St Matthew's Catholic Primary School

Term 1, 6th April 2022, No.6

Parish Priest: Fr Florentino (Boy) Galdo

School Principal: Mr Bob Brown

Acting Deputy/RE Leader: Mrs Helen Howden

School Email: principal@smfawknernth.catholic.edu.au

School Phone: 0393595423 

St Matthew's Primary School is committed to creating an environment where the safety, wellbeing, and participation of all children within our care is paramount. 

Principal's Message

Hello to Students, Parents, Staff and Friends of St Matthew’s,

Yes I know we had a newsletter last week and they have been coming out every fortnight, but I felt it necessary to thank everybody for their patience and perserverance this term. Although we have been back at school it has still been quite trying with COVID cases with students, parents and staff, The Monday and Wednesday RAT testing, the wearing of masks for grade 4 upwards, and the exclusion of parents from the school grounds, excepting the Prep parents.

We haven’t received any further directions from the Government as yet, but this could change overnight. With the holidays fast approaching and families being more active in being out and about I want to wait and see how this effects the amount of cases at school for next term. So we will keep all the current directives in place for at least the first week back next term, unless the Government changes things between now and then. As soon as we know what is exactly happening we will inform you

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Last night the Year 3 students celebrated their First Reconciliation. It had to be relocated to the Library as there was a memorial Italian mass which coincided with it at the same time in the church. The library was a great alternative as it was a very intimate, personal and reverent celebration. Our sincere thanks to Fr Boy for celebrating this wonderful occasion with the students, parents and teachers. Also my sincere thanks to all the students and their parents for joining in the responses and singing and for being so reverent throughout the whole evening. The students knew exactly what to do and did so well.

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank Mrs Helen Howden (our Religious Education Leader) and the teachers, Mrs Teresa Pieri, Mrs Christine Pileggi, Miss Jessica Choueiri and Mrs Jackie Fleischmann for all their incredible preparation before and for the evening and change of venue. The Library was set up in a very reverent manner and set the scene for a  very fitting First Reconciliation. Well done everyone on a wonderful and enjoyable First Reconciliation.

YEAR PREP – 6 ENROLMENTS ARE OPEN FOR 2023

We opened 2023 enrolments for Prep-6 on Tuesday 15th March.

We know that a number of families were unable to attend our school tours during Catholic Education week, but we can arrange other times which suit both prospective parents and the school. So lease ring the office on 9359 5423 to book yourself in, ask Almoza and she will confer with myself and I am sure we can accommodate a mutual time for both parties.

DATES TO KEEP IN MIND

Tomorrow Thursday, 7th April – Our Easter Bonnet Parade will take place on the Soccer Field commencing at 9:15am. Parents will be allowed, only if they are wearing a mask and stay in the area designated for them on the soccer field. Parents can enter and leave through the Parish gate near the hall.

Tomorrow Thursday, 7th April - Our Easter Raffle will be drawn in the office that afternoon. All winners will be announced via our SkoolBag App that afternoon.

Friday 8th April – End of Term Whole School Mass will be celebrated in the Church at 12:00pm. Only students and Staff will be in attendance.

Friday 8th April – Whole School Assembly will be held in the hall commencing at 2:35pm. Only parents of Students receiving Principal’s Awards will be allowed to attend.

Once again please remember in your prayers the flood victims in NSW & QLD and also all the whole population in the Ukraine. Have a wonderful Holiday break, take care, stay safe and stay well everyone.

Yours Sincerely,

Bob Brown - Principal

Dates To Remember

TERM 1, 2022

APRIL  

Tuesday 5th - First Reconciliation evenings 7pm - 8pm

Thursday 7th -  CASUAL CLOTHES DAY  (gold coin donation) and EASTER BONNET PARADE at 9.15 on the soccer field

Friday 8th - End of Term 3.15pm dismissal

Good Friday - 15th 

Easter Sunday - 17th 

Monday 25th – Anzac Day - No school for Staff and Students

TERM 2, 2022

April

Tuesday 26th – Term 2 Begins 8.50am 

Saturday 30th  – Prep Welcome Mass & BBQ 

Sacramental Dates

First Holy Communion Year 4 Students 

Saturday 18th June 5.30pm

Sunday 19th June 12.30pm

Confirmation

Friday 29th July 6pm

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

END OF TERM PRAYER

We thank you Lord, for this term. For our challenges, our successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.

Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith. Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others. To be peacemakers in our family.

Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us.

May we always be conscious of you in our lives.

We ask for your richest blessings over Mrs Earl during her sabbatical next term. Surround her with your loving care, keep her safe and return her to us, renewed and refreshed.

Amen

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

RECONCILIATION

The sacrament of reconciliation, also called penance or confession, is a sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church. It is a way for people to be forgiven of their sins, or things they do wrong. They are reconciled, or brought closer to God. This sacrament heals their soul because all of their sins are taken away. It brings many graces, or blessings and good things, to the person who receives it.

On Tuesday night, we were able to celebrate this sacrament with 15 well-prepared children and their families, who not only sang well but also, participated with such reverence.

It was truly a sacramental moment – as St Matthew actually states in his Gospel “When two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matt 18:20, There was no doubt that God was very present with all of them on that night

Congratulations to:

Annika Taylor, Archer Storti, Francis Yonan, Jacob Khawaja, Jeffrey Proud, Levi & Taylah Rogers, Marc-Anthony Minutolo, Marios Yalda, Milo Cullen, Nick Tita, Rex Carandang, Seth Tahir and Valentino Serra.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Easter Bonnet Parade

CASUAL CLOTHES AND EASTER BONNET PARADE

Thursday 7th April on the Soccer Field at 9.15am

Easter Bonnet and Hat Competition

Share Your Easter Bonnet /Hat Creation and Win!

In celebration of Easter, we are running a fantastic Easter Bonnet/Hat competition. Everyone put your thinking caps on and start getting creative as there is a prize for each year level to be won. Parade will be held on the same day as casual clothes day, along with drawing of Easter Raffle in the afternoon.

Did you know by shopping at Ritchie’s IGA and scanning your loyalty card you can support St Matthew’s.

When joining the Ritchies Card program you are given the option to nominate your favourite club school or charity (known as Recipients). Each time you scan your card (either physical card or electronic card in the App) when making a purchase at any of our participating stores, the total is recorded to your chosen club, school or charity. At the end of each month, Ritchies will pay your chosen club, school or charity .5% of the total accrued directly into the Recipient’s nominated bank account*. 

The Parents and Friends are proudly supported by

NORTHERN SAINTS FOOTBALL CLUB

MORELAND CITY COUNCIL

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