From Christian's desk....

Welcome Back

This term has started wonderfully well, with staff engaging in professional learning on Monday on the ‘Use of Quality Literature to Teach Complexity and Wonder in Reading and Writing’. See Amy Prior’s Assistant Principal Report for more.

We welcomed our students and families back on Tuesday. There was plenty of excitement in the air as families celebrated the facilities and grounds enhancements that have been completed over the holiday break.

Reinstatement of MVU and MLS

The members of MVU and MLS were excited to return to their traditional classrooms with the reinstatement of their classrooms following the fire in January. Families are invited to come in at pick up and drop off to see the rooms for themselves.

Carpeting in Middle School shared spaces, MFP and MBW

To complement the contemporary feel of MVU and MFP, the other internal spaces in Block D were also upgraded. This was a priority for School Council because it meant that all Middle School students would have consistent learning environments – reducing any feeling of inferiority. Further enhancements of MFP and MBW are planned for later in the year.

Establishment of our STEAM hub

With MVU and MLS moving back to their allocated rooms, our new Science Room (formally Indonesian Room) and the Digital Technology Room could go ahead with their planned enhancements. The two side-by-side rooms and their accompanying break out spaces were reconfigured and had new ‘wet’ flooring and carpeting installed. Cabinetry, plumbing and electrical work will be undertaken in the coming month, which will complete the area.

Indonesian has moved to the old Science Room near the PAC.

LED Upgrade

The school has undergone a full LED upgrade over the school holidays. Not only will this result in reduced carbon emissions and financial efficiencies, it is a welcome safety enhancement following the above-mentioned fire, that was a result of an electrical fault in the fluorescent lighting.

Chicken Coup and Fencing

Our chickens have a new home and they’re free range! A highlight for many of our families has been the fencing dividing the farm and allowing the chickens to now wander around their own space. In addition, the chickens have a large enclosed cage that ensures they’ll be safe overnight and in school holidays.

The Frog Bog also had bamboo fencing installed in an effort to enhance the lizard population in that area. Both spaces will support the real life learning that occurs through our Science program.

Synthetic grass in and around the Gaga Pit and Senior classrooms.

The installation of synthetic grass in the Gaga Pit and around the Senior classrooms are great cosmetic and practical improvements. These areas often became muddy and are unappealing. The Gaga Pit will now not need to be ‘closed’ following rain. Thank you to Tim and the team at NatureScape for their attention to detail on this job.

Reinstatement of our Basketball towers

In December six of our basketball towers failed load tests, as a result they required replacing. Following a long Term 1 for our basketballers and netballers, they can now get back to shooting hoops.

Additional Fencing

Additional tubular security fencing has been erected to enclose the Stadium and Out of School Hours Care areas. Whilst this does prevent community members from traversing through the school out of hours, it will keep our students safer during the day and secure our spaces out of hours.

NB: Community members are still able to cross through the school grounds from Yarrunga Reserve on the southern fence line or on the northern driveway.

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Car Parking

I know that parent parking is difficult at drop-off and pick-up times, but please consider others. This week the following occurred outside our school:

The silver car was parked across a neighbour's driveway and was touching another parent's vehicle. When the illegality and inconsideration of the car's position was pointed out to the father who had walked his daughter into school, he said he couldn't see a problem and drove off.

It is timely to remember that our CHPS school community is a caring and respectful one. I ask that all parents are mindful of our neighbours and each other when negotiating our busy school zone.

Christian Holdsworth - Principal

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