Easter is the most important celebration in the Church year. During the Easter liturgies we hear readings from scripture that focus on the goodness, power, and saving work of God throughout history, culminating in the ultimate victory of Jesus through his Resurrection. The readings also emphasise the importance of faith and trust in God, letting go of those things that keep us separated from God and, thereby, experiencing a sense of new life.  Easter can offer us hope, joy and the assurance that God never abandons us. 

This Easter message of hope is especially important in our world today. At times we can all experience the effects of negativity, selfishness and hatred, whether in our own lives or in the lives of those around us. But Easter offers us another way, by reminding us that we are all completely and unconditionally loved.

As we celebrate Easter, we are called to a change of heart so that we might transform our lives and become more fully the people that God calls us to be. We are called to be people who share hope and joy, bringing the light of Christ to a world that can be a dark place at times. 

Wishing you joy and peace this Easter season.

Holy Week and Easter Services at St Mary of the Presentation Catholic Church Mudgee

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Monday 24 April is a Student Free Day
• Tuesday 25 April is ANZAC Day Public Holiday
• Students return Wednesday 26 April

Mrs Angela Myles

Executive Principal 

Get Ready for the Superbowl!

I’m not a diehard follower of the NFL (American Football) but I do start following it as it gets into the playoffs and towards the superbowl (Go Philly Eagles!). In fact, it’s hard not to. The news coverage gets bigger, we start hearing about the halftime entertainment and even the ads which will be playing during the coverage in the US makes the news. It’s the highpoint of American sport. And yet, sometimes the noise around the coverage becomes bigger than the game itself.

Holy Week in our modern world has similarities. The news coverage gets bigger, we start hearing what world leaders have planned for Easter, and hot cross buns become a conversation topic. And yet, like the Superbowl, we can almost miss the game.

So what is the game in this context? The Easter Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil - is a three day event which is packed with the richest symbolism that goes to the very heart of our faith - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Whether you're a frequent Mass goer or not, it’s hard not to appreciate the beauty, the sorrow and the ultimate triumph experienced during these three special days.

Whether you’re staying local or travelling this Easter, I invite you to attend a service and, like the Superbowl, experience what is at the heart of all the Buzz - a celebration of good triumphing evil and life over death.

Prayer Partners 

Last week our Yr 12 students were joined for Mass and Morning tea by their prayer partners. This is a wonderful program now in its fifth year which provides students with a parishioner who will pray for them and support them during their HSC studies.

Diocesan Easter Art Competition

On Monday students travelled to Bathurst for the 2023 Holy Week and Easter Art Awards. The competition grows in strength each year with an amazing standard of artwork produced from across the diocese. Congratulations to all twenty five entrants from St Matthews and especially to the following students:

Jess (Dean's Prize)

Edith (2nd Place Yr 9)

Jemima (3rd Place Yr 9)

Kasey (3rd Place Yr 10)

Amelia (Art Teacher's Encouragement Award)

Thank you to Mrs Burton for all your work with these students!

Alexander Abbey

Leader of Mission K-12

Year 12 - Applying to University 

There are 2 main ways to apply to University:

1. Directly through the Univerity’s website (free of charge)
2. Through UAC (Universities Admission Centre) 
3. Parents are encouraged to follow and or like UAC’s social media pages for updates and information

Why should I apply directly through a university website?

Applying  directly through the university is FREE. The process also allows you to provide information other than grades to support your application. This is where a student’s involvement in community service; coaching; Duke of Edinburgh and leadership positions can be taken into account. It is a more holistic approach.

Students are encouraged to apply directly to universities in ADDITION to their UAC application.

Why should I Apply through UAC 

Applying through UAC means you don't need to apply separately to each institution. You can apply for up to five courses at any of our participating institutions. It also means you can apply for early offer schemes processed through UAC (Schools Recommendation Schemes) and Educational Access Schemes. This is a stress free process as UAC coordinates the process. If students apply within the ‘Early bird’ timeframe ( 5 April - 29 September) it is $78. After this time applications cost $215.

