Principal's Report

Heading towards the end of the year...

It's hard to believe that this is our second last newsletter of the year - where has 2020 gone?  As we head into the final stretch of the year, it is important that we all work together to ensure learning remains a priority.  Our regular classroom programs run right up until the end of week 10, with week 11 filled with special events and chances to celebrate the year with friends and classmates.  Please have a chat with your child about remaining focused on learning until the very end of the year - we will be reinforcing our school Values each and every day. We understand that children (and adults!) are becoming tired as the year winds down - this is not an excuse to forget the Values that are so important to all at PSPS. 

Christmas Raffle

You have now received a book of 10 raffle tickets to sell for our annual Christmas raffle.  We really appreciate the time and effort all community members go to, to sell these tickets for us.  The money raised from our Christmas raffle goes towards important school improvements.  This year we have also made the decision to donate some of our Christmas Raffle funds to a local charity - this is being discussed by our Student Representative Council this week and the details will be published through Compass and our school Facebook Page.

End of year celebration

As you can imagine, the end of 2020 looks a little different from other years. Unfortunately, we are unable to run our school community picnic or market evenings, Learning Open afternoons, and of course our Year 6 Graduation event.  We are disappointed that we cannot celebrate the end of this crazy year on a big scale, however, we are grateful that we can still hold smaller events to commemorate the achievements of our school community. Our Year 6 students are looking forward to a Celebration Day on our community oval, complete with inflatables, a live band and an ice cream truck!  Our class parties will still run, however, they will be held in a COVID safe manner (information to come from individual year level teams).  Please understand that we are doing our best for all students and the wider school community while trying to navigate the ever-changing rules and regulations!

Don't forget your hat!

While the number of students wearing hats has definitely increased, we still have many students without protection from the sun.  As our weather continues to get warmer, a  SunSmart (broad-brimmed or legionnaire style) hat is mandatory for all students.  Students without a hat will be directed to sit in an undercover area during break times. Please check in with your child and make sure they still have their hat at school!

Visitors to the school

Please help us remain a COVID-Safe School.  No parents/visitors should be on school grounds at any time.  The exception to this is one parent (wearing mask) per Prep child for pick up only.  The parent should only enter the school at bell time and should move through the pick-up area quickly, not stopping to have a chat!  If you need to speak to your child's class teacher for any reason, Compass is the preferred way of getting in contact. The school office can also help you with any general inquiry.  Masks are mandatory for any person 12+ years of age - students who have turned 12 MUST wear their masks on the way to and from school each day.

2021 Prep Enrolments

Do you or someone you know have a child beginning Prep in 2021?  Enrolment packs can be collected from the office and should be filled in immediately if your child is beginning school next year.  If you have any questions about Prep enrolments (or enrolments in general), please contact the front office. 

Kinder places are also still available at Pakenham Springs Children's Centre. Please contact the council for information regarding 3 and 4-year-old Kinder.

Coughs? Sore throat? Fever?

Don't bring your germs to school!  If your child is unwell, please, please, please, keep them home!  It is more important than ever for students that are unwell to stay home.  Also please ensure your emergency contact details are current on Compass - it is a requirement that unwell children are collected as soon as possible from school.

Are you leaving us?

If you do not intend for your child to return to Pakenham Springs in 2021, please let us know as soon as possible.  We are in the middle of our workforce and class structure planning at the moment, and it is vital that we are working with the most accurate student numbers possible.  You do not need to notify us if your child is in Year 6 and graduating from PSPS this year.

Have a great week!

Renee Cotterell

Principal (Acting)