Prestons Post
Term 1, Week 2
Principal's Message
Welcome to all of our students and their families. We are excited to be back at Prestons for another fabulous year of learning. I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday.
A special welcome to all of our new families, we know that your children will love being a part of our Prestons family.
COVID Restrictions and drop off and pick up procedures
We had been hoping that 2021 would bring an end to many of the restrictions that we had in 2020 due to COVID. Unfortunately, this has not been the case and we are currently still needing to put in place restrictions that will help us to keep our students and staff safe. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to work within the Department of Education and NSW Health guidelines.
- At this stage parents and carers are still not permitted on the school site during school hours except for the administration office area.
- Mornings - Our teachers will continue to greet all students at Gate 1 and Gate 3 each morning. Last year this was highly successful and our students developed great independence. We love greeting each child as they walk into our school.
- Kindergarten - For this week only, parents and carers of Kindergarten students will be able to bring their child into school using Gate 4. Gate 4 will be open from 8.30 - 9.00 for Kindergarten students and their parents or carers only. Our kindergarten students will be gathering in the PALS area (play area between the two kindergarten blocks) and our Kindergarten teachers will be supervising and greeting students. Parents and carers will need to check-in at Gate 4 via the NSW Health QR code and must practice social distancing while onsite. We ask that you drop your child to the PALS area and leave promptly via Gate 4.
- From Week 3 onwards Gate 4 will not be open and all students will need to enter school via Gate 1 or Gate 3. Parents and carers will not be permitted onsite.
- Afternoons - We will continue to implement or gate dismissal system. To avoid confusion for your child it is very important that you let them know which gate you will be collecting them from in the afternoon. Please note that we are moving back to our usual dismissal time of 3pm. (with the exception of Gate 1 where we will start moving to the Kiss and Ride line from 2.50pm) Please see the information about each gate below.
- Kindergarten students will be dismissed from Gate 4 at 2.45 until further notice. If parents prefer for their child to be collected at one of the other gates at 3pm (Gate 1, Gate 2 and Gate 3) please let their teacher know.
Welcome to our new teachers
Welcome back
Many of our wonderful teachers have returned this year from maternity leave. We are thrilled to welcome back Mrs Marinovic, Mrs Garland, Mrs Newton, Mrs McEachran, Mrs Azzi, Mrs Idiculas and Mrs Siddons.
Sport
We are now able to restart PSSA and hold our swimming carnival. Of course, due to COVID, there will be very strict restrictions but we are very excited to be able to start planning for these important school events. Stay tuned for further information.
Student safety
Parents and carers are reminded to always drive and park safely around our school. The students at Prestons are our most precious commodity and it is so important that we all play our part by not parking illegally, not parking or sitting in car lines over driveways (including that of the local preschools), not performing dangerous u-turns along Box Road, sticking to the speed limit and ensuring that your child is wearing their seatbelt. We will not tolerate unsafe driving behaviour around our school and police will be contacted to do regular patrols around our school.
Meet the Teacher
We are busy planning (using COVID safe guidelines) to hold meet the teacher afternoon tea. A ZOOM option will be available but we are pleased to announce that we are able to hold short sessions of less than 1 hour so that parents and carers are able to meet their child's teacher face to face. Please stay tuned for further details.
2021 Classes
We have formed 31 classes this year. Classes and their teachers are as follows:
Kindergarten - Assistant Principal - Mrs Naicker
K Wallabies - Mrs Naicker (M-Th) and Miss MacMillan (F)
K Koalas - Mrs Boyd
K Possums - Miss Bates
K Wombats - Mrs Smith
K Platypus - Mr Bui
K Echidnas - Ms Jabarin
Year 1 - Assistant Principal - Miss Higgins
1 Zebras - Mrs Higgins
1 Tigers - Mr Edwards
1 Flamingoes - Mrs Mitchell
1 Tree Frogs - Mrs Maric
1 Lions - Mr Estepa
1Giraffes - Mrs Garland (M-W) and Mrs Wall (W-F)
Year 2 - Leader - Miss Rigas
2 Elephants - Miss Rigas
2 Leopards - Miss Wood
2 Toucans - Mrs Quinn
2 Monkeys - Mrs Calabro
Year 3 - Leader - Mrs Jurinic
2 Jellyfish - Miss Truong
3 Rainbow Fish - Miss McManus
3 Sharks - Mr Wright
3 Dolphins - Mrs Hunt
Year 4 - Assistant Principal - Miss Thomas
4 Turtles - Miss Thomas
4 Stingrays - Miss Ahmad
4 Killer Whales - Mr Meoni
4 Bluebottles - Mrs Patton
Year 5 - Assistant Principal - Mrs Busuttil
5 Kingfishers - Mrs Busuttil
5/6 Kookaburras - Ms Ross(M-Th) and Ms Marinovic (W-F)
5 Falcons - Mrs Prakesh
5 Rosellas- Miss Kane
Year 6 - Leader - Mrs Balazs
6 Eagles - Mrs Balazs
6 Pelicans - Miss Rialas
6 Magpies - Mr Harris
Liz Van Der Meulen
Principal
Afternoon Pick Up - Gates and procedures
Dates to Remember
18/2/2021 - Swimming Carnival Yrs 3 to 6
19/2/2021 - PSSA Commence Yrs 3 to 6
19/2/2021 Issue 1 Book Club Order due
Voluntary School Contribution 2021
What is a Voluntary School Contribution?
This is a voluntary payment from parents that is requested each year by schools to supplement existing funding. Our school relies on these contributions to provide additional resources to ensure our students have the best possible learning opportunities and learning environment.
How Much?
The voluntary contribution for 2021 is $30 per family.
Payments can be made at the office by cash or through EFTPOS or through POP (Parent Online Payments - this accessed through the schools website).
All money raised from these contributions will go directly towards the purchase of school resources and related technology to enhance the teaching and learning across our school.
Breakfast Club
Crunch & Sip
Crunch & Sip gives student the chance to re-fuel with fruit or vegetables to improve physical and mental performance and concentration in the classroom, as well as promoting long term health.
Update of Information
Kinder to Years 2
Book Club - Issue 1
Orders for this issue close Friday 19th February 2021.
School Canteen Online Ordering
Return & Earn
Students are encouraged to recycle their containers at school in their classroom bins and in the orange bins on the playground. Every Friday at the Box Road gate students can bring in a bag of recycling to go into the draw to win some exciting prizes.