​ASCOT NEWS
1 November 2024, Term 4 Issue 1

Ascot Vale Primary School
‘Unique Learning Community’
Where we value:
RESPECT      RESPONSIBILITY      EXCELLENCE      EMPATHY      GRATITUDE

"Hands up, hands down. We are on Wurundjeri land."

Our AVPS rosebushes are speaking to us
Like the rosebuds blooming at the Flemington Racecourse
Melbourne Cup Day is just around the corner
Please enjoy the long weekend
And Remember:
There is NO SCHOOL on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th November
due to a Pupil Free Day and the Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday

Please click on the headings below to discover more. 
REMINDER: You can change the language at the top left hand corner of the webpage

HELLO FROM the principal team  

Dear parents, carers and staff,

If you remember one message from our newsletter this week, please make it this: 

“Please DO NOT perform U turns near our school during drop off and pick up time.”

We have repeatedly made this request over time. Nevertheless, a concerned parent contacted the school on Thursday to report a near-miss on Moonee Street that happened this week, involving a reverse U-turn maneuver at the driveway near the basketball court. The driver, an AVPS parent, narrowly missed an AVPS Year 3/4 student riding a bike on the footpath. This child was out of the driver’s line of vision.

Please remember that U-turns pose a significant danger to young children. We urge community members to co-operate to ensure the safety of all students by keeping our school zone safe and U-turn-free.

Given the recent tragedy at another Melbourne primary school, where an 11-year-old boy lost his life following a U-turn incident at the school, we strongly urge all parents and community members to drive with great care near AVPS and avoid performing U-turns near our school, particularly during drop-off and pick-up times.
​
Please drive around the block instead. The extra time spent doing this will make a huge difference in keeping our children safe near roads.

Click on the School Council tab below to hear how driver behaviour and pedestrian safety around our school is being raised with the local Moonee Valley City Council. 

Please also continue to inform us if you witness concerning driver behaviour. 

Thank you, kind regards and stay safe,
​
​From the Principal Team
Sue, Michael (until the end of 2024)  & Ben (from 2025)

Sue Osborne, Principal

Michael Downing, 2024 Assistant Principal

Ben Kline, 2025 Assistant Principal

KEY DATES & EVENTS 

Please access our AVPS Key Dates & Events page AT THIS LINK.

Upcoming Pupil Free Day and Public Holidays 
Students do not attend school on these dates:

Monday 4th November - Pupil Free Day - Please make alternative childcare plans on this day
Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup Day - Public Holiday - SCHOOL CLOSED

END OF YEAR / START OF YEAR KEY DATES

TERM 4, 2024​
Friday 20th December - Last Day Term Four - Early finish time 1:30pm.


TERM 1, 2025​
Wednesday 29th January - First Day Term One - Year 1-6 Students.  See you 'On Time At 9'
Thursday 30th January - First Day Term One - Year PREP / Foundation Students 
Friday 7th March - Pupil Free Day - Please make alternative childcare plans on this day
Monday 10th March - Labour Day - Public Holiday - SCHOOL CLOSED
Friday 4th April - Last Day Term One - Early finish time 2:30pm.

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Staffing News 

Congratulations to Heath Smith for his appointment to Bourchier Street PS in Shepparton in 2025, where he and his young family will be moving to. This move to the country is good news for Heath and his family but not so good for AVPS, where Heath has made very strong connections with students, families and staff since his days as a trainee teacher; he will be sorely missed. 

We thank Heath for his seven years of service to the AVPS community, in particular for his commitment to the formidable Unit 5 partnership with Amanda McClure and strong connections with Unit 5 students and families. Heath has been a quiet achiever, who has impressed all who have worked alongside him and grown to know him well at AVPS. He is known for his thoughtfulness, dependability and sense of adventure, balanced with great professionalism and respect for all. Heath’s contributions to Unit 5, The Prep-2  team,  school camps, the School Council and his role as the staff Health and Safety Rep are very much appreciated (we’re particularly going to miss ‘Hazard Heath’.)

