Welcome to 2024

Welcome to 2024! As we embark on a new academic year, we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to new and returning families. The beginning of a school year is a special time filled with anticipation, excitement, and endless possibilities. The teachers and staff have been eagerly collaborating, planning and preparing for the students return and a positive year ahead. The first 5 days of school form our 'Learning to Learn' program. This program runs from Foundation to Year 6 and focuses on cultivating classroom relationships and developing consistent and positive expectations and routines. Once this is complete, we begin diving deeper into curriculum and rich learning.

There is always a lot happening in a school environment, so below are some updates for 2024:

Aberfeldie 99th Anniversary:

This year, Aberfeldie Primary School is in its 99th year of operation! That is almost a century of unwavering commitment to education, community and creating a brighter future. The year ahead promises to be extra special as we eagerly anticipate reaching our centennial anniversary.

Solar Panel Project

Over the Summer break, approximately 64 solar panels were installed on top of the BER building (Year 1/2 classrooms), boasting over 26kW from the solar array and nearly 30kW of inverter power. This means that over one third of the electricity used at Aberfeldie is now going to be powered by solar energy! This project was made possible through the Greener Government Schools Grant that we were successful in getting last year.

Cubby House Project

At the end of 2023, the Junior School Council worked collaboratively to select three cubby houses for the upcoming Aberfeldie Village. The students had the task of representing their classes and year levels and selected a Cafe, Police Station and Vet. The Aberfeldie Village is set to arrive before or on the Easter Holiday break. We thank all families who participated in 2023 fundraising and improving our school space.

Bike Donations

At the end of term, Aberfeldie received a generous donation of two 26inch bikes from a family who wishes to remain anonymous. These bikes have been officially branded and will go towards our Bike Education program, ensuring all students have the opportunity and resources to fully participate in the program. We thank this family for their kindness and generosity to the students at our school.

Mental Health in Schools Program

The Victorian Government is providing $200 million over 4 years and $93.7 million ongoing to expand the Mental Health in Primary Schools program to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. This year, our region has has received funding to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, a qualified teacher, to work across the school to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community. This means:

building the capacity of school staff, in particular classroom teachers, to identify and support students with mental health concerns in the classroom
supporting the school to create clear referral pathways internally (within school) and externally (to community services) for students identified as requiring further assessment and intervention
coordinating targeted mental health support for students by working with regional staff, school wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers and external agencies
advocating for student voice and agency in their wellbeing and mental health needs.