Principal's Report
Here we are at the end of Term 1; it has certainly been a jam-packed term.
It’s hard to believe our Prep children have nearly finished their first term at school and what an incredible job they are doing. They have settled into school life and are making amazing progress. We are very fortunate that our local pre-school teachers do such a fantastic job of preparing the children for school life.
Our Grade 6 students are at the other end of their journey, in their final year of primary school. They have had a very busy this term spending a week in Canberra where they experienced various activities. At the beginning of next term we will be sending out by email the secondary school transition forms. This brings with it the realisation that their time at primary school is nearing the end.
School Council
Last Monday night we held the first meeting of our new School Council. This year we welcomed five new parent members: James Fahy, Jessica Gerrard, Merinda Ries, Tim Duncan and Zach Hannan and a new DE member Bev Taylor.
The first task for the new council was to elect office bearers. Congratulations to:
President – Aaron Hawke
Vice President – Anna Graham
Finance Sub-Committee - Aaron Hawke, Christopher Dart, Dale Adams, Fabian Harcus, Janet Paterson
Community Engagement and Sustainability Sub-Committee - Anna Graham and Keri Spence
The Community Engagement and Sustainability subcommittee will focus on organising events for the school including fundraising events and other social opportunities for families to connect. The group are already planning to organise some of our favourite events from previous years including the Comedy Night (Term 3), the Trivia Night and the movie night.
If you are interested in joining the Community Engagement and Sustainability sub-committee or have some good ideas, you can email Anna at annayerondais@hotmail.com or Keri at keri_spence@hotmail.com
Family Picnic
Sadly, we had to cancel the Community picnic due to the weather. Anna and Keri are currently looking for another evening to have it.
Behaviour Expectations
Last year as part of the Review process the need for a consistent manner of dealing with behaviour was identified. As a result, we have been developing a more consistent whole school approach to classroom behaviour management using the principals of Positive Behaviours Support. It uses proactive strategies, modelling and role-playing of positive behaviours rather than direct punishment. Positive behaviours are expected and will be the focus in classes to maintain and positive learning environment. This framework will commence the implementation process next term.
The framework will make it clear when consequences are handed out with consistent communication. Students will have time to reflect and learn skills to problem solve and adapt when making future decisions and facing challenging scenarios. Students will be able to communicate and learn to cope with stress, fear and/or frustration using an evidence-based approach. They will also learn to be accountable for their behaviour.
This framework will be adapted and developed over time using the feedback from students, teachers, leadership and families/carers.
Assessment Portfolios
All students have been doing assessment tasks recently for their portfolios which will be sent home at the beginning of next term.
Ride To School Day
Our recent Ride to School Day was an overwhelming success. We had a huge number of students who rode their bikes and scooters to school. Our aim is to continue to encourage students to Walk or Wheel to school as often as possible. This will reduce the number of cars we have around the school in the morning and afternoon.
Next term we are dedicating Fridays to walking or wheeling to school. Friday will become WOW Day.
From Week 3 (Friday 8 May) every child who either walks or wheels (scooter or bike) to school will receive a token for their grade. The grade with the most tokens at the end of the term will receive the golden Boot Award. This program is being run in conjunction with the Darebin Council.
We hope that lots of children will not only walk or wheel to school on a Friday but other days as well. Don’t forget if your child rides their bike or scooter to school, they MUST wear a helmet and they are not permitted to ride bikes or scooters in the school grounds.
Crazy Hair Day
Huge thanks to all the families who supported the Junior School Council's fundraising event last week. We raised $683 which has been donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
2027 Prep Tours
We have been inundated with calls from prospective families regarding Prep enrolments for 2027. If you know of any families who are wanting to enrol their child at Preston PS for 2027 please let them know we will be running Information Sessions, which include a tour of the School, beginning early next term.
All the information on how to book an information session and tour is located on the school website under enrolment: www.preston-ps.vic.edu.au/page/165/Enrolment
Tour dates:
Tuesday April 28th: 9.30 am to 10.40 am - full
Monday May 4: 9.30 am to 10.40 am - full
Tuesday May 12: 9.30 am to 10.40 am - full
Monday May 18: 9.30 am to 10.40 am - full
Thursday May 21: 9.30 am to 10.40 am - full
Thursday June 04: 9.30 am to 10.40 am (filling fast!)
Bookings are essential.
Holidays
As always, as the term draws to an end, the children are starting to get tired. The two-week break is a good opportunity for them to relax and recuperate ready for next term.
As Thursday is the last day of Term 1 and school will finish at 2.30pm.
Parents, please ensure you are not late to pick up your child as some children become quite upset if their parents are not here to pick them up on time.
I hope all families have a safe and enjoyable holiday and we see you back at school ready for the start of Term 2 on Monday April 20th at 9.00am.
Regards,
Janet Paterson,
Principal.