We wish Heath and his family all our very best wishes as they embark upon their new adventure.

Heath Smith

​Consequently, we are very pleased to announce the recent appointment of Britt Burford to the AVPS teaching team. Britt will be joining us at the start of the 2025 school year. She is in the early years of her teaching career having spent time teaching in Queensland. We look forward to welcoming Britt and working and learning alongside her in 2025. 
​

Britt Burford

​AVPS staff roles for 2025 will be confirmed and outlined in the November newsletter. 

​​

Planning for 2025 unit placement

PLANNING FOR 2025 UNIT PLACEMENT & a note about requests

Planning is now underway to determine our 2025 class and unit structure. As always, when the structure is confirmed, this will be communicated via the newsletter later this term.

In the meantime, please note we are now seeking requests in writing for siblings to be placed together (or not). To ensure requests can be met, these are due by no later than Friday 8th November 2024. Please attention this information to Michael Downing at this email address: [email protected]

Also, please be aware that the school does not and cannot accept requests for teachers or units. The reason being, it is impossible for the school to satisfy such requests from everyone if this was to become usual practice across the school. It also sets parents/carers up for great disappointment if requests are made that cannot be accommodated. This is a situation we would prefer to avoid and therefore ask parents/carers not to request a particular teacher or unit. AVPS staff go through a complex and comprehensive process of determining individual and social needs of students in developing unit groups for the following year, noting our multi-age structure also encourages students and teachers to be together for more than one school year where possible. 

Enrolment for 2025​

YEAR PREP ENROLMENTS 2025 or STUDENTS LEAVING 2024
​
To assist us with planning for the 2025 school structure, please finalise any Year Prep or new enrolments for 2025 as soon as possible. We are assuming this has been done however there can be exceptions. In addition, please notify the school if your child/children will not be returning to AVPS in 2025. It is important for the school to have this information at the earliest possible time to help organise unit structures, budgets and staffing arrangements. Your cooperation in this matter is much appreciated.

Transition

Term 4 transition programs start next week, with 2025 Prep/Foundation students visiting our school and classrooms. It’s the first of 4 sessions.
The final session in December, links up with the state secondary school transition date when the majority of our year 6 students attend their 2025 secondary school. This session is where the new 2025 Prep/Foundation students will meet their new teachers and classmates. Lastly, our current and returning year Prep to Five students will also have opportunities to step up internally prior to this step up day on the 10th December 2024. 

Transition opportunities for students moving into new year levels are essential for their readiness and confidence. These experiences help ease the anxiety of change by familiarising students with new routines, expectations, and environments before the academic year begins. Stepping up activities allow students to build rapport with future teachers and peers, which strengthens their sense of belonging and reduces the challenges associated with a new setting. Furthermore, these transitions promote self-assurance and resilience, empowering students to approach the upcoming year with a positive mindset, prepared to tackle new academic and social responsibilities.

​Key dates:
​

• 2025 Prep - Thursday 7th November 2024, 3:45pm - 4:45pm. Developmental play in the yard with peers and teachers. Please bring a water bottle, hat, and a snack.
• 2025 Prep - Monday 18th November 2024, 9:15am - 10:45am. Visit to a P/1/2 classroom. Please bring a water bottle, hat, and a snack. Parents are invited to meet the Principal Team at this time.
• 2025 Prep - Tuesday 3rd December 2024, 9:15am - 12:15pm. Visit to a P/1/2 classroom. Please bring a water bottle, hat, and a snack.
• 2025 Year 1-6’s - Internal step up days - dates TBC
• 2025 Year 6→7 State transition day - Tuesday 10th December 2024
• All 2025 Students - Tuesday 17th December 2024, 9:45 am - 10:45 am. Whole school step up day. Meet your 2025 teacher and classmates. Please bring a water bottle, hat, and a snack.

