Good afternoon everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s Newsflash.

I’d like to address some concerns that have been circulating in variousWhatsAppp groups regarding the presence of community members on and around our school grounds.

As you know, we are an open school without gated access, which means our grounds are accessible before and after school hours, as well as on weekends. This openness has many benefits, including allowing our school community to enjoy the facilities with their families during the weekend. However, we recognise that it also means community members may occasionally walk through our grounds or access over the weekends.

During school hours, these occurrences are quite rare. When they do happen, our staff remain vigilant, and we remind students not to engage with unknown individuals and they should report any concerns to a teacher. This week, we have reiterated this important message to our students, emphasising the need to prioritise their safety at all times.

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children, we encourage open conversations about community safety, particularly regarding interactions with strangers. As parents, I encourage you you to have these conversations with yourchlidrenn as it is a skill we need to develop as we grow.

Here are some key points to help facilitate a conversation with your child:

1. Understanding Strangers: Explain to your child that a stranger is anyone they don’t know. Make it clear that while most people are safe, it’s important to be cautious and aware.

2. Trusting Their Instincts: Encourage your child to trust their gut feelings. If something feels off or uncomfortable, it’s okay to walk away and seek help.

3. Safe Areas: Discuss the importance of knowing safe places to go if they feel threatened or uncomfortable. This could be a trusted neighbour’s house, a school, or a public place with many people around.

4. Staying with Friends: Remind your child to stay with friends or trusted adults when out in the community. There is safety in numbers, and it can help reduce anxiety about encountering strangers.

5. Communication is Key: Encourage your child to talk to you or another trusted adult if they feel uneasy about a stranger or if they have had a concerning experience. Open communication helps us support them better.

6. Emergency Contacts: Ensure your child knows how to contact you or another trusted adult in an emergency. Discuss the importance of having a phone number memorised or saved in their phone.

7. Recognising Safe and Unsafe Behaviour: Talk about what safe and unsafe behaviour looks like. For example, it’s safe to ask for directions from someone in a uniform, but it’s not safe to accept rides or gifts from strangers.

8. Role-playing Scenarios: Engage in role-playing exercises to practice how to respond in various situations. This can help your child feel more prepared and confident.

By discussing these points, we can help our children navigate their environment safely and with confidence. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our community safe.

HARMONY DAY

On Friday, we celebrated Harmony Day in a unique way by reflecting on what Harmony means to us and how we, as students of this school, believe it should be embraced within our community. The activities organised by our teachers effectively conveyed this message, and our staff has created a short video to share with everyone. We hope you enjoy it!

FRIENDS OF TEN - TOO CUTE NOT TO SHARE

This was too cute not to share. I love walking around the school and seeing students learn in different ways. This happened today and I could not help but quickly add the images into the Newsflash.

Enjoy viewing our Kindergarten students exploring numbers and learning all about 'Friends of Ten'

BUS TRAVEL

Last week, one of our afternoon buses missed a street and, as a result, one of the scheduled stops. I appreciate our community members for bringing this to my attention, and I have followed up withBusWays regarding the issue.

If your child takes the bus, please discuss safety measures with them in case they cannot disembark at their designated stop.

School procedures: If your child does not have a way to contact you or another caregiver, they should inform the bus driver and remain on the bus.

The bus driver will then notify the depot to call the school, and we will reach out to the family to arrange a safepick-up. The bus company also has emergency contact numbers to reach senior executive staff if the school phones are not answered.

If you have any concerns as a parent, please feel free to contact me at the school.

CONGRATULATIONS YEAR 3 AND 5 STUDENTS

Well done to all our Year 3 and 5 students who have completed their NAPLAN assessments over the last couple of weeks. 

As you move forward, remember that these tests are just one of many ways to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. The support from your teachers and families has played a crucial role in preparing you for this experience, and we are proud of the community we have built together.

Once again, congratulations to our Year 3 and 5 students! We look forward to seeing you continue to thrive in all you do.

