Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students

Catholic Schools in Western Australia currently provide an education for 18% of all WA school students.  This is a remarkable achievement for Catholic Education as it celebrates its 50th year as a WA education system. The reputation of our school is strong and positive and we are proud to be part of such a thriving system.  Here at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School I am delighted that our entry year enrolments, into both Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten are almost at full capacity for 2022.  Most of our enrolment interest comes from families who are recommended by our current families.  I can’t begin to thank our parents and grandparents enough for promoting our school so positively in the wider community. Your advocacy for our school assists us in creating the thriving, nurturing and pastoral Catholic school that continues to be an integral part of both our parish and local community.

Sacrament of Confirmation

This week the Year 6 students, and their parents and sponsors, joined with the St Francis of Assisi Parish Catechist students to participate in a workshop to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday 20th August. Sincerest thanks to Miss Zurzolo, Mrs Keddie, Mrs Thiessera and Mr Tjandra for preparing and facilitating the workshop.  The Sacrament of Confirmation is the final Sacrament of Initiation into the Catholic Church.  It is a significant time in the faith lives of our students. Please keep the students, and their parents and sponsors, in your prayers over the coming weeks.

God of all ages

You send out your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people,

Look kindly in our Year 6 candidates for Confirmation as they seek to hear your voice.

As they embark on their preparation for the Sacrament,

We pray that you send your Spirit to enlighten, guide, strengthen, console,

And open their hears as they continue to seek a closer relationship with you.

Help them to truly know the deep and abiding love you have for each of them.

Fill them with the joy of your presence.

Amen.

Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

St Mary of the Cross, MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, will have her Feast Day celebrated on Monday 8th August. St Mary of the Cross is remembered for her remarkable life of service to others.  Mary MacKillop was dedicated to serving the poor and disadvantaged, especially through the education of children.  The legacy of St Mary of the Cross continues, as the Sisters of St Joseph work for the poor and disadvantaged, in countries throughout the world. 

Please join us to celebrate the life and legacy of St Mary of the Cross at our prayer service during assembly on Friday 6th August at 9.00am.

30th Anniversary Celebrations

The culture of our school is built upon its history and the contributions of all those who have come before.  All of us, staff, students, parents and parishioners add to the ongoing story of our community.  I was pleased this week to receive the following email from one of our past pupils who attended the recent celebration sundowner.  It is always encouraging that our past pupils want to reconnect with their old school and add their story to our history.

Dear Therese and Staff,

My friends and I would like to thank you for a fantastic night at the 30th Anniversary event a few weeks back. All the hard work the staff put in and to see all the old faces made the night fantastic.

I have also attached a photo of us all on the night and one from when we had been little students at Matthew Gibney.

David Shaw

Past Pupil

Angelico Arts Exhibition

The Catholic Arts Angelico Exhibition is an opportunity for our students in Catholic Schools in WA to showcase their visual arts talents.  Only eight pieces of art works per school can be entered into the exhibition and I am pleased that we have entries representing the artistic talent at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School.   The exhibition will be open from Monday 9 to Friday 27th August at the Forrest Centre, 221 St George’s Tce, Perth.

 

 

 

I look forward to welcoming parents and visitors to the Merit Award Assembly, and Prayer Service to celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross, on Friday at 9.00am.

 

Warm regards

Therese Hussey
Principal