Principal's Report
Dear Parents, Families and Community members,
We're off and away and what a great start we have had! It's been wonderful to see our almost now 630 students transition into the start of the school year so seamlessly.
The beginning of the school year provides a great opportunity for staff and students to begin to build positive relationships and really get know each other well. This is the major focus across the school in the first few weeks, as it builds the strong foundation for learning, personal and social growth and achievement to occur throughout the year.
It is well understood that we expect 'COVID' to continue to provide some challenge and disruption at times. I know for many of our families and staff this is very real right at the moment. Unlike the last two years, however, we have a lot more understanding of how to manage these obstacles and greater clarity and confidence that for the most part, students will be learning face-to-face, onsite in 2022.
I appreciate the support of our school community in make best efforts to adhere to the Department of Health and Department of Education recommendations for Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) and isolation requirements. As has been communicated via Compass, it is really important that families communicate any positive result with the school and follow the isolation requirements and keep students at home for seven days.
Where a student is required to isolate for seven days, the school will be in contact to discuss learning continuity and support during this time. I encourage families with questions and concerns to call the school and we will be more than happy to discuss and support where possible.
Preps First Day
One of the highlights of any school year is welcoming our new, excited and very ready Prep students!
Yesterday was no different as we welcomed 85 new Preps and their families to ACS. When students arrived they were greeted by their teachers and support staff for 2022 and were able to take some photos with the 'My First Day of School' frame and parents and carers received a chocolate and a coffee voucher from the wonderful Warralily Cockatoo.
Before we knew it, students were in their Learning Community, bags were unpacked and put away and they were off and about making friends and starting their learning.
We wish our 2022 Preps the very best as they begin their 'school journey' and we look forward to joining them on it!
Welcome New Staff
I'd like to take an opportunity to welcome the many new staff who have started at ACS in 2022. Like our Preps this new crop of staff have hit the ground running and after busy, information packed Curriculum day last Friday, have taken to getting to know students (and staff) and already getting a great feel for what it means to be a member of the ACS Community.
Over the term we will endeavour to introduce these people through the newsletter, but if you do see them in and around the school, please make sure you say hi and make them feel welcome.
Grade 6 Polo Shirts
Each year families of our Grade 6 students have the opportunity to purchase a commemorative polo shirt. The design on the back of the shirts is voted by the students.
Prep & New Student ID Photos
Prep students, new students in Years 1-12 and new staff will have their photo taken on Monday 7 February 2022 by our school's photographers, MSP Photography. These photos will be used for ID purposes in our school systems only.
Official school photos (including home group photos) will be taken in Term 2. Further information will be provided closer to the date with all the details and options for purchasing photo packs.
Hats / Sunscreen / Water Bottles
A reminder that Term 1 is a mandatory hat term and whilst we encourage students to wear a broad brimmed school hat, any hat is better than no hat; ‘Yes Hat, Yes Play’.
We also encourage students to apply sunscreen before coming to school, and this can be topped up throughout the day with either the school supply or some brought from home.
Water bottles are encouraged for all students and staff and can be refilled at school during the day.
Please ensure ALL your child's items are clearly labelled with their name.
Lunch Orders
Every Friday, families will have the opportunity to place orders for students who will receive them at lunchtime.
Orders commence Friday 11 February, 2022.
Orders will continue to be placed online via QuickCliq and must be placed by 9am on the day prior to order day. The Menu and How to Order guides can be found on Compass by clicking on the Community Icon \ School Information \ Parent Information \ Canteen
CSEF
WHAT IS IT?
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like:
- school camps or trips
- swimming and school-organised sport programs
- outdoor education programs
- excursions and in school activities.
Payments are $125 per Primary School aged student per year and $225 per Secondary School aged student per year.
Applications for 2022 are now open and will close on 24 June 2022 (end of Term 2).
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
On the first day of Term 1 (31 January 2022) or the first day of Term 2 (26 April 2022), a parent or legal guardian of a student must:
- be an eligible beneficiary of one of these cards:
Veterans Affairs Gold Card
Centrelink Health Care Card
Pensioner Concession Card - OR they must be a temporary foster parent
- OR the student is 16 years or older and holds a valid concession card (such as a Youth Allowance Health Care Card)
- AND the parent or legal guardian must submit an application by the due date.
Parents who receive a carer allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with the above. Eligibility will be determined when the parent’s concession card successfully validates with Centrelink on either the first day of Term 1 or Term 2.
HOW TO APPLY
Contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from COMPASS by clicking on the Community Icon \ School Documentation \ Parent Information \ CSEF \ CSEF Application Form
HAVE HAD CSEF IN THE PAST?
If you applied for the CSEF at your child’s current school in 2021, you do not need to complete an application form in 2022 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
New student enrolments: Your child has started or changed schools in 2022 or you did not apply in 2021.
Changed family circumstances: Such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2022.
Please check with the school office if you are unsure.
Take care and enjoy!
Evan Savage
Principal