Principal's Report

Congratulations Gracie!

Congratulations to Gracie who ran as part of the Victorian U11 Girls Cross Country Team in the School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships at Yarra Glenn this week. She finished an impressive 19th in the individual race on Wednesday and made it into the Team Vic Relay team as one of the top 4 Victorian finishers in her age group. Gracie's relay team finished an impressive 4th. We are so proud of you Gracie, you are a super star!!

Technology, Book Week, and More! 

As we tip over the half way mark of Term 3, here are some updates and highlights from our school community. Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the Google Leaders Day and also to take our Leadership Team to the EduTech Conference. These events provided valuable insights into the latest innovations in educational technology, particularly in how we can further utilise Google Workspace to enhance student learning and engagement. While we already use a number of these technologies in our classrooms, we are particularly excited about some of the new features and tools that will allow us to further support differentiated learning more effectively. I would like to thank Kimberly and Jim, two of our parents, for supporting myself and our staff to attend these events through their work in the Education Technology space. It was great to also see you both in action sharing your expertise with teachers and leaders across Australia. 

Last week was National Week of Action Against Bullying, as part of the week we hosted Project Rockit who came out to ACPS to facilitate their Unite Workshop with our Grade 4-6 students. This engaging and impactful workshop focused on fostering a positive school culture, addressing bullying, and promoting respectful interactions. It was a valuable opportunity for our students to learn about empathy, inclusivity, and standing up against bullying, reinforcing our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for all. Our 3-Way Learning Conferences were well attended last Thursday and I would like to thank all the parents and guardians who were able to make it to the school or online for these important conversations. Your involvement in these discussions is crucial to your child’s academic and personal development and really supports us as we work in partnership to best support our students. 

Wednesday this week was buzzing with excitement from morning till afternoon as we celebrated our annual Book Week Assembly and Parade! This year’s festivities were a suite of book-related activities that showcased the joy of reading and the magic of literature. The highlight of the day was definitely the Assembly and Parade, where our students dazzled us with their incredible costumes, transforming into their favourite book characters. From dazzling superheroes to enchanting fairy tale figures, and even a live whip cracking demonstration, the creativity on display was nothing short of spectacular. ACPS really knows how to lean into a dress up day and this years costumes certainly did not disappoint. Thank you to all of our families that were able to make these costumes a reality for the students to have a fantastic and memorable day. We really appreciate it, as do they. 

It seems quite a while ago now that I was excitedly announcing our capital works funding for our toilet upgrade. I am pleased to inform you that this much-anticipated project commenced this week. We expect the work to be completed by the end of October, and we appreciate your understanding as we navigate any temporary disruptions in our courtyard area. Our priority is to maintain a safe and smooth process during the construction period while our contractors are hard at it with what I imagine will be many little sets of eyes curiously trying to watch every swing of the hammer. We will be using the Theatre toilets during this time and I have spoken to the students about how we look after these types of spaces to ensure they stay nice for everyone to use. 

Finally, I want to extend my best wishes to our Grade 5 and 6 students as they head off to Camp Marysville on Monday. This experience is always a highlight of the year, filled with opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and adventure. I am lucky enough to be joining them for the three days and look forward to sharing in this special time. 

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Together, we are making ACPS a great place for all!

Daniel Webber

Principal