Dear Parents and Carers

We are quickly nearing the final days of this year. I thought I might use this opportunity to express my thanks and best wishes for your support during my time at St Matthew’s.

Thank you for your kind words during the past few weeks. I feel spoilt with the amount of effort that has been put into farewelling me over several events.

It has been an absolute pleasure to lead this community over the past (almost) six years. I have felt well supported by an outstanding staff including an excellent Leadership Team. I feel very proud of the accomplishments we have jointly achieved as a staff. I have watched on with admiration every day as our staff have made the extraordinarily complex job of teaching and caring for children, look simple.

I am delighted that we have reached the end point in a significant building project, I firmly believe that the St Matthew’s community deserves the beautiful new learning spaces. Since my arrival, I have watched the teachers attempting to use modern teaching practices in a building designed for teaching and learning in the 1970’s. This will only benefit the many generations of children who will come to St Matthew’s in the future.

I would especially like to thank Chris Answerth who has been the mainstay of our Front Office. This is a very demanding position and Chris works conscientiously every day to ensure the school runs smoothly.

It would also be remiss of me not to thank my Assistant Principal, Petra Cole who has value added to the school in every dimension since her arrival four years ago. Personally, Petra has been a great support to me and our community is blessed to have such a talented person on staff.

Finally thank you to you, our parents for trusting the staff with your beautiful children. St Matthew’s children have a well-deserved reputation for being delightful. It has been a pleasure to come to school each day to work with such outstanding children.

I know our school community will give the incoming principal, Sarah Lowe every support and encouragement next year as you did for me from my very first day at this school.

For those families who are leaving St Matthew’s at the end of this year, thank you for your contribution to our school and best wishes in the future.

Have a wonderful holiday and a blessed Christmas. I look forward to catching up with you and your children at the official opening of the building works sometime next year.

May God bless you and your families.

Graham Pollard

Principal