Focus Newsletter

From the Principal

We hope everyone had a lovely long weekend and are recharged for the remaining 3 weeks of term.   Staff are finalising reports in preparation for these being sent home in 2 weeks. Parent teacher interviews will take place on Tuesday 1st July.  Mr Bainbridge sent out information in the last newsletter.

Lunch Service – Classroom Cuisine

Please note:  This is a lunch service; therefore, students will still require fruit/snack as the lunches will be delivered to school after 12:00pm.

Staff Carpark 

We kindly remind all families that for the safety of our students and community, the staff carpark is not to be used as a walkway to enter or exit the school grounds.

We understand that the carpark may seem like a convenient shortcut, but with vehicles moving in and out, it poses a significant safety risk – particularly during busy drop-off and pick-up times.

 

To keep everyone safe:

  • Please always use the designated pedestrian gates and pathways.

  • Talk to your children about safe and appropriate entry points to the school.

  • Avoid walking through the carpark, even if you are accompanying your child.

Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of every student. Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us maintain a safe school environment. 

Staffing Update

We extend our sincere thanks to Ms. Willis for her valuable contributions to the students at PPS. Leah has accepted a new opportunity at a secondary school, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours. Stepping into the role of Performing Arts teacher for the remainder of Term 2 and Term 3, is Mrs. Richard.  

 

To support our Visual Arts program this term, Ms. Lisa Flynn will be teaching on Wednesdays, while Mrs. Findlay will cover Thursdays and Fridays.  PPS has an amazing staff who will support each other in preparation for the school concert next term. 

 

We are thrilled to share that Ms. Steph Strong begins her family leave today as she and her partner, AJ, eagerly await the arrival of their first child. We wish them all the very best as they embark on this wonderful new chapter of parenthood. We welcome Ms. Cory, who has taken over teaching 1S.

Team Vic AFL

Congratulations to Hamish F who was selected for the U12 boys AFL Vic team.  Hamish will participate in the national competition in Queensland next term.  

Uniform Policy

As you may be aware, on 2 April 2025, the Minister for Education announced affordability changes to the Department of Education Student Dress Code policy. This change includes removing branding from shorts, pants, skirts, skorts, leggings and socks. This policy change will come into effect from 2026 for all Victorian government schools. 

Parkdale PS will switch to non-branded sports shorts from 2026. Before the end of 2025, PPS school council will review our local student dress code policy and following the review, the school council will update the local dress code to align with the department’s policy changes if required. 

Department of Education - Update on suspension and expulsion powers

Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).

 

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.

 

In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able to suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.

 

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. 

 

Please note: 

· They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.

· They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.

 

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.

 

Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people.

Prep/Foundation Enrolments 2026

Enrolments for 2026 are now open for foundation/prep students.  To our current families with a child commencing Prep in 2026, please ensure you fill out the enrolment form and return to the office by the due date, 25th July.  

WWCC – Cards Expired

Department of Education requires all volunteers with a Working with Children Check WWCC to complete a Volunteer OHS Induction Checklist.  We have several parents whose WWCC cards have expired.  Please check your card ASAP and renew As Soon As Possible. 

 

A Volunteer OHS Induction Checklist was sent home to be completed and returned to the office as soon as possible.  Please refer to the Volunteer Induction Handbook 2025 to complete the Volunteer OHS Induction Checklist. Located on the Parkdale PS website.

 

Parents require a Working with Children’s Check if they are attending camp, excursions and volunteering in the school eg: classroom assistance, school events, garden club, etc. Applying for a WWCC is done online and is free if you click on the volunteer category. 

Please note: Parents need to have a WWC card before they can volunteer in the school. http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

Department of Education Policy to promote respectful behaviours and staff safety

When parents, carers and school staff work together as one team, our students thrive. Everyone at school, particularly staff and parents and carers, play a role in making school a better place for learning and work.

 

Parents, carers and school staff have a relationship that can last many years. This is an opportunity to work together to create a positive relationship in the best interests of your child. When this relationship is built on respect and trust, students learn better and feel like they belong in the school.

 

You may notice new posters displayed in our school that depict some unacceptable behaviours which can negatively impact our school community. These posters are a visual reminder about the behaviour that does not help us create a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment for students, staff and adults. I trust that you will continue to keep respect at the core of all interactions with school staff. 

 

The Department of Education’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy describes the positive behaviour expected from parents, carers and other adults in Victorian school communities. The policy sets clear standards of behaviour to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for students, staff and adults. 

 

There are also resources to support safe and respectful relationships in our school community, including information about getting involved in the school, advice on how to raise a concern or complaint, and parenting support resources. To view the policy and these resources, refer to Building a positive relationship with your child's school. 

 

 

Kind regards

Leanne Bradney