Primary

                                                                   Mrs Leanne Schulz

Step Up Day 

Step Up day on Thursday 9 December was a busy day in the Primary School. We welcomed many new students to the College including our Preps for 2022. All students met their new class and teachers and spent half the day getting to know each other.

A lot of time and consideration was put into creating class lists and the Primary School team has worked hard to ensure students are placed in classes that best support each child’s learning needs. Some children may be emotional as we come to the end of the school year and families are encouraged to talk to their children about coping with change and help them focus on an exciting year of learning that awaits them in 2022.  

As you are aware, next year will have three classes of 26 students at each year level. A very warm welcome is extended to all the new families and teachers that will be joining the College in 2022. 

The Primary Leadership Team for 2022 is: 

The Primary Homeroom teachers are as follows: 

We are also very fortunate to have Ms Maria Koullas join the Learning Support Team as a teacher who can support the teachers and Primary students with their learning needs.

A Warm Farewell to Ms Neophytou

Ms Neophytou is leaving Aitken College and moving on to new and exciting opportunities in 2022. Ms Neophytou has been at the College for many years as Head of Fairview and holds very special memories for many students, families and staff. She has shown care and compassion for all in her care. Ms Neophytou has also played an important role in the teaching of Religion and Values Education throughout the Primary School. We wish her well in the next phase of her career and she will be greatly missed.

Prep News

Miss Gemma Jackson (Prep AHOS)

The Prep year of 2021 has come to an end. What a fantastic year we have had! The Prep teachers are so proud of how well the students adapted between onsite and Home Learning. The past few weeks in the classroom have been filled with wellbeing, relationship building and inquiry learning. In Literacy, we have been focusing on procedural texts. Last week, we followed a procedure and made yummy chocolate crackles. We also enjoyed our time as a year level on the ObstAcool course. This week, we got to have a fun filled Prep celebration day. We enjoyed a hot chip lunch, participated in fun games and activities and even had a mini-Olympics. To our wonderful Prep parents, thank you dearly for your ongoing support throughout this year. Have a very Merry Christmas and stay safe over the break. We look forward to seeing you next year and watching the students flourish throughout their school journey.

Year 1 and 2 News

Mr Jevon Scandrett (Year 1/2 AHOS)

It is hard to believe we have reached the end of our school year for 2021. This year has certainly been challenging and we are so grateful for the incredible support of families and the amazing resilience of our wonderful students. Teachers and staff have certainly cherished the time with students in Term 4 as they reconnected and continued their learning journeys.

In the final weeks of school, students in Year 1 and Year 2 have enjoyed many wonderful activities together. A highlight was certainly the ‘ObstAcool’ inflatable obstacle course that was enjoyed by students from Prep to Year 6. This was an opportunity for students (and some teachers) to enjoy a special treat as a celebration for their hard work over the year. 

I wish all families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. For students moving into Year 3 in 2022, I wish you positive success and happiness in your new classrooms and for students in Year 1 and 2 in 2022, I look forward to seeing your smiling faces with your new teachers.

Year 3 and 4 News

Mrs Anne Adams (Year 3/4 AHOS)

Over the last few weeks, we have begun the wind down to Christmas. Students have been learning about how to resolve conflict in friendships and have made some posters which are below. Others have been weeding in the Wildlife corridor allowing native grasses to flourish. Greenville, a problem-solving game created by Mr Lawless gives students the opportunity to work on real world issues empowering students to work collaboratively. This week, students have helped design the week which involves a downball tournament, ice creams, a movie, walking to the farmhouse, creating Christmas decorations to take home and many more enjoyable activities.

I would like to thank Mr Abou-Eid, Mrs Touma, Mr Munro and Ms Monroy for their hard work and dedication over the year. Adaptability and commitment as educators helped deliver an effective curriculum through lock down and offer flexibility when teaching face to face. Also, Year 3 and Year 4 students should give themselves a pat on the back! You all worked to the best of your ability, stuck with things when the going got tough, and showed resilience and flexibility throughout the year.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the parents this year for your support. The year three and four teachers could not have done this without the teamwork between school and home. Have a safe and restful break. You all deserve one!

YEAR 3

YEAR 4

Year 5 and 6 News

Mr Nigel Keegan (Year 5/6 AHOS)

What a year it has been! Congratulations to our Year 5 and Year 6 students for the level of effort, commitment to your learning, and resilience applied through what has been a challenging year. We are thankful for the many excellent learning opportunities throughout the year. 

Year 5 favourite learning experiences:  

• Camp 
• Sovereign Hill excursion 
• Interschool Sport 
• Home Learning  
• Creating Picture Story Books 
• Kitchen Garden Program

Year 6 favourite learning experiences:  

• Interschool Sport 
• Peer Support and Buddies 
• Sport carnivals 
• Obstacle course 
• Science experiments 
• Being with friends   

Thank you to students for being such a pleasure to teach, and to parents for all your support. Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and holiday season.

Year 6 Celebration Evening 

The livestreaming of the Year 6 Celebration Evening was entertaining and heart-warming! The Year 6 students presented their reflections of their primary years and entertained families with some outstanding performances. Each student was awarded a certificate to commemorate their precious years in Fairview and Cumberland. The Year 6 cohort have been incredible leaders of the Primary School and are a credit to their families. They are kind, caring, compassionate and hard-working students who have been a pleasure to teach and get to know. The staff and I wish them well with their transition to high school.

I would like to say a very big thank you to the Performing Arts staff, Mr Michael Cooper, Ms Beth Thompson, Mr Jevon Scandrett, Miss Felicity Donohue and the IT staff for organising such an outstanding presentation. Also, a final thank you to our dedicated Year 6 teaching staff, Miss Maria Koullas and Ms Angie Thomas who care deeply about the students in their care. 

Presentation Night and Final Assembly 

At the livestreaming of the Presentation Night, Cumberland students received Academic Colours and Encouragement Awards. Well done to all who worked consistently hard throughout the year to achieve such excellent results.

Cumberland Academic Colours (Years 3 – 6)

Encouragement Awards (Years 3 – 6)

How wonderful it was to have final assemblies in the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre for Fairview and Cumberland. At the final assemblies, we were entertained by Claudia C and Zara B who sang 'Silent Night' beautifully. Thank you for such an entertaining performance. 

Many awards were presented to students. Awards included Sport, House, Service and Cultural Colours and 2021 Class Captains. Congratulations to all the students who received an award.

The new Year 6 2022 Primary Captains were also announced. Congratulations to the following Leadership Team: 

2022 Captain Positions 

Farewell Wishes to Miss Donohue

We wish Miss Felicity Donohue, all the best as she transitions to a new phase in her life and teaching career in Sydney. Miss Donohue has been a valued member of the Primary team offering her guidance and leadership wherever it was needed. The students in the Primary School have greatly benefitted from Miss Donohue’s expert teaching, enthusiasm and positivity. As Deputy Head of Primary, Miss Donohue has supported both students and teachers in many different ways, always being there to listen and guide us. Her wealth of curriculum knowledge and expertise in innovative educational practices will be sorely missed. Miss Donohue has contributed to the development, teaching, and learning of many students throughout her time at the College and her contributions and presence will be missed by staff, students and parents. 

Of course, we will also miss her dogs, Sadie and Otto, who we love to see every day, and pat and play with as often as we can! They will hold a special place in our hearts, as will Miss Donohue! Good luck with your new adventure Miss Donohue, Sadie and Otto!

A message from Miss Donohue

As the year comes to an end, I have been reflecting on how much we have achieved in 2021.

Navigating through Home Learning and returning to school has been a challenge, but the resilience shown by our Primary students has been incredible. We have a gorgeous bunch of bright students at Aitken and I know they will continue to shine well into 2022 and beyond. Thank you for always saying hello, telling me your interesting stories, sharing a funny joke or celebrating your learning successes. You have achieved so much! I will always have such fond memories of each and every one of you.

Our Primary team have risen to the challenge this year. Exploring innovative pedagogies and trialing new approaches in the classrooms has brough me so much joy and I’ve loved celebrating your successes. The support our team provides to one another is testament to how each and every person in the Primary School strives to provide the best education for our students. I will miss your positivity, kindness and collegiality.

It has been a privilege working alongside you, Leanne. You continually amaze me with your energy! I’ve learnt so much from you over the past few years and how our vision for the Primary school has been so similar. You are a genuinely compassionate person who operates with everyone’s best interests at heart.

Thank you to Josie, Kim and the College Leadership Team for all your support and guidance. I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to step into my role as Deputy Head of Primary.

Our Aitken College community has persevered through this year, providing support to one another in times of need; and I would like to thank all the primary school families, parents, guardians, friends and loved ones who have continued to band together in order for our students to be the best version of themselves.

I will remember my Aitken days fondly.

From Sadie and Otto

We have loved our time at Aitken! Being able to spend our days with the students has been so enjoyable and we will miss everyone so much!

Being able to help students feel better when they are feeling down and giving lots of cuddles has been Sadie’s favourite thing to do. She’s loved all her tummy scratches and snuggles.

Otto will miss the wide open spaces to run around and play with everyone. He loved it when he could zoom around and chase his toys on the oval. 

Although we are moving on, we will always remember the wonderful students at Aitken. It’s such a special place to be!

Have a pawsome Christmas everyone! 

Lots of licks, 

Sadie and Otto

Hume City Council Award

Congratulations to Celeste F in 6K for receiving the Hume City Council Award 2021!  Celeste received the award for demonstrating the following:

• Consistently demonstrating the qualities of good citizenship. 
• Being kind, caring, considerate and respectful of her peers and adults alike. 
• Working hard to achieve her goals, being well organised, attentive, and managing her time effectively. 
• Demonstrating the College values of compassion, honesty, integrity, kindness, and respect
• Being a model Peer Support Leader
• Being a positive, responsible, and valued member of Year 6 and the wider school community at Aitken College.

ObstAcool Course

It was a great way to celebrate the end of the school year by having a walk to the farm and time on the ObstAcool course! Each year level zoomed around the course and enjoyed the challenge. It was a beautiful day, but was quite warm in the afternoon. 

Year 6T reflections:

Ronan K 

I would give the ObstACool course a 9/10 because it was extremely fun and a good workout. It was a good experience and the slides were extremely exciting and exhilarating to go down even though I rolled down and got slammed against the inflatable wall. I would recommend it to anyone.

Anushka S  

I would rate the ObstACool course 9/10 because it was amazing! But it was a very hot day so everyone was very tired and they lyed and sat down on the equipment which made it hard to complete. I was so happy after I did 5 laps but I was so tired! It was hard to walk from the farm all the way to the Cumberland village and then walk home. 

Scarlet S  

The ObstAcool course was really fun! I give it a 10 out of 10! It was so cool, I did it around 7 times and even though it was a hot day I would do it again! 

Max K 

8/10 - Very fun, some 'obstacools' were easy and some were hard, I kept slipping at the start and I couldn’t get back up, and when I got back up, I rolled down the slide and all I say is to brace for impact. The ropes were hard to get through because you would just sink like quicksand. It was a fun obstacle course and I recommend it. 

In the Spirit of Giving at Christmas 

Rather than students receiving a token gift at the end of the school year, the teachers and classes in Cumberland researched charities and decided to give a donation. Giving to others is an important Christmas message. I would like to thank all the Cumberland students for showing compassion and giving to others by donating to several charities. Each student as a parting gift for the year was given a certificate acknowledging their generosity. 

• Year 3 students donated $100 to The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal and $100 to The Royal Children’s Hospital
• Year 4 students donated $200 to Marine Conservation and $100 to Greenpeace  
• Year 5 students donated $200 to The Salvation Army 
• Year 6 students to The Cancer Council 

Christmas Wishes 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the families for such wonderful support throughout the year. It is always very much appreciated. The staff and I are looking forward to 2022 and reconnecting with families. Building positive relationships between home and school is highly valued.

I would also like to thank the wonderful Primary staff that we have for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. We are all very blessed to have such skilled and caring teachers. Finally, I would like to thank all the wonderful students we have in the Primary School. They are kind, thoughtful and caring towards each other. They all work so hard and always strive to be the best people they can be. We are all very proud of them and are very blessed! 

I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. On behalf of the Primary Staff and myself, thank you for the support and take care over the Christmas break!