St Matthew s Catholic Primary School

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St Matthew s Catholic Primary School 2 Tebbutt Street Telephone: (02) 4577 3463 PO Box 406 Facsimile: (02) 4577 6461 Windsor 2756 Email: stmatthews@parra.catholic.edu.au Web Address: www.

1 St Matthew s Catholic Primary School 2 Tebbutt Street Telephone: (02) PO Box 406 Facsimile: (02) Windsor stmatthews@parra.catholic.edu.au Web Address: NEWSLETTER 15 May 2014 ST. MATTHEW S SCHOOL FOCUS FOR WEEK 3 Hands off keeps us safe May 18 Sun May 20 Tue May 21 Wed May 23 Fri May 23 Fri May 25 Sun May 27 Tues Jun 1 Sun Jun 2 Mon Jun 4 Wed Jun 5 Thur Jun 6 Fri CALENDAR DATES TERM 2 First Communion Masses am & 1 pm ICAS Computer Skills Competition Confirmation Parent Information Evening 7.30 pm Chisholm School Confirmation Parent Information Evening 7.30 pm St. Matthew s Church Kindergarten Excursion Calmsley Hill Farm Departs 9.00 am Assembly 9.00 am First Communion Masses am & 1 pm Stage 3 Boys Soccer Gala Day School/Parish Mass 9.00 am Presented by Stage 2 Musica Viva 9.15 am Sounds of Australian Spirit ICAS Science Competition Responsible Pet Programme Assembly 9.00 am Dear Parents, Our Mothers Day gathering and liturgy were a highlight for our school this year! Thank you to everyone involved. Thank you as well to everyone for their support of our Chocolate drive fundraiser. Families are already coming to the office for further boxes to sell. This is of course increasing our Shade structure budget. As we try to fundraise to provide the best environment possible for our students, news came on Tuesday evening of the Federal Budget. Below is the response from the diocese for our information on the implications for Catholic Education. Warm regards, Stephen Dowd Principal Key Messages for School Newsletters/Communication with Parish Priests 1. In bringing down the Federal Budget the Federal government has given clear messages on spending cuts across many policy areas to reduce the government deficit and education is not immune. 2. Despite the impact of Federal government budget announcements, Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta is committed to fulfilling its mission of providing affordable quality Catholic education. 3. Federal government has stated their clear intention of devolving responsibility for education to States following the National Commission of Audit recommendation. 4. Introducing indexed school funding meaning no new funding for schools beyond only indexed increases in line with enrolments. 5. Funding of the Better Schools Plan for School Improvement (Gonski Review) is not going ahead beyond Federal funding for Catholic schools will now be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which over the last 10 years has risen about 3% annually while education expenditure has risen by 5.5% in the same period. 7. Capital spending funding for capital works and new buildings remains unclear. Expected school population projections suggest 350 new Catholic schools needed over next 10 years across Australia 8. New Trade Training Centres will not be funded after June 2016, which limits pathways for employment and training for year 11 and 12 students. Parramatta Diocese has two Trade Training Centres in Mt Druitt and Emu Plains. 9. Significant cuts to the National teacher standards body (AITSL) who are responsible for determining the benchmarks for high quality teaching.

Federal Budget 2014-15: No certainty on funding or direction says Catholic Schools Director The Federal Government s priority to cut the budget deficit will significantly reduce school funding in

2 Federal Budget : No certainty on funding or direction says Catholic Schools Director The Federal Government s priority to cut the budget deficit will significantly reduce school funding in real terms and create greater uncertainty for schools says Executive Director of Schools, Greg Whitby. Catholic schools need certainty on two key areas: funding and direction, said Greg. The Better Schools Plan (Gonski) which had given schools a clear mandate has been abandoned by the Federal government in this budget. This back to the future approach of devolving responsibility to the states and the constantly shifting educational focus is a distraction to the core work of improving schooling. If Australia wants to be competitive internationally, we need a coherent, funded national policy framework for schools focused on the areas that makes the greatest difference. We know the focus needs to be on improving the quality of teaching by building professional expertise and practice, he said. Cuts to AITSL and ACARA will significantly impact on the ability to deliver a national framework encompassing a national standard for teachers and leaders, and a national curriculum. As funding will now be linked to the CPI, which is almost half the real cost of school expenditure, there are real concerns for the growing financial burden on families. Government funding for Catholic schools beyond 2017 needs to keep pace with real school costs and we need a clear plan for capital funding given the expected demand for Catholic schools to rise by 350 nationally over the next 10 years. We are committed to providing affordable, quality Catholic education for the families of western Sydney and will continue to invest our efforts into working with our teachers to improve the learning outcomes of each child in each school. St Matthew s School community is sponsoring a girl through World Vision from Colombia. Derlin Alejandra s mother has abandoned the family. She lives with her father in the Pampas Del Mirador Area Development Program in Colombia. Derlin Alejandra has no brothers or sisters. She enjoys playing with dolls. She sweeps to help out at home. Derlin Alejandra attends school and is in Grade 6. Her favourite subject is Mathematics.

