Principal's Report

Reflections from the Grade 3 and 4 Camp 

I had the pleasure of attending the Grade 3 / 4 camp to Phillip Island this week, and what a fantastic experience it was for everyone involved! We packed a lot into the 3 days and 2 nights, with our time filled with activities, fun, friendship, laughter, adventure, and personal growth. I really couldn't be prouder of how our children conducted themselves. As parents, if you could have been a fly on the wall you would have been so impressed with the way they embraced every aspect of the camp, from pushing themselves and supporting others in the adventure activities, fulfilling their duty group responsibilities, setting up home in their very own cabins and just showing general respect and inclusivity to all. 

For many of our Grade 3 students, this was their very first camp experience, while our Grade 4 students were our experienced campaigners embarking on their second. The initial nerves and excitement on Monday morning almost instantly turned to enthusiasm and an open mindedness as the bus pulled away from school. The activities were diverse and designed to push the students out of their comfort zones while promoting teamwork and encouragement. The giant swing and flying fox were the adrenaline inducing highlights, while the pedal carts provided a fun outlet for healthy competition on the track. Rock climbing and archery tested their physical strength and focus, while the beach games and penguin parade provided a great outlet for some fun and appreciation of nature. 

I want to extend a sincere thank you to our dedicated staff, Miss Buzzini, Mrs. Eastwood, Mrs. M, and Mrs. Dibb. Your hard work planning and facilitating the camp ensured that everything ran smoothly, and has gifted our students lifelong memories. Additionally, our parent volunteers—Kane, Jesse, Duncan, and Mark—also played an integral role in the success of this camp. Your presence and assistance were invaluable, and we are extremely grateful for your time and energy to support our camp. 

ACPS GOES GAGA for GAGA!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of the newest addition to our playground: the Gaga Pit! Already the talk of the school, this exciting new piece of equipment has become the single most popular place at ACPS, with students eagerly arriving early to school and staying late to get extra time in the pit.

For those new to the game, Gaga ball is a fast-paced, inclusive game played within an octagonal pit. The goal is simple: use a soft ball to strike opponents below the knee while avoiding getting hit yourself. Its charm lies in the fact that it requires a mix of agility, strategy, and a bit of luck, rather than sheer strength or athletic prowess.

To me, what makes the Gaga Pit so special is that unlike many traditional games that may favour specific skill sets or age groups, Gaga ball transcends these boundaries. It's a game where everyone, regardless of their physical abilities or experience, can join in and have fun. Few things bring me more joy as a Principal then when I see our younger and older students playing side by side, cheering each other on, and fostering that strong sense of community that makes ACPS special. 

We owe a huge thank you to one of our current families for their generous donation of the Gaga Pit. Motivated by the vision of smiling faces and active students, their contribution has truly enriched our school community and we are so grateful for your generosity. Additionally, a special shoutout also goes to Stewart Purvis and Jesse Glascott, who gave up their Saturday last week to install it for us. Thank you both for all your work in constructing this wonderful addition to our school. 

Congratulations to Our Outstanding Division Cross Country Team!

I am proud to share the exceptional performance of our Division Cross Country team at the recent competition held at Yarra Glen Racecourse. Our runners showcased their talent and grit, and determination, demonstrating the distance running pedigree within our wonderful ACPS community. Well done to all of our runners, Molly, Aisling, Anoosha, Grace, Anna, Darcie, Ike and Ryder. We are all proud of how well each of you represented yourselves and our school. A special congratulations to Molly, Grace, Anna, and Ike, who all finished in the top 5! Their performances have earned them a spot in the upcoming Eastern Metropolitan Region competition next Thursday, 13 June. Good luck and I look forward to coming out to watch you race. 

ACPS BIG FREEZE

Get ready for the ACPS Big Freeze on June 12 from 2pm - 3:30pm! Building on the success of last year, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better with the addition of a dunk tank and a longer list of staff to dunk at each dollar value milestone on our journey to our target. 

We have already surpassed $1000 so Mr Webber is definitely getting dunked. So far he is joined by Mr Smith, Mrs Kenny and Mrs Sharland with more names revealed next week. 

Don't miss out on the fun and excitement—come support a great cause. 

Donations are open now and can be made directly via the ACPS Big Freeze donations portal 

https://support.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/AndersonsCreekPS/diy-bigfreeze

Don't miss out on the magic of SHREK The Musical JR. brought to life by our talented students at Andersons Creek Primary School! Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, love, and plenty of ogre-sized fun! 

Showing at the ACPS Performing Arts Theatre June 21-23. Book your tickets now: https://www.trybooking.com/CPILU

Daniel Webber

Principal