Principal's Message

Welcome Back to a Busy Term

Welcome back, everyone! We hope you all enjoyed a restful break and are feeling refreshed and ready for what promises to be a busy and exciting term ahead. It has been wonderful to see our students return with such energy and enthusiasm, and there is plenty to look forward to over the coming weeks.

Our Year 3-6 students will be heading off on camps, where they will experience a wide range of outdoor activities and challenges. These camps are a highlight of the school year, offering students the chance to build independence, resilience and friendships beyond the classroom. Swimming is also be on the calendar for the whole school beginning next week, giving every student the opportunity to build water safety skills and confidence in the pool. Our Year 2 students are in for a treat too, with their sleepover fast approaching in the middle of November. We look forward to sharing all the fun and learning with you throughout the term!

Building Works Update

We are nearing the finish line with our building works. By the 23rd, the project will be provisionally completed, and on the 26th we will see the removal of the final temporary fencing and the reopening of the car park. Plexipave works will wrap up on the basketball court areas, along with some additional upgrading of the joint works. Some minor works relating to drainage and NBN cabling will continue, but these will not affect our day-to-day operations. A big thank you to everyone for your patience while the final parts of these jobs are completed.

Enrolments and Class Placements for Next Year

Planning for next year is well underway. We will be running a similar grade structure to this year, with 20 confirmed Foundation students joining us, along with several new students across our middle to upper school. Overall, our enrolments are looking to be roughly the same as this year. If you are intending to leave Parkhill, or if you know of anyone who would like to join us next year, please contact the office as soon as possible so we can finalise our planning.

Electronic Devices and Student Use in 2027

Next year brings some changes to how electronic devices are used at school. In line with the Department of Education policy, all mobile phones and wearable devices (such as Apple watches) must be stored in the classroom safes upon arrival at school. Classroom limits around devices and online time will also be enforced, with a maximum of 90 minutes per day of computer or online use for Years 5-6, and less for our junior levels. From 2027, Parkhill will also aim to provide as much offline homework as possible, and we will be returning to hardcopy portfolios for student work samples.

Hats and uniform

Please remember that at Parkhill PS hats are part of our all round uniform. No matter how cloudy or dull the day, UV rays can still cause damage to eyes and skin. In the yard most of our kids are now very well adapted to wearing their hat year round – please make efforts to ensure your child remembers their hat everyday.

Enjoy the upcoming weekend everyone; I hope you get outside and enjoy the sunshine!

Jo