PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Teaching and Learning

We are now four days into Term 3 and all our students have made a successful return to their learning. I have visited every class and been most impressed by the enthusiasm and energy on display from both students and their teachers. I am looking forward to a very productive term.

International Visitors

On the first day of Term last Monday, we welcomed six international students from China, who are joining us on a short term stay. These students will be at Plenty Parklands for five weeks and are currently placed across the school in six different classrooms. Whilst this is a great experience for our guests, it is also an excellent opportunity for your children to make new friends from another part of the world. Please chat with your own child and find out whether they have one of these new students with them in their class.

Our Canteen Ladies are Back Soon

Due to water damage from a leak in the ceiling, our canteen has been closed for a number of weeks. The good news is we have tradesmen currently restoring the canteen to its original glory, and they plan to be finished by the end of next week. Further notification will be provided via Compass, but at this stage we aim to be serving children again by Monday 29th July. We will endeavour to continue to support families by providing one special food day each week, which also doubles as a much-needed fundraiser for items around the school.

Upcoming Events in Term 3

To assist you in your organisation, can I again bring to your attention a couple of upcoming events in Term 3. We have a whole school Curriculum Day (student free) on Monday 12th August and a 3 Way Conference Day (students only) on the last day of term on Friday 20th September. Year 3 Camp is scheduled for September 4th.  We have several year level excursions, including the Year 5 trip to Sovereign Hill on Thursday 23rd July.

New Assembly Time

As mentioned in my last report, Plenty Parklands will be trialling a new Assembly time of 2:45pm on a Monday afternoon each fortnight. Our first assembly at this new time is scheduled for next Monday afternoon!  I am looking forward to seeing as many parents/guardians there as possible. At the end of the Assembly, can we ask that parents please make their way down to their normal pickup points to collect children, who will be dismissed from their classrooms.

Leaders In the Making

Plenty Parklands is part of the Whittlesea Network of 35 schools. One network initiative is the Leaders in the Making professional development program, which allows a range of schools to come together to enhance their leadership capabilities. Our Year 4 teacher Mr. Marchbank is participating in this program and will soon take a day out to shadow a principal in one of our local schools. Today we hosted Jaedyn Kearney from Meadowglen Primary School, who shadowed me for the day seeing all the exciting tasks undertaken by a primary school principal.

Second Hand Uniform/Lost Property

After Assembly next Monday we will have a range of used uniform items placed outside the school gymnasium. These are available to a good home, so any parents in attendance are welcome to look through if they require spare uniform for their own children. Items included have been donated by exiting families or are long time lost property items that have not been named.

David Whewell | Principal