Anson Street School Newsletter

From the Principal

As we approach the halfway point of the term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful activities we have shared this term and to highlight some exciting events and achievements that will be coming up next month at Anson Street School.

 

Celebrating Achievements

The last few weeks have seen our students working hard and staff compiling information for their academic reports. Our Year 12 students have shown an ongoing commitment to their community projects, visiting various locations around Orange and outlying areas. They are now preparing for their upcoming graduation in a fortnight and their last few weeks of 13 years of education. We will miss seeing their faces and personalities around the school. Each year on Year 12's last day, which is the 6th of December this year, the whole school will form a guard of honour around the corridors of the school and the graduating class will walk through and say goodbye to their friends and peers.  This is a special tradition in our school. 

 

Have you seen the new section on our school website, called Opportunities? This section, which has been developed by Mrs Trish Riley includes information about radio school (with two podcasts), the Skills House, the Engine Room, Mini-Woolies and Breakaways. 

 

Thanks to Mr Anthony Wilson, Site Supervisor who has secured the 'time capsule' from the school's 50th celebrations in 2016 into the wall in the administration corridor as you enter the main site of the building. The 'time capsule' is actually a vintage suitcase, an apt holder of a large range of history of the school gathered in 2016 and stored until we could find the right way to seal and display the suitcase capsule. The suitcase capsule will be opened in 2066 and I'm sure the students and staff of the future will find the contents very interesting to see what school life was like in the 50 years leading up to 2016. Thanks also to Mrs Owens and the hard-working administration team who helped in curating the contents of the suitcase capsule. 

 

I have been visiting classes and have seen some engaging activities including stage 6 making a marble run and primary classes making models and big books together. Seeing our students work collaboratively, express their creativity, and demonstrate their learning in meaningful ways has been inspiring.

 

Kindergarten and Year 7 2025 transition days, Year 10 into 11 morning teas and Year 9 elective afternoon tea sessions have been held over the past few weeks. Thanks to our wonderful executive members, Mrs Rutten, Mrs Lloyd, Mr Rasmussen, Mrs Cunial and Mrs Hodder for spending so much time preparing resources and welcoming new students and families to our school. 

 

Congratulations to Mrs Catherine Thompson who has been successful at merit selection for a permanent position at Orange High School. Mrs Thompson has worked as a teacher at our school for the last 7 years and we wish her all the best in her new adventure in 2025.

 

Reminders: 

  • phones are not allowed to be used by students in public schools in NSW. We expect that if phones are brought to school, they are off and in the storeroom. 
  • Vapes are illegal in NSW without a prescription from a doctor, and as such students caught with vapes or using vapes will be suspended. 
  • uniform at our school is a way of staying connected with our community and show a sense of belonging. Students are expected to wear school hats (either caps or bucket), so I ask again that you speak with your child/ward and that other types of hats are left at home. Students will not be able to go on outings if they are not in school uniform. We are here to help if you need support with uniform.
  • As steel-capped boots may pose a risk of harm to students if used inappropriately, they are not part of our school uniform. Students are encouraged to wear enclosed leather shoes and/or joggers depending on the day's activities and the age of the child. 
  • please remember to contact the school each time your child/ward is away from school. Our unexplained attendance data is growing, so we want to get on top of this and have explanations for why students are away. You can send information through the parent portal in the Sentral app, or contact the school by phone, email or note. 
  • as the weather warms up, please ensure that your child is dressed in the Summer uniform and that they have sunblock on to start the day. Staff will ensure that sunblock is reapplied throughout the day as needed. 

Final Assemblies: Our final year assemblies will take place on Monday 2nd December to acknowledge the hard work of all our students from Kindergarten to Year 11 and express gratitude to our dedicated staff.  We hope that many of you can join us in our hall for this special occasion. Presentation Day Ceremony for Year 12 Certificates and presentation of special awards will be held on Tuesday 3rd December. All Year 12 parents and friends are invited and families of special award winners will receive an invitation for this event. We are fortunate this year to receive sponsorship from several businesses around town to support prizes for Presentation Day. 

 

The next month will be focused on finishing the year on a high in the classroom, outings to consolidate learning and celebrations to share successes. 

 

Next year the government has announced that there will be four (4) staff development days at the beginning of the year and that all students will commence school on 6th February, 2025. Students will meet in their stages in various parts of the school and will be supported to meet their new staff and go to their classrooms together. I appreciate this can be a challenging time for students when they don't know who they will have as their staff in the new year, but each year we have done this process successfully and supported all students with any changes they face. 

 

I look forward to seeing you all at one of the events at our school in the next few weeks, if you can attend. Enjoy the last beautiful days of Spring. 

 

 

Melanie Meers

Principal

#proudtobepublic

 

 

 

 

Board Member, Wangarang Industries

Leader, SPC Inclusion and Wellbeing

President, Zonta Orange

DipArts (Music), GradDip (Education), GradCertEd (Pedagogy), MEd (Leadership & Management), GradCertEd (Learning Support), ProfCert (Positive Education)

 

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