St Matthew’s Primary School - Page
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Stutchbury St
Page ACT 2614
Subscribe: https://www.stmattsps.act.edu.au/subscribe

Email: office.stmatts@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6254 2653

Principal Talk with Mrs Lowe

Staffing Matters

As we prepare for the 2025 school year, I am excited to share some important staffing updates.

I am pleased to announce that Miss Sophie Murdock has been appointed as our Acting Religious Education Coordinator (REC) for 2025. Miss Murdock will bring her enthusiasm and dedication to this leadership role, ensuring that our Religious Education program continues to flourish. You may recall that Sophie acted in this position whilst Mrs Mitchell was on leave earlier this year.  

We also wish to inform you that Mrs. Caroline Stewart, who has been teaching KM this semester, will be moving on to a new role at St John’s, Florey. We thank Mrs. Stewart for her commitment and contributions to our school and wish her all the best in her new position.

Class Lists and Teacher Introductions
Class lists for 2025 will be distributed on Friday, 13 December. Classroom teachers will contact parents of students with substantial additional needs prior to the holidays. These calls will provide an opportunity to introduce themselves, discuss your child’s specific requirements, and ensure the necessary supports are in place before the school year begins.

In addition, all families will have the chance to attend a ‘Meet the Teacher’ session early in Term 1. This meeting will allow parents to connect with their child’s teacher and learn about the plans for the year ahead. Further details about the date and time will be shared in the new year.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we transition into 2025. 

Thank You to Our School Community Council

I would like to thank our School Community Council Executive Committee for their hard work throughout 2024. 

Special thanks go to:

  • Fr Simon Falk, Parish Priest
  • Kylie McNamara, Chair
  • Nadia Butler, Secretary
  • Cody Robertson, Treasurer
  • Parent Representative Committee Members Cheryl Toussaint, David Jespon, Michael Shelton, Larissa Woolfield, and
  • Staff Representatives Jessica Levi and Petra Cole

This fantastic team has worked to organise both social and fundraising events, fostering a strong sense of community while raising funds to benefit our students. 

Looking ahead to 2025, the School Community Council’s Annual General Meeting will be held in Week 3, on Tuesday, 18 February. During the AGM, the Secretary and Treasurer positions will be declared vacant.

If you are interested in taking on one of these executive roles, I encourage you to email me at sarah.lowe@cg.catholic.edu.au. The commitment involves attending two meetings per term, and if multiple people express interest, a vote will take place during the AGM.

Thank you once again to all our committee members for their outstanding contributions this year. We look forward to continuing to work with this council and welcoming new members in 2025.

End-of-Year Events at St Matthew’s

Nativity Prayer Celebration & Farewell to Fr Simon

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Tomorrow, Friday, 6 December, at 10.15am, all families are invited to attend the Kindergarten Nativity Prayer Celebration in the school hall. 

Following this, we will bid farewell to Fr. Simon Falk.

Fr Simon has been the Parish Priest of St Matthew’s and the South Belconnen Parish for seven years. During this time, he has been a wonderful support and mentor to both staff and students, making a lasting impact on our community.

On the 8 December, the South Belconnen Parish will farewell Fr Simon with lunch at St Vincent's Aranda from 11.30am - 1.30pm. For catering purposes, please email belconnensouth@cg.org.au if you are able to attend. There is also a book in the foyer of both Churches where you are welcome to write a personal message to Father Simon.

We invite all families to farewell Fr Simon at one of these events. 

Year 6 Graduation Events – Tuesday, 10 December

On Tuesday, 10 December, we will begin our Year 6 Graduation celebrations with a Mass for students and their families at St Matthew’s Church at 1:30 pm.

In the evening, our Year 6 students will gather for their Graduation Dinner at the Hellenic Club, Phillip. We thank the Year 5 coordinating team for organising and decorating the venue for this special occasion.

These events mark the beginning of our final days with our wonderful Year 6 class as we celebrate their achievements and this significant milestone in their lives.

We look forward to sharing this memorable day with the students and their families!

The Light of Leadership Ceremony

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We invite all Year 5 and Year 6 families to join us for our Leadership Changeover Ceremony – The Light of Leadership, on Friday, 13 December, at 12:00 pm in our school hall.

This special event symbolises the passing of leadership from our Year 6 students to our Year 5 students as they prepare to step into their role as school leaders for the coming year.

The light is passed during the ceremony, reflecting the inspiration and values of St Matthew, as well as the legacy of outstanding leadership demonstrated by our graduating Year 6 class. It is a moment to celebrate their contributions and encourage our Year 5 students to embrace their new responsibilities with courage and dedication.

We hope you can join us for this meaningful occasion as we honour the spirit of leadership within our school community.

2024 Christmas Concert and Family Picnic

We are excited to invite all families and community members to our 2024 Christmas Concert and Picnic, a joyful celebration of the festive season and a wonderful way to conclude the school year together.

Event Details:
Date: Friday, 13 December
Time: 5:30 pm start
Location: St Matthew’s School Grounds

Students are encouraged to wear Christmas colours or themed clothing. Every class will perform at the concert.

Families and community members are encouraged to bring a picnic, chairs, and/or a rug to sit on. Please note no food or drinks will be available for purchase. 

Parents and carers will also have the opportunity to hear from our new Before and After School Care provider and the School Community Council Chairperson and consider placing their names on organising lists for the 2025 School Community Council and School Events. We warmly encourage everyone to get involved—the more, the merrier!

We look forward to seeing you at this school event.

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Yours in truth, goodness, unity and love,

Mrs Sarah Lowe

Principal