University Early Entry programs Open for 2024:

UAC Early Entry - Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS)

SRS is the Early Entry program coordinated by UAC. It opens on 5 April and closes on Monday 18 September. ALL student’s who apply to university through UAC should apply for SRS. It is free, and allows them the opportunity to be made an offer before the ATAR results are released.

Refer to the UAC link below for some basic Early Entry Offer information including links and dates for specific universities (UAC aligned uni’s only NOT an exhaustive list). UAC - Early Entry Schemes

UAC - Educational Access Schemes

Educational Access Scheme (EAS): Institutions use this to take into account the educational disadvantages many applicants experience (eg financial hardship, illness, severe family disruption). If you think this might apply to you, make sure you complete an EAS application and claim all the disadvantages that have affected your studies. As the leader of Transition I can help facilitate this process but I rely on families to nominate the disadvantages they feel apply.

Click  here on the link for detailed information on the application process and eligibility criteria.

UAC - Equity Scolarships

Equity Scholarships help disadvantaged students with the general costs associated with tertiary study. They are awarded to students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those who receive Centrelink income support payments. Please check the eligibility criteria  here.

Direct Early Entry to univesities

Students can apply directly for early entry to the university of their choice. This can allow them another opportunity to get a place in their course of their choice BEFORE ATAR and HSC results are released. Direct early entry is also an opportunity for students to communicate the wonderful things they have achieved in addition to academic results.

At St Matthews we encourage students to apply both DIRECTLY and through SRS.

Moolarben Spirit Awards

Congratulations to Maddy and Eliza for progressing to the Regional round of the Moolarben Spirit Award which recognises students who achieve well academically at school in addition to their positive community involvement.

Whilst both students missed out on the award we are extremely proud of both students for being recognised for their contributions. A special congratulations to Maddy who received the inaugural Highly Commended Award in acknowledgement of the outstanding way she engaged in the interview process.

Well done Maddy and Eliza!

Josh Campbell, Josie from Moolarben, Maddy and Deb Campbell -

Highly Commended Award recipient

  

Blaney McCarthy - English

Leader of Transition & Pathways

CCC Swimming

Congratulations to Jake, William, Bryce, Edith, Phoebe, Chloe and Sienna who recently competed at the CCC Swimming Carnival held in Homebush.  

All students represented St Matthews Catholic School with Excellence and have been very successful in their events. We wish to congratulate the students on their achievements. 

• Bryce: 2 PBs in breaststroke and backstroke
• William: equalled some of his PBs
• Jake: not everything went to plan but he swam with enthusiasm and enjoyed the experience
• Girls 4 x 50m Medley (Phoebe, Chloe, Sienna and Edith): shaved 4 seconds from their Diocesan Swim time
• Edith: Bronze Medal in 50m Breaststroke

Edith will now progress to All Schools Swimming in June. We wish her the best of luck at the next stage.

Western Rugby League Trials

Last Wednesday we had a large number of students head over to Forbes for the Western Rugby League Trials. Congratulations to everyone who trialled.

Congratulations to Tully, Spencer, Harry, Riley and Cody who were selected in the Western U15s team. We wish them all the best of luck at the next carnival in May!

Bill Turner Cup

Last Monday students went to Glen Willow Soccer Fields to play their retrospective games. Congratulations to both the boys and girls teams who competed with excellence.

The boys team played well on the day but were unfortunately defeated. This means that they will not be progressing, however, they represented our school with great sportsmanship. Well done boys! 

Congratulations to the girls Bill Turner Trophy team for an outstanding effort on the day. They went back to back undefeated with game results being 4-0 and 7-4. We wish them the best of luck as they progress to the next level of competition.

 

Thank you to Mr Nick Hammond and Mr Dillon Price for their coaching and support throughout the day.

 

Futsal

On Tuesday 4th April, 2 Girls and 2 Boys teams travelled to Bathurst to compete in the NSW Futsal School Championship.

