This week we held a series of parent information evenings across both our primary and secondary campuses. It was wonderful to be able to welcome many of our families to these important events. Life can be full of competing priorities, so I really appreciate it when parents and carers take the time to come along. Your time is valuable, so I hope that you always find these opportunities worthwhile. 

The intention of these information sessions is to hear important details about your child’s current learning journey. It is also a wonderful chance to meet your child’s teacher and others who will support them throughout 2023. Those who were able to join us have taken the first step towards positive engagement in their child’s learning this year. Congratulations!

Research indicates that students learn better when the home and school environments form complementary and supportive roles for learning (Epstein & Sheldon, 2006). Maintaining a strong connection between home and school brings many benefits to students. We look forward to working with you throughout 2023 as we continue to strengthen our connection with you as the first educators of your children.

God bless

Angela Myles

Executive Principal

Swimming Carnival 

Our Years 3 - 6 Swimming Carnival was another great success this year with around 350 students in attendance. This carnival is always a wonderful opportunity for families to attend and witness the tremendous house spirit, effort, enthusiasm and sportsmanship of our students. Next week, selected students from this carnival will compete in the Northern Region Swimming Carnival in Mudgee. The competition at this event will come from other schools in our Bathurst Diocese. Those successful at Northern Region will further progress on the swimming pathway towards the Diocesan Carnival in Dubbo on 8th March.

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

Our school policy for mobile phones and smart watches comes up at this time each year. For families to be aware, these policies remain in place to support the safety and privacy of all students at St Matthews and by informing students and families, we prevent lost, stolen or damaged items not allowed at school. We also prevent distraction in the classroom learning environment and privacy issues relating to photos, phone calls and unsupervised online activity that may occur at school. The policy in place relates to either device:

• Smartwatch: a mobile device designed to be worn on the wrist that can do any of the following: receive and/or send messages, receive and/or make phone calls, have access to the internet

• Mobile phone: a telephone with access to a cellular radio system so it can be used over a wide area, without a physical connection to a network.

The policy states that students in Primary (K-6) are not to bring personal mobile phones or smartwatches to school. If required for any reason, they should be handed in to Student Services in the office at the start of the day and collected at the end of the day.

Drop Off & Pick Up Zone

One child in each family will receive an A4 Card with your family name printed on it. We ask you to display this card on the dashboard of your car when picking up your child/ren in the afternoon. This strategy has been very successful in locating your child quickly and reducing the wait line in front of the school for other families. 

We also remind families that if your child is unable to enter or exit the car independently, that you park and assist them away from the Drop Off & Pick Up Zone. Providing a safe environment for our students and reducing the impact on other community members using Lewis Street is always our priority in the afternoon rush.

Justin Yeo

Head of Campus - Primary

St Valentine's Day

St Valentine was a third-century Christian martyr. Actually he is one of ten St Valentines, including a ninth-century pope.  Regarding February 14’s “original”: he was a priest, possibly a bishop, and a physician from the city of Rome. He was thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, AD 269 Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the gaoler’s daughter of her blindness. 

The night before he was executed, he wrote the gaoler’s daughter a farewell letter, signing it “From Your Valentine.” 

When talking of Compassion, this is the perfect opportunity to have a discussion on the opportunities we have everyday to show our love for members of our family, and for people with whom we associate with, especially those in need. Who are loving people in your life now? How do you show your love? 

In Class

In 6B we have looked at the beatitudes or the ‘BE’atitudes, these were delivered when Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount. He spoke of these attitudes that he wanted us to be guided by. We focused on the Scripture Passage Micah 6:8 and created an artwork based on Walking Humbly, Justly and Mercifully in our daily lives.

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday 

Next week we acknowledge Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. This marks a very important date in our school calendar where we begin 40 Days of Lent where we are asked to PRAY, FAST and GIVE as a means of making the needs of others our own. 

Next Wednesday we will celebrate a Liturgy to begin this season and families are welcome to join us in the Gymnasium at 9.30am.

Ross McKeown

Leader of Mission K-12

After a last minute reschedule thanks to stormy weather last week, the Primary Swimming Carnival was held on Monday. It was a fun day in which students competed in a range of competitive and novelty events, showcasing lots of courage, determination and excellent sportsmanship. A huge thank you goes to all the students and staff for their help in making sure the day was a success! 

Adam Coughlan

Primary Sport Coordintor 

This year things will be a little different as both Mrs Swift and Mr Hull will be based at the new secondary campus. Mr Tipping will be teaching at both sites. As a result, arrangements for cocurricular groups will also change. These groups will begin in Week 3 (starting Monday, February 13).

Choirs

Infants Choir will be held on Monday mornings from 8:40am until 9:10am. All students in Years 1 and 2 are welcome. 

Primary Choir will rehearse on Thursday morning from 8:40am until 9:10am. All students in Years 3 to 6 are welcome. 

During Term 2, students in Years 5 & 6 will be able to audition for a place in the Primary Singers. This group will be limited to the 12 best singers and these students will be part of the Primary Choir as well as having an extra rehearsal each week to rehearse more difficult repertoire. 

Bands

Concert Band rehearsals will commence in Week 3 due to the re-issue of instruments and the school’s swimming carnivals. This term, rehearsals will be held on Thursdays during Break 2.

All school instruments will be re-issued to students during Week 2. Students who are continuing in 2023 should collect a new rental form from Mr Tipping and return it prior to getting their instrument. 

Students who play an instrument or are new to St Matthews and would like to join the Concert Band, should contact Mr Tipping.  During Weeks 4 this term, expressions of interest will be taken from Year 5 and 6 students who wish to learn a concert band instrument. These students can then try various instruments to find the best one suited to them. Details of hire costs and lessons will be provided to those who are interested.

Handbells

The Handbell Ensemble will re-commence again this year but due to timetable restrictions there will be only one group this term. This will be offered to Year 5 students and numbers will be limited to 10 players. Mr Tipping will see students during Week 2. 

The most important thing for ALL music groups is to BE ON TIME – please try!

Visiting music lessons (Year 2 – Year 6)

Private music lessons will start during Weeks 2 & 3. Visiting music teachers will contact parents to arrange lesson times after consultation with class teachers. Please be patient as this process may take a couple of weeks to sort out schedules. If you would like your child to begin lessons either during or after school hours, please email Mr Tipping who will pass on your contact details to the relevant teacher. A reminder that all arrangements for private music lessons are made directly with each visiting teacher. 

Questions?

If you have further questions please contact Mr Tipping via email: g.tipping@bth.catholic.edu.au

Gavin Tipping

Music Teacher

Flexischools

Flexischools is the preferred method to order from the canteens at both Primary and Secondary.

Please see the below flyers with some helpful tips from Flexischools.

Remember all orders need to be placed before 9.00am. If you have any issues when ordering, please call the Parent Help Line Number - 1300 361 769 - 8am - Noon daily.

The uniform shop is open:

Tuesday: 8.30am - 4.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am - 4.30pm