The last newsletter for the year and what a year it has been!

There were so many highlights and memories created. Overwhelmingly I am immensely proud of our students. They bring so much potential each and every day and their achievements attest to this.

Our Year 6 students were reflecting during the annual Principal Morning Tea today. In addition to their academic learning and personal successes they show such great care for each other and cohesion as a group. They have lead the school admirably and will be missed as they move to secondary school. All the best Year 6's!

Thanks to the team of parents, and especially Alan and Megan for creating such an amazing Graduation Ceremony last Thursday night. It was the first one in our gym and was an amazing event with a team of parents transforming the gym into an unrecognisable wonderland that will be long remembered. Along with some of their past teachers, Lauren, Liliana and Lizzy were also great supporters, as always, with the lead up and on the night.

Semester 2 reports were published last Friday, and I hope you have had a chance to read them and celebrate with your child. The learning achieved was very impressive and I know that the teachers were immensely proud of the work done this year.

Yesterday’s Step Up Day proved to be another huge success as the students met with their 2025 teacher and classmates. Shane and I walked around and joined in some of the activities. It was great to see so many happy faces as the students settled into their new environment. A call on resilience was needed by some as things didn’t pan out as expected but all students were placed with one of their preferences. A sense of optimism is needed by all to know that everything will work out.

As we say goodbye to a few students and families who are moving on from APS, we would like to extend our thanks and wish these families all the best with their new adventures.

Last Friday School Council held their annual End of Year Picnic. Thank you to all those who came along and organised. By all accounts the slushies, Santa and dancing Elf were all favourites on the night. Our Community Events Committee led by Matt Cobby has put together so many great events this year and we thank them for all their efforts.

Matt’s time as School Council President has come to an end as his daughters move on to High School next year. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Matt for his tireless dedication to APS. I am very thankful for his time, support and hard work during the past few years.

I would also like to thank the amazing staff at APS for their unwavering support of the school, the students and each other. We are very collaborative and able to achieve great things. A recent report received: The School Performance Report, ranks APS as HIGH (Highest Level) in Learning and MEDIUM (Second Highest Level) in Wellbeing. The report has four categories- High, Medium, Improving and Developing. This is another example of the great things we can achieve.

Lastly, I want to extend my thanks to the parents and our community. Your support and advocation for your children help to build our community and creates a learning environment that we are so proud of. We look forward to another full and busy year in 2025.

We have a large amount of lost property that needs to go before Friday. A team of Year 5 students offered to organize this for us. They will take named items to classes. If it is un-named it will be displayed in the quadrangle and then donated to a charity if unclaimed.

A reminder that school finishes at 1.30pm on Friday. Assembly will be at 1pm in the gym where we will see the Year 6 dances and send them off for the year.

The first day back next year is Wednesday 29th January. The teachers are back on the 28th and will spend the day in planning and setting up.

I wish you all a happy and safe time with your celebrations over the break. I look forward to seeing you next year.

Kind Regards

Melissa Mackenzie

Principal

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