The 16 years boys team played very well on the day, missing out on the final by goal difference. Both the 14 years boys and 16 years girls teams competed well making it through to the semi finals, unfortunately though they were defeated. The 14 years girls team made it through to the grand final and won convincingly 6 - 0. We want to wish the girls the best of luck at the next stage of competition.

We thank Mr Hammond and Mr Tomasella for their efforts with coaching and trials for all 4 teams.

 

Girls Rugby Union Opportunity

The Mudgee Wombats have been able to source an opportunity for Junior girls in our region to participate in a 15 side rugby competition. It runs for 6 weeks from the end of April to June. This is a great chance for girls to have some game experience this season and an excellent chance for any girls aged 13 (this year) to 18 who would like to develop their rugby skills and be involved in a girls only competition this year.

Girls could register to the local Mudgee Wombats club for $16 as a Train Only participant. Training is on Wednesdays and Thursdays 5 - 6.30pm each week. Training would be sometimes combined with Junior teams, sometimes just the girls (depending on numbers). You do not need to have previous rugby experience, just a willingness to give it a go. 

Games will occur in Sydney on Sundays. There will be a number of cars heading down to the games so players can carpool or we can organise a bus for players if there are enough numbers. If there are enough girls from our area, we will be able to form our own teams, otherwise, we will organise for you to join an existing Sydney team. 

The benefits are this gives girls an opportunity to develop their rugby skills with regular training and game experience. Can also lead to representative pathways (Central West trials are coming up in April).

For any further information about opportunities for girls in rugby, please email juniors@mudgeerugby.com Or contact Brett Littler on 0427007398.

 

Upcoming events - Term 2 weeks 1 - 4

• Secondary Basketball Gala Day - 1st May 2023
• Secondary All Schools Netball - 4th May 2023
• 7/8 All Schools Western Touch Gala Day (Orange) - 9th May 2023
• 9/10 All Schools Western Touch Gala Day (Orange) - 10th May 2023
• Secondary Diocesan Cross Country - 10th May 2023
• 11/12 Mixed All Schools Western Touch Gala Day (Orange) - 11th May 2023
• Secondary Athletics Carnival - 18th May 2023

 

Emma Nicholls

Sport Coordinator Secondary  

 

 

It is amazing to think term 1 is nearly over and we have spent our first term at the new campus. The Learning Resource Centre has been a hype of activity during breaks and throughout the day. Chess and Uno games have also been very popular bringing some competitive spirit in the students' games. Over the last few weeks in craft club we have been making Easter craft - decorating eggs and perler beads Easter themed creations. Have a look at the student’s wonderful creations!

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge

We are halfway through the NSW Premier’s Reading challenge. Many students have been selecting books from our selection and halfway through their own challenge.  If you haven't started and want to there is still time- come and see Mrs Sugden for more information. Entries close the 18th of August.

New book - Nightbirds by Kate Armstrong

In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but three girls with unusual gifts have the chance to change it all. RECOMMENDED FOR Students 13+

Filled with sumptuous, cinematic writing and dazzling details, Nightbirds is a fiercely feminist fantasy debut where the most potent magic lies not in a kiss, but in the truth.

2023 Vaccination Clinic Days

Year 10: Monday 1st May 2023

Year 7: Tuesday 2nd May 2023

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

Registrations online at: https://tinyurl.com/StMatts2023-Bright-Beginnings 

A reminder to please order on Flexischools by 9am. (Give yourself enough time before 9am, to complete an order, to ensure you do not miss the cut off time).

Mobile phones and smartwatches may not be used at the canteen, at any time by students (this includes transferring of funds).

A limited amount of hot food is heated every day for purchase by secondary students over the canteen's counter.  To avoid missing out on hot food an order must be placed by 9am via Flexischools for collection at Break 2.

Mary Holdsworth

Canteen Manager - Secondary 

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 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.

Book your Uniform Fitting Appointment Here