From the Principal and Assistant Principal

Welcome to the 2024 school year

We welcome our new staff members Demi Woodlock, Nicola Watson and Elise Zajac. We welcome back Audrey Ulrich and in part time roles, Tess Arnold, Ash Muir, Lisa Flynn and Maddy Holland.

There is a lot of important information in this newsletter, please make the time to read through the newsletter.

We have had a smooth start to the school year, it was great to see so many happy children on the first day….. the parents also seemed to be very happy school had started back. 😊

All grades have been participating in Learning How to learn which ensures consistency and highlights our expectations and values for the children at PPS. Our priorities for 2024 will continue to be in the areas of Literacy and Numeracy and Wellbeing. Further information will be in the next newsletter on each of these areas. The Term 1 calendar is also filling up with Swimming for students in Grades 2 and 4, Beach Program for students in Grades 5 and 6, Interschool sport begins this term for Grade 6 students, District Swimming for children in Grades 3-6, House Cross Country, incursions and excursions for some year levels and NAPLAN for students in Grade 3 and 5.

Focus Newsletter

Each fortnight on Thursday the school publishes this Newsletter online (www.parkdaleps.vic.edu.au) and via COMPASS. Please ensure you access the website or COMPASS to read the newsletter as it contains valuable information, reminders and dates.

Important: Compass

The Compass Parent Portal is an integrated, online portal that allows you to access information about our school. Compass includes many different features, including the ability to:

Monitor your child’s attendance and enter an explanation for absence, lateness/leaving early, holidays.

Download and view your child’s academic reports.
Book parent-teacher conferences and Meet & Greet.
Pay and provide consent for events and school fees.

It is important we have up to date information in regard to your correct email address and current family circumstances (each parent at an alternative address will need to provide separate details). In emergency situations and if your child is sick, it is crucial we can contact you easily. Please check your details as they are shown in your Compass profile and contact the school office if any amendments are required.

Personal Goods brought to School at Owner's Risk

Personal property is often brought to school by students, staff and visitors. This can include mobile phones, electronic games, calculators, toys, musical instruments, sporting equipment, and cars parked on school premises. The Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.

Student Accident Insurance

This is a reminder that the Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents/guardians are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs. Reasonably low-cost accident insurance policies are available from commercial insurers.

Notifying parents of an unexplained student absence

All schools are required to contact parents/guardians as soon as practicable when student absence is unexplained. To assist with this process, we require parents to notify us of student absences, either on the day due to illness or in advance for family holidays. Parents/carers are asked to complete a Parent Attendance Note through Compass or ring the school office prior to 8.30am to report their child being absent from school. If neither of these actions is taken on the day of absence, then please follow up with a Parent Approved Absence through Compass. If an absence remains unexplained after 9.45am on the day of absence an SMS will automatically be sent to parents. This ensures families are aware their child has not arrived at school, so their safety can be established.

Meet the Teacher Evening Grades 1-6

On Monday 12th February we would like to extend an invitation to parents to touch base with your child’s teacher. We will operate a hybrid model offering both on-site or via Webex. This is a great time to inform the teacher of issues pertaining to your child or just touch base with the teacher and introduce yourself. A Grade Level Information Book will be sent home prior to this date. Appointments need to be made through Compass and we will send out a notification when these open.

Please note, these are not Parent Teacher Interviews; these are a 5-minute touch base for parents to provide information about their child and introduce themselves to the teacher.

Working with Children’s Check

Parents require a Working with Children’s Check if they are attending camp, excursions or volunteering in the school eg: classroom assistance, school events, garden club, etc.

Applying for a WWC is done online and is free if you click on the volunteer category.

Please note: Parents need to have a WWC card before they can volunteer in the school. http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

2024 School Contributions/Parent Payment Arrangements

The contributions are important in enabling us to provide the best learning environment for the children at Parkdale Primary School. The Parkdale Primary School Council is extremely appreciative of the generosity of parents who are able to support the school through the payment of the voluntary contributions. Contributions are due on 2nd February. Payment is via COMPASS pay. Please note: if you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact Helen Teasdale (our Business Manager) to discuss a payment plan.

Collecting your Child Early / Arriving Late

If you are collecting your child early, you must sign them out at the office before they are collected from the classroom. If your child arrives after 9:00am you will need to go via the office and sign your child in, where they will be given a Late Arrival Pass.

