​ASCOT NEWS
2 August 2024, Term 3 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."

Congratulations AVPS athletes!

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, staff, and students,

We hope our AVPS families are keeping well as we enter the final month (of what seems to have been a particularly icy-cold) winter and anticipate the signs of spring blossoming in our beautiful AVPS gardens soon. We always look forward to the first flower buds popping along the Bank Street fence like popcorn; be sure to look out for them too. It’s a great counting activity for the little ones. 

AVPS classrooms are abuzz with Paris Olympics fever and our AVPS District Athletics team certainly did a sterling job of preparing us for the excitement. Congratulations to our AVPS team who took home the overall ‘silver’ place at the recent carnival in the small schools division. It was like Australia leading the medal tally in the early days of the Paris games! Well done to all students who represented AVPS so very well and best of luck to those heading to the next stage. See Emily’s report below for details... Perhaps our pre-carnival purple Olympic ring huddle / inspirational speech from the principal worked after all?!?!

We have much to look forward to in term three including the MVIMP camp & soiree, a Kid’s Disco- Bop till you Drop (save the date Friday 23rd August early evening), swimming program, Father’s Day Breakfast, excursions and more. 

We are all looking forward to an enjoyable term three.


Kind regards,
​From the Principal Team
Sue & Michael ​

Sue Osborne, Principal

Michael Downing, Assistant Principal

WelcomE Back to school

This week, schools were invited to welcome former students back to school to highlight the positive impact of government schools in our community. 

Former AVPS students Rea and Ngan (class of 2017 pictured below) were guests of honour at our AVPS school assembly on Monday 29th July. The principals and staff could not have been prouder of their enthusiasm and pride in returning to AVPS, coupled with their confidence and skill in addressing the assembly in a most articulate, warm, humorous and inspirational manner.

Here is a summary of their address:
What have you been up to since leaving AVPS?

• Both young women attended Mount Alexander College, graduating Year 12 in 2023 and are currently studying at university (Ngan – Psychology & Rea – Nursing). 

What was your most positive memory of AVPS?

• Playing gang up tiggy at recess. 
• The opportunity to connect with other schools in regular interschool sport. 
• Having fun with friends of all ages, referring to the AVPS multi age approach that benefitted them both. 
• The year 6 ‘hoody’. Rea proudly wore hers from 2017 and did an impromptu catwalk performance to show it off.  She was also most impressed with the updated year 6 rugby top of 2024, that was also ‘shown off’ proudly at the assembly. 

​
​What was the most important thing you learned at AVPS that has helped your journey?

• Gratitude for the efforts of their teachers, mostly Ellen Waters, who inspired their love of learning and connection with the school community and education. 
• Reading – Rea highlighted that her lifelong love of reading came from Ellen. Especially the shared experience of class novels that Ellen read passionately and regularly to the class. 
• Mathematics – Ngan shared that mathematics was her favourite and most important learning memory, also inspired by Ellen. 

These responses were met with rapturous applause from the audience members, current students, who clearly also love reading and mathematics and were in absolute awe of Rea and Ngan. 

Thank you, Rea and Ngan, for returning to AVPS to share your journey.

It certainly warmed our hearts to hear their stories of appreciation and fond memories of their time at Ascot Vale PS. 
​

Rea & Ngan

KEY DATES & EVENTS 

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

​TERM 3 2024​

• Tuesday 6th - Friday 9th August - MVIMP Camp 
• Thursday 22nd August - Book Week Parade 
• Friday 23rd August - Bop Til You Drop Disco - 5:30-7:15pm prep to grade 2, 7:30-8:45pm grade 3-6
• Monday 26th August - School Swimming Program starts - all year levels
• Friday 30th August - Father's Day Breakfast - 8:00am 
• Friday 6th September -  School Swimming Program - last day
• Friday 6th September -  District Basketball Comp
• Sunday 8th September - Flemington Farmers' Market - AVPS Bake Sale 
• Monday 9th September - Smile Squad returns
• Wednesday 11th September - MVIMP Soiree - AVPS Hall 
• Friday 20th September -  Last Day Term Three - Early Finish Time - 2:30pm

