Principal's Message

Another busy fortnight lies ahead with a number of activities to extend the skills, talents and competencies of senior students, including LitQuiz, Leadership camp, leaders commencing community service visits, an Arts Unit drama & street theatre workshop, regional swimming carnival, Futsal and Da Vinci Decathlon competitions. We also have school photos, year 3-6 cross country, Kinder vision screening, the Autumn Festival parade, class Thalgarrah visits, parent-teacher interviews for Kindergarten, and parent-student-teacher interviews for Stages 2 and 3.

Harmony Day

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Harmony Day assembly and BBQ. It was a lovely celebration of harmony and diversity in our school, made particularly special by the willingness of students to proudly share details of their cultural backgrounds with their peers. In addition to class-based activities, students and visitors were treated to student speeches, an angklung performance by S3W, combined choir performance of 'Banuwa' and a traditional dance by our Ezidi students, with the assembly ending with a whole school performance of 'Everyone Belongs'. 

Thank you to James & Renee Russell, Mrs Farmer, Hayley, Greta, Olive and Abi for filming and producing the video that was shown at the assembly, exploring the meaning behind the school mural. A shortened version of this video is included below.

Electives

All students in years 1-6 have now engaged in the first two sessions of their elective subjects. It has been wonderful to hear such positive feedback from our students on their electives. Several of these groups will work towards performances later in the year and we look forward to sharing the skills and talents of our students then.

Autumn Festival

On Saturday 5 April, students are invited to march with Ben Venue as part of the Armidale Community of Schools. The march from Central Park to Civic Park will  commence at noon on Saturday 5 April. Students wishing to march should meet Mr Pryce in Central Park at 11:45 AM. (Being there by this time will allow students to see the 'Freedom Formation Flyover'.) Historically, the assembly for the march has varied each year, with this year's precise meeting point for Ben Venue unknown. Therefore, students should look for the Ben Venue banner, either in central park or on Tingcombe Lane. 

Additional information will be provided to schools later this week. Flyers regarding the festival are included in the community notices section of this newsletter.

Emergency Drills

During this fortnight, staff and students will participate in a planned emergency procedure drill. There will therefore be a short disruption to lessons at some point in the next two weeks. Students are usually back in class within 20 minutes of the drill being initiated. 

Cam Pryce

Principal