3 Greetings everyone! Peace be with you! I hope all our mothers and grandmothers had a wonderful Mother s Day last Sunday. Thank you to all the mothers, grandmothers, dads and grandfathers who came to last Friday s Afternoon Tea and Liturgy. Thank you also to our teachers, students and student teachers. They did such a wonderful job providing food, service and preparing our students for the Liturgy. Thank you again. Reminders- *** Parent Information meetings for Confirmation. Tuesday, 20 th of May at 7.30 pm at Chisholm Primary School. Wednesday, 21 st of May at 7.30 pm at St Matthew s Church. First Communion Masses are on: * Sunday, 18 th of May at am and 1.00pm and * Sunday, 25 th of May at 11.00am and 1.00 pm. Please keep these students and their families in our prayers. School Parish Sunday Mass on the 8 th of June at 9.00 am. Stage 2 will be organizing this Mass. Please come and join us in prayer. Bishop Anthony Fisher has launched our Diocesan Pastoral Plan, Faith in Our Future. This pastoral plan has two basic goals for us in the next five years- To grow in faith and to share our faith. This is a great initiative for our diocese to share our gifts and support people in our community. If you would like more information about this Pastoral Plan, please visit the website, Prayer for Faith in our Future Gracious God, source of all life, you call us together in faith and love as the Diocese of Parramatta. As one body in Christ, may we respond to your Word, attend to the signs of the times, and live as your disciples in word and deed. Renew our hearts in your Holy Spirit to grow and share our faith with the world: give us courage and grace to live faith in our future. God Bless! We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a great week! Ann Climpson

This week we are featuring a game which builds place value knowledge. The best thing is that it uses no special materials, just things you can find around the house.

4 This week we are featuring a game which builds place value knowledge. The best thing is that it uses no special materials, just things you can find around the house. Three in a Row Bingo You will need a tape measure (over 100cm is best) some paper clips and a deck of cards. * Shuffle your deck of cards. * The first player chooses two cards to make a two digit number. * Player one may then use this number, or a number ten more or ten less than the number. * Player 1 then finds the number on their tape measure and marks it with a paperclip. * Player two confirms that the clip is in the right place. Play alternates until one player places the third paperclip in a row (like connect four). They are then the winner! With your cards Kings & Jacks =0 Queen = wild card (your choice) Make the rules easier by throwing out the picture cards and drawing one at a time. Use 1 more one less rather than ten. Make the game harder by making a custom tape measure (number line) and allowing negative numbers or decimals. Love the game? Made a modification of your own? Share on the St Matthew s Facebook page!

Many people now spend more time looking at small screens than they spend looking at trees and books combined. Many of us have friends we have never even met; our big stories are often on dics.

5 REFLECTION DAY The PRC would like to invite you the PRC Reflection Day, led by Fr. Richard Leonard "Winbourne", Edmund Rice Retreat & Conference Centre, 1315 Mulgoa Rd, Mulgoa The World in our Face: How do people of Faith download the Best and Leave the Rest? Many people now spend more time looking at small screens than they spend looking at trees and books combined. Many of us have friends we have never even met; our big stories are often on dics. This is a chance for us to see how the pluses and minuses of the role of the internet and social media now plays in our lives, and what a Catholic Response to it might be. About Fr. Richard Leonard Based at North Sydney, Fr. Richard Leonard SJ directs the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting. He has undergraduate degrees in arts, education and theology, as well as a master s degree in systematic theology. Richard did graduate studies at the London Film School at Covent Garden. In 2004 he graduated with a PhD in cinema studies from Melbourne University. Richard lectures in cinema and theology at the United Faculty of Theology and has been a visiting lecturer in Australian cinema at the University of Melbourne What s Happening 9:30am 10am 1115am 1115am 12noon 12nooon 1pm 1pm 2pm 2pm pm Tea & coffee on arrival Welcome by the President of the PRC Acknowledgement of country Opening prayer The World in our Face: How do people of Faith download the Best and Leave the Rest? Group Discussion Lunch Mass Closing and Thank you REFLECTION DAY REGISTRATION The World in our Face: How do people of Faith download the Best and Leave the Rest? A full day starting at 9.30am and concluding at 3pm approximately after a full mass. Tea / Coffee on arrival and lunch are provided. Cost: $20/person. Registrations close: Sunday 11 May 2014 Name Address Phone/Mobile School(s) attended by child/children Payment methods Cheque Payment on the day Please make cheque payable to Parents Representative Council and send to Rebecca Moxey PRC Parramatta Treasurer 37 Mazepa Ave South Penrith 2750 NSW Pay on the day

