As a Catholic school, St Matthews has a wonderful connection with our parish community. Our primary students are blessed to be in such close proximity to the beautiful St Mary of the Presentation Catholic Church and to be able to regularly see our Parish Priest, Fr Owen and our current seminarian, Ha Tran, both of whom strive to spend as much time in our school community as possible. 

One of the opportunities that arises throughout the year for families to connect more closely with the parish is through the Sacramental Program. Information sessions for the Sacrament of Confirmation have commenced and the sessions relating to the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be occurring in June. Receiving a sacrament is an important and meaningful moment in a young person’s life. The Sacramental Program is designed to provide opportunities for families to journey with their children as they learn more about each sacrament and grow in their faith. It can also be a time of spiritual growth and formation for parents as we reconnect with some of the core beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith on a new level. When we are open to the experience and to the work of God in our lives, it can be an incredibly meaningful time for the whole family.

If you would like to know more about the Sacramental Program, please feel free to reach out to either the school or the parish. You can also find lots of helpful information on the parish website. https://www.mudgee.catholic.org.au/ 

God bless

Angela Myles

Executive Principal

Parent Teacher Interviews

We have had a wonderful response to our Parent teacher Interviews which began this week and I thank families for this opportunity to meet with teachers to discuss the first term and plan for the remainder of Semester 1. Next term we again provide time to meet with teachers. This takes place during the last week of Term 2, straight after reports have been shared with families. 

End of Term Events

Being the last Primary Newsletter for Term 1, we look forward to the events of Week 10 which occur mostly on Thursday, the last day of Term 1. On this day we have our annual Kindergarten Hat Parade commencing at 9:30am. After presenting our Student of the Week Awards, our P&F Committee will then present the major winners of our Easter raffle. At 1.00pm on the same day, all students will join together to experience a Holy Week liturgy in the school Gym. A very busy but exciting way to conclude Term 1.

ANZAC Day March

April 25th is ANZAC Day. On this day each year we are invited by the Mudgee RSL Sub-Branch to participate in the ANZAC Day march. We encourage any students who wish to support this day on which we remember all Australians who served and died in war and on operational service to do so by marching as a school community. 

We ask those students participating in the march to meet on the corner of Mortimer and Perry Streets at 10.00am on the day in either their full summer or full winter uniform, not a combination of both, and including our school hat. PLEASE NOTE: At the completion of the march, once we reach Robertson Park, we ask all families to please collect your child/ren. This will be prior to the start of the Commemorative Service at 11:00am. 

A reminder from the Mudgee RSL Sub-Branch, that if students wear a deceased relative’s medals on ANZAC Day, they should be worn on their right breast.

Justin Yeo

Head of Campus, Primary

Confirmation 

Palm Sunday

This Sunday our Parish will celebrate the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem for the Jewish holiday of Passover. In the final weeks of Lent let us renew the message of Easter, that God still loves us, and because of Christ we can be forgiven in all aspects of our lives where we seek to be better people each and every day.

All families are welcomed to attend Mass.

Rice for Lunch

This week a large number of students gave up their well prepared and interesting lunches for a cup of rice and water. This initiative was brought forward by our Mini Vinnies Team and tried to link our Caritas efforts, World Water Day and Harmony Week together. They looked at facts about the use of water in less fortunate countries and how many people survive on less than a cup of rice each day. Thank you to those families who participated in the event.

Holy Week Liturgy

Next Thursday the 6th April SMCS Primary will hold an Easter Liturgy to celebrate the final weeks of Jesus' life on Earth during Holy Week and his resurrection at Easter. It will be held in the O’Donovan Gymnasium at 1.00pm. 

Project Compassion

As we enter the final weeks of term, can I please ask for all project compassion boxes to be returned to your child’s classroom by Monday 3rd April. Thank you for your efforts in supporting this cause that helps so many people.  

Ross McKeown 

Leader of Mission

Open to all children who will be beginning school in 2024. 

Registrations open Monday 27th March: https://tinyurl.com/StMatts2023-Bright-Beginnings 

The 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge is up and running. All students are encouraged to participate. Students who have previously been involved can use their existing username and passwords. Students who would like to participate for the first time are asked to come to the library to fill out a PRC login request slip. Their request will be processed and their logins will be given to them when they are available. 

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge

Student at St Matthews Catholic School Mudgee

Login in details for:_________________ 

Date of birth:__________Class:_______

What is the Premier’s Reading Challenge?

The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is an initiative of the NSW State government. It aims to encourage in students a love of reading for leisure and pleasure and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student - to read, to read more and to read more widely.

In order to complete the Challenge, students must read the following number of books based on their Challenge Level:

2023 Challenge Dates

Students can include any books read from the end of the 2022 challenge on their 2023 reading record. Key dates for the 2023 challenge are:

Monday 27th February 2023 - challenge opens for student entries.

Friday 18th August 2023 - challenge closes for student entries.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me: a.mort@bth.catholic.edu.au

Warm regards,

Mrs Annie Mort

Teacher/Librarian

Flexischools

Flexischools is the preferred method to order from the canteens.

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 between 8.00am and 12.00pm daily. Alternatively, any Canteen queries should be put through the school office 6372 1742. Calls and messages to the canteen mobile will not be responded to.

The Primary Canteen is excited to be offering Birthday Buckets and Classroom Cupcakes, available for order via the Flexischools app. Please note these items must be ordered a week in advance.

Please note a change of opening hours for the Midford Uniform Shop. From the beginning of Term 3, we will be open on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 8.00am to 4.00pm. 

The flyer below outlines the opening hours for the Midford Uniform Shop over the school holidays. Appointments are highly recommended if coming in during the school holidays and will be given priority. The link to book an appointment is in the flyer below. A few other important reminders:

• Online orders for primary will be delivered to the school office on Tuesday's & Thursday’s at 1:30pm. Cut off time for ordering is 1.00pm.
• Online orders for secondary will be delivered to the school office on Wednesday's and Friday's at 9.00am. Cut off time for ordering is 3:30pm the day before.
• Online orders for shop pick up - pick up only within the shop hours, please allow 1 hour after ordering for collection.

- EFTPOS only, no cash.