PRINCIPAL’S COLUMN

Hello everyone I hope you are all enjoying the unseasonable warm weather. It has come as a bit of a shock.

NEW ROADWORKS - I received some news this week that will hearten any driver that has been held up at the intersection of Poinciana Avenue and Werin Street. The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has announced its intention to construct a roundabout and upgrade the pathways around this intersection.

The project is scheduled to start in the week commencing the 31st of August and is anticipated to be completed within 12 weeks (weather permitting). If you want further information on this project, please contact Chris Sturgess on 5475 8501.

NEW PHONE SYSTEM - We are very excited that at last some of the school stimulus funding is coming our way. We have been informed that this week we will be receiving a new phone system. We have been struggling for a long time with a system not designed to do the work demanded of it. We hope the installation of the new system will not cause any inconvenience. I will keep you informed

SCHOOL UPGRADES - We believe the work designed to take place under the National School Pride Program will begin in the September holidays. This work costing $200,000 will include the painting of 17 classrooms and the staffroom, the recarpeting of 19 classrooms, and the installation 12 electronic whiteboards.

To finish the good news, Tewantin State School was confirmed in round 3 of the Primary Schools of the 21Century (P21) Program. Which means we will have $3 million to construct a new assembly hall and refurbish our library. Projected completion dates for these projects is 2011.

SAFE & SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT - Unfortunately school violence is in the news and is obviously a concern to us all. Can I assure everyone that the safety and wellbeing of our students is our major priority. We encourage all students to speak up and let us know if there are problems and we welcome input from parents. We are proactive in our efforts to monitor what is happening with the playground dynamics of the school. If you feel there are concerns please contact the admin team. We welcome the opportunity to ensure our school remains a safe and supportive learning environment.

PREP OPEN DAYS – Children and families are welcome to attend our Prep Open Days to meet staff and enjoy some fun activities on Tuesday, 15 September and Wednesday 28 October. Time - 9.30am to 11.00am. (These two Open Days are additional to the Prep / Year 1 information morning to be held on Wednesday, 9 September in the school’s Activity Hall commencing at 9.30am. For information regarding Open Days and enrolments please contact Kerrod Parsons – Deputy Principal.

JEFF MOORE – Acting Principal