Dear Parents and Carers

What an extraordinary last few days, it’s hard to believe many members of our community were watching the Senior Concert last Wednesday evening. One of the many downsides of the Pandemic is that its speed often prevents you from properly celebrating achievements. Unfortunately this year’s Concert was one such victim. At any rate I would like to sincerely congratulate the Year Six cast of the Concert and the fabulous younger grades who sang and danced so beautifully.

There has been so much communication for you to digest during the past week we have decided to make this newsletter a shortened version so as not to overwhelm you.

We were delighted with the response from families on Tuesday to take up the opportunity to receive a pack which should help guide your child’s learning during the next few weeks. If you are yet to collect the Pack simply call our Front Office and we will give you directions as to where it is located. The Pack will also contain log on details which will be essential in getting your child set up to begin Remote Learning.

As I indicated in earlier correspondence the school will be functioning under a skeleton staff during the course of the Lockdown. At the moment two teachers have been rostered to supervise children and a member of the Leadership Team will also be on site. Our Front Office will have one staff member to answer the phone and assist with First Aide. Despite the smaller presence at school all staff are ready and willing to assist you if you require help. Our classroom teachers can be contacted via email, as can our Learning Support Teachers and Leadership Team.

Thank you for your many wishes of support during the past few days the staff has been buoyed by your kindness. In the same vein, be easy on yourself, give your children lots of breaks and do what you can do.

I taught one of my daughters for a year and I think she might still be scarred from the experience, and I was trained to do the job!

Please don’t hesitate to make contact if you require help. All of our recent communications can be accessed on our webpage https://www.stmattsps.act.edu.au/

May God bless you and your families

Graham Pollard

Principal