This week is  National Child Protection Week (7–13 September).

National Child Protection Week reminds us about the important role we play in keeping children and young people safe.

The theme this year is ‘Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action’. It highlights that while open discussions are crucial, words alone are not enough. We must turn dialogue into meaningful action.

While conversations can raise awareness, challenge harmful norms, and spark new ideas, real change happens when we take steps to create safer environments for children that prevent them from harm.

This year, Child Protection Week urges us to focus on moving beyond conversations to concrete actions that prevent harm and to focus on strengthening support systems, and empowering communities to actively protect children.

By shifting from conversation to action, we can ensure that every child not only feels heard but also experiences real safety, care, and protection.

As families, we can also use this week as a catalyst to have meaningful conversations with our children about online safety. The following resource has been developed in partnership with the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) to support parents and carers to have these discussions with their children.

Conversation Cards & Advice Sheet 

As a Catholic School, we are deeply committed to a culture where children are safe, supported and nurtured to grow and develop. In our context, this goes far beyond legal obligations because the protection and wellbeing of children and young people is based upon our belief that each person is made in the image and likeness of God, and that the inherent dignity of all should be recognised and fostered.

In a practical sense, we support child safety through regular staff training in child protection, delivering a curriculum that teaches children about safety, implementing policies and procedures for reporting and responding to safety concerns, and fostering a child-safe culture where children's voices are heard and respected. Most importantly, we strive each day to build the kind of positive relationships that mean young people can feel safe to speak to someone if they are concerned about their own safety or the safety of others. 

If you ever have any questions or concerns about Child Safety matters, please don’t hesitate to reach out and speak with me directly, or alternatively, you can contact the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst for more information.

God bless

Angela Myles | Executive Principal 

2026 Student Leadership Team Announced

After an extensive process the leadership team was announced at our Whole School Assembly earlier this week. The following students were presented to the school community where they were enthusiastically congratulated.

Our school captains for Secondary for 2026 are Amelia Disher and Henry Walker. Our vice captains are Maggie Oliphant and Zach Nipperess.

In 2026 we will see our new model of student leadership enacted with 8 House Captains, who will be assuming the previous duties of prefects and mission leaders. 

The captains for Mackillop House are Kayla Morrissey and Isaac Whan; for O’Connor House they are Sophie Coe and Marco Potgieter; Ozanam House captains are Lillian Downes and Carter Chapman and for Romero House the captains are Alexander Walker-Cooke and Kaylee Roberts. 

Throughout the process all nominees were impressive and we are very excited to be working with these students in the future.

Congratulations to all!

Week 8 Assembly

Our Whole School Assembly this week once again was a wonderful showcase of the extensive range of opportunities and activities students are participating in here at St Matthews. Embracing these opportunities and fully engaging in a wide range of experiences allows our students the holistic education we strive for in an education aligned with the St Matthews Way.

During the assembly we heard about the great success of our Agriculture elective class at the recent ‘Merino Wether Challenge’ in Dubbo; the promotion of a  Photography exhibition of our Year 11 student’s works; the upcoming drama production - Stories in the Dark and the many fantastic sporting achievements which will be detailed in the sports and netball reports later in this newsletter.

Our school community also had the pleasure to hear Jaymie Rowlands perform her HSC piece, ‘Almost There’. We wish Jaymie, and all our Music students the best of luck for their HSC practical exam on Wednesday 17 September. We are confident the talented class will perform well and acknowledge the fantastic support they have all received from Mrs Swift and the entire CAPPA department.

Welcome to Jette

We welcome Jette who is on exchange from Unna, Germany. Jette, who is staying with the Weaver family, addressed the assembly outlining her observations of the differences between school here and at home. She also outlined some of the fun things she has experienced since being in Australia. We hope her stay at St Matthews continues to be a positive, filled with wonderful memories.

Blaney McCarthy-English | Head of Campus - Secondary

St Matthews Way Value Term 3

COMPASSION

“and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”    Ephesians 4:32

Australian Catholic Youth Festival

The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Bishops more than ten years ago.

Run over three days, the Festival provides young people from all across Australia with the opportunity to come together to connect, deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to live their faith in the world and experience the breadth of the Church in Australia.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne is excited to be hosting ACYF from 30 November – 2 December 2025 and is looking forward to welcoming thousands of young people to Melbourne.

https://acyf.org.au/

Two Inspiring Young Catholics Become Saints

Two young Catholics, Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, admired for their inspiring faith and dedication to holiness, were canonised this past Sunday.

Carlo Acutis

Born in 1991, he is the first millennial to be beatified by the Catholic Church. 

Shortly after his first Communion at the age of 7, he told his mother: “To always be united to Jesus: This is my life plan.”

At school, Carlo Acutis offered comfort to friends whose parents were divorcing and stood up for students with disabilities who were being bullied. Outside of school, he devoted his time to helping the homeless and those in need. Over four years, he created a website documenting every reported Eucharistic miracle worldwide. Carlo also enjoyed films, comics, soccer, and popular video games.

