Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students
Back to School: Prayer for the Start of the School Year
Loving God,
Our creator, our saviour, our companion,
bless this journey of a new school year that we undertake today.
Refresh our souls
and renew our spirits
as we embrace the beautiful ministry you have called us to.
We welcome those who are new to this community and
ask that you strengthen them to share the wonderful gifts you have given them.
Lord, make our hearts pure as we prepare for the return of students to this school,
and may you guide them to return with open hearts and minds eager to learn.
We ask this in Your name,
Amen
Welcome Back
It was with such pleasure that we welcomed our students back to school this week to commence the 2022 school year. I could not help but see the joy on our parents faces as they dropped the children to school. I am not sure who was happier– the parents or the children? I know we say it often, but we are incredibly fortunate to be returning to school in Western Australia. Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends and relatives in the Eastern States who have had to endure a more taxing return to school, with mask wearing for primary aged students and the administration of rapid antigen tests. None of us has a crystal ball, and we cannot predict what the next few weeks and months will have in store for us. However, we can focus on being grateful for what we do have and continue to support each other as we face the year ahead.
Sincerest thanks to parents, caregivers, and visitors for wearing masks both indoors at school, and, outdoors when it is not possible to socially distance. Thank you for checking in using the QR code and thank you for keeping adult numbers in classrooms, and the administration office, to a minimum. It is essential we do all we can to keep our staff safe and well during these uncertain times.
I am most grateful to all our staff for their hard work in preparing for the return of the students. Teachers have worked hard throughout the holidays to prepare their classrooms and units of work for the first term of school. Classrooms are looking most inviting indeed! Thank you to our administration, uniform, and canteen staff for their hard work in ensuring a smooth start to the school year. There is a myriad of tasks that need to be completed prior to the start of the year. I am most grateful to all our staff for their dedication in ensuring a smooth start to the school year.
Our school grounds are looking lovely. It has been a struggle against the heat, but our grounds staff have done all they can to keep the grounds thriving. Our groundsman, Mr Steve Vajas, has worked hard during the holidays to make sure the grounds and facilities are ready for the start of the year. This year has been a little more challenging with all the organisation required to prepare for a return with Coronavirus safety requirements.
Yarning Circle
We are delighted to have the Yarning Circle completed and ready for the start of the year. The Yarning Circle, partially funded by the City of Kalamunda, is a wonderful addition to our nature play areas. The Yarning Circle will provide a space for our community to enjoy outdoor learning, to gather, reflect and enjoy quiet time with others. The Yarning Circle will be blessed and opened with a ceremony later in the year.
Welcome New Students and Families
This term we welcome several new families to our school. We have new students in most classes, and I have been most impressed with the welcoming attitude of our students in doing all they can to make our new students feel right at home. A huge thankyou to our P&F Reps for welcoming new families to our school. We look forward to getting to know you over the coming weeks and months and wish you all a most happy association with Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School.
Welcome New Staff
Meet Our Social Worker – Chloe Grant
Chloe will be offering counselling for students and support to their families, where social and emotional issues may be impacting on the child’s ability to learn, thrive or be happy at school.
Assistance can be provided with issues such as:
- Grief and loss
- Separation and divorce
- Family conflict
- Peer and friendship concerns
- Anxiety and fears
- School refusal
- Dealing with big emotions such as anger and frustration
- Self-esteem and confidence building
Parents are welcome to contact Chloe to chat about concerns, or just clarify whether it would be helpful for Chloe to be involved in some way.
Chloe will be at school Wednesday and Thursday and looks forward to working alongside our Matthew Gibney families and community.
Please reach out via 6216 8400 or chloe.grant@cewa.edu.au
Meet our Year 4 Teacher – Jordyn Sheldrick
My name is Miss Jordyn Sheldrick and I am the Year 4 Teacher this year. Since very early childhood I have always dreamt of being a teacher and have always known deep down that this would be my vocation. My passion and drive is to deliver rich and authentic learning experiences in the most equitable way for students to succeed academically and in their wellbeing. I am an advocate for celebrating differences. During my spare time I love to socialise with friends and family (over a snack or two). Throughout my own schooling days, I was a very keen swimmer! I still love to spend as much time at the beach as I can in summer! My past students know me as a lover of all foods and dogs. Being new to the Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School this year, my hope is to get to know the community, build relationships and immerse myself in the wonderful school culture that exists.
Meet our School Administration Officer – Flavia Lenzo
Flavia joins us on Monday and Friday each week as part time Administration Officer. Flavia comes to us from St Anthony’s School, Greenmount. Flavia will be working in the office here at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School whilst continuing to work as Parish Secretary for the St Anthony’s Parish. Flavia looks forward to getting to know our school community. Please pop in whenever you can and introduce yourself to Flavia on Monday or Friday.
Welcome back Mrs Hewitt!
It is lovely to have Shannon back with us as Physical Education Teacher each Thursday and Friday.
Commencement of the Term – Staff Days
Whilst the students were enjoying the final days of the school holidays, our staff gathered for an art workshop as a team building activity. During the workshop the staff collaborated to create three art canvases to demonstrate our personal stories, origins, and culture. The art works look amazing! The Matthew Gibney staff are a most creative group of people. We look forward to displaying the art works in the school for all to enjoy.
Staff and Student Commissioning Liturgy
Next week we commission our new staff and our Year 6 students into their various leadership roles. This is a special time for our Year 6 students who take on their leadership responsibilities with enthusiasm and rigour. The commissioning liturgy will take place in the undercover area on Wednesday 9th February commencing at 9.00am. All are welcome to attend.
How lovely that we get to enjoy a cooler first week back at school. Keep well and thank you again for your support of our community as we commence the new school year.
Warmest regards
Therese Hussey
Principal
Teaching staff have included contact details for parents in their Class Information Booklets, which were sent home on Wednesday. Parents are reminded to always contact the class teacher, in the first instance, should you have any queries or concerns. Our teachers are most accommodating and will work with you to organise a suitable time to meet. Teachers are generous with their time in responding to parents questions via email. However, please do not expect an email response outside of usual office hours. Staff will get back to you in as timely a way as possible. Work and life balance is as important for the wellbeing of our staff as it is for the wider population.
I am pleased that our parents buy and sell no longer needed school uniforms amongst themselves. Recycling school uniforms within the community is of benefit to many parents. Please organise the buying and selling of second-hand uniforms between yourselves and do not involve the administration office staff. The admin staff should not have to organise the receipting of money for unforms that are personal transactions. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.
As we begin a new school year, we look forward to our community making Jesus real through our thoughts, words and actions.
Each morning next week 7th -12th February, we will be collecting donations for CARITAS to support relief efforts in Tonga. 