The reading last Sunday was from the Gospel of John and included one of the more well known phrases of Jesus - “I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you”. If we take this directive from Jesus seriously it is both ambitious and demanding. As followers of Jesus, we are challenged to love everyone… no exceptions. We are not just called to love and care for those who love us or those who see the world the same way we do, but we must also open our hearts to love, care for and be kind to those who it is sometimes hard to love. This is no easy task, but if we were to all keep it in mind and strive to achieve it each day, the world would no doubt be a more beautiful place.

Last week was Catholic Schools Week. It was great to see the range of opportunities provided for students, staff and families to celebrate our wonderful K-12 Catholic school community.  From open classrooms to student v teachers competitions, there was plenty of fun and connection evident across our two campuses last week. Events like these provide us with an important opportunity to reflect on how blessed we are to be part of a community where we are all striving to answer the call of Jesus to “Be More” and to rise to the daily challenge of loving everyone… without exception! Thank you to all those who helped to make it such a special week in our school.

God bless

Angela Myles | Executive Principal 

Road Safety Reminder 

A reminder that parents and carers collecting students by car at the end of the school day are required to use the Stop, Drop and Go Zone.

Parking in the staff car park and collecting students from there is not permitted as it presents an increased safety risk for students. We understand that pick up time can be potentially frustrating, however, the amount of time from beginning to end is relatively short - it generally takes 5-10 mins at most for the traffic to clear.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Catholic Schools Week

Last Week we celebrated Catholic Schools Week. The motto for 2025 is  “Guided by Faith, Inspired by Hope, Committed to Learning”. At St Matthews there is a true sense of commitment to these ideals and are supported by our values of the St Matthews Way. Catholic Schools Week is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our uniqueness as it highlights the great learning, extra curricular activities our students engage in, and relationships that are formed at school - we are proud of our community. 

Hopefully you enjoyed some of the photos across our socials throughout the week. Our staff v students netball game is always a hotly contested crown of glory and I can’t quite recollect who took out the trophy this year (students won 9 - 8).

We ‘opened’ up our classrooms virtually via our socials so that parents could gain an insight into the wonderful lessons our students engage in on a daily basis. We had staff v student trivia and a ‘staff school photo challenge’ that got both staff and students giggling whilst trying to work out who everyone was. Our senior students led a ‘Dance into the Weekend’ activity in Break 2 which was a great way to finish off a week celebrating learning, and highlights the connections our students have across year levels.

All in all the great energy and spirit that was highlighted throughout the different activities were a great reflection of our vibrant school community.

Athletics Carnival Postponed

Due to the poor weather our Athletics carnivals (primary and secondary) have been postponed until later dates. Our new date is:

Wednesday 4 June - Athletics carnival

Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12) Parent Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 3 June

An email went out today to announce that our Semester 1 Stage 6 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday 3 June in the Secondary Campus Hall. Bookings open this Sunday 25 May at 8.30pm and will close on Sunday night 1 June at 8.30. I hope families take up this opportunity to discuss their child's progress and areas for further growth in the subjects.

Students with 100% attendance in Term 1 rewarded… in many ways

At the Whole School Assembly today 5 students were awarded a $50 gift voucher and a certificate of excellence for their 100% attendance in Term 1. There were over 30 students in our secondary school with exemplary attendance to school. All those students were entered into a computer generated ‘chocolate wheel’ and 5 students were named as the recipients of the award.

“Regular school attendance establishes a strong foundation for academic growth and paves the way for future achievements and enhancing life opportunities”

There is no better way to improve academic performance than by attending school. Let's continue to work together to get our students in class each day so they can reach their full potential and create a great foundation for future success.

Blaney McCarthy-English | Head of Campus - Secondary

Pope Leo XIV

Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

Heavenly Father,
You have raised Your servant, Pope Leo XIV, to the Chair of Saint Peter.
Pour out Your abundant blessings upon him.
Through him, guide Your pilgrim Church along the path to Heaven.
Grant him wisdom to discern Your will,
Courage to fulfill it,
And charity to shepherd Your people with the Heart of Christ.

In this time of transition,
Bring peace to troubled hearts,
Joy to those who suffer,
And hope to the despairing.

May he be a faithful successor to Saint Peter,
A humble servant of Your Word,
And a fearless herald of Your Divine Mercy and Truth.
Strengthen him with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
That he may lead the Church in unity, holiness, and fidelity.