MOBILE PHONES / WATCHES IN BAGS

As you are all aware of our mobile device 'off and away' policy at school, can I please remind you to have the conversation with your child about how and where it is stored. As these devices are not cheap, I recommend having a small zip up cloth bag for example, to keep it in at the bottom of the school bag or in an inside pocket. If devices are brought to school and are damaged or lost, the school can not take responsibility for them. 

I appreciate your understanding of this and working with your children to keep these devices safe and secure for when they are needed.

On Tuesday the 25^th of March, Artarmon’s School leaders attended a journey they would never forget. There were 4 notable Australians, all having their own unique stories. These speakers were: Catherine Laga’aia, Thomas Duncan Watt, Emma McKean, and Anthony ‘Harries’ Caroll. They all stated their own journeys and how they persevered through them, then highlighting their leadership qualities and advice for all of us, young leaders. The day was filled with excitement and with the Dance Curriculum, it was not just a monotonous speech.

We could question the four leaders, asking them for advice and more depth into their stories. These talks were very inspiring and gave a new perspective on individuals’ personal journey. These Australians were all once amateurs, but through practice and consistency, they became the great role models we look up to today.

Audrey Grace and Daniel Ni

School Captains

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the zone swimming carnival last week!

We are incredibly proud of your efforts and sportsmanship in every race. Beyond the water, your enthusiasm and support for your teammates in the stands reflected the true APS spirit.

It was a big day of swimming, with plenty of success for our school, and we commend each of you for representing APS with pride and excellence. Well done!

It is continuing to be a busy time at school. A recent highlight for me, was appearing on stage with 6PS; in their assembly item about ‘Overcoming adversity’. The year six students did a great job linking their study of the novel ‘Wonder,’ with research about a selection of those who have managed to rise above challenges and achieve ultimate success.  

I was included as the APS therapy dog. The students explained my significant role, if you would like top to know more here is a slideshow about who I am and what I do. Please click link here . 

I now have a second home in the library. Students can read their books beside me or just sit quietly which I enjoy. I am also involved in an emotional support program with a group of students.  

Earn Your Turn is a new program currently underway across the school. It is a positive behaviour model. Every time the whole class meets their teacher’s expectations there is an opportunity to ‘win a letter’. When all eleven letters are obtained it spells ‘Please visit”. 

When all the letters are glued on to an invitation and presented by class representatives. Mrs Wilkinson then arranges a time with the classroom teacher for me to, please visit and spend a session with the winning class. A session with the class might include, writing, reading, maths, science or any subject that would benefit by including a living example of kindness and acceptance in the form of a cooperative golden retriever. 

I am very much looking forward to my first session in class and I will report back on how it goes. 

Until then, remember to wag your tail not your finger, 

Best Wishes 

Bronte. 

In Week 7 of Term 1, Year 2 students attended an excursion to the School House Museum in North Ryde where they participated in hands-on educational experiences reflective of lessons from the early 1900s. This involved examining a range of objects and artefacts through a scavenger hunt, writing on slate boards and using ink pens, as well as participating in outdoor activities such as, maypole and playground games. Students thoroughly enjoyed discovering more about schools in the past and comparing them to school today. 

On Thursday 20th March Kindergarten enjoyed a science incursion in the hall. Mitch, the scientist from Kaleidoscope Science came and taught us all about air, atmosphere and weather.

Kindergarten learnt how the sun gives us energy, how air takes up space, how air can push with pressure, how heat makes air move and change, and that hot air rises but cold air falls. We did lots of fun experiments with water and air! Mitch even used fire to show us what heat does to the weather, but he was very safe.

We had the best time learning!

Last week, our school celebrated Harmony Day, reflecting on what harmony means to us as a community. Students wore orange to show their support for inclusivity, respect, and belonging. 

Classes took part in activities to complete the sentence: "Harmony at our school means..." Their contributions are now displayed on our school sign as a reminder of our shared values. Here are the sentences we created. 

Thank you to all families for your support! 

