St Matthew's Catholic Primary School

Term 4, October 11th 2022, No.16

Parish Priest: Fr Florentino (Boy) Galdo

School Principal: Mr Bob Brown

Deputy Principal: Mrs Rachael Spooner

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

Welcome back to all our Students, Parents, Staff and Friends of St Matthew’s,

I hope you all had a most restful but enjoyable holiday break in readiness for what promises to be another very busy term. Please check our SkoolBag App to keep up to date with what is coming up and what instructions need to be followed.

Unfortunately, quite a number of families are not checking the alerts and are ringing the school when the answer they need is there straight in front of them on the App. This can save a phone call to the school and not disturb what is already a very busy school office.

FATHER BOY TURNS 70

Can you believe it? He certainly doesn’t look that old.

We are celebrating Father Boy’s 70 Birthday with a 12 Noon Mass this coming Sunday 16th October. All school families are most welcome to attend and help him celebrate this wonderful milestone in his life.

SWIMMING LESSONS COMMENCE SOON

Firstly, If you are accompanying the students in your child’s grade to the pool and back again you will need to sign in at school and produce your Working With Children check

ARE YOU MOVING SCHOOLS?

It is that time of year where we are planning already for next year. As happens from time to time families move house and relocate elsewhere, hence their children move schools. If your children are moving schools, please let us know ASAP as we are trying to finalise grades within the coming month.

EXTEND - OUT OF HOURS SCHOOL CARE FOR CURRICULUM DAYS

If Extend can get the right number of students, they are prepared to have day care on Friday 28th October (Staff Professional Development day). Please ring 1300 366 437 and let them know ASAP as this date is fast approaching.

REMINDER - PEOPLE AND CAR MOVEMENT IN SELOLA COURT

The families that are using Selola Court for drop off and pick from school would all be well aware of the damaged fence at the house next to the school. Parents please be extremely careful when walking your children through this area (stay right next to the cones and tape) or use the other footpath and if you are doing your U-Turn near the gates. Pedestrians take priority at all times.

Please Note: there is no dropping off or picking up in the U-Turn area.

The weather has been a lot better the last few days, but get ready for the deluge on Thursday. Waterproof jackets, gumboots and umbrellas will be the order of the day. Stay dry and warm.

Yours Sincerely,

Bob Brown - Principal

 

Dates To Remember

OCTOBER

Monday 17th to Friday 21th 

11:45am  – Swimming Lessons for Preps

12:30pm -  Swimming Lessons for Year 1

Monday 24th to Thursday 27th

11:45am -  Swimming Lessons for Year 2

12:30pm - Swimming Lessons for Year 3

Friday 28th - School Closure Day - No school for students

Monday 31st  - School Closure Day - Report Writing - NO Staff/Students onsite

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 1st - Melbourne Cup day No School for staff and students

Wednesday 2nd to Friday 4th

11:45am – Swimming Lessons for Year 4

12:30pm - Swimming lessons for Year 5

Monday 7th & Tuesday 8th 

11:45am – Swimming Lessons for Year 4

12:30pm - Swimming lessons for Year 5

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

Hail Mary Prayer

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

October is the month of the Rosary

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary as the Feast of our Lady is celebrated on October the 7th. Last Friday the Whole School celebrated this at our beginning of the term mass.

The Rosary draws its mysteries from the New Testament and are centred on the great events of Jesus and Mary, the Mysteries provide us with these small snapshots.



  • The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from Saint Luke’s Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus’ childhood.
  • The Luminous Mysteries bring a deeper understanding to the public life of Jesus. They fill in the blanks between the childhood of Jesus and His suffering and death on the cross.
  • The Sorrowful Mysteries remind us of how much Jesus loves us. They recall how He suffered and died just for us.
  • The Glorious Mysteries tell us what happened after Jesus died-His Resurrection, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the love Jesus had for his Mother.

Thank You

Mrs Helen Howden

hhowden@smfawknernth.catholic.edu.au

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Italian Poetry Winners

Congratulations to Marcus Themistokleous who won 2nd Place in the Italian Poetry Competition run by Penola College against other primary schools in our region. He will be receiving a Kid E-voucher of $100.

Congratulations to the following students for receiving an Endeavour Award demonstrating great enthusiasm and  great effort: Katia Scarfo, Issak Rink, Alessia Falcone, Malak Sabagaha, Emanuella Isaac  and Mariella Conci. These children will receive a Kids E-voucher of $20.

Thank you to Ms Anisa Shkembi the Transition Coordinator & Head of Languages, Penola Glenroy Campus for organizing the competition.

PSG Meetings

Parent Support Group Meetings will be taking place over these next couple of weeks. These meetings are incredibly important not only to keep you the parent involved and aware of the goals that have been set by classroom teacher and if your child is accomplishing the goals, it is also incredibly important for the schools accountability.

Every meeting that has minutes discussed and are signed and dated help us to give information for funding.

Without those SIGNED minutes and SIGNED Personalized Learning Plans (PLP) we cannot apply for funding from the Government.

Having regular meetings enables us to demonstrate that we and you are aware of your child’s needs and we can in the future provide for the extra assistance that they may possibly need in the classroom.

Thank You

Mrs Helen Howden

 

 





A huge thank you to everyone who came and helped at our Working Bee. Our garden space is looking terrific thanks to the Crellin, Reid and Proud families. Thank you to Miss Di Pasquale, Mrs Spina, Mrs Valastro and Alexander Mazzone who came as well. We are so grateful for your help. 

GARDENING CLUB

THANK YOU TO ALL
BEFORE
AFTER

The Green Team

WELLBEING

ENGAGEMENT IN LEARING

When our children are engaged in their learning, the learning becomes deeper and they learn and discover so much. Term 4 is really important for our teachers to ensure the learning tasks are inviting and engaging to support our children in developing their skills required. It also ensures that while there are always natural school disruptions, the focus is still there and we continue to get the most out of our children as we head towards the end of the year.

Below are just a few snapshots of how engaged in their learning our children are. Different levels of engagement and different models of learning happening amongst these photos.

Well done to all staff and students for beginning our term in such an engaging way. 

COMMUNITY NEWS

Parents & Friends Association

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

Merri-bek Council

Bollywood Dancing - fun for all the family!

11 – 11.45 am, Saturday 15 October

Coburg Library

Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights with the Jhoom-Bollywood Dance Company and learn some fancy Bollywood dancing moves.

Fun for all the family!

Registration is appreciated

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bollywood-dancing-fun-for-all-the-family-tickets-423917979087

 

LOTE Online for Kids eResource

Happy Bilingual Children’s Month for October!

PRACE

These courses may be relevant to jobseekers and parents considering returning to the workforce. Flyers are attached.
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St Matthew's Catholic Primary School