Principal Team Report
Upcoming Important Dates
Term 3 2024
9 September: Prep Learn to Swim Program Commences (daily for 2 weeks)
20 September: End Term 3 (2:00pm dismissal)
Term 4 2024
7 October: First Day Term 4
10 October: 2025 Prep Information Evening
14 October: Division Athletics Carnival
21-23 October: Year 4 Camp
4 November: Teacher Professional Practice Day (student free day)
5 November: Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
11-13 November: Year 3 Camp
11-22 November: Year 1 Learn to Swim Program
21 November: Year 6 City to South Run
25 November - 6 December: Year 5/6 Learn to Swim Program
18 December: End of Year Concert (9:15am start)
18 December: Year 6 Graduation
20 December: End of Term 4 (1:00pm Dismissal)
2024 Curriculum and Student Free Days
Professional Practice Day
Professional Practice Day (student free day) is confirmed for the day before Melbourne Cup Day – Monday 4 November
** Please note that additional events can be accessed via the Whole School XUNO calendar.
Children’s Book Week 2024: Parade
What a great way to start the school week with a Book Week parade! Colour, creativity and enthusiasm launched a great atmosphere.
Year 6 Library Leaders, Harriet and Amber and team - Harry, Isla, Zoe and Vaanika - have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to assure the success of two whole school book week activities.
Their first activity was to read all 6 Children Book Council Australia [CBCA] Early Childhood books to every class, then collect and collate data to determine ASPS’s favourite book [shadow judging] which is Grace and Mr Milligan by Caz Goodwin.
The CBCA Judges’ chose Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart as their winner.
The differing choice is bound to generate animated discussion in library this week!
The library team’s second activity was organising the book parade.
The commitment and undertaking of these two activities has been substantial. It has been rewarding seeing the Y6 library team demonstrate their leadership skills, plan long and short-term goals, negotiate reading times, work through complications and enjoy the challenge.
Thank you and well done Year 6 Library Team!
Mrs Mundy & Mrs Skelton
ASPS Maths Practice Showcased: Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics
Last week, members of the ASPS leadership, Rhian ap Rees, Juliette Castelino and Kathy Arnold, were guest presenters at the Riversdale Principal Network Meeting (all Boroondara and Whitehorse Schools). Our school's presentation was focused on our work in Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics. This work, guided by renowned reseacher and practioner, Peter Liljedahl, is transforming student enagement in complex collaborative problem solving. ASPS teachers have shared the following reflections:
You can find out more about this work via the link below.
2024 Parent & Carer Opinion Survey
Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behavior, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation.
You can access the survey via the links below:
Survey Link: https://www.orima.com.au/parent
School Name: Auburn South Primary
School Campus Name: Auburn South Primary School
Survey PIN: 710146
Positive Behaviour Support and Restorative Classrooms
As part of the recent curriculum day, our school's Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders, Ella Tregaskis and Darien Hunte, led our staff through an interactive workshop focused on our school's Prevent, Teach, Reinforce approach to support positive student behaviours. Throughout the day, our teachers explored the preventative and proactive strategies used to support all students in being Ready to Learn. Teachers also explored ways in which they can build trust and effective relationships (teacher to student and student to student) through restorative, strength based approaches.
The following short video is a great starting point for those wanting to understand the basis for taking a restorative approach. As a school, how we engage with students during times of conflict and challenge is central to how we want our students to approach conflict in their personal relationships now and when they are adults. Using our ASPS Positive Behaviour Expectations, we also take time to reframe challenging behaviours as resilient, respectful, compassionate and learning behaviours that we would like to see more often.
ASPS Disco Fun!
A very big thank you is extended to the ASPS PA and Disco Team for organising what was another wonderful night of music and fun! It was also great to see our parent volunteers having as much fun as our kids!
Fundraising for Next Phase of Landscaping and Play Space Development:
Funds raised via the Winter Ball and events such as this year's Fun Run will contribute to the planning and redevelopment of our gardens and playspaces - specifically, Zone A (addressing the bottle-neck entrance near the toilet block) and Zone B (development of nature, sand and water play spaces).
Following the success of the recent redevelopment of the Tooronga Rd landscaping and outdoor learning spaces, School Council has given approval to engage Pollen Services to develop detailed landscape architectual plans for the redevelopment of the above-mentioned spaces. The design brief for Zone B includes but is not limited to the following:
Creating Exceptional Sensory Experiences: Integrate play-spaces and pathways to stimulate multiple senses. Consider the use of natural materials (sand, pebbles, bamboo) and moving parts (wind chimes, light play, sound creation) to enrich the sensory experience for all students.
Sand & Water Play: Integrate flowing water into this space (pump, channels) fornew sensory experiences. Consider how water and sand are maintained providing easy maintenance for years to come.
Accessibility: Ensure that play areas are fully accessible. This includes utilising surfacing that accommodates students with mobility challenges and incorporating diverse play elements that are engaging for children with various physical and sensory abilities.