From the Principal 

Science Week

The children have loved participating in National Science Week activities throughout the week. Our amazing staff have offered lots of different lunchtime activities to complement the science being taught in each class. Experiments included creating sensory stamps, decoding animal prints and decoding shadows. Well done to all our scientists!

John Monash Science School

On Wednesday I had the privilege of taking four of our students to John Monash Science School as part of a four week program called Mini Scientists. Our students are mentored by Year 10 students and have the opportunity to conduct experiments in their laboratory. Each term we are able to select four year 5-6 students to participate. This gives them experience in a secondary setting and to develop their passion for science and mathematics. It is a great initiative by the specialist secondary school.

Book Week

Don’t forget it is book week all next week. We have lots of fun activities planned for the students to promote a love for reading. The theme is Book an Adventure. 

Wednesday: Book Week Show by PerformEd for students in Prep to Year 4. 

Thursday: Dress Up Parade at 9:10 (location dependent on the weather). All families are invited to come along.

Wednesday - Friday: Story Time (Library leaders reading books to other students)

Monday and Wednesday: Fishy Stories and Kingston Libraries Competitions Writing Workshop at recess.

School Review

Our school review started on Monday 11th of August. We had two full days this week on Monday and Thursday. Our last day is on Tuesday August 19th.

Day one was looking at the school’s learning and wellbeing data and analysed parts of this to look at trends and factors. The second day was a fieldwork day where the panel visited classrooms to watch teaching and learning take place. The panel also spoke with teachers, education support staff, students and parents to gain insight about what is currently working well and ideas for improvement over the next four years. I look forward to sharing our new strategic plan.

Parent Opinion Survey

Next week, I will be sending out information about the parent opinion survey along with details of how to access the survey. I would greatly appreciate it if as many families could complete the survey so we can use the information to inform school wide decisions. This year, we have two $50 PSW vouchers to give away to families who complete the survey. To be in the running for the voucher, simply screenshot the last page of the survey (it should say “thank-you for completing the survey”) and send it through to le.page.ps@education.vic.gov.au. All responses are confidential. Prizes will be drawn at the last assembly on Friday 19th of September. We thank-you in advance!

House Athletics

House athletics will now be on Monday 1st of September at the Mentone Athletics Club (Dolomore Oval). Parents are very welcome to attend and support the children. We welcome everyone to wear their house colours on the day. A reminder of our house names and colours are.

Alcott - Blue

Barty - Yellow

Fox - Green

Mills - Red

Safe Crossings, Safe Kids

The safety of our school children is a top priority. School crossings have special rules and are often a workplace for our School Crossing Supervisors. Your actions on and around school crossings keep our community safe.

Safe behaviours at school crossings

As kids travel to and from school it’s important for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to be aware and take extra care during these busy times. Following the road rules at school crossings doesn’t just keep our community safe, it is also the law. 

To help keep our kids safe, it’s important for drivers to:

• Slow down around school crossings at a speed slow enough to stop safely, if necessary.
• Stop if a handheld “Stop” sign is displayed and you must give way when school crossing flags are displayed.
• Stop and wait until the school crossing is clear of all pedestrians including supervisors.
• Stop if a child or adult is about to cross or is crossing, even if there is no crossing supervisor.
• Never overtake a vehicle stopping or stopped at the crossing.
• Never let children get in or out of your vehicle when stopped waiting at a school crossing.
• Respect School Crossing Supervisors, they’re trained to support children’s safety.
• Always watch out for children near schools and if you see a school crossing, use it.

At school crossings, all road users need to be alert, including pedestrians. Always look and listen for approaching traffic from each direction before crossing. Pedestrians need to be sure that drivers or riders have seen them and are stopping.

Identifying a school crossing

School crossings are operational when flags are displayed or signs with flashing lights are operating. Drivers, riders and pedestrians can look out for the following to help identify a school crossing:  

• School crossings are active on weekdays during Victorian school terms. Usually between 8am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm.
• Red and white posts on each side of the road with orange children’s crossing flags.
• Two parallel continuous or broken lines across the road surface. Children’s crossing yellow signs and twin yellow lights flashing.
• School crossing supervisors may be present, easily identified by a high visibility yellow safety vest or jacket and a hat with the word ‘Supervisor’ embroidered.
• If you’re driving in a school zone, it usually means a school crossing will be nearby. In most cases, the speed limit displayed will be 40km/h or 60km/h (when the original speed limit is 80km/h or higher). 

Please see the link below for more information

https://transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/education-resources/safe-crossings-safe-kids

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend and I look forward to seeing many of our community on Saturday night at the Trivia Night!

Kind regards,

Courtney Mason