Newsletter – Acting Principal

Term 3 has been a flurry of activity with planning for 2025 well underway, the capital works project nearing completion and progress continuing on the realignment work of our vision and values. As always, there has been much to celebrate and it has been pleasing to see that student behaviour and engagement has remained positive throughout the more difficult Winter months. Year 12 students are particularly busy with preparations for school completion and exams coming to the fore. Practice exams are scheduled for the holidays and celebrations planning well underway. I wish all staff and students a restful and relaxing term break and look forward to a success filled final term for 2024.

Capital Works

Works are very close to being done but we are still having to push hard to make sure deadlines are being met. Internal and external cladding are complete in the new year 9/10 toilet block. We are waiting on flooring and fit out of pans, basins and stall doors. Planting in the courtyard is now complete as is seating and shade sail installation. Painting of the concrete and the final sections of artificial grass are scheduled for the holidays, with access expected day one term 4. Finger crossed the temporary fences will be down for the beginning of term 4!

School Culture

Currently we have been focussing on revisiting our Parkdale Principles and redrafting definitions of the Parkdale Principles. From here we will continue to refine our Behaviour Framework and begin the redevelopment of our student organisation and homework approach and consider refinements to our reporting system. The final definitions of the Parkdale Principles are below. These articulate our expectations for students in classroom learning and will work alongside our standard school rules. This is not a final graphic, just a way that we have worked through the drafting process.

Year 7 2025 Information Night

Attended by close to 300 people, this event was to share enrolment and orientation information to parents/carers of our 2025 year 7 cohort. It was great to see so many people in attendance and really engaged parents. Thank you to 2024 year 7 students Lucy Watterson and Banjo Morrison who provided a student perspective on beginning at Parkdale, you both represented the college with enthusiasm and pride!

Year 12 VCE Vocational Major Presentation Night

Our Year 12 VCE VM students completed their final assessment, a presentation to parents/carers and peers overviewing their educational journey and future career aspirations. While this is an assessment item on effective presentation and speaking skills, it is also a celebration of the work undertaken by students in this pathway. These students don’t just complete classwork and a VET course, but also represent the college in work placements and through volunteering and fundraising for community organisations. We’re very proud of the work these students do and celebrate their successes with them. Congratulations to our 2024 VCE VM students on completing this daunting task so well.

Term 4 Leadership Update

It was great to see Mr Russell visit the school recently to say ‘Hello’ to everyone. Mr Russell has confirmed that he will be taking term 4 off under medical advice. He continues to make good progress but obviously needs to be cautious in returning to work. He passes on his best to all and looks forward to seeing everyone in 2025. Mrs Sainsbery has also continued her leave for term 4. This means the leadership structure will remain the same with Michael Tuck in the Acting Principal Role and Daniel Williams in the Acting Assistant Principal Junior School/Wellbeing/Inclusions.

Library

by Sue Osborne