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report writing day - Pupil free ​

Next Monday 4th November is a pupil free day. It’s the 4th and final curriculum day, designated for teachers to commence their semester 2 reports. A lot of planning and work goes into the collection of timely and relevant assessment pieces and anecdotal evidence from teaching and learning within classrooms. Semester 2 reports are usually published mid-December. The actual publishing date will be communicated with you closer to this date.

interuption to teaching and learning  

A note from our Admin team

We would like to remind everyone of the importance of minimising disruptions to the school day. Recently, we have noticed an increase in interruptions such as parents dropping off forgotten drink bottles and other items. While we understand these situations happen from time to time, they can significantly impact the flow of classroom activities and the students' learning.
​
Additionally, we have seen a growing number of students leaving early for appointments. We ask that, where possible, appointments be scheduled outside of school hours to ensure your child has the best opportunity to engage fully in their learning.
We appreciate your support in helping us create a calm and focused environment for all students. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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right to disconnect policy 

​There has been an important update regarding teachers' rights to disconnect outside of school hours. Under new legislation effective August 26, 2024, teachers and school staff have the right to set clear boundaries around after-hours communication. This means teachers are not required to monitor, read, or respond to work-related messages from students, parents, or colleagues outside of their regular working hours, except in urgent or exceptional circumstances.

​We encourage everyone in our school community to be aware of and respect these boundaries, which help ensure our teachers have the time they need for personal rest and family responsibilities. Thank you for supporting our teachers as they strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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photographing students policy 

The Department of Education has updated the Photographing Students Policy to shift from an 'opt-out' to an 'opt-in' approach. The AVPS policy attached below outlines clear guidelines for the safe and respectful use of photographs and videos taken at school and during school events. It ensures that all images of students are managed responsibly, with privacy and consent being top priorities.

This change means that soon, parents and guardians will be required to actively provide permission for their child’s photos to be used or published by the school, rather than permissions being assumed.
​
We will soon be reaching out to all families to obtain consent. This new approach ensures that every family’s preference regarding student photos will be clearly recorded and respected.

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photographing_filming_and_recording_students_policy_28-10-24_2024.pdf
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swimming​

To help families stay safe around water in the school holidays, please refer to:​

• Life Saving Victoria’s ​Water safety tips
• Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beach safe website, also available in an app. It shows which beaches have lifesaving clubs and when lifesavers and lifeguards are present.​
• ​Swimming and water safety education. You can also share these resources with parents and carers.
•   https://beachsafe.org.au/ ​

resilience, rights and respectful relationships

​Ascot Vale Primary School is a proud Respectful Relationships school.

Respectful relationships education is part of the Victorian Curriculum and delivered by all Victorian government schools. It supports students to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for respectful relationships and helps to build respect and equality across the entire school community.
Research tells us that providing respectful relationships education at school can lead to positive impacts on students’ academic outcomes, their mental health, classroom behaviour and relationships.

Our school uses the Department of Education’s evidence-based teaching and learning resources to teach our students about Respectful Relationships from Foundation to Grade 6.

The Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships resources have 8 topics that teach students about emotional literacy, personal and cultural strengths, resilience, problem-solving, stress-management, help-seeking, gender norms and stereotypes and positive gender relations.
​
If you have any questions about Respectful Relationships education, you can contact your child’s teacher and/or visit the Victorian Government’s Respectful Relationships page: https://www.vic.gov.au/respectful-relationships

Lost Property

Just a friendly reminder for families to name personal items of clothing that will be worn at school. This will help staff return lost property to their rightful owners.

Any items that have not been reunited with children will be displayed at the end of every week, weather permitting, for collection.
 

Swapna Ballireddy

SECONDHAND uniform

community connections

parent reps

A message from our Parent Reps
 
The annual AVPS Trivia Night fundraiser is fast approaching, and we’d love to see you there! This event is not only a fantastic way to meet other families and enjoy a fun night out, but it’s also our biggest fundraising effort of the year
 
Your support is crucial to helping us reach our fundraising goals. Funds raised from Trivia Night will go directly into a grounds and seating upgrade between the AVPS hall and music room.
 
