Principal's Report

Dear CGPS Families, 

We have come to the end of another term and there is only one term left before we'll be at the end of the year! The last few weeks have been exciting with some outstanding achievements from our students - from the EcoSmart Science projects, to the Performing Arts Showcase, to the Lightning Premiership win by our year 6 AFL team. What a talented school of students and staff we have at Courtenay Gardens Primary School. 

GATE TIMES

We are concerned at the time some students are arriving at school in the morning. There is no yard supervision before 8.45am. Any students arriving before 8.35am should be enrolled in Team Kids before school care or supervised by a parent. 

Please ensure you are not dropping students earlier than 8.35am. If students are walking from home to school, they should time their walk so as not to arrive before 8.35am at the earliest. As our maintenance staff open all of the gates, they need to start earlier so as to get around to every gate before 8.35am. This does not mean the school is open. 

In the afternoon, some parents are entering the school grounds well before school pick-up time. Please be mindful that classes are still running and school grounds are not open to anyone other than staff and students during school hours. Please do not enter the school before 3.20pm to wait for students. 

During the school day, all gates except for the front entrance (gate 3) remain locked for the safety of our students. Anyone coming into the school via gate 3 during school hours should report to the office. 

STUDENT ILLNESS

Many illnesses are going around, some quite serious, including Whooping Cough, Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV), Influenza A&B, Gastro, Chicken Pox and COVID. It is essential that you ensure your child is well before sending them to school. 

If the first aid staff or teacher calls to tell you that your child is unwell, please arrange to come and collect your child as quickly as possible as we wish to avoid the spreading of illness to other students and staff. 

What is Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma?

Thunderstorm asthma is triggered by an uncommon combination of high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm, which can result in large numbers of people developing asthma symptoms over a short period of time. People with a history of asthma, undiagnosed asthma or hayfever are at an increased risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma during this time. If known hayfever and asthma are poorly managed this increases the risk further. 

This year, it is predicted Spring and Summer will be a particularly bad for allergies due to the forecast of warm winds and temperatures. It is vitally important that any hayfever or asthma symptoms are managed as soon as they arise. The best way to try and prevent student's symptoms of asthma or hayfever and reduce unnecessary absences from school, is to follow an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan and/or Hayfever Treatment Plan.

If you are contacted by the school advising that your child's medication is out of date, please promptly provide new medication to the school office. Please also note that we require the Medication Authorisation form to be completed. 

If your child's Asthma Action Plan has changed this year, please ensure you provide the College with an updated Action Plan signed by your child's Doctor. This is extremely important as many students require Ventolin while at school.

CLASS REQUESTS 2025 

Next term we will begin our planning for 2025 which will include the placement of students into grades. We understand that many parents have requests regarding the placement of their child and we are open to taking these requests into consideration where possible. 

All class placement requests should be in writing (via email) to me, no later than Friday November 1st (end of week 4). Requests should clearly explain what your specific academic or wellbeing concerns are. Please note that requests for particular teachers are not possible and will not be accepted. Requests regarding separation or pairing of certain students may only be possible where these requests do not clash with other requests. If we feel a genuine request is not able to be met, we will speak with you prior to announcement of classes and work to put measures in place to support your child appropriately. 

LAST CHANCE: PARENT OPINION SURVEY CLOSING THIS FRIDAY

Don't forget to complete the survey to assist us in identifying school planning and improvement strategies. Link and school PIN below. 

https://www.orima.com.au/parent

PIN: 651584

UPCOMING CAMPS

Best wishes to our year 5 students and staff heading off to camp this week (Wednesday to Friday). What a fun way to finish off the term. I will be joining them for the day on Thursday as they journey back in time to Sovereign Hill. 

Year 4 Camp is immediately after the school holidays! Students will attend The Summit Camp from Monday 7th to Wednesday 9th October, with a rest day on Thursday 10th. 

In line with the Victorian Government Schools Agreement for staff attending school camps, all staff are entitled to time in lieu of overnight attendance at camp. School Council approved a 'rest day' following camp to enable teachers this day as their time in lieu and students to recover at home. For students who cannot be supervised at home, they may attend school but will not have their regular teacher, they will spend the day in a different year level, or with a relief teacher. 

As the year 5 camp finishes on the last day of term, the Year 5 rest day will be the first day of term 4. Therefore year 5 students are not expected to return to school until Tuesday 8th October. A separate compass message will be sent to year 5 families. 

The year 4 rest day will be Thursday 10th October. A Compass message will be sent to year 4 families with more information.  

Wishing all of our families an enjoyable spring school holiday! 

Take care everyone, 

Alison Lough

Principal