2022 APS Newsletter Issue 17


Junior School Council Report

This week, Year 3-6 students went to Stringybark Lodge for camp. We have not had camp for many years, so we were all very excited to go.


We arrived on Wednesday and unpacked our luggage, got our cabin allocations and settled in, before we began a rotation of many activities for the next two days.

The activities included archery, the flying fox, which were lots of fun. We also had a bridge-building competition, and we built huts out of wood. There was also a raft race, where teams had to build a raft and race against each other.



The food was great. Lunches and dinners were great, and we had a good selection of desserts.

Friday was an indigenous session. The presenter talked about indigenous artefacts, how we can tell the season by looking at the milky way, and other socially significant cultural tools such as message boards and an emu caller.



All in all, we had a fantastic camp!

Thank you to all the teachers who went on camp and looked after us. Thank you to Daniel, Dana, Hao, Jasmine, Lizzie, Tiger and Yooky for making it a fun camp.

P.S.1. To see more photos from camp, make sure you check out the APS Instagram account.

P.S.2. Stanley xiaozhang mentioned at last week's assembly that the Junior School Council election is coming up. Hang will let all grades know by the start of next week on what you will need to do to run for the 2023 Junior School Council.

Alex, Trina and Lisa



Principal's Report

Dear Parents, Carers, and Community Members,

Thank you for the supportive messages and words of kindness with regards to my recent announcement and COVID situation. I am all good now, both emotionally and physically!

With regards to my planned departure, please note that there are two more Q&A sessions for those who would like to have a chat (with me and/or School Council member):
  • 10-11am on Monday, 14 November @ Gary (6/71 Victoria Crescent, Abbotsford) - Lizzie will also be present
  • 10-11am on Friday, 18 November @ Webex (https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/wang.stanley.y)
Darebin Yarra Network Principals' Conference

While Year 3-6 students were at camp, the principals from the Darebin-Yarra Network attended the annual network principals' conference in Healesville. We participated in a full-day workshop with Tracey Ezard, who is the author of The BuzzGlue, and Ferocious Warmth.

It was a fantastic opportunity for the school leaders to network and reflect together on how we can lead with hope and optimism.

Even though Tracey is indeed an expert from education with a speciality in educational leadership, Ferocious Warmth is a book that is highly relevant for leaders in any industry. A nice read for anyone interested!



Year 3-6 Camp

On Friday, I had the pleasure of driving from Healesville to Gembrook to join the Year 3-6 students for the final segment of their camp.



It was beautiful to see so many smiley (and slightly exhausted) faces, and to quote Marianna on Wednesday, "There was so much joy around the school!"



Halls Outdoor Education commented on how well APS students collaborated with one another and were so well behaved. I am very proud of APS students for demonstrating what our school values are about while having a very enjoyable time.



Well done to Daniel for leading the camp, and to Dana, Tiger, Jasmine, Hao, Yooky and Lizzie for their active supervision, participation and music improvisation, which made the experience such a memorable and educational one for APS students!

Make sure to check out the JSC report for more, and our Instagram account for camp photos!

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Apologies for the delay in publication. Here is to half way through Term 4!

Stanley xiaozhang

New Term Dates for 2026

There have been changes to Victorian school term dates for 2026. This will provide an opportunity for Victorian communities to participate more broadly in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place across regional Victoria from Tuesday 17 March to Sunday 29 March 2026, with Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton hosting a range of activities and events for 20 different sports and 9 para-sports.

The 2026 Victorian school term dates are:

  • Term 1: Tuesday 27 January to Friday 13 March 2026
  • Term 2: Thursday 30 March to Friday 19 June 2026
  • Term 3: Monday 6 July to Friday 18 September 2026
  • Term 4: Monday 5 October to Friday 18 December 2026.


For the list of school term dates until the end of 2030, refer to School term dates and holidays in Victoria.



Upcoming Events

Monday, 14 Nov
Q&A Chat with Stanley and School Council (Session 2) @ Gary (10-11am)

Thursday, 17 Nov
Onsite Transition Experience for Prospective Foundation Students
  • Surname A-K: 9:10am-10:30am
  • Surname L-Z: 11:30am-12:50pm
Friday, 18 Nov
Assembly (9:05-9:45am)
Swimming (Session 6)
Q&A Chat with Stanley and School Council (Session 3) @ Webex
The Fathering Project Term 4 Event (3:45pm @ Richmond High School)

Monday, 21 Nov
Year 3 Cricket Blast (Date change and year level change)

Tuesday, 22 Nov
School Council (6:30-8:30pm)

Friday, 25 Nov
Swimming (Session 7)

Monday, 28 Nov
Curriculum Day 4 (Student Free Day)

Friday, 2 Dec
Assembly (9:05-9:45am)
Swimming (Session 8)

Monday, 12 Dec
Class of 2022 Luna Park Day

Tuesday, 13 Dec
Statewide Transition Day
  • Year 6 to attend Transition Day activities in secondary school
  • New Year 1-6 students are welcome to come to APS between 11:10-13:10
School Council (6:30-8:30pm) - all Sub-Committee members invited!

Thursday, 15 Dec
End-of-Year Picnic (3:45-5:45pm)

Friday, 16 Dec
Class of 2022 Graduation (2pm start)
Reports published

Tuesday, 20 Dec
Term 4 Ends (Early finish at 1pm)

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