Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students

Our Making Jesus Real values drive the behavioural expectations we have at school.  We expect our students to “live” the values in their daily lives. This week our value is, “Thankfulness.” As I drive to work each morning, I take the time to thank God for the gift of working in a community with such wonderful children, staff parents and grandparents.  It may not sound like much of a prayer, but I find that taking the time to be thankful to God for my work, sets up my positive mindfulness for the day ahead.

Jesus was thankful to God, as the Father who watched over all his creation, even the little sparrows thought to be of little value. He thanked God for providing food, for listening to him, and for the opportunity to minister to others. “Thank you” are two of the most important words you can say.  Taking the time to say, “thank you” to God builds our own sense of gratitude for all that we have and experience that is good in our lives. Although we all experience challenges, from time to time, we have so much to be grateful for.  As we say “thank you” to each other and acknowledge what others provide for us, perhaps we should take the time to say “thank you” to God for the blessings we receive each day.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life.

You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined.

You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me.

You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions.

Election Polling Booth

Please encourage family, friends and neighbours to use the Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School Polling Booth on Election Day, Saturday 21st May.  The P&F have organised a sausage sizzle and cake stall for visitors during the day. 

Election Priorities

The National Catholic Education Commission has been active in promoting Federal Election Priorities to candidates of all political parties.  The priorities you may like to keep in mind when considering your vote are:

• Supporting school choice and funding certainty
• Enabling faith-based education
• Supporting early childhood education
• Better access to mental health and wellbeing services
• Better access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

First Eucharist Workshop

Thank you to Mrs Keddie, Ms Sheldrick and Mrs Thiessera, for facilitating the First Eucharist Workshop for parents and children earlier this week.  It is always good to see so many parents coming along to participate with enthusiasm in the workshops. The workshops are a wonderful opportunity for our parents to talk about their faith with the children as they prepare, together as a family, to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time.  We will continue to keep the children, and their families, in our prayers over the coming weeks.

P&F Coffee Van Morning

We will have a coffee morning for parents on Thursday 26th May. The coffee morning will be between 8.30am and 9.30am. it will be an opportunity to meet Ms Chloe Grant, our school social worker.  Chloe will talk to parents about the services she is able to provide at school. The P&F committee will attend to talk about the work of the P&F so far this year and listen to any further ideas parents may have for the P&F.

Next Week

Best wishes to the Year 4 class for a prayerful and reflective First Eucharist retreat day next Tuesday. 

I look forward to welcoming parents to the Year 2 Prayer Liturgy on Wednesday 18th May commencing at 9.00am. Thank you to Mrs Brescacin for preparing the children for their liturgy.

I look forward to welcoming parents and visitors to our first, in person, Merit Award Assembly on Friday 13th May. 

My commiserations to Eagles supporters.  Things can only get better!  Our Dockers supporters should be feeling pretty happy as we enter the 9th round of the season.

Warmest regards

Therese Hussey
Principal