St Matthews Catholic School Mudgee eNewsletter

Term 3, Week 3 - Primary

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Term 3, Week 3 - Primary

From the Executive Principal
From the Head of Campus
RE Happenings
Wellbeing
Sports News
Robot Club
Year 2 Skipping Challenge
MacKillop Feast Day
Feast of Assumption Invitation
Book Week Character Parade
Creative Arts Club
Canteen
St Matthews Social Media Pages
Lost and Found
Primary School Hours
Term Dates
Term 3 Primary Calendar
Midford Uniform Shop
School Bus

On Thursday 8 August we celebrate Saint Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day.

Mary MacKillop was canonised in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, making her Australia’s first saint. In 19th Century Australia, when Mary saw families living on the margins without access to education, she set out to open a school in an old stable and teach children herself. She did so regardless of their gender, race, faith, or wealth. Later, as she formed the Sisters of St Joseph, they endured all kinds of challenges to go wherever the need was greatest. And, despite facing those enormous challenges, they continued to walk with people in kindness and love every step of the way. Mary MacKillop continues to be an inspiration to all of us who work and lead in Catholic education.
This August, as we celebrate Mary’s feast day, let us look for ways to walk in Mary’s footsteps. Like Mary, we can all strive to be fierce in the face of adversity as well as find ways to be fair to others and act wherever we see injustice. Let us remember to call on the strength of Mary MacKillop as we work together to make the world a little bit better each day.

Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for the example of Mary MacKillop who, in her living of the Gospel, witnessed to the human dignity of each person.
She faced life’s challenges with faith and courage.
We pray through her intercession for our needs.
May her holiness inspire us to be people of hope, love and forgiveness.
We make this prayer through Jesus the Lord.
Amen.

Angela Myles

From the Head of Campus

Green and Gold day, celebrated across Australia last Friday, was a great way to show the pride we have in our Australian Olympians, who are doing an amazing job at the Olympics in Paris. Our students donned the green and gold for the day, painting the school in our national colours, all proud of Australia’s sporting achievements.

This week at St Matthews, we acknowledge NAIDOC Week, a very special time where we celebrate, recognise and learn about the history, culture and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our week started with a beautiful assembly and prayer, and will be supported further with varied Indigenous activities in each classroom over the course of the week. The activity pictured includes our KG class creating Australian animal mosaics. We finish NAIDOC week at St Matthews with a special recognition at our Friday Assembly, presented by some of proud Aboriginal students.

Justin Yeo

RE Happenings

St Mary Mackillop’s vision was for Australia to unify across the continent. This unity first became a reality through founding the Sisters of Saint Joseph, a religious order, and later for all of Australia, labelling her as ‘ahead of the game.’

This week we will be celebrating NAIDOC Week across all grades to "keep the fire burning," which is this year's theme.
Planned activities will celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.

As we celebrate St Mary MacKillop’s Feast day on Thursday, the 8th August, and NAIDOC Week let us ask ourselves, ‘What common goals and values can continue to unite us despite differences?’

FHC and Reconciliation …and we’re off and running!

After two parent information sessions, the Sacramental Program of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are underway. Over the coming weeks, students and their families will attend Mass and complete activities to deepen their understanding of what it means to participate fully in the Mass through receiving the Eucharist. Reconciliation is a time when we acknowledge that we have made unloving choices, which in turn damages our relationship with God and with those we hurt and that God is always willing to forgive us when we are sorry and willing to make amends.

Ross McKeown

Leader of Mission

Religious Education

Year One is doing some fabulous work in Religious Education! This term they are looking closely at the Bible and its important role in our faith tradition.

Here is some lovely work by students in 1M, who were recalling stories and characters from Bible stories they’ve learnt about previously.

Knowing more about salvation history as recorded in the Bible helps us understand our own relationship with God and our role in His creation.

Keep up the great work Year One!

Matthew Cassidy

Religious Education Coordinator - Primary

Wellbeing

CCSP_Consent_and_online_boundaries_eSafety_Webinar_Flyer_Term_3_2024_1_.jpg

Click here to register

Parenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual.

If you want a quick reference guide for all the tough topics to do with relationships and the digital world, then you are in the right place.

If you want expanded content that helps you form respectful young people that understand their dignity and worth, then Real Talk for Parents and Carers is for you.

As part of the CEDB partnership with Real Talk (provider of PDH Units and Retreats for our School) parents are offered free access to their resources.

Primary Wellbeing Team

Sports News

Northern Region Athletics

A successful day for all 86 St Matthews students at the Northern Regions Athletics Carnival held in Dubbo on 29th July.

The sportsmanship and effort on display was fantastic. A large number of students have progressed to the Diocesan Carnival, including our 4 relay teams.

The day was topped off with 5 out of 6 Age Champion Medals being presented to St Matthews students.

St Matthews Celebrated 'Green and Gold Day'

It was a sea of Green and Gold as we joined in the national initiative of 'Green and Gold Day' in celebration of the 2024 Olympics.

The Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship align closely with the St Matthews Way and provide an opportunity for us to reflect on how, through our own words and actions, we can all strive to make the world a better place.

It was wonderful to see staff and students embrace the day in support of our Olympic Athletes with some very creative outfits on display.

Adam Coughlan

K-6 Sports Coordinator

Robot Club

St Matthews students thoroughly enjoying the new robots here at Robot Club.

Thanks to Glencore's Ulan Coal for supplying us with a grant to purchase updated robots.

