Principal's Desk
Whole School Christmas Concert
We’re thrilled to announce that, after the ongoing success of the Park Ridge Christmas Concert, our whole-school celebration is back! Join us on Wednesday 3 December at 5:30pm for an evening of music and community connection. This outdoor event will take place on the school oval and promises to be a wonderful opportunity for our entire community to come together and enjoy the musical talents of our students. Fingers crossed for beautiful weather! Make sure to pop the date in your diary—we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
Grit
Does your child have grit? Not the kind that sticks to the bottom of shoes, but the inner determination that helps them persevere and succeed. Carol Dweck reminds us that success in school isn’t just about IQ—it’s about character strengths like persistence. Grit is sticking with a task until it’s complete, even when it’s challenging. We all know someone from our school days who may not have been the strongest academically but is now thriving because of their resilience and drive. Children develop grit by exploring passions—whether it’s sport, dance, music, or academic interests. Another key factor is stamina: the ability to stay focused. As a guide, Year 3 students should be able to stay on task for around 20 minutes, increasing by roughly 10 minutes each year. Does your child have regular opportunities to stick with an activity and focus (beyond screens and games)? Supporting these skills now sets them up for long-term success.
Planning for Next Year
We are well underway with planning for 2026, finalising class structures and preparing for our Whole School Transition: Meet the Teacher session later this term.
During this transition session, all current and new students enrolled for 2026 will meet their teacher for next year and spend time with their new classmates. Our teachers also complete comprehensive handovers to ensure each student’s learning and wellbeing needs are understood and supported.
To help us plan effectively, we need to know exactly who will be attending next year. Even one student moving can impact class balance and friendships. If your child will not be attending Park Ridge PS in 2026, please email us at park.ridge.ps@education.vic.gov.au with your new school details.
2026 Foundation Information Night
A reminder that our 2026 Foundation Information Night will be held this Wednesday, 26 November at 6:00pm.
Families will gain insight into how the Foundation year begins, along with tips for supporting a smooth start to school. The session will begin in the Wentworth Building, followed by presentations in the Foundation classrooms and a Q&A.
Last Day of the 2025 School Year
The final day for students and staff is Friday, 19 December. Please note that, as in previous years, the school day will finish at 1:15pm.
Please feel free to pop in for a chat with either Carrie, Brendan or I, should you wish to discuss anything.
Our doors are always open!
Take care,
Mr. Dale Blythman