Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers
The second major celebration of our Silver Anniversary year was held last Friday evening at Pialligo Estate. The event was an outstanding success with well over 100 parents, ex-students and staff attending. Many parents expressed their joy at being able to reconnect, in a social setting, with other members of our school community.
On behalf of all who attended, I would like to sincerely thank our Organising Committee, comprised of Jessana Pirotta, Chelsea Rey and Julia Rutter. This group worked steadily for over a year to ensure the night’s success including defraying the costs to make the evening accessible to all attendees. The Committee’s final fund raiser was a silent auction, held on the night, which raised over $2000.
Our next event will be held on St Matthew’s Day which falls on 21st September. The day will be a back to the 1970’s day when children come dressed in clothing befitting the era. A Committee of staff members is busily preparing a fun day which will include rotational activities playing 1970’s games. Other activities will involve a whole school liturgy and a joint art activity. The Committee has also purchased a commemorative gift for every child and staff member.
The final initiative, the construction of an Anniversary Wall will be completed during Term Four.
During the final days of Term Two the Director of Catholic Education, Mr Ross Fox, indicated that all Catholic schools will be holding two pupil-free days in Term Three to address significant staffing disruptions due to COVID-19. The second of these days is this Friday, September 9. We have endeavoured to minimise the disruption to classes at St Matthew’s by backfilling staff absences using other St Matthew’s teachers. You can appreciate, however, that this means teachers are “short changed” in their allocated preparation and planning time. The pupil-free day is intended to redress this issue.
Building Update
We are hopeful that the new windows will be installed in Stage One during the next two weeks. This stage will then enable much of the internal construction to commence and literally take shape. Quotes for an automatic front door have also been tendered hopefully providing ease of access for all users in the future.
NCEC Conference
This week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) I have been attending the National Catholic Education Commission’s Conference in Melbourne. The NCEC is the Peak Body for Catholic Education throughout Australia, and my former employer. I was joined by over three hundred delegates comprising principals and other associated employees of Catholic education.
Leave
I will be taking Leave in Term Four to travel overseas with my wife, Margaret. During our travels I will attend a leadership conference in Devon, England.
Petra Cole will act as Principal during my absence, Rachel Powell will return from Maternity Leave to act as Assistant Principal and Sally Judd will remain as Acting Coordinator.
May God bless you and your families
Graham Pollard
Principal