Assistant Principal Update

The final term of the year always seems to move quickly. 

With celebrations, transition sessions, and, as always, a wide array of learning opportunities in and out of the classroom filling the calendar, it is important for all of us to enjoy the journey and make the most of the opportunities ahead. 

We encourage families to take note of the key dates below and continue to support students in maintaining strong learning habits as we finish the year positively.

In the coming weeks, we have several exciting community events to look forward to. The APS Fair will be held on Saturday 24 October with wristband tickets going on sale today. There was a Compass post today with full details. We have the Colour Run on Thursday 29 October and we also look forward to celebrating the wonderful teachers and educators who make APS such a special place on Friday 30 October for World Teachers' Day.

This comes just before the long weekend, with Monday 2 November being a Student Free Day and Tuesday 3 November the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday.

Another important feature of the school calendar during Term 4 is our Prep to Year 6 Camps and Experiences Program. While our Year 3, 4 and 6 students have already enjoyed their camp experiences, it is now the turn of our younger students and Year 5s.

On Thursday 5 November, our Prep and Year 1 students will participate in their Twilight Evening. On Tuesday 24 November, Year 2 students will head off on their much-anticipated Big Day Out. Finally, from Tuesday 1 December to Friday 4 December, our Year 5 students will attend their camp in Portsea, rounding out another fantastic year of camp and experiential learning opportunities.

Welcoming Our Future Preps

Our 2027 Prep Transition Program begins next week as we welcome our newest students and their families to the APS community.

Across four transition sessions in the coming weeks, children will have the opportunity to experience classroom life, visit specialist learning spaces, meet staff, and begin building friendships with their future classmates. Students will also spend time with our current Year 5 students, who will become their Prep buddies in 2027.

It is always exciting to see our future learners walk through the school gates for the first time. These transition sessions provide an important opportunity for children and families to become familiar with the school environment and begin their journey as members of our community.

Session 1

Thursday 22 October, 9:15am – 10:15am

For 2027 Prep Students

• Welcome activities in classrooms
• Meet teachers and classmates
• Explore learning spaces

For Parents and Carers

• Remain onsite during the session
• Collect information packs
• Enjoy a "Getting to Know You" chat and cuppa, generously supported by TheirCare

We look forward to welcoming all of our future Prep families.

Staff Professional Learning

Continuous learning remains an important priority for our staff, ensuring that we continue to provide the highest-quality educational experiences for our students.

Last Friday, Brody, Cass, Sarah M, Emily, Alan and Jessie, together with Shane, participated in professional learning facilitated by Bronwyn Ryrie Jones. The session provided valuable insights and practical strategies centred on Responsive Teaching in Action.

Later this term, Andrew, James, Megan as well as Nat, Leigh and Chiara, accompanied by Luke, will attend the Victorian Academy for Teaching and Leadership to further their professional learning in VTLM 2.0. These opportunities allow staff to continue refining their practice and deepen their expertise.

Term 4 Class Newsletters

Please keep an eye out for your child's Term 4 Class Newsletter, which will be distributed by the end of Week 3.

Class newsletters contain important information about learning and upcoming events, including curriculum overviews, important classroom dates and events, and other general classroom information.

We encourage all families to take some time to read the newsletter carefully and discuss upcoming learning with their child. If you have any questions regarding information provided in the newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher.

Looking Ahead

While there is much to accomplish this term, there is also value in slowing down occasionally, appreciating the present moment, and enjoying the many experiences that make primary school such a special time.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable rest of the week and a wonderful Term 4.

Luke Kleinig

Assistant Principal

Alphington Primary School

Reminder

Class placement 2027

We are well underway with planning for 2027. It is the time of the year when I ask parents to email me if they want to make an educationally based request for their child. We use a program called Class Solver, to form the classes. Staff enter data for each student about their academic progress, social development, anything else of relevance and friendships, which has been gathered from the students. Once the data has been entered the classes are created. Staff then review the classes carefully to ensure that all groups are ‘balanced’ and able to do their best learning. 

If you feel compelled to make an educationally based request, then you can suggest no more than two students that you know your child should be with or to be separated from. This request must be made to me by email before Friday 14 November. Please note no late emails will be accepted and no requests for specific teachers will be considered. 

Shane Wilkie

Principal