Marlo Primary School held a meet and greet morning tea last Friday to welcome the school’s newest addition, principal Matt Barlee.

Although not officially commencing his role until semester two, parents and friends of the school community were pleased to welcome him to Marlo.

Matt made the trek from Corryong for the morning and with much enthusiasm met his new students who threw all of the important big questions his way – “What sports are you into?” and “Have you read Harry Potter?”. Thankfully he passed with flying colours.

Hailing from the Corryong region, Matt has in more recent times spent time between Australia and Canada, teaching with his Canadian wife and son.

He has held school leadership positions before and was recently a school leader of P1234 where he was in charge of around 100 students in a 300-student school.

“I wanted to be a principal and I wanted to work on the coast,” he told the Snowy River Mail.

Initially considering the coast of southern New South Wales, when he saw the job advertised for Marlo he realised it was a perfect fit. He wanted to teach and be principal in a combined role, the Marlo school providing that opportunity.

A passion for wilderness and the outdoors has seen him venture to Marlo before on several rafting trips from Kosciusko to Coast, which ends at Marlo.

“I want to be here,” he said.

“It will be great to be a part of a small community. I can’t wait to start.”

IMAGE: Marlo Primary School’s new principal, Matt Barlee, who will officially commence in the role at the start of next term, met up with members of the school community at a morning tea last Friday, including school leaders, Giaan Woerz, Gabby Conte, Damika Morton and Bella Puglisi, and acting principal, Arthur Pashos. S281-138