Principal’s Report

I must say it has been wonderful that we have had all students commencing at the start of the school year. There have been changes in place to manage the required COVID-19 restrictions, we have become the distribution point for Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and the capital works buildings continue around us. We look forward to a further easing of the restrictions and with great anticipation the completion of the building works.

FACE MASKS

As has been announced, as of Monday 28th February face masks will no longer be mandatory at school. I take this opportunity to thank all students and parents for their support during this phase. I know it was something that was annoying and something we would have preferred to not be doing but in general students have accepted the mandate and complied.

Having said that, there is still COVID-19 in the community. We have a number of staff who for various reasons, are concerned with teaching a class of students without the protection of face masks. They may ask that when in their class room that students wear a face mask. I would be extremely grateful if students would recognise this request and wear a face mask in that teacher's class.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

I did send this information in a newsfeed as is required when the election is declared but I am repeating it here of those that may have missed it the first time. 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. This year, there were vacancies for four elected parent members and one elected student member. These positions are for two year terms. The student position was open to any student enrolled at the school from year 7 to year 12.

At the close of nominations there were four nominations for the parent member positions:

Mr John Bamfield

Mrs Tina Richardson

Ms Meagan Finch

Ms Ruth Evans

As the number of nominations equalled the number of vacancies, these parents were duly elected to school council for two years.

At the close of nominations there was one nomination for the student member positions:

Ms Georgia Clancy

As the number of nominations equalled the number of vacancies, this student was duly elected to school council for two years.

The first meeting of the new council is the meeting on Tuesday 22nd March 2022.

CAPITAL WORKS

Works are progressing on the new building, the hardcourts and First Aid Centre. The pillars to hold the first storey floor are in place, the ground floor slab has been laid and they are erecting the scaffolding and associated works to put the first floor in place. There will be a concrete pour over the weekend of the first half of the hardcourts. A temporary first aid centre has been established and the link walkway between W wing and the administration area has been demolished in preparation for works.

CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

A lot is said about caring for the environment but unfortunately this does not appear to have had the desired impact on certain students. The amount of rubbish that is left on the ground after each recess and lunchtime is unacceptable. The silver foil, the plastic sandwich bag, that wrapper from the cheese and biscuits or other snack, the aluminium can that is left on the ground, are quite often within 5 metres of a bin. We do not employ people to pick up the rubbish and nor should we have to. It is a collective responsibility of all students to do what is right and dispose of their rubbish in the bins provided.

ROAD SAFETY

I have written on a number of occasions regarding students being aware of road safety on their travels to and from school. In particular, I have commented on students who ride bicycles to school. The first and obvious safety aspect is the wearing of a bicycle helmet. Unfortunately, there are still students who think this doesn’t apply to them. There are also students who only wear the helmet when near the school. We receive numerous calls from concerned residents who see students removing their helmets and continue to ride with them hanging on their handlebars. The wearing of the helmet is law for good reason. It could be the difference between a knock to the head and a permanent brain injury. Please think and be safe when using bicycles.

After many years of dedicated service our crossing supervisor, Garran, retired on Friday 18th February. The City of Kingston is currently providing a rotation of supervisors while they permanently fill the position. It is relevant to remind students of their role in safely crossing the road. Students are not to enter the crossing when the red person starts flashing. Students on bikes should not be cutting in front of the stationary cars, they too should be using the crossing. Students should also not be crossing further along Warren Road at an unsupervised place.

Parents Association (Parkdale SC)

After eight years of service to this group of dedicated parents, Nicole Moffat advised the Association that she would be stepping down from the role of President and membership of the group as her last child had completed Year 12 at the end of 2021. I thank her both personally, and on behalf of the college, for her work, dedication and commitment that Nicole has shown, not only in her role with the Parents Association but also as an advocate for the college in the wider school community. She has always had the best interests of the college at the forefront of her discussions with parents and with myself and I have valued her opinion and input into decision making. I wish her well for the future.

If any parent is interested in joining the Parents Association please see the link on the College website.

NEW STAFF

The following staff have joined/returned to the Parkdale school community in 2022. We welcome them and looking forward to working with them.

New Staff Teacher (initials)	Role/ Learning Areas
Jared Bandara	English
Tugce Bircan	English/Geography
Chuong Ly	Maths
Brendan Hackett	Maths
Jesse Martin	Business Mgt/Commerce/Hums
Sarah Fortnam	VCAL/VCAL Coordinator
Julie Mullins	Science
Tim Walsh	Maths
Olivia Purcell	English/Tutoring
Steven Adams	Maths

Returning Staff	Role/ Learning Areas
Melissa Van Weeghel	Maths/Science
Sophie Jackson	English
Mel Kennedy (start term 2)	Psych/Hums
Courtney Nash (start term 2)	PE/Health
Carle Rooks (start term 3)	PE/Health
Nina Benvenuti (start term 4)	Music

Over the last week we have accepted the resignations of Ms Katrina Amon, Ms Kristeen Quarrier and Ms Julie Leeson.

Ms Amon has accepted a position as the Koorie Liaison Officer at the St Kilda football club. Ms Amon leaves us after 34 years of service. She has made an outstanding contribution to the school in broadening our understanding of Indigenous history and culture. We will formally farewell her in the coming weeks.

Ms Quarrier having returned 0.4 from family leave has accepted a position at Gisborne SC. Ms Quarrier had moved during her family leave and this school is considerably closer to her new home.

Ms Leeson who has been our first aid officer has been on leave and has decided to retire.

We are now working to replace these members of staff.

House Swimming Sports

By Vanessa Leslie