Dear Parents and Carers

It seems that everyone is in agreement that we are about to conclude the most challenging, drawn out year in our lifetime. I was recalling that the year commenced with Canberra still blanketed in the residual smoke from the bushfires, was quickly followed by a hugely damaging hail storm and moved seamlessly into a global pandemic.

Through all of this trial and tumult though our school community has remained largely positive and resilient. This resilience was evident in the attitude and behaviour of our children and is due in no small part to their parents largely shielding their children from the worst of all the bad news.

I would particularly like to thank, on your behalf, the staff of St Matthew’s who worked very hard to keep school as normal as possible. Despite all of the interruptions children continued to learn and flourish and when it’s all said and done, we really could not wish for any more!

Departing Staff

I would like to acknowledge the contribution of several staff who will be leaving us at the end of this year. I thank them very sincerely for their contribution to our school and wish them well in their future endeavours.

Thank you to Clare McPhillips, Kel Hathaway, Rosemary McIntosh. Melissa Tuite and Ana Zaja

Departing Families

Those families whose Year Six child is leaving our school were farewelled and thanked during the Year Six Farewell Dinner. There are also several other families who will be leaving our school from other grades. On behalf of our community I would like to thank them for their contribution to our school and wish them every blessing as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

School Resumes

School resumes for all children on Monday February 1^st. A reminder that our Kindergarten children will not attend school on the Wednesdays during February.

I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy a restful break with your family.

May the peace of Christ surround your family during the festive season.

Graham Pollard

Principal