Staffing update

I am pleased to announce that we have appointed Simon Huang to the vacant year 5/6 position following Cheng's departure. Simon has visited Abbotsford Primary School on several occasions over the last few years to conduct lesson observations with our staff and to take part in professional development here at the school. Simon brings a lot of experience with him to Abbotsford having taught Chinese at both Haileybury and Newmark Primary School. We welcome him to the Abbotsford Primary School family.

Sports

There has been a host of amazing sporting activities on here at Abbotsford Primary recently. Sporting incursions this term have included an NFL flag (American football) incursion which has been a great success. A group of year 5 and 6 students have also been selected to represent Abbotsford Primary School in a state championship competition. 

Hockey Australia have also been in the school running a hockey skills program as part of our PE curriculum. Students at all year levels have learned the basics of passing, shooting and dribbling using a hockey stick in a fun and safe environment. 

Students from years 5 and 6 attended the District athletics competition on the 30^th of August. Despite some inclement weather at the start of the day, the competition was a success. Our students competed very well and represented our school proudly. Three students will be representing us at the Divisional competition next Wednesday. Congratulations to Darani, Kinnari and Elanur and good luck next week!

Curriculum day

Our staff curriculum day took place on Friday 18^th of August. The staff explored a variety of important aspect of the school's strategic plan during the day. The development of student voice and agency within the school was a major focus, building on the great work of the JSC and house leader program. School data was presented and discussed with the view to developing appropriate learning tasks for children for the remained of term three and final term of the year. A review of first aid practice in the school was also conducted with staff by Marianna to ensure our processes are as robust as possible.

Book week

Book week 2023 culminated in a wonderful assembly and costume parade at the end of last week. So many outstanding costumes were on display as were the books that inspired them. During the week we had a range of extra reading related activities running in class and in the yard to promote reading and to celebrate this year's book week award winning titles.

Moon Lantern

Our Moon Lantern festival is just around the corner! It will take place on Thursday 14th of September from 5pm. Dances are being practiced, lanterns are being made and the fundraising subcommittee is hard at work organising logistics and management of the event. We are looking forward to a wonderful evening and a great celebration of the culture of Abbotsford Primary school.

Parent Opinion Survey

Our parent opinion survey is open until the 8^th of September so if you have not had a chance to complete it, we would really appreciate you taking the time to do so. It really helps us make plans for the school.

Keith McNeill

The Victorian Government is investing $1.5 million from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Fund to provide up to 95,000 Little Angler Kits to primary school aged children in Victoria.

The free kits provide a wonderful school holiday activity for children with their families and help ease the cost of living, providing a fun activity close to home.

Grade 5 students at all Victorian schools, including ours, will be offered the opportunity to receive a FREE Little Angler Kit. Grade 5 students have been selected based on the Victorian Curriculum focus, movement and motor development, and safety considerations.

The program is entirely voluntary. Schools were provided with the option to opt out of the program. Our school has opted to stay in the program so that parents can decide whether they want their child(ren) to receive a free fishing kit.

Parents of Grade 5 students can advise the school if they do not wish their child(ren) to participate for any reason whatsoever. We support parents in making decisions that align with their family values and beliefs.

The roll out of kits will occur through the second half of 2023 (16 October - 4 December) so that all participating children will have a kit in time for the summer school holidays.

The kits include a rod, reel with line, tackle tray, some tackle and information on how to use them to catch a fish. Please note that the tackle tray includes fishing hooks. The tackle tray will be wrapped in cardboard and placed inside a pocket inside the fishing kit bag, which will be sealed with a cable tie to discourage students from opening their kits until they are with a parent or carer.

Kits will be handed out to students to take home with them as soon as the school receives them. Teachers will tell students not to open the kits until they are safely at home with a parent or carer, however parents can contact the school and request to collect their kit from the school themselves if they prefer.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority will create a Little Angler hub on their website, which will be live when the kits start being distributed. It will have useful information, instructional videos and online resources about where and how to fish linking to existing resources from Fishcare and new resources to be produced just for the Little Angler Kits program.

This initiative aims to grow recreational fishing participation in Victoria by actively encouraging primary school aged children to learn how to fish, as well as learning more about marine life and the natural environment.

Q. Do I have to accept one?

A. No. Grade 5 primary school students and all students at specialist schools will be offered a free Little Angler Kit to bring home unless parents and carers opt out.

Each school will run a parent opt out process, providing parents and carers with the option to choose to opt out of receiving a kit.

If you do not wish to accept the offer for any reason, the school will not provide your child with a kit.