Arrival/dismissal

Teachers are officially on duty for 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the school day and 15 minutes after the conclusion of the school day. Consequently, the following apply:

School commences at 9:00am. No student should be dropped off before 8.45 am as there is no supervision.
School finishes at 3.30 pm. If a student is not collected, they will be taken to the After School Care and families will be charged accordingly.

Kiss & Go Zones

It is very important that parents do not park for long periods in the Kiss & Go zones at the front and back of the school for the safety of the children. These areas are designated for quick drop off or pick up of children. Parents are reminded that they are not allowed to park in these designated areas and leave their car. Parents SHOULD NOT park in these areas for an extended time. We also ask parents to be considerate of our neighbours and not park over their driveways.

NO Parking in the School Grounds

Parents and/or Grandparents are NOT permitted to park in the school grounds. This includes the staff car park and in the driveway at the back of the school. The children’s safety is of the utmost concern. We realise it can become very congested around the school at pick up and drop off times, however parking in the school grounds is not an option.

School Council and PPA

School Council and PPA play a vital role at Parkdale Primary School. We encourage parents to become actively involved in these committees. These committees operate best when we have a full membership. I encourage anyone who is interested to please nominate for School Council or to join PPA. If you are interested but need to know more information, please contact me. We welcome new faces as well as current members. Information about the upcoming School Council Elections is on the 'School Council' page of this week’s newsletter.

School Policies

Community Code of Conduct :

The PPS Statement of Values and School Philosophy sets out our behavioural expectations of all members in the school community. It respects the diversity of individuals in our school community and addresses the shared responsibilities of all members in building a safe and respectful school community.

Parkdale PS is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child and we also draw your attention to the following PPS policies:

All PPS policies are aligned with the current requirements of the Department of Education and can be found on the school website.

Uniform

School Council has approved the PPS School Uniform and Dress Code policy. Parkdale Primary School has a compulsory uniform. Our uniform dress code reinforces in students a pride in their own appearance, instils recognition of themselves as an integral part of the school community, and assists in developing pride in representing their school. It promotes equality amongst all students and develops a sense of pride in, and identification with our school. We understand that occasionally children will come to school out of uniform. We ask that if this occurs that the alternative clothing be of a similar colour to the uniform and as plain as possible, eg without popular branding. Click HERE to view our Uniform and Dress Code Policy.

Please ensure all uniform is labelled with your child’s name.

Sports Uniforms

Sports uniforms for Grades 1-6 can be worn on children’s dedicated Physical Education day and also the Grade Level Sport Day.

Hats

School hats need to be worn until the start of May and be clearly labelled with your child’s name. Children are required to wear their hat outside at recess, lunch and during sport. All children need to have a navy wide brimmed hat. Sports caps are not part of our uniform or sun smart policy. It is also a good idea during the summer months to pack sunscreen in your child’s bag.

Head lice

For health and safety reasons and to assist with the control of head lice all children (girls & boys) with hair that touches their collar needs to be tied back.

Bike Shed

All bikes and scooters need to be collected from the bike shed by 3:40pm. The bike shed will be locked at this time. If your child attends After School Care their bike or scooter needs to be removed from the bike shed after school and placed in the bike area near the After School Care building. It is important to know that if you leave your bike or scooter in the shed after hours or over the weekend, unfortunately it is likely to go missing. It is essential that students provide and use a lock for additional security.

No Riding bikes/ Scooters in Yard

A reminder that children need to wear a helmet to and from school if they are riding their bike, scooter or skateboard. Children need to dismount from their bikes and scooters at the school gate and are not to ride in the school grounds before or after school.

Dogs in School Grounds

Parents are reminded that dogs are not allowed in school grounds whilst dropping off or collecting children.

Dogs should not be left tethered and unattended at the gates/fences. This is a safety measure to protect both students (and dogs) from the excitement of these times.

OSHC TheirCare

The Before School Care program operates on-site Monday to Friday from 7.00am to 8.45am and after school care from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. The program is run by TheirCare. A program of recreational and educational activities is provided by qualified staff. Programs run from 7.00am to 6.30pm on Pupil Free days if enough demand exists. Further details are available by phoning the program director on 0436 333 138 or TheirCare on 1300 072 410 or www.theircare.com.au.

Parents need book online to access TheirCare. To secure your child’s spot parents need to book in advance or at the latest the night before. We understand at times parents may need to book on the day however, due to staff ratios it may not always be possible to accommodate children on the day.