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Upcoming Pupil Free Day and Public Holidays  - Students do not attend school on these dates:
TERM 4 - 2024

• Monday 4th November - Curriculum Day (Staff Report Writing Day) - please make alternative arrangements for the care of children on this day.
• Tuesday 5th November- Melbourne Cup Day  Public Holiday -  school closed​

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THE RESILIENCE PROJECT (TRP)

 View Part 6 of the series here:
Part 6 - Vulnerability:  https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh-martin/
Hugh shares how opening up and being vulnerable about the way he was feeling during the pandemic gave him the feeling of relief, humility and then curiosity to work through what he was going through. He encourages you to see vulnerability as a strength and model being vulnerable to your children.

Thank you for participating in this Parent and Carer Digital Presentation series.
You can re-watch the videos and access activities and resources anytime via the Parent & Carer Hub.

You can also stay up to date with The Resilience Project news and events by signing up to their Newsletter.​

Enrolment for 2025

Our Enrolments and Applications (to enrol) were both due last Friday 26th July 2024. Offers to out of zone applications received are being made this week and next. Applications (or Out of Zone enrolments) are no longer being accepted. 

For confirmed sibling enrolments, please be aware that our transition program will commence early in term 4. Your child will be invited to attend later this term when dates and sessions are confirmed. 

https://avps.vic.edu.au/enrol.html

wellbeing & inclusion

Positive Promotion of Mental Health & Wellbeing

In our ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive and healthy environment for our students, we recognise the importance of prioritising mental health and wellbeing. Beyond Blue has created a Wellbeing Action Tool that could be a helpful conversation starter in your homes. This tool offers practical strategies and tips for adults to use, but could also be used to facilitate discussions about mental health and develop plans to enhance overall wellbeing of your child/ren. By using this resource, families can work together to create a nurturing atmosphere that promotes emotional resilience and positive mental health. Please see images of the action plan below, or alternatively, head to https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/wellbeing-action-tool and download the editable tool. 

Wellbeing Action Tool - BB.pdf ​

Supporting Year 6 to 7 Transitions

​Attached is a flyer for an upcoming webinar which may be of interest to Year 6 parents - "Supporting young people with transition from primary to secondary school." The session will be delivered by Head Space and is free to attend. Registration details are in the flyer below.
 MHEP Transitions Primary to Secondary_Parent and Carers Flyer 2024.pdf

Best regards,

Jamie Saggers
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

Jamie & Riley

Lost Property

Do you see your lost property?

​I have now found the best way to display Lost property so it will be available to view every Friday from 3:15pm to 3:45pm. I kindly request parents/carers to come and look for your lost property. A big thank you to Norm for helping me with the best hanging devices to display the lost property. I appreciate your great help. 😀

​Thank you for all your support,
Swapna 
Education Support

Swapna Ballireddy

SECONDHAND uniform

Dear Parents/Carers

For anyone who may be interested in purchasing secondhand uniform items, two dates have been set for term 3:

• Monday 12th August - from 3:15pm to 3:45pm
• Thursday 12th September - from 3:15pm to 3:45pm

Thank you

community connections

parent reps

Thank you to Sue Macaulay, who coordinated the recent greeting card fundraiser. We hope the families who supported this enjoy giving and receiving these beautiful bespoke greeting cards and well done to our Art teacher Lucy for inspiring such gorgeous artworks.
 
We are looking forward to these events and more:
 
DISCO FOR KIDS - BOP TIL YOU DROP
Friday 23rd August - early evening - Save the date for this exciting children's event; tickets will be released via Compass Tix in the coming days / week.
See the flyer below for details.
 
 
FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST
Friday 30th August – from 8:00am – save the date.
We look forward to welcoming our AVPS community to celebrate dads.
 
