Principal's Desk
Christmas Concert Success!
Our annual Christmas Concert was a true highlight of the year and absolutely lived up to expectations. The turnout on Wednesday evening was remarkable, and it was wonderful to see our school community come together in such strong support. The overwhelming attendance from families speaks volumes about the commitment you all have to our school, our events, and - most importantly- to supporting Park Ridge students to flourish as learners.
As I shared on the night, an event of this scale is only possible because of the tremendous effort happening behind the scenes. A heartfelt thank you goes to our music teacher, Mr. Stewart, our dedicated teaching staff, Education Support Staff, the PCA, and of course our amazing students. Every one of you contributed to making the evening such a memorable success.
A special acknowledgement must also go to our outstanding student leaders - Charlie, Ella, Savannah, and Mitchell - who were exceptional as Masters of Ceremonies. Their confidence, organisation, and leadership ensured the night ran smoothly from start to finish. They have set a wonderful example for our future 2026 student leaders, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such inspiring role models in our school.
Ensuring Your Child’s Safety Walking To and From School
At Park Ridge PS, the safety of our students is a top priority. As more children walk to and from school, especially in this nicer weather, it’s important to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate their journey safely. Here are some strategies to help your child stay safe and build road awareness:
Plan and Practice the Route
Choose the safest route with minimal road crossings and footpaths.
Practise walking the route with your child, pointing out hazards and safe crossing points.
Teach Road Safety Basics
Remind your child to always Stop, Look, Listen, and Think before crossing any road.
Use pedestrian and school crossings where possible.
Explain the importance of avoiding distractions like headphones or mobile phones when near traffic.
Buddy Up
Encourage your child to walk with a sibling, neighbour, or friend. Walking in groups is safer and more enjoyable.
Set Rules for Stranger Safety
Teach your child to stay on the designated route and never accept rides or talk to strangers.
Have a clear plan in place if your child feels unsafe, such as going to a trusted adult or calling you.
Model Safe Behaviour
Children learn by example. When walking with your child, model good road safety habits, such as crossing at lights and obeying traffic rules.
By practising these strategies and fostering awareness, we can work together to ensure your child has a safe and enjoyable journey to and from school.
2026 Transition Process
This Thursday and next Monday, students will begin their transition sessions for 2026, where they will experience their new year level and meet their class teacher for next year. Change can feel different for everyone, but we know our students are well-equipped to make a smooth and successful transition.
We encourage families to talk positively with their children about moving into a new year level. Create an environment that reassures your child that you believe in their confidence, capability, and readiness to thrive in 2026. With class placements now complete - and all requests carefully considered where possible - no further changes can be made.
Building resilience continues to be a strong focus at our school. While friendships are important, we also remind students that they can grow, succeed, and enjoy school even if they are not placed directly alongside their closest friends.
Staffing News
Over the past few weeks, we have been carefully reviewing our school structures and programs to ensure strong support for our students and smooth operations in 2026. A key part of this work includes staffing, and like every year, there are some changes to share.
Firstly, Paige Kelly has accepted a position at Eastwood Primary School. Paige’s dedication to supporting our Year 2 students has been truly invaluable. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has contributed and wish her every success as she takes this next exciting step in her career.
We also share that Alix Rozynski will be finishing in her official role with us at the end of this year, accepting a position at Lyndhurst Secondary College. Alix has brought such positivity and warmth to our office team, helping to create a welcoming and uplifting environment for students, staff and families alike.
Finally, Sarah Ryle has decided to take 12 months’ leave to embrace the important role of being a mum to her beautiful family. Sarah has had a significant and positive impact on our Synthetic Phonics program in Foundation and Year 1. While her expertise and commitment will be greatly missed, we wish her a wonderful year ahead and look forward to welcoming her back in 2027.
Please join me in thanking Paige, Alix and Sarah for their outstanding contributions to our school community. We wish each of them all the very best for 2026.
Kinder to Foundation Transition Process
Our final Future Stars session was a tremendous success and a wonderful way to conclude this important transition program. It has been fantastic to see all our 2026 Foundation students coming together, forming new friendships, building confidence, and becoming familiar with our school environment. These sessions have created a strong and supportive foundation for their learning journey at Park Ridge, and it has been truly heartwarming to witness their enthusiasm and growth.
We have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from parents, who have shared their appreciation for the program and the way it helps their children feel prepared and excited for their first year of school. This feedback reinforces the value of initiatives like Future Stars in ensuring a smooth and positive transition into school life.
Looking ahead, we are confident that this new cohort of Foundation students will be ready to hit the ground running in 2026. Their eagerness to learn, paired with the ongoing support of their families and our dedicated staff, sets the scene for a fantastic start to their educational journey. We look forward to officially welcoming them next year!
Last Day of the 2025 School Year
The final day of the school year for students and staff is Friday 19 December, with students being dismissed at 1:15pm. Many families have indicated to classroom teachers and the office that their child’s final day will be earlier than Friday 19 December.
If your child will not be attending school at any time in the final week/s of the school year, please ensure you enter their absence into Compass as soon as possible so we can finalise our student attendance records for the school year.
2025 Final Assembly and Early Finishing Time for Final Day
Our final assembly for the 2025 school year will be held on the final day of school on Friday 19 December. Weather permitting, the assembly will be held at the podium area and will begin at approximately 1:00pm and conclude by 1:15pm. All students will be dismissed by their classroom teacher, from the podium area, at the conclusion of assembly at 1:15pm.
TeamKids will be running an extended after school care program that will begin at 1:15pm. Information about TeamKid's program and contact information is available via our School Website.
Please feel free to pop in for a chat with either Carrie, Brendan or I, should you wish to discuss anything.
Our doors are always open!
Take care,
Mr. Dale Blythman