Prestons Post
Term 1, Week 3
Principal's Message
Welcome to our Week 3 newsletter. We have certainly gotten off to a great start to 2021 and all classes are now settled and working well in their 2021 classes. Our kindergarten students are doing a great job at learning all about 'big school'. A special thank you to all of the kindy parents who have been so supportive and understanding of our drop off and pick up procedures for the start of kindergarten. As of next week there will be some small changes to drop off and pick up for kindergarten.
Drop off procedures in the morning - gates open from 8.30 - 9.00 each morning
- As of next Monday morning, all students, including kindergarten students will enter school from Gates 1 and Gates 3. These will be the only gates open in the mornings. Parents and carers can drop their child at one of these gates. Our teachers and SLSOs (teachers aids) will be greeting students at the gates and supporting our kindergarten students. The PALS area will be open for kindergarten students to play in a safe and familiar area before the bell goes.
Pick up procedures in the afternoon - students will be dismissed from 3pm with the following exceptions:
- Kindergarten students will continue to be dismissed at 2.45 for the next few weeks. This will be from Gate 4 ONLY (2.45). Students who are to be collected from Gate 2 or Gate 3 will be dismissed at 3.00.
- All students using Gate 1 Kiss and Ride will continue to be dismissed from 2.50. This is for families using the Kiss and Ride system only. This allows us to safely manage traffic around our school.
- All students will be moving to their respective gates supervised by teachers from their grade. Gates will be open at 3pm for Gates 2, 3 and 4 for all students to be dismissed.
- Unfortunately, due to. COVID restrictions, parents and carers are not permitted onto school grounds.
Parking and driving around our school
We thank our families for continuing to drive and park safely around our school. Student safety is so important and we all need to work together on this important role.
- Please do not do u-turns along Box Road in front of our school. This is extremely unsafe and puts our students in danger.
- Please do not pull into the no standing or no stopping areas along Kurrajong Road and Box Road. These zones exist to keep our students safe. Please do not pull into these areas and call your child to the car.
- Please ensure your children enter and exit from the footpath side of your car.
- Remember that the speed limit around schools is 40km per hour.
- Kiss and Ride - please do not block driveways to houses or the local preschool. We have a very efficient systems and cars move quite quickly through the kiss and ride line and it is helpful if our local residents can still move smoothly throughout.
Smart Watches and phones
We all love new technology and many students have been coming to school wearing smart watches. Please note that our use of technology policy includes smart watches and students are not permitted to use these at school to send text messages and make phone calls. Please ensure that data is turned off during school hours. All mobile phones must be signed in at the front office in the morning and collected at the end of the school day.
Uniform
We are very proud of our wonderful school and love the way our students proudly wear their school uniform each day. Please note that black tights are not a part of our school uniform and may only be worn underneath skirts, skorts or dresses. It is an expectation at Prestons Public School that students wear their full school uniform each day and we thank our parents and carers for supporting us in this.
P & C
Our P&C are a wonderful group of dedicated parents and carers who meet every month to work with and support our school. We would love to see many of our new families come along and join us at these meetings. Our first meeting will be an evening meeting and we are excited to be able to announce that we are able to hold this meeting on school grounds. We are limited to 30 people so please RSVP as soon as possible. A ZOOM link will be available for those who are unable to attend in person. The link will be posted below.
Seesaw
Seesaw is our classroom learning and communication tool. Our teachers have now set up their class seesaw accounts and will be sending home notes with a code so that you are able to join your child's class seesaw account. We would love to have 100% parent engagement with this app so that we can continue to share and celebrate you child's learning with you. Please take the time to connect with your child's class on Seesaw. if you have any questions please contact us at school (via our fb messenger or telephone the office and one of our teachers will call you back).
School life
Many school events are slowly returning to normal, we are very excited that PSSA is returning, our swimming carnival (with a few small adjustments due to COVID) is on and we are excitedly planning a school concert this year.
Have a wonderful week and don't forget to ask your child what they are learning at school.
Liz Van Der Meulen
Principal
Afternoon Pick Up - Gates and procedures
Gate 1 - Kiss and Ride
- Please stay in your car.
- Students will be called to the gate and will move to your car once you pull up to the collection area.
- Dismissal will commence at 2.50pm for all Kiss and Ride students.
Gate 2 - Walking
- Parents and carers please social distance if you are waiting to collect your child
- Please do not wait on the road
- Students will be dismissed at 3pm
Gate 3 - Bus, Crossing and Walking
- Parents and carers please social distance if you are waiting to collect your child
- Please do not pull into the no stopping, no standing or bus zones and call your child to the car
- Students will be dismissed at 3pm
GATE 4
- Kindergarten families may wait inside school gates to collect their child at 2.45pm
- All other students will be dismissed at 3pm.
- Parents and carers please social distance if you are waiting to collect your child.
Parents and Citizens (P&C)
Introducing Mrs Silva
Hi everyone, I’m Mrs Silva and I will be in the library this year. I’ve had an awesome first week at PPS trying to get to know everyone!
I have 2 little girls and we enjoy going on adventures to the beach and park.
In my own time, I enjoy catching up with family and friends and just chilling at a BBQ.
Looking forward to lots of fun and learning at PPS!
Introducing Mrs Busuttil
Introducing Mrs Kinniburgh
Introducing Mr Wright
Hi Prestons Public families,
My name is Mr Wright, the 3 Sharks teacher for this year. I am new to Prestons Public and am very excited about being part of this school and teaching the very awesome and energetic 3 Sharks. I love going to the beach with a coffee, watching movies and having a BBQ with friends. I come from a big family with 5 brothers. My family is also full of teachers with my wife, mother and brother being teachers. I am very excited for the year ahead. Go 3 Sharks!
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
2021 Swimming Carnival
This year our swimming carnival will be held at the MICHAEL WENDEN AQUATIC LEISURE CENTRE, MILLER on Thursday 18th February 2021 students to arrive at school by 8:45am for a prompt 9am departure by bus.
Notes have been sent home for students in years 3 to 6.
Students in year 2 who are turning 8 this year and are strong swimmers (can swim 50 metres) are also invited to attend and can collect a permission note from the office.
The Permission note and payment of $7.00 are due back to the office by Monday 15th February, 2021.
Overdue Library Books
Please ensure that these books are returned as soon as possible and note that missing books will either need to be paid for or replaced with a new book.
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.