A Message from David & Cam...
Welcome Back!
We hope that you all had a wonderful and relaxing break. Congratulations to all those Cats fans - we just wish the game wasn't such a snooze fest for all of us neutral supporters! We are really excited to get into Term 4 as it is always filled with lots of fun and excitement as classes enjoy and celebrate their final term together.
Along with the terrific curriculum programs for Term 4 (check out the Term 4 Curriculum Newsletters page in this newsletter), we have a great range of different events and activities planned that we are all looking forward to. Here is a summary of events and things to remember for Term 4:
- Transition - We will welcome our 2023 preppies to our school in November to begin their transition program. We will also have a series of step-up days where current students are given the opportunity to get a taste of what the next year may bring. We always offer a really robust transition program that supports all of our students to feel comfortable and confident for the next stage of their education.
- Graduation - The year 6 students will be busy planning and preparing for their special night on the 8th December. This is always a wonderful event as we remember and celebrate the students' time here at Altona Green.
- Grandparents & Special Person's Day - We look forward to welcoming all the grandparents and other special people to our school on the 28th October. Please remind those that you would like to attend and see details that were posted on Compass.
- End of Year Celebration - Sarah is busy working with teachers and students planning and preparing for our end of year concert. This event will take place in the evening of the 14th December - save the date! The students and staff will also enjoy a Christmas Fun Day during the day. We can't wait to celebrate the year together as a whole school!
- Assembly - Assembly runs alternate weeks to the newsletter and is held in either the gym or under Gumbuya depending on the weather. The remaining assemblies this term are:
- 21/10 - Prep G
- 4/11 - 2/3L & 2/3A
- 18/11 - PJ & PB
- 2/12 - 4/5C
Pupil Free Day
- A reminder that Monday 31st October is the Term 4 pupil free day. The staff will be using this day for assessment and reporting. All day care is available at TeamKids for this day.
Resilience Project
We are really excited to announce that our school will be partnering with the Resilience Project, beginning next year, to work with our students, teachers and families. The over arching objective of the Resilience Project is to provide practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness. As the community exits the Covid era, the need for authentic, evidence-based supports for mental health has never been greater and we believe that partnering with the Resilience Project is a very positive and exciting step in enhancing the wellbeing and resilience of our school community.
Further information about The Resilience Project (TRP) will be communicated early in 2023. The website https://theresilienceproject.com.au/ provides detailed information about all aspects of the TRP.
2023 Classes and Parent/Carer Requests.
The leadership team are currently working through 2023 planning, class structure and recruitment processes, and the process for 2023 class formations will soon commence. This process is incredibly important and we spend a lot of time creating class lists that ensure all students are set up for success in the following year. All students make a list of friends that they would like to be placed with and we try to ensure that everyone has at least one of these friends in their future class.
If you have any requests for class placement for next year, please ensure that your requests are in writing and sent to me (david.king@education.vic.gov.au) no later than Friday 28th October. Please understand that I cannot take requests for individual teachers and that whilst all requests will be considered not all will be able to be accommodated. Please also note that requests made last year do not carry over and should be made again via email if you believe it should still be considered.
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.
2/3 Launch Day!
Our 2/3 classes started their Earth and Space Science unit last week with a fun launch day where students engaged in lots of experiments and activities to get them hooked into the topic. Here are some pics from the day:
Maths Olympiad
A committed group of students have recently completed the final Olympiad test. The students have enjoyed being challenged during lunchtime sessions as well as during the actual tests and have clearly developed their ability to discuss their thinking and experiment with a variety of strategies. The passion that these students have for Mathematics is lovely to see and their thirst for knowledge bodes well for their future learning. On a point of celebration, Isabel Egan achieved the rare feat of scoring 100% on one of the tests - a fantastic effort!
All of the students who committed to the Olympiad will be acknowledged at our end of year assembly and I am looking forward to working with many of these students again in the 2023 Olympiad!
Basketball
On Wednesday 5th October, our boys and girls basketball teams represented the school at the Divisional level at Altona Stadium. The standard of basketball was high and our boys played brilliantly to win their first game and come within 2 points of the eventual winners! Our girls battled valiantly and almost won their final game. Most importantly, all of our students demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and gave it their all! Well Done!
Road Safety Works
You would have all seen the completed road safety additions that have been added along the front of the school on Victoria St. These works have been added to improve the safety of the members of our school community. Providing additional safe places to cross the road and adding speed humps to reduce speed as vehicles approach the school are welcome additions.
The works were scheduled to be completed during the holidays. Unfortunately, there was a slight delay with the construction and we thank you all for your patience during school drop off and pick up last week.
AGPS Fundraising Project Suggestions
What ideas do you have to help make AGPS even better?
In recent years at Altona Green, we as a community have improved our school facilities through our fundraising. This includes new playgrounds, shade sails and a soon to be upgraded multi-sports field. This is something that our community should be very proud of. Our little school is continuing to go from strength to strength.
With our last fundraising drive, which was for our multi-sports area which is now at the planning and soon to be implementation stage, it is time for us to look forward and make plans for what we would like to fundraise for next.
We would very much like to gain community feedback and input about this.
When providing your ideas below, please consider:
- Is the project achievable?
- Is it a short or long term project?
- What benefits would our students/school gain?
- Is there any impact on the wider community?
Please submit your ideas here https://forms.gle/NSUj5uxGKtxs8k5k8. The survey will close on Tuesday 18th October.
Many thanks,
School Council
Resilience Workshop for Parents
If you want to foster resilience in your children and young people then make sure you register for this upcoming webinar.
In this 75-minute webinar, you'll discover the key principles in positive youth development and take away your own 'one page' plan to help foster resilience in your child.
This webinar is suitable for families of school-aged young people and will be delivered by Nat Gilbert - a coach, youth worker, and university lecturer, who has held roles in a range of environments including at Maribyrnong College, Moonee Valley City Council, and the Melbourne Storm.
When: Wednesday 26 October
Time: 7:00pm - 8:15pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Hats Reminder
A reminder that in Term One and Term Four all students are required to wear a broad-brimmed hat for outdoor activities, this includes recess, lunch and Physical Education lessons. Please support your child by reminding them to pack their hat and ensure their name is clearly marked so it can make its way back to them if it gets accidentally left outside.
We hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Kind regards,
David & Cam