Getting Curious About CURIOSITY ELC

A note from our Principal

Dear parents and carers,

 

Essential safety reminders for the Good Shepherd Lutheran School community

I share a number of safety matters with you for your reflection and action. Your cooperation will ensure we are maintaining a safe school environment for all. I have not taken time to date this year, to specifically share these concerns / reminders, and indeed some items outlined are new procedures. Thank you in advance for your cooperation regarding all matters.

 

Montague Road Bus Stop

  • Please refrain from using the Montague Rd Bus zone as a Kiss and Drop zone or for parking. On regular occasions our buses are forced to wait for cars to move from the bus zone, blocking Montague Rd traffic. This disruption to traffic flow on this fast flowing, dual lane road is extremely dangerous. 
  • It is illegal to park 20m before or 10m after a bus stop. A yellow paint line has been placed on the curb for your reference.

Parking

  • Please park legally at all times in surrounding streets.
  • Please respect local residents by not parking and leaving cars unattended across driveways. The relationships we share and the respect we show the wider community, is very important to us.

Dogs on site 

  • Dogs are not permitted on the school site under any circumstances, regardless of their size or ‘cuteness factor’.
  • Hearing, seeing or therapy dogs are permitted, but must be identified with a vest or clearly labelled collar.
  • Dogs should not under any circumstances be tethered near the school or ELC sites and left unattended. Dogs naturally attract inquisitive children. Even the most placid dog can be ‘spooked’ and forced to protect itself if rushed upon by one or more excited children at peak pedestrian times around the school.
  • Please ensure dogs in cars are restrained at all times.

Kiss and Drop

  • The Kiss and Drop zone at Good Shepherd is the left lane adjacent to the school buildings. No other locations in the car park should be used for Kiss and Drop.
  • Please always move as far forward in the Kiss and Drop line as is possible, regardless of where your child is waiting, or the proximity of their classroom. The efficiency of Kiss and Drop is greatly enhanced if this guideline is followed.
  • Parents must remain in their vehicles at all times and therefore, use of Kiss and Drop requires children to be independent in managing their belongings and seat belt. 

School Playgrounds before School 

  • Children are not permitted anywhere on site without the supervision of an adult prior to 8.15am. (excluding OSHC)
  • Parents only, are to operate the personal access gate near the playground.
  • Children on site between 8.15am and 8.30am are free to access the middle primary playground and hard play space. 
  • Beginning 20 March, in response to larger numbers of students on site, the Junior Primary Playground will also be supervised from 8.15am – 8.30am and is available for children in Stage 1 and 2.
  • During the week commencing 20 March, a record will be taken of children unaccompanied onsite before 8.15am (including any waiting under the front verandah). Parents will be contacted and reminded of safety protocols. 
  • From 27 March children unaccompanied onsite before 8.15am (including any waiting under the front verandah), will be booked into OSHC. These bookings will attract the higher ‘emergency care’ fee.

School Playgrounds after school

  • We promote and encourage a time of fellowship after school for parents and children.
  • The Junior Primary Playground, and immediately adjacent green space, is open after school for children who are under the direct supervision of a parent. 
  • The creative play spaces around the oval are not for student use after school unless play is alongside a parent.
  • Children who disregard this guideline and unsupervised, access playgrounds instead of reporting to one of the Kiss and Drop supervised areas, will receive a consequence.
  • Therefore, please do not instruct your child to wait for you after school in the playground.

OSHC

  • OSHC (Outside School Hours Care) is available for children who need to be onsite before 8.15am and after 3.30pm.
  • Parents are always welcome within the school environment, but for compliance reasons, the Ark is for sole use by OSHC from 3pm as is the middle primary playground.

Your cooperation

There’s never much joy in sending a communication to parents that specifically lays out ‘the rules’, but I can’t stress how important these matters are to ensure we maintain good order and high levels of safety for all.  Thank you for raising these matters with me. As parents are often the ‘eyes and ears’ of the school environment at peak times, I welcome any additional feedback.  

 

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Kind regards,

 

David Wilksch

Principal