Focus Newsletter

And now a word from 

Mrs Richards...

Traffic Safety around the school

As a big school, traffic congestion at pick up and drop off times is always going to be an issue but there are many things that we can do to ensure that the traffic flows and, more importantly, that our children remain safe. 

  • Walk, scoot or ride to school whenever possible.  If you cannot walk the whole way, park a few blocks away and walk the last little bit.
  • If you do have to drive, ensure that you follow the rules and regulations for the Kiss and Go zones at the front and rear of the school (see below).
  • Respect our neighbours and traffic laws by never parking across driveways.
  • Work together to ensure that traffic flows – do not stop on Nepean Highway when the service road is congested, observe the One Way access to Morgan St during drop off and pick up times, do not double park or instruct children to walk out to cars that are double parked. You should never park in the school driveways as these are No Standing areas and attract large fines from council.

Kiss and Go Zones

There are Kiss and Go Zones at the front and rear of the school and these should be used by parents who are happy to drop/collect their child quickly. 

  • These zones have a 2 minute limit and it is important that children enter/depart the vehicle quickly and efficiently.  Drivers must remain with their vehicle at all times.
  • If possible, parents should remain in the car and allow teachers in these areas to assist students to collect bags etc.  Please ensure you have given your child their goodbye kiss before you leave home so that we can get children out and inside the gate as quickly as possible to facilitate smooth flow of traffic through the Kiss and Go Zone.  If your child requires you to get out and a lengthy goodbye this is fine but this should be done in an area other than Kiss and Go. 
  • Drop off or pick up your child close to the top of the zone, as far forward as possible.
  • Please do not overtake cars that are patiently waiting to enter the Kiss and Go area and then attempt to park in spaces in front of cars that will then be trying to leave. This is not only disrespectful of those who are waiting but it also creates congestion and hampers the smooth flow of traffic. This allows vehicles following you to enter the zone in an orderly manner.  
  • Children must enter and exit a vehicle from the curb side under no circumstances should this be from the driver’s side!

Staff monitoring the front and rear of the school are committed to ensuring safety of children and facilitating smooth flow of school traffic. We thank you for your continued support.

Premier's Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and Parkdale Primary School is excited to be participating. The PRC application offers a range of exciting features including:

  • access to a library catalogue (including book images and blurbs)
  • a modern user-friendly interface
  • rewarding students with badges as challenge milestones are achieved
  • the option for students to mark books as a favourite, give them a star rating or complete a book review

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 8 September 2023. 

 

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books. These books are a combination of free choice reads and a set number of designated Premiers’ Reading Challenge titles.  Some of these books you may have at home, some can be sourced from the library or online. The link to the book list is included in the details below. 

 

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers. To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge If you would like your child to participate in this year’s challenge, please email me (tracy.richards@education.vic.gov.au) and I will provide you with their individual log in details and instructions.