School Life @ ASPS

G.A.T.E.WAYS Challenge

This year Auburn South once again competed in the Annual G.A.T.E.WAYS Challenge. Twelve to fifteen students from grades 3-5 participated in “Challenge Training” which involved challenges in science, maths, literacy, problem solving and TEAMWORK! Some of the content we looked at was dystopian fiction, genetic research, landing aeroplanes and cracking codes. Four students from each year level were then selected to compete on the day.

Congratulations to the following students for their participation, with particular congratulations going to Problem Primary who were awarded equal 90th Percentile nationally in the years 3 & 4 competition!

Thank to the students for their commitment to being challenged, their teachers for being flexible around practice times and to all the parents who encouraged their children.

Ms Stanton

Brainiacs

Billy P

Daisy F

Leo K

Taylor L

Problem Primary

Matthew T

Chloe C

Estella Z

Alexander B

Awesome South

Alyssa L

Lucy D

Olivia H

Stella H

Melbourne University Maths Competition 

This year we were lucky enough to have eleven students in grades 5 & 6 submit entries into the Melbourne University Maths and Statistics Competition. To submit an entry participants need to work through a maths question that is open-ended, university level and often ends up having no firm answer. This process takes months and students have been meeting during their lunch times and out of school hours to work on their problems. 

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded certificates for their participation

Ari F, Christopher S, Dylan C, Eric S, Ethan W, Kurtis C, Liam B-H, Rohan M, Ryan L, Tanicus L and Yash C.

Special Congratulations to Rohan M who was awarded a Merit certificate

Well done everyone who participated. I hope they gained new ideas, knowledge, and skills. Most importantly, I Hope they continue to explore mathematics and statistics this year and beyond.

Ms Stanton

Year 6 Chinese Excursion

On November 8th, all Year 6 students went on an excursion to Chinatown and the Museum of Chinese Australian History (澳幸歷史博物舘). The students eagerly listened to fascinating stories about life during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) and learned many new things. They experienced the fragrant scents of wooden and plastic replicas of herbs and spices commonly used during that period. Other displays included wedding clothes and gowns, an impressively long dragon, and even costumes from Chinese opera that anyone could try on. Overall, the excursion was both enjoyable and educational.

By Jenica (6C)

Exhibition

On December 5th, a few weeks ago, the Year 6 Cohort presented their Exhibition to the school community. During the day the classes came through, they participated in activities, and asked questions. Later that night the friends and family came through, and interacted with the Exhibition. Each and everyone of the Exhibitions were stunning, the Year 6s put so much effort in over the past 8 weeks and it finally paid off. Thank you to our mentors, teachers, family, organisations, experts and attendees for supporting us with our Exhibition.

Exhibition Pop-up Market

Before Exhibition a few groups set up stalls under the peppercorn tree and sold items with all the proceeds to a charity related to their Exhibition topics. It was an amazing day, each stall made a large amount of money, and everyone got a great product out of it! 

We are proud to have raised awareness, educated, created and donated the following:

• ASPS Library for Australian History Books $128.50 (Benny, Hunter, James - ANZAC biscuits and bookmarks)
• Second Bite  $94.85 (Annabelle, Camila - Poppers origami fidgets)
• The Haven Foundation $98.75 (Kurtis, Patrick, Isaac, Oliver H - Self-designed Christmas Cards)
• RSPCA $119.85 (Mathilda, Humi, Keria, Lulu - bracelets and stickers)
• Kids Helpline $89.50 (Zoe B, Elisha - bead packs)
• Penguin Foundation $111 (Alex, Adrien - raffle ticket for plushies)
• Alanah and Madeline Foundation $20.55 (Meagan, Victoria Z, Lamar - slapbands, stickers and affirmation cards)

Uniform Shop Update (also sent via XUNO)

I am writing to inform you that after much consideration our School Council (in direct consultation with the Uniform Shop management team) has made the decision to engage Spartan School World to take over our school's uniform shop.

As of 8 January 2025, all new uniform purchases will need to be directed through this new service.

Some of the benefits to our school community include:

- Reduced uniform prices (with rising costs, the school cannot continue to offer value for money school uniform items) 

- Free weekly delivery to ASPS (as per current arrangement with Flexischools orders)

- Optional postage to your home address (additional charge)

- In person shopping at Spartan which is open Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm.

School Saving Bonus

In relation to the School Saving Bonus, we ask that if you intend to allocate some of these funds towards uniform items, that you hold onto these vouchers until next year to spend directly with Spartan School World.

The Uniform Shop’s last day of trading at ASPS will be Friday 13 December 2024 and Spartan School World will begin selling Auburn South uniform in store and online as of 8 January 2025.

Moving into 2025, the uniform shop will be open on the first Friday of each month during school term time for second hand uniform purchases.

On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank our uniform shop manager Alicia Lanigan, previous managers and our army of volunteers for their contributions, over many years, towards the running of our uniform shop. 

Thank You to everyone who helped upgrade the upstairs deck! 

The School Improvements Committee would like to thank everyone who helped to upgrade the deck outside the Year 4 classrooms. The deck is used for small group learning and by staff. In the last year, it's been transformed from a rather barren space, to an inviting one, with colourful plants and a thriving vine which will someday provide shade in the Summer.

Thank you to Chloe Quinn and Campbell Ward from Jellis Craig, whose generous donation allowed us to build the steel pergola for the vine. 

Thank you to Bunnings Hawthorn and Fulton's Soil for their contributions of materials. 

Many thanks to Andrea Clements from the SAKG who contributed her horticultural expertise and Michael Wainwright for his assistance throughout the project. 

Thanks also to the volunteers, including many students, who helped paint the planters, install the watering system and move a cubic meter of soil up to the deck! 

Volunteering at ASPS

After reviewing our current processes, we have developed a Parent/Volunteer Helper Handbook.

Going forward, all volunteers at ASPS (sporting events, classroom reading, excursions, SAKG, canteen etc.) will be required to read this handbook and return the two signed forms, along with their WWC, to the office.

Once this has occurred, then you can volunteer at ASPS.

Please find the Parent/Volunteer Helper Handbook below: