Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers
We now have a little over a week before face to face learning resumes for children in Kindergarten, Years One, Two and Six on Monday October 25th. Remote Learning will continue for children in Years Three, Four and Five, before students in those classes also recommence, in person, on Monday November 1st.
Our staff has been busily preparing for the safe re-entry of the children. The central task has been the planning of new arrangements during break times to limit the amount of co-mingling between cohorts. Other considerations have concerned the reintroduction of protocols associated with maintaining a clean and safe environment. I will outline those new routines in a letter early next week.
While You Were Away
I wanted to provide you of some idea of the work that has been commenced during the Lockdown. Some of the work has been routine maintenance, however the long absence, without children has enabled our new Janitor an opportunity to start some new projects.
Our old basketball backboards on the Top Courts, which have served many budding NBL players, are currently being replaced. This initiative was funded by the Community Council and should be completed before the children return to school.
The fence at the Eastern (Kindergarten) end of the building has been moved to allow for easier access to a proposed new garden bed. Work commenced on clearing this area during our Autum Working Bee in Term One. The relocation of the fence will now enable this project to be completed.
Our new Janitor has been cleaning up areas of the school grounds to allow for improved access, the external entrance to the Corridor is much tidier and will allow children to move more comfortably around the building
We have purchased another basketball pole and backboard which will be constructed on the Belway Oval playground, this will allow our children more opportunities to hone their skills during their break times.
Excursion Levy
The teachers will continue to seek out Virtual Excursion opportunities for the children during the remaining weeks of this year. If, as anticipated, unspent funds remain we will use these monies to fund a replacement and replenishment program of our class ipads and Chrome Books. We have also ordered a new Promethean ActivPanel for our Library.
Matty’s Memories
Work is continuing behind the scenes in the planning of our school’s 50th anniversary. A small committee has now booked the Pialligo Estate and a band for 2nd September next year. Whilst I realise that the social calendars of most people have been bare for many months can I still urge you to claim the date for what promises to be a wonderful night. Thankyou to Chelsea Rey, Julia Rutter and Jessana Pirotta who have been busily checking venues.
This week's contribution is from Hilary Seselja (nee Baron)
I went to St Matthew's from year 2 to year 6 in the 80s. I have many great memories of my time there. I remember fabulous fetes that were the highlight of the year. Many lunchtimes playing handball or tips or hanging off the monkey bars. I also recall wonderful teachers like Mrs Staines, Miss Reynolds, Sr Karen and Sr Peter Julian who, all this time later, I still think of fondly.
However, what I remember most of all was how incredibly supportive the St Matthew's community was when my family went through a very hard time. When I was in Year 6 my younger sister developed a terminal brain tumour. The school community did everything they could to help our family though it and make us feel like we weren't alone. I feel very lucky to have been part of such a wonderful community during that time.
Happy 50th anniversary St Matthew’s!
May God bless you and your families
Graham Pollard
Principal