We entrust him to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
And to the prayers of all the saints.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

  

Student service at Whiddon

Ten of our Year 10 students have generously volunteered their time each week to visit the residents at Whiddon, embracing a spirit of service and compassion. Their presence has brought joy and connection, as they’ve shared in activities like balloon tennis, quoits, and reading magazines with the residents. Their kindness and commitment are truly commendable, and it is inspiring to see them living out our school value of Mercy in action.

As Catherine McAuley reminds us: “We should be as shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”

Vinnies at St Matthews

Our Vinnies students will be launching the Annual Winter Appeal in Week 5. As part of this initiative, each student is encouraged to bring in one non-perishable food item through their tutor group. These donations will be used to create food parcels that support individuals and families in need within our own local community. Your generosity can make a real difference this winter.

Vinnies Winter Appeal highlights the new face of disadvantage

    

Term 2 Masses

Date	Year Group	Time	Location
Wednesday 28th May	8	10:40am	Secondary School Chapel
Wednesday 4th June	9	10:40am	Secondary School Chapel
Wednesday 11th June	7	10:40am	Secondary School Chapel
Wednesday 25th June	12 - Prayer Partners	10:40am	St Mary’s Parish

     

Term 2 Sacred Adoration

Each Wednesday during first break, students are warmly invited to join Fr Cong for a time of sacred adoration in the chapel.

 

St Mary’s Mudgee Mass Times

Please click HERE to access the Mass times at St Mary’s Parish.

   

Belinda Redden | Leader of Mission 

Our teachers have been working collaboratively to strengthen students’ literacy skills across all stages. Their efforts were showcased in a Literacy Gallery Walk, where staff shared examples of student work and teaching resources. The afternoon also provided an opportunity to reflect on the literacy strategies teachers have implemented which really highlighted the positive impact on learning. 

The Literacy Gallery Walk was more than just a showcase, it was a celebration of professional learning, collaboration, and the shared commitment to improving student literacy. As we continue this journey, our focus remains on ensuring all students are equipped with the critical literacy skills they need for success both in and beyond the classroom.

Melodie Coleman | Literacy Coach

Careers Week:  Where are they now??

As Careers Week approaches in week 5 this term, we take a look at what some of our past St Matthews students and where they are now in their careers.

Will Parker

After graduating from St Matthews in 2016, Will went on to study teaching at the University of Newcastle.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a career that is both portable and purposeful. Since graduating, I've taught in Melbourne and London, where I moved to gain greater experience and broaden my perspective. I’ve worked in a range of educational settings; from private schools to intervention schools in areas across London. I can’t recommend these experiences enough.”

Will has recently returned to Newcastle and is teaching at a primary school in Merewether - not too far from Mudgee!

Alesha Bennetts

Alesha attended St. Matthews Catholic school from Primary through to Secondary before moving to Canberra to pursue her career in athletics.

Currently, she is studying full-time Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra while living on-site at the AIS and training six days a week.

Living away from home with like-minded individuals has been an enjoyable experience for Alesha. She is excited about the opportunities that athletics provides, including travelling around Australia and internationally, while learning relevant content at university that aligns with my interests and aspirations.

Alesha will be representing Australia at the 2025 World University Games in Bochum, Germany, in the 400m hurdles in July. We wish her all the best on this incredible achievement.

Tayla O’Leary 

Tayla graduated from the St Matthews Inaugural class of 2016. After completing her secondary education, Tayla went on to study at the Ballymalone Cookery School in Ireland before returning to her hometown of Mudgee to start her own catering company, Bespoke Catering Co.

With that being highly successful, Tayla then went on to purchase her own business, the Butcher shop Cafe. Call in and visit Tayla for a delicious meal and coffee at The Butcher Shop Cafe, 49 Church St Mudgee.

St Matthews is very proud of you, Will, Alesha and Tayla and wish you all the success in your future career endeavours.

Try a Trade - Mudgee

On Tuesday 20th May, our year 10 attended the ‘Try a Trade day’. It was a great opportunity for our students to gain valuable hands-on experience at different trades available in the local region. Students were able to make some valuable connections with employers for future work experience and apprenticeship opportunities, as well as just to gather general information about different industries. Again the engagement from local businesses has been amazing and we are grateful for the ongoing support of the local businesses who volunteered their time.

Job of the week

Medical Radiation

Medical Radiation Science streams:

Radiology, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine

Careers in Medical Radiation: Explore Radiography, Radiation Therapy & Nuclear Medicine

Work Experience

As a student - what do I do??

