Principal's Desk

Dear Families,

Wominjeka, Selemat Datang, Welcome. 

Our new Foundation students have simply been amazing. They are very settled and honestly look like they have been at school for a term. They are listening so well and beginning to master the routines of school. Thank you to the families who have trusted us to care for any unsettled children at the beginning of the day. A quick hug, saying goodbye and walking away will always be harder for you as you cannot see how quickly (usually within seconds of being distracted), a child is smiling and joining their grade.

Annual privacy reminder for our school community

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 The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.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 Google Workspace for Education 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 Google Workspace for Education, 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

Keeping on Attendance

As always, attendance is always important but sometimes an overlooked aspect of schooling. Across the State, the average number of days absent for a student is 12. Anything below that is great and will result in students maximising the opportunities for learning both academically and socially. Anything above 12 days needs improvement. It is well proven that absenteeism can lead to a significant gap forming in academic outcomes and students not reaching their potential. Socially it is difficult to maintain friendships and it is common that students with high absenteeism usually continue this pattern into Secondary School.

NAPLAN

Like last year, NAPLAN is now scheduled for early Term 1, and the testing window starts on Wednesday, 13 March for Years 3 and 5. Mr. Garvey will be sending out information via Compass about NAPLAN to those involved. 

NAPLAN is a snapshot and is one test at one time. Our processes and whole school approaches compliment the NAPLAN testing, resulting in above State and National outcomes. If there are concerns regarding your child sitting NAPLAN or you would like more information, please have these initial discussions with your classroom teacher.

Fundraising

Fundraising continues to be a focus area for us in ensuring we continue to invest the funds into improving our facilities. Last year we raised over $45,000 which helped to finance improved building access and upgrade our facilities beyond what is provided by the Department of Education. The improvement areas for money raised this year will continue to be focussing on improving our learning environments for our students. Fundraising efforts are not a success without our families and wider community. 

Meet the Teacher Interviews

A reminder that our Meet and Greet is next Wednesday, 14 February and Thursday, 15 February. It is an opportunity for families and teachers to discuss anything which may impact your child/rens learning and ensure a successful year. Log into Compass and 'Book an Interview' as they close Monday, 12 February. 

If families are unable to attend but would like to speak to their class teacher, please email them via Compass to arrange a time.

Parking

As the school year has begun, we need to be mindful of the parking requirements around the school, including following the parking and road rules surrounding our neighbourhood. I have been notified by people in our community that they have already noticed parking inspectors around, so this is very much a timely reminder.

Lastly, we are currently taking bookings for school tours for 2025 Foundation students. If you are aware of families who are thinking of sending their child to Park Ridge Primary School, we would love to have them, please encourage the families to book a tour via our website or call the office.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Please feel free to pop in for a chat with either Carrie, Brendan, or I, should you wish to discuss anything. 

Our doors are always open! 

Take care,

Mr. Dale Blythman