A Message from David & Cam...

What a Great Term!

For the past two years we have started Term 3 with a sense of optimism and a series of planned events that ultimately were unable to go ahead due to lockdowns and periods of remote learning. This year it feels like we have made up for these lost experiences by cramming as many opportunities as we can for all the students across the school. This has included the very first camping experience for all students in years 2-6, a whole range of sporting events with a large number of individual and team achievements, a fabulous Book Week with a joyous parade for the whole community and many different excursions and incursions that really complement the wonderful curriculum programs that have been taught across the school.

We have also seen significant growth of the students academically as well as socially and emotionally as we are able to gain further continuity and consistency in the classrooms. We are really proud of the attitude, commitment and enthusiasm of the students across the school as they engage in all aspects of school life and we are also really proud of the students as they uphold and display our KEFAR values in and out of the classroom - we certainly have terrific kids at AGPS!! 

We would like to thank our whole school community for a wonderful term. The way the AGPS community works together to support our children is remarkable and we are truly fortunate to be part of such a positive and supportive environment  - THANK YOU!!

Year 6 Canberra Camp

Our students had an amazing educational tour of our national capital. Students participated in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. They visited the War Memorial, Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Art Gallery, Questacon, the Australian Institute of Sport amongst others, just too many to mention! 

It was a wonderful, memory-making experience for our students who represented our school with pride throughout the trip. A huge thank you to Fiona, Clare, Liz, Carly and Adam for their commitment to giving our students this amazing experience and for their unconditional kindness and understanding shown to our students. 

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. 

Year 2/3 Camp

The students in 2/3 have just come back from Angahook Holiday Camp and they have had THE BEST TIME! This was a new camp for us at AGPS and the first camp that has been offered to students in years 2 & 3. The kids were all incredibly resilient, enthusiastic and brave throughout the whole trip and had a go at all the activities which included the Giant Swing, Hut Building, Frisbee Golf, Archery, Low Ropes & Orienteering.

It was also great to see and hear students working together and building friendships across their cohort. We expect that the kids (and adults) will be a bit tired tonight! Thanks to the staff that attended and helped make this such a special event for our kids and a special mention to Sarah Martin who coordinated the whole camp.

RACV Safety Squad

On Monday, the Prep and Grade 1 students were visited by Annika from the RACV Safety Squad Program. It was a very important and informative session that covered safety aspects including:

• Staying Safe while in the car
  • children use the 'safety' or kerb side door when getting in and out of the car
• Great ways to be a pedestrian role model
  • Always cross at the crossing
  • Always Stop, Look, Listen and Think at roads, driveways and in car parks
• Safety at Home
  • Discussed being safe at home and hazards in backyards, driveways etc

Father's & Special Persons Day

We had a great time celebrating all the fathers, grandfathers and other special people in our children's lives a couple of weeks ago. It was a great turn out and was great to see so many people enjoying time together under Gumbuya with their friends and families and then enjoying various games and activities during lunch time. It was also great to be able to invite people into the classrooms to participate in a range of different activities with the students.

A huge thank you to Fiona for her organisation of the stall and the event and to all the other volunteers that have worked behind the scenes to help create such a successful occasion for all of our families.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN data was released this week and the student reports are able to be collected from the office. We have had an initial look at our data and there are some very positive results. Our staff will unpack the data in depth next term to celebrate successes and ascertain areas for improvement. In 2023 NAPLAN will be held mid-way through Term 1 so we will plan accordingly for this to ensure that our students have the opportunity to do as well as they can. 

Regional Athletics

On the 6th of September, our very best athletes competed in the Regional Athletics Carnival. We had some fantastic results and our students showed exemplary sportsmanship to their opposition. It was a great day and all the students (and Nancy) thoroughly enjoyed themselves! Thank you to the parents and spectators who supported our students as well as Nancy for all her work in coordinating and preparing the students.

Prep Werribee Zoo & 4/5 Melbourne Zoo Excursions

Both our Prep and Year 4/5 cohorts have recently visited two of our great zoos to complement and enhance their knowledge and understanding of the key concepts that were taught in their Biology units. Here are a few pics from these excursions:

Students Leaving AGPS in 2023

We have begun the planning process for 2023 and we would greatly appreciate it if parents could please notify the school if your child/ren will not be returning to AGPS in 2023. Please contact the office 9360 0777 or altona.green.ps@education.vic.gov.au to let us know.

We hope that you are all able to rest and relax over the holiday period. Hopefully we get to enjoy some beautiful spring weather and most importantly - Collingwood do not win another game in 2022!!

With Kind Regards,

David & Cam