From The Principal

As we come to the close of the 2024 school year, arrangements are well underway for 2025. This includes the finalisation of the timetable and our staffing. 

Timetables for our 2025 students will be available on Daymap prior to the first week of school returning in 2025. Whilst the teachers to each of the classes will be allocated, there may have to be some minor changes due to unexpected circumstances. 

School closure times:

The school will be closed from 23 December 2024 and re-open on 6 January 2025.

Farewell to staff:

The end of the school year is marked with staff leaving the school. Three staff will be taking maternity leave, Ms Rebecca Smitran, Ms Rebecca Rowe and Ms Anita Sharrad. On behalf of the school community, I wish them a safe arrival of their children.

We are farewelling the following staff:

• Mr Jarrod Chave
• Ms Anna Cocks
• Ms Bridie Connell
• Mr Alan Cook
• Mr Ross Dempster
• Ms Amelia Dixon
• Mr Nick Drury
• Mr Joel Fitzgerald
• Ms Ciara Flynn
• Ms Kerry- Ann Grace
• Ms Thirza Hayward
• Mr Lachlan Heil
• Mr Jeremy Holmes
• Mr Steve Kammerman
• Mr Andrew McNicol
• Mr Rory O'Driscoll
• Mr Chris Robinson
• Ms Anita Sharrad
• Mr Nathaniel Steele

We wish the staff who are leaving Aberfoyle Park High School all the best. Some staff are moving to new schools. Some staff we may see return in 2025.

Ms Jenny Palmer is on leave for this term and will be retiring. Jenny has provided education to public schools for 36 years. She commenced in 2006 teaching art and design for her 19 years at school this school. We wish her all the best as she moves to the next stage of her life without the demands of working in a school.

Mobile Phone and Personal Device Policy:

An updated draft of the Mobile Phone and Personal Device Policy will be discussed at the Governing Council meeting on 3 December. If approved, the new policy will be posted on the school website.

To support students with the charging of their devices at school, the school has purchased a number of powerpacks that can be borrowed from the library. The powerpacks are in addition for 30 devices that can be charged in the library at lunchtime.

Following a question raised by a parent, from 2025 students will be able to bring a charged powerpack to use at school. However, it cannot be recharged at school by plugging into a power point or a power point with a USB port. The school is not responsible for the damage or loss of powerpacks.

Celebration of student achievements:

The end of the school year signals celebrations of student achievements both academic and other aspects of our school. Assemblies are being held at each year level to acknowledge individual students and their contributions. 

On 6 December the final school BBQ breakfast will be held. On 27 November we celebrated the Class of 2024 with their graduation, special and subject awards. We were treated to come wonderful performances and our 2024 School Captains and 2025 School Captains were Emcee's for the evening.

To our families and friends, I wish you all the best for a safe and enjoyable festive season. For students and families who are leaving us all the very best in the next chapter of your journey of life.

To the students and families who are starting with us or returning in 2025, I look forward to seeing you for the start of the school year on Tuesday 28 January.