From the Principal

Next week is June and for all the winter enthusiasts, the snow season is not far away.  Staff have been busy writing reports and although this is a busy time for staff, it is an opportunity to celebrate what their students have achieved in the first semester of the school year. 

Unwell Students 

Unfortunately, it is that time of the year when colds and flu symptoms seem to be a common occurrence. We appreciate that attendance is important, however, if your child has symptoms and is unwell, please keep them at home, this will help stop the spread of colds, flu and COVID to other children and staff.  If children are unwell, parents will be notified, and children will need to be collected.

Division Cross Country

Congratulations to the students who competed in the Kingston division cross-country last Thursday. We have seven students who have progressed to the Southern Metropolitan Region Cross Country on Wednesday 12th June. Eden B, Jordan B, Erica C, Sienna M, Cleo N, Eva R, Oscar VK.

Junior Mayor

Well done to the PPS team: Saana S, Lily Mc, Mackenzie S, Ben C who competed in Kingston’s Junior Mayor on Thursday.  Although we were not successful in gaining a position, it was a great experience, and the team were outstanding representing Parkdale PS. 

QBD Book Fair 

Thank you to the families who purchased and donated a book as part of our 100 years of education.  A wide variety of books were purchased for students in years Foundation to Grade 6.  In years to come your child’s/families name will be remembered by future students. 

Prep/Foundation Enrolments 2025

Enrolments for 2025 are now open for foundation/prep students. To our current families with a child/children commencing Prep in 2025, please ensure you fill out the enrolment form and return to the office by the due date, 26th July.  If you know of any friends wanting to enrol their child for Prep 2025, please share this information with them.

Aerobics

We wish both our Aerobics teams, Starbursts and Rockin Robics the best of luck in the State finals on Sunday. 

Around the classrooms

A snapshot of what has been happening in our inquiry units so far this term........

This term the foundation students are focusing on Healthy Habits. The students have explored what makes us unique and they are learning about healthy bodies (eating & moving), healthy mind and wellbeing. 

In Grade 1 the students are undertaking a science unit Weather in my world. This unit covers weather symbols and reports, seasons, and the water cycle.  The students have learnt lots of interesting facts. The Bunurong who camped in Clyde understood the seasons from a different perspective to that of the European settlers. Six seasons - (high summer, late summer, early winter, deep winter, early spring, true spring).

Grade 2 students are also undertaking a science unit “all mixed up”.  The students are looking at how everyday materials can be physically changed or combined with other materials in a variety of ways.  They are completing a range of experiments exploring this topic. 

The Grade 3 students are engaging in a history unit this term which covers a range of concepts relating to the diversity of Australia's first people and the long and continuous connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.

Grade 4 students are focusing on science this term which includes biological and chemical.  This half of the term the students have focused on biological.  Students are exploring the relationship between plants and animals. They are exploring the lifecycles and interactions between flowering plants, bees, and ants.

Students in Grade 5 are engaging in a history unit ‘closing the gap’ which focuses on Indigenous Australians. This week the students are focusing on understanding how we can promote reconciliation and how to move forward.

Grade 6 students are fully engaged in their space topic.  The students have been completing different STEM activities over the past 6 weeks linked to Space, some of these have included making a cardboard rover, NASA coding activity, and a Solar system scroll.

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The National Reconciliation Week 2024 design and artwork represent the momentum of the theme Now More Than Ever. The chevron, a universal symbol for pointing the way, signifies advancing as one as we look towards a reconciled future; and the vibrant artwork of Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie Douglas encourages connecting with one another, understanding, and continuing to move forward.  

Rail works Update 

Parkers Road Crossing closed Friday 14th June – Sunday 16th June.

Kind regards

Leanne Bradney