Term One Outer East Area Principal Forum

Last week, the Principal Team had the opportunity to attend the Term One Outer East Area Principal Forum, a gathering of school leaders from across our region. These forums play a vital role in ensuring that we stay informed about the latest developments in education and continue to refine our approach to teaching and learning.

During the day, we heard updates from key Department of Education leaders, including Clayton Sturzaker (Executive Director of the Outer East), Chris Thompson (Acting Deputy Secretary) and Karen Money (Director of the North East Victoria Region). They provided valuable insights into the current priorities and challenges facing education in Victoria.

A significant focus of the forum was the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 (VTLM 2.0), which is designed to strengthen the way students engage with learning and how teachers deliver their lessons. This model is not a strict set of instructions but rather a framework that connects the essential elements of effective teaching with the key aspects of student learning. It aims to ensure that all students receive high-quality education that supports their growth and success.

In the afternoon, we worked closely with Education Improvement Leaders to explore how VTLM 2.0 will be implemented in schools over the next three years, including the State focus of Foundation - Year 2 Reading and Phonics instruction. We are pleased to share that at Park Ridge Primary School, we are already well-positioned to meet this timeframe, with many of the key practices already embedded in our classrooms.

Our ongoing commitment is to provide the best possible learning experience for every student, and engaging in professional learning opportunities like this ensures that we stay at the forefront of educational best practice. We look forward to sharing more updates as we continue this journey.

If you have any questions about this work, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

2025 Excursions, Incursions, and Camps

We are excited to share that our teachers have been hard at work planning a fantastic range of excursions and incursions for students this year! These activities provide valuable hands-on learning experiences that enrich the curriculum and create lasting memories.

We also understand that the cost of school activities can add up, so our staff have been mindful of affordability when organising these experiences. Throughout 2025, we will carefully track and space out excursions and incursions across all year levels to help minimise extra costs for families. Information about each activity will be shared well in advance.

School Camping Program

Planning for our 2025 school camping program is already well underway, with bookings secured for all year levels. Camps play a vital role in our extra-curricular program, helping students develop independence, resilience, and teamwork skills in a fun and supportive environment. Each camp experience is designed to gradually build students' confidence and willingness to step out of their comfort zone.

Here’s a snapshot of the 2025 camping experiences:

Foundation – Healthy Day (a fun and active day at school)
Year 1 – Extended Day on-site (introducing students to an extended school-day experience)
Year 2 – Oasis Mount Evelyn Day Camp (a full-day outdoor adventure)
Year 3 – 2-day Camp at Ferngully Lodge, Healesville (first overnight camp experience)
Year 4 – 3-day Mount Evelyn Discovery Camp (building confidence in an outdoor setting)
Year 5 – 3-day Camp Campaspe Downs, Macedon Ranges (team-building and outdoor adventure)
Year 6 – 3-day Camp Rumbug, Foster (challenging activities to develop leadership and resilience)

Families will receive detailed information about their child’s camp well in advance (if not already provided).

Payment Options

We want to ensure that all students can participate in these valuable experiences, so we offer a variety of payment options:

✔️ Flexible payment plans are available to all families

✔️ Eligible families can apply for support through the Department of Education Camps, Sports, and Excursion Fund (CSEF)

✔️ Families may also be able to access the School Saving Bonus

If you have any questions or need assistance with payments, please reach out to our school office—we are happy to help.

We look forward to an exciting year filled with enriching experiences for our students!

Helping Out Around the School

We encourage all families to become involved in their child’s schooling and are always in need of adults to assist in classrooms and on excursions, in the library or with fundraising activities throughout the year. Our families are also able to contribute to our working bees or join our school council or contribute through one of its many sub-committees.

If you are interested in being involved in some or all the many opportunities to contribute to the Park Ridge community, please see you child’s teacher or keep an eye out for information that will be publicised in our School Newsletters, your child’s Year Level Compass Posts or our Compass newsfeed.

Please note that we do require that if you are volunteering within the school that you have a current Working With Children check and that you provide a copy of this to the school office. Information about and applications for Working With Children checks are available online at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Information about our school’s Visitor and Volunteer policies is available on our school website in the School Policies section.

Accident Insurance and Personal items brought to school

The Department of Education (DE) does not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents and carers are generally responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs.

The Department of Education states that reasonable low-cost accident insurance policies are available from the commercial insurance sector. For those parents and carers who seek personal cover, details of an insurer who offers low-cost individual accident insurance is EBM Insurance Brokers and their website is www.studentcover.com.au

Similarly, DE (which includes the school) does not offer replacement of personal items which are brought to school and are lost, broken, or stolen. Sentimental or expensive belongings and toys, including sports equipment and electronic devices, are normally best left at home.

Communication

There are many forms of communication used between school and home to ensure that parents are kept informed about what is happening both in the classroom and at a whole school level. Our main form of communication is through the Compass platform. Messages and reminders will be sent out via Compass. Teachers will also use Compass as a primary way to communicate to parents and carers. Please contact the office if you require further information about Compass. Our school newsletter will be sent out weekly via Compass as well.

Starting School Resources for Families

As we have settled back into the 2025 school year, we would like to share the following information about department services and resources with our families.

Transition tips

Back to school is an exciting time for students and families. It can be a big step – particularly for those starting foundation or moving to secondary school. For advice in multiple languages on how parents and carers can help their child have a positive start to school, refer to Tips for starting school.

Help with school costs

Please contact Chris Conway, Business Manager, if you are having difficulty with school costs. Programs like Affordable School Uniforms and the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund can help with the cost of school uniforms and other essential school items as well as school activities for eligible students - also this year we have the School Saver Bonus to assist families. For more information, please see Help with school costs and fees.

Health and wellbeing

The department’s mental and wellbeing health toolkit, offers guidance to help you support your child’s mental health and wellbeing at home, and advice on working with your school and seeking help if you have concerns.

What to expect at school

A range of information for parents and carers is available on the department’s website that explains school policies, requirements, and expectations, as well as available support services. For more information, please see Attending school and Building a positive relationship with your child's school.

Students’ Mobile Phones and Wearable Digital Devices

The Department of Education has a clear policy on student use of mobile phones and digital devices during school hours. All Park Ridge students who bring their mobile phone or digital device with them to school must sign in their device at the office upon arrival.

All devices will be kept in a secure location during the day. Students then need to sign out and collect their device at the end of the day. If your child brings a digital device to school, please discuss this expectation with them and ensure your child signs in their mobile device/s at the office by 8:45am and collects them after school from 3:15pm.

In addition, any student who brings a wearable device to school, such as a smart watch, must have ‘school mode’ enabled to prevent them using the device to make calls and send messages during the school day. If ‘school mode’ is not enabled, the student will be required to sign in their device at the office and collect it after school, in line with the Department of Education policy.

Please feel free to pop in for a chat with either Carrie, Brendan, or I, should you wish to discuss anything.

Our doors are always open!

Take care,

Mr. Dale Blythman

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