Message from the Principal

Dear families,

This week is National Reconciliation Week. It is a time to reflect on strengthening the relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. Throughout the week, students have engaged in different activities integrated throughout their daily learning, designed to include the theme of reconciliation. This also included students choosing to participate in a take-home colouring activity which will be displayed around our school.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to welcome Ms. Mercieca who commenced as an Education Support Officer (ESO) with us this week. Ms. Mercica comes to us having recently completed her studies as an Integration Aide which we sure will place he in good stead to support students across the school. Ms Mercica will be working with us 4 days a week as she is also about to begin her Bachelor Degree in Education with the ambition to become a qualified teacher in the future. Please be sure to introduce yourself to Ms Mercieca if you see her around the school and help her feel welcome here at APS.

We have had several students and staff absent from school recently due to illness. It has been widely reported that confirmed cases of Influenza have risen drastically this year and is equally as prevalent as COVID. At school we continue to adhere to strict hygiene measures including limiting sharing of materials, compulsorily hand washing or sanitising when exiting/entering a building, and maximising air ventilation through purifiers or naturally. If your child is experiencing symptoms, we highly encourage you to administer a Rapid Antigen Test and monitor their symptoms. Alternatively, contact your GP for further advice. The school will continue to distribute free RATs to each student on a fortnightly basis until the end of the term. Furthermore, the state government has recently announced that in addition to making the COVID vaccine available, they have also made the Flu Vaccine available to all Victorians. This can be arranged through your local pharmacy or GP. With winter only just beginning, it is important we all continue to work together to keep our community safe.

Parent-Teacher Interviews will be conducted on-site on Tuesday 21st of June and Thursday 23rd of June 2022, between 3.30 pm-6.30 pm. All families are expected to meet with their child’s teacher. 

Bookings for Parent / Teacher Interviews must be made on COMPASS from Monday 6th June. To access COMPASS log onto: https://albanvaleps-vic.compass.education or through the App.  All families have a unique login code and password to access COMPASS. If you have forgotten your details, please contact the front office.

Finally, last weekend work was completed in the schoolyard to include two additional shade sails. One in the Quiet Area and the other, adjacent to the 5/6 building. These two areas provide more places for students to access at break times and can also be used by teachers as outdoor learning spaces. The inclusion of these shade sails was made possible through the school’s acceptance of a grant from the VSBA and was informed student feedback on what they would like to see more of around our school.