Welcome back to Term 2! We hope this message finds you well and that you had a restful and enjoyable break.

We are excited to start this new term with our students and continue to provide a safe and engaging learning environment. Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to supporting your child's growth and academic success.

This term, we have planned various student activities and events, including excursions, guest speakers, and sporting events. We encourage you to stay up-to-date with our school newsletter and calendar so you know when these events are on.

We understand that some students struggle to transition back to school after a break. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher, our Classroom Support Teachers, Mrs Cole or myself.

We look forward to working with you this term to ensure your child has a successful and fulfilling experience. 

The 2024 school photos will be taken on Friday, May 10th. 

On this day, students are kindly reminded to wear their full winter school uniforms to ensure a polished and cohesive look in the photographs. 

MSP has sent out information about how to order, and you are now able to order through the Compass Portal. Once you have placed your Individual Photo order, you can place your Sibling photo order. These MUST be ordered before midnight on the day of the photo.

If you have any questions regarding the photography service or packages available for purchase, please contact the MSP team on 02 6255 9208 or by email canberra.office@msp.com.au.

Staffing

You may have noticed over the holiday break that we advertised on Facebook for a Temporary Classroom Teacher position. This is because we have been fortunate to receive additional funding from the Catholic Education Canberra Gobulrun Office to support our kindergarten cohort. When the position is filled successfully, we will be able to have two small kindergarten classes.

This means that we are about to take additional kindergarten enrolments this year. We also have vacancies in the Year 1, 2, 4, and 6 classes. If you know anyone who resides in the Page, Scullin, Hawker, Weetangera, Belconnen, MacNamara, Strathnarin, and Molonglo North suburbs and is interested in enrolling their child/ren at St Matthew's, please encourage them to contact the Office.

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week will be held next week, Week 2, Term 2, 6 - 10 May.

During Catholic Schools Week, we invite prospective families to come in and take a guided tour of St Matthew's with a member of our Leadership Team and a senior student. Following this, we have an information evening on Wednesday, 15 May, at 5.30 pm.

If you know of any potential enrolments, please share this information. Please help us communicate with others what a wonderful school St Matthew's is.

Tour bookings can be made by calling the Office on 6254 2653.

If you have a child ready to start school next year, don't hesitate to get in touch with the office, and an enrollment pack will be sent home.

Information can also be found on our school website:

https://www.stmattsps.act.edu.au/thinking-of-enrolling  https://stmattsps.act.edu.au/enrol/how-to-enrol  

Enrolments can be made online https://enrolments.stmattsps.act.edu.au/primary-act/start  

Uniform Matters

As you know, the students are to wear their full winter uniform this term.

In preparation for the cooler months, you might purchase a navy blue coat suitable for wearing with our uniform. Navy blue or maroon gloves and beanies may be purchased. 

Some other reminders about our school uniform: hair accessories must be in the school colours only, earrings must be plain studs, nail polish is not to be worn to school, and shoulder-length hair, or longer, must be tied back.

Mothers Day

Next week, our School Community Council (SCC) is holding a Mother's Day Stall. Items will cost $5.00 each and can be purchased via QKR before Friday, May 10.

If you have any queries or are able to help out on the day with setting up the stall or assisting children with selecting a gift, please contact Amelia Watman.  amelia.watman@gmail.com

I would like to thank the SCC for providing this opportunity to our students. 

Yours in peace and love,

Mrs Sarah Lowe

ANZAC Day 

Over the holiday break, we commemorated ANZAC Day. It has been lovely to hear about our community members who demonstrate a deep respect for the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women by marching in services. 

Photographed below are Year 3 and Year 1 St Matthew's students Elsie and James. Elsie marched with her father, Dr Fergus (Gus) Gardiner OAM, at the Yass service.

We are proud to note that in 2023, Gus was acknowledged with an Order of Australia for his contribution to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, especially for delivering an effective COVID-19 response to remote communities.

 

Regional Da Vinci Decathalon 2024

Congratulations to our Year 5 and Year 6 students who participated in the 2024 Regional Da Vinci Decathlon at Canberra Grammar School yesterday, Wednesday, 1 May.

Our students did us proud, taking away second place in each of the following categories: Year 6 Cartography, Year 5 Cartography, Year 5 Legacy, Year 5 Mathematics and Year 5 Ideation.

Well done! 

 

The Marriage Course

A Zoom Course to Strengthen Your Relationship – Thu Evenings in May & June Whether you’ve been together 1 year or 61 years, married or in a long-term relationship, in a good place or struggling, The Marriage Course offers practical support and ideas to strengthen your relationship, in a fun-packed format, via Zoom. Participate from the comfort of your home, 7-9pm Thursdays over May & June. Optional In-Person Introduction Evening (Thu 2 May) and Final Dinner (Thu 27 June). Hosted by the Catholic & Anglican Parishes of Inner North Canberra.
First Zoom session begins 7pm Thu 9th May. Enquiries: helenazobec@cg.org.au or 0405 440 463 More Info: https://cgcatholic.org.au/marriagefamily/married/ Register at: tinyurl.com/y3fw859r

Save the Date

Open Day Information