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Dear Parents and Carers
I know you will be looking forward to a break away from school routines for the next fortnight. I hope you have some time to also enjoy the company of your family during the holidays.
The ongoing news reports regarding teacher shortages are completely accurate. You may have noticed that many times this term we were forced to resort to splitting classes. In my darker moments, I really fear for the future of our profession and more generally the quality of the education children will receive. Unfortunately, this problem is not easily solved and will continue to be a huge issue in the years to come. If you have the capacity to agitate for change in this area, please do so.
Playground
Work commenced this week on the installation of our senior playground. If you are passing by the school in the holidays and the work is complete, please feel free to let your children have a play.
Staffing
Sadly, our Front Office staff member, Rachel McGeechan will be leaving us at the end of this term. Thank you, Rachel, for your contribution to our school.
From next term Ana Zaja will revert to her former role of offering Creative Arts to all classes. Lauren Golding will assume full-time responsibility for Year Five M.
Building Update
Work on the Stage Two building refurbishment is slightly ahead of time. We are hopeful, but not certain that children may be able to occupy their brand-new spaces towards the end of this coming term. This would be a wonderful way to finish the school year.
In the meantime, we are selecting new furniture for these classes. The furniture replacement is also covered within the Grant.
Wear Your Team Colours
Hopefully you received our Facebook Post during the week encouraging your child to wear their favourite team colours tomorrow.
We thought this would be a fun way for the children to end the term.
Have a wonderful holiday.
May God bless you and your families this week.
Graham Pollard
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Tell Them From Me: Your Questions Answered!
Our recent survey indicated to us that there are some issues which are proving to be confusing, or which require clarification for some of our families. This term, I’ve addressed these in my fortnightly newsletter inclusion. However, I’d like to end the term with some more positive comments from our parents that illustrate why we love learning and teaching in our St Matthew’s community:
- We have found the school very kind and inclusive.
- We had an incident with another child earlier this year but it was handled swiftly and so well that my child and the other child are now playmates/friends.
- I feel there is a good sense of school community and my kids very much feel welcome and supported.
- The friendship issue we had was sorted out the day it was recognised. Very impressed.
- The staff at the school are all so friendly and positive. You always feel welcome and like you want to be part of the community.
Finally, if you ever have a question or a concern, can I recommend that you don’t wait for the next survey, or rely on social media. With a spirit of Goodwill and a conviction that together, we’re able to resolve most issues very quickly, please pick up the telephone, or send an email.
Thank You!
I would like to say a very big thank you to our band of helpers, Megan, Mandeep and Macy, who volunteered to sort and clean the old canteen and store room. They have done an amazing job!
On behalf of all our teachers and our little and big students, I’d like to express our appreciation to our reading volunteers from the parent and parish community who have done so much to support our children’s progress in reading. You are superstars.
Petra Cole
Assistant Principal
petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au
All families have received their log in details via email for our new Compass Parent Portal. The Compass Parent Portal is an online portal that allows you to interact with the school and access up-to-date information. Once you have your log-in credentials and download the app, you’ll be able to:
- Enter absence notes for your child
- Give consent for excursions
- View school reports
- Communicate with your child’s teacher
- Book parent-teacher interviews
- Receive communication from staff
If you didn’t receive log in details, please contact our Front Office (office.stmatts@cg.catholic.edu.au) or check your “junk” mailbox.
Click here to install Compass on Apple devices
Click here to install Compass on Android devices
When prompted: Search “St Matthew’s P” and then you’ll see “St Matthew’s Primary School – Page” as a drop down.
Happy birthday wishes to Samson N, Finlay R, Caitlin M, Sebastian P, Evie E, Angus M, Archie L, who recently celebrated birthdays and to Benjamin Q, Alexander A, Kora B, Eva J Madeleine R, Lachlan C, Lucy M, Felicity B, Luke G, Leia T, Austin P, Harriet P, Audrey P, Finn C, Mehak K, Hana G, Archer P, Alice C and Samuel B who celebrate birthdays in the holidays.
NEEDS OF LAY CATHOLICS TODAY
What do adult lay Catholics need today to help them live a committed Catholic life amid the circumstances of modern society? To find out and to help improve their services to our Archdiocese, the Canberra Circle of The Catenians, an international association of lay Catholics, is conducting an Archdiocesan-wide online survey.
Please help by completing this brief, anonymous, tick-box survey via this URL or QR code. Thank you. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CLTZGMW
Contact: Phil Murray, President, Canberra Catenians 0419 695 927 or phil13murray@gmail.com
We are back on with clothing pool on Friday afternoons at 2:45pm.
If you have some time free time to be able to volunteer to help Corrina, please contact the front office office.stmatts@cg.catholic.edu.au