I don’t know about you, but Christmas seems to be coming at us at a crazy pace. With only a few weeks left until the end of the school year, your thoughts may have started to turn towards putting up the Christmas decorations and getting the gift shopping done before time slips away. I wonder if during this mad rush, we might take the time to consider what is behind some of the choices we make at this time of year, especially with regards to how much money we think we need to spend to make the Christmas season special and meaningful.

Some of you may also be starting to think about end of year teacher gifts. As you do so, I think it is worth pausing to reflect on what teachers genuinely value when it comes to the concept of appreciation. The best Christmas presents have time, thought and effort expended in their production, rather than just money. The gifts that really touch hearts are macaroni posters, recorded videos of gratitude and hand-written thank you letters. If you and your children want to express gratitude for the care and support that your child’s teacher has provided this year, I would encourage you to consider how that might be most authentically expressed. A few words of genuine appreciation may be just what a teacher needs at the end of the year.

God bless

Angela Myles

Year 5 Leadership Retreat

All Year 6 students at St Matthews Catholic School are seen as leaders and role models for our primary school. It is our belief that by taking on a role of responsibility, all students will develop the skills to be positive leaders of our community, whilst also developing improved school spirit, culture and pride. We believe that this model of leadership reflects our faith and the mission of Jesus Christ, which is truly about serving people, listening to what they are saying, and supporting them when needed.

This week Year 5 participated in their Leadership Retreat, with a focus on opportunities for 2025 and being part of the Student Leadership Team for Kindergarten to Year 6.

During the next two weeks we will be able to inform families of 2 Captains, 2 Vice Captains and 6 Leaders of Partnerships who will be commissioned as leaders at the start of 2025.

We thank Mr McKeown and the Year 5 teachers for their time in preparing for this occasion.

Pick Up Zone - Afternoons

We have received communication from the bus companies that our line of traffic very early in the afternoon is holding up Lewis Street traffic, including our buses. We ask for the support of our families to please not arrive prior to 3pm in the afternoon and that if there isn’t a place in the Pick Up Zone, that you continue to drive past or park, rather than hold up the other members of the Mudgee community.

Those families with a short timeframe in the afternoon are encouraged to arrive around 3:20pm with an assurance you will be able to drive straight through to collect your child and be able to leave in a very short period of time, no wait time required.

Changeover Day

On Monday 16th December all students from Kindergarten to Year 5 will participate in our ‘Changeover Day’. This is the day students move into their new classroom with their new teacher/s for 2025. We find this a beneficial way to meet their new teacher and classmates in order to prepare for a successful start to the new year. Further information will be provided closer to the date.

Justin Yeo

Advent

End of Year Mass Invite

On Wednesday the 11th of December, our school will hold a Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate our wonderful year. Families are invited to join us for this celebration from 10.30am in the Gym.

Farewell and Thanks to 2024 Library Monitors

Today we will celebrate a party to thank the Year 6 Library Monitors for 2024. This amazing group of students have worked tirelessly in the Library throughout the whole year. They have given up their break times to man the front desk, put books away on shelves and a whole lot more.

Thank you to Skylah, Chantelle, Nimi, Ella, Liz, Jenny, Evie, Aubrey, Sharon and Pippa.

Farewell and Thanks to 2024 School Photographers

Thanks also goes to our School Photographers who put themselves forward to learn how to use an SLR camera and who made themselves available to take photos at school events. In many situations they had to overcome self consciousness in being out the front and they had to use their artistic eye to compose the photo.

Thank you to Arlo, Fynn, Anna, Bridie, Grace, Bella and Layla.

Annie Mort | Librarian

Primary Basketball Gala Day

A successful day for our Stage 3 basketball teams last week in Bathurst at the regional rounds of the NSW Basketball Tournament.

Our Boys 1 team won 3 out of 4 games and finished 3rd overall. Our Boys 2 team tried hard all day and finished 6th overall.

Our Girls 1 team was undefeated all day and finished 1st in their pool. Our Girls 2 team lost one game all day and also finished 1st in their pool.

As a result, it was a clash of the titans in the Grand Final - Girls 1 vs Girls 2! Girls 1 eventually came away with the win.

Summer Trials - Touch Football

An outstanding effort by the girls. The competition was tough, as Touch Football was of high standard. All 6 girls made it to possible and probable. Ella, Maggie, Bonnie, Lauren and Lauren were successful in gaining selection in the Diocesan Team.

The boys showed amazing sportsmanship. The boys were inclusive and shared the runs/ball with all of their teammates. It was a hard day on the field, and competition was fierce. Henley, Angus, Rory and Benji all went through to the possible and probable. Angus, Rory and Henley were successful in gaining selection in the Diocesan Team.

An amazing achievement!

Adam Coughlan | K-6 Sports Coordinator

This term, some students from Year 3-6 have been gathering each week to rehearse and prepare some drama skits in small groups.

The Creative Arts Club students would like to invite all their parents and family members to a performance of these skits on Friday 13th December at 10:00 in the Drama Room. This will allow parents to attend the Friday morning assembly in the gym prior. Please be seated in the drama room by 9:55am.

John Freebody & Katana O’Sullivan | Creative Arts Club Teachers

Year 3: Thursday 28/11 and 5/12

Year 4: Wednesday 27/11 and 4/12

Year 5: Wednesday 27/11 and 4/12

Year 6: Thursday 5/12

Students must wear their full sport uniform on allocated swimming days. Students will change into their swimmers before walking to the Mudgee pool. This will be their sports day for the week.

Infants students will be participating in a swimming and water safety course. All infant classes will attend the pool every day during week 8.

