From The Principal

Principal’s Report

Welcome to term 2

It has been pleasing to see the positive start to term 2 by students.  I regularly walk around the school during class time, dropping into classes and the level of engagement with the learning has been terrific.

The first day of term started with a wonderful ANZAC service. It was a great way to start the term. It was a terrific way to remember those who had made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Capital Works

The main works have now been completed.  It was very pleasing when we returned to school for term 2 to see many of the fences in the central area had been removed and we could walk directly across the area.  The remaining fences are around areas where artificial grass is to be laid in the coming weeks.  The works on the area in front of the old C block toilets will commence in term 2. This will include upgrading the toilet facilities. 

Open Night/Tours

The college Open Night was held on Tuesday 2nd May and was extremely well attended by potential enrollees and their families despite the very wet evening.  There were an estimated 550 people in attendance as we showcased the academic and co-curricula programs of the school.  There were many staff and students present to answer questions and I thank them all for their important role on the night.  Additionally, we have received some great feedback from families that attended.

The most recent school tours have been very well attended, continuing the trend of the amazing interest in the school from the community.  Families of grade 6 parents have now submitted their Year 7 2024 preference forms to their primary school and this information will be passed onto us in due course. We await to see how many students have selected Parkdale SC as the school of their choice.

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

The Year 7-9 interviews were held on Monday 24th April.  As per the senior student interviews at the end of term one these were virtual interviews using Webex.  The decision to do this was based on the positive feedback we received from parents and staff with this format.  Parents were able to engage with their child’s teachers and discuss progress and listen to advice on how their child can take the next steps forward in their learning.  Importantly, on many occasions, the child was present through the interview giving their viewpoint and hearing the advice being given.  A great example of the three way communication which is important in the learning journey. I encourage keeping these lines of communication open throughout the year not just at these formal occasions.

Year 12 Formal

These events are important milestones in school life. It was terrific to see the Year 12 students all dressed up and having a great night with their friends and teaching staff.

Car Park/Parking

For safety reasons I remind parents that the car parks are not to be used as drop off and pick up areas for students. Please organize with your child to be picked up/dropped off from other areas. When doing this please be mindful of access to resident’s driveways when parking as we have been receiving complaints from neighbours that driveways are being blocked. This has reached the point where parents are actually waiting in the driveway.  I ask all parents to be considerate of the residents close to the school. 

U turns in Warren Road

I have observed a number of parents performing u turns in Warren Road outside the school during the drop off and pick up peak times.  This is a dangerous practice and I ask all parents, for the safety of the students and other road users, to not undertake this manouevre.

Bike Helmets

Despite frequent requests to students, and the simple fact that it is the law that bicycle riders wear a helmet, I am still being contacted by concerned members of the community that students of the college are riding bicycles without helmets.  It has even got to the point where a student was seen riding along with the helmet dangling from the handle bars. 

The Assistant Principal’s and myself have been doing before school yard duty and have not had to impound bicycles on many occasions because the rider did not have a helmet.  However, it appears that some students arrive and leave school with the helmet on and remove it when they have left the vicinity of the college. This is a dangerous practice and I will reiterate the fact that it is against the law.  We are only concerned for the safety of our students and again ask that all students wear their bike helmet, at all times, when riding.

A final reminder that we will impound bikes of students not wearing helmets.  Bikes will be secured and returned when the rider can show us their bike helmet.