Peakhurst 'Focus' Newsletter

Principal's message

Creating a safe, collaborative and respectful school

NSW Public Schools work to create positive environments for students, staff and the entire school community that support student learning. We strive to ensure that every student is known, valued and cared for.

 

The School Community Charter outlines the responsibilities of parents, carers, educators and school staff in NSW public schools to ensure our learning environments are collaborative, supportive and cohesive.

 

Our staff will find a time to talk to you when they can give you their full attention. Please remember that while our staff are in class, attending meetings or dealing with other matters, they may not be available to answer your questions immediately.

 

At PPS there is a Parent/Carer Teacher Communication Flowchart to support families communicating with school where a collaborative approach is required.

 

STEP 1

The parent/carer contacts the school or teacher requesting to speak with them. Parents/Carers can request a teacher contacts by:

  1. Calling the office 9153 9157
  2. Messaging through ClassDojo
  3. Emailing the school Peakhurst-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au 
  4. Speaking to the office

STEP 2

The teacher will contact the parent/carer to make an appointment where both parties can dedicate their full attention in a meeting or phone call.

 

STEP 3

The teacher and parent/carer will meet to discuss concerns or answers to questions the parent is seeking. The aim is to resolve the issue or answer the questions and the discussion is recorded in Sentral.

 

STEP 4

If the issue is not resolved or questions answered, steps 1-3 should be engaged with the Assistant Principal.

  • Kindergarten - Mrs Parsons-Tran (Mon-Th) & Mrs Maclachlan (Fri)
  • Year 1 & Year 2 - Mrs O'Donnell
  • Year 3 & Year 4 - Mrs Schafer (Mon-Th) & Mrs Dalton (Fri)
  • Year 5 & Year 6 - Mrs Dalton (Mon-Tu) & Mrs Partridge (Wed-Fri)
  • Support Unit - Ms Zanetti

STEP 5

If the issue remains unresolved or unanswered after meeting with the teacher and the Assistance Principal, the parent/carer contacts the office to request an appointment with the Principal. An appointment will be made if meetings have already occurred between the parent/carer, teacher and Assistant Principal regarding the matter being raised. In extenuating, serious circumstances an appointment can be made with the Principal without completing Steps 1-4, if the concern/issue is confidential or sensitive in nature.

 

Parents/Carers are reminded to report concerns to teachers. Approaching a student to address a concern or issue on the way to and from school, or on school grounds is not permitted.

Thank You

Thank you to our Athletics Carnival Committee, headed up by Mrs Power. On my arrival to the grounds I saw many smiling faces, heard lots of laughter and observed students giving everything their best in all events on offer. 

 

Closing Dates for Permission and Payment

The school uses the software Schoolbytes to manage permissions and payments for incursions and excursions. When generating excursions and incursions in the software the school is required to enter a closing date. In selecting a closing date, the following factors are considered:

  • Is the school required to provide an external provider with final numbers?
  • How long will staff require organising the logistics to ensure student/teacher ratios, student health needs and impact on school programs can be planned for and communicated to all staff?

Closing dates are required and strictly adhered to when confirmation of numbers, including bus hire, are required prior to the event taking place. 

 

Schoolbytes pushes an email notification to the registered email accounts taken from enrolment when permission and/or payment is required for an event. If parents/carers are not receiving these, please notify the school office.

 

Teachers are being asked to remind families through ClassDojo as the event or closing date approaches. 

 

The School Administrative Manger and I are reviewing the set-up in Schoolbytes to attempt to eliminate further complications.

 

Uniforms

As the days have started to become colder I have noticed non-school jumpers and track pants and gloves, beanies and scarves that are not representative of school colours. Please ensure students are attending school in school uniforms, and accessorised with items aligned to the school uniform colours.

 

If parents/carers would like to purchase items from the P&C Second Hand Uniform Shop, it will be open on Tuesday 17th June, 9.00am - 9.45am. It is located in C Block near the Kindergarten classrooms and all items are $5. Cash and cards are accepted.

 

Mrs Kristy Bentley

Principal