From The Principal

Welcome Back

Welcome back to all staff, students, parents and a special welcome to our new families. I hope 2022 will be a most rewarding year, filled with many wonderful opportunities for learning and growth.  Of course, we are all hoping for a far smoother path through than has been the case over the past two years.

Congratulations to the school community for such a successful start to the year. I have been very impressed with the excellent way in which students have returned to school looking their best in their uniform, organized with all their appropriate materials and ready to learn.

I look forward to the wonderful opportunities ahead and give a commitment to continue to serve this community with dedication and professionalism, providing all children with many opportunities to thrive and shine.

As I look ahead into the 2022 school year, I am looking forward to sharing the journey of all students as they learn. In particular the Year 12 students as they embark on their final year of schooling and the Year 7 students as they find their way at secondary school. 

STAFF

I take this opportunity to welcome all new staff for 2022.

And returning staff

I hope they all find their work at Parkdale Secondary College professionally rewarding.

RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS (RATs)

These have now been issued to all students.  It is strongly recommended that students undertake the RAT twice per week. A positive test must be reported as per the following:

• the school by email at parkdale.sc@education.vic.gov.au or the RA Test Portal; this is so the school can support them, record that they will be absent while in 7-day isolation, and inform the school community there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms
•  the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398. 

Further kits will be provided in week three to complete the four week cycle. 

UNIFORM

It has been a pleasure to greet students at the front gate over the past week as they arrive at school. A warm smile and a quick word certainly has made the start of my day very enjoyable.  However, there has been occasion where this conversation has unfortunately been of a negative nature.  This has usually been the result of the lack of adherence to the uniform policy of the College, in particular to incorrect footwear.  Black runners, no matter how much they cost, are not part of the school uniform.  The uniform policy clearly states that the shoes are to be “standard black leather polishable lace-up school shoes”.  Please ensure that the correct shoes are purchased and worn.

The adherence to the uniform policy is about respect for this community and its traditions and culture.

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 DET.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

At this time of each school year School Council elections are held.    Each year, half the school council member positions are up for re-election.  Therefore, there will be vacancies for four parent members, two DET members and one elected student member. These positions are for two-year terms.  The student position is open to any student enrolled at the school from year 7 to year 12. The process details for the elections can be found in this newsletter.

ELECTION FORMS (please click below)

Information for Parents

Notice of Election 2022

Parent Self Nomination Forms

Schedule 5E Student Self Nomination

Student Information

RESPECT FOR PROPERTY

There has been considerable work undertaken around the college over the term break.  I take this opportunity to thank Mr Wayne Jones and Mr Zac Stokeld for their tireless work coordinating various tradesmen as they completed a vast array of tasks.  Works are continuing on the new building, the new hardcourt and the first aid room extension. There is disruption to the normal movements around the school as these works happen but the short term inconvenience is certainly outweighed by the end result of new facilities for our students. 

As always, I ask students to respect the school property.  Paying to fix damage that has been deliberately done is frustrating and a waste of funds that could be allocated towards a more productive use.  I ask all students to take this on board, to self manage and to call out those they see involved in actions that are not in keeping with the school value of respect. 

BUSES

Again, I remind students that travel on the buses to school, in particular those students that use the dedicated buses that pick and drop off in the turning circle at the front of the school, that this not a free service. The number of buses and the type of bus provided are determined by student usage.  This figure is determined by the touching on and off of the MYKI card.  Yes, the buses are getting crowded but the other day I watched, and it was confirmed by the bus driver, that the very full bus had only two students touch on. Additional buses will not be provided unless the patronage figures as provided by MYKI reflect the true number of students. 

FACE MASKS

Unfortunately, once again it is mandatory for face masks to be worn inside the school buildings.  I thank all students for their acceptance of this situation and their adherence to the directive.   

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

I wish to remind Parents/Guardians that the Department of Education and Training and Parkdale Secondary College does 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 Training and the College if that property is lost, stolen or damaged.

PRIVACY STATEMENT

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.

Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website https://www.parkdalesc.vic.edu.au/privacy-policy/

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in nine community languages:

• Amharic
• Arabic
• Dari
• Gujarati
• Mandarin
• Somali
• Sudanese
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese