Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students

The calendar starts to get a little busy at this time of the year. There are a number of events on at school and families start to get busy with various end of the year functions. Our teachers and staff are busy with the preparation of Semester Two Reports and final assessments for the year. Please keep our staff in your thoughts during these next few weeks. However busy we are, it does not hurt to stop and reflect on how privileged we are, here in Western Australia, that our children can attend good schools, have a good education, and enjoy the extra luxuries that life has to offer. This was the case for the children of Ukraine, until the end of 2021. This time last year they too were enjoying school, getting ready for Christmas celebrations, and thriving with the stability of home and community life. How quickly things can change! As of July, this year an estimated 650,000 children in Ukraine were not attending school and, due to bomb damage, 60% of schools were deemed unsafe. As life gets busy we should take the time to find ways to support and pray for the children of the world, including Ukraine, whose well-being and life outcomes seem dire at this time.

Father God, lay a blanket of protection over children who cannot attend school,
especially those whose educations are disrupted by conflict, emergencies, and natural disasters.
In Your mercy, we pray for You to provide opportunities for learning so that through education,children find the hope and skills for a better future.

Amen

2023 School Intentions

Parents who are considering moving on next year and not returning to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School are asked to inform the school, in writing, as soon as possible. We have a number of children on wait lists for classes and we would like to offer them places, if available, as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Pre-Kindy and Kindy Enrolments 2024

We are currently accepting enrolments for Pre-Kindy and Kindy in 2024. Please inform family, friends and neighbours, who are interested in sending their children to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, to collect enrolment forms as soon as possible. Enrolment interviews will take place in Term One 2023 for the 2024 school year.

Year 6 Camp

I am preparing this newsletter from Busselton as I accompany our Year 6 students on their annual camp. We are enjoying fine weather and the students are in great form. We see the best of our students on camp. They are enjoying each other’s company, trying new things and have a positive and optimistic attitude about all that the camp has to offer. Thanks to Miss Zurzolo and Mrs Moore for their support of our students during the camp this week. I know they will be looking forward to the long weekend!

P&F Special Meeting 16th November

There have been some changes to the P&F Constitution that will be tabled at a “Special Meeting” on Wednesday 16th November, commencing at 7.30pm. The Special Meeting will be short. Normal P&F agenda items will be discussed immediately following the Special Meeting. Please join us to share your ideas at the P&F Meeting.

Annual Community Meeting

The Annual Community Meeting will be held on Wednesday 23rd November commencing at 7.00pm. All parents are invited to come along and listen to reports from the Parent Advisory Council and the P&F. Nominations for positions vacant on both the Parent Advisory Council and the P&F will be advertised next week and voting will take place at the ACM. Please come along and enjoy some refreshments with members of our school community as we reflect upon all that has been achieved during 2022.

Remembrance Day 11th November

Remembrance Day honours those who have served to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life. We remember the sacrifice of the Armed Forces community. We pay tribute to the special contribution of families and of the emergency services. We acknowledge innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict. The Year 5 students will lead the school in a Remembrance Day Service on Friday morning. The Year 6 students will take a few minutes while on camp to participate in a short service of remembrance. Parents may choose to send their children to school wearing a poppy of remembrance.

Don’t forget the long weekend this weekend. Enjoy the extra day of family time.

Warm regards

Therese