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,
I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend last weekend, especially the amazing weather that we had. We are rapidly approaching the end of this first term. Please make sure to check the calendar dates listed below to see what is happening over the next 3 weeks.
In this newsletter I would like to draw your attention to some important information. Please read through carefully.
School Attendance
As I mentioned in our first newsletter of this year, it is extremely important that you notify the school if your child is absent for any reason. If you do not provide a reason it will be classed as an unapproved/unexplained absence and we are required to contact you to find out why they are away from school. I have repeated the information below:
Procedures for late arrivals, early dismissal and absences
A reminder once again that the school day begins with the first bell at 8.40am. Classes begin at 8.50am when the second bell goes. All students need to be in class by 8:50am sharp at the very latest to commence their school day, so that they are not behind in their learning.
Late Arrival
If students arrive after 8.50am they will be required to come via the office and collect a late pass. It is a requirement that Parents/Carers will need to sign in their child if arriving after 9am on the VPass iPad.
Absences
After the roll has been taken in each classroom electronically at the beginning of the day it is then checked in the office by Almoza. If there are any students absent a message will be sent and/or a call will be made for an explanation as to why the child is absent from school.
If your child is absent from school you can avoid this phone call by registering your child’s absence on our Audiri App (click on school profile icon to access form) or call the school office by 8:50am before school starts.
Early Dismissal
If you need to pick up your child early, you will need to call the office first. Please make sure you enter the school and sign them out on the VPass iPad. We ask that students are not collected during break times which are between 11am and 11.40am and then again between 1.50pm and 2.30pm.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS
I understand that there are times when families plan to take a holiday and that this often will occur during school terms. If you are planning a holiday that requires your child to miss school you will need to contact me in the first instance and then you are responsible for completing the absentee form on Audiri.
CHILD SAFETY
The safety of all students at St. Matthew’s is of paramount importance to me and the entire staff. It is for this reason that we are vigilant when on yard duty. We do not allow the students to speak to ANYONE through the fence or gates. I ask that you support the staff by not speaking to the children through the fence. If you need to get a message to your child please contact the office and Almoza or Natalie will make sure that they get the message.
We have recently had many issues with the children who play soccer. They are playing roughly and they have been too competitive, causing many disagreements and complaints. The teachers have been working with the children to ensure that everyone is getting along whilst playing, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with all of the issues. Some teachers have chosen to ban their class from playing for a period of time.
IMPORTANT EVENTS COMING UP
NAPLAN
The students in Years 3 and 5 began their NAPLAN testing today. NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum. Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The questions assess content linked to the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics.
Northern Saints Football Clinic and Casual Clothes Day
Next Monday, March 18th volunteers from the Northern Saints Football club will be here to run a clinic for each year level. They will also provide a party pie or sausage roll for each student.
ALL students may wear casual clothes on this day for a gold coin donation to raise money for the Parents and Friends Association.
Parents' and Friends' Association Meeting
The next meeting will be MONDAY MARCH 18th at 2pm in the Family Room. All are welcome, please come along. We need more members to join or we may not be able to have all of the planned activities for this year.
Year 5 and 6 UPP day
The students in Years 5 and 6 will be participating in their annual UPP incursion on Tuesday March 19th. This incursion provides an opportunity for the children to learn more about leadership and develop their own skills in this area.
Year 4 girls attending Mercy College Year 4 Explore Day
The Year 4 girls will be visiting Mercy College on Wednesday March 20th to participate in their annual Year 4 Explore Day. This is an opportunity for the girls to see what Mercy has to offer and to experience a little bit of secondary school life.
Year 1/2 Students attending Melbourne Flower and Garden Show excursion
The students in Year 1/2 will visit the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show on Wednesday March 20th. This is an exciting opportunity as we have been selected as one of the schools granted free entry to the show. The children will participate in activities related to gardening and learning about plants.
DON’T FORGET!!
Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Raffle Draw - WEDNESDAY MARCH 27th at 2.00pm
All children are encouraged to make an Easter Bonnet to wear in the parade on this day. They make the bonnet at home and bring it to school on the day.
Raffle tickets were sent home today, please return all money and tickets to school by Tuesday March 26th.
Stations of the Cross - WEDNESDAY MARCH 27th from 3.30 - 4.30pm
Please see Mrs Howden’s notice in her Religious Education section of this newsletter.
Some Term 2 Information
There will be 2 school closure dates in Term 2. Students do not attend school on these dates:
Friday APRIL 26th (day after ANZAC Day) this will be a day for staff professional development in the area of Religious Education
Wednesday MAY 7th this will be a day for staff professional development in the area of Mathematics.
We are rapidly approaching the end of this term. Please remember all of the special events that will be happening.
Take care,
Rachael
TERM 1 2024
TERM 2 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
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.
