Term 3 - Welcome back!

So the year continues to rattle along at a rapid pace with some of our big events now just on the horizon.

This week, myself, Carrie and Brendan, have undertaken individual conversations with each of our teachers about their practice and the progression of the goals they have set themselves in Term 1. Late last term, the Leadership team undertook Learning Walks where we observed each classroom and provided feedback to teachers regarding some of our key priorities for 2024. Learning Walks are where educators visit multiple classrooms with the aim of fostering conversation about teaching and learning in order to develop a shared vision of high quality teaching that impacts on student learning. The quality of the learning, including the strong structure and routines within each of the 25 classrooms across the school, was extraordinary. These Learning Walks are just one of the many ways in which our teachers are given opportunity to develop greater consistency on practice across the school (this was one of our School Review goals from 2021.)

Raising concerns (Repeat)

At Park Ridge PS, we are committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment for all our students. We understand that, from time to time, concerns may arise, and we want to ensure that these are addressed in the most effective and constructive manner.

How to Raise Concerns

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s experience at school, whether they relate to their academic progress, social interactions, or any other aspect of their school life, we encourage you to follow these steps:

Speak to Your Child’s Classroom Teacher: The first point of contact should always be your child’s classroom teacher. They are most familiar with your child’s day-to-day activities and can provide valuable insights and immediate support.

Contact School Leadership: If the issue requires further attention or if you feel it has not been resolved after speaking with the classroom teacher, please reach out to the school leadership team. They are here to support you and your child and can offer additional resources or intervention if necessary.

Important Reminder:

Do Not Approach Other Students Directly

We kindly remind all parents and guardians not to approach other students directly regarding any concerns. It is important to maintain a respectful and professional environment for all students. Addressing another student directly can lead to misunderstandings and may not effectively resolve the issue.

Instead, please bring any concerns about other students to your child’s classroom teacher or the school leadership team. They are trained to handle such situations with sensitivity and discretion, ensuring that all students' rights and well-being are respected.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in following these guidelines. By working together, we can maintain a positive and supportive environment for all students at Park Ridge PS.

Enrolments Open

A reminder to any families with children ready to start school in 2025 that enrolments are now open. We encourage all sibling enrolments to be completed by Friday 26th of July. See the office for more information. If you have friends, neighbours or family members whose children are starting school next year, please encourage them to choose Park Ridge Primary School. Each Foundation enrolment in future years helps ensure the continued provision of programs and services for all students year-after-year.

School Pick Up / Drop Off Zone

The safety of our students, staff and community members is paramount. We would like to remind all members of our school community to adhere to the road rules and parking signage, particularly during drop off and pick up times.

We request that parents/carers who use the short-term parking at the front of the school, ensure they adhere to the parking restrictions. If we all use this area as a drop off zone, it will help improve the flow of traffic immensely along Wentworth Avenue and surrounding streets.

When parking at the front of the school, please reverse into car spots with care and be courteous to other drivers. As per Victorian road rules, when driving out of a car park indicate, check mirrors and blind spots and give way to all vehicles and pedestrians on the road. This includes giving way to drivers who are reversing into car spots and waiting for them to park before you drive out of your car spot. Please be mindful of your speed on the road and please do not block driveways while parking or queueing on Wentworth Avenue or Burchall Crescent.

Please ensure you adhere to parking limits as there have been numerous reports to local council already this year of parents/carers who have been parking in spaces for longer times than permitted.

When pick up or dropping off your child, please remember the staff carpark is a no pedestrian zone. Throughout the day we have multiple deliveries and staff beginning and leaving work and so its important that we have no pedestrians walking through the carpark.

NAIDOC WEEK – 7 – 14 July 2024 – For Our Elders

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

This year's theme celebrated the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where the stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated, enriching the fabric of the nation with the oldest living culture in the world.

We take great pride in promoting cultural inclusion and it is amazing to see the connectedness our students display when we celebrate together. While NAIDOC week occurred over the term break, we encourage you to reflect with your child and discuss the learning they are engaging with about Indigenous culture.

If you would like to find out more about NAIDOC week, please visit https://www.naidoc.org.au/

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Please feel free to pop in for a chat with either Carrie, Brendan or I, should you wish to discuss anything.

Our doors are always open!

Take care,

Mr. Dale Blythman

Important Dates