7 February 2025
Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome to another exciting year at Avalon Public School! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable break and are ready to dive into what promises to be a fantastic year of learning and growth. An extra special welcome to all new students and families who join us, and to the 78 Kindergarten students who started on Thursday. Avalon Public School is a happy and thriving school that provides a first-class education for your children and I’m sure you will enjoy being part of our very welcoming school community.
Classes at Avalon 2025
This year the school experienced another big dip in enrolments with a total enrolment of 680 students, a decrease of around 80 students from last year. This reflects an on-going pattern across almost all schools on the Northern Beaches as families decide to move up or down the coast for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the cost of living in Sydney these days.
Whilst on paper we are a still a large school, I am delighted that we still retain a warm, welcoming, small community school ‘feel’.
As our teaching staff numbