Message from the Principal

This week, we celebrate the incredible talents of our students who performed at the Ryde Schools Performing Arts Festival, acknowledge the importance of cultural heritage through Ancestor Appreciation Day, and support our youngest learners as they prepare to embark on their school journey through our Kindergarten transition program. 

We also value the dedication of our staff, who continually seek ways to enhance teaching and learning, participating in instructional rounds at Marsden High School to better understand and support our students’ progression. 

Ryde Schools Performing Arts Festival

On Monday, our talented students showcased their skills in dance and choir at the prestigious Sydney Opera House as part of the Ryde Schools Performing Arts Festival. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to shine on a grand stage, demonstrating their dedication, creativity, and teamwork. The preparation for this event involved many hours of rehearsals, often extending beyond the school day, as both students and teachers committed significant time and energy to perfecting their performances. Our dance and choir teachers have expertise in these areas and played a vital role in guiding and supporting the students throughout this process, ensuring they were confident and well-prepared for this remarkable experience. I am incredibly proud of the students’ achievements and the confidence they displayed in representing our school with such excellence. 

Ancestor Appreciation Day

Today, we celebrated Ancestor Appreciation Day, a significant occasion that honours the rich cultural heritage and history of our community. This day reflects our school’s deep pride in our diversity and inclusiveness. It is a meaningful time for students and staff to acknowledge and respect the contributions of our ancestors, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the cultures that shape who we are. 

Kindergarten Transition

We continue to place great emphasis on our Kindergarten transition program, designed to support new students and their families as they prepare to begin their educational journey with us. Transitioning to school is a significant milestone, and by providing comprehensive information and familiarisation opportunities, we help to ensure a smooth and successful start. The more comfortable our students feel in their new environment, the more confident and engaged they become from day one. 

We also encourage families to attend the transition sessions even if they already have a child currently enrolled at our school. This is a valuable opportunity to receive updated information about the year ahead and to connect with other parents and families from the new Kindergarten cohort. Building these early relationships helps foster a strong, supportive school community for all students and their families. 

Instructional Rounds at Marsden High School

This week, our staff are participating in instructional rounds at Marsden High School, where we observe classroom practices and learning strategies in the high school setting. This collaborative professional learning experience allows us to gain valuable insights into how student skills progress as they move from primary to secondary education. It also strengthens the connection between our schools, ensuring continuity in learning and supporting the ongoing success of our students during this important transition. 

Student supervision and safety – Meadowbank TAFE

I want to bring to your attention some important concerns regarding student supervision on Meadowbank TAFE premises. Recently, there have been several reports of young children being left unattended, running and causing disruptions during critical activities such as exams. For instance, children have been seen unsupervised across different building levels while their parents are elsewhere on site. 

These behaviours not only disrupt the learning environment but also create safety risks for the children involved. In some cases, children have remained on site late into the evening waiting for their parents, which poses further concerns. 

We kindly ask for your cooperation in supervising your children at all times while on TAFE grounds. Ensuring your child is accompanied and behaving respectfully helps us maintain a safe, supportive, and focused environment for everyone. Please note that if children are found unattended, TAFE may need to involve authorities to keep them safe. 

Parents using Staff Carpark

We kindly remind all families that the school carpark is not available for parent use at any time. The carpark is designated solely for staff, authorised personnel, and official visitors to ensure the safety and smooth operation of school activities.

Using the school carpark can pose significant safety risks for our students and staff due to increased vehicle movement in a busy area. It can also limit parking availability for authorised users and emergency access. 

To help us maintain a safe environment for everyone, we ask that you please respect this rule and use designated public parking areas, Kiss and Ride Zone or nearby streets when dropping off or picking up your children. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our school community safe.