Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students
This Sunday, 28th November, we commence the Season of Advent and the beginning of the new liturgical year. Advent is a special time in the Church year when we prepare and get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The word “Advent” means “coming.” When we light the candles on the wreath, it symbolises the coming of Jesus into the world. As we light the first of the Advent, we centre our thoughts on the theme of hope. It is a time to remember the hope God offers to our world through Jesus. Advent is such a joyous time for our children and our families. We see our homes, classrooms and communities beginning to prepare with decorations and symbols. The children are eagerly learning about the Christmas story and the meaning of the 4 Advent candles. Amongst the frantic pace that we experience in the final weeks of the term, please take some time to reflect on the joy of the Advent Season that we see through the eyes of our children.
Hopeful God,
Thank you for always being patient with us.
You help us to have hope for the future.
Please help us to patiently wait in this season of Advent.
We pray for our brothers and sisters around the world, who are hopeful for an opportunity to learn and build a better life.
In your name we pray,
Amen
Parents & Friends Association 2022
Thank you to our parents who have supported the school during 2021, as member of the Parents and Friends Association. As explained at the Annual Community Meeting last night, we have enjoyed a successful year of friend and fund-raising activities.
I thank, most sincerely, retiring members of the P&F Executive. I thank Jodie Capobianco for her years of dedicated service in leading the P&F as President. Jodie’s enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring the best outcome for all P&F activities has been greatly appreciated and valued. I thank Esther Robinson, retiring Vice President, for her support of the P&F and for her generosity of time and willingness to always be available.
I am pleased to announce the P&F Executive for 2022:
- President – Stephanie Kaciuba
- Vice President – Adam Bennetts
- Secretary – Katelyn Kollar and Kellee Seden
- Treasurer – Lara Bateman.
Thank you to those parents who have volunteered as class representatives. A final list of class reps will be advertised in the new year.
Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School Advisory Council
We have a number of people retiring from the School Advisory Council this year. I am most grateful to all those who have served on the Council, offering their time and expertise to assist with the smooth running of the school. First of all, I thank Gavin Hogg, retiring as School Advisory Council Chairperson after 7 years of dedicated service to the School Board and School Advisory Council. Gavin has led the Council through a period of transition with attention to detail, a commitment to accountability and much good humour. We farewell and thank Suraj Karki and Paul Kaciuba, as they complete their time as Advisory Council members. Suraj has been most generous in sharing his expertise as Treasurer on the Council. Paul has provided valuable support as a member of the Maintenance Committee. I am most grateful for the time that Gavin, Paul and Suraj have offered to the school.
School Advisory Council Members for 2022 are:
- Katie Pillera
- Emma Brierty
- Narelle Gielingh
- Neil Pescud
- Glenn Waddington
- George Coldham
- Jaime Smith
- Mike Feltham (coopted member for 2022)
- Clare Arnold (Parish Representative)
Staffing
I am pleased to inform our community of the teaching staff arrangements for 2022. We have two new members of staff for 2022. Ms Jordyn Sheldrick joins our teaching team as Year 4 Teacher. Jordyn joins us from St Damien’s School in Dawesville. Ms Chloe Grant joins us as Social Worker for 2022. Chloe is an experienced Social Worker with a background in working with children and families in a variety of settings. We welcome back Shannon Hewitt from her parental leave to resume her position as Physical Education Teacher.
At the conclusion of this year we farewell Oliver Battistessa. Oliver has been an outstanding Physical Education Teacher and we wish him well as he commences a new position as teacher at St Paul’s School in Karratha. We farewell Krystle Neal, who has stepped in as Pre-Primary Teacher during this term. Krystle has quickly established excellent relationships with the Pre-Primary students and has been a valuable member of staff. We wish Krystle all the best as she commences her new position as teacher at Good Shepherd School in Lockridge.
Finally, we wish Amy Power, School Chaplain, all the best as she commences her parental leave in 2022. We wish Amy and husband, Tom, every happiness and joy as they prepare for the birth of their baby early in the new year.
TEACHING STAFF
|
YEAR 6 |
Christina Zurzolo |
|
YEAR 5 |
Karen Keddie and Jessamy Bettridge (Friday) |
|
YEAR 4 |
Jordyn Sheldrick |
|
YEAR 3 |
Debbie Hawley |
|
YEAR 2 |
Jo Brescacin |
|
YEAR 1 |
Gina Nickels |
|
PRE-PRIMARY |
Freda Farmand |
|
KINDY |
Saroya Powell |
|
PRE-KINDY |
Saroya Powell |
|
READING RECOVERY AND EMU MATHEMATICS |
Daine Scriven |
|
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY |
Jessamy Bettridge |
|
GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION |
Jessamy Bettridge |
|
LOTE – ITALIAN |
Signora Annetta Davey |
|
PHYSICAL EDUCATION |
Shannon Hewitt |
|
MUSIC |
Teresa Aldred |
NON-TEACHING STAFF
|
TRANSFORMING LIVES EDUCATION |
Candy Mckay |
|
PP EDUCATION ASSISTANTS |
Jennifer Moore and Danielle Fanetti |
|
KINDY EDUCATION ASSISTANTS |
Sylvie Spadaccini and Lucy Marchetti |
|
PRE-KINDY EDUCATION ASSISTANT |
Susan Donaldson |
|
LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANTS |
Sue Swaby, Jenny Iffla, Simone Tormey, Jessica Evans |
|
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER |
Tania Kays |
|
FINANCE OFFICER |
Louell Renzullo |
|
LIBRARY OFFICERS |
Sylvie Spadaccini and Lucy Marchetti |
|
CANTEEN MANAGER |
Alison Honter |
|
UNIFORM CENTRE MANAGER |
Lisa Denys |
|
SOCIAL WORKER |
Chloe Grant |
School Fees and Amenities Levy 2022
School Fees and Amenities were outlined to parents at the Annual Community Meeting last night. The school continues to work closely with Catholic Education WA to ensure fees remain affordable for all our families to access a Catholic Education. School fees will not increase in 2022. However, there will be a slight increase of between $30 and $40 for the Amenity Fee for year levels from Pre-Primary to Year Six. There is no increase for Kindy. The increase in amenities covers the increased cost for items such as; excursions incursions, bus hire, school camp, subscriptions and Edu Dance. After positive feedback from staff and parents, the book lists will once again be included in the Amenities Levy for 2022.
An outline of 2022 fees and changes will shortly be made available to parents.
Graduation
We look forward to the Year Six Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony on Thursday 9th December commencing at 9.05am in the undercover area. All parents and friends are invited to attend. The ceremony will be followed by morning tea. Please join us to farewell our Year Six students as we thank them for the valued contribution they have made to our school.
End of Year Concert
Save the date for the end of year Nativity and Edu Dance Concert on Friday 3rd December commencing at 6.00pm. The concert promises to be a lot of fun as the Kindy children share with us the nativity story and the PP-Year 6 students entertain us with their Edu Dance items. Please bring grandparents, siblings and other special friends along to join in the fun of the concert evening. The evening is always a highlight of our school calendar.
Best wishes for the week ahead.
Therese Hussey
Principal
This weekend marks the start of the Church’s new year, with Advent. One of our most treasured traditions is the Advent Wreath, which helps us to reflect and prepare for the feast of Christmas.
Annual Community Meeting – 24th November 7.00pm
Save the date for the end of year Nativity and Edu Dance Concert on Friday 3rd December commencing at 6.00pm. The concert promises to be a lot of fun as the Kindy children share with us the nativity story and the PP-Year 6 students entertain us with their Edu Dance items. Please bring grandparents, siblings and other special friends along to join in the fun of the concert evening. The evening is always a highlight of our school calendar.
Our MJR value this fortnight is KINDNESS. 
Thank you so much to all the families who have been so generous in their Christmas Giving. We still have a few empty boxes and really hope that we can fill them to overflowing in these last 2 weeks. Your donations will make such a difference for people who are struggling to put food on the table, and will make their Christmas a much brighter and happier one. 
The Year Six students head off to their much-anticipated school camp to Busselton on Tuesday 9th November. Camp is such an exciting time for the students, especially as they look forward to the time spent with classmates, prior to graduating from primary school. In my experience, camp brings out the best in the students. They thrive in new found independence, confidence and time away from the comforts of home. I am most grateful to our teachers, Christina Zurzolo and Oliver Battistessa, for giving up their time to care for the Year Six students around the clock during the time away. I look forward to sharing the experience with the children next week.
The Annual Community Meeting will be held in the Library on Wednesday 24th November commencing at 7.00pm. The School Advisory Council Chair, and the President of the P&F, will both provide reports on activities and achievements during the year. The school financial budget will be presented to the school community during the meeting. Voting for positions on the P&F Executive and the School Advisory Council will take place during the Annual Community Meeting. Refreshments will be available. All parents are invited to come along.
Next weekend our Dads will be off on their annual Dads and Kids camp. Best wishes to you all for a fun few days away with your children. I hope you enjoy the quality time spent with your children in the company of other Matthew Gibney Dads. Best wishes to the Mums for a quieter weekend. I hope you get some time to spoil yourselves.
A special welcome to our grandparents at the celebrations tomorrow. We are blessed in our community to enjoy the participation and involvement of grandparents in all aspects of school life. Grandparents are valued members of our families and communities because they have so many stories, wisdom and experiences from their own lives to share. Often children will listen to their grandparents even when they are not listening to their own parents. Thank you to our Matthew Gibney grandparents for all you do. Your love of your grandchildren is appreciated by our community.
World Teacher’s Day is celebrated in Australia on 29th October. Due to our Matthew Gibney Day celebrations we will be having a staff celebration on 28th October. World Teacher’s Day is a day of recognition for all staff who work in schools. All staff working at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School are here because of their dedication to the wellbeing of children. All staff contribute to ensuring that our children have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. The staff at our school are a team who always work together in the best interests of our children. On your behalf, I thank them for their dedication and sense of service in doing this most important work of God, in developing and nurturing the young people of the future. 
Thanks to an initiative from Emmy, we are commencing Waste Free Wednesdays for the rest of this year. Waste Free Wednesdays is an opportunity for families to think about reducing the waste in student lunch boxes. There are plenty of options available now for waste free lunches. Please try and avoid wrappers and plastic waste products on Wednesdays. We will avoid putting out the bins and do this little bit to encourage our students to think about what they can do to reduce their waste footprint on our environment.
Our MJR value this fortnight is ENCOURAGEMENT. 
The Colour Run will take place on the oval on Friday 29th October, as part of our Matthew Gibney Day celebrations. All students from Pre-Primary to Year Six will take part. There will be a special run event for any Kindy children who come along. Thank you for supporting the fundraising for the Colour Run as we continue to raise money for the nature playgrounds.