School Vision

St Matthew’s School empowers children to embrace life-long learning, and grow and develop as God intends.

This prayer was chosen for our young athletes:

O God, we pray for all who participate in our Athletics carnivals.

May their hearts be open to see your presence in and through sports;

may their minds remember the element of fun reflective of your Spirit;

may their bodies reflect the gracefulness and wonder of your creation.

Let all who compete be enriched by your presence.

Amen

Dear Parents & Carers,

It has been a busy couple of weeks with excursions, dress-up days, performance assemblies and Bullying No Way week. I am so proud of all of our students and staff as we have come together to celebrate our learning.

DOJO Points

This year, St Matthew’s School is using DOJO points as a means of reinforcing positives behaviours both in the classroom and in the playground. Once a month, we acknowledge the student from each class that has been awarded the most points. Congratulations to this month’s recipients:

Athletics Carnivals 27 & 29 August

Please refer to the St Matthew’s School App for the schedule and program for both days. A big thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to assist us at the carnival! Your support is always greatly appreciated and essential in the running of these days. Last week during our Physical Education lesson/s, I provided a program to each child and went through the events for each child. Your child should’ve come home with this program with their events highlighted. Can I please ask parents who are volunteering at the Jumps and Throws on Tuesday 27 August to arrive at school by 8:35am for a briefing. The events will commence at approximately 8:50am. Parents assisting at the Main Carnival on Thursday 29 August, will need to arrive at 9:00am for a 9:30am start. We are looking forward to a wonderful day!

Pre-Primary Athletics Carnival 29 August

The 2024 St Matthew’s Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 29 August. This is an opportunity for our Pre-Primary children to come and enjoy an introduction to school athletics in a fun way. They will be placed into mixed-gender and mixed-faction groups to participate in Pre-Primary team games and a 50m running race. All students will receive a participation ribbon at the conclusion of their events. Points towards faction totals will not be given for the Pre-Primary races.

Please see school app  (select “Pre-Primary) for more information.

P&F Bake Sale

Narrogin Senior High School 2025 Enrolments

Fathers’ Day Breakfast 2 September

Fathers’ Day in Kindy & Pre-Primary

Our gorgeous little people would love to celebrate and spoil their fathers and father-figures:

• Kindy Wednesday 28 August 5:30pm – see Kindy newsletter on school app (select Kindy)
• Pre-Primary Friday 30 August 1:30pm

Bullying No Way Wednesday Groups

For the remainder of Term 3, Wednesday Groups is going to focus on “Bullying No Way”.

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It’s about embracing who we are, respecting everyone’s differences and standing up together against unkindness.

Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We’re encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected, and our voices are heard and valued.

Filipino Mass

All families are invited to attend the Finipino Mass on 1 September at 3:30pm at the St Matthew’s Parish. The Mass will be celebrated by Fr Jorge De Chavez Jr.

P&F minutes 

Thank you to all of our parents who attended the P&F Meeting last Friday. The Minutes from this meeting are available on the school app under “General”.

School Photos Wednesday 18 September

Class Photos/Portraits:

• Every Student will have their photo taken, whether they are purchasing photos or not.
• We will be using the online ordering system. Your child will be given an online ordering instruction slip and a unique student shootkey.
  Log onto www.msp.com.au and follow the prompts to place your order.
• If you lose your shootkey, the school office will have a copy to quote back to you.
• The expiry date for online ordering is Wednesday 25th of September 2024. Any orders received after this date will incur a S30.00 archive fee.
• Spare order envelopes (green) will be available at the school office if you prefer to pay with cash.

Specialty Group Photos:
After photo day, a link will be sent to the school for distribution to parents whose child/children is/are in the specialty group photos.

Family Photos:

• Envelopes can be obtained from the school office.
• Family photos are taken before school.
• Please ensure that your family envelope and payment are handed to the Photographers on photo day.
• If you do not have the correct money, we will provide any change needed when photos are delivered to school.
• Family photos cannot be ordered online.
• Once school has received photos, family photos will remain at the school office for parents to collect.

Please Note:

• Late orders can be placed via our website www.mspreorders.com.au
• Individual and Family Photos are not available to view online for Students’ Security.
• If for any reason you need to contact MSP regarding your child’s photos, you will be asked to provide your child’s Shootkey.

St Matthew’s Feast Day 19 September

This year, we will be acknowledging our feast day on 19 September, due to the actual day (21 September)  falling in the school holidays. One of the ways we will celebrate as a community is by holding a talent show. More information will be shared in future newsletters, however, children may like to start thinking about which act they might like to audition.

Parish Celebration 8 September

On Sunday 8 September, St Matthew’s Parish will be holding a special parish Mass for the Feast of St Matthew. During the Mass we will welcome new parishioners to the parish. We will also have a parish sausage sizzle lunch on the lawn at the front of the church (weather permitting).

The Parish Pastoral Council are asking for volunteers to help set up and help prepare and serve the lunch. Please email susan.milton@cewa.edu.au if you are able to offer help or need any further information.

Sacrament of Confirmation 27 October

For those Year 6 students who are Catholic and are planning to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year, please be reminded of the following dates:

• Parent/child Workshop 17 October 3:30pm
• Student Retreat Day 25 October
• Sacrament of Confirmation 27 October 9:30am

Please see the school app for more information (select Year 6).

To enrol your child to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please complete the online form via: https://forms.office.com/r/rPuTnERRtr

The Sacraments are Parish-based events, although St Matthew’s School assists in the preparation of candidates. The commitments are a diocesan requirement, for both students and parents, if they wish to receive the Sacraments. 

VacSwim

VacSwim provides children aged 5 to 17 years with the opportunity to develop and progress their swimming and water safety skills during the October and summer school holidays. They offer programs for beginner, intermediate and advanced swimmers at over 175 locations across Western Australia. Please see the school app for more information.

Children’s Liturgy

The remaining date for Term 3 is: 8 Sept

Important Dates

All important dates can be viewed on the St Matthew’s app calendar or on the Term Overviews provided by class teachers, via the school app.

Keep Reading,
Susan Milton