Dear Parents, Friends, Students and Staff,

Christmas is certainly in the air at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School.  I see students and staff coming in wearing reindeer antlers and Christmas themed clothing.   I see students giving out Christmas cards, candy cane and gingerbread biscuits to celebrate the Season with their class mates.   The teachers are busily making Christmas craft with the students and the cooking from various classrooms is looking very Christmassy indeed.  This is such a fun and exciting time of year for our children.  However, we need to make sure we do not lose sight of the baby Jesus, born into humble surrounds, who was to grow up to be the Saviour of the world. During the Second Week of Advent we light the candle to represent Peace.  We pray that we will be peaceful people as we await the coming of Christ during Advent.

Staffing 2021

I am pleased to be able to share with our community the staff list for 2021.  The staff at Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School are professionals who are most dedicated to the work they undertake on a daily basis.  Our staff look forward to working with you in 2021 in the best interests of all our students.

We wish Mrs Shannon Hewitt all the very best as she prepares for the birth of her first child early in 2021.  We welcome new staff member, Mr Oliver Battistessa as Physical Education Teacher for 2021.  Oliver joins us from St Joseph’s School in Wyndham and is looking forward to commencing his new role.  We welcome Ms Mary Dolyle as Music Tutor in 2021.  Mary will commence piano lessons for students as Mrs Aldred steps down from this role after many years of wonderful service as music tutor at Matthew Gibney. Mrs Aldred will continue her role as Music Specialist Teacher in 2021.

End of Year Concert Tonight

The eagerly anticipated end of year Nativity and Edu Dance concert is tonight commencing at 6.00pm in the undercover area.  The gates will open at 5.00pm for parents who wish to come earlier and enjoy a picnic dinner together in the grounds.  Sincerest thanks to Mrs Powell, Mrs Marchetti and Mrs Spadaccini for preparing the Kindy children for the Nativity Play.  This is always to a joy to watch and I know you will not be disappointed!  I extend thanks to Edu Dance Teacher, Ashleigh Winter, for preparing the students with such energy and vitality to present their dances to the audience.

Parents are reminded to collect their children from the classrooms at the conclusion of the concert.  The Kindy students can be collected from outside the canteen.  Teachers must sign each child out.  Please support our teachers by not taking your children home without having them signed out first.

P&F Crown Raffle

The Crown Raffle was been extremely successful as an end of year fund raiser.  Thank you to the P&F for organising the raffle and thank you to our parent community for supporting the raffle with such enthusiasm.  The lucky winner will be drawn at the conclusion of the concert on Friday evening.  All funds raised will go toward the nature playgrounds planned for 2021.

Annual Community Meeting Reports

Parents are invited to read the Annual Community Meeting Reports from the School Board Chair, P&F President and Principal.  The reports can be located on the website following the link: https://www.gibney.wa.edu.au/annual-community-meeting/

Parents and Friends and School Board Farewells

This year we farewell Natasha Alleway as Treasurer of the P&F.  Natasha has held this role for a number of years and has made a significant contribution to the school community.  Thank you, Natasha! Kylie Gray-Scholz has competed her term on the School Board.  The Board is grateful to Kylie for the contributions she has made during her time as a School Board member.

2021 P&F Executive and Parent Representatives Meeting

A planning meeting for 2021 will be held in the Library on Tuesday 8th December commencing at 2.00pm. The P&F Executive and Parent Reps for 2021 are invited to come along.  Minutes will be available for those members who are unable to join us.

SEQTA Semester Report Parent Log In

Semester Two Reports will be available to parents, via the SEQTA portal, on Wednesday 9th December.  Parents must access the portal with their personal log in details.  Please check that you have your log on details available and, if not, please contact the administration office to have details re-set.  Please organise your log on details prior to Wednesday 2nd December to allow plenty of time for new details to be organised.

Uniform Shop Opening Dates

Uniform orders for the new year will be available for collection from the uniform shop on the following dates:

28th January: 2.00-3.00pm

29th January – 9.00-11.00am

The Uniform Shop will also be open during these times for any last-minute emergency purchases.

Enrolments 2021

There are some vacancies in various classes for 2021.  Please inform family or friends who may be interested in a place at our school to enrol as soon as possible.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Therese Hussey
Principal