Filter Content
- Principal's Report
- Important Dates
- Playtime Sports - Outside School Hours Care
- Every School Day Counts
- 5/6 West
- 3/4 Sackley
- 1/2 Smith
- STEAMDance – Australian Ballet visit to Austins Ferry Primary
- Scholastic Book Club
- Uniform Price List
- School Polar Fleece Vests
- Canteen Menu
- Launching into Learning - Term 3 Calendar
- 2023 Kindergarten Enrolments
- COVID Safe Practices for Students
- PAKT
I hope that all our families and wider community had a restful break! Students returned last week with enthusiasm ready to get straight back into learning. We had a short assembly and reminded students of exciting events planned for Term 3 and our expectations to continue our improvement journey.
Our teachers and staff spent Monday preparing the learning and engaged with Gavin Grift, a consultant we have worked with in 2022. Gavin’s work is based around professional learning communities and collaborative teams that work. We are very lucky to continue our relationship with Gavin as his work is highlighted across Australia and the world stage.
Year 6 Leavers Tops
On Friday last week we were excited to present our Year 6 students with their leaver’s tops. These tops were designed by our Student Voice Team and voted on by the Year 6 students. The design has come up really well and students will stand out as leaders of our school in the bright red design. The students were very proud to put the tops on and have the traditional photo!
COVID Update
The health and safety of students and staff has, and always will be, our top priority. Our Term 3 approach to manage COVID-19 is outlined in our COVID-safe schools operational plan. The Plan builds on everything we’ve learnt since the start of the pandemic.
The Department of Education (DoE) has worked closely with Public Health to ensure schools continue to be safe places for learners. Many COVID-safe measures that you are familiar with continue to be in place to limit the impact of COVID-19 in our schools. More information regarding our approach and support at AFPS is outlined later in our newsletter this week.
Events in Term 3
There are many exciting events planned this term so please keep up to date with our socials which include; Facebook, Class DoJo, School Newsletter and paper notices sent home. Some of these events will be Book Week (author visits, book parade, mystery readers and more) Swim and Water Safety for Year 3-5 and selected Year 6 students, Cricket Tas visit, DRILL Dance Event, Brave Hearts, Disco and more!
Wednesday 10 August 2022 | Scholastic Book Club orders due | |
Wednesday 17 August 2022 | Collection day for Krispy Kreme orders | |
Thursday 18 August 2022 | Book Week Parade | |
Tuesday 23 August 2022 | 6:10pm | School Association Meeting in the ELC Kitchen |
Wednesday 24 August to Friday 26 August 2022 | Scholastic Book Fair organised by the School Association | |
Thursday 25 August 2022 | 2:00pm | Kinder - Year 2 Assembly - presenting classes Prep Nair, P/1 Seymour & 2 Florence |
Monday 22 August to Friday 2 September 2022 | Swimming & Water Safety Program - Year 3 to 5 and selected Year 6 students | |
Tuesday 30 August 2022 & Wednesday 31 August 2022 | Father's Day Gift Stall organised by the School Association | |
Thursday 8 September 2022 | 2:00pm | Year 3 - 6 Assembly - presenting classes - 3/4 Pearce, 3/4 Gollogly, 3 Clifford, 5/6 West & 5/6 Jackson |
Thursday 15 September 2022 | School Disco | |
Friday 30 September 2022 | Last Day of Term 3 |
Playtime Sports - Outside School Hours Care
The school day ends at 2:50pm. If you are regularly unable to collect your family at this time, please consider booking some time with Karen at our on-site care program, Playtime Sports.
The schools duty of care ends at 2:50pm and while we want to support families if they are late on the odd occasion our office staff are not able to supervise and support on a regular basis.
Playtime Sports offer both after school care and school holiday care programs and operates out of our school gym.
After school care is open every weekday from 2:45pm to 6:00pm. School holiday programs operating hours are 7:30am to 6:00pm.
All enquiries to Karen Morgan at Playtime Sports on 0407 199 160.
Getting kids to school isn’t always easy. But being at school is the best place for our kids.
If your child is unwell, they need to stay home. But if your child is well enough to attend school, they should be at school. Every day, Monday to Friday.
Reality of missing school
Data shows us that regular school attendance is one of the best things a child can do to set them up for success. But if they don’t attend, things get harder for them.
Let’s do the maths:
- If your child misses even just one day a fortnight, that adds up to 20 days of the school year. That’s the same as missing four whole weeks of school!
- If they miss one day a week, that doubles to eight weeks of school they’ll never get back.
- Over the course of their childhood, that equals two and a half years of vital education they’ll never receive…
We mean it, every school day counts. It all adds up.
Bright futures begin at school
The data also tells us something else: the better a child’s attendance rate, the better off they’ll be. Their future will be filled with more opportunities.
