While the zones have been changed, it is important that we all take a collective responsibility for safety around our school. Parents must never call child across a road to their car. Instead, please alight and physically collect your child. 

Sitting in rows is what students use to do in the last century. Instead, our school has moved into this contemporary decade by providing students with round tables, whiteboard tables, coffee booths, bean bags and different shaped ottomans. The change in learning spaces has meant that the furniture matches the students learning tasks.

I would like to thank and congratulate all the parents and students that have made the transition to the new starting hours. Over the period of the week, I have heard quite a number of positive comments about the change, ranging from the opportunity to drop children off with adequate time to travel into the city for work, and the opportunity to attend medical appointments and other activities in the afternoon without withdrawing early from school.

With or without change, it is important that students develop sound routines in the morning. We can learn from the children about coping with change. Every morning I have been on playground duty to see the enthusiasm of the students as they walk into the gate. At recess time, I have been on the playground talking to students about the change and discovering their appreciation for the afternoon.

I am pleased that the Roads and Maritime Services will shortly be changing the school zones hours to 7am to 8:30am in the morning and 12:30pm to 2pm in the afternoons, with new signage to eight existing school zones with pedestrian and vehicular access to our school including on York Street, Myee Street, Walker Street, Military Road, Railway Terrace, Patten Avenue and Claremont Street. The school zone flashing lights will also change to reflect the new hours.

The safety of all children is a collective community responsibility. It is important that with the change in school hours, parents need to provide clear communication about who will pick up their child or whether they stay at the Homework Centre.

In Week 3, the After School Communities Program will commence and not long after, PSSA Sport Training and Music Groups be a regular part of the afternoon. During Terms 2 and 3, a prerequisite for students wishing to be involved in PSSA Soccer, Newcomball or Netball will be the ability to stay till 3pm while still starting at 8am.

The evaluation process by Macquarie University commenced last year. Data about student engagement was collected via student surveys and classroom observations. Additional data will be collected during the year prior to a report submitted to the Department in late Term 3 or early Term 4.

I would like to extend my appreciation to the Parents and Citizens Association for all their voluntary work in the Uniform Shop and the free morning Breakfast Club.

Thank you to all the parents for your support in the latest promotion of our school and public education.

Over the past 3 months, our school has undertaken a major change and instead of building classrooms, we’ve been building learning spaces. Round tables, soft seating and the opportunity to learn in different learning environments are essential to engage students as learners.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/innovative-education/archive/2012/09/07/pilot-program-spotlight-merrylands-east-public-school.aspx