We’re hoping to see as many parents as possible come out, enjoy the evening, and make it a memorable night of friendly competition and community spirit
 
Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Trivia hosted by recently retired Melbourne Demons player Ben Brown
  
• Fiesta themed event with Paella, Tacos and Churros, drinks can be purchased on the night
  
• Lots of raffle prizes and a fantastic silent auction
  

 
If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, now’s the time! Tickets are still available at https://compasstix.com/e/xy78py8llo and are selling fast. Gather your friends, form a team, or just come ready to join in on the fun!
 
Thank you for your support—we can’t wait to see you there!

​

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TRIVIA NIGHT DONATIONS NEEDED (deadline - Wed 13th Nov 2024)

Don’t forget to donate hamper items to the office and remember that adults need to drop alcohol to the office. Please consider donating:

• Gourmet food
• Ground coffee
• Cooking items / recipe books
• Alcohol / wine
• art/craft items
• sport items
• health, beauty or bathroom products / vouchers
• Fancy tea and biscuits
• Candles
• etc

Please contact the office to help with the following items to ensure the Trivia Night is a great success:

• Allow us to borrow your trestle table/s
• Helping with set up and hamper making.
• Helping with pack up

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SPECIAL LUNCH DAY

Pizza Day - Wednesday 20th November - save the date
Pizzas from Baker’s delight will be offered.

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Fresh Fruit Friday (FFF) Term 4

​Here is the FFF schedule for term four:

Week 5 - Unit 2 and 3
Week 6 - Unit 1 and 6
Week 7 - Unit 4 and 5
Week 8 - Unit 2 and 3
Week 9 - Unit 1 and 6
Week 10 - Unit 4 and 5
Week 11 - No Fruit

FFF volunteers must have a current Working With Children Check (or receipt), which can be obtained online here: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/individuals/applicants/how-to-apply-1. 
Applications need to be lodged at an Australian Post Outlet. 
​
Full FFF instructions appear in the file below.

fresh_fruit_friday_-_instructions.pdf
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2024 Parent Reps
Thank you to the following volunteers who will share the Parent Rep roles in 2024.

UNIT 1 PARENT REPS Kathy Faulkner ​ ​​	UNIT 2 PARENT REPS Sarah Wauters ​ ​	​UNIT 3 PARENT REPS Lily Jiang Meike Koenig Mutlu Yurdal  Helen Radloff ​Karen Villanueva
​UNIT 4 PARENT REPS  Katherine McConnell ​Sue Macaulay ​ ​ ​	​UNIT 5 PARENT REPS Erin Katsavos Kerryn Herman Danielle McKeown Kate Harris Kyra Low Kirsten Deruddere Jemima Flego	​UNIT 6 PARENT REPS Jayasree Pushpa Raghunadhan  Kurt Gleich ​Shelley Smith ​

school council 

Driver Behaviour and Pedestrian Safety Around our School 

At our October School Council meeting, we had planned to welcome Lisa Bagnati, Transport Project Officer from Moonee Valley City Council to discuss the Better Moves Around Schools Program and options for AVPS to improve student safety at pick up and drop off time in our surrounding streets. 
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Lisa was unable to attend but will now join us for our November meeting. The School Council is eager to address important safety issues with her, including:
​

• Garbage collection times on Moonee and Bank Streets, scheduled at school drop-off times, which have recently been changed following AVPS lobbying to improve congestion and safety near our school at peak times.  
• A request from a local resident for the installation of a zebra crossing.
• Reported pedestrian near-miss incidents on 17/05/2024 and 30/10/2024.
• An AVPS student collided with a car on 27/05/2024, thankfully, with minimal injury to the child.
• Ongoing hazardous parking and frequent U-turns by motorists adjacent to the school, despite numerous requests for drivers to refrain from double parking and conducting U-turns. ​

2024 AVPS School Council Members and Sub Committees are

FINANCE  Matt Vitins - Parent / Treasurer Joseph Egan - Parent  Michael Downing - Staff Rozeena Sen - Staff  Sue Osborne - Principal  ​	EDUCATION & POLICY Annalise De Mel - Parent - Vice President  Elizabeth Jones - Parent  Ken Willis - Parent  Bianca Bertolacci - Staff ​ ​
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Phil Burn - Parent / President  Michael Downing - Staff Ben Kline - Staff ​	OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE Melanie Quin - Parent  Nicci Bilinsky - Parent  Sue Osborne - Principal  ​

policy news

FINANCE

The 2025 Parent Payment Arrangements have been reviewed by the AVPS Finance Committee and approved by the School Council at the October 2024 meeting. These arrangements outline the essential contributions that help us continue providing excellent programs and resources for our students.