• The Diocese does not allow working with large animals
• You may only do one work experience placement per term (1 week), with each term requiring a different workplace
• There are additional documents that need to be completed if you are working around small animals, mine sites, machinery or overnight stays
• If working on a job site, the student may require a White Card which will need to be completed prior to work experience
• Work Experience is a privilege. Student application at school is a prerequisite
• Completed forms must be returned 2 weeks prior to placement commencing

We encourage you to discuss Work Experience places with your child. Further information can be found on the Year 10 Administration classroom. It is the students responsibility to speak to Mrs Tink about Work Experience in her office during break times only to discuss options and collect required forms.

   

YOU’RE INVITED TO NIDA OPEN DAY 2025

Thinking about a career in theatre, film, television, dance, opera, or live events? NIDA Open Day 2025 is your chance to explore pathways across a range of disciplines into the industry and experience life at one of the world’s leading performing arts institutions.
 

When: Saturday 14 June 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: On-campus at NIDA (215 Anzac Parade, Kensington) + select online sessions

Join us to:

• Learn about Bachelor, Master, and Diploma programs
• Tour state-of-the-art facilities
• Meet expert teaching staff, students & alumni
• See NIDA students in action on stage & behind the scenes
• Discover the vibrant creative community that makes NIDA unique
• Begin your journey in a creative career

The full program will be announced soon – register now to stay updated!

We look forward to welcoming you to NIDA.

Register now

   

https://www.canberra.edu.au/events/Home/Event/462250

     

Rural Health Pathways Showcase - SEE IT, TRY IT, DO IT!

Monday 8 September | 9.30am - 2pm & 4pm - 7.30pm | ICC, Darling Harbour, Sydney 

Students in Years 9-12 interested in a career in allied health, medicine, nursing, midwifery and Aboriginal health are invited to our Rural Health Pathways Showcase at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney on Monday 8 September.  

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PKXX8MX

Jacinda Tink | Transition Coordinator 

On a beautiful sunny Friday in May, St Matthews played host to the CEDB Visual Arts Teachers Network Meeting. Visual Arts teachers from across the Diocese came together to review our current curriculum and develop teaching and learning programs to address new syllabus requirements.

As part of the day, guest presenters from S&S Wholesale introduced us to gel printing as an innovative new artmaking technique. The Year 11 Visual Arts class was lucky enough to join the workshop and were able to learn alongside the teachers. The work that was produced was interesting and inspiring and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experiment with new materials as students of art. 

St Matthews was proud to be able to host a successful day of connection, collegiality and learning in our state-of-the-art Visual Arts facilities.

Donna Mitchell | Art Teacher 

Year 11 Economics students have studied the concept of economies of scale, focusing on how businesses can reduce unit costs through increased production and the specialisation of land, labour, or capital. To test their theoretical understanding, students applied the principles of economies of scale in a real-world context by producing milkshakes.

Their goal was to reach the technical optimum thereby achieving the lowest possible average cost per unit for milkshakes.

Mrs Croake | Leader of Learning - HSIE

Year 9 and 10 Commerce students have been developing a travel itinerary as part of their unit on Travel. As part of this learning experience, they were fortunate to hear from a professional travel agent, who shared expert knowledge and practical insights on holiday planning.

Students engaged actively by asking thoughtful questions, and they applied this valuable information to enhance their own travel itineraries.

A big thank you to Mr Ash Diprose for volunteering his time to come and speak with our Commerce students. 

Mrs Croake | Leader of Learning HSIE

On Friday the 9th of May St Matts hosted the Senior Plain English Speaking Award. Five regional contestants competed; we had one from Dubbo, two from Coolah and two from St Matts.

Our two contestants were Tariro and Mary from Year 10. Tariro's speech titled “Being a Woman” touched on the struggle of navigating the world as a woman in today’s society. Mary’s speech titled "Invincible Determination” spoke about the pursuit of perfection and the impacts that it has on our minds and lives.

The winners of the competition were both from Coolah, and we literally narrowly missed out on progressing through the competition. However, we need to give congratulations to Mary for delivering the impromptu for the day. And equal congratulations to Tariro for her skilful speech, which narrowly missed first place. 

And finally we would like to thank our fellow public speakers who were gracious hosts and helpers for the day: Lilly, Marco, Bronte, Billy and McKayla. 

We look forward to hearing and celebrating our Junior competitors, yet to be finalised early Term 3. 

The Public Speaking Club and Ms Starick

On Tuesday the 13th of May the chess team competed against Kandos High School in the Country Secondary Schools Chess competition round 2.  The students played four competitive games and won 3 out of 4.One game lasting 1 hour and 28 minutes.  The students then played some social games. It was a great achievement and we congratulate the students. The students will be moving onto the next round to be played later on in Term 2.

Mrs Sugden | Teacher/Librarian

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 by email

Ally Lusty | Uniform Shop Manager