From Mr Ridgway
Foundation 100 Days of School
Last week, our Foundation students marked an exciting milestone: 100 days of school! From entering for their first day a few months back, it’s amazing to see how much learning, growing, and fun have taken place since that very first day back in February. To celebrate this special occasion, our classrooms were filled with fun activities. The day began with the teachers and students arriving dressed as if they were 100 years old, complete with walking sticks, cardigans, curlers, and oversized glasses!
As we look ahead to the rest of the year, this milestone reminds us of the importance of celebrating achievements, both big and small. Congratulations, Foundation, I look forward to watching the next 100 days of your learning adventures!
House Aths
See the Physical Education page of this newsletter.
Curriculum Day
Just a reminder that we have a scheduled Curriculum Day for Wednesday, 27 August. On this day, the staff will be engaging in a full day of Protective Intervention Training.
What is Protective Intervention?
- Prevention first – recognising early signs of distress and responding in ways that reduce escalation.
- De-escalation techniques – using calm communication, space, and supportive strategies to help students regain control.
- Safe physical interventions – learning how to keep students and staff physically safe if a situation becomes unsafe.
- Restoration – supporting students to re-engage positively after an incident, with a focus on learning, understanding, and repairing relationships.
Why it Matters
This training ensures our staff are more confident, capable, and consistent in maintaining a safe environment for everyone. It also aligns with Department of Education guidelines and our school’s commitment to positive, respectful behaviour support.
By investing in Protective Intervention Training, we aim to further build a school community where every student feels secure, supported, and ready to learn.
Drop off and Pick up Road Safety
I would like to bring a significant concern to the attention of all parents/carers. We are seeing a rise in students displaying unsafe practices when crossing Silver St directly outside the main office. We are also noticing parents/carers, parked opposite the school, signalling their child/ren to cross the road. Parents/Carers and students must cross using our designated school crossings. Mr Chaplin and I are spending time in this area before and after school to better understand why families are taking such risks when crossing roads. I have also reached out to the City of Kingston again as a matter of urgency. I am requesting support to make this area safer for our families.
We will reiterate road safety with our students in the classrooms and ask that you support this conversation at home.
I would also like to remind everyone about adhering to the 'Kiss and Go' areas and not to park in the 'No Standing Zones'.
The 'Kiss and Go' signage on Silver St and Coolac St is designed to improve community safety, in particular student safety during the busy 3.30pm pick-up period. Unfortunately, several parents/carers are continuing to park in these spaces for durations well beyond the designated 2-minute limit. The Kingston Council has provided some information below for your reference. Due to increased safety concerns, the council has also advised that its law enforcement team will be patrolling this area during pick-up periods. In addition, we will be reinforcing with students the importance of using our many manned school crossings at all times. We ask families to continue this conversation at home.
Book Week
Regards,
Robert Ridgway
