Principal's Report
It’s hard to believe we’re now heading into the final three weeks of the school year. Term 4 always seems to move at lightning speed, and this year is no exception. Even with the busy pace, there is a wonderful sense of excitement building across the school as we count down to some of our favourite end-of-year events. Over the coming weeks, students will take part in a range of special experiences, including excursions, 5/6 Surf Day, Activities Program, Step Up and transition sessions, and of course the Grade 6 Graduation nad Presentation Assembly. We are especially looking forward to our ACPS Christmas Carols and Concert—always a highlight for students, staff and families alike.
It’s an action-packed finish to the year, and we can’t wait to celebrate these moments with our school community as we guide students smoothly into their 2026 classes and bring a wonderful year of learning to a close.
2026 Staffing Announcements
I am pleased to share our teaching team for 2026. We are fortunate to have a dedicated, experienced and positive group of educators who bring a wide range of strengths to our school.
Foundation/Prep: Amanda Callaway and Linda Zanatta
Grade 1: Brooke Eastwood
Grade 2: Peta Dibb
Grade 3: Emily Beattie and Kate Misra
Grade 4: Terpsi Miliaresis
Grade 5: Russell Smith and Michele Hansen
Grade 6: Alysha Buzzini
Art: Julie Clarke
Performing Arts & AUSLAN: Sarah Bailey
Physical Education: Daniel Webber
As a reminder, our Step Up Day will be held on Tuesday 9th December, when students will spend time in their 2026 classes and begin getting to know their teachers for next year.
We would also like to wish Chelsea Black all the very best as she takes 2026 to travel. Chelsea has been a valued member of our staff whose kindness, enthusiasm and commitment to students have had a lasting impact on ACPS. She will be missed next year by staff , students families but we are sure she will have a fantastic time exploring the world.
New social media age restrictions
As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety and wellbeing, we want to ensure our families are aware of an important national change coming into effect later this year.
From 10 December 2025, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 will introduce new requirements for social media companies. These platforms will be legally required to:
prevent children and young people under 16 from having a social media account, and
deactivate or freeze any existing accounts held by people under 16.
These changes are being introduced to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of young people. Delaying access to social media allows children more time to form real-world friendships, develop emotional maturity, and strengthen their digital literacy before engaging in online spaces designed for older users.
Importantly, the responsibility for enforcing these new rules will sit with the social media platforms—not with parents, carers, children, or schools.
Most major social media platforms will be affected, including:Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and YouTube. Messaging services, online games, and platforms used for education or wellbeing will still be accessible.
How families can support children under 16
Although social media platforms will manage the enforcement, parents and carers still play a key role in supporting young people to understand and prepare for the changes.
The eSafety Commissioner has published easy-to-understand resources, including:
information about the new age restrictions
tips for discussing social media with children and teenagers
guidance on helping young people navigate online disappointment or frustration
Families can access these resources by visiting the eSafety website.
What this means at Andersons Creek Primary School
At ACPS, most age-restricted social media platforms are already blocked for student use on our school network. We do allow logged-out access to YouTube, as our classes sometimes use it for educational purposes. However, this access is filtered so that mature, inappropriate, or age-restricted content cannot be viewed. Additionally, whenever possible priority is given to embedding content into a non-age-restricted platform or limiting use to teacher directed viewing.
As always, our focus remains on supporting students to use digital technologies safely, respectfully, and responsibly.
Staying informed
To keep up to date with the new social media age restrictions, we encourage families to visit the eSafety website and subscribe to their newsletter for ongoing updates and guidance.
If any families have questions or would like support navigating these changes, please feel free to contact the school office—we’re always here to help.
2026 Curriculum Contributions
At Andersons Creek Primary School, we are committed to providing high-quality, engaging, and inclusive educational programs that extend and enrich every learner. Each year, the school relies on the Parent Payment contributions to continue offering the great learning environment and programs for our students.
A News Feed regarding 2026 Parent Payments and Book Packs has been sent to families via Compass. These contributions directly support the programs and resources that make ACPS such a dynamic and well-resourced school environment.
To make your contribution, please visit the Compass Newsfeed and follow the information provided. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support — it plays a vital role in maintaining the vibrant learning experiences and high-quality programs that benefit every student at ACPS.
Save the Date – End of Year Events
As we head into the final stretch of the year, we have some wonderful community celebrations ahead:
ACPS Christmas Carols – Wednesday 4 December, 6:00pm
Join us in the Theatre for our special Christmas Concert, followed by picnics, music, and a special visit from CFA Santa on the oval.
Presentation Assembly – Friday 12 December, 2:00–3:15pm
Held in the Theatre, this special assembly will feature student performances, the presentation of awards, and the announcement of our 2026 School and House Captains.
We look forward to celebrating these occasions together as a school community and ending the year on a high.
Daniel Webber
Principal