Welcome to Week 5, Term 1. It has been a busy start to the year, from Kinder students settling into their weekly routines, to Stage 3 students engaging in leadership activities and creative arts performance rehearsals.

Please see the P&C section of this newsletter for a message regarding your opportunity to be involved.

Swimming Carnival

Thank you to our students, families, ASC volunteers and staff who supported our swimming carnival last week. It is always a great day and very well organised, thanks this year to Miss O'Hara and her many helpers.

Best of all was the participation of swimmers - whether they were record setting or developing their confidence. Well done everyone.

Interviews

Semester 1 parent/student/teacher interviews occur throughout this week. Kindergarten meetings are between the parent/carer and teacher. All other interviews include your child.

If you missed the online booking window, please contact our school office to arrange a meeting time. Interview durations are 15mins. Should you require additional time, please arrange another meeting with your child's teacher.

2026 Staff list

Student Leaders

Following their formal induction, our Year 6 leaders have commenced their duties representing our school and supporting their peers. In addition to raising the flags, delivering the Acknowledgement of Country, setting up and packing away equipment for student use at break times, 17 of our leaders represented Ben Venue at the National Servicemen's' Commemoration.

Last week, all 35 of our leaders participated in a leadership learning day, run by Mr Osborn and Mr Pryce at the Armidale Education Office. Students explored key leadership concepts, including:

leadership not as a position, but as a gift you give to those around you
how to create an environment to encourage the contributions of all
the importance of supporting initiatives by being 'first followers'
seeking opportunities to positively impact on those that look up to you as leaders.

This week, our leaders will improve the Kindergarten play area by repainting the cubbyhouses, while next week, our female leaders will participate in an event celebrating International Women's' Day at Armidale Secondary College.

Buddy Classes

Our Buddy Class links are being established across the school, with visible excitement as our older and younger students connect and form supportive relationships.

Bike Bus

It was encouraging to see 17 student cyclists joining our first Bike Bus of the year last Friday. Cycling to school is a great way to start the day and we hope to see this number grow in the coming weeks.

Due to interviews occurring throughout this week, only the Curtis Park Bike Bus will operate in Week 5 (Wed and Fri). There will be no Bike Bus at all on Friday afternoon. The Bike Bus will return to normal next week, running from and to Norris Drive, Curtis Park and Willow Tree Park on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Pulse Alive

Our Pulse Alive singers and dancers have been rehearsing hard in preparation for their performance at Olympic Park in Sydney this term. Some making an early start last Tuesday to record swimming times before heading to school for a full day of rehearsal.

Facebook

Soon, we will be sharing the every-day, amazing work of our staff and students via our new Facebook page. All families will soon receive a form via School Bytes, allowing parents/carers to update their permission to publish preferences.

Cam Pryce

Principal

Ben Venews

Kind, safe learners

Week 5 Term 1 · 23 Feb 2026

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