A note from Mr Jackson
Basketball Court Due to be Finished
Our new surface of the Basketball Court is due to be completed early next week. The protective fences will be removed on Monday. We look forward to a few minor adjustments in the coming days. Many have peered through and over fences to see the space emerge over the last few weeks.
Working Bee Invite
Saturday 31 May
All are welcome to join us for our scheduled Working Bee set for Saturday 31 May. A loyal band of workers gather at 9:00am and stay until 12noon. This Working Bee will focus on preparing and installing two recently arrived cubby houses. Kindly provided by the Barrbunin Beek Gathering Space and the Parade College’s VET carpentry students.
The Junior School Council have recently fundraised to ensure that they are painted and landscaped within the grounds of the school. Your help on this Working Bee to reconstruct and install these cubbies would be gratefully received.
We are also keen to shift the mulch currently in the carpark down to the lower area of the school where students have been digging. All are welcome for a sausage (with vegetarian options!) to end the event at 12 noon.
Education Week Starting
Monday 19 May
A reminder that two major events celebrating Education Week next week.
A. National Simultaneous Storytime
Wednesday 21 May
Students are looking forward to gathering in the Chandler Hall to listen to a reading of ‘The Truck Cat’ by the authors. Students will then dig deeper and celebrate the joy of reading as they respond in their classes. We look forward to a fun and collaborative celebration of reading for all.
This year, we will invite parents of potential 2026 Prep students to join in the activities in the Prep learning area. If you and your incoming prep child would like to attend you can register your attendance here.
B. Open Classrooms
Thursday 22 May
You are welcome to join in learning with students on the afternoon of Thursday 22 May at 2:40pm as we explore the Education Week Theme. There will be shoulder to shoulder learning that parents are invited to opt into in their child’s classroom. We encourage you to allow students to return from their lunch break and resettle in their classrooms prior to entering. I encourage parents to leave the classrooms at 3:20pm to enable them to complete the end of day routines. We understand that many of our parents are working and will be unable to attend but look forward to welcoming those who can.
Ramping Up Access
There are a number of changes in progress that are currently being finalised by the VSBA. These plans will help provide more accessible routes and entries/exits across the site. These changes include;
- Plans to reshape the main entry on Grandview Grove and the Bellevue Ave entries with more accessible ramps
- Replacement of the stairs leading to ‘the oval’ with ramps.
- Ramping to the front of the admin building and the art end of the admin block
- Installation of electric doors in the foyer
- Ramping from the admin block leading to the lower building
- Ramping from the STEM Garden down through to the lower sandpit
These actions will continue to support students, staff and parents in moving through the site. Architectural plans are due for approval shortly and then a tender process will take place. We hope to have a clearer understanding of the timeline for these works later in the term.
Whole School Celebration of Values
We were thrilled on Wednesday this week to have completed our values jigsaw for the fourth time! The Junior School Council have consulted with classes and are eager to arrange a special Film Festival! Students will be provided with an opportunity to watch a film and munch on some popcorn! More news will be shared in the coming days.
National Sorry Day
Monday 26 May
Parents are invited to join with school captains and many of our First Nation’s students at Malahang Reserve as we mark this important day. You are invited to join Wurundjeri Elders and representatives for a healing ceremony in which we honour the resilience of the First Nations community affected by the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Students will be sharing their experience at the assembly on the following Friday.
Photo Day
Monday 26 May
Parents are reminded the first of two photo days will be held in a fortnight. The second photo day is held later in the year to include those who miss out on individual photos and those in sporting teams in the latter part of the year.
