Principal Team's Report

Welcome Back!

We've certainly hit the ground running this week at the Springs! Monday and Tuesday were filled with staff professional learning and planning. These days are so valuable in allowing us time to ensure the programs we offer at PSPS are of the highest quality and really aim to engage our learners. On Wednesday we welcomed back our Year 1-6 students who settled back into the new school year beautifully.  On Thursday, our new little Springers began!  What an adventure these Prep students can look forward to!  There was lots of excitement at the beginning of the day, and lots of tired faces at the end of the day!  We welcome all of our new students to Pakenham Springs and we look forward to a fabulous year of learning, growing, and FUN!

Senior Student Conference

On Friday, we held our annual Senior Student Conference for our Year 6 students.  This day sets the tone for the leadership, role modelling, and focus that we expect from our senior students throughout the year.  We invest heavily in this program each year, as we think it is so important to equip our senior students with the skills and knowledge they need in respect to leadership skills, teamwork skills and also the ability to set personal goals.  We also want our senior students to understand how much we value them and see the potential in each and every one of them to become great future community leaders. 

This day includes presentations by the Reach Foundation, Mike Spears (basketballer and motivational speaker) and Cardinia Youth Services. We also held our annual Staff v Students basketball match and provided a sausage sizzle lunch for all of our Year 6 students. This day is provided free of charge as part of our student leadership development program.  We look forward to showing you some photos of the fun we had on this day in future newsletters.

Parent Payment Information - 2024

All families have received the Parent Payment information for 2024.  We encourage all families to assist in organising prompt payment so that our fabulous programs can be planned and school improvements locked in for the future. 

Some of the school improvements we are planning include secure fencing around the perimeter of the school, ventilation and cooling to the Gym, a netting system in the Gym to stop our equipment from being caught in it, as well as the addition of new play areas for our students.  Your generous contributions make it possible for us to continue improving our school for the students.

Springers Meet the Teacher / Parent Afternoon

We're looking forward to seeing all of our families pop into school on Wednesday 7th February from 3:30-4:30pm to meet the classroom teacher and say hi to the whole school community.  Our classrooms will be open from 3:30-4:00pm for you to have a look around and introduce yourself to your child's teacher, then you are invited to come and join us on the basketball court from 4:00-4:30pm for some games.  Sausages and drinks will be available for purchase (cash only).   

Uniform

As we begin our new school year, all families are reminded that Pakenham Springs has a Uniform policy that should be followed at all times. Our uniform is comfortable and appropriate for all students and comes at an affordable price.  Families are encouraged to speak with our office staff if there are financial considerations and are reminded that assistance is available. Our uniform policy also covers hair colour and jewellery. All families are reminded that unnatural hair colours are unacceptable at PSPS.      

Smile Squad is here!

Smile Squad School Dental program is at Pakenham Springs and will begin seeing students from week 2.  Information and consent forms have previously been sent home regarding how this voluntary program works, and the scope of its operations.  If you need further information regarding this program, please do not hesitate to contact our office.  

Hats - Term 1

Hats are required from Day 1 of Term 1 - students will need to remain in a hard-covered area if they do not have a Sunsmart hat at school.  Not only does this affect their play times, but it also has an impact on their ability to participate fully in PE and Year Level Sports activities.  A cap or hood is not sun-smart and is not acceptable at Pakenham Springs. 

Supervision before school

Students are not to arrive at school until 8:30 am on school mornings.  Staff do not begin their workday until this time, and there is insufficient supervision available in the mornings.  Any student arriving before 8:30 am will be asked to sit at the office and wait. We ask for your support in this matter.  Likewise, under no circumstances are students allowed to leave the school grounds in the morning and go across to the shops.  Not only is this incredibly unsafe, with them crossing the busy Heritage BLVD road unsupervised, but a small number of students are also coming back having purchased items inappropriate for the school day.  Please contact OSHClub if you need to organise care and supervision for your child/ren outside of 8:30 am - 3:30 pm.

Enjoy the fortnight ahead!

The PSPS Leadership Team