Assistant Principal's Address

WEEK 8 | TERM 3

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S AWARD

Ms Gavin

Dear Parents, Guardians and School Community,

Please take a moment to read the important updates and reminders below.

🚗 Student Safety – Back of School Drop-Off and Pick-Up

The safety of our students is always our highest priority. We are becoming increasingly concerned about several safety issues occurring at the back of the school during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

We have observed:

• Children being dropped off from moving vehicles, which is extremely dangerous.
• Double parking, causing traffic congestion and limiting visibility.
• Students running across the road unsupervised, increasing the risk of an accident.

We kindly ask all families to help us keep everyone safe by using the designated drop-off and pick-up areas, ensuring vehicles are fully parked before children enter or exit, and avoiding double parking.

Where appropriate, please escort younger children safely across the road.

We understand that drop-off and pick-up times can be busy, but taking a few extra moments to ensure your child exits the vehicle safely can make a significant difference.

Thank you for working with us to keep our students, families and community safe. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

🎓 Attendance Matters

Regular attendance is an important part of your child’s learning and wellbeing.

Families have recently received phone calls or letters regarding low attendance or unexplained absences. We have also noticed that some students are regularly arriving late or being collected early.

While we understand that illness, appointments and other circumstances may occasionally affect attendance, frequent absences, late arrivals and early departures can have a significant impact on your child’s learning, progress and connection with their classroom and peers.

We encourage all families to make every effort to ensure:

• Consistent attendance
• On-time arrival each day
• Full-day participation whenever possible

Every day at school matters. Being present and ready to learn helps students maintain routines, keep up with their learning and feel connected to their classmates and teachers.

If you have concerns about your child’s attendance or require support, please contact the school office. We are always happy to work together with families to support positive attendance and learning outcomes.

🎉 School Holiday Activities

The school holidays are a wonderful opportunity for children and families to have fun, try something new and make lasting memories.

Melton City Council is offering a range of activities across youth and community centres, libraries and indoor stadiums. There are also special incursions and excursions available through Council’s Vacation Care and Youth holiday programs.

Families can visit the Melton City Council website for more information and to make a booking.

⚽ Big Fun for Little Movers

Council’s leisure centres also offer a range of preschool programs designed to help little ones learn, play, move and connect.

Programs currently available at Caroline Springs Leisure Centre and Cobblebank Stadium include:

• Soccajoeys – a non-competitive soccer program where children develop skills, make friends and enjoy the game.
• Wiggle and Bloom – combines movement, music and play in a fun environment.
• Ready Steady Go Kids – introduces children to a range of sports in a fun and non-competitive setting.
• Hot Shots Tennis – develops fundamental tennis skills through age-appropriate activities.
• Aussie Hoops Basketball – introduces children of all abilities to basketball while building skills, confidence and enjoyment.
• Little Kickers Junior Soccer Development Program – supports coordination, confidence and teamwork in a positive, pressure-free environment.

Families interested in these programs can visit the Melton City Council website for further information.

🌱 Starting Prep in 2027 – Supporting Children with Developmental Delay or Disability

If your child has developmental delay or disability and will be starting Prep in 2027, now is a great time to begin planning for their transition to school.

A free two-hour online workshop is available to help families feel more informed and confident about supporting their child’s transition.

The workshop is facilitated by parents of children with disability and covers:

• Understanding the language schools use
• Building positive partnerships with your child’s school
• Transition planning with kindergarten and school
• Understanding how school can support your child

A formal diagnosis is not required to register.

Families can visit the ACD website for more information and to register.

🤝 Strengthening Parent Support Program

The Strengthening Parent Support Program, delivered by MacKillop Family Services, supports families and carers of children with disability or developmental delay to build strong and supportive networks within their local community.

The program offers:

• Regular opportunities for families and carers to connect in a safe, relaxed and inclusive environment
• Information sessions on relevant topics
• Connections to community supports and services
• One-to-one support

Importantly, your child does not need to be an NDIS participant for you to access this program.

Families can visit the MacKillop Family Services website to find out more.

💰 Get Up to $200 Towards Your Child’s Sports and Activities

Keeping children active is important, but we understand that the cost of organised sport and recreation can sometimes be challenging for families.

The Get Active Kids Voucher Program can provide eligible families with up to $200 per child towards the cost of organised sport and active recreation.

Applications for the next round of vouchers are opening in September.

Families can check their eligibility and find out more information through Get Active Victoria.

Regards, 

Bianca Gavin, Racheal Zappia, Spira Antonopoulos 

Assistant Principals