School is where they learn and grow alongside their friends, and where they benefit the most. Going to school not only promotes academic success, but also helps build important social skills, relationships and confidence.
Good attendance habits in primary school lead to good attendance habits in high school. This will help expand your child’s options even further as they grow older.
Watch this video to see the benefits of going to school.
It’s ok if you need help
If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can.
If you need support translating or interpreting this information, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
In 5/6 West this term we have been investigating noun forming suffixes, focusing in on the suffix 'ion' and how the addition of this changes the meaning of a base word.
Students did this through having a focus word and exploring the different patterns that occur in the word and then collating the results of our investigation into a class chart.
In 3/4 Sackley we have continued inquiry processes through all areas of our learning. We have asked lots of questions and made connections between what we are learning and what we already know. Sometimes these have been different or challenged what we thought we knew, which have led to new questions and wonderings.
This term our inquiry question is “In what ways can one change impact parts of a system?” This is a common inquiry question across the Kuka pod. This inquiry question will lead into looking at how systems are interconnected with a focus on being sustainable. We will also be looking at the different ways to be sustainable for our future.
In 1/2 Smith we have had a very busy end to Term 1 and start to Term 2! We were very tired at the end of last term, however, we had lots of fun and enjoyed our excursion to the Bridgewater Park and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary! We had loads of questions for the guide that took us on a tour of the animals and we especially loved feeding and patting the kangaroos.
In Term 2 we are looking forward to learning about persuasive writing, subtraction and sustainability. We have a very exciting excursion planned towards the end of Term that links with sustainability and we cannot wait!
STEAMDance – Australian Ballet visit to Austins Ferry Primary
On Thursday 28 July, four members of the Australian Ballet visited Austins Ferry Primary. Each Year 3/4 class participated in a workshop focused on the story of Pomi and Gobba – an adaptation of the Wiradjuri Dreamtime story ‘Gobbagumbalun and Pomingalarna’, which is local to the NSW city of Wagga Wagga. Students had a wonderful time participating in the workshops.
Here are a few of their reflections:
Taiyah: "It was really fun. I learned a lot more about ballet and the poses."
Joshua: "It helped me learn about burrows and animals, as well as ballet and dance moves. It was fun and I liked when we had to do 8 steps at the end."
Ariella: "They are funny and it was both hard at times and easy at times. I learned a lot and I really enjoyed it."
3/4 Gollogly collectively reflected on the experience. Here are some of their thoughts:
- The courage to join in and have a go.
- Some of us found it difficult remembering all of the steps during partner time.
- We enjoyed learning French words.
- I enjoyed everything!
- We liked learning new dance moves.
- It helped persist with challenging things.
- We think it will help some of us during other activities. For example, basketball, dancing and football.
In the afternoon, all classes enjoyed a performance of the Pomi and Gobba story in the school hall.
Please note that as of 1 August 2022 there have been some changes to the uniform prices.
Brand new AFPS Polar Fleece Vests are available for purchase. Size 10 and size adult-small. $2 each.
A tub will be placed outside the school office Monday-Friday this fortnight from 2:30-3:30PM.
Launching into Learning - Term 3 Calendar
Monday 8 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Puppet Play - roll up, roll up! Come & put on a puppet play! |
Monday 8 August 2022 | 1:30pm to 2:50pm | Puppet Play - roll up, roll up! Come & put on a puppet play! |
Tuesday 9 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Out & About - meet us at Hestercombe Reserve for a play & a walk at Gould's Lagoon |
Thursday 11 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Puppet Play - roll up, roll up! Come & put on a puppet play! |
Monday 15 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Signs & Symbols - Stop, Go, Slow ... so many signs & symbols to know! |
Monday 15 August 2022 | 1:30pm to 2:50pm | Signs & Symbols - Stop, Go, Slow ... so many signs & symbols to know! |
Tuesday 16 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Out & About - meet us at Poimena Reserve for a nature walk & play |
Thursday 18 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Excursion - join us on the big bus for an outing! Location to be confirmed. |
Monday 22 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Book Week Fun! - come dressed up as your favourite book character |
Monday 22 August 2022 | 1:30pm to 2:50pm | Book Week Fun! - come dressed up as your favourite book character |
Tuesday 23 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Out & About - meet us on the Claremont Bike Track for a walk or ride |
Thursday 25 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Book Week Parade - come dressed up and join in our Book Week Parade |
Monday 29 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Crafty Creatures - come and get crafty & create your own cool creature! |
Monday 29 August 2022 | 1:30pm to 2:50pm | Crafty Creatures - come and get crafty & create your own cool creature! |
Tuesday 30 August 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Out & About - meet us at the Chigwell Child & Family Learning Centre |
Thursday 1 September 2022 | 9:00am to 10:30am | Crafty Creatures - come and get crafty & create your own cool creature! |