Dear Parents, Families and Community members,

Harmony Day

Today, Armstrong Creek School celebrated Harmony Day. It’s a day to celebrate our cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. This year’s theme was "Everyone Belongs".

Your child participated in a variety of Harmony Day activities during the week, both in class and during specialist activities. P-2 students had a visit from a local author, Anglesea mum, Ali Villani.

"Ali the Shiny Sparkly Unicorn" is a beautifully illustrated children's book with an important message for little people to "Be Yourself". The story shares a powerful message of self-awareness, being your true self and being proud of who you are. Ali’s chief aim is to instil confidence and resilience in young people.

This was a free incursion for P-2 students, however to support a local author and gain a memorable keepsake, you are welcome to purchase this fabulous book online for $15.00 by clicking on the link below:

http://www.alitheshinysparklyunicorn.com

World Down Syndrome Day

Today as a school community we celebrated and raised awareness of Down Syndrome by wearing ‘different’ coloured or odd socks. It also coincided nicely with Harmony Day which recognises and celebrates the diversity in our world.

The ‘different’ socks allowed for great discussion amongst students and staff about why we were wearing them and how as a school we value all people and their individual differences.

Thanks to everyone who got involved and it was great to see the array of different and colourful socks on display!

Lightning Premiership Summer Sports Grades 5-6

Our Grade 5-6 students represented our school beautifully today at Teeball, Basketball and Volleyball during the Summer Lightning Premiership Sports with all showing outstanding sportsmanship, high levels of resilience and a capacity to keep on going till the very end of each game, always looking out for their team mates.

In next weeks' newsletter, we will be able to report the final wrap up of the day with photos and the score tally once they have all been submitted.

Thank you ...

Thank you to the army of helpers who so quickly volunteered to contact the 1,358 new books the school has purchased for the Learning Communities. Your willingness to jump in and get this enormous job done is greatly appreciated by all the staff. (There are still some books to be returned to the office, could they please be returned as soon as possible so that they can be distributed to the Learning Communities.)

Swimming Sports

Congratulations to Fearnley House for their inaugural win of the House Swimming Sports held last Friday. The trophy was proudly accepted today at Assembly by our School Captains Jack H and Jack P, both members of Fearnley House.

Classroom Helpers

At Armstrong Creek School we value the contribution of all members of the community in supporting our students to learn.

Now that we have settled in to the year, we would like to invite members of our student's immediate family who may be interested in helping out in the learning communities to attend a 1 hour Classroom Helpers Induction Session.

This session will take place here at school in the teacher resource room on Wednesday the 3rd of April from 10am to 11am.

We do ask that any person wishing to help out in the learning communities take part in the session in order to be best prepared for working with our students. A current Working With Children Check is also required.

If you would like to participate, please complete the form via the link below to indicate your interest and attendance.

https://goo.gl/forms/rwQT4VRyXDwzzaEx2

Those who completed the session last year are not required to do so again this year, however, please let the office know if you would like to to assist in the Learning communities during 2019.

Excursions, Sports, Incursions & Camps

Many wonderful and educational events are organised by the staff each year for the students. All excursions, Sporting Events, Incursions and Camps organised are aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and it is the expectation that all students will attend to their fullest capabilities unless medically unable to do so.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact the office for confidential assistance with organising a payment plan.

School Council Meeting

On Monday morning School Council will conduct a Public Meeting with the purpose of presenting the Annual Report and thanking our 2018 School Council members.

This meeting will be immediately followed by the First Meeting of the newly elected School Council. Office bearers will be selected during this meeting and general business items discussed. I look forward to announcing our 2019 School Council President next week.

National Future Schools Conference

This week I had the great pleasure of attending the National Future Schools Conference at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre as both a guest and presenter.

I was fortunate enough to hear from some amazing and inspirational Educators and Presenters on a range of Education related topics. The conference is actually 6 separate conferences running simultaneously and I was accepted to present at the Inclusive Education Conference.

As many would know, I love talking about Armstrong Creek School and the great achievements we have had in a short space of time. My presentation focused on what it takes to start a brand new school and more specifically how we are establishing systems and practices that ensure all students are genuinely included and achieving success.

2020 Prep Information Evening

A link to register your attendance will be sent to all families next week and posted on our FaceBook page.

Last Day of Term - 05/04/2019

Students will be dismissed at the earlier time of 2.10pm on the last day of Term 1, Friday 5/4/19.

Assembly will be held at 1.30pm in the Games Hall and students will have a modified timetable for the day.

Have a happy and safe weekend everyone. See you all back at school on Monday.

Evan Savage

Principal

Armstrong Creek Community Playgroup

Armstrong Creek Community Playgroup