 
SPECIAL LUNCH DAY
Sports Colours Day - 18th September - save the date
Pastries – pies, sausage rolls etc.
 
TRIVIA NIGHT
Friday 15th November – please save the date
HOST – Ben Brown (Aila’s dad - Unit 5)
THEME – ‘Fiesta’
CATERING – Dos Amigos – Paella & Tacos

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140th Birthday Celebrations 2025
The Parent Reps are seeking volunteers to join a separate working party that will operate in 2024 and 2025 to help prepare for AVPS’s 140th Birthday celebrations  next year. Initial plans include holding a fete as the main community celebration. 

Please sign up to this working party at this online form:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1D62nXxwmoh4d8ogW_cL_7JGQHayn3dbP4QAtk-Cf-lg/edit 

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Fresh Fruit Friday (FFF) Term 3 

​Here is the FFF schedule for term three:

TERM 3 - FFF
Week  3  - U 1 /6
Week 4 - U 4/5
Week 5- U 2/3
Week 6 - U 1 /6
Week 7 - U 4/5
Week 8 - U 2/3
Week 9 - U 1 /6
Week 10  -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
File Size:	275 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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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 

The AVPS School Council has been meeting online during the winter months, which has proved both effective and functional for our dedicated team of volunteers. We look forward to meeting again in person in spring. 

The subcommittees have continued to work hard outside of the council meeting times to sharpen the focus on Finance, Policy, Buildings and Grounds and Outside School Hours Care. See updates below. 


Warm regards,

Sue Osborne, Principal, and Phil Burn, School Council President.​

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

Members of the Policy Sub Committee of School Council have been working diligently to ensure our AVPS policies are up to date in 2024. Thank you to Bianca (teacher Unit 2), Elly (mum of Finn Unit 5), Ken (dad of Veer – Unit 1), Annaliese (mum of Asher Unit 3) for overseeing this important role.

The team is currently drafting an updated Student Wellbeing and Engagement policy, to be released in term 4.

AVPS always welcomes feedback on any of our policies, which can be accessed on our website here: https://avps.vic.edu.au/policies--standards.html
Please provide feedback about any of our policies using this online form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xcb8Ahlh3t77cmFn465FvCuj3-h_iwzKpTMGPiLybhs/edit

FINANCE

The finance team met recently to conduct the usual approval processes. However, an unusual item for the committee’s attention involved a decision about AVPS school bags. Unfortunately, the very unique purple AVPS School bag colour has become unaffordable for the school, and, with a heavy heart, the decision was made to approve ‘ink blue’ coloured bags which will retail at approximately $30-$40 less than the purple bag. The finance committee plan to investigate alternatives, but in the meantime, AVPS school bags will be offered by our uniform supplier PSW in a colour that matches the Year P-2 book bags: ‘ink blue’ 

environmental team news

In our last meeting, The Environmental Team watched a short video and learned about the basics of composting. We will use this knowledge to continue to look after and prepare our compost at school. We looked at the compost bins and were happy to see many worms! We added some paper, twigs and dry leaves to give the compost some love. 

FUN FACT: Did you know that adding twigs helps keep the compost aerated? We liked that fact. ​

On the subject of compost bins, if anyone has a spare barrel compost bin that is able to be turned over, we would gratefully use it at school.

INCURSION: 
In term 4, all students from Foundation to grade 6 will be engaging in a free incursion called Know Waste, run by the City of Moonee Valley. 
The Prep to 2’s will be learning about composting- “nature’s recyclers” and grade 3-6 will learn about “sustainable shopping”. This will happen during class time.

CDS Recycling Program Update:
Next week I will send out information on how you can recycle your 10c containers and use the barcode to donate the money to AVPS. All donations will go towards purchasing a greenhouse for the school! 

OTHER NEWS:
We are in the process of designing our sensory garden that we received a Woolworths grant for. At the next meeting, the Environmental Leaders will design a garden space with the plants selected.
We will also discuss and organise a ‘Green Day’ activity for the school at our future meetings.

