Good afternoon Artarmon families and thank you for taking the time to read our fortnightly Newsflash.

Each fortnight, we will share important updates about events that are happening in our school and community and important information related to our school and how we work together to keep everyone informed, safe and connected.

Our Newsflash is also a place where we share what is happening in classrooms and individual or group achievements of our outstanding students.

Each fortnight you will get an email with a link to view and read our latest news. I encourage you to click and read every time as the information provided each edition helps you as a parent feel connected to our school and community and feel informed about what is happening at the place your child loves to come every day.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS 3-6

Our teachers volunteer their time each and every year to provide different opportunities for our students to access extra-curricular activities of interest. Yesterday at the 3-6 assembly a lot of these opportunities were relayed to students and the responsibility is put onto them to be able to approach the organising teacher to try out or express their interest. Some of the opportunities that are available to your children this year are:

• Jnr and Snr Dance Groups
• School Spectacular
• Chess club
• Representative sport opportunities

More opportunities will be added throughout the year, however, please remind your child that the responsibility of signing up and participating in these activities is on them.

STUDENT LEADERS

I would like to officially introduce to you all our student leaders for 2025. This amazing group of students were voted in by their peers at the end of last year and alongside their fellow Stage Three students will be outstanding role models for our school and community.

I also want to take this time to acknowledge the outstanding young role models in our school who were unsuccessful in gaining an elected position through our leadership processes last year. These children nominated themselves, spoke confidently in front of their peers and were so mature in congratulating their friends, knowing that they too have a huge role to play as senior members and role models in our school.

Congratulations to our elected student leaders for 2025.

2025 School Captains

• Audrey Grace &
• Daniel Ni

2025 School Prefects

• Oscar Siu
• Lilia Melkumyann
• Inaya Ali Khan
• Eric Luo
• Perrin Tow
• Tristan Chen

2025 HOUSE CAPTAINS

Congratulations to the following students who were voted in by their 3-6 House group peers to lead and encourage their team in all areas of the sporting field this year.

I know these amazing students are looking forwared to attending the twilight swimming carnoval tomorrow to encourage all students to give it their best and haveb fun in the process.

Our 2025 Sport House Leaders are:

SCHOOL BYTES

If you are new to the school and have not yet signed up to the School Bytes Parent portal please do ASAP. Instructions to do this are here: click here

For step by step instructions on setting up your Parent Portal click here

 You can also download the School Bytes parent app here:

• App Store - https:/appss.applecomm/usappp/school-bytes/id6463097826 
• Google Play - https://playgoogleecomm/storeappss/details?id=educationschoolbytess

WHAT IS COMING IN MY SCHOOL BYTES PORTAL THIS WEEK?

• Online permissions to excursions for the term
• Annual online General Permissions for walking to Artarmon Reserve, publish work and photos.
• Annual online Digital user agreement including details on our ‘Off and Away’ Policy
• Term 1 invoices – Includes detailed information on what fees are requested and for what purpose

TERM ONE INVOICES

Your Term One invoice will be posted in School Bytes this week with a detailed explanation of what these fees are for.

As always, if you have any difficulties meeting the cost of curriculum programs, please contact me to discuss your circumstances in the strictest confidence. In previous years some parents have arranged payments by instalments to ease the burden.

Mobile Phone and Smart Watch ‘Off and Away’

Mobile Phone and Smart Watch ‘Off and Away’ approach Policy – We understand that some families use a mobile device (ie mobile phone or smart watch) with their children to support communication between family members on journeys to and from school. Please be aware and support the school by speaking with your children in regard to our ‘Off and Away’ approach at school.

All information is clearly detailed in our Digital online user agreement in SchoolBytes portal.

Please understand, this includes smart watches that have a ‘school mode’. Even if on ‘school mode’ they must still be ‘Off and Away’ when inside the school gates.

CLASS PARENTS

We have had a few emails this wqeerk asking when Class Parents will be fomulated and shared.

Each year we ask for volunteers to take on the role of class parent. Class parents help with communication between the families of the children in the class. A Google form will be sent out on Friday once classes are finalised. Detailed information about the role will be attached to this form.

SUN SAFETY

Staff have been reminding the students about the importance of sun safety and wearing their school hat at all times when outdoors.

Years 3-6 were told yesterday at assembly that if they are in the playground at play time without a hat, they will be directed to play under the shade areas.

As parents, please remind your children of the importance of sun safety and ensure they have a hat packed in their bag each and every day! 

ROAD SAFETY - KEEPING OUR STUDENTS SAFE

Already over the past week, I have witnessed unsafe behaviour from parents when picking up and dropping off their child at school. Please remember that as parents, we are role models and it is our responsibility to ensure we do everything we can to teach our children safe behaviour and keep them safe when around roads and traffic.

Here are some simple rules to follow:

• Drive slowly at all times in a school zone.
• Follow all traffic / road signs.
• Do not park and leave your car in a kiss and drop zone
• Use the pedestrian crossing and or traffic light crossing when coming to and from school
• Do not walk your child across Abbott Rd in front of cars and buses.