Uniform

As the Principal of Somerset Primary, I feel very proud when I walk around our school and see students looking smart in our school uniform.  However, lately there seems to be a growing number of students wearing bright coloured jumpers instead of our navy or aqua tops. 

Wearing school uniform is important as it builds a sense of inclusion and belonging – we are all here together as part of a learning community.  It also instils a sense of pride and willingness to demonstrate respect for our values and rules.

We would very much appreciate your support in ensuring that your children are in school uniform.  We have attached our uniform policy to this newsletter for your reference.

If you require assistance with uniforms please contact our school office to discuss some options.

Hats

Based on the Cancer Council recommendations our Sun Smart policy specifies that we need to commence wearing our approved wide brimmed school hats from the start of September.  Even though it is still seems cold we need to follow these recommendations and those students who do not have hats will be asked to play in designated shaded areas. 

Hats can be purchased from the school office for $8.

Assembly

On Wednesday we held our first whole school assembly since the pandemic restrictions were put in place.  It was wonderful to get together to share and celebrate how we have been working towards our values of: To Believe – accepting challenges and embracing opportunities and To Dream – a culture of high expectations and high achievement.

Mrs Matthews lead a whole school singing of We Are Australian, which was very uplifting.

Even though we could not invite our families in to join our celebration, we hope that you enjoyed the parts we  filmed and posted on Facebook.

Car Park update

Parking and traffic flow

To get the end of the day routines moving smoothly and to avoid congestion could you please be mindful of the following:

• Moving traffic has the right of way
• If you are attempting to reverse out of parking spaces please be patient and wait until the flow of traffic has cleared – we do not want cars waiting and traffic flow to be stopped while someone is reversing out
• If possible reverse into the straight parking spaces
• Parking or standing in the pick-up/drop-off zone is not permitted between 8:45-9:15am and 2:45-3:15pm
• When pulling in to collect your child, move your car to the front of the line to allow other cars access into the area
• Try another lap or find a park in a designated area if your child is late to the pick-up zone
• Avoid double parking in the pick-up area as it becomes very dangerous when students attempt to walk between the cars
• The 5 minute parking bay is just for Kinder parents to do a quick pick up and drop off for their Kinder child. Kinder parents, if you need to speak with your child’s teacher or if you have children in older classes please move your car to a designated car spot or do a lap to meet them in the main pick up zone.
• Delay arriving to school until after 3:00pm as teachers do not dismiss students until 3:00pm.  It may be best to alter your family’s pick up time to 3:10 as this allows your child time to move to the pick-up area (and avoids the rush).

Members of the Leadership Team are always on duty in this area and are sometimes accompanied by our Adopt A Cop Richard Douglas to keep all members of our school community safe and to ensure the efficiency of the area.  Unfortunately in the past members of our school community have been disrespectful and in some cases verbally abusive to staff when reminded of the rules.  Please note, that all staff and Constable Douglas have the authority to request parents/visitors to move their vehicle and follow the rules above (please see point 3.2 of the Respectful School Volunteer and Visitor Behaviour Policy).

3.2 Roads on Somerset Primary campus

The control of traffic at a school campus is a school matter, and the principal and delegates have the right to instruct anyone operating a vehicle to follow the conditions under which vehicles may be driven, ridden, parked and removed from the school campus.

All drivers on campus are expected to observe the speed limit of 10 km per hour and abide by road traffic signs including parking conditions (time limited parking, drop off and pick-up zones, and staff parking).

All bicycles should be stored in designated areas.

If the rules are not observed, a member of staff has the authority to ask drivers to abide by the rules and move their car.  The school may also withdraw permission to enter the school campus, remove a vehicle parked contrary to the signage at the owner’s expense or any other response the school deems necessary to maintain a safe and functional space for others at the school.

We would really appreciate your support and extra care within our car parks and pick up zone as we make this a safer place before and after school.