Mobile Phone Policy – Department of Education

All schools are required to implement the Department Mobile Phone Policy. For the purpose of this policy, “mobile phone” refers to mobile phones and any device that may connect to or have a similar functionality to a mobile phone such as smart watches.”

Students are encouraged NOT to bring a mobile phone to school unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

Students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and be in a labelled zip lock bag.
All phones will be securely stored at the school office and must be signed in before 9:00am and signed out after 3:30pm.
Exceptions to this policy may be applied if certain conditions are met (eg if required for medical reasons)
When emergencies occur, parents/carers should reach their child by calling the school office: 9580 1451

Mobile phones owned by students at Parkdale Primary School are considered valuable items and are brought to school at the owner’s (student’s or parents/carer’s) risk. Mobile phones brought to school are not covered by the school’s insurance if they are lost, stolen or damaged.

Students are not to use their phones within the school grounds. If students use phones inappropriately parents will be contacted, and students will be unable to bring their phone to school.

Students with Smart Watches – these need to be disabled during school times. As per a mobile phone, students are not to use their smart watches during school times.

Teacher Email Addresses

Teachers will be sending home grade level information very shortly; this will include a grade level information book and the teachers email address. Please note if the matter is urgent, please send a note or call the school. Email is a great form of communication, but teachers do not always have time to check their email during the day or the email system may not be accessible. Staff will respond within 48 hours; it is important that you do not have the expectation that teachers will answer emails after school hours.

If your child needs to be sent to after school care or other arrangements have been made, please contact the office rather than emailing.

Making Appointments with Teachers

We encourage parents to communicate with us when the need arises. For quick information sharing, a brief unscheduled chat is fine. If more time is needed, we recommend that you schedule a longer appointment time so we can address your concerns adequately. This meeting time can be arranged via email, telephone or in person. Please do be respectful of the teachers planning and teaching time. Bell time or during a teacher’s planning time is never an ideal time to discuss concerns, as teachers are planning or about to begin instruction. Thank you for your understanding on this matter.

Medical Conditions

If your child has any medical condition, it is vital to let the class teacher know at the start of every year. Although hand overs are done from teacher to teacher it is important teachers receive this information first hand. If your child has an Anaphylaxis, Diabetes or Asthma Plan these need to be provided to the school as well as their Asthma Ventolin, Diabetes kits and/or epiPen/medication which should be clearly labelled and within date.

Assembly

Assembly is held on a Friday afternoon at 3pm. If assembly is cancelled due to weather a notification will be sent via Compass.

Buildings and Grounds

Over the term break the sandpit was replenished, maintenance completed on the artificial turf, the indoor basketball court was re-varnished, new pin boards/whiteboards in the Japanese room, general maintenance of the grounds and 160 new laptops were delivered.

Staff 2024

Foundation: Lucy Newman, Julia Howell, Maddie Williams, Andie Bentley, Demi Woodlock

Grade 1: Steph Strong, Jo Pyke, Mandy Went

Grade 2: Bec Crute, Lauren Tipping, Taylor Glew, Nicola Watson

Grade 3: Mel Johnson, Sally Murphy, Brianna Beglau, Ryan Hubbard

Grade 4: Michelle Pieters, Gareth Snow, Perri Davies, Darcy Brown

Grade 5: Liam Grimwade, Sam Opie, Dillon Hendricks, Tara Bickham

Grade 6: Brent Rafferty, Michelle Byrne, Casey Blacklaw, Audrey Ulrich, Nathan James

Specialists: Phys Ed: Cliff Anderson, Visual Arts: Michelle Richard, Wellbeing: Jarrod Sing, Performing Arts: Leah Willis, Japanese: Michelle Mackenzie/Mami Sherwood

Specialist support: Ash Muir, Jaci Lundy, Maddy Holland, Tess Arnold

Intervention, Teacher Aides, Extra support: Rachael Hibbins, Trish McCarthy, Michelle Green, Faye Harris, Elise Zajac, Lisa Flynn

Office Staff: Helen Teasdale (Business Manager), Jane Hulley (Office Admin) and Helen Bradnam (First Aid/Office)

Principal: Leanne Bradney, Assistant Principal: Tracy Richards

We are all looking forward to an exciting and productive 2024.

Leanne and Tracy