Parish Priest: Fr Florentino (Boy) Galdo
School Principal: Mrs Rachael Spooner
Deputy Principal: Mr Matthew Taylor
School Email: admin@smfawknernth.catholic.edu.au
School Phone: 0393595423
St Matthew's Primary School is committed to creating an environment where the safety, wellbeing
and participation of all children within our care is paramount.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Today we celebrated Ash Wednesday with Mass. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. In her introduction to the mass today Mrs Howden said,
“We know that Lent is the special time of the year when we prepare for Easter by thinking about our lives. We want to prepare for the best possible most loving and generous way of living, not only because others benefit from our denial of self but also because Jesus showed us that this is the way to eternal life. Today we pray that with God’s help, we can turn our lives around.”
As part of the mass we were all anointed with ashes. These ashes are a reminder of our humanness and that as humans we can make mistakes but by turning to God and repenting for those mistakes we will be embraced and forgiven.
Thank you to Mrs Howden for her preparation of today’s mass and the mass we celebrated last Friday to mark the start of our 2024 school year. Thank you to Mrs Sozzi for preparing the choir and to Mr Travers for the music.
A letter from a Parishioner:
Dear Mrs Spooner,
Today, I have had the privilege of attending Äsh Wednesday Mass with the company of St Matthew's children. I would like to congratulate you, your staff and the children on the beautiful singing, keen participation and respectful attendance.
Congratulations and please express my best wishes and blessings to your community.
Parents’ and Friends’ Association
Last Friday I sent a letter to all parents inviting you to attend our first meeting of the P & F for 2024.
We have a very active Parents’ and Friends’ Association at St. Matthew’s. In 2023 the P & F organised many events, the Easter Bonnet Parade and Raffle, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, the Family Fun Day and a Sausage Sizzle lunch for students, to name a few.
We are seeking more members in 2024 to assist with the events that are planned so far for this year. We already have plans for the Easter Bonnet Parade and Raffle, the Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls.
Our first meeting for 2024 will be at 9am on Monday February 19th in the staffroom. If you are interested in attending and would like to be part of the Parents’ and Friends’ Association please come along to this meeting.
The more people we have on the P & F the more we are able to do to fundraise for the school.
School Advisory Council
I also sent a letter about our School Advisory Council last Friday. If you are interested in nominating yourself for the Advisory Council please use this link to complete the Google Form with your details.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BVCl1gCdS22TRMxEiuqkCYG2qw-q6dva05NTSVcrXrs/edit
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Prep Students
The Prep students have had their final Wednesday at home today (14th February). From next week, the Prep students will be attending school full time (5 days a week).
This coming Saturday we will have our annual Welcome Mass and Picnic for our Prep students and their families. Mass is in the church at 5.30 followed by a BYO picnic on the school oval finishing at 8pm.
HATS
A reminder that during terms 1 & 4 the students are required to wear their school summer hat during recess and lunch times. If the students are not wearing a hat they will be directed to play in the allocated shaded areas.
If your child needs a hat they can purchase from the office for $15, it will be supplied immediately.
The uniform shop will be open Thursdays from 8.30 to 9.15am.
Photo Day - Tuesday March 5th
Please see the information below about how to purchase your child's photos.
Events happening in Term 1
Please read the Dates To Remember section of the newsletter for important events happening in Term 1.
TERM 1 2024
Dear Parents,
If you have any new or additional information from paediatricians or psychologist in regards to your child could you please ensure that you send it through to the school office so that we are up to date with NCCD (National Consistent Collection of Data) that is required by the Government and by the Catholic Education Melbourne.
Also, if you have any student concerns or questions about the NCCD please contact Mrs Howden on 93595423 or by email hhowden@smfawknernth.catholic.edu.au
On Friday we welcomed and congratulated our SRC reps for 2024. Congratulations to
Year 3's - Isaac Haslam and Alice Ryan
Year 4's - Anastasia Giordano and Advaith Abhilash
Year 5's - Jonah Ryan and Valentino Serra
Year 6's - Najiya Mekieel and Jayden Audish
You have been selected by your peers for your leadership qualities and we look forward to working with you through the year. Mrs Fleischmann
We will again be providing lunchtime clubs for children who would like to participate as an alternative to playing outside. The clubs we will be having this year are:
Games Club - in the Library on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Games will include jigsaws, board games and card games.
Nudel and Lego Club - in the Nudel Room (upstairs near the Year 5 classrooms) on Tuesday and Thursday
Choir (Years 2 - 6) - in the Music Room on Wednesday
Gardening Club - in the Garden on Wednesday and Thursday
Writing Club - in 3A on Friday
Please note that these days and times may change depending on staff availability.
