
Principal (Acting)