Welcome to the final weeks of 2024! Apologies for the delay in sending out this Newsflash, but there’s been so much happening lately, and I wanted to take the opportunity to share these updates with you all.

CELEBRATING OUR TALENTED ATHLETES

First and foremost, I’d like to congratulate some of our exceptional athletes. One of the greatest things about NSW Public Schools is the incredible opportunities it offers for talented individuals to compete and shine. This year, two of our Year 6 students have excelled in their respective sports and represented Artarmon at a National level as part of NSW teams.

Last week, Akara Koga competed in the National Athletics Competition as part of the NSW team, running in the 100m sprint and the Senior Boys relay. Akara ran impressively and finished in 12.77, earning the title of the 10th fastest 12-year-old in the country. Although the relay team faced some challenges with the baton change and did not place, Akara kept his head high and continued to show great sportsmanship.

Congratulations, Akara! We will be cheering you on as you continue your athletic journey, and we can’t wait to see where you go with this talent, perhaps in Brisbane in 2030!

Another rising star is Myra Guglani, also from Year 6, who has been a standout member of our Girls Cricket team that won the State Championships. Through the representative pathway, Myra was selected to play for the NSW Girls Cricket team. This week, Myra has been in Adelaide competing in the National competition, where she has been performing brilliantly. In one game against South Australia, she was named the Player's Choice for the match after taking 4 wickets, securing a run out, and opening the batting for NSW.

Congratulations, Myra! We look forward to watching you go from strength to strength, and one day, we might just see you donning the baggy green cap!

THANK YOU MORNING TEA

Yesterday, we hosted our annual Thank You Morning Tea to express our appreciation to our parents and volunteers for their unwavering support throughout the year. We understand this is a busy time for many, and not everyone could attend, but please know that we are grateful to everyone who contributes to making our school a community-focused, student-centred place of learning.

A huge thank you to our P&C Executive and all the parents who step up in so many ways. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate the time and energy you dedicate, especially with all the demands of family, work, and life.

CAROLS

I’m very much looking forward to the Carols tonight! It’s always a wonderful occasion to come together as a community and celebrate. A big thank you to the P&C Music and Fundraising Committee for all their hard work organizing this event. Our rehearsal this morning was fantastic, and I’m sure the performance will be even better tonight!

PRESENTATION DAY

Our formal Presentation Day assemblies will take place next Monday and Tuesday. These assemblies are an important tradition where we gather to recognise individual achievements, as well as the collective efforts we’ve made as a school community to improve and grow.

Families of students receiving awards have been sent invitations. As this is a formal event, I kindly ask that all students wear their full summer uniform—no coloured sports shirts, please.

FINAL INVOICES

Thank you to all our families who have already paid their term invoices promptly. This support makes a significant difference in maintaining our operational systems.

Earlier this week, any outstanding invoices were sent out to families. Please note that the funds collected help cover the cost of external providers and travel associated with excursions and learning experiences linked to our teaching and learning programs.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your invoice, please don’t hesitate to contact the office.

PICNIC DAY

Each year, on the last day of school, we hold a "Picnic Day" where students spend time with their grade-level peers to celebrate the end of the year. On this day, students are allowed to wear casual clothes (mufti) and bring along games or activities to enjoy with their friends. More details about the event will be sent home next week.

PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY

It was a delight to have two new “Principals” take over the school yesterday! This was a wonderful initiative to help ease my workload and give me a restful Thursday.

A special thank you to the Li family for their generous donation in our silent auction towards the "Principal for a Day" experience. Both girls were outstanding in their roles, and we had so much fun together! Here’s a glimpse of what they got up to:

• Presented to classes with important messages about keeping our playground clean and staying active and healthy.
• Sent a message to the school community via the digital board.
• Gave out Principal stickers to students for showing outstanding effort.
• Visited local businesses to thank them for their support of our school community.

It was a fantastic experience, and I’m sure the girls enjoyed their day in the principal’s chair!

MESSAGE TO ALL OUR FAMILIES LEAVING ARTARMON

As the time comes for you to leave our school community, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable contributions you have made during your time with us.

Your support, generosity, and active involvement in our school have left a lasting impact on our community. Whether through volunteering, attending events, offering encouragement, or simply being present for your children and their peers, your efforts have enriched the experience for everyone here.

We are grateful for the trust you placed in our school, and we have been honored to play a role in your children’s growth and education. Watching them learn, thrive, and form lifelong friendships has been a privilege.

Thank you once again for everything you’ve done for our school. We wish you all the best in the next chapter of your lives and in all your future endeavors.