The gardening club have enjoyed planting and general gardening and tidying up around the school. Their latest effort was beautifying the planter boxes at the school front entrance. You can see the photos on Class Dojo.

Thank you,
Doug Skate
Prep-2 and Environmental Team Teacher 

Doug Skate

MUSIC NEWS

mvimp - mOONEE VALE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM

Amanda McClure - MVIMP Liaison Teacher

Jason Simpson - MVIMP Liaison Teacher

Moonee Vale Instrumental Music Program (MVIMP) Camp

Best wishes to our MVIMP ‘campers’ who will be representing AVPS next week from Tuesday 6th to Friday 9th August. They will join students and staff from Ascot Vale West PS, Moonee Ponds PS and Moonee Ponds West PS at Urban Camp in Parkville, culminating with a performance on Thursday night. This is a great opportunity for students to improve their musical skills via intensive tutorials and practice whilst connecting with students from our school and the other MVIMP schools. 

Amanda and Jason

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] 

Sport & PE news

AVPS has seen a very exciting start to the term in sport. On Friday 26th of July, we had 36 students take part in the District Athletics Competition. The day ran smoothly, and we were very lucky with the weather. Channeling some Olympic athlete spirit all AVPS students tried their best at their events and many finished up with placings. 

Congratulations to the following students who will be progressing to Division:

• Oliver G – shot put
• Arisela B – hurdles
• Emmeline D – 100m and 800m
• Georgia B – M – Triple jump and shot put
• Edie K – Triple jump
• Havilah H – Hurdles
• Isabelle G – Shot put and discus
• Lauren H – 200m
• Evelyn F – Discus
• Yves N – Discus
• Tate T – Discus

 
It was a terrific effort from all involved that resulted in AVPS placing 2nd overall in the small school’s category! Well done all students and good luck to those participating in Division!

Emily Walker
​PE Teacher 

Emily Walker

Japanese news

Hiragana Master

Last term, our Year 3/4 students have been working diligently in memorising their Hiragana characters. They worked through a six coloured belt system which consisted 8-10 Hiragana and were graded once they felt ready. They could only progress to the next belt if they could identify all Hiragana in that particular belt. 

Some students managed to pass the Grey Belt which featured all 46 Basic Hiragana symbols to attain the level of “Hiragana Master”. They all received a certificate, badge to commemorate their success. 

Congratulations to Our Hiragana Masters of 2024:

​Richard (Unit 2)
Celeste (Unit 2)
Lincoln (Unit 2)
Georgia (Unit 2)
Finn (Unit 2)
Josh F (Unit 4)
Josh G (Unit 4)
Isabella (Unit 6)
Melvyn (Unit 6)
Angelina (Unit 6)
Zayn (Unit 6)
​

Thank you,
Andrew Truong
​Japanese Teacher

Andrew Truong

stem news

My name is Zak and I am excited to be taking on the STEAM position here at AVPS. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. All year 3-6 students have this as a specialist subject in semester 2 (replacing Drama).

I love tinkering, making inventions to problems I find and creating projects that I can be proud of. It's my hope that I can share and instill these passions in my students. Already I have found so many growing minds in my classes buzzing with interests in coding and 3D modelling. I have recently moved to Melbourne with my wife and my standard poodle, Georgie. I am currently learning to give my dog a haircut. Maybe one of my students can invent something that helps me tell my dog that the clippers aren't growling at her.

​Zak Stewart
STEM Teacher
​

Zak & Georgie

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE (oshc)

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. 

​​

VACATION CARE
bookings have begun to fill for the Camp Australia holiday program, Rocketeers, commencing onsite at Ascot Vale PS from 1 July 2024.
Register at www.campaustralia.com.au/rocketeers
See flyer below:

rocketeers_term_2_holiday_program.pdf
File Size:	1345 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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