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,
Welcome back to all of our students and families. We hope that you all had a lovely time over the school holidays, spending quality time with each other.
It was so wonderful to see all of the smiling faces of the students as they came into school yesterday morning. Everyone settled so quickly and they all seemed to have had a fantastic first day.
I would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome our new staff members; Mr Matthew Taylor (Deputy Principal), Miss Fiona Brugaletta (Literacy Leader), Miss Mariana Khoshaba (Year 5B) and Miss Isabella Lonigro (sharing with Mr McKenzie in 5A). They have all settled in well and are very much looking forward to working with our community. Please say hello when you see them.
PARKING IN WILLIAM STREET
The local parking inspector was in William Street yesterday morning. Please make sure that you follow the time limits on the parking signs. It is especially important if you are using the 2 minute parking for drop off and pick up. The inspector spoke to Mr Taylor and she also spoke to a few parents about making sure that they are not in this area for longer than 2 minutes.
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet appointments
Next Wednesday February 7th you will have the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher. This is a chance for you to meet the teacher and share information about your child.
The students will be finishing at 1.30PM on this day and the appointments will start at 2.00PM.
Please refer to the information sent to you yesterday about how to book.
Prep students starting
Tomorrow we officially welcome our Prep students. They have been patiently waiting for this day to come. I know that Mrs Lawson and Mrs Fernandez are very excited and looking forward to seeing all of their students.
Communicating with teachers
Please ensure that you have full access to your child’s Seesaw accounts so that the teachers are able to share the students’ work with you.
If you need to speak to a teacher please contact them via Seesaw or their email to arrange an appointment. You can also call the office and ask for the teacher to call you back when they have time.
Items that your child needs that you must provide from home please
At the end of last year families were sent a copy of the booklist and levies for each year level. In this document it listed the items that you need to bring from home for your child.
Please see the list below for each year level:
PREP
1 Art Smock (This item is available from the Uniform Shop for $20.00)
2 Boxes of Tissues
1 Pencil Case
YEAR 1/2
1 Pencil Case
1 Library Bag-from previous year (This item is available from the Uniform Shop for
$15.00)
1 Reader Bag & Art Smock from Year Prep/1
2 Boxes of Tissues
1 Pair of Headphones
Optional items: Coloured pencils and/or textas
YEAR 3
1 Pencil Case
1 Library Bag (This item is available from the Uniform Shop for $15.00)
1 Art Smock (from Year 2)
2 Boxes of Tissues
1 Pair of Headphones
1 Pair of Scissors
YEAR 4
1 Pencil Case
1 Library Bag (This item is available from the Uniform Shop for $15.00)
1 Art Smock (from Year 3)
2 Boxes of Tissues
1 Pair of Headphones
1 Pair of Scissors
YEAR 5
1 Pencil Case
1 Library Bag (This item is available from the Uniform Shop for $15.00)
1 Art Smock (from Year 4)
2 Boxes of Tissues
1 Pair of Headphones
1 Pair of Scissors
YEAR 6
1 Pencil Case
1 Library Bag (This item is available from the Uniform Shop for $15.00)
1 Art Smock
2 Boxes of Tissues
1 Pair of Scissors
1 Pair of Headphones
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.
Events happening in Term 1
We have a few special events happening in Term 1. Please keep these dates in mind.
Wednesday February 7th - Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet (please refer to information sent home yesterday) - students finish at 1.30pm on this day
Friday February 9th - Whole school mass to celebrate the beginning of the school year at 12pm in the church
Wednesday February 14th - Ash Wednesday - Mass will be celebrated in the church at 12pm
Friday February 16th - Year 6 Interschool Sport
Saturday February 17th - Prep Welcome mass and picnic - Mass at 5.30 in the church followed by a picnic on the school oval (more information to come)
Friday February 23rd - Year 6 Interschool Sport
Friday March 1st - Year 6 Interschool Sport
Tuesday March 5th - SCHOOL PHOTO DAY
Tuesday March 5 - Year 6 Camp information meeting at 7pm in the Library
Friday March 8th - Year 6 Interschool Sport
Monday March 11th - Labour Day Public Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday March 13th - NAPLAN begins for Year 3 and Year 5 students
Friday March 15th - Year 6 Interschool Sport
Wednesday March 27 - Stations of the Cross (more information to come)
Thursday March 28th - Last day of Term 1 - 3.15pm finish
Assemblies will begin next Friday 9th February at 2.40 in the hall. Please enter via the hall doors.
I wish you and your children a wonderful 2024!
Take care,
Rachael
TERM 1 2024
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 - this is to be confirmed
Please note that these days and times may change depending on staff availability.
