School Vision

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

First Week of Advent

During the First Week of Advent, we watch and pray, awaiting the Lord’s coming.  As we enter the Church’s new year, the season of Advent reminds us that we can look forward to and prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is a season of so many things: of expectation, reflection, hope and trust. We are constantly in a state of expectation, always in advent, so much so that we can miss the present moment where, inevitably, God will be.

We have to wait, and Advent reminds us that we are waiting for God. How strange it is to think that in a way God also waits. He always waits for us to come to him for he never forces himself on us, and when we do come to him, he is delighted and will give us many graces.

Father, it’s that wonderful time of year again.
We are preparing to celebrate your Son’s birthday soon.
We are preparing our home, our gifts and our food.
Help us to remember to prepare our hearts.
Help us in all our busyness to remember it’s your Son
We are getting ready for.
Help us help a friend, keep a promise, or visit someone lonely.
Come Lord Jesus. We need you.

Amen.

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

The next two weeks are very busy as we begin our countdown to Christmas. There are lots of extra events and celebrations – all of which are detailed on the school app calendar.

Christmas Surprise

For many years it has been a tradition at St Matthew’s for all members of our staff to write a Christmas message in the last newsletter of the year. Although this has been a lovely tradition, St Matthew’s staff would like to try something different this year. You will all need to be patient to see what we are planning!

2022 Staffing

In the first newsletter for Term 4, I informed our community of those teachers who will not be returning next year. Just in case you missed it, we farewell:

Mrs Karen Evans
Mr Mark Collins
Mrs Jodie Collins
Mrs Jodie Blyth
Mr Ben Quartermaine
Sr Anitta Poorani

I would also like to acknowledge Mrs Claire Graham and Mrs Colleen Quartermaine who will be taking extended leave in 2022.

The following table outlines the staffing arrangements for 2022:

Christmas Concert Wednesday December 1

Our beautiful children have all been practicing very hard to prepare for our biennial Christmas Concert. The entertainment will commence at 6:00pm with all Pre-Primary to Year 6 students performing at least one Christmas item. Children will need to be delivered to their classrooms by 5:45pm. Parents and community members will then be able to take a seat in the Sr Isabel Hall. The concert will be followed by a BYO picnic on the grass. The BBQ will be available for use. Please keep an eye out for information from individual class teachers regarding any costume or prop requirements.

Pixie Post

It’s that time of year again!! Our beautiful Pre-Primaries invite all students to post a Christmas card via Pixie Post. It is important to remember that the pixies will only deliver cards that do not contain any lollies or candy canes. All cards must also be clearly labelled with the recipient’s name and year level. The Pixie Post letterbox is located outside the Pre-Primary classroom door.

Year 6 Fundraiser

Year 6 students will be selling icy-poles for their final fundraiser of the year. They will be selling them on Wednesday and Friday for Week 8 and Monday, Wednesday and Friday of Week 9. They will cost $1 full icy-pole and 50 cents for half, and all funds go towards their graduation.

Kindy Concert Tuesday December 7

The Kindy Christmas Concert is Tuesday 7 December at 6.00pm. We would like to have all the children dropped off at the Kindy by 5.30pm so we can dress them into their costumes and get organised. While we are preparing the children, you are welcome to go and find a seat in the Sr Isabel Hall and wait for our little stars to arrive. The children will present their play and then sing a couple of Christmas carols. This will be followed by the presentation of their Kindy certificates. They will also receive their work sample books and a gift from the Kindy. We hope you can stay for a picnic or barbecue dinner with your family on the grass area outside the Sr Isabel Hall. A barbecue will be available for those wishing to use it. It will be a lovely way to celebrate the end of our Kindy year.

Last Assembly for 2021 Friday December 3

During this last assembly, we will award the best and most improved reader in each class Year 1 to Year 6. This year, we will also award the student who has achieved the greatest growth and the best overall achievement in Maths in Year 5 and Year 6. Individual parents will be notified if their child will be receiving one of these accolades. 

Class Transition

On Monday 6 December, our students will be visiting their new teachers for 2022. Teachers will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and outline the special features of their year level.

Captains 2022

Last week, I was fortunate to join Mr Collins, Mr Tenney and Mr Quartermaine to hear the wonderful leadership speeches presented by our Year 5 students. They spoke very well, and will no doubt, make fine leaders for their peers to look up to as they are all leaders of the school and will have significant responsibilities throughout 2022.

The captaincy positions will be announced at the Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday 8th of December at St Matthew’s Church. Mass begins at 9:30am.

Thanksgiving and Graduation Mass

Please join us for our end of year Thanksgiving & Graduation Mass Wednesday 8 December at 9.30am in St Matthew’s Church. Christmas donations will be presented to St Vincent de Paul and our incoming Year 6 Leaders will be announced.

Year 6 Graduation

Our Year Six students have their Graduation Wednesday 8 December at 6:00pm in Sr Isabel Library. These students have embraced every opportunity to enhance and build their leadership skills, and have contributed enthusiastically to all aspects of school life. We wish them well as they continue their learning journey.

St Matthew’s Christmas Tree

Every year, St Matthew’s collects non-perishable foods and gifts for those in need. These can be placed in the tubs under the Christmas Tree in the Undercover Area. I encourage all families to help us spread happiness this Christmas.

Message from the School Dental Clinic

School Dental Clinic is now permanently at Narrogin Primary School.

Unfortunately, due to a large number of missed appointments; the school dental clinic will be unable to continue to utilise the new dental clinic based up at Narrogin hospital as per previous years.

The school dental clinic will now resume at the clinic based at Narrogin Primary school for all students within Narrogin. We would like to remind parents the importance of attending appointments given to your children. If you are unable to make the designated time slot parents can ring the clinic to reschedule to a more suitable time. If your child is seeing a private dentist and you wish to no longer utilise the school dental program, please call us to withdraw from the service.

Many families in Narrogin and surrounding towns rely on this service for their children and this service can only remain to run efficiently and on time with the community’s support.

Children will continue to receive appointment notices in the mail when they are at the top of the waiting list.

Narrogin Dental Therapy Centre
Narrogin Primary School
Ph: 0428 984 100

Principal KINDNESS award

On Monday mornings, I present the Principal’s Award for Kindness. Children are able to nominate each other for this award during the week. This week, the award went to Chelsea (Year 3).

Principal Focus – Give Love This Christmas

As Sunday was the first day of Advent, I am sure many of us spent the weekend putting up Christmas Trees, writing cards or hanging lights. It’s such an exciting time of year, especially for our children. However, it’s so easy to get caught up in the external trimmings of Christmas and forget to encourage our kids to take some time to prepare their hearts as well. 

Over the last week, I have been chatting with children about the importance of giving, and not just receiving. We have watched The Other Christmas Present and talked about what we can do to help people who are in need this Christmas. Here are some of their thoughts:

We are so happy because we get presents every year when some people in the world don’t even get presents. That’s why it is so important that we give presents to those who can’t get presents and to not be greedy. Please give what you can to the people in need.

From Darcy, Dylan, Franko, Clancy and Lawrence.

You are probably going to receive a gift this Christmas. It could be a new toy, clothes, or maybe just a card. Now what if I told you hundreds of people aren’t going to get any of that. No toys, no clothes, not even a hug! Nothing, on what is supposed to be one of the happiest nights of the year. We are writing to you about donating things to people that do not have anything . We should donate at least two things to the poor so that they can have a Christmas this year. Because everyone, even the mean people, deserve a Christmas.  These are some of the things that you can donate: food, toys, money or some nice clothes.

From Bella, Ethan, Stirling and Jason.

I am grateful for having the best community. Everyone should be grateful especially on Christmas. Also, we should be kind and generous on Christmas. Let’s show others our love.

From Ekam

We need to help people in need and the less fortunate. Please change it by donating anything you don’t need. Sr Sahaya has been feeding the poor every Sunday. Please help! We are all humans, no one deserves to be left out. I think we should all be treated EQUALLY. Thank you. 

Regards, Samantha.

This Christmas donate something you don’t need. You can even donate something new! Give love for Christmas and show happiness.

From Hadassah, Isla, Miley, Milly, Jordy and Nikita.

Thank you

As we all approach the last week of the 2021 school year,  I would like to once again acknowledge the passion and dedication of the staff of St Matthew’s School and commend them on their continued efforts in ensuring that students are developed as whole Christian persons within an inclusive and welcoming community. I would like to say a special thank you to Sr Sahaya for her wonderful pastoral presence in the school and for the outreach of many of our St Matthew’s families. I would like to thank our School Board, P & F, Father Jayan, the Servite Sisters, the Parish,  and everyone for their support throughout the year.

God Bless,

Susan Milton

Principal