Principal's Report

Dear Parents, Families and Community members,

Welcome Back!

Welcome back for Term 3 and we are very thankful to be able to return to onsite learning!

As you would be aware, the Victorian Government has introduced new measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, with students in these areas returning to remote learning.  Thankfully, these measures do not apply to schools in regional and rural Victoria, including ours, but our thoughts and best wishes are with those directly impacted during this time.

A big congratulations to our staff and students on the successful return from holidays which is always a bit of an adjustment. At the end of last term and again at the start of this term  we have welcomed a number of new students and families to our school community and it is wonderful to see them settling into our school community.

As our enrolment numbers grow (now over 470), so too do our staff numbers. I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new staff to the ACS community;

Teachers:

• Madeleine Lynch to join 1-2 Learning Community (new Home Group teacher)
• Michael Stone to join the Secondary School (Home Group teacher)
• Rachel Partridge to join the Secondary School (Specialist and Home Group teacher)

Education Support Staff:

• Simon Keogh to join the Secondary team  (replacing Louise)
• Chloe Ramsay to join the Grade 5, 6 team
• Adele Calvert to join the Grade 3, 4 team
• Jack Hamence to join the Prep team

I would also like to acknowledge and thank our families for their continued support of the restrictions and changes to our drop off and pick up procedures. These continue to work really well and I've been impressed by people strictly adhering to the social distancing advice.

Human Rights

You may remember last year, our school was selected to participate in, ‘A human rights approach to diversity and inclusion for Victorian schools’ project. The project was a partnership between the Department of Education and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Participating in this project enhanced our school’s existing commitment to human rights. Diversity is our strength, and we all have a role to play in promoting a safe and inclusive school culture, where we treat others respectfully, celebrate our differences, and be the best school we can be. 

We will be continuing to embed this work deeper in our school culture and have designed cross-curriculum units of work incorporating human rights into the Victorian Curriculum, School Wide Positive Behaviour Support and Respectful Relationships and Positive Climate for Learning lessons. Human Rights are basic entitlements that belong to all of us. Based on the values of freedom, equality, respect and dignity, human rights acknowledge the worth of every person. 

We are committed to this work, because all the evidence tells us that kids learn best where they are safe, supported and included and where schools celebrate and protect diversity, acknowledging the right of every child, no matter their background or ability, to achieve the best possible outcomes at school. Happy students who are supported by their school community and learn in a discrimination free environment, are more likely to thrive and achieve their potential. 

Student Representative Council

Our Student Representative Council met today for the first time this term and discussed Student Voice at ACS. Please refer to the Student Voice page below to hear about the fantastic clubs we have available for students during play times.

Breakfast Club

We are pleased to advise parents and carers that our school will be starting a new Breakfast Club program this term. Starting on Tuesday 4 August, Breakfast Club will run every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8.30am to 8.55am.

The Victorian Government has continued its partnership with Foodbank Victoria to provide healthy meals that will help students focus better and participate fully in their education.

Our School Breakfast Club aims to ensure that all students start the day with a healthy meal.  This improves concentration and engagement in learning along with helping students make friends and create strong social connections.

Watch this space for more information! 

School Photos

We have had a few questions as to when 2020 School Photos will be taken and would like to remind families that the Official School Photos have been rescheduled to Tuesday 6 October due to COVID-19.

Families will be given information on how to order individual, class and sibling photos closer to the date.

Have a great weekend!

Evan Savage

Principal