APS Newsletter

News, Events and Information

F-2 Parent Information Session: Learning to Read at APS

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

We would like invite parents/carers to an information session on learning to read at Aberfeldie PS. This session will focus on the structured phonics program in F-2, called UFLI Foundations, and we will also discuss how parents can support early years learning at home.

 

This session is specifically designed for Foundation and Year 1/2 families, however, we welcome anyone interested in learning more about how to support reading development.

 

The session will cover:

  • An overview of the UFLI Foundations program and what is taught at school
  • How to use UFLI Home Practice sheets to support your child’s learning at home
  • What to do if your child struggles with reading or needs assistance
  • How to encourage and establish consistent home reading practices

 

Please register your attendance using the form linked below. Leadership staff will be available to supervise students in an adjoining classroom in the BER, however, parents remain responsible for their child’s duty of care during this time.

 

When: Monday 3rd Match, 3:45-4:30pm.

Where: APS F-2 BER Building

Click here to register for the F-2 Parent Session.

 

We believe children achieve more when we foster strong and effective partnerships with our parent community. We hope to see you there.

 

Kind regards,

Emma Sprakel

🎒 School Savings Bonus: Make It Work for School Camps, Excursions & Activities! 📚

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We’re excited to remind you about the School Savings Bonus and how it can help cover the cost of your child’s upcoming school camps, excursions, and other school activities. This is a fantastic way to use the funds you've saved while benefiting your child’s educational experiences.

How to Use Your School Savings Bonus for Activities:

  1. Convert to School Activities First: Before you can use the bonus for any school-related payments, you must first convert some or all of your School Savings Bonus into eligible school activities. This step is crucial to access the funds for activities like camps, excursions, and events.
  2. Flag Your Payment for Credit: Once you've converted the bonus, you'll need to answer a short question when consenting / paying for a school event to indicate whether you'd like to use your School Savings Bonus (SSB) for payment. If you choose to, please make sure to flag the payment for credit. This is an important step so we can reconcile your payment and ensure the correct amount is applied.
  3. Use SSB for School Camps: If your child has a school camp coming up, it may be an easier option to wait until closer to the date to utilise the bonus. This way, the funds will likely be used in one transaction, covering most, if not all, of the camp costs.

Why Use the SSB for School Activities?

  • It’s Convenient: You’re already saving for future educational needs, so why not use those funds for activities that enhance your child’s learning experience?
  • Simplified Payments: By converting your bonus and flagging your payment for credit, everything is taken care of seamlessly.
  • Maximize Savings: If you’re already saving for camps or excursions, this is an easy way to make sure you’re prepared without having to dip into other savings.

We encourage you to plan ahead and use this program to your benefit. If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help make this process as easy as possible!

 

                            NAPLAN 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

As we approach the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), we want to ensure you have all the details you need to support your child through this assessment period.

 

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. The NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The results provide valuable insights into your child's progress in literacy and numeracy, helping to identify areas of strength and areas where additional support may be beneficial. 

 

Key Dates:

  • Practice Tests: Students will participate in some practice tests in the weeks leading up to NAPLAN to familiarise themselves with the format.
  • Testing Window: Wednesday 12th March - Monday 24th March 2025 (a schedule will be released closer to the date, with the first week prioritised).
  • Results: The results will be released later in the school year.
  • Please ensure student corded headphones are left at school, beginning Monday 24th February.

 

What to Expect:

  • NAPLAN tests are delivered in an online format (excluding Year 3 Writing which will be paper based).
  • A public demonstration site is available for schools, teachers, parents, carers and students to familiarise themselves with the online tests. 
  • All eligible students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests. Support can be arranged for students with disabilities, if the student regularly uses similar support for classroom assessment tasks.
  • Where possible, schools may arrange for students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the school’s test schedule.
  • Exemptions may be granted to students with significant intellectual disabilities and to students who have been learning English for less than one year. If your child is eligible for support due to disability or exemption, you should discuss this with his/her teacher prior to the tests. Parental consent is required before any support due to disability or exemption is granted. 
  • Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a student withdrawal form. These forms are available at the school.

 

Additional Information:

For more information about NAPLAN, please visit the VCAA website or the ACARA NAPLAN website. There is also a parent information brochure attached below, detailing what to expect and how to support your child during NAPLAN.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or Emma Sprakel.

 

Kind regards,

Emma Sprakel

 

                             THANKYOU

Thank you so much to parents Cleo Gavriel and Alicia Polito who took the time to clean the canteen. Your work and dedication are truly appreciated. We are grateful for your support!

 

                Canteen Day - Wednesday

 

Icy Pole Day is back and will start from tomorrow Wednesday 5th February.

Please note that this will operate every Wednesday unless otherwise notified.

 

Our canteen is operated by our fantastic parent volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please email the office on aberfeldie.ps@education.vic.gov.au

 

Prices range between $1.00 to $3.00.

 

Classroom Cuisine - Lunch Ordering System

 

We are pleased to announce that Classroom Cuisine will continue in 2025 and will recommence this Thursday 6th February, and operate every Thursday during 2025.

 

Classroom Cuisine is an Online alternative to the traditional 'tuck-shop', offering a convenient, user friendly service; creating, preparing, packing and delivering high quality School Lunches at the most affordable price. Please note that Classroom Cuisine only operates on Thursdays. 

 

This service is for lunch only and students are still required to bring fruit/recess snack.Cut off time for orders is 8:30am on the day of order and cancellations are 9:30am on the day of order.

 

To register, order or view their menu, please head to - https://classroomcuisine.com.au/login