Preston Primary Posts

Principal's Report

Who Do I Go To? 

From time to time, parents have issues or concerns that they wish to raise or clarify but they don’t know who to speak to. There are several staff members you can contact: 

  • your child’s classroom teacher 
  • the year level coordinator 
  • Sarah Giles, the Junior School Coordinator 
  • Dale Adams, the Assistant Principal, or me. 

If it is a matter related to your child, I suggest you speak with their classroom teacher first. At Preston we don’t have a hierarchy; you can approach the person who you believe will best assist you with your concerns. 

 

Parents can email teachers through Compass or can call them on 9470 1167. Please be aware that teachers cannot talk to you during teaching times, so I suggest you ring them before or after school. 

 

Remember a small problem is easy to solve. A big problem is harder to solve. 

School Council 

On Monday night we held our last meeting of the current School Council. On Wednesday we will start the process of electing a new School Council for 2025.

 

At the meeting we discussed:

  • replacing the turf on the oval at the Senior School. The current turf was installed in 2009 and unfortunately it is reaching the end of its time. We are currently in the process of getting quotes. 
  • agreed to have new signage installed at both the Junior and Senior Schools. The signage will include gate signage and directional signs. Hopefully it will make it easier for families to navigate their way around the school. 
  • Approving the Pupil Free days for 2025 
    • Tuesday 10th June - Assessment and Reporting Day
    • Monday 18th August - Curriculum 
    • Friday 21st November - Assessment and Reporting Day 
    • Friday 12th December – First Aid and 2026 Planning 
  • The 150 year anniversary of Preston Primary. 

School Council Elections 

Today the School Council elections process begins for 2025. School Council works on a biannual basis. Parents and staff are elected for a two-year period. At the end of the 2 year term members can re-nominate for another term if they want to. 

 

Nominations open today, Wednesday February 19th and close on Wednesday February 26th at 4pm. 

 

We have 4 parent (2 year term), I parent (1 year term), 2 staff (2 year term) and 1 community (2 year term) positions that are up for election this year. 

 

The current members who have completed their term are:

  • Parent Reps: Lachlan Challis, Anthony Stanley, Aaron Hawke and Anna Graham. Beena Logan has resigned her position as her family have moved to Ballarat. 
  • Staff reps: Sarah Giles and Joanna Bright. 
  • Community member: currently 1 vacancy.

The timeline for our election process is: 

Wednesday February 19th             Nominations open

Wednesday February 26th             Nominations close at 4pm 

Thursday February 27th                  Names of candidates posted via Compass 

If there are more nominees than positions available there will be an election. Further information will be provided if an election is required. 

150 Year Celebration 

Last week we held a meeting to start the planning for our 150 year celebration. It was good to have several parents attend the meeting to share their thoughts. We agreed that we would hold the celebration on Sunday September 14th between 12 and 4pm.  

 

Some of the suggestions that we have agreed on are: 

  • Setting up a marketing campaign on social media to alert former students to the event
  • Inviting some local dignitaries to attend
  • Tours of the Senior School and having the Junior School open for people to have a walk around
  • A display of old photos of the school. We have an extensive number of old photos available for display 
  • Having food and drinks available for people to purchase. This will include food trucks and a sausage sizzle 
  • Setting up a café in the Milking Shed where people can purchase a cup of tea and piece of cake or scones and have the opportunity to sit and chat with friends and former students and staff
  • Having old fashioned games set up on the oval for the children to play. 
  • Running a silent disco for the children
  • We also have a parent who has a media background who has agreed to make a documentary about school. This would include interviews with former students and staff 
  • Selling mementos such as tea-towels or tote bags
  • Selling bricks which people can write their names on. Our plan is to have a path similar to the one at the front of the Senior School installed at the Junior School. 

If you have any other suggestions, please email them to the school, or why not join the committee and share your ideas. The next meeting is on Tuesday April 29th at 6pm in the Senior School staffroom. 

Parent Behaviour 

Unfortunately, we have had two incidents this term where parents have behaved in a very inappropriate and threating manner outside the school. While we have no control over what happens outside the school grounds it is important that parents think about their behaviour before they act. 

 

In both cases it happened when children have been able to witness it. We have many students who walk or ride to school on their own or with friends and they need to feel safe when entering or leaving school. 

 

While I understand people can get upset by things, it is never appropriate to behave in a threating manner which makes other people afraid or frightened. 

Assembly 

Next Monday, February 24th, we will be holding our first assembly at the Senior School for 2025. We would like to invite parents to attend, as we will be presenting badges to our school leaders and our JSC and Environmental representatives. 

Choosing a Secondary School

Time is fast approaching for our Grade 6 parents to make the final decision as to which secondary school their child will attend next year. All our local secondary schools send us information about Information Sessions, Open Days and Tours which we put in our school newsletter. I suggest that parents keep an eye out for the information and ensure that you look at as many schools as you can before you make the final decision. I strongly suggest that parents of the Grade 5 children also start looking at schools this year as it will give you time to visit schools before having to make your decision. 

 

Don’t be swayed by what other parents say or past reputations, the best way to make a choice is to be informed and the only way to do that is to visit the schools yourself. 

 

Regards 

Janet Paterson,

Principal.