Park Ridge Newsletter

Principal's Desk

Preparing for a Great Day at School

Being prepared is the key to success, and for our students, that starts before they even step into the classroom! Here are a few essential habits to help your child have the best start to their school day:

  • A Nutritious Breakfast: A healthy, balanced breakfast fuels learning and concentration. Many cereals are high in sugar, so we encourage families to check labels and opt for nutritious choices.
  • Arriving On Time: Learning starts promptly at 8:45 am. While we've seen improvements, a small number of students are still arriving late. Please aim for your child to be in class, ready to learn, before the second bell.
  • A Good Night’s Sleep: Students need about 10 hours of sleep each night to be well-rested and ready to focus. Reducing screen time before bed and encouraging wind-down activities like reading can help improve sleep quality.

By focusing on these key areas—healthy eating, punctuality, and good sleep habits—we can support every student to make the most of their learning at Park Ridge Primary School.

Tutoring and Support Programs in 2025

We are pleased to continue offering a range of support programs this year at Park Ridge Primary School.

The Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI) will support students identified through our NAPLAN data, following the Department of Education guidelines. Our talented tutoring team will work with small groups of students over approximately one term, focusing on high-impact strategies to progress learning.

Our 2025 tutors: Kelly Begley, Tarryn Bryant, Shae Edwards, and Anna Christofis.

These tutors will support learning across multiple areas, including mathematics, social learning, reading, phonics, writing, and emotional wellbeing. If your child is selected for tutoring, you will receive a notification.

School Council AGM & 2025 Office Bearers

Last week, we held our School Council AGM, where we acknowledged our outgoing members and welcomed new ones. We are excited to announce the office bearers for 2025:

  • President: Courtney Sanderson
  • Vice President: Fiona Henderson
  • Treasurer: Ursel Kulessa
  • Minute Taker: Chris Conway
  • DET Executive: Dale Blythman

We look forward to working together to continue fostering a strong learning community for our students and families.

Park Ridge Pride in Action

Every day, we are incredibly proud of the confidence, kindness, and school spirit displayed by our students. This was especially evident during House Athletics Day, where students encouraged and celebrated each other’s efforts, demonstrating resilience and respect. A big thank you to Mr. Davey for organising such a fantastic event!

Classroom Doors Open at 8:35 am, School Starts at 8:45 am

To support a smooth start to the day, classroom doors open at 8:35 am. This allows students time to settle in, organise themselves, and prepare for learning.

Students arriving late can find it harder to engage, and it can also be disruptive to their classmates. Please help support your child by ensuring they arrive on time each morning.

Late Arrivals: If your child arrives after 8:45 am, a parent/carer must sign them in at the office. This ensures accurate attendance records and provides a reason for lateness, as required by the Department of Education.

Child Safety at Park Ridge Primary School

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all children. Park Ridge Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse and upholds the Child Safe Standards to protect every student in our care.

Our policies and practices are inclusive of all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, children from culturally diverse backgrounds, those with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ students, and children in out-of-home care.

For more information, please visit the Child Safe Standards page on our school website, where you’ll find resources and direct links to relevant support organisations.

Important Dates & Reminders

  • Term 1 concludes this Friday at 2:15 pm. Please ensure you have made arrangements for pick-up.
  • As always, our leadership team—Carrie, Brendan, and I—are available if you ever need to chat. Our doors are always open!

Have a fantastic Easter break! Look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday 22, April.

 

Take care,

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Dale Blythman