Dear Parents, Friends, Students and Staff

I write this newsletter immersed in the warm, cosy and comfortable school environment of students and staff dressed in their pyjamas.  Pyjama Day offers an opportunity for a bit of fun and, let’s face it, we all need a much fun as we can get.  On a more serious note, fun days at school are beneficial for the overall well-being of our students.  Coming to school in a positive frame of mind translates to a positive day of learning.  Well-being deeply affects a student’s ability to engage and learn, so it is important that together, parent and teachers, we look for opportunities to ensure the well-being of our children is healthy and positive.  Well-being is not about being happy all the time.  it is about providing the children with the skills they require to bounce back and the ability to thrive when things are good.  While we can’t have planned fun days every day of the week, we can be aware of how our children are feeling.  We should address their feelings by listening, acknowledging and encouraging them to find things in their every day that are positive for them. 

 

We have loved having all our children back at school this week.  Children thrive with a sense of structure and stability and we have spent the week re-establishing routines and expectations. Now that things are becoming more stable and “normal” I encourage our families to promote family time and well-being practices.  Quality time with family will help the children to cope better with challenges and will improve their confidence and sense of security.

 

Car Park Safety

With the return of all our children this week the traffic at pickup time has increased.  I thank our parents for their patience in waiting in the long line of cars to collect their children.  Parents who are waiting with Kindy and Pre-Primary children for older siblings are asked to wait on the lawn area with their children. Congestion on the footpath outside the Pre-Primary and Kindy gate is causing some concerns with safety.  Please avoid having the children running around during this time.  There is increased traffic and the safety of all our students is our priority.

 

Pre-Kindy 2021

We are currently accepting enrolments for Pre-Kindy in 2021.  Children are invited to commence in the Pre-Kindy class at any time during the year, once they have turned three years old.  Our Pre-Kindy program is staffed by a qualified early childhood teacher and teacher assistant.  The program is competitively priced at $55 per session.  The sessions are for one full day.  Please encourage neighbours, friends and family to consider the Pre-Kindy at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School for their three-year-old children as an excellent alternative to daycare.  Enrolment information for Pre-Kindy is available on the website or from the administration office.  https://www.gibney.wa.edu.au/enrolment/

 

Feast of the Ascension – Thursday 21 May

The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated in the Church on Thursday during the sixth week of Easter.  The feast celebrates Jesus rising into Heaven 40 days after the Resurrection.  Jesus told the disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to help them witness the faith to others.  Today, we continue to draw on the assistance of the Holy Spirit as we live the Gospel and bring Christ to others through our words and examples.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, right before your Ascension into heaven you told your apostles to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth upon receiving the Holy Spirit. May I be similarly inspired to spread your Gospel message in word and deed

May I do so prudently and joyfully, with your help, your guidance, and your grace! 

 

Warm regards

Therese Hussey
Principal