Parking Restriction, Traffic Monitors and School Gates
Once again in 2019 I ask motorists to please be mindful of parking restrictions around our school. It is common place for council inspectors to frequent the school at pick up and drop off times. Council do monitor and fine those motorists parked illegally or who have expired their time in parking spaces. Please remember that it is illegal to park across driveways. This includes our school driveways, in case of emergency vehicles need to gain access to school grounds. I also remind our families and friends that our traffic monitors have been trained by SAPOL and have been instructed when to stop traffic to allow pedestrians to cross. Sometimes there is a short wait for them to find a safe break in the traffic to raise the ‘stop’ signs and allow pedestrians to cross. I also remind motorists that Foord Avenue that runs adjacent to the Church can only be accessed from Marlborough St. This means that entry into Foord Avenue is from Marlborough St only and motorists need to exit the Church car park on to Seaview Rd. Access from Foord Ave to Military Rd is for private residents only.
Another important point to remember is the need to keep the traffic ‘flowing’ on Military Road and Seaview Roads. If you cannot access the ‘collection areas’, then you will need to go around the school block and attempt to join the queue again. Motorists caught obstructing traffic on Military Road and Seaview Rd can be fined. Thanks for your continued cooperation. Students need to access vehicles quickly and safely and independence in this action should be encouraged. Please pass on this information to family and friends who may drop off or collect students from our school. Our traffic monitors will be on duty in the morning from 8.30am to 8.50am and in the afternoons from 2.50pm to 3.15pm. We value the work that our senior students perform on crossing duty and appreciate your cooperation with them when using the crossings as a motorist or a pedestrian. School gates will be open from 2.40pm allowing for easier exiting of the school at peak times and decreasing traffic congestion in the corridors. Students will need to be collected by 3.20pm on Seaview and Military Road pick up points. After this time, students will be directed to OSHC.
Community News
Star of the Sea school prides itself on being welcoming and we have an active community of parents and friends. This year we will be holding our P&F Parent night “Schools In for Summer” on Friday 22nd February at 7:00pm. We would love to see you there, especially new families to our school.
We also have some wonderful parents and volunteers who support some of our students in the LAP program. If you or someone you know would like to be involved, please join us for a morning team and information session on Wednesday 13th February at 9.15am. A flyer is attached to this week’s newsletter.
A big thank you also to our Star Outreach group who organised our Champagne and Tissues morning tea on Tuesday. We had a fantastic turn out and there was a real buzz in the courtyard. If you would like to join our Star Outreach group they will be holding their first meeting on Friday 15th February at 9:00am. All welcome, toddlers included.
Morning and After School Duty
Just a reminder that children will be supervised on the courtyard in the mornings from 8:20am until 8:50am. The Library is also open for students and families to use. In the afternoon, there will be a teacher supervising Military and Seaview Road for pickup and Malborough Street for road crossing supervision. A reminder that the Library will also be open after school.
Uniform
May I kindly remind everyone to ensure your child is wearing the correct school uniform. A copy of our uniform policy is available on the school’s web site. During this warm weather in Term 1, hats and sunscreen are a must. We appreciate your support.
I wish you a wonderful year ahead and look forward to getting to know many of you better during this term in my acting Deputy Principal role. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any matters you would like to discuss. Our doors are always open.
Enjoy the weekend ahead,
Many thanks
Kelly Manera
Acting Deputy Principal