St Matthew’s Primary School

Principal Talk with Mrs Lowe

Welcome!

Welcome back to St Matthew's for Term Three! We hope you had a restful winter holiday and are ready for an exciting new term. This term promises to be filled with enriching learning experiences, fun activities, and opportunities for growth.

We are thrilled to see our students return with enthusiasm and a readiness to learn.

This term, we are excited to welcome Miya 6M, Tshering 4M, Leo 2M and Pema KM and their families to the St Matthew's School Community. We also welcome Mrs Caroline Stewart as the Kindergarten Maroon teacher.

Let's work together to make this term fantastic. Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our school community.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week at St Matthew's

We are excited to announce that St. Matthew's will be celebrating NAIDOC Week with special events and activities aimed at honouring and learning about the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week, which stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, is an essential time for all Australians to celebrate Indigenous communities' rich heritage and contributions.

What is NAIDOC Week?
NAIDOC Week is celebrated across Australia in July each year to recognize the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This week is a time to embrace the diverse and vibrant cultures of Indigenous Australians, and it serves as an opportunity for everyone to come together and learn more about the First Nations people.

Our Celebrations at St. Matthew's
We have planned several meaningful activities to celebrate this important week:

1. School NAIDOC Week Prayer Celebration:
When: Thursday at 9.00 am
Hosted by: Year 5
This special prayer celebration will be an opportunity for our school community to come together in reflection and gratitude for the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We encourage all students and families to join us in this celebration of unity and respect.

2. Year 6 Mass at the Cathedral:
Our Year 6 students will attend Mass at the Cathedral to honour NAIDOC Week. This event will allow our students to reflect on the spiritual and cultural significance of this week and pay their respects to the traditions and history of Indigenous Australians.

3. Aboriginal Garden Rock Art Display:

All students will have the opportunity to contribute to an Aboriginal garden rock art display. This hands-on activity will be a fun and creative way to engage with Aboriginal art and a chance to learn about the symbols, stories, and meanings behind the artwork.

Other Activities:
Throughout the week, students will participate in various educational activities, including storytelling sessions, traditional games, and art projects that highlight the rich cultural tapestry of Indigenous Australia.

These celebrations deepen our understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. By participating in NAIDOC Week, we can all contribute to fostering a more inclusive and respectful society.

Ranger Jamie

This week, St Matthew's was abuzz with excitement as Ranger Jamie visited our school, bringing geography-themed workshops and lessons to all classes.

Ranger Jamie's program emphasises interactive learning, allowing students to connect with geographical concepts in a memorable and practical way. From understanding local environments and habitats to fostering a sense of global citizenship and environmental stewardship, each session was tailored to enhance our curriculum and spark a love for geography among our students.

We are grateful to Ranger Jamie and his team for their dedication to making geography education exciting and impactful. This week’s incursion has undoubtedly enriched our students' understanding and appreciation of the world around them.

This program was funded by an ACT Education Directorate Wellbeing Grant.

Staff Professional Development

This past Monday, the dedicated staff of St. Matthew’s engaged in a comprehensive CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Safety Intervention Training session. This training is crucial in our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for our diverse student body.

The CPI Safety Intervention Training equips educators and staff with the skills necessary to handle crisis situations, focusing on prevention, de-escalation, and safe intervention. Our participation underscores our commitment to the well-being of our students.

This training is part of our broader initiative to foster an inclusive and secure atmosphere where all students can thrive. By empowering our staff with these essential skills, we are better prepared to support our students in achieving their full potential, academically and personally.

St. Matthew’s remains committed to continuous improvement and excellence in education, ensuring every student feels safe, respected, and valued.

Uniform Matters

This is a friendly reminder about our uniform regulations: students can only wear navy blue or maroon winter layers, including coats, beanies, gloves, and scarves.

Hair accessories (ribbons and scrunchies) must also be in the school colours. Students are only to wear plain studs or sleeper earrings and a religious pendant. If your child requires other jewellery for health or cultural reasons, please let your child's classroom teacher know.

The following image outlines the required footwear for our Summer and Winter Uniform non-sport days.

It is important as a school community that we present ourselves tidily and uniformly.

Thank you for ensuring our students look smart in our school uniform.

2024 Non-government Schools Census Collection Notice

The Australian Government Department of Education has advised that it will collect certain information about our school, its staff and student body as part of the 2024 non-government schools census collection.

You are not required to do anything; however, the attached information sheet provides more information about the data collection.

2024 Non-government schools census collection notice information

Yours in peace and love,

Mrs Sarah Lowe