From the Principal
by David Russell
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the work of the Principal team in 2024. Due to an injury I sustained in February 2024 I was absent for the remainder of the school year. In my absence Mr Michael Tuck took on the role of Acting Principal and with the support of the Assistant Principal’s and the leading teachers implemented the plans that had been formulated. As previously advised to the school community Mr Tuck is continuing in this role for two days a week whilst I continue to recover. As a result, Ms Brooke Douglas has taken on the role of Assistant Principal – Junior School in term 1.
Leadership Assembly
This was held on Monday 3rd February in very warm conditions. It was terrific to see the number of students who have stepped into the various roles this year. We have had a significant emphasis on expanding this area of student involvement in the school under the leadership of Mr Aaron Petersen and Ms Brooke Douglas. It had been seen by the students, in their responses in the student survey, as an area for improvement and this is one of the initiatives being put in place to address this.
To add to the sense of occasion parents of the students were invited to attend and it was wonderful to see many of them present and able to take photos at the conclusion of the assembly.
We also formally recognized the Dux of 2024, Eliza Murray. She spoke to the students about the reward for hard work and choosing subjects that you are passionate about and not those people say to do to get a high ATAR.
MOBILE PHONE POLICY
A reminder regarding the mobile phone policy. Students are to place their phones in their locker when they arrive at school. The phone is then not to be used until the end of the school day. This is in line with the directive from the Department of Education.
ACCIDENT INSURANCE
I wish to remind Parents/Guardians that the Department of Education and Parkdale Secondary College do not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents/Guardians are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport and ambulance costs. Student accident insurance policies are available from some commercial insurers and these cover a range of medical expenses not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
PRIVATE PROPERTY
Private property brought to school by students eg: mobile phones, ipods, laptops etc. are not covered by school insurance, and that it is not the responsibility of the Department of Education and the College if that property is lost, stolen or damaged.
PRIVACY STATEMENT
Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.
Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy
describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.
We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Microsoft 365 safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365, please contact the school.
For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages:
- Amharic
- Arabic
- Dari
- Gujarati
- Mandarin
- Somali
- Sudanese
- Turkish
- Urdu
- Vietnamese