6 ST. MATTHEW S SCHOOL CANTEEN ROSTER HELP NEEDED Monday 19th May Wednesday 21st May Friday 23rd May Samantha Naylor Frances Carruthers Josephine Muscat Marina Caldwell Laraine Selmes Laraine Selmes Veronica Spiteri 9 am am Monday 26th May Wednesday 28th May Friday 30th May Tara Thomson Lyn Howard Kym Burton Veronica Spiteri Help needed Melissa Keddie Veronica Spiteri 9 am am Monday 2nd June Wednesday 4th June Friday 6th June Veronica Spiteri Lyn Howard Laraine Selmes Vicky-Lee Anderson Yvonne Barnes Melinda Davis Veronica Spiteri 9 am am Student of the Week Kinder Year 1 Cooper Howlett- Boyd Jordan Ide Grace Dale Ava Frazer Matthew Simpson Cecilia Wong Angus Scire Abby Fagan For sharing his fantastic mathematical thinking. For helping his peers with their reading. For working hard in reading groups. For using the word wall to help with her writing A great attitude in class and on the playground Helping others with their work Always participating in class discussions Always doing her best work Year 2 YEAR 3 Year 4 YEAR 5 Year 6 Music Award No student of the week this fortnight. Kiera Gaul Tatiarna Valente Willem Machin James O'Neil Charlotte Brown Zachary Glasheen-Smith Kyle Henson Olivia Miller Michael Xia Olivia Keegan Noah Moncrief Martin Skrzypacz William Clarke Sophia Ghantous For consistently demonstrating her flair, creativity and skills in writing! For accepting challenges in all areas of her learning. For his commitment to learning in Mathematics. For always endeavouring to accept challenges in all areas of learning. For working confidently in Mathematics and solving problems in class. For writing interesting poems and using a range of words. For using technology in class to enhance his learning. For working diligently in writing groups and using interesting vocabulary. For always trying hard in all areas of the curriculum. For her interesting and exciting writing of narrative text. An excellent and improved attitude towards reading. excellent problem solving in mathematics. For listening and participating beautifully throughout music. For listening and participating beautifully throughout music.

Please be advised that it is not recommended that children be involved in selling, but if they are they must do so under adult supervision.

7 FUNDRAISING CHOCOLATE DRIVE Our Cadbury Fundraiser drive is now underway. Having collected your Cadbury Fundraiser carry box last Friday, inside you will find a collection envelope in which all money raised is to be placed. Please make sure your name is on the envelope. Please be advised that it is not recommended that children be involved in selling, but if they are they must do so under adult supervision. Remember to store the Cadbury products in a cool place, taking care to avoid areas of direct sunlight, and never leave them in a parked car. We wish you the best of success with the selling and thank you for your support. If you require extra boxes, please ask at the office. Money raised from the sale of the chocolates originally needed to be in by Monday 19th May but due to parent requests this has been extended to Monday 26th May. Supervision in school grounds School grounds are supervised from 8.30am until 9.00 am when school officially starts. It is important for parents to consult and make arrangements with Before & After School Care for supervision outside of these hours. If children arrive after this time a late note available at the front office needs to be signed by the parent (not the child). Lunch is from am am. Recess is from 1.45 pm 2.15 pm. The grounds are supervised during these times. School is dismissed at 3.15pm.

Interested in a Child Care Career? Hawkesbury Family Day care is a professional home-based childcare service operating for over 30 years.

desire to build a successful home-based childcare business an interest in promoting the best outcomes for children WE HAVE a fantastic

30 pm at South Windsor Family Centre Greenhills Way, SOUTH WINDSOR Please call for more information or to register your attendance on

au (Please note: All applicants are subject to a Working with Children Check) Kindergarten Enrolments 2015 Enrolments have begun for

Just a reminder, that applications should be submitted to the school by Friday, May 30, 2014.

