Staffing Matters

As we prepare for 2025, I wish to announce that Louisa Mitchell, after 10 years of dedicated service at St Matthew's, will take on the role of Religious Education Coordinator at St Benedict’s, Narrabundah. While we are saddened to farewell Louisa, we sincerely thank her for her remarkable contributions to St Matthew's and the South Belconnen Parish and wish her every success in this new chapter.

Attached is the announcement of Louisa's appointment from the Catholic Education Office.

We also thank Caroline Stewart for her wonderful work as KM teacher this semester and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

We are thrilled to welcome Sam Hornby back to St Matthew's. Sam is returning after a year at Holy Family Primary School, Gowrie. It’s great to have him back on the team!

At St Matthew’s, we are truly blessed with a team of enthusiastic, professional, and compassionate staff who are among the very best!

End-of-Year Events at St Matthew’s

Kindergarten Orientation Day – Friday, 29 November

We are excited to welcome our 2025 Kindergarten students for their Orientation Day at St Matthew’s on Friday, 29 November.

Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Leggett, and our Year 5 students are looking forward to meeting the new Kindy students at 9:30 am on the junior playground. This day will provide an excellent opportunity for the children to further develop their familiarity with the St Matthew’s school environment.

The day will conclude with an information session for parents at 2:00 pm in the library, after which the students can be collected.

We can’t wait to meet our newest members of the St Matthew’s community!

Nativity Prayer Celebration 

On Friday, 6 December, at 10.1am, all families are invited to attend the Kindergarten Nativity Prayer Celebration in the school hall. 

Farewell to Fr Simon

Following the Kindergarten Nativity Prayer Celebration on Friday, 6 December, we will bid farewell to Fr. Simon Falk.

Fr Simon has been the Parish Priest of St Matthew’s and the South Belconnen Parish for seven years. During this time, he has been a wonderful support and mentor to both staff and students, making a lasting impact on our community.

On the 8 December, the South Belconnen Parish will farewell Fr Simon with lunch at St Vincent's Aranda from 11.30am - 1.30pm. For catering purposes, please email belconnensouth@cg.org.au if you are able to attend. There is also a book in the foyer of both Churches where you are welcome to write a personal message to Father Simon.

We invite all families to farewell Fr Simon at one of these events. 

Year 6 Graduation Events – Tuesday, 10 December

On Tuesday, 10 December, we will begin our Year 6 Graduation celebrations with a Mass for students and their families at St Matthew’s Church at 1:30 pm.

In the evening, our Year 6 students will gather for their Graduation Dinner at the Hellenic Club, Phillip. We thank the Year 5 coordinating team for organising and decorating the venue for this special occasion.

These events mark the beginning of our final days with our wonderful Year 6 class as we celebrate their achievements and this significant milestone in their lives.

We look forward to sharing this memorable day with the students and their families!

The Light of Leadership Ceremony

We invite all families to join us for our Leadership Changeover Ceremony – The Light of Leadership, on Friday, 13 December, at 12:00 pm in St Matthew’s Church.

This special event symbolises the passing of leadership from our Year 6 students to our Year 5 students as they prepare to step into their role as school leaders for the coming year.

The light is passed during the ceremony, reflecting the inspiration and values of St Matthew, as well as the legacy of outstanding leadership demonstrated by our graduating Year 6 class. It is a moment to celebrate their contributions and encourage our Year 5 students to embrace their new responsibilities with courage and dedication.

We hope you can join us for this meaningful occasion as we honour the spirit of leadership within our school community.

2024 Christmas Concert and Family Picnic

Event Details:
Date: Friday, 13 December
Time: 5:30 pm start
Location: St Matthew’s School Grounds

Students are encouraged to wear Christmas colours or themed clothing. Every class will perform at the concert.

Families and community members are encouraged to bring a picnic, chairs, and/or a rug to sit on. Please note no food or drinks will be available for purchase. 

Parents and carers will also have the opportunity to hear from our new Before and After School Care provider and the School Community Council Chairperson and consider placing their names on organising lists for the 2025 School Community Council and School Events. We warmly encourage everyone to get involved—the more, the merrier!

We look forward to seeing you at this school event.

Semester 2 Academic Reports and Class Lists – Friday, 13 December

The Semester 2 Academic Reports will be distributed on Friday, 13 December. These reports provide insights into your child’s progress and achievements over the semester.

If you would like to discuss your child’s report further, we encourage you to arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher. 

On the same day, we will distribute class lists for the upcoming year. As mentioned, these lists are formulated carefully considering various factors, including student personalities, needs, classroom dynamics, and ratios, to ensure a supportive and balanced learning environment.

Students can meet their new classroom teacher and spend time with their new class during the day. New students to St Matthew’s will also be able to visit and meet their classmates and teachers.

We look forward to a smooth transition as we approach the end of the year and prepare for an exciting 2025!

The School Explorers - School Transition Program

Over the past four weeks, we were delighted to host our 2025 Kindergarten students for the School Explorers program. It was wonderful to welcome these young learners and their families into our school community.

Our Year 5 students played a fantastic role in supporting the children through curriculum-related activities, showcasing their leadership and care. 

I would like to thank the staff who assisted with the organisation and running of the program. Thank you also to the parents and carers for bringing their children along.

We are looking forward to welcoming all four families tomorrow for our Kindergarten Orientation Day as we prepare to officially begin this exciting new chapter!