Last week you should have received an invitation to complete our Annual School Improvement Survey for 2024. 

The purpose of this survey is to provide all stakeholders in our school community with an opportunity to share feedback on the operation of our school. Your survey responses are collected, collated and used to provide us with information regarding where things are going well and to also identify areas where we may need to improve or develop. This is an important process that all schools in our Diocese participate in each year and data gathered via the survey is one of the things we use to guide our annual improvement plans for the following year. 

One of the challenges we have with this survey each year is that we generally only have a small proportion of our parent community complete the survey. This means that the data we receive does not provide an accurate reflection of our strengths and challenges. I would be incredibly grateful if all members of our school community could take time to complete this survey so that we can effectively use the information gathered to continue to grow and improve as a school community.

Access to the survey will close on Thursday 16th of May.

God bless

Mrs Angela Myles | Executive Principal

A reminder that all students should be in full Winter Uniform at the start of Week 3, please ensure that the uniform fits well as it is noticeable that many of our students have grown significantly since they last had to wear the uniform.

School photos are next Wednesday at school in the hall. Communication was sent regarding the organisation of the students photos and sibling photos. Please ensure that your child is in their correct Winter Uniform including Winter Shirt and that they are adhering to the school’s uniform guidelines including appropriate modest haircuts and school approved jewellery. The Wellbeing Team has been working with students to correct these issues and ongoing support from families with these matters is appreciated. To order photos please go to: www.advancedlife.com.au and enter school code PFQ YB9 NWT.

This is my last newsletter as I start in my new role at St Johns College, Dubbo in Week 4. I leave with very much mixed emotions. I have been at St Matthews since 2014 and have been extremely fortunate to have been involved in some really significant changes for the school including the introduction of Stage 6 (Year 11 and 12) and more recently the building of the new campus. I have loved my time at St Matthews, it truly is a wonderful school. The students are warm, compassionate and open to the learning opportunities provided. The families of St Matthews are supportive of the school and enhance the school community. We are fortunate at the school to have such a wonderfully talented and hardworking staff. There are so many reasons that I admire the staff but their commitment to consistently put the students best interest at the centre of all that they do is at the top of the list. The staff are so reflective and are constantly looking to refine their practice to ensure that students have the best opportunities. 

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to be a member of this wonderful community.

God bless,

Justin MCarney | Head of Campus Secondary

Catholic Schools Week

This week our school community has been celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The theme for this year’s celebrations is: Experience the Spirit of Community. Catholic Schools Week is about strengthening relationships between all those who make our school the wonderful community that it is – students, staff, families, priests, parishioners, and members of the wider community. Families are warmly invited to embrace this week as an opportunity to also recognise and celebrate the Catholic faith in your own home. This can be done in small ways praying before meals or before bed throughout the week or attending Mass on Sunday as a family. Our school has a supportive community of teachers, parents, carers, P&F, clergy, parishioners and support staff who work together to focus on giving students the best education possible, encouraging success, promoting discipline, supporting creativity and instilling compassion. As an entire school community, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support of St Matthews.

The Pope's Monthly Intention: May

For the formation of religious and seminarians.

We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.

A Mother’s Day prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, You chose to put yourself—tiny, needy and helpless—into the nurturing and watchful hands of a human mother. Since then, every act of mothering, both physical and spiritual, in every time and every corner of the world recollects Mary’s. Inspired by this example, we, too, honour our mothers and mother figures today. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers and nurturers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, honour them always with a spirit of profound respect.

We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

On Friday last week the Year 11 Hospitality class catered for the Mudgee Precinct gallery opening of the new Exhibition Guwayu! The students worked to produce an Indigenous ingredient inspired menu of tasty Canapes to serve at the launch.

Whipped Ricotta Blini, Sesame seed Dukha and Quandong Chutney

Bruschetta with Bush Tomato Chutney

Chicken Sandwiches

Egg sandwiches

Zucchini and Feta Slice (Gluten Free)

Savoury Scones

Lemon Myrtle Biscuits

Scones with cream and Kakadu Plum Jam

Lemon Tartlets with cream and Finger Lime

Davidson Plum Truffles

Judith Woods | Hospitality Teacher 

It was all action on the courts on Tuesday this week as our Year 12 students challenged Staff for our annual Catholic Schools Week - Staff V Students Netball Match.

Confidence was high on both teams as the whistle blew for the first quarter. It was goal for goal for most of the game with the students forging ahead in the final ten minutes to claim bragging rights for another year!  Final score: Students 13 - Staff 9!!

Welcome back to all our students for Term 2. We hope the students had a nice break. This term we have introduced a new program on Tuesdays called Quiet time in break 1.This break is a quiet break in the Learning Resource Centre for students to read, complete mindfulness activities and puzzles. The first Quiet time was a success with students coming in to relax and reset before going back into class after break. All are welcome!

NSW Premiers Reading Challenge

There is still time to complete the NSW Premier’s reading challenge. To complete the challenge students must read 10 Premier’s reading challenge books and 10 free choice. The Learning Resource Centre has a large selection of these books available for students to borrow. The deadline to complete the challenge is Friday the 23rd of August. Please collect the reading challenge forms from the Learning Resource Centre. All students who complete the challenge will have the opportunity to attend a movie afternoon in the Learning Resource Centre in Term 3.

Happy reading!

Book and Library Displays

Jacinda Sugden | Librarian Teacher 

Secondary School Photos

Secondary photo day will be Wednesday 15th May

Primary School Photos

Primary photo day will be Thursday 16th May

Sibling Photos

Familes are able to order sibling photos. The cut off for sibling photos will be 12am (midnight) Monday 13th May. No exceptions can be made.

We are pleased to once again offer sibling photos for families with children at both campuses. More information regarding this will be communicated to families closer to the date.

Please find below instructions for booking school photos. Envelopes will be available from the front office for those families who are unable to purchase online.

Flexischools is St Matthews Catholic Schools preferred way to order from our canteens. The cut-off time is 9am, please allow yourself enough time to complete an order. An order can be placed the night before or even days in advance.

Orders that are phoned through via reception after 9am will be offered a simple sandwich, a drink and snacks only (No Hot Food will be offered, so please do not ask). Credit Card details must be provided at the time, no exceptions. This ensures no further follow up for payment is required.

If parents are experiencing issues with Flexischools, please contact Flexischools directly using the Parent Help Line Number- 1300 361 769 (8am-12pm)

1. Introduction to Flexischools
2. How to Register with Flexischools
3. How to Place an Order (Canteen)
4. How to Place an Order (All Services)
5. How to Top Up Your Flexischools Wallet

A reminder to parents to please update your childs year group to the correct one for this year before placing an order online. This will help alleviate confusion when your child collects their order.

We have a smaller menu that is available over the counter every day but our more comprehensive menu is online. For over the counter purchases we accept cash and Eftpos.

All our food is freshly made on site and we are committed to use locally sourced ingredients.

Mary Holdsworth | Secondary Canteen Manager