Dear families,

Welcome to the new year. Staff have been back for two weeks and students all returned this week in time for round two of extreme heat.

All classrooms have air conditioning and the library is open during break times for those who feel the heat. We have had a misting system installed near the library and there is shade all over school. We are very lucky to be a school where heat and sun safety is easy to manage.

Hats

All students have been issued with a school hat and encouraged to keep these at school. Hats will not be required before school, but school hats will be required for outdoor lessons and playing in the sun during breaks. We ask for everyone's support in this. Home hats are for home and school hats are for school. Names have already been put into each and every hat.

This message has also been sent to Ariah Park and Barellan students for when they come to ACS for lessons.

There has been quite a lot of work happening in the holidays. We have had builders and painters in working on the timber building, and there has been new lighting fitted throughout the entire school.

Mr Osborne has built our new soccer goals and the new roller shutters have been installed, making a great place for the storage of outdoor games and another shaded place for construction to occur. I have just seen a rocket, family car, and very tall house built out of the new giant polydrons. Patterns were being made on the Connect 4, and great artwork put on display on the chalkboards.

Taking turns, playing safely and helping each other has been the focus for all students and they should be proud of the great start they have had in these area.

We have had some last-minute staff changes with Mrs Fairley, Ms Chen, and Mrs Hodge (Tash) taking up roles in different spaces. I know I share all of the community's best wishes to them as they start their journeys.

Mrs Kara Kroek has joined out teaching team this year. She will be at ACS on Wednesdays and Thursdays. She is an experienced learning and support teacher and we are lucky to have her join the school. Some families will be contacted in the coming weeks to make a time to meet with her and discuss the specific needs of their children. She is busy helping Kinder settle in at the moment and getting to know the students.

Please keep your eyes out on Sentral for notes and check bags for any paper notes that are being handed out. There are quite a lot at the start of the year.

Yesterday marked our first excursion with students from Years 9-12 heading over to Ariah Park. We thank Barellan for supporting this excursion by picking up our students and staff.

Breakfast Club

Yet again a popular place to check in and grab a first or second breakfast and catch up with friends. Please remind your children that they need to head there first before play. Breakfast Club stops serving at 8:45 ready for learning to start at 8:50.

Community Connection

I have already been blessed with a visit from the Ardlethan Men's Shed. They have again kindly donated money towards the Stage 4 Ag excursion to Dubbo. This will allow us to cover the cost of the sheep and most of the transport and accommodation.

Our meeting brought up the fact that many community members would love to help out at school. For this to happen a valid Volunteer Working With Children Check needs to be in place. Please contact the school if you need help in doing this. There is no cost, but there is a process to follow.

~ Mrs Taylor

Attendance