Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students

After the disruptions of the final week of Term Two, it has been such a pleasure to welcome students and parents back to school for the commencement of Term Three.  I hope you have all had a relaxing holiday break. I have appreciated hearing stories from the students about holiday events, for those who enjoyed time at home and those who were lucky enough to have holidays away. 

This term we welcome a number of new families to our school.  I am most grateful to the class parent representatives for getting in touch with new families and helping them feel comfortable settling into a new school community. I am always impressed with the beautiful welcome that the children display towards our new students.  They go out of their way to help newcomers feel at home.  The students are a wonderful example to us all about inclusivity and welcome.

NAIDOC Week celebrations have been held at school this week.  We began the week with a visit from Uncle Nev Collard, who lead us in a welcome and smoking ceremony. Uncle Nev had some engaging stories for our students.  Parents are invited to our NAIDOC Week Prayer Service, on Friday 23rd July commencing at 9.00am.  The prayer service will give us an opportunity to pray together for the protection of this great land and the cultural heritage of Indigenous Australians. We have managed to display the banner that the students worked on together last year.  The serpent banner is proudly displayed in the undercover area.    

World Day for Grandparents

Pop Francis has declared Sunday 25th July as World Day for Grandparents.  The day is chosen as it is the day before the Feast Day of St Anne and St Joachim, the Grandparents of Jesus.  Here at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School we know that Grandparents are actively involved in the life of the school and the lives of their Grandchildren.  The school is enriched by the presence, care and contribution of Grandparents. 

Sundowner

We look forward to welcoming parents, past pupils, parishioners and special guests to the 30th  Anniversary Sundowner on Friday evening.  The attendance list has grown over the past week and we are delighted that so many friends of the school are keen to celebrate this significant milestone with us.

Nature Playgrounds

The nature playgrounds project has been a significant component of our 30th anniversary celebrations. I am delighted that the first stage of the project will commence in the Early Learning Centre playground in September.  The new playground structures will be available for the Kindy, Pre-Kindy and Pre-Primary students to enjoy in Term Four.  The playgrounds will be officially opened during our Matthew Gibney Day celebrations in Term Four.

Catholic Arts Festival

Best wishes to Mrs Aldred and the Year 5 and 6 students as they commence final preparations for the musical excerpt of Oklahoma.  The students will perform the musical for the Catholic Performing Arts Festival with a public performance on Friday 20th August at 9.30am.

I look forward to welcoming parents to the NAIDOC Prayer Service and merit award assembly on Friday 23rd July at 9.00am.

Warm regards

Therese Hussey
Principal