Adam Coughlan

Robot Club Coordinator

Year 2 Skipping Challenge

Year Two are taking on the challenge of completing 100 skips a day for the month of August to raise awareness of children's genetic diseases. 1 in 20 kids faces a birth defect or genetic disease, like cancer, cystic fibrosis, and life-threatening metabolic disorders. That's 12 kids born every minute worldwide!

Help us find treatments and cures by making a donation. Donations can be made directly through the Help us find treatments and cures by making a donation. Donations can be made directly through the Children's Medical Research Institute Mudgee Committee

Melonie Kemp

Year 2 Teacher

MacKillop Feast Day

MacKillop Feast Day Reminder

Primary MacKillop students will remain on site as normal and come together at 1:00pm to commence the celebrations, students will be released at 3:10pm.

Secondary MacKillop students in Years 7-10 will depart the Broadhead Campus at 12.40pm. Secondary students will travel by bus to Lewis Street and are asked to find their own transport home either via bus from Lewis Street or other means of transport.

Students may wear sports uniform or clothing of their house colour: green! Neat clothing and enclosed footwear. Please bring water, hat, sunscreen and lunch. An afternoon tea will be provided.

Mr Ross McKeown & Mrs Belinda Redden | Leaders of Mission K-12

Feast of Assumption Invitation

All of our St Matthews families are invited to join us.

Book Week Character Parade

The theme for this year’s Book Week is, “Reading is Magic’’.

Like every Book Week Parade at St Matthews, we encourage all the students to dress up as their favorite character from a book. It doesn’t have to relate to the theme whatsoever. The students come to school in their costumes and wear it all day.

I have been mentioning the event during library lessons and at assembly as well and the students are all very enthusiastic and full of ideas. Please contact me if you have any queries about this annual event.

Annie Mort

Teacher/Librarian

Creative Arts Club

John Freebody
Creative Arts Club Coordinator

Canteen

Breakfast Menu

Bought directly from the canteen with cash.

Lunch Orders

Flexischools is St Matthews Catholic Schools preferred way to order from our canteens. Lunch orders cut-off time is 9am, please allow yourself enough time to complete an order. An order can be placed the night before or even days in advance.

Orders that are phoned through via reception after 9am will be offered a simple sandwich, a drink and snacks only. No Hot Food will be offered. Credit Card details must be provided at the time, no exceptions. This ensures no further follow up for payment is required.

If parents are experiencing issues with Flexischools, please contact Flexischools directly using the Parent Help Line Number- 1300 361 769 (8am-12pm)

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Students in Kindergarten, Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 have their lunch orders at Break 1 (11.40am)

Fridays

Students in Kindergarten, Year 1 & 2 will have their lunch orders at Break 1 (11.40am)

Students Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 will have their lunch orders at Break 2 (1.40pm)

Lunch Orders can not be collected prior to these times, no exceptions

Please let your child know if they are having a lunch order and what they are having. Some of our younger students are accidently throwing out their “tokens”. They need the token to redeem any frozen item/slushie/special that may have been ordered for them.

Birthday Bucket & Classroom Cupcakes

Alicia Cowden
Primary Canteen Manager

St Matthews Social Media Pages

Our school social media pages are an important source of information and reminders about upcoming events in our school and Parish community.

Lost and Found

Our lost and found rack is located inside Gate 2.

All labelled items will be returned to students weekly. At the end of each term all unclaimed items will be donated to Vinnies.

Primary School Hours

School Hours: 9:10-3:10 (staff supervision from 8:40)

Break 1: 11:40-12:10
Break 2: 1:40-2:10

If you need to pick up your child, during break time, please make sure to let the office know at least 10minutes before the start of break

Term Dates

Term 3:

Monday 22nd July - Friday 27th September

Pupil Free Day - Monday 26th August

Term 4:

Monday 14th October - Wednesday 18th December

Term 3 Primary Calendar

Midford Uniform Shop

Midford Uniform Shop is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am to 4pm

~ Primary Online orders must be made before 12pm on the day to be delivered to the Primary Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

~ Secondary Online Orders will be delivered to the Secondary Campus on Wednesdays and Fridays.

~ Online orders for shop pick up - pick up only within the shop hours, please allow 1 hour after ordering for collection.

EFTPOS only, no cash.

Enjoy the convenience of online shopping. Save time and energy by ordering your uniforms online in six easy steps:

1. Go to midford.com.au
2. Select St Matthews Catholic School from the Online School Shops tab
3. New users to click the ‘Register New Account’ button
4. Start the registration process by selecting St Matthews Catholic School from the drop-down menu and add the unique school pass phrase: “Matthews1912”
5. Add your personal information, create a username and password
6. Order the items you need, select pick-up in store/deliver to school.

If you have any queries please contact the uniform shop directly:
Phone: 0439 442 509 or Email: st.matthews@midford.com.au

School Bus

Parents and Carers of new or existing students enrolled in St Matthews can apply for free school bus travel with Ogden's Coaches for every route (except Botobolar and Cudgegong which is serviced by Booth's Bus Service)

free school travel is available for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students no matter how close or far away they are from school.
if students are not eligible for free bus transportation they can still ride on the bus by paying a fare or by purchasing a book of 10 tickets or a term/annual pass from the Ogden's Coaches office.
students who changed address or schools must update existing details through the NSW Transport online portal
if you are unsure whether or not your child has a current bus pass, please contact our office.
to travel on our bus service, students must present their bus pass to the bus driver morning and afternoon.
Apply for student bus passes through the Ogden's Coaches website

Select ‘Schools’ tab in top header then select ‘Apply for a New Pass'

Fill in the application form for each child and you will be notified of eligibility via email from Transport NSW. Bus passes will be distrubuted by post to students home address.

Ogden's Coaches - Mudgee

(02) 6372 2489