And now a word from 

Mrs Richards...

Swimming

The Foundation, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students have participated in their intensive swimming program this week and Mentone Grammar and it has been wonderful to see them heading off to the bus with big smiles each day. Swimming and Water safety education is a mandated part of the Victorian Curriculum.  Our aim at PPS is for all of our students to attain their Victorian Water Safety Certificate by the end of Grade 4 prior to them participating in the beach program in Grade 5 and 6.  Sadly, drowning is still a leading cause of death among children aged 0-14.  Knowledge of survival swimming and basic water safety skills can significantly reduce the risk of drowning but it is important to remember that nothing can replace close supervision.  Children, regardless of their swimming ability, should always be supervised in and around water. Scroll down to the bottom of this page for some important reminders from Life Saving Victoria as we head into some warmer weather and head to the beach and the pool. 

Lost Property

Lost property continues to be a giant mountain that becomes overwhelming for students looking for their missing belongings.  The primary problem is that there are so many unnamed items.  Mr Bainbridge and myself regularly go through the pile and return items that are named but this can be a long process when we literally have to look through a hundred unnamed items each time.  We will now be moving unnamed items to a table in the canteen foyer and anything that remains there for more than a few weeks will be donated to the Second Hand uniform sale.  Hopefully this will reduce the pile of named items and make it easier for children to locate their jackets, jumpers etc.  Please ensure that you name all of your child’s belongings – particularly jackets, jumpers and hats. 

Kiss & Go

Thank you so much to the parents who help us out each morning by dropping off quickly at the front and back of the school and by waiting patiently to pull into the parking zone.  We know that it can be tempting to drive around cars when you see a space become available but please be patient and drive through in order. If we can see that a child is going to take a little bit longer to get out of the car we will wave you through but the flow is smoother and safer if people wait and all drive through in order.  Just a small reminder that, if possible, you should not be getting out of your car in the Kiss & Go Zone. We will help children who need assistance. If your child needs extra reassurance and a cuddle we absolutely understand that, but you should then use a parking space away from the Kiss & Go Zone.  Our fundamental aims in the Kiss & Go Zone are safety of both students and drivers and also to keep traffic moving as quickly and smoothly as possible so that we do not have cars queued up onto the highway at the front, or in the street around the back of the school.