He passed away from leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15.

Pier Giorgio Frassati

Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died of polio at 24 in 1925, is remembered for his joyful and fearless witness to holiness. A keen mountaineer from northern Italy, he was a Third Order Dominican who devoted his time to helping the poor, homeless, sick, and returning servicemen.

At 17, he joined the St Vincent de Paul Society and was active in Catholic Action and the Apostleship of Prayer. On a photo from his final climb, he wrote “Verso L’Alto” (“To the heights”), a phrase that continues to inspire Catholics to strive for holiness with Christ.

Please see Ms Redden to express interest and for more details regarding transport arrangements. Please note that finances should never be an impediment for a young person to attend. If support is required contact Natalia or Ms Redden.

Upcoming  Liturgies and Events

Pope’s Prayer Intention

September 2025 Intention

For mutual coexistence

For our relationship with all of creation

Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

Belinda Redden | Leader of Mission 

Why Phones Aren’t Used at School

At our school, we believe learning happens best when students are fully engaged with their teachers and peers. 

Mobile phones can be a major distraction, reducing focus and limiting valuable face-to-face interaction. Without phones, students are encouraged to participate more actively in class, build stronger friendships, and develop healthier study habits. 

Celebrating Our Year 12 Students

We are so proud of our Year 12 students who have begun receiving early entry offers from universities across NSW. These offers are a wonderful recognition of their hard work, dedication and the positive contributions they have made both at school and in the wider community. It’s exciting to see their future pathways taking shape, and we look forward to celebrating more offers in the weeks ahead.

Moolarben Spirit Regional Awards

Last week, two of our St Matthews students, Kayla Morrisey and Emerson Colley, attended the Moolarben Spirit Regional awards. Kayla and Emerson had previously been awarded at our school presentation night for their outstanding commitment, service, and leadership to not only our school but the local Mudgee Community. Both Emerson and Kayla are wonderful representatives of our school and we are very proud of them both. Congratulations to Kayla who was announced as the Regional winner of the Senior Category.

Thinking about further study? Why you need a USI

What is a USI?

Your Unique Student Identifier (USI) is your personal education number required for all nationally recognised study, including university and vocational education and training (VET).

You need a USI if you are:

• studying nationally recognised vocational
• education and training (VET)
• seeking a VET student loan
• a higher education student seeking Commonwealth
• financial assistance e.g. HECS-HELP loan or
• enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place
• a higher education student graduating.

How do you create your USI?

It’s easy – you only need 5 minutes and verifiable identification e.g. a birth certificate, drivers licence or passport to create a USI via the USI Student Portal.

UAC Undergraduate Application Highlights Career Tips for Students

• Early Bird Application Deadline: Tuesday, 30 September 2025 (to avoid higher late processing fee) Universities Admissions Centre
• HSC & ATAR Release: Thursday, 18 December 2025 — ATARs released from 9 am, HSC results from 6 am
• Start building your resume now – include school activities, volunteering, part-time work, and sports involvement. This can all be created on our St Matthews Careers page through your student log in
• Practise your interview skills – confidence and preparation make a big difference.
• Keep an eye on the Careers Google Classroom/Noticeboard for opportunities, job ads, and scholarships.

Jacinda Tink | Transition Coordinator 

On Wednesday 27st August, Mr Manwaring, Ms Grech and 22 students from Year 11 Biology and Geography courses went to Dubbo Zoo as part of their coursework.

Biology students were firstly asked to look at animal adaptations and how they made them more suitable to their environment. They were then asked to spend a significant amount of time observing an animal, recording its behaviour and interactions with other animals. Finally, they were asked to profile 2 relatively new enclosures at the Zoo, focussing on the conservation of the Regents Honeyeater and the Platypus.

The Year 11 Geography students were asked to complete fieldwork by observing and recording information about native and non-native species. They also compiled evidence about TWPZ as an example of multiple topics they have studied or will study in Year 12.

Despite the weather, the students enjoyed the day and hopefully they were able to put their classroom learning into some real-world context.

 Rochelle Grech | Geography Teacher

Neil Manwaring | Biology Teacher

Resistance Training in the Community

Mr Elston’s and Mrs Colley’s Year 11 SLR class recently had the opportunity to take their learning beyond the classroom, visiting Compound Fitness Mudgee.

As part of their resistance training unit, students were able to put their skills, knowledge, and effort into practice in a professional training environment, using high-quality equipment and experiencing the buzz of a community fitness setting.

The group embraced the challenge with energy and enthusiasm, showcasing the values of commitment, teamwork, and resilience that St Matthew’s students are known for. It was also a fantastic way to promote positive wellbeing, as physical activity helps release dopamine and serotonin—reducing stress and preparing students for the busy exam period ahead.

