Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
Earlier today our Principal’s Award recipients for Term 2 enjoyed a special celebration, reflecting on their hard-earned successes. The children beamed with pride as they sat in the staff room and conversed about their upcoming holidays and delighted in each other's company as well as in the praise given to them as various staff members entered the party space and engaged with them. The morning was filled with laughter, conversation, and indulgence in a spread of delicious party treats and drinks. It was a wonderful way of celebrating the students’ achievements together.
Community Input to Vision and Mission Refresh
As shared with you at the beginning of the year, we have been engaged in the important process of refreshing our school’s Vision and Mission – the statements that guide who we are, what we stand for, and what we aim to achieve as a community. The vision captures our long-term hopes and aspirations, while the mission describes who are and how we support students every day. To make sure these reflect the values and hopes of our community, we’re asking parents and carers to share their thoughts. Your insights will help shape statements that are meaningful, inclusive, and future-focused. Thank you for taking the time to contribute. Please click here to access the Form or use this QR code. We ask that all responses are received by 25th July.
Building Project Update
We have had movement on site this week! Workers were on site working out electrical and technical plans for the demolition. Fencing will be erected this coming Monday and this will then be followed by the demolition of the shelter and stairwell in the Quadrangle. We should all be prepared for a dramatic difference on our return to school in two weeks’ time.
Parent -Teacher Interviews
Thank you for your attendance at the recent parent-teacher interviews. We hope you found it worthwhile to talk with your children’s teachers about their progress so far this year and the direction in which to help support your children with their Semester 2 learning. If you were unable to attend a meeting this term, please ensure that you contact the office early next term to rearrange a meeting time. Please feel free to share with me any feedback you have about the reports and parent/teacher interviews.
Bike Riders
Recently, we were contacted by a local driver who expressed great concern about the safety of our students who cycle to school, particularly those on e-bikes. She had a near miss with one of our students who failed to give way while entering a nearby intersection at speed. If your child rides a bike to school please talk with them about the road rules and explain that they have a responsibility to care for their own and others’ safety.
As we are coming into the school holidays and many children will be riding their bikes over the next two weeks we’d like to share with you a guide to help you get the facts on what is legal and sensible, and tips to help you guide your kids to keep them and everyone else safe on local roads and shared paths.
- Helmets are non-negotiable!
Helmets are not just a good idea, they are a legal requirement for all bicycle riders, including those on e-bikes. Like them or not, kids and adults need to wear them. Learn more about helmets. - What’s legal, and what’s not
In NSW, all e-mobility devices except e-bikes are restricted to private property only. This means e-scooters, hoverboards and other e-mobility devices can’t be legally ridden on the road or footpath. Breaking this rule can lead to a hefty fine of $723. - Know your e-bike speed limits and keep them legal
E-bikes are a fantastic way to get around but tweaking them to exceed the 25km/hr speed limit without pedalling makes them illegal. Doing so could land you and your child with a $723 fine for riding an unregistered device, and potentially an additional infringement for riding a vehicle without a license.
Bike shops might not always disclose this information, so make sure you know what the e-bike is set to and if your child or anyone else, has tampered with it. - Ding-ding! All bicycles need a bell
Ensure your child's bike is equipped with a bell. It's a small but essential safety feature that can prevent collisions and help alert pedestrians and other cyclists of their presence. - Pedestrians first: Etiquette on shared paths
Teach your child to slow down, ring their bell when approaching pedestrians, and give way courteously. Overtaking should be avoided or done slowly and cautiously. - Safe speeds in public spaces
Kids don’t all understand what ‘safe speed’ means. Emphasise to them the importance of responsible speed, especially in crowded areas like shopping districts. Pedestrians may unexpectedly step onto a path, and maintaining a safe speed can prevent accidents and promote a safer environment for everyone. - Liability and insurance: Prepare for the unexpected
In the event of an accident, did you know that you as a parent may be held responsible for your child’s behaviour on an e-bike or other device?
Consider looking into bicycle insurance to protect against potential liability issues. And note, insurance is void for illegal devices, so ensure your family’s e-bike is in compliance with regulations, and that no-one is riding other illegal devices in public spaces.
- Inducting your child to the road and shared paths
This may sound crazy, but we recommend you implement an induction process for your child, teaching them the etiquette of sharing roads and paths with other users. This could help them understand traffic rules, develop respect for pedestrians, and become aware of their surroundings.
This guide was obtained from E-bike essentials: A parent's guide to safe riding | Northern Beaches Council
Have a wonderful winter break with your families. We look forward to seeing you next term,
Karen
Principal