From the Principal

Welcome to the 2026 School Year at Athol Road Primary School 

I am delighted to welcome all members of our ARPS community to the beginning of a new school year. Whether you are starting school for the first time, returning for another year, joining us as a new student or family, or supporting our community as a staff member, it is wonderful to have you with us. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and we are proud to be a school where many cultures, languages, and experiences come together.

The start of the term has been extremely positive, and I would like to thank our dedicated staff, supportive families, and enthusiastic students for making it such a smooth and successful transition. It was lovely to see our Foundation students begin their school journey, their smiles and excitement brought great joy to our school. I look forward to seeing them grow in confidence as the term progresses.

As we step into this new year, I feel a strong sense of optimism and pride. ARPS is more than a place of learning; it is a caring and inclusive community where students are encouraged to share ideas, celebrate differences, develop their talents, and form meaningful friendships. Together, we create an environment that nurtures curiosity, encourages creativity, supports wellbeing, and inspires a love of learning.

Our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all students and families remains at the heart of everything we do. Our teachers and staff are here to guide and support students throughout their learning journey. We value the important role families play and recognise that strong partnerships between home and school are essential for student success. 

We invite all families to stay connected and engaged by attending school events, information sessions, and community activities throughout the year. Please check our newsletters and Sentral regularly for important updates, key dates, and information about learning and events in Term 1 and beyond. Next week we will be holding our online parent information sessions and all the Webex links have been posted on Sentral. We have our first Curriculum Day planned for Wednesday 18th February – this is a student free day so please put this date in your calendars.

This term, our school will be undertaking a School Review. This is an important opportunity for us to reflect on our strengths, celebrate what is working well, and identify areas for future growth. The review process will support us in developing our new four-year School Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan, ensuring we continue to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. We look forward to working together as a community throughout this process as we plan for the future of our school.

Welcome to the new staff at Athol Road Primary School 

I would like to welcome our new 2026 members of staff: Georgia Cook, Salena Hawley, Gus Olguin, Kiara Fraser, Brooke Tolson and Althea Del Vecchio.

I would also like to welcome back staff returning from leave:  Ashlee Coleman and Chantelle Hingert.

Please see page 5 for a full list of the ARPS 2026 Staff.

Congratulations to our 2026 Year 6 Student Leaders

I would like to congratulate our Year 6 students who have been appointed to leadership roles for 2026. Student leadership plays an important role at ARPS, giving students the opportunity to develop confidence, responsibility, and a strong sense of voice within our school community. I am confident that, as the year progresses, our student leaders will continue to grow in confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, and make positive contributions to our school. Tomorrow, I will be meeting with our student leaders to hear their ideas and discuss how we can shape leadership roles that are purposeful and meaningful. I very much look forward to meeting with them all and working together to bring their ideas to life.

Please see page 6 for a full list of the 2026 Year 6 Student Leaders.

Carmel Nigro

Principal