School Vision
St Matthew’s School empowers children to embrace life-long learning and grow and develop as God intends.
GOD OUR FATHER,
WE GIVE YOU THANKS AND PRAISE FOR FATHERS YOUNG AND OLD.
WE PRAY FOR YOUNG FATHERS, NEWLY EMBRACING THEIR VOCATION; MAY THEY FIND COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE TO BALANCE WORK, FAMILY AND FAITH IN JOY AND SACRIFICE.
WE PRAY FOR OUR OWN FATHERS AROUND THE WORLD WHOSE CHILDREN ARE LOST OR SUFFERING; MAY THEY KNOW THAT THE GOD OF COMPASSION WALKS WITH THEM IN THEIR SORROW.
WE PRAY FOR MEN WHO ARE NOT FATHERS BUT STILL MENTOR AND GUIDE US WITH FATHERLY LOVE AND ADVICE.
WE REMEMBER FATHERS, GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT GRANDFATHERS WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US BUT WHO LIVE FOREVER IN OUR MEMORY AND NOURISH US WITH THEIR LOVE.
AMEN
Dear Parents & Carers,
Over the last two weeks, St Matt’s children have enjoyed many different opportunities to use their unique gifts and talents to shine in so many different ways. Musical rehearsals, athletics carnivals, Optiminds, and the amazing Book Week Parade. Not to mention all the amazing Fathers’ Day creations. As teachers, we appreciate that it is through taking part in events such as these that children have an opportunity to apply the skills that they have learnt in the normal classroom. These are the special times that enable us to celebrate the hard work, commitment and effort we are all putting into making St Matthew’s an amazing Christ-centred school.
A big, big thank you to all of the families that have supported their children’s education by being engaged in the school life. Whether you have attended events, made costumes, baked cakes or volunteered your time and talents, you have demonstrated to your children that you are interested in their school, and as such, interested in their education.
Alice in Wonderland, Jnr – Last Chance For Tickets
On Monday 31 August, a letter was sent home inviting parents to select the musical performance they would prefer to attend. Thank you to all the families who returned their Alice in Wonderland Jnr ticket preference note by Friday. The Leadership Team have allocated seating based on this information, and the Friday evening performance is full. There are, however, still seats available for both of the matinee performances. We will continue to accept and process family ticket preferences until Wednesday 9 September. After this date, all unallocated seats will be made available to all families and thus, provide an opportunity to acquire an additional two seats per family. This will be a strictly first in, best dressed scenario.
Tickets will be sent home to families by Friday 11 September.
Please remember that we have also organised the recording of the show. DVDs will be able to be purchased online at a cost of $25.00 each. Information concerning this was also sent home on Monday 31st August.
Alice in Wonderland Jnr Performances
Without a doubt, our little people ( and most of the big people!) will be very tired following the two matinee performances during Week 9. Teachers will ensure that on these days the students have a very quiet afternoon and as such, will not introduce any new information or concepts. Parents are welcome to pick their children up early from school, should they feel that a rest at home is more suitable.
A Message From Our Local Ranger
This week I had a visit from the Narrogin Ranger who informed me that new parking lines will be being painted on Fathom street in the near future. These lines will clearly indicate the areas that are no parking/no standing zones. Any vehicle that is found to be stopped in the no parking area, will be photographed and a fine will be issued through the mail. This includes parking/stopping on the Glyde St and Fathom St corner.
I would also like to remind our parents that parking in the Senior Citizens car park is not allowed.
I would advise all parents to park in the empty block on Glyde Street.
Welcome Miss Hannah Chitty
As was announced in the Week 4 newsletter, the beautiful Mrs Marjoram will be taking maternity leave for Term 4 this year. We are very happy to announce that Miss Hannah Chitty has been employed to fill the Year 1 teaching role.
Hannah Chitty is a country girl having resided in Williams most of her life. She is a new graduate from Notre Dame University where she has completed a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood & Care). Hannah will come and visit with the class prior to commencing her employment on the 12 October. I know you all join with me in welcoming her to the St Matthew’s school community.
Congratulations McFall!!
Mcfall have earnt themselves the major award by receiving Golden Slips for good choices at school. This Friday 11 September, all McFall students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 are invited to wear free-dress for the day. They will also enjoy ½ an icey pole and extra play time.
Principal Focus – Pre-performance jitters
Only 9 sleeps to go until our beautiful kids perform on the big stage. For many of our students, this will be one of the highlights of their primary school journey; however, for others, this may naturally stir up feelings of anxiety and nervousness. The following article from Scholastic offers some advice on how parents can help their children to deal with these feelings:
Let’s face it: Even grown-ups get nervous when we have to speak in front of our colleagues or give a presentation to the boss. Learning from an early age how to cope with performance jitters gives kids a leg up in those big life moments. “The first step for a parent is to normalize a child’s feelings of anxiety,” says Lollar. “Tell them, ‘You know, a lot of kids — and even adults — feel nervous before a performance. It’s completely natural.’” It won’t take away the nerves, but it will let your child know there’s nothing wrong with feeling this way.
Then before the big show, talk your child through his worries by reminding him of other moments when he’s felt anxious, even when things turned out well. “Remind him of the baseball game when he felt really nervous at the plate, but managed to get a great hit,” suggests Lollar. “Recalling past experiences with positive outcomes gives a child confidence.” Other tricks: Help your child calm his body in the minutes before the performance begins by taking four or five long, deep breaths or counting backward from seven. Both force his mind to focus on something other than his nerves.
Once the show is over, let your child bask in his accomplishment, then casually comment on how well everything went. He will carry this experience with him for the next time, as more evidence that he can successfully perform under pressure.
Take care,
Susan Milton
