From the Principal

Welcome back to the final term of 2025!

We hope everyone enjoyed a refreshing and relaxing break. It’s hard to believe we’ve reached Term 4, and before long, we’ll be celebrating the conclusion of another productive and successful year at Parkdale Primary.

It has been a smooth start to the term, and the children are excited about the learning and events ahead. There’s plenty to look forward to, including Japanese Day, Grade 3 Camp, Grade 5 Health Education, F/1/3 Swimming, transition sessions for our 2026 Prep students, excursions, incursions, the GATEWAYS Challenge, Bike Ed for Grade 4 students, Prep Portfolio presentations, and of course, the Grade 6 Graduation as we farewell our senior students.

2026 School Year

If you have a child in Foundation to Year 5 who will not be returning to PPS next year, could you please inform the office or the class teacher via email ASAP. This will assist with planning for class structures and staffing for 2026.

Division Aths

Congratulations and well done to all the students who competed in the division aths on Thursday. We have two relay teams and several students who will compete at the regional championships in a few weeks.

Will G (100 metres), Eva R (100m), Bo G (100m and hurdles), Eliza O (Triple jump), Hamish F (100m), Jacob F (long Jump and triple jump),

U 9/10 girl’s relay (Tayla F, Poppy G, Layla W, Nina D)

U 9/10 boys relay (Archer K, Austin C, William R, Bodhi O)

U 12/13 girls relay (Bo G, Emily M, Eliza O, Chloe M)

U 12/13 boys relay (Hamish F, Jacob F, Max W, Jude W)

Girls Basketball

Good luck to the girls’ basketball team competing in the division competition on Tuesday.

Helmet Safety Reminder

At Parkdale Primary, student safety is always our top priority. We remind all families of the importance of children wearing helmets when riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards to and from school. A properly fitted helmet significantly reduces the risk of serious head injury and helps establish lifelong safety habits. Please take a moment to check that your child’s helmet fits securely and is worn correctly every time they ride. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe. Children need to dismount from their bikes and scooters at the school gate and are not to ride in the school grounds before or after school.

SunSmart - Hats & Sunscreen

Children are required to wear a hat which is in line with our Sun Smart policy. Please ensure your child has a school hat, navy and wide brimmed and named. Sunscreen is available; however, we encourage children to bring a small tube of sunscreen which can be kept in their bag, and they can apply this before they go outside.

Hats & OSHC

If your child attends before or after school care they will need to keep their hat in their bag or have a spare hat in their bag, as the children will not be allowed to go to their classrooms before or after school.

Buildings & Grounds

Over the term holidays Glen (Handyman) completed the table where the gum tree was removed, the Grade 2 steps were repaired, a new fire hydrant was installed and trees trimmed. General ground and oval maintenance were completed. We have also engaged with an indigenous artist who will work with us to create a mural on the wall between the main building and the art room.

Pupil Free Day – Monday 3rd November

Curriculum Day is on Monday 3rd November, this is a pupil free day. TheirCare will operate a pupil free day program, if you require this service, please book directly through TheirCare.

Allocation of 2026 Classes

When developing individual classes each year, teachers consider several factors including academic ability, social competencies, gender, students who work well together, those who may not work well together and friendship groupings. Whilst the students are consulted about current friendships, it is only one of the criteria considered because building new relationships is also part of our education process and an important skill for students to develop. The placement of students is a complex process where teachers put great thought into their planning. They discuss, reflect, and review their decisions over a period of time.

On occasions parent perspective can also add information to support this process. If you have any valuable information regarding class placement for your child for 2026, that is above and beyond what the classroom teacher and leadership team already know of your child, you may make a written request for consideration.

Any parent request must be in writing/email to Leanne B, Tracy R or Jarrod B no later than Wednesday 29th October 2025. Information will only be considered if in writing and received by the due date. Requests will not be considered after this date.

Naming a specific teacher, gender or nominating other students will not be considered. Children are given the opportunity to list friends they would like to be with and are guaranteed at least one student from their list.

If parents have written requests in previous years, we do not retain these as students’ needs change from year to year. If the consideration of the previous year is still important, a new letter should be written.

There may often be a reason why your request is not granted. It is therefore important not to indicate to your child that you have made a request as this may lead to unnecessary disappointment.

I encourage you to trust our school’s judgement and value our teachers as professionals, as the wellbeing of every child in our school is our prime consideration.

Friday Lunch Service – Classroom Cuisine

Term 4 menu update was sent out via Compass on Tuesday

Classroom Cuisine offers a diverse menu catering to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Their kitchen operates as a nut-free environment, ensuring safety for all students.

How to Order:

Visit www.classroomcuisine.com.au

Register as a new user or log in to your existing account.
Select the desired date (Friday).
Choose your preferred lunch pack and complete the payment process.classroomcuisine.com.au
For more information on menu options and pricing, please visit the Classroom Cuisine website.

NB: This is a lunch service; therefore, students will still require fruit/snack as the lunches will be delivered to school after 12:30pm.

Classroom Cuisine have a special offer for our families. This offer is only available for orders placed before close of business on 13th October, 2025.

Order $120.00 of Lunches in ONE TRANSACTION (no exceptions!) and receive a 10% Voucher loaded automatically into your account. *Suggestion: If you have multiple children order for one and use your voucher for your further order! Not redeemable for cash!

Kind regards

Leanne Bradney