Principal Update

Welcome back to term 2! 

I hope you had a restful break and feel rejuvenated for the term ahead. My visits to classrooms yesterday was full of excitement and anticipation for the return to school. 

The students were able to share their experiences over the two weeks and spent time talking and writing about the things they did. They are so articulate and eloquent when they share, it makes us all appreciate how talented they are.

The annual APS Fair is next week! The plans are coming into effect and it will be a wonderful day. Given the election is on and we are a voting centre the committee are planning on opening a few stalls early to make the most of the early voters. If you haven’t already signed up then please consider working giving your time to support the school. There are volunteers needed for setting up, working on stalls, pack down and Sunday clean up. The money raised from fundraising this year will go towards a shade sail over the P/1 play equipment.

With ANZAC Day on Friday, our Year 6 students will be hosting a special assembly at 3pm on Thursday to acknowledge those who have fought in wars and who serve our country. Please feel free to attend if you would like to.

Our Prep 2026 enrolments are flowing in. We have held tours and have many more planned through the term. Enrolments are due by the end of this term so if you have a child beginning school next year you need to complete and enrolment form and return it as soon as you can.

Next week we will hold the annual Fun Run. All students will go to Alphington Park and participate. In House colors, our youngest students run laps of the oval and our older students will run a measured course. The places of the older students are recorded as this becomes the selection for the District Cross-Country event a few weeks later. 

Each year, during Education Week, we open our classroom doors and invite families in to see the students at work. This year we will have our Open Afternoon on Wednesday 14 May from 2:30-3:25pm. If you are able we would love you to visit. The students are always so pleased when someone from their family visits them in the classroom. 

Also, ahead this term is our STEAM Expo. On Wednesday 4 June we invite all families to experience STEAM at APS. We open the school between 3:45-5:45pm and welcome families to share the wonder of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. This event is usually really well attended as students and their families gain an insight into passions and interests of the older students and the learning in these areas by the younger students.

Term 2 is when staff complete the Semester 1 Report which is shared with families near the end of term. This year we will be sharing a revamped report. After considerable consultation we have changed the format to be more informative for families. We are required to report against the new Curriculum 2.0. There will be more information in following newsletters and an explanation attached to the report for families to understand the changes.

Have a lovely week

Melissa Mackenzie 

Principal