Welcome to our first newsletter for 2024. It is such an amazing feeling to be commencing our second year at the new campus. There is a tangible sense of calm and ease around the classrooms and playground as we resettle into the structures and routines that were built throughout 2023. Teachers have been setting clear expectations to ensure students are ready for learning each lesson and I have seen classes responding extremely well and enjoying their start to the year. There is definitely a positive energy amongst students and staff and our teachers have been commenting on the wonderful level of engagement and cooperation already present across all year levels.  

Term 1 is always full of activity, kicking off with our Welcome Mass and Commissioning Ceremony this Wednesday and our Secondary Swimming Carnival on Thursday. Our Year 11 students are also acknowledged as St Matthews Seniors at the Badging Ceremony this Friday. Please also mark the following dates in your calendars for our Parent Information Nights. These sessions provide valuable insights regarding what to expect in the year ahead and are a great opportunity for you as parents to engage with your child’s education.

Tuesday 13 February

5:30 - 6:30pm - Year 7-10 Information Night 

7:00 - 8:00pm - Year 11 Information Night

This year, I will be running two additional sessions designed to support families who have a child entering secondary school for the first time. These sessions will be relaxed in nature and provide an opportunity for you to get a sense of the changes you might expect in the transition from Primary to Secondary education and to ask questions in a safe and supportive environment. 

Navigating Secondary School - a guide for new secondary parents

5:30 - 6:30pm - Tuesday 20 February 

5:30 - 6:30pm - Wednesday 28 February

These workshops are certainly not compulsory, but I hope some parents might find them helpful. Both sessions will cover the same information, so you only need to attend once.

God bless

Angela Myles | Executive Principal 

Welcome to all of our new students and families to St Matthews. Starting school for the first time or transitioning to a new school or campus can be both exciting and daunting in equal measure for the students. It is equally true for us as parents too. The wonderful team at Schools TV have developed a series of resources to support you and your children during this exciting time. Please see the link attached for more information. 

https://stmattsmudgee.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions 

If you feel your children need extra support please reach out to us. 

Dillon Price | Leader of Wellbeing 

Attendance 

2024 Year 7 Students start their Secondary schooling

It was wonderful to see our new Year 7 cohort arrive last Thursday for their Transition Program. The day consisted of sessions that would help them in secondary school. The sessions included “Let's get organised” - learning to use their diary; set up a study schedule and a study space at home; Google Bootcamp - setting up their chromebook and their google classrooms; ‘Focus on Learning’ - preparation for our dynamic learning spaces - class expectations and the St MatthewsWay in the classroom; Chapel - familiarisation of our sacred space and preparation for our Opening Mass. A fun QR code Tour where students worked in teams to navigate themselves around their new campus was fun to watch!

All students engaged in the program enthusiastically and the day was a great success. Friday was their first day of timetabled classes. All reports are that Year 7 has been engaged, enthusiastic and off to a wonderful start to 2024!

Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Parents page - Stay informed

As Year 12 moves into this important phase of their schooling, many students are starting to think of life after school. There are many pathways open to our students and one is further study at university. For many parents this process can be daunting particularly if they did not attend university themselves. The University Admissions Centre (UAC) has a page dedicated to parents to help navigate them through the process so they are better equipped to help their student. The link is below

UAC Parent's page

University Showcase comes to St Matthews - 26 February

2024 will be the first time that the University Showcase will be hosted at St Matthews. We will be pleased to welcome student representatives and liaison offers from Charles Sturt Univeristy (CSU); Southern Cross University; The University of Newcastle (UoN) and the University of New England (UNE). Students from Years 11 and 12 will be attending the sessions where they will listen to presentations from each institution followed by an opportunity to meet representatives and ask questions about courses; scholarships; accommodation and ‘all things Uni’.

To have the universities visit us is a wonderful opportunity and I hope the students will take full advantage of this event.

Work Experience - Starts in Term 2

Work experience is open to students in Years 9 and 10 and is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience different workplaces. Work Experience will resume in Term 2, allowing students to engage fully in their lessons for 2024 - limiting disruptions in Term 1. Students wanting to discuss work experience options and the process of work experience are encouraged to see me in either Break 1 or Break 2 in my office next to Student Services.

Blaney McCarthy - English | Leader of Transition & Pathways

We welcome back new and existing students for another great year at the Learning Resource Centre. The Learning Resource Centre is open break 1 and 2 each day for students to relax, play games, read and borrow books and catch up with friends. Our programs are starting back in week three and all students are welcome to attend. Lego club will be on Mondays at break 1 and Craft Club will be on Thursday at break 1. Our student book group is back for another year and students are encouraged to fill out an expression of interest form on Compass. 

Looking forward to another Booktastic year in the Learning Resource Centre

Mrs Sugden | Teacher/Librarian

Secondary School Canteen 2024 Update

Online ordering is via Flexischools easily to set up Via the flexischools App. For those already with this ordering system Please ensure to update your Childs New Year Group Details for efficient delivery of their lunch order. So to be guaranteed an item it is best to order on line.

We have a smaller menu that is available over the counter every day but our more comprehensive menu is online. For over the counter purchases we accept cash and Eftpos.

All our food is freshly made on site and we are committed to use locally sourced ingredients.

Mary Holdsworth | Secondary Canteen Manager 

The Midford Uniform Shop is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.00am to 4.00pm. EFTPOS only, no cash.

Phone: 0439 442 509 or Email: st.matthews@midford.com.au