8 Interested in a Child Care Career? Hawkesbury Family Day care is a professional home-based childcare service operating for over 30 years. IF YOU HAVE a child you want to stay at home with and still contribute to family income a warm, secure and safe home environment a desire to build a successful home-based childcare business an interest in promoting the best outcomes for children WE HAVE a fantastic self-employed career opportunity for you An Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 17th June 2014 at 6.30 pm at South Windsor Family Centre Greenhills Way, SOUTH WINDSOR Please call for more information or to register your attendance on the night. Ph: or Fax: hawkfdc@psinc.com.au (Please note: All applicants are subject to a Working with Children Check) Kindergarten Enrolments 2015 Enrolments have begun for those parents wishing to start their children in Kindergarten in 2015 at St Matthew s. Just a reminder, that applications should be submitted to the school by Friday, May 30, BOOK CLUB ISSUE 3 IS NOW DUE ORDERS NEED TO BE HANDED TO OFFICE Uniform Shop Hours Friday 8.30 am - 12 noon Uniform orders can be placed at the front office or the form can be downloaded from the website. Any uniform sales or enquiries, Ruby will be able to assist you on Fridays only between the hours of 8.30 am & 12 noon.

9 If you are interested in learning an instrument at school, Musicorp can be contacted on or you can call at the school office and complete an expression of interest form.

10 Catholic Education Office DWF Appeal during May Faith at Work is the theme of the Diocesan Works Fund (DWF) Appeal being held in parishes and Catholic schools during the month of May. This appeal gives us the opportunity to act together as a diocesan family to support ministries and services that no single individual or parish can offer. For example, it supports catechists who teach the faith in state schools, seminarians who are preparing for the priesthood, young adults working in youth ministry, and the All Saints of Africa Centre in Blacktown for recent refugees and migrants. Visit the website to watch a video message from Bishop Anthony and to find out more about how you can make a difference: Holy Hour of Prayer for Vocations: 15 May Everyone is welcome to join the Holy Hour of Prayer for Vocations from 7-8pm on the 3 rd Thursday of each month for an hour of adoration, prayer, music and quiet time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Patrick s Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta. To find out more about priesthood in the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta contact Fr Warren Edwards Vocations Director: tel , vocations@parra.catholic.org.au Discernment & Decision Retreat: 17 May The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth invite Catholic women aged to explore the Lord s call, especially a call to religious life. From 9.30am-6.30pm at the sisters convent, Quakers Rd, Marayong. For more information contact Sr Margaret tel , margaretcsfn@gmail.com or visitwww.csfn.org.au Blackheath Reflection Morning: 17 May A joint venture of Aquinas Academy and Catalyst for Renewal. This month, The Book of Lamentations and Our Own Personal Laments with Jennifer Washington. Come and enjoy the reflection, silence and solitude in peaceful surrounds. Entry by donation, no need to book, morning tea provided. From 10am-1pm in Sacred Heart Parish Hall, cnr Sturt and Wentworth Sts, Blackheath. Details: Carmen Vanny tel (02) Celebrating the Early Years of Marriage: 18 May Couples are invited to attend a special Mass at St Patrick s Cathedral in Parramatta at 11am. This Mass will recognise, celebrate and be offered for couples celebrating wedding anniversaries between one and 20 years. Those celebrating their 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th or 20th wedding anniversaries will be given a commemorative certificate. Couples and their families are invited to a light lunch in the Cathedral hall afterwards. Book with your parish office or contact Lyn Keane at CatholicCare Parramatta tel (02) Annual May Pilgrimage at Mount Schoenstatt: 18 May All are welcome to celebrate Schoenstatt s centenary at the Annual May Pilgrimage. This is an outdoor event BYO chairs or picnic rugs. The celebrations commence at 10am with a pre-program including Confession. Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Bishop Anthony Fisher OP at 10.30am followed by lunch. Food stalls available or BYO picnic lunch. There will be a jumping castle and games for children during the lunch break. The Eucharistic Procession from the valley to the Shrine will commence at 2pm. Children are encouraged to wear white and strew rose petals. There is an alternative program with the Anointing of the Sick at the Shrine at 2pm. Mt Schoenstatt is at 230 Fairlight Rd, Mulgoa. For more information tel (02) or visit: Kenthurst Country Fair: 18 May St Madeleine s Parish is holding its Annual Country Fair with fun for the whole family from 10am-4.30pm: animal farm, pony rides, rides for all ages, show bags, face painting, café, pizza, pancakes, yummy gluten-free food and much more. Proceeds to benefit CatholicCare s Emmaus Disabled Persons Catholic Services in the Diocese of Parramatta: Christian Meditation: 18 May You are invited to a Christian Meditation Introduction & Renewal Day at St Benedict's Monastery. Arrive 10am for 10.30am start. Program includes presentations, Introduction to Christian Meditation, two periods of meditation, Eucharistic Celebration and information exchange. Concludes about 3pm. BYO picnic lunch. Tea & coffee provided. Books & CDs for sale. Monastery is at 121 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia, tel (02) Self-catering accommodation may be available in the monastery guest house. Contact Br Terry Inquiries: Ann Bergman (02) , anniebergman@hotmail.com or Ann Lomas (02) , atlomas@bigpond.com Australian Catholic Historical Society Colloquium: 18 May Winners are Grinners: a curious tale of episcopal one-upmanship. Speaker: Dr John De Luca, historian, musician and former Parish Priest of Maroubra Parish. Starts 2.30pm, admission free, no membership required. Crypt Hall of St Patrick's at Church Hill, Grosvenor St, The Rocks. Inquiries: Dr John Carmody, President ACHS, (02) ,john.carmody@sydney.edu.au

