Dear Aberfeldie Primary School Community,

We are already at the end of May and it feels like the weeks are flying by! My name is Bec Sobell and I am grateful to have the opportunity to address our community as your returning School Council President. 2024 marks my ninth year as a parent at our school (my eldest is now in Year 8, and my youngest is in Grade 5) and my eighth as a school council representative. During this time, I have been fortunate to have served in many capacities, including as school council vice president, treasurer, and president from 2019-2021 and 2023.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the retiring council members for their dedication and work during their terms: Terry Kappadais; Olivia Mouat; Benjamin Coss; Danielle Ali; Angus Tester; and Michael Saunders. Our new committee formed in March so I am a bit late this year in introducing them to you (apologies!).

Our parent members for 2024 are:

Bec Sobell (President)
Peter Chadwick (Vice President)
Debbie Harris (Treasurer)
Chris Lynch (Buildings and Grounds sub-committee convenor)
Robyn Ward
Danijela Rakita
Laura Cristini
Adele Paraggio

Our Department of Education (DE) members are:

Tyson Smith (Principal)
Erin McNamara (Assistant Principal & Fundraising sub-committee convenor)
Emma Sprakel (Learning and Wellbeing sub-committee convenor)
Elyse Dickeson
Nicky Bonacci (Business Manager)

The role of school council is to help to set the long-term future and direction of the school and to assist in the governance of the school’s operation, through a number of functions including raising funds, exercising general oversight of school buildings and grounds, and representing and taking into account views and interests of the wider school community when making decisions. Please feel free to raise any questions or concerns with council members, and indicate whether you would like these to be discussed during a school council meeting. You are also welcome to send an email via the school, marked “Attention: School Council” and this will be forwarded to us. It is important to note, however, that matters relating to the curriculum, student behaviour, and/or the day-to-day running of the school are not areas the school council can address. Concerns relating to these areas should be discussed directly with Tyson Smith, Erin McNamara, or your child’s classroom teacher.

Finally, although the news has already been shared, I am thrilled to have been involved with the recent appointment of Tyson to our Principal position. We look forward to him being in the position for many years to come and bringing his knowledge, skills, and friendly demeanour to our community. Welcome Tyson!

I look forward to sharing School Council updates with you throughout the year and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Bec Sobell

APS School Council President

School Council Sub-Committees

Aberfeldie Primary school has a number of Sub-Committees that are open to any parents/carers to attend. These Sub-Committees play a vital role in assisting the School Council in performing their duties and functions. They provide the opportunity for the school community to be involved in school council matters. There is no commitment to attend all meetings or perform any tasks outside of meetings. All meetings are Hybrid and can be attended at school in person or online via WebEx.

Buildings & Grounds

When: Monday 2:00pm

Next Meeting: 3rd June

Convenor: Chris Lynch

Webex Link: https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=mce965ef7c7f4c43eaaa80f3b9f5200e0

Password: Aberfeldie

Fundraising

When: Friday 9:00am

Next Meeting: 7th June

Convenor: Erin McNamara

WebEx Link: https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=md7273521305eeb448ba2fcb04069936c

Learning and Wellbeing

When: Friday 9:00am

Next Meeting: 14th June

Convenor: Emma Sprakel

WebEx Link: https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/sprakel.emma.l

Principal Announcement

It is with the greatest pleasure that we can announce, on behalf of the School Council, the successful appointment of Mr Tyson Smith to Principal of Aberfeldie Primary School. The appointment is currently provisional until the Department of Education process is complete.

Tyson has been in the Acting Principal role since the beginning of the year, and has already established himself as a respected leader of our school community. He has extensive experience in school leadership, and brings with him, amongst other things, an enthusiastic and innovative approach, high-level wellbeing and curriculum knowledge, and well-developed interpersonal skills.

The School Council would like to thank our community for the trust you have placed in us and our role in this decision for the school. We look forward to a positive and successful future for our school.

Kind Regards

Rebecca Sobell (APS School Council President), Erin McNamara (Assistant Principal) and the APS School Council

Team Kids