Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students
Our school term ends this week as our journey towards the celebration of Easter continues. We commence Holy Week on Sunday with the celebration of Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphant arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem, days before he was crucified. The key events of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the glorious Resurrection on East Sunday reflect the unconditional love that Christ has for each and every one of us. I hope that the Easter period will be a happy and holy time for you and your family, full of Christ’s blessings.
With so much happening in our world, the Resurrection of Christ and the Easter story calls us to be people of peace, joy, compassion, respect, forgiveness and prayer.
We pray for the Church and for the world: that God may grant us the gifts of courage, compassion and wisdom as we face challenging circumstances together.
We pray for the peace throughout the world: that the Risen Lord will turn hearts from violence and open new paths to peace, and justice.
Amen
Easter Egg Raffle
Thank you to our wonderful P&F committee and parent reps for organising the successful Easter Egg Raffle. The donations have been most generous and has really shown the supportive community we have here at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School. The raffle donations were enough to provide six main raffle draws, a hamper for the parish and an Easter Egg for every child. Congratulations to the raffle winners – don’t eat all those Easter Eggs at once!
P&F Car Rally
Congratulations to the P&F for organising such a successful car rally on the weekend. The feedback from those who attended was very positive, and families are already looking forward to next year’s event. Thank you to all those who came along and to the committee for putting together such an enjoyable family function.
Sacramental Commitment Masses
Parents of students in Years 3, 4 and 6 are reminded that the Sacramental Commitment Masses will take place at St Francis of Assisi Parish in Maida Vale over the weekend of 30th April and 1st May. Students preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation are required to come along to one of the weekend masses to make their commitment to preparing for their sacrament. Details about requirements have been sent home by teachers.
Mother’s Day Liturgy and Mother’s Day Stalls
Mothers are invited to come along to the Mother’s Day Liturgy, to be held at school, on Friday 6th May at 9.00am. At this stage, we are unsure about how many people we can invite, in order to keep within the revised capacity limits here at school. COVID capacity limit rules may change again over the next few weeks. A decision about the number of guests for each family will be made at the commencement of Term Two. In the meantime, please save the date and join us for the Liturgy as the children offer special blessings for their Mothers and Grandmothers.
The P&F have organised a Mother’s Day stall to be held at school on Monday 2nd May and Tuesday 3rd May. The children will be able to purchase Mother’s Day gifts for their Mums at the stall. A flier with further details can be found in this newsletter.
P&F Lap-A-Thon
The P&F have made an impressive start to the year and COVID restrictions have not held them back from organising events. We look forward to the Lap-A-Thon, for students from Kindy to Year 6, on Thursday 28th April. Information about the Lap-A-Thon has been sent home to each family. The Lap-A-Thon will raise money for the Year 1-6 Nature Playgrounds, reading books for all year levels and the new marquees for sport carnivals and school events. Parents will be able to come along and cheer their children on and join in the festive atmosphere of the Lap-A-Thon.
Anzac Day
Anzac Day falls during the school holidays. We will commemorate the day with a service, here at school, on Friday 29th April. The event will be held outdoors so parents are welcome to come along for the ceremony, commencing at 9.00am. Sincerest thanks to Mr Kenneth Townley for coming along as representative of the Australian Army to give the address and lay a wreath.
Winter Uniforms and Uniform Shop Opening
The P&F voted at their last meeting for our girls to have the option of wearing trousers during the Winter Terms. Trousers provide the girls with an alternative that is both contemporary and comfortable. A small committee will work with Mrs Denys to choose an appropriate trouser design for the girls. However, the process could take some time and it is unlikely that the new girls’ trousers will be ready for this year. Parents may, however, choose to purchase the existing trousers from the uniform shop for their girls. The current trousers are those that we have for the boys, but may be a suitable alternative, should parents choose. Please note that the winter trousers for girls is an option, along with the current winter skirt.
The Uniform Shop will be open for Term Two purchases on Friday 22nd April 10.00-12.00pm
School Holiday Projects
The second stage of the Nature Playground Project will commence during the April school holidays. The second stage will be suitable for children from Year 1-6 and will involve climbing apparatus, forts, platforms and balances. We look forward to having the playground ready for the children to use in Term Two.
The carpark markings will be completed during the school holidays. Car bays, no standing signs and crosswalks will be re-marked.
Covid-19 Self Reporting and WA Health Portal
Thank you to our parents for continuing to use the self-reporting portal to report both positive and negative COVID-19 test results. Parents are encouraged to continue using the portal through the school holidays. The information assists us in our planning as it give us a clear picture of the number of students who may be away for periods of time. The portal is available on our website and can be accessed via the link: COVID-19 Self-Reporting Portal
Parents are reminded that it is mandatory that positive RATs are reported to WA Health. The CEWA reporting portal is in addition to the requirement from WA health. Self-reporting positive RATs to WA Health need to be made on the website: https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/ratregister
Year 6 Leaders
As the term draws to a close, I take this opportunity to thank the Year 6 students for their fine leadership during the term. It has been challenging term for the students and they have stepped up with a great sense of responsibility. They have been fine role-models to the younger students and have shown initiative and responsibility as they have assisted with various events and routines. I must compliment the Year 6 students on the way they have assisted with taking the younger children to class each day. Thank you Year 6, and I look forward to seeing your leadership continue to blossom into Term 2.
Staffing
At the end of this term we farewell Mrs Susan Donaldson. Susan leaves us as Education Assistant in the Pre-Kindy to commence her final teaching practice before becoming fully qualified as an Early Childhood Teacher. We thank Susan for her dedication to the Pre-Kindy program and wish her well with her future career.
We have a number of staff on long-service-leave at the commencement of Term 2. Tania Kays will be on leave for the first two weeks and Simone Tormey and Karen Keddie will be on leave for the first week of the term. We wish Tania, Simone and Karen a restful and well-deserved long-service-leave break.
Term Two Planner
A planner for Term Two accompanies this newsletter. A hard copy has also been sent home to each family. Please take note of dates that are important for your child’s class during the term.
This has been a challenging term for many of us. I am sincerely grateful to our staff for their dedication in ensuring the challenges have not taken away from the excellent teaching and learning that has been provided to the students. I am most grateful to our parents for their continuing support and positivity toward our school. The students have continued to impress with their resiliency and ability to “bounce back” from the challenges they have faced.
I think we all deserve a restful holiday with family and friends. Best wishes for a happy and holy Easter. Safe travels to those who are going away during the break, and I look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Wednesday 27th April.
Warmest regards
Therese Hussey
Principal