The details are now available in the attached files, however, please note that payment is not due and cannot be accepted until the 2025 school year.
We are grateful for the support our school community provides through parent contributions. In 2025, your ongoing commitment will directly enhance our ability to deliver engaging, high-quality educational programs for all students.

One standout program made possible by your support is our Chromebook Program, providing students with essential access to technology, fostering their digital skills, and enhancing their learning experience. Year 3-6 students are issued with their own Chromebook, which is kept at school for their own use. Whilst Year P-2 students share Chromebooks with classmates at a ratio of 1 Chromebook between 2 students. This program, along with other resources and activities, is funded through the valued contributions from families, enabling us to deliver a well-rounded education.

For a detailed breakdown of the 2025 Parent Payment Arrangements and policy, including options for support, please refer to the parent payment documents attached and available on our website at this link: https://avps.vic.edu.au/parent-payment.html . Every contribution, big or small, supports our goal of creating a Unique Learning Community, where every child is afforded equitable access to resources and learning and social opportunities.

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office team.
​
Thank you for your continued support of AVPS!

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2025_prep_parent_payment_full_information.pdf
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2025_year_3_to_4_payment_full_information.pdf
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2025_year_5_to_6_payment_full_information.pdf
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Buildings and grounds

​The buildings and grounds team in October shared updates at the School Council meeting, including:

• The rebuilding of the edging to seating between hall and music/community room (around existing large tree) and then shortly asphalting of the whole area. This will be completed during November

• The Victorian School Building Authority is currently undertaking an audit of the grounds, including areas listed for repair. This audit will create a prioritised list of items to repair and/or make good. These works should start early into 2025 
• New pole pads for the basketball court area
• Painting (colours) in Learning studio/ Library area

environmental team news

CDS (Container Deposit Scheme) INFO FOR SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Hi all. The Environment Team has set up a Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) barcode for our school to raise money for a greenhouse. We invite the school community to collect and recycle 10c containers to help raise money for our greenhouse!  Use the barcode below when returning your 10c containers to a recycling hub. The money will automatically go into our Fundraiser. We will keep track of how much we have raised and keep the community posted!
We are also collecting the 10c containers at school through classroom and staffroom recycling. Please read on for more specific information about this initiative and where you can deposit your containers.
Doug and the Environmental Team.
 
 
PLEASE NOTE: If the barcode will not scan, you can choose the voucher option, print it out, bring it to school and we will redeem the money from Coles (see example below).
 
 
Container Deposit Scheme:

Fundraiser Campaign summary:

“From seed to seedling to plant to plate”

For the AVPS Community to raise money for a school-based Greenhouse

AIM:  to grow seeds into seedlings (herbs, vegetables, flowering plants), plant out and use. Learn to propagate cuttings and plant around the school with a possibility to sell plants at Farmers Markets to raise money for the Environmental Team.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Caring for our environment, recycling, gardening, propagation of seeds to grow our own food, leadership, responsibility, teamwork, harvesting produce.
​
How to make a return:
CDS Vic provides a 10-cent refund for every eligible drink container returned at refund points across Victoria. Every bottle, can and carton you return helps divert valuable containers from landfills. 

Step 1 - Collect eligible drink containers
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 liters are eligible. Look for the 10c mark on the back of pack. Some drinks are not eligible, including plain milk containers, wine and spirit bottles. Tip: Keep lids on and don’t crush your containers

Step 2 - Return your eligible drink containers

Step 3 - Earn a refund

All eligible drink containers are worth a 10-cent refund that you can donate to the AVPS Fundraiser- “From seed to seedling to plant to plate”

AVPS refund type: Donation
​

ZONE OPERATOR: TOMRA Cleanaway (West Zone)

Donation Partner ID: C2000019074   Share this ID at the Deposit point to donate to the AVPS Fundraising Campaign or use barcode provided.

