From the Principal
Welcome Back
Welcome back to Term 2! We hope everyone had a restful and refreshing break. It’s great to see our students returning with energy and enthusiasm, ready to take on new challenges and make the most of the exciting opportunities ahead. This term promises to be a busy and rewarding one, with a range of activities, events, and learning experiences planned.
Buildings & Grounds
We had several projects completed over the holiday break. These included:
Replaced the existing retaining wall outside the Grade 5 portables
Replaced epoxy flooring in the boys’ toilets in Grade 3 & 4 hubs
New cabling to the Grade 6 portables
Handrails outside Grade 2 building
Oval and general grounds maintenance
30 Chrome laptops purchased for digi tech
Notifying parents of an unexplained student absence
All schools are required to contact parents/guardians as soon as practicable when student absence is unexplained. To assist with this process, we require parents to notify the school in the morning (before 9am) if your child is absent. All absences need to be entered on Compass with a reason for the absence. If you are experiencing any difficulties with Compass, please contact the school. It is important we have up to date information with your correct email address and current family circumstances (each parent at an alternative address will need to provide separate details.
Please remember it is your responsibility to contact us to provide an explanation for your child's absence from school, and where possible, please inform us in advance of upcoming absences.
This system also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day.
Further Department information can be found on the next page of this newsletter.
ANZAC Day Service
Last week, our Grade 6 leaders did a wonderful job hosting our ANZAC Day service. They spoke with great respect and maturity as they led the school in acknowledging this important day. The whole school showed outstanding respect during the service, taking time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served. We are proud of our students for honouring the spirit of ANZAC Day so thoughtfully.
Reminder: School Grounds Access
Please note that OHSC and external sports programs have access to the school grounds before and after school hours. For the safety and smooth operation of these programs, students and parents are asked not to be on school grounds before 8:45am, when the morning bell rings. We also kindly request that parents vacate the school grounds by 3:40pm in the afternoon. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sun Smart - Hats
Students will not be required to wear their hats from Thursday 1st May onwards until the 1st of September in accordance with our sun smart policy. Students can continue to wear their hats outside if they wish.
School Photos
School photos will take place on Thursday 8th May, information has be sent out via Compass.
Mothers’ Day and Special Person Stall and Breakfast
Next Friday, 9th May, is our Mothers’ Day/Special person stall and Breakfast. All breakfast orders needed to be completed via Qkr! and are now closed.
Prep/Foundation Enrolments 2026
Enrolments for 2026 are now open for foundation/prep students. We held our information night on Monday and have held numerous tours in Term 1 and will continue these during Term 2. There will be an open morning for prospective parents on Monday 12th May from 9:30am to 11am.
To our current families with a child commencing Prep in 2026, please ensure you fill out the enrolment form and return to the office by the due date, 4th July.
Year 6 to 7 Transition Information
The Grade 6 team sent via compass on Thursday information regarding Year 7 secondary school placement for 2026. If you are a parent of a Grade 6 child and have not read compass, please make time to do this. Students were also given an application form for Year 7 placement 2026. Parents need to fill out all applicable sections of this form and return it no later than Friday 9th May. Please ensure you read the information carefully and have filled out the form correctly to avoid us having to return it to you for completion.
Congratulations
- Congratulations to Mr Rafferty and his wife on the arrival of their first child, Henry.
- Congratulations to Ms Byrne and her husband on the arrival of their first child, Elise.
Smile Squad is back - please book ASAP
The Smile Squad team from Better Health Network Parkdale are at our school. Smile Squad is the Victorian Government free school dental program. This means all students can get a free dental check-up at school. To access this free dental care please scan the QR code to be found on our 'School News' page.
Important Notice: Voting Location Update
Please note that Parkdale Primary School will not be used as a polling place this year. Voting will need to be done at an alternative location.
Curriculum Days for 2025
Term 2
Friday 6th June – Assessment & Reporting
Tuesday 1st July – Planning & PT interviews
Term 4
Monday 3rd November – Assessment & Reporting
Friday 5th December – Planning 2026
Kind regards
Leanne Bradney