Principal's Message

As the colder weather sets in, we know it can be a little harder to get out of bed and out the door—especially on those chilly, rainy mornings! Over the past few weeks, we’ve noticed this more and more, with an increase in late arrivals.

While your safety on the roads is always our top priority—please don’t rush—it’s also essential that students arrive at school on time. The first few minutes of the day are critical for setting up learning, connecting socially, and receiving important instructions.

If you do arrive late, please ensure you walk your child into the office and sign them in. For safety and wellbeing reasons, we kindly ask that you do not drop your child off and drive away, expecting them to enter the school on their own.

Being late affects not only your child’s learning but also their sense of calm and belonging. As shown in the graph below, those lost minutes quickly add up to lost learning days.

Thank you for helping us set every Donvale student up for a successful day—every day!

Every Day Counts

At Donvale Primary School, we know that every day counts when it comes to your child’s learning, growth, and social-emotional development. Consistent attendance and arriving on time each day are essential in helping your child feel confident, connected, and ready to learn.

Being late to school can have a significant impact—not just on your child’s academic progress, but also on their wellbeing. Many students experience anxiety when they arrive after the bell, missing out on valuable morning routines, social interactions with friends, and important teacher instructions. Late arrivals often mean students need to catch up quickly, which can create unnecessary stress as they try to understand tasks while managing the emotional pressure of being behind.

To support a positive and productive start to each day, we encourage all families to prioritise punctuality and regular attendance. Please take a moment to review the infographic and tips below, which highlight the importance of attending school every day and being on time.

Please see the link and the info graph below highlighting the importance of regular attendance and arriving on time to school. 

Top Attendance Tips for Parents and Carers

• Partner with your school – If you have concerns about your child’s attendance, contact us early. We are here to help.
• Every day matters – Even one or two days missed can affect learning and friendships.
• There is no “safe” number of days to miss – Each absence can make it harder for your child to stay engaged and connected.
• Promote a positive attitude about school – Talk with your child about the value of being at school every day.
• Stay in touch – Communicate promptly with the school about any absences or concerns.
• Plan wisely – Where possible, book medical or dental appointments outside of school hours and avoid holidays during the school term.
• Reach out for support – If you’re concerned about your child’s attendance or wellbeing, Michelle Rassias on 9842 3373 or your classroom teacher. We are here to work together to support every student’s success.

Mothers' Day Lunch

Despite having to cancel our Mothers' Day breakfast we were happy that the P&F were able to quickly organise a Mothers' Day lunch at 8 Track Brewery in Ringwood on Friday 16th May. A wonderful way to celebrate our mums! 

Playground Update

As many of you may recall, we had to cancel our working bee on the 16th March due to the inclement weather. One of the main focus areas on the day was to update the prep playground border - removing the tyres and installing sleepers. 

Amelia Davatzis, who is heading our Building and Maintance Sub Committee, was instrumental in co-ordinating some parent helpers to bring this change to fruition. Special thanks to Ben Grieg, Peter Ellis, Yarrin Bektash, Chris and Leah Martini and Amelia Davatzis who completed the task on a Sunday afternoon.