Adam Coughlan | K-6 Sports Coordinator

As 2024 comes to an end, Advent invites us all to make Christmas welcome in our homes, communities, and hearts. As we prepare for Christmas, we remember that Jesus was born into poverty. Part of our response is surely to show solidarity to some of the world's most vulnerable.

Shop ethical, spread joy, and help tackle global poverty this Christmas by purchasing Christmas gifts that do good for family, friends, and colleagues.

The Catholic Shop

The proceeds of every purchase at That Catholic Shop help Christians who are suffering, oppressed or persecuted. Visit our website to view the Christmas Catalogue for 2024.

Caritas Australia

Caritas Australia's mission is to alleviate poverty, promote social justice, assist in humanitarian emergencies, focus on sustainable development and to empower vulnerable communities.

This year we have faced challenges that we could scarcely have imagined witnessing in our lifetime. We have seen the horrors of the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza escalated — a year of families living without their homes, their loved ones or the basic supplies they need to survive. The food crisis that has spread across Africa, and more. All happening as we battle the effects that climate change has had on our common home.

Your generosity are pivotal in ensuring that those affected by there crises can access basic goods and service, such as education, healthcare, food, water, shelter and so much more. Caritas Australia's Global Gifts Christmas cards are a great way to spread joy and hope this Christmas season and to make a life-changing impact. Each gift represent a donation that will support vulnerable communities and make them a promise for a brighter tomorrow.

Visit our website Global Gifts to find the perfect Christmas gift.

Oxfam Unwrapped

When you buy an Oxfam Unwrapped Christmas gift, you’ll be making a tax-deductible donation to Oxfam on a loved one’s behalf.

In return, Oxfam can empower vulnerable people with the resources and knowledge they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

Our Christmas gifts help fund programs that help lift people out of poverty.  

Or you can purchase an Education gift to help provide education for children in poverty.

Ross McKeown & Belinda Redden | Leaders of Mission

Last week St Matthews hosted the 2024 Mcubed Challenge at our Secondary campus. We’re thrilled to share that all St Matthews teams secured a place in every stage of the competition:

Stage 3 – 2nd Place
Stage 4 – 2nd Place
Stage 5 – 1st Place

A huge congratulations to Archer, Zachary, Hudson and Archie for their outstanding efforts and for showcasing their excellence throughout the day! We couldn’t be prouder of the way you represented St Matthews.

Kristine Blake | Maths KLA Coordinator Secondary

A letter from Mrs Christina Trimble - Executive Director of Schools in regard to an increase in school fees for 2025:

2025 school fees schedule:

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Annette White / Finance & Operations Manager

If you have any further questions please contact us on 6372 2489

Ogden's Coaches - Mudgee

Dropping off and picking up at school

The beginning and end of the school day are busy times for pedestrians and vehicles outside schools. Parking signs are planned with your child's safety in mind.

It is helpful for everyone if you park safely, even if you have to walk further to the school gate. This is a good time to model positive road safety behaviour and physical activity for your child.

Slow down near any crossings around the school. At a supervised crossing, follow the directions of the school crossing supervisor. Crossing supervisors manage traffic to help primary school children use the crossings on roads near and outside of schools.

Drop your child off and pick them up on the school side of the road. Calling out to them from across the road is dangerous – they may run to you without checking for traffic. This will help keep all children as safe as possible during the busiest times of the school day.

You should always:

• park legally
• avoid dangerous manoeuvers such as U-turns and three-point turns
• give way to pedestrians, particularly when entering or exiting driveways
• avoid parking in the school bus bay

Drop off:

• make sure your child uses the Safety Door (rear kerb-side door) to get in and out of the car.
• parents and guardians remain in their cars at all times, no exceptions.
• if your child needs help entering or exiting the car, please park and support them away from the zone in front of the school.

Pick up:

• family names displayed on the dashboards of cars in the afternoon.
• if your child is late to pick up in the afternoon, please do a lap and join the end of the queue.

Dangerous driving behaviour around schools puts children at risk.

As we enjoy the sunny weather during term four, it's vital for students to protect themselves from harmful UV rays. The importance of sun safety cannot be overstated, especially during sport lessons and breaks.

Sun protection is essential as nearly all skin cancers are preventable. Extended exposure to the sun, particularly in early life, significantly increases the risk of skin cancer. Wearing a hat is one of the simplest and most effective ways to shield ourselves from harmful UV radiation.

St Matthews is a ‘No Hat / No Play’ school and we remind families that hats are a compulsory component of the school uniform expectations and must be worn for all activities in the sun, including during recess and lunch.

Hats can be purchased from the Midford Uniform Shop every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Breakfast Menu

Bought directly from the canteen with cash.

Must be ordered by 9am to allow enough time to cook & eat before school starts.

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 called 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)

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.

As a birthday treat for students, the canteen is offering a Birthday Bucket or Classroom Cupcakes.

Birthday Bucket

A bucket of frozen Quelch Sticks will be delivered to your child’s class for them to share and enjoy with their class.

Available Monday to Friday, 7 days notice is needed.

Order and Pay via Flexischools - $18 (enough Quelch Sticks for the whole class)

Classroom Cupcakes

A platter of Cupcakes with vanilla icing and rainbow sprinkles will be delivered to your child’s class for them to share and enjoy with their class.

Available Monday to Thursday, 7 days notice is needed.

Order & Pay via Flexischools - $32 (enough cupcakes for the whole class)

Alicia Cowden / Primary Canteen Manager

Term 4:

Monday 14th October - Wednesday 18th December

Term 1 2025:

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

Extended Hours for the start of 2025