Communication

St Matthew’s Primary School values and promotes partnerships that develop between parents/carers, students and staff. We are committed to communication that is respectful, measured, sensitive and constructive. In adhering to these principles we aim to strengthen the goodwill and the positive partnerships between the school, our families, the parish and the broader Catholic community, in order to enhance the wellbeing and learning opportunities for our children.

In most instances, if parents and carers have concerns that need addressing regarding the social, emotional, or academic needs of their students, they are encouraged to contact the classroom teacher in the first instance. Please email your child’s class teacher or contact the front office to make appointments for face-to-face or telephone meetings.

On most days, because they are attending to teaching or other supervision responsibilities, teachers are generally unable to read or respond to emails between 8.30am and 3.30pm. So for time-sensitive or non-urgent matters, such as lost clothing or changes to pick up routines, parents are encouraged to telephone or email the front office. 

With the exception of extenuating circumstances or in an emergency, staff are not expected to access, nor to respond to emails outside normal working hours (ie 8.30am to 5pm). However, you can expect that your emails are responded to within two school days. 

Child Safeguarding Corner

The Child Safe Standards provide us with tangible guidance about how to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first, to keep them safe from harm. Each fortnight, I will present one of the standards and ask you to reflect on how you think we’re addressing the recommendations. We welcome ideas and feedback from our families and community!

Child Safe Standard 4: Equity is upheld, and diverse needs are taken into account

The aim of this standard is that our students are provided with opportunities to participate to their full potential. The standard is important because our children need to build relationships, skills and knowledge, and have access to resources that keep them safe. By adapting to the diverse needs of children, they can have opportunities to feel welcome and participate in activities and programs. 

Our aim is to prioritise this standard for child safety in what we say and do:

• Our teachers actively anticipate children’s diverse circumstances and respond effectively to those with additional vulnerabilities
• Our students have access to information and support, and know how to report a concern if they need to. 
• We pay attention to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disability and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

If we are addressing this standard successfully, we would expect our children to say: 

• I feel proud of my background.
• I am treated fairly.
• I feel included.
• I feel safe to talk about my differences. 

We now have a page on our school website dedicated to Child Safeguarding, and we encourage you to view it. 

If you have any questions or feedback about how we are addressing this Standard, or about our new Child Safeguarding page, please email me (petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au).