The library has welcomed Bronte to her second home, a special yard in the library seminar room. We have had a noticeable increase in visitors in the library at lunchtime. Students can be found lying on the carpet and sitting cross legged reading under the whirring fans, in close proximity to their hero, Bronte who is the APS support dog. It is wonderful to see the students absorbed in their books reading, dotted around the book nooks in the library.

The Premiers Reading Challenge is now underway and students are encouraged to register on-line through the student portal using their DOE login details and password.

NWS Premier's Reading Challengehttps://online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/rules.html#:~:text=Rules,Print%20this%20Page

The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students If you need help using the website and the answer cannot be found on the PRC Support site, please contact prc@det.nsw.edu.au.

Students are encouraged to return their library books before school, by using the tub in the library doorway. If they are unable to use these tubs our diligent year 6 library monitors have been collecting books from classrooms at the start of the day.

The new scheme Responsible Reader is underway with emphasis on the variety and volume of books students have read, but most importantly they must be returned before their due date.

Remember it is never too early to listen to books, hearing words helps build a rich network of words in a baby’s brain. Children who have been read to learn more words and experience language which gives them a wonderful start to their learning journey. Big brothers and sisters can assist by reading to their younger siblings. Practising their oral reading will also build a bond with their brothers and sisters.

Happy Reading

Mrs Wilkinson

The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge encourages students to participate in an ongoing reading program, reading a set number of books at their own reading level. It is not a competition, but a challenge to each student - to read, to read more and to read more widely.

The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2025 started on Monday 24 February and concludes Friday 22 August 2025. We would encourage everyone to participate in this worthwhile Challenge.

What does the challenge involve?

Kindergarten to Year 2 students need to experience 30 books, 20 of these books need to come from the K-2 PRC booklists. 10 books can be their own free choice. Students can read the books on their own or be read to by parents/carers.

Years 3-6 students need to read 20 books, 10 of these books must be on the PRC booklists and 10 books can be their own free choice.

PRC books can be found in our school library and in local council libraries. For the PRC booklists, please visit:  https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/booklist/home.html

How to register and record books online:

1. Login in via the shortcut in your DET Student Portal https://portal.education.nsw.gov.au
2. Enter the student's DET username and password.
3. Enter the PRC ID code for each book the student has read.

 If you need assistance in learning how to add books at home, please watch this helpful video! https://prcsupport.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/24000023273

Happy reading!

Mrs Wilkinson

There are a variety of sporting opportunities for students with disabilities through The Department of Education ‘School Sport Unit.’ If you are interested in finding out more information about what opportunities may be available for your child. Please contact the school through our school email. artarmon-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

For more information, please visit this website: https://app.education.nsw.gov.au/sport/disabilities

ARTARMON ROCK BAND

If your child is in Years 5 or 6 and is interested in trying out for the Artarmon Rock band, please fill in the EOI linked here.

Super_Soccer_Flyer.pdf

Super_Soccer_Flyer _pdf 3.23 MB

We are pleased to present you exciting school holiday activities at MOSAIC Multicultural Centre, 7 Victor St, Chatswood. All activities are free of charge, suitable for primary school-aged children. Due to limited seats, we recommend you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Adult supervision is required at all MOSAIC holiday activities.

 MOSAIC Autumn School Holiday Program

 ? Aboriginal education: Monday, 14 April, 10am-11am

? BioBlitz in the Park: Monday, 14 April, 11.30am-12.30pm

?️ Tour to Willoughby Historical Museum: Thursday, 17 April, 10.30am-11.30am

? Doll making: Wednesday, 23 April, 10.30am-11.30am

✂️ Autumn craft: Thursday, 24 April, 10am-11am

 MOSAIC Programs & Information/Referral Services

MOSAIC, a winner of Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals, is a perfect place for newcomers to make friends, build support network and learn something they like. We provide a range of educational, social and leisure activities to meet the needs of the multicultural community and promote social connection and resilience. 

 Visit our MOSAIC website or speak with friendly staff on 9777 7952.