If you are having trouble with the barcode, just choose the voucher option and bring it to school. We will have a CDS COLES VOUCHERS box at the office.

Nearest refund point: (West Zone)

Wingate Community Centre
13A Wingate Avenue, Ascot Vale, 3032
Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
                      Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED
Deposit type: Over the counter
 
Bottlemart Moonee Ponds
Shop 2/40 Hall St, Moonee Ponds, 3039
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 10.00am-9.00pm
                                                 Sunday:  11.00am-8.00pm
 Deposit type: Over the counter
                              
Highpoint Shopping Centre
120-200 Rosamond Rd, Maribyrnong, 3032
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 7.00am-9.00pm
Deposit type: Reverse Vending Machine (you feed the containers into the machine yourself)

Essendon Hand Car Wash & Detailing
73 Fletcher Street, Essendon, 3040
Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 11.30am-5.30pm
  Saturday:  9.00am-5.00pm.  Sunday:  CLOSED
Deposit type: Over the counter

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What else we have been doing:

• Getting organised for Green Day on Tuesday the 26th of November-gold coin donation goes towards a greenhouse.
• Planting the sensory garden and wildflower garden in coming weeks.
• Working with the SLC to help organise the Green Day.
• Presented vases of roses (cut from unit 3 courtyard) to show our appreciation for all the things our teachers, Sue, Michael, the librarians and office staff do for all of us at AVPS!

The Environmental Team 
​

Doug Skate

MUSIC NEWS

mvimp - mOONEE VALE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM

Term 4 is a HUGE term for MVIMP students. By now you should have heard the whisper that the Combined Concert is on Thursday November 21st. There will be a matinee and an evening performance at the Clocktower  and all MVIMP students are expected to attend. Ticket information will be released shortly. 

In the lead up to the concert your child will be involved in combined rehearsal sessions. They might be travelling to Moonee Ponds PS or they could be at AVPS. This information has all been sent home  and if you haven’t caught up with it please look on the MVIMP dojo page. Don’t forget to check the day and date of your rehearsals and please bring your instrument and music along. We are still after some permission forms so please send back to us ASAP. 

On the evening of the concert there are many hampers to be raffled. Your child will receive raffle tickets this week. Please send any sold ticket stubs back to school. If you wish to contribute to the hamper we would really appreciate it. Please send along some treats to our office. 
Thanks, and please don’t hesitate to contact Jason or Amanda if you have any questions.

​

Amanda McClure - MVIMP Liaison Teacher

Jason Simpson - MVIMP Liaison Teacher

PIANO - LAMPLIGHT MUSIC

Private piano lessons are available on request (vacancies permitting). 
The company providing this service is Lamplight Music. 
Director:  Joshua Cowie
PH 0413 884 067 Email:  [email protected] 

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE (oshc)

The Outside School Hours Care subcommittee of the School Council is pleased to announce Camp Australia as the successful applicant, following a recent Expression of Interest process to confirm an OSHC provider agreement at Ascot VAle PS from 2025.

We look forward to continuing the partnership with Dee, Steph and the wider Camp Australia organisation in 2025 and beyond.

​

OSHC phone:​​ 0423 795 247
Coordinator:​​ Dee Seneviratne

Camp Australia Contract - Expression of Interest process 

The OSHC Sub - Committee will be working towards managing an Expression of Interest process, which is necessary as we near the end of our five-year contract with Camp Australia. It is anticipated that this process will be completed before the end of term 3. 

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VACATION CARE
bookings have begun to fill for the Camp Australia holiday program, Rocketeers, commencing onsite at Ascot Vale PS .
Register at www.campaustralia.com.au/rocketeers

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ASCOT VALE COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
Please peruse the community notices in the files and slideshow below: