From the Principal
It was wonderful to see so many families attend our Family BBQ yesterday evening. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere across the school was full of energy and excitement. There were plenty of fun activities for everyone to enjoy, including the sport inflatables, face painting, a silent disco and talented balloon artists. It was fantastic to see such high attendance and participation from our families, making it a truly joyful community event. A big thank you to Mrs Gathercole for organising the evening and to all of the staff who supported the event, it was a real team effort! Events like this are an important part of celebrating the wonderful community we have here at ARPS. See page 2 for all the highlights.
Harmony Week will take place from Monday 16 March to Friday 20 March. To launch this special week, our student leaders have organised a Harmony Day Launch on Friday 13 March. If you are able to come along and join in the celebration we would love you to join us! It will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our school community through cultural dress, music, dance and food. For more details, see the brochure on page 5 designed by our student leaders.
Mei and Dana, our multicultural aides, do incredibly important work in supporting community connections within our school. One of the ways they do this so well is through the weekly Parent Group held every Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday 11 March they will be hosting a very special Wednesday Afternoon Tea to welcome new parents to our community. Everyone is welcome to attend. It is always a warm and friendly gathering and a wonderful way to meet other parents, share conversations and enjoy some delicious food. I always enjoy dropping in as there is plenty of laughter and a strong sense of connection AND I always get fed! See page 10 for the afternoon tea invitation.
As mentioned previously, this year our school will be undertaking a School Review. The two review days will take place on Monday 16 March and Friday 20 March. This review process examines our learning and wellbeing data, highlights our strengths as a school, and identifies ways we can continue to build on these strengths and further improve. As part of the review there is an opportunity for parents to participate in parent focus groups. We already have a number of parents who have expressed an interest in being involved, but we would love to hear from others who may also like to contribute. If you are interested, please contact the office. We welcome and value parent voice in this important process.
Aussie of the Month
Congratulations to the February Aussie of the Month:
Jordan in Year 2. Well done Jordan!!
The Key Values of Aussie of the Month are:
Fair go: not just how we apply ourselves but also in providing opportunity for all
Mateship: a generosity of spirit and compassion for those in need
Respect: of self, of others, our community, and the environment
Inclusion: acceptance and respect of difference
Carmel Nigro
Principal