Dear Parents, Friends, Staff, and Students

Well, here we are in the final week of the term and the final week of the school year. The commencement of the year seems like a lifetime ago. When we stop to reflect, it is with a sense of amazement, that we realise all that has been achieved during the year. Our students, staff and families have had a wonderful year, despite the disruptions that we experienced in Term Two. I thank you all, most sincerely, for your contributions throughout the year. We are a successful school because of the trusting and sincere partnerships that exist within our community.

Please take the time to enjoy the special family time that is offered to us at Christmas and during the school holidays. The summer holidays are a special time for family connections, making memories and enjoying the company of others. Enjoy the slowness of pace without the rush of school lunches, uniforms and getting children ready on time. Most of all, I hope you find the time to connect with God and offer thanks for the gift we have to celebrate the birth of Jesus, together as families, at Christmas. When we look at the countries of the world, we realise that living in Western Australia, we have so much to be grateful to God for. The people of Ukraine, for example, were celebrating just like us last Christmas, but now will mostly struggle to find joy at Christmas in their country shattered by war. We keep them in our prayers.

God of Wisdom, we thank you for all the gifts you have given us throughout this school year.

We praise you for giving us life, for saving us in Christ, and for choosing us to be your people.

As we come to the end of this school year, we voice our gratitude for the good things you have done in us, and we praise you for all who have shared in the work of this school.

We ask you to bless them in your love and give them refreshment and peace. We praise you through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Farewell

At the end of this term, we farewell staff members and students. We farewell Diane Scriven and Saroya Powell, along with the Year Six graduating students. We farewell families who have their youngest child leaving the school. We have a few families who have been with us for many years. We wish you well, wherever you may go, and hope you take a little piece of the joy, love and peace of Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School with you. You are always welcome here. In particular, we farewell our Year Six students. They have been an exceptional group of young people. They are ready to face the big wide world of High School and they go with our blessing.

Lord God,

Thank you for the love, commitment and creativity that Diane, Saroya and the Year Six students, have given to our school.

Thank you for the way they have served us and given out so much for the good of our school.

We pray that they go on to find new treasures each day, and that the blessing of Christ will be upon all that they do, forevermore.

 Amen.

Congratulations

I am delighted to congratulate O’Hara Daly who has been awarded a full academic scholarship for Guildford Grammar School, commencing in Year Seven in 2023. The scholarship award is well-deserved. O’Hara is a diligent student, and the award reflects her attitude towards her studies.

Congratulations to O’Hara’s parents, and teachers throughout the years, who have guided and encouraged O’Hara to strive to reach her full potential. We are very proud of you, O’Hara!

Class Times 2023

Class times for 2023 will change slightly. We need to ensure we are offering the required instructional hours. In 2023 our class times are:

Pre-Kindy: 9.00am-2.45pm Kindy: 9.00am-3.00pm

Pre-Primary to Year Six: 8.45am-3.05pm

Student Leadership Model 2023

At Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, we recognise that all students have the ability to be good leaders, given the opportunity to do so. After a great deal of discernment, the staff have made the decision to change the student leadership model in 2023 to one that includes all students as members of various councils. Membership on all councils requires a high level of responsibility. The students will have the opportunity to experience different councils throughout the year. The students will work with younger students during the year to give them a chance to voice their opinion about the school and school life. Sport captains will be decided closer to the carnival and will change for the various sport events, giving additional students an opportunity. There will not be separate “Student Leaders” in 2023.

Catholic School Parents Advisory Council 2023

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to take up roles as members on the Catholic School Advisory Council in 2023. The Council members for 2023 are:

Chair: Neil Pescud

Vice Chair: Emma Brierty

Treasurer: George Coldham

Secretary: Jaime Smith.

Members: Narelle Gielingh, Glenn Waddington, Tristan Look, Clare Arnold (Parish Representative), Kaitlyn Gelmi (P&F Representative)

Sincerest thanks and best wishes to Mike Feltham and Katie Pillera who completed their terms on the Council at the end of 2022.

2023 Term Dates, Pupil Free Days and Public Holidays

Term dates are available on our website and can be accessed via the link: https://www.gibney.wa.edu.au/calendar/

Uniform Centre Opening Hours January 2023

We have decided that we will be open for collections on Monday 30th January from 3-5 pm, and on Tuesday 31st January from 9.30 – 10.30 am.

Happy Christmas

Best wishes to all our families and staff for a blessed, happy and holy Christmas. May the peace and joy of the baby Jesus be in your homes and hearts.

School commences in 2023 on Wednesday 1st February.

Keep safe and well during the holiday period and we look forward to seeing everyone back in the new year.

Warm regards

Therese