The Season of Advent began on December 1. That weekend, the first candles in Advent wreaths were lit in our churches, symbolising the start of a time of spiritual preparation for Christmas.

Advent is a time of waiting. As human beings, we are no longer very good at waiting. We want everything now, immediately - We Google the answer, pay for what we want instantly online and stream the song the minute it is released… These days, there is no sense of anticipation, no need for patience, no need to wait - just instant gratification.

In the past, waiting was a necessary part of life; Those of you who are old enough to remember having to use encyclopedias, the joy of shopping with layby and the excitement of waiting for the new album from your favourite band to appear in the local music store will appreciate just how much things have changed in recent times.

We seem to have lost the art of just waiting for things with patience and grace… of taking our time with things. At this time of the year in particular, we can feel like we are ‘running out of time’ to get everything done before the looming deadline of Christmas arrives. We feel an increasing sense of urgency as we try to squeeze more and more into the remaining days of the year… always feeling like we are in a hurry. Surely there is another way!

As we approach the end of the school year, perhaps we can pause to ask ourselves whether or not in all this busyness, we sometimes run out of time for the things that really matter. During Advent, we have a beautiful opportunity to reconnect with a different way of looking at time - God’s time - time to linger and be with those we love; time to pray and reflect on the year that has been; time to be generous and loving to all those we come in contact with.

I pray that this Season of Advent as well as the joy of Christmas bring you and your family peace, space and time to celebrate that which deeply matters.

God bless
Angela Myles

2025 Student Leadership Team and House Captains

Much work has been completed by Mr McKeown, Mrs Hunt and the Year 5 teachers in preparation of the Year 6 Leadership Team for 2025. We congratulate the following students and wish them all the best as they join all Year 6 students in 2025 as leaders and role models for our younger classes.

School Captains: Bonnie and Braiden

Vice Captains: Andie and Braxton

Leaders of Partnership:

St Matthews Way- Eleanor
Social Justice- Patrick
Arts- Eloise
Sport- Evie
Environment- Gus
Student Representative Council- Barnaby

O'Connor: Carmelina and Jack
Ozanam: Lauren and Rory
Mackillop: Daisy and Malik
Romero: Ella and Baxter

Semester 2 Reports

Being the last newsletter for 2024, we thank our families for their continued support throughout the year. We are incredibly grateful for your involvement each day to support student learning and your participation at special events, ensuring the students of St Matthews are cared for and provided with numerous opportunities each and every day.

We wish all families a happy, Holy and safe Christmas break and look forward to starting another successful year when school resumes 4th February for Year 1 - 6 and 6th February for Kindergarten.

Justin Yeo

Year 6 Grad Mass and Celebration

On Tuesday we congratulated our Year 6 cohort on a wonderful year as we celebrated their graduation, firstly with Mass followed by refreshments with their families. It’s important to mark milestones such as graduation from primary school. While we praise the good times, we must acknowledge the hard times – for without them we would not have had the chance to become stronger in mind and spirit, more resilient and more prepared to work through difficult situations.

We rejoice in their achievements, no matter how small, and celebrate all the wonderful things they have learnt this year. Good luck in 2025!

Choir

Our Primary Choir was very busy this week as they led our end-of-year Thanksgiving Mass, followed by a performance for the St Mary’s craft ladies, concluding with singing at The Grove Care community Christmas Party. 

K-6 Thanksgiving Mass

Our primary school gathered for a wonderful Mass celebrating a fantastic year of growth, learning, and community. Students, staff, and families joined in prayers, hymns, and reflections, expressing gratitude for achievements and blessings. The event beautifully highlighted our shared faith and the vibrant spirit of our school family.

Ross McKeown | Leader of Mission

We are excited to announce that students from Romero have won the 2024 House Cup Championship! The Romero house have worked extremely hard this year to earn points for their house by showing the St Matthews Way values and participating in sporting events for the School.

Students in Romero house can come to school dressed in Red house colours for the day. Please ensure it is appropriate for the classroom: fully enclosed shoes (no crocs). Sleeveless shirts, singlets, revealing clothing and inappropriate logos/slogans will not be permitted on this day.

A BBQ lunch will be provided for Romero students. Lunch will be at 1:30pm for Infants and Primary students and 1:40pm for Secondary students.

Gold coin donation to support the SVDP Christmas Appeal

We ask all students in K-12 to wear appropriate clothing including fully enclosed shoes (no crocs). Sleeveless shirts, singlets, revealing clothing and inappropriate logos/slogans will not be permitted on this day.

Justin Yeo & Blaney McCarthy-English | Heads of Campus

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

To book a day, please do so by email or call us at 0492 802 671. 

St Matthews OSCH Team 

Keep the Pages Turning

Our students have worked incredibly hard this year, making fantastic progress in their reading skills through dedication and practice. Our teachers are proud of their students' achievements and want to ensure this progress continues into the new year without regression during the holiday break. As the school holidays approach, it's important to emphasise the value of daily reading practice, especially for beginning readers. Research consistently shows that maintaining reading habits during breaks prevents the "summer slide," where literacy skills can stagnate or even regress. This continuity is especially essential for young learners still developing their foundational reading abilities.

Why Reading Practice Matters

Reading over the holidays helps children maintain fluency, expand vocabulary, and improve comprehension. Even short but consistent sessions can make a significant impact. The benefits extend beyond academic readiness, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a love for books that can last a lifetime.

Tips for Daily Reading Practice

1. Daily Sessions: Aim for at least 15–20 minutes of reading each day. For early readers, shorter intervals of 10 minutes, two to three times a day, can be just as effective.
2. Interactive Reading: Parents can read aloud, alternate reading sentences, or ask questions about the story. This builds comprehension and vocabulary.
3. Variety: Include fiction, nonfiction, picture books, and even audiobooks. Let children explore topics they love—whether it’s dinosaurs, fairies, or outer space.
4. Practice Skills: Encourage sounding out new words, using context clues, and recognising sight words. Incorporating fun word games or activities can reinforce these skills in a playful way.
5. Library Visits: Plan regular trips to the library to pick up fresh books and participate in reading programs designed to keep kids motivated. Mid-Western Regional Council Library Events Calendar
6. Real-Life Reading: Encourage children to read signs, recipes, or holiday cards. These practical reading experiences make literacy a part of everyday life.

How Much Is Enough?

Experts recommend daily reading sessions of 15–30 minutes for primary-aged children. Frequent practice of 4–5 times a week is the minimum to maintain and build skills, but daily reading is ideal. For younger readers, prioritise shorter, focused sessions to keep their attention. By weaving reading into the fabric of holiday fun, you can ensure children return to school with skills intact and a sense of excitement for learning.

Martin Howes | Learning Support Teacher

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 is 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.

Term 4:

Monday 14th October - Wednesday 18th December

Term 1 2025:

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

Year 3 and Year 7 students in 2025

• eligibility for students going into Year 3 and Year 7 in 2025 is determined by distance from their enrolled school for next year
• to access free school-bus travel your child must apply for a new pass exactly as highlighted below
• 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

Apply for student bus passes through the Ogden's Coaches website.

• from the home page select the ‘Apply for a New Bus Pass’ tab, this will take you directly to the Transport for NSW application form
• please fill in the details and submit the form
• shortly thereafter you will be advised via email if the application is successful
• Successful applicants will be issued bus passes by Ogden’s Coaches in early 2025 via post

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

Ogden's Coaches - Mudgee

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