Student’s Representing Plenty Parklands

Since my last Principal’s report, both our school cross country team and girls AFL football team have successfully represented Plenty Parklands in district events. Close to 50 students travelled to Findon Reserve, where they competed with seven other schools in two and three kilometre running events. Congratulations to all the students who participated, and to the 15 students who have now made it through to the regional level finals. Yesterday, our girls football team travelled to Mernda Football Ground where they completed in an eight team competition. Plenty Parklands played seven matches against other schools and in a wonderful achievement, were able to have seven victories. Well done to all the players, Mr. Leslie for organising the event and Ms. Dowse for her high level coaching.

Professional Practice Day

In two weeks time, our students have a long weekend coming up. Monday the 10th June is the King’s Birthday public holiday, whilst Tuesday 11th June is our Professional Practice Day. Staff in Victorian Government schools receive one of these days per year to undertake a range of professional learning activities. Please enjoy your family’s four day mini holiday. Should you require support with care for your children on the Tuesday, TheirCare will be running out of the Plenty Parklands school hall.

Shade Structure Completed

After a long wait, our new shade structure on the sportsground has been completed. The structure went up quickly last week and the concrete base is now in place. Next week our maintenance men will bolt in our four picnic tables, providing a perfect seating area for students and parents who are watching sporting events now and in the future.

Learning Buds

Every Tuesday and Wednesday we have a large number of three and four year old children moving in and out of our school as a part of the externally run Learning Buds program that is facilitated out of our new school building. Many of the families participating in the program have siblings that attend our school, whilst other families come from local school communities. Whilst Learning Buds provides opportunities for young people to develop their literacy skills, it also acts as a fantastic professional learning opportunity for many of our teachers who attend observation sessions with the Learning Buds teacher, Kate. This partnership is another example of the many additional programs that we attempt to offer our families.

Special Values Lunch

It was very exciting last Friday to share a special lunch with 12 lucky students who were nominated by their teachers or peers for the way they continually exhibit our school values each and every day. The students joined Ms. Loorham and myself at 12:30pm for a pizza/fish & chips smorgasbord. We will endeavour to celebrate these positive behaviours each term.

Extension Program Returning in 2024

Cre8tive Minds is a gifted education program that has been a long running experience available to the students of Plenty Parklands. Due to our building project in 2023, we had to halt the program due to a lack of available spaces. The program will be back starting in term three for those students nominated to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Jacqui Bradshaw, who is our Cre8tive Minds co-ordinator.

David Whewell | Principal

Plenty Parklands Press

Students, staff and parents working together in a friendly atmosphere to achieve the best learning outcomes in primary school education

Issue 8 · 30 May 2024

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