Staffing Matters

As we prepare for the 2025 school year, I am excited to share some important staffing updates.

I am pleased to announce that Miss Sophie Murdock has been appointed as our Acting Religious Education Coordinator (REC) for 2025. Miss Murdock will bring her enthusiasm and dedication to this leadership role, ensuring that our Religious Education program continues to flourish. You may recall that Sophie acted in this position whilst Mrs Mitchell was on leave earlier this year.  

We also wish to inform you that Mrs. Caroline Stewart, who has been teaching KM this semester, will be moving on to a new role at St John’s, Florey. We thank Mrs. Stewart for her commitment and contributions to our school and wish her all the best in her new position.

Class Lists and Teacher Introductions
Class lists for 2025 will be distributed on Friday, 13 December. Classroom teachers will contact parents of students with substantial additional needs prior to the holidays. These calls will provide an opportunity to introduce themselves, discuss your child’s specific requirements, and ensure the necessary supports are in place before the school year begins.

In addition, all families will have the chance to attend a ‘Meet the Teacher’ session early in Term 1. This meeting will allow parents to connect with their child’s teacher and learn about the plans for the year ahead. Further details about the date and time will be shared in the new year.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we transition into 2025. 

Thank You to Our School Community Council

I would like to thank our School Community Council Executive Committee for their hard work throughout 2024. 

Special thanks go to:

• Fr Simon Falk, Parish Priest
• Kylie McNamara, Chair
• Nadia Butler, Secretary
• Cody Robertson, Treasurer
• Parent Representative Committee Members Cheryl Toussaint, David Jespon, Michael Shelton, Larissa Woolfield, and
• Staff Representatives Jessica Levi and Petra Cole

This fantastic team has worked to organise both social and fundraising events, fostering a strong sense of community while raising funds to benefit our students. 

Looking ahead to 2025, the School Community Council’s Annual General Meeting will be held in Week 3, on Tuesday, 18 February. During the AGM, the Secretary and Treasurer positions will be declared vacant.

If you are interested in taking on one of these executive roles, I encourage you to email me at sarah.lowe@cg.catholic.edu.au. The commitment involves attending two meetings per term, and if multiple people express interest, a vote will take place during the AGM.

Thank you once again to all our committee members for their outstanding contributions this year. We look forward to continuing to work with this council and welcoming new members in 2025.

End-of-Year Events at St Matthew’s

Nativity Prayer Celebration & Farewell to Fr Simon

Tomorrow, Friday, 6 December, at 10.15am, all families are invited to attend the Kindergarten Nativity Prayer Celebration in the school hall. 

Following this, 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 Year 5 and Year 6 families to join us for our Leadership Changeover Ceremony – The Light of Leadership, on Friday, 13 December, at 12:00 pm in our school hall.

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

We are excited to invite all families and community members to our 2024 Christmas Concert and Picnic, a joyful celebration of the festive season and a wonderful way to conclude the school year together.

As my time at Saint Matthew's comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support of Religious Education during my time as REC. It has been an honour to serve in this role, and I feel incredibly blessed to have been part of the Saint Matthew’s community since 2015.

Throughout my time here, I’ve had the privilege of teaching many of your children, and they have become a cherished part of my journey. The memories I’ve created with them will stay with me always. Our students are filled with spirit, joy, and kindness that brightens every day. I will miss their smiling faces and warm greetings more than words can express.

As we approach the Christmas season, I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, filled with love, joy, and cherished moments together. May the blessings of this holiday season continue to bring you peace and happiness in the year ahead and beyond. 

Second Sunday of Advent Gospel Reading 

Luke 3:1-6 John preaches repentance and baptises in the region of the Jordan.

Background on the Gospel Reading

This week and next, our Gospel readings focus on John the Baptist and his role in preparing people for Jesus. John was a prophet, like the ones in the Old Testament, and he called the people to change their ways and ask for forgiveness. He baptised people to help them turn back to God and get ready for the coming of Jesus.

In today’s Gospel, Luke gives us details about the leaders of the time, showing us that Jesus’ coming is not just part of a spiritual story but part of real history. Jesus came to save all people, and His birth happened in the midst of real-world events.

John the Baptist’s message reminds us that Advent is a time to prepare for Jesus’ coming. Just like John called the people to change their hearts and get ready for Jesus, we are called to do the same. We can prepare by changing our lives, saying sorry for the times we’ve been unkind or made mistakes, and trying to be more like Jesus. We’re also called to share the good news of Jesus with others, just like John did, and to live in a way that shows we are ready for Jesus to come again.

Family Connection

During Advent, we often add special activities to our busy days to get ready for Christmas. John the Baptist reminds us that one of the best ways to prepare for Jesus' coming is by saying sorry for the things we’ve done wrong. This is called repentance. 

Read the Gospel from Luke 3:1-6 After reading the Gospel, prepare a simple reconciliation service at home to get ready for Christmas.

