10/08/2026
Dear School Community.
I would like to let you know about the lease agreement that exists between the City of Joondalup and the Department of Education with the specific outcome of ensuring the ongoing safety of staff and students at North Woodvale Primary School.
Since 2012 there has been a licence agreement that gives North Woodvale Primary School ‘priority use’ of Chichester Park- North (school oval). The Department of Education pay an annual fee for ‘priority use’ between 8.00am and 4.00pm on school days.
In my discussions with the Department of Education (Leasing), the term ‘priority use’ ensures that during the lease period, as Principal, I can ensure that school rules, policies and procedures are followed across the school grounds- including the school oval.
I am bringing this to the attention of the school community as there are an increasing number of dog owners who have their dogs on the oval during the school day, placing staff and student safety at risk. In line with Department of Education policy and guidelines, dogs are not permitted on school grounds, unless special permission is granted by the Principal for support/therapy dogs.
Unfortunately, along with the increased frequency of dogs on the school grounds, there is also an increase in aggressive, abusive and threatening behaviour directed towards staff which occurs when members of the public are asked to remove their dogs from the school oval.
As recently as last week a large dog was off lead and ran through a class of students during a Physical Education lesson and entered the playground area inside the school perimeter fence. The teacher that asked the person to remove their dog was spoken to in such a manner that left staff and students shaken.
The lease agreement that exists prohibits the school placing any signage on the oval to advise of the agreement that exists and as such, I have been in discussion with the Department of Education to ask them to liaise with the City of Joondalup so that signage can be installed. Unfortunately, at this point, I do not have such a commitment from the local council and our students and staff remain at risk.
Chichester Park- South, is a few hundred metres away and is not part of the lease agreement that exists. As such dog owners can use those grounds without impacting the school in any way.
It would be helpful to share this information on local community group forums and with dog owners in the local area who may be unaware that an agreement exists between the Department of Education and the City of Joondalup and in the meantime, we will do our outmost to keep staff and students safe at school by explaining the arrangements with dog owners when we get an opportunity to speak to them directly.
Andrew Schmidt
