Dear Parents, Friends, Staff, and Students

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome our students back to school on Wednesday morning. The looks of excitement and anticipation on the children’s faces, for all that the year has in store for them, were a joy to behold. It is our challenge now, as parents and educators, to continue to foster a sense of excitement for the learning journey, throughout the entire year.

Thank you to our staff for preparing their classrooms in such an engaging way to welcome the students to their new classrooms. The staff have worked hard during the holidays to prepare for the first week of the new term.

Thank you, parents, for preparing the children and sending them along looking so smart in their uniforms. Most of all, thank you for encouraging them and instilling in them a sense of joy and excitement for the year ahead.

This year we welcome new staff members. We welcome Ms Temeka Curley, Year 3 Teacher, Ms Shannan Watt, Year 5 Team Teacher, and Ms Kelly Vajas, Pre-Kindy Teacher. We also welcome Mrs Susan Donaldson as the new Kindy Teacher. We wish Temeka, Shannan, Susan, and Kelly all the very best for the year ahead.

Congratulations

We send our congratulations to Ms Jordyn Sheldrick, who announced her engagement during the school holidays. Congratulations and best wishes to Jordyn and Mitchell as they prepare for their future together. Ms Sheldrick is sporting a very lovely small rock on her engagement finger!

Farewell

Next week we farewell Finance Officer, Mrs Trishna Baulka. Trishna has only been with us for a short time, but for family reasons, she has had to resign from her position. We wish Trishna well with her future endeavours and thank her, most sincerely, for the service she has provided to our school. Mrs Louell Renzullo will return to fill in for Trishna as we go through the process to employ a replacement Finance Officer.

 

Parent and Class Information Evening

Thank you to the parents who came along to the information evening last night. If you were unable to attend, please see the classroom teacher, to receive an information booklet explaining procedures for the year ahead. Thank you to the staff for their wok in preparing for the evening.

 

Family Information Updates

Family information forms have been sent home this week. It is essential that the forms are returned to school, even if there are no changes. The forms need to be returned, with or without changes, by 10th February. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

 

School Fees Advice Forms

School fees statements have been sent to all families. Please contact the office should you have any concerns or queries about your school fees. Payment advice forms must be returned to the office by 8th February so we can ensure all payment options are set up in time for the first payments.

 

Absentees

Parents are reminded that it is a legal requirement that student attendance is recorded each day. Please ensure the administration office is notified, prior to 9.00 am, if your child is absent for any reason. Absentees not received by 9.00 am will be sent an SMS.

 

CEWA Schools Complaints and Disputes Procedures

Complaints and disputes related to school can be made using the procedure outlined in the CEWA policy available on our website. You may access the document using the ink: https://www.gibney.wa.edu.au/policies/

 

School Times and Office Hours

Parents are reminded that lessons commence at 8.45 am for year levels Pre-Primary to Year Six. The classrooms open at 8.35 am. Students and parents arriving prior to 8.35 am are to wait in the class lines in the Undercover Area.

The office will be open between 8.35 am and 4.00 pm.

Canteen

We do all we can to keep the canteen prices as low as possible to provide a valuable service to our families. Grocery prices have increased, however, especially over the past few months. It is now necessary to increase the prices of some items. Price increases have been kept to a minimum and we hope parents will continue to support the canteen service on Tuesday and Friday. A canteen menu will be sent home shortly.

 

Kindy and Pre-Kindy 2024

We are currently accepting enrolments for Kindy and Pre-Kindy 2024. Pre-Kindy has very limited places available. Pre-Kindy interviews will take place early in Term Two.

We have some places available for Kindy 2024 and interviews will take place in Term One. Parents wishing to enrol children in either of these year levels should contact the office as soon as possible for enrolment packs.

 

2023 Teaching Staff List

Kelly Vajas
Susan Donaldson
Freda Burgess
Gina Nickels
Jo Brescacin
Temeka Curley
Karen Keddie
Jessamy Bettridge
Christina Zurzolo
Shannan Watt
Jordyn Sheldrick
Debbie Hawley
Signora Annetta Davey
Shannon Hewitt
Teresa Aldred

At the beginning of this new school year we implore your mercy:

Bless the students, teachers, and staff of Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School, that together we may grow in faith, hope, and love

as we learn from you and each other how to follow your Son Jesus.

Expand the horizons of our minds,

that we may grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge; deepen our commitment to seek the truth of your ways;

and enliven our faith to reach out to those in need.

 

Amen

Warm regards

Therese