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