Plenty Parklands Press

Principal's Message

Congratulations

Congratulations to our students who participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge this year. We had a number of students who read 100 or more books. Happy Reading. Congratulations also to our students who undertook the ICAS competition in English, Mathematics and Science, with some students completing all three.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we are congratulating students, I will add my congratulations to the year 4 students who are participating in their Bike Education program in the courtyard. I’m seeing careful and precise negotiation of a number of obstacles, some human road signs directing traffic, the use of hand signals that are clearly new to many students and lots of laughter. What a worthwhile program.

 

Welcome to Mr Stephen Tsonas who has joined us in Prep 12. Thank you for making him feel welcome.

More Plenty Road Upgrade works

As you know the roadworks on Plenty Road continue. They have started building the new lanes and have begun to upgrade intersections. To do this some lanes are closed and some turning access to roads that intersect with Plenty Road has been restricted. To build the new lanes on Plenty Road, two of the four lanes will be closed and traffic moved over. One lane will be open in each direction at all times. Traffic controllers and on-road signage will be in place.

The lane closures will be in place until late 2020 at the following locations:

  • McArthurs Road to Riverdale Boulevard – from 6 November 2019 
  • The Lakes Boulevard to McArthurs Road – from late November 2019 
  • Waterview Drive to Francesca Drive – from December 2019
  • McDonalds Road to Highview Drive – from late January 2020 

Tangelo Grove intersection works

Tangelo Grove intersection will have new traffic lights. From early December 2019 services will be relocated and temporary barriers and line marking installed. Works at Tangelo Grove are expected to be completed around late October 2020. 

Vehicle access to Tangelo Grove at Mintbush Grange and Riberry Crescent will be permanently closed. Residents will have an alternative route that will ensure safe access to and from Plenty Road.

McDonalds Road intersection works

There will be major works at the McDonalds Road intersection for three weeks in January 2020 to build the new median. Crews will work day and night to complete three months’ work in three weeks. 

Major access changes and lane closures will be in place. Drivers will need to plan for significant delays or seek an alternative route.

Weather or unforeseen circumstances may affect the progress, so please visit Victoria's Big Build for the latest disruption information. 

For more information about the project, visit the Plenty Road Upgrade webpage. 

We are also looking forward to the ‘new and improved’ Kelynak reserve. Come and see the plan in the display cabinet near the canteen, as we plan to take advantage of the new facilities.

Mobile phones

Reminder that mobile phones will be banned next year in all state schools; primary and secondary.

Mobile phones will be banned for all students at Victorian state primary and secondary schools from Term 1 2020, to help reduce distraction, tackle cyber bullying and improve learning outcomes for students.

Minister for Education James Merlino announced the reform and the benefits of the mobile phone ban on student learning and social behaviour.  According to the latest research from Headspace, around 53 per cent of young Australians have experienced cyberbullying, and while this does not necessarily happen while students are at school, it can when students have 24/7 access.

Rolling out a state-wide policy will provide consistency and certainty for parents, students and school communities.

As has always been the case at PPPS, students will be required to switch off their phones and store them in their bag from the start of the school day until the final bell. When emergencies occur, parents or guardians can reach their child by calling the school.

We are currently updating our Mobile Devices Policy to reflect this state wide ban.

Interested in LEGO?

 

 

Then you will love BRICKS in the NORTH, a Lego Fan Exhibition at Morang South Primary School.

 

 

 

 

 

When?                 Saturday, November 30

                               9:00 am-5:00 pm

                               Sunday, November December 01                                   

                               10:00 am-4:00 pm

How much?        $8:00 or $28:00 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 5 children)  Enjoy our week.

 

Claire McInerney

Principal