Langwarrin Primary School Newsletter

Principal's Report

 

Ramps project

 

We have continued to experience delays with the upgrade to our school ramps, it is frustrating for us all when the timeline continues to be stretched out; however this is beyond the our control.  We are expecting the hand rail installation around the new ramp near the CAPE Centre in the next week or so and then this area will be complete.  The modular ramps to be fitted on the library  and the two on the senior building are currently under construction off site and are expected mid-late August.  I thank everyone for their patience while this work takes longer than originally anticipated.

 

Payment Cut offs for activities, incursions and excursions

 

Once again, I find myself in the situation of saying ‘NO’ to parents when they request to make a payment after an event has closed off on QKR.  It is certainly not pleasant for myself or any of the leadership team to refuse a child to attend, but allowing late attendees causes extra work specifically on the office staff, leads to inaccurate lists and the chance of errors of missed medications and staffing ratio inaccuracy.  For your reference this is our process:

  • The office will set up all bookings on QKR and email parents to advise it has opened on QKR with 4 weeks’ notice for the parents to pay
  • Teachers to send reminders of the events and payment in their weekly emails
  • The office will put a post of on Facebook 1 week out from cut off on QKR
  • The office will send an email to the teachers to remind the children that haven’t paid or given permission.
  • The office will send a direct SMS 4 days out to families that have not paid
  • The event will close off QKR at 4pm on the scheduled date.
  • The day after the closing (which is a week before your excursion/incursion) the office will supply class teachers with a list of students not attending.

Class teachers then make necessary lists for attendees and non attendees, First aid lists are actioned.  DET risk assessments are submitted and staffing ratios are confirmed.

 

If you experience any issues, error messages, password failures, ‘glitches’ whilst trying to make a payment, please contact us immediately (before the cut off date) and we will assist you to ensure your payment is received on time.

If you call our office after the payment closure date, the activity has expired from QKR and cannot be accessed by you.

 

I feel we have a very thorough process that is clear and regular.  But if you have any suggestions for improvement I welcome your feedback to this process.  

 

Drop off and Pick up zone

 

The safety of students, staff and families is and always will be our priority.  I thought it was timely to share a few reminders about how you can help our drop off and pick up zone work effectively.

  1. Please drive through at a slow pace.  Move up and leave no gaps to ensure we have as many cars as possible within the slip lane. This reduces the number of cars waiting on Warrandyte Road.
  2. Use your indicator (left) in the slip lane to indicate that you are going into the drop off / pick up zone.  This assists the slip lane crossing staff to know where cars are going.
  3. We will continue to put traffic cones out to guide cars in to the drop off / pick up zone.
  4. When pulling into the drop off / pick up zone, please drive as far forward as possible; this allows us to fit 4 cars in at a time.
  5. Please remain in the car.  Having your passenger window down can help staff when asking the name of the student/s.
  6. We will assist with car doors, bags and seat belts as required.  We will walk any students that need to enter or exit from the driver’s side.
  7. Staff will no longer be moving traffic cones to allow cars to exit from the middle of the drop off / pick up zone.  Victoria Police have advised us that this is putting staff at a higher risk with vehicle movement and is not necessary.
  8. Once cars are filled with students, cars will exit in order out of the pick up / drop off zone to re-enter the slip lane and then exit on to Warrandyte Road safely.
  9. In the situation where we have several cars loaded with students and you are situated in the front bays, if your child/ren has still not arrived at the pick up zone, you may be asked by staff to exit to Warrandyte Road and return again.  This allows the traffic to keep moving in the pick up / drop off zone and cars to collect children who are ready and waiting.
  10. Similarly, if you have a child who is having difficulty exiting the car in the mornings, you may be asked to exit back onto Warrandyte Road and try again, or find a parking bay.

What we do ask is for is patience and respect towards our staff.  When dismissing 670 students at the same time, along with two other schools on the same road, it is going to be busy.  We appreciate your support with this.

 

Parent / Teacher Interviews

 

Thank you to the many parents and carers that came onsite to meet with teaching staff last week to discuss your child’s progress.  If for some reason you missed these important meetings or you had to cancel, please contact your child’s teacher to reschedule an appointment.

 

Using Toilets Onsite

 

Student toilets are for LPS students only.  If any parent, toddlers, high school students etc. need to use the toilet please come to the office as we have a toilet available for use. 

 

Book Week

 

Term 3 is always a busy term…..with one of our favourite events ‘Book Week’.  Our highlight activity that week is our Book Character Parade.  Students have the opportunity to come dressed as their favourite book character and join in our Book Week Parade. Prizes will be given out to the best dressed on the day. Teachers will also be dressing up as their favourite book character. Our Book Parade will begin at 9:05am stadium on Wednesday 20th August. Parents are welcome to come along and support this event. 

 

Have a great fortnight, 

 

Mrs Pepper