11 Heal the broken-hearted Rwanda 20 years on: 19 May He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3) Everyone is invited to morning tea with FrEmmanuel Nsengiyumya, parish priest for the Nyamata community in Rwanda. Fr Emmanuel will share his personal journey of loss and reconciliation in the 20 years since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which claimed as many as 1 million lives. Catholic Mission is working in partnership with Fr Emmanuel to support the community of Nyamata as they build a new church to help restore life to their community. Time: 10.15am for 10.30am start, St Patrick s Cathedral Hall, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta. RSVP: Anita Lee tel (02) ,alee@catholicmission.org.au Theology on Tap: 20 May Young adults aged are invited to this public conversationon The Pope, the Church and the Modern World with Bishop Anthony Fisher OP and Catholic philosopher Prof John Finnis. They will be chatting about some of the most controversial and topical issues facing Catholics all around the world. From pm at the Commercial Hotel, 2 Hassall St, Parramatta. No age range for clergy & religious. Details: Grace & Silence Retreat Day: 24 May Young women aged who are discerning their vocation to marriage, single or consecrated life or who would like to have a day of recollection are invited to the Schoenstatt Shrine at Mulgoa. Grace & Silence commences with a short impulse followed by Eucharistic Adoration; silent prayer and reflection and concludes with a group rosary and afternoon tea. Cost $20 includes lunch. From 9.30am- 4.30pm at the Schoenstatt Shrine, 230 Fairlight Rd, Mulgoa. Details and registration: Sr M Julie , juliebrcar@gmail.com Vocation Discernment Afternoon: 25 May All young men who feel God might be calling them to the priesthood are invited to the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta s vocation discernment afternoon. Starts at 2pm and concludes with pizza at 6pm. Holy Spirit Seminary, Allen Street, Harris Park. To find out more about priesthood in the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta contact Fr Warren Edwards Vocations Director tel or vocations@parra.catholic.org.au Visit: andwww.parra.catholic.org.au/holyspiritseminary An evening for couples: 29 May Do you find it difficult to make decisions as a couple? Does one or both of you end up feeling compromised and without an equal voice? Do your discussions often result in unpleasant arguments or cold wars? Come and learn a method for making couple decisions. This unique Values Based Decisions Making framework will help you to learn how to connect with your deepest values for love and unity so that your choices become true couple decisions. Francine Pirola, an experienced marriage educator, a director and founder of the Smart Loving series courses, will give this presentation. From pm at the Diocesan Assembly Centre, cnr Flushcombe Rd & Marion St, Blacktown. Admission is free. Bookings: Karin at CatholicCare Parramatta (02) ,Marriage@ccss.org.au Faith at the Fiddler: 29 May A forum for young people aged to come together to discuss issues of faith and spirituality in the warm and friendly atmosphere of Sydney s most famous pub. An initiative of the Diocese of Parramatta and Catholic Education Parramatta. The speaker is well-known journalist Miranda Devine. Topic: Communicating Virtue How young people are hungry for meaning in an amoral age. From 5pm- 7pm at The Mean Fiddler, cnr Commercial & Windsor Rds, Rouse Hill. Details: Steven Buhagiar Catholic Education, Parramatta,sbuhagiar@parra.catholic.edu.au Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 1-8 June The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches has produced resources for this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which has the theme: Has Christ been divided?, a reference toi Cor 1:1-17. These resources have been adapted for use in Australia by the Faith and Unity Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia. They include: Ecumenical Service of Worship outline; Daily Prayers and Biblical Reflections; Prayer Cards. These resources can downloaded and ordered fromwww.churchestogetherinprayer.org.au

DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA

DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA Upcoming Diocesan Events: Prayer for Our Lives and Purpose - Thursday 3rd February 7pm Adoration, Inspiration, A Shared life Story with youth/young adults and others. Starts at 7pm.