Find a quiet space, maybe around your Advent wreath. Then, each person can take a moment to pray silently and ask God to forgive their sins. After that, you can pray the Act of Contrition together. Finally, celebrate God’s forgiveness by sharing a sign of peace with one another.

Advent Prayer Celebration

Thank you to our Year 2 classes and their teachers who led us in a thoughtful and inspiring prayer celebration in Week 6. The celebration focused on the theme of Advent, using the Gospel of John. The prayer celebration helped us pause and reflect on the true meaning of this season.

Advent is a time for reflection, renewal, and preparation as we open our hearts to welcome the birth of Jesus. We are in the first week of Advent, which focuses on the theme of Hope. This weekend, we light our second candle and focus on Peace. 

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal 

Thank you for your generous donations to our annual St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal. We are already seeing many thoughtful contributions, and we are truly grateful for your kindness.

These donations will directly support 15 families in our local St. Vincent de Paul Conference who are facing difficult times this Christmas season. Each class has been assigned a family to collect donations for, ensuring they can share in the joy and festivities of Christmas and bring some holiday cheer to their households.

Your generosity is making a real difference, and we appreciate your continued support in helping others this Christmas. Please ensure your donations are added to the hampers by Monday, 9 December, Week 9.

Thank you!

As we draw a close to 2024, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the parent community here at St Matthew's. As this is my first year in this role, it has been a steep learning curve. With your help and support with school carnivals and gala days, these events have been a great success for all students. So, thank you!

Touch Football Clinic

In Term 1 2025, all students from K-6 will be participating in a touch football clinic run by Touch Football ACT. This clinic will help assist in developing student’s running, dodging, passing and kicking skills. 

Swimming Carnival

On Tuesday, 11th February, We will be holding our annual St Matthew’s Swimming Carnival. We look forward to the day and are still in need of parent helpers. If you are available on this day and can assist, please email me at dillon.payne@cg.catholic.edu.au. 

Sports Superstars

Australian Champion!

Celebrating Elsie’s Incredible Achievements at Nationals!

I am excited to share the outstanding achievements of Elsie, one of our Year 6 students, who recently competed at the National Track and Field Championships. 

Gold in the 1500m
Elsie not only secured the top spot but also broke the Australian Record, completing the race in an incredible time of 4:28.

Silver in the 800m
In a closely contested race, Elsie claimed silver in the 800m, finishing with an impressive time of 2:12 and just narrowly missing out on gold.

We are so proud of Elsie’s achievements and the way she has represented our school.

Well done, Elsie! You are an inspiration to us all.

Unite Cup

Congratulations to Bella in Year 4 and Luka, Lorenzo and Seb in Year 2, who spent last weekend in Sydney playing soccer in the Unite Cup for Canberra Croatia.

Well done!

Stay Safe While Online Gaming: "Importance of Positive Engagement with your Children"

As we navigate through the digital age, the world of online gaming has become increasingly popular, particularly among children who are home during their breaks. With easy access to the internet and a wide array of available games, it's important for parents to stay vigilant and ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for their children.

First and foremost, parental supervision is crucial when it comes to online gaming.

• Parents should actively engage with their children.
• Guide them in choosing appropriate games.
• Monitor their online activities.

Regular communication with children about their online experiences can help foster trust and ensure that they understand the potential dangers associated with interacting with strangers online.

Chat features in online games can be a double-edged sword, allowing children to socialise and make friends but also exposing them to potential dangers. Parents should educate their children about the importance of not sharing personal information, such as:

• Full names,
• Addresses, or
• Phone numbers, while playing games online.

Instilling caution and reminding them to only interact with trusted individuals can significantly reduce the risk of encountering dangerous situations.

It's important to strike a balance between gaming and spending quality time with the family.

• Setting limits on gaming time and encouraging children to engage in other activities can help avoid excessive screen time and promote a healthier lifestyle.
• Establishing clear rules and expectations about when and how long children are allowed to play games can be an effective way to manage screen time.

Another crucial aspect of online gaming is financial safety. Parents SHOULD NEVER SHARE their credit card details with their children for the purpose of making in-game purchases. Some games offer virtual currencies or items that can be bought with real money, such as coins, coupons or diamonds. To keep children from overspending or falling for scams, it's important for parents to closely monitor and regulate in-app purchases.

Ensuring the safety of the entire family while playing games online is paramount. Parents should take a proactive approach by implementing security measures, such as:

• Using trusted antivirus software
• Regularly updating devices and gaming platforms
• Enabling parental controls.

Being aware of the games your children are playing and monitoring their online presence can help create a secure environment for them.

Additionally, it's crucial to educate children on the importance of online privacy, including NOT sharing personal information with strangers and being cautious about clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files.

Online gaming can provide a fun and engaging pastime for children who are home during their breaks. However, it is essential for parents to actively supervise their children's gaming activities and stay informed about the potential risks associated with online interaction. By setting clear rules, maintaining open lines of communication, and implementing safety measures, parents can ensure that their children have a safe and enjoyable online gaming experience.