Deputy Principal

Welcome to Term 1

Article by Michael Weier, Deputy Principal – Head of Yirramboi Campus 

A very warm welcome to all our students and families as we begin the new school year at Yirramboi. It has been wonderful to see the campus come alive again, with students reconnecting, new routines forming and a strong sense of energy returning to our community. 

At our Campus Welcome Assembly on Thursday, I spoke to students about the year ahead and the importance of beginning it with a spirit of gratitude. That sense of working together, school and home, is especially important as we navigate the practical routines that come with the start of the year. 

As we settle into the first few weeks of term, a gentle reminder that start-up matters, particularly traffic flow, parking and student collection arrangements, can take a little time to bed down. Thank you in advance for your patience, cooperation and good humour as everyone adjusts. 

Traffic Flow and Arrival by Car 

During morning drop-off, drivers using the Middle School (lower car park loop) and upper car park loop drop-off zones must remain in their vehicles at all times. In general, students and parents should not enter the building via the front entrance or reception area unless attending a scheduled meeting or conducting school business. 

If parents wish to walk with their child from their car, vehicles must be parked in the long-term parking area in the lower car park, accessed via Gate 2. 

After School Collection 

Middle School Pick-Ups: 

At dismissal time, parents waiting to collect their child should remain outside the building, using the covered plaza area adjacent to the Middle School pick-up/drop-off zone. The amphitheatre is also a suitable meeting point. To support safe pedestrian movement, families are asked to avoid waiting in the Year 5 playground area. 

Parents collecting Middle School students by car are asked to arrive after 3.30pm. This allows students time to leave class, collect belongings and walk safely to the pick-up zone in the Middle School Plaza area. Staff supervise this area, and cars arriving early may be asked to move on to prevent congestion. Under no circumstances should drivers leave their vehicles in the drop-off zone. 

Combined Middle School and Senior School Pick-Ups: 

Families collecting students from both schools should use the upper turning loop and are encouraged to arrive after 3.25pm. Parking is not permitted in staff car parks within the loop or near the First Aid Centre, and there should be no student pick-ups near the Gate 1 roundabout or in the bus zone. Parents needing to leave their vehicle should use the lower car park via Gate 2. 

Bus Travel 

Alongside public CDC bus services, the College provides fifteen student-only chartered bus services, operated by Moonee Valley Bus Lines. College staff supervise students boarding and exiting buses each day. 

Students must use their College ID card to scan on and off buses, which supports safe supervision and timely departures. Parents can track Moonee Valley buses using the Busminder app, which also confirms when a student has boarded. 

Students travelling to Canowindra in the afternoon must board one of the five intercampus buses, which depart at 3.35pm sharp. Buses arriving from Canowindra typically reach Yirramboi shortly after 3.45pm. Junior School students meeting Middle School siblings to walk home should do so at the Junior School Arrival gate near the bus stop. 

All students using chartered bus services are expected to follow the College’s Student Code of Conduct. Normal school behaviour expectations apply while travelling, and all buses are fitted with CCTV. 

Community Code of Conduct 

A final reminder that our Community Code of Conduct underpins the way we work together as a community. We ask all parents and carers to model the College’s values, to support staff and leadership - particularly in matters of behaviour management - and approach concerns calmly and respectfully. Strong partnerships between home and school are essential to supporting our students’ growth and wellbeing. 

Thank you for your ongoing support as we begin the year. We look forward to a positive, productive and connected year ahead.