Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome Back
I trust you had an opportunity to rest and recuperate during the holidays, it was lovely to see the children looking so excited on Tuesday to be reunited with their friends.

We welcome the Wight, Buchholz and Stefanovic families who commenced at our school on Tuesday.

New Principal 2024
Hopefully you received the news from the Director of Catholic Education that Mrs Sarah Lowe has been appointed as Principal of St Matthew’s commencing in 2024.

I have already contacted Sarah to welcome her and pass on the best wishes of our community. Sarah will visit the school later this year to meet the staff and students and begin a handover process to commence her new role in 2024.

New Staff
I would like to welcome three new staff members to our school.

Mr Jacob Burridge has commenced as our new Japanese teacher. Jacob is an experienced practitioner who has taught as a classroom and Japanese teacher in the Government System for several years. He will also teach Japanese at St Monica’s school.

Mr Zac McDermott is well known to our students having worked as a Learning Support Assistant at St Matthew’s for several years. Zac will teach Physical Education and Health throughout the school.

Miss Lauren Golding will jointly teach Year 5M with Anna Zaja this term before transitioning to full time status on this class in Term Four.

Building Works
The builders have made excellent progress during the holidays and have now completed the asbestos removal and demolition phase of the refurbishment.

You may have noticed that access to the Junior Playground has been changed to allow the builders access to the site.

From now, until further notice, afternoon dismissal will be conducted from the side entrance of the Hall (similar to wet weather dismissal). The children who will gather in this area include those students being personally collected, in cars and all bus children.

Rostrum Public Speaking
Next Wednesday evening Millie Fletcher will represent our school at the District Rostrum Public Speaking Final at Turner Primary school. Over many years St Matthew’s school has achieved great results in this competition.

We wish Millie every success.

Athletics Carnival
Next Tuesday our school will hold its Athletics Carnival at the AIS Stadium at Bruce. Parents are warmly invited to attend and support the children. We will also require the assistance of parents on the day to help with officiating. Whilst a canteen will operate on the day children are encouraged to bring some food and drink with them.

May God bless you and your families.

Graham Pollard

Principal