We are proud of how our students represented the school and made the most of this valuable experience. A huge thank you to Compound Fitness Mudgee for welcoming us and supporting our students’ learning journey.

Jack Elston and Brooke Colley |SLR Teachers 

Pilates & Breathwork for Mind and Body

This week, our Year 11 Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation students were fortunate to experience two unique and highly beneficial sessions with breath.body.balance, led by Angus and Alicia.

On Wednesday, students took part in a Pilates class with Mrs Colley. While many described the session as “challenging but enjoyable,” the benefits of Pilates are wide-reaching. Pilates helps to:

• Improve core strength and stability

• Enhance flexibility and posture

• Build muscular endurance

• Develop body awareness and control

Students approached the session with positivity and determination, with everyone giving their full effort.

On Thursday, Angus introduced the class to breathwork, a completely new experience for most students. This session allowed students to explore the power of controlled breathing, which can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Promote relaxation and mental clarity

• Enhance focus and concentration

• Support recovery and resilience

Both of these opportunities came at a perfect time, with exams just around the corner. The combination of movement, mindfulness, and breathing techniques provided students with practical tools not only for their physical health but also for their overall wellbeing.

We are proud of the way our students embraced these new challenges and represented St Matthew’s with maturity and enthusiasm. A huge thank you to Angus, Alicia, and Mrs Colley for guiding our students through such valuable experiences.

Jack Elston | SLR Teacher 

St Matthews Shine at NSW CCC Netball Carnival

On Friday 29th August, four St Matthews teams proudly represented the school at the NSW CCC Netball Carnival in Penrith. It was an early start, but the students’ enthusiasm, commitment and team spirit never wavered throughout the day.

All teams displayed exceptional sportsmanship, playing with determination and supporting each other both on and off the court. They were a delight to take away and showcased the positive values of St Matthews at a highly competitive event.

A special congratulations goes to our Senior Boys and Junior Boys teams, who were both successful in winning their divisions. Their hard work and teamwork paid off, and they now hold the title of NSW CCC Netball Champions.

St Matthews Netball Success at the Schools Cup Regional Finals

A huge congratulations to our St Matthews netball teams who represented the school with pride at the Schools Cup Regional Finals in Orange on Thursday.

Our 7/8 Girls team played with incredible determination and skill, finishing equal first and only narrowly missing out on the top spot in a count back – an outstanding achievement against some very strong competition!

Our 9/10 Boys were exceptional, taking out their division and earning themselves a place at the NSW Netball Finals at Olympic Park in November.

We are so proud of all of our players, not only for their results but also for the sportsmanship, teamwork and commitment they showed throughout the day.

Well done, St Matthews!

A huge thank you to Glencore Coal Australia for sponsoring our St Matthews netball program. How wonderful do our new uniforms look!

@GlencoreCoalAustralia www.facebook.com/GlencoreCoalAustralia

Jacinda Tink, Aislin Elston, Stacey Stoddart and Karla Croake | Netball Coaches

Term 3 - Student Book Group

The Student book group met in week 7 to discuss the book Jasper Jones  by Australian Author Craig Silvey. The group engaged in lots of discussion about the book and most members enjoyed reading it. The group also discussed what other books  they have been reading. These included The Bell Jar, The invisible boys, Dracula,  Three doors and The names. 

The book is set in 1965 and follows Charlie Bucktin, a precocious and bookish boy of thirteen, is startled by an urgent knock on the window of his sleep-out. His visitor is Jasper Jones, an outcast in the regional mining town of Corrigan. Rebellious, mixed-race and solitary, Jasper is a distant figure of danger and intrigue for Charlie. So when Jasper begs for his help, Charlie eagerly steals into the night by his side, terribly afraid but desperate to impress.

Jasper takes him through town and to his secret glade in the bush, and it’s here that Charlie bears witness to Jasper’s horrible discovery.

The average rating for this book was four out of five stars. 

If you are interested in joining our student book group please see Mrs Sugden.

NSW Premiers Reading Challenge

It is great to see that some students have already completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2025.  There is still time to complete as entries close on Friday 19th of September - Week 9 of Term 3.

To complete the challenge you need to read 10 Premier’s reading challenge books and 10 free choice books. You can enter your books online or drop your form to Mrs Sugden to complete for you.

Library Displays

R U Ok? Day - Thursday the 11th of September

Spring into a good book

Jacinda Sugden | Teacher/Librarian

Flexi Schools

A reminder that Flexi Schools is the preferred method for lunch ordering in our school to ensure your childs lunch is available, as we only have limited quantities for sale over the counter. The cut-off time is 9am, orders can be placed the night before or even days in advance.

How to set up your Flexischools account

A reminder that ALL students must update their year in Flexischools when placing your lunch order. This makes the process much quicker for order delivery if this can be done please.

Please contact me via the office if you have any queries regarding the canteen.

Mary Holdsworth | Canteen Manager Secondary