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 Palm Sunday (29 March 2026). Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’s humble, triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches and laying cloaks on the road, shouting “Hosanna”. It marks the start of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus as the peaceful king, riding a donkey, shortly before his crucifixion on Good Friday:

O God of Welcome and Waving Palms,

as the crowd offered to you their praise and the palms on the road, so we share these gifts out of the abundance you have provided.

May they be for the healing salvation and work of justice you are bringing about in the world through your unending love.

Amen

Dear Parents & Carers,

This is the final newsletter for Term 1. Thank you to all families for their support this term. We are looking forward to seeing you this week at the Holy Week Prayer Service on Thursday at 9:30am.

Chrism Mass – Year 6 Confirmation Candidates

Today, our Year 6 students who are Confirmation Candidates are attending the Chrism Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Bunbury. This special diocesan celebration is an important part of their sacramental journey and provides a deeper understanding of the Confirmation ritual.
The Chrism Mass takes place at 11.00am. During this Mass, the oils used in the sacraments are blessed, including the oil used for the anointing during the Confirmation ceremony. It is the custom within the Bunbury Diocese for Confirmation Candidates to attend this Mass as a sign of their connection to the wider Church community.

We keep our students in our prayers today as they take this meaningful step in their faith journey.

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. As Holy Week occurs during the school holidays this year, our parents are invited to join us for:

Stations of the Cross
Hosted by Years 4 to 6/ Attended by Year 1 to Year 6
Thursday 2 April
Sr Isobel Hall
9:30am

He Is Risen
Hosted by Pre-Primary to Year 3/ Attended by Pre-Primary to Year 6
Tuesday 21 April
Sr Isobel Hall
2:30pm

Announcing the Madagascar Cast!

During Mrs Hastie’s Music lessons this term, our Year 5 and Year 6 students have been working hard to prepare audition pieces for this year’s whole‑school musical, Madagascar. After much careful consideration, Mrs Hastie announced the cast to students on Monday morning. All successful students were presented with a copy of their allocated roles. Congratulations to all of our Year 5 and Year 6 students for their enthusiasm, effort, and willingness to step up and audition — we look forward to seeing this exciting production come to life. The full cast can be viewed on the school app.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Each year, St Matthew’s School offers parents two formal opportunitities to meet with their students’ class teachers to discuss their academic progress, share learning examples, and celebrate growth. This is an essential part of our reporting process, and we strongly recommend that all of our parents book a session with their class teacher.

In Term 2, we are offering 15-minute meetings during the following times:

The link to book a slot will go live on 2 April at 8:30am. Parents will be able to book an interview with class and specialist teachers.

ANZAC Day 2026

ANZAC Day is an important occasion for reflection, remembrance and gratitude, and has always been recognised with respect and reverence at St Matthew’s. Traditionally, our school has attended the Combined Schools ANZAC Service; however, this year, there will be no combined schools service held. The RSL Community ANZAC Service will take place on Saturday, 25 April, and our school will be represented through the laying of a wreath. All families are warmly encouraged to attend the community service and honour those who have served and sacrificed. As a school community, we will also acknowledge ANZAC Day with our students through a small prayer service on Tuesday 28 April.

2026 Project Compassion Appeal

This Lent, we are called to Unite Against Poverty with Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Students have brought home small collection boxes to fill. The money students collect will 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”.

Performance Assemblies Term 2 & 3

Lenten Reflection

Important Dates

To help families plan their time, here is a list of important dates for this term. All of these dates are also included in the school app calendar. 

Keep safe,

Susan Milton
Principal