School Vision

St Matthew’s School empowers children to embrace life-long learning, and grow and develop as God intends.

This prayer is chosen to acknowledge Hoy Week:

Lord, let everything I do in the coming Holy Week be inspired by You.

Help me to remember that nothing is important in my life unless it glorifies You in some way.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of my life.

Help me to enter fully into your Passion through my Lenten promises and always be reminded that You went to the desert, the garden and the cross for me.

Amen

Dear Parents & Carers,

Welcome to the final newsletter for Term 1, 2024.

Holy Week

The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, Holy Week, is the most sacred time of year. During this special time, we enter into the passion of Christ — his crucifixion, death and resurrection — through liturgical celebration and personal conversion. At this special time of year, our parents are invited to join us for:

Stations of the Cross

Hosted by Years 4 to 6

Thursday 28 March

Sr Isobel Hall

9:30am

He Is Risen

Hosted by Pre-Primary to Year 3

Thursday 18 April

Sr Isobel Hall

9:30am

WA Student Assistance Payment

As you may be aware, the Premier, Hon Roger Cook MLA, and the Minister for Education, Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, announced the WA Student Assistance Payment on 17 March 2024. This State Government initiative offers a cost-of-living payment for every student in Western Australia to provide
financial relief and assist families with their children’s schooling. The new WA Student Assistance Payment will provide parents and carers with a $250
payment for each secondary student, and $150 for each primary school student or kindergartener. A letter explaining this initiative has been uploaded to the school app.

Parents will need a valid WA Student Number (WASN) to be eligible for the payment. For our senior students, this can be found on NAPLAN reports. For all other students, please email admin@matthews.wa.edu.au and include the full name of your child/ren.

Parent/Teacher Interviews Week 9

Each year, St Matthew’s School offers parents the opportunity to meet with their student’s class teachers to discuss their academic progress, share learning examples, and celebrate growth. This year, parents will be able to book in an interview from 1:30pm until 4:00pm from Monday March 25 to Thursday March 28. Booking information has been provided to parents via the school app.

Interschool Swimming Carnival 27 March

The Interschool Swimming Carnival team will travel to Williams to compete this Wednesday, 27 March. We are sure they will represent our school wonderfully, both in sportsmanship and talent in the water. Competitors were informed of their swimming events on Friday. We require St Matthew’s parents to assist on the day. If you can help, please contact Mr Antonio at school.

In line with our school tradition, all Year 6s who are not competing at the carnival, have been invited to attend in support of their peers.

Narrogin Primary Canteen

Due to a lack of staff, Narrogin Primary School Canteen will be closed during this week. This means parents will be unable to order lunches via QuickCliq this week.

Netball WA Great Southern West Coast Fever Primary School Cup

Selected students from Years 5 and 6 will participate in the Netball WA – Great Southern 2024 WCF Primary School Cup on Friday 19 April in Narrogin. Parents of competitors will have received an sms and an email containing more details. We wish our netballers well and hope they enjoy this extension opportunity.

First Aid Incursions

On 16 April, Kindy to Year 6 students will attend an incursion hosted by St John Ambulance. The First Aid Focus program aims to train and equip students with the skills to assess and respond to first aid situations, while developing strategies to seek help for themselves or others. The Community Education Officers will demonstrate the correct first-aid approach and students will have the opportunity to practise and rehearse these life-saving skills, at an age-appropriate level.

DOJO Points

This year, St Matthew’s is going to trial using Class DOJO as part of our Positive Behaviour Management System. Staff members will use Class Dojo to promote positive behaviours in the classroom and in the playground. Each child gets a monster avatar, and teachers can award points for things such as staying on task, meeting a target, being kind, correct school uniform or brilliant homework. All staff members will be able to award points to any student at any time. Once a class reaches a specified amount of points, the children will be able to celebrate with 10 minutes extra play at recess time and free-dress for the day. Parents will be informed of this achievement via the school app.

Test Books

Student Test Books were sent home on Friday for parents to view. Teachers add tests from Literacy, Numeracy and/or Religious Education to the Test Book throughout the term. We ask that these are returned to school on March 25.

Lego & Chess Club

We would love to run both a Chess and a Lego Club for Years 1 to 6 this year. In order to achieve this, we are asking if there are members of the community who would be willing to donate their time and expertise. Ideally the clubs would run one day a week from 12:45 to 1:20pm, or in the mornings, 8:30- 9:00am. If you are interested, please email Susan.milton@cewa.edu.au.

Last Week for 2024 Project Compassion Appeal

Students have brought home small collection boxes to fill, and then combine into their class boxes at the end of the term. The funds raised by Catholic schools all across Australia directly impact the lives of those in our world in dire need. 

Please give generously “for all future generations”.

We Need Your Help

I am so thankful to the community members who are helping us complete the Kindy/Pre-Primary play area. 

There are several jobs we still need parent assistance to complete:

• Laying roll-on lawn
• Finishing off the sensory path 

If you are able to assist in completing any of these jobs, please email susan.milton@cewa.edu.au We will happily work around your schedule.

Year 6 Easter Raffle

The Year 6 class are holding an Easter Raffle to raise money for their Year 6 camp (Week 2, Term 2), end-of-year excursion and Graduation dinner. Tickets will be on sale for $1.00 at recess times. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday.

Important Dates

All important dates can be viewed on the St Matthew’s app calendar. Of particular note are:

God bless,

Susan Milton

Principal