Principal's Report
School Council Update
With 4 parent member vacancies for school council and 4 nominations, there will not need to be an election. Congratulations to the following parents will join the ASPS School Council from April this year:
- Jun Yang
- Mark O'Brien
- Shaun Cooley
- Jemima Collins
Having recently approved a new Strategic plan and with the schools IB PYP Evaluation coming up in 2019, it is certainly a busy and exciting time to be joining school council. It is my pleasure to introduce our newest parent members below.
Jun Yang
My name is Jun and I am the proud mum of three boys at ASPS: Ethan Mar in Grade 5, Lachlan in Grade 2 and Rohan in Prep. Although being a mum keeps me busy, I also work as an Endocrinologist at Monash Health treating patients with hormone disorders, and conduct medical research on the hormonal causes of high blood pressure (as a Scientist at Hudson Institute of Medical Research). My other commitments include being a Joey Scout leader with 1st Glen Iris, where I enjoy helping young children develop a range of personal and social skills. I will now relish the opportunity to contribute to the life of ASPS by joining the School Council. I care a great deal about the quality of children’s education, especially in mathematics and science, health and development. As a fluent Mandarin speaker I am also interested to see the school's Chinese program succeed. I am sure that my vision is the same vision shared by all parents - to help bring out the very best in our children through effective learning.
Jemima Collins
Hello, I am Jemima and our family joined ASPS in Term 2 last year. I have enjoyed helping in the classroom, canteen and assisting in organizing the 2017 Winter Ball, which prompted me to join the Parents’ Association. My goal is to be a bridge to help PA and School Council work together to ensure overall collaboration and engagement to create a wonderful school community. You will see me around the school yard with my 6yr son - John, 2yr daughter - Elizabeth and a giant ‘puppy’ dog Murphy.
Shaun Cooley
Shaun has over 25 years of experience working for international financial institutions across private wealth management, global equities, foreign exchange, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets.
Shaun is currently the Head of Product at JBWere (a private wealth management company) and held senior management roles at global investment banks in Europe and Asia before moving to Australia with his family. Shaun has two kids at Auburn South Primary (Stella, year 4, and Saxon, year 1) and is dedicated to ensuring that all kids have an educational facility that promotes inclusion & well being.
Mark O'Brien
I am the dad of Thomas (2B) and Samuel who will be in Prep in 2019. I am delighted to join the Auburn South Primary School Council where I am looking forward to being able to leverage my skills and contribute to our school community.
I have a background in healthcare and am currently General Manager at Junior Adventures Group a large provider of before and after school care that partners with over 400 private, public and catholic primary schools across Australia and the experience and skills I bring to the council includes operational, financial and governance skills. I have an intimate knowledge of the pressures that schools and school communities face so therefore am well placed to support current council members and the wider school community base to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
I am a passionate and hands on dad, and am a firm believer that we have a unique opportunity to build brighter futures through our school curriculum and school community involvement.
I look forward and feel privileged to be part of an already progressive and highly regarded school council.
Prep parents Welcome Evening
This week, all Prep parents will have received an invitation to attend our Prep Parents Welcome Evening in our kitchen garden. This is historically one of the more enjoyable social functions in the year and catering will be provided by our very own SAKG team, karen and Andrea. RSVPs are essential and please return the attached form to the school office by the end of the week.
SCHOOLS CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
Thank you to everyone for helping with Schools Clean Up Australia Day on Friday. We have such a lovely school to be proud of and it’s looking wonderful.
We don’t want the wrappers to pollute the environment or animal’s homes.
Let’s keep it clean and put our rubbish in the bin!
REDUCE your rubbish! Bring nude food – that’s food without wrappers!
We had a visit from Josh Frydenberg (above), the Minister for Environment and Energy on Friday to celebrate our school’s involvement with Clean Up Australia.
Green Team
Valuables at School
Each year, the school reminds parents and students not to bring valuable items (i.e. special toys, expensive watches and jewelry) to school. There is always a risk associated with bringing these items as the may get damaged or go missing. As a parent, my children don't take toys to school or kinder as these are items that they play with at home. At ASPS we have fantastic play spaces and equipment for recess and lunch playtimes; there isn't a direct need for children to bring in additional toys. That said, it will take something serious for me to ban specific items and my preference is that students are empowered to make sensible choices about what they bring to school and how they play with them. Please consider the above note with your children as you make the best choice that will suit them socially while taking care of personal items.
In accordance with DET policy, the school does not accept liability for lost or damaged items that are brought to school.
Red Cross Fundraiser (Free Dress Day)
Students are invited to wear something red and to bring a gold coin donation to school on Thursday 29 March. Thank you to Lily Brown and a team of her 4A classmates for leading this initiative.
Additional donations can be made via:
Student Action - Shaving Head at ASPS Picnic!
I am excited to bring to your attention some action being taken by one of our Year 4 students, Isabelle Ting. Isabelle is raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation and will be shaving her head as part of the World's Greatest Shave initiative. I encourage all families to support Isabelle by visiting her fundraising page below and we'll look forward to the great shave-off at next week's picnic!
"I am doing the World’s Greatest Shave to give people with blood cancer the emotional and practical support they need.
By shaving my hair I will help support people with cancer by donating my hair to make wigs for those who have lost their hair through treatment. By people sponsoring me I hope to raise money that will help to save some lives and give people hope for a well future.
My fundraising is dedicated to my ‘Aunt’ Jane who had Hodgkin Lymphoma and now is well and thriving, living a wonderfully full life. Also my Aunty Barbara who has breast cancer and lost her hair during treatment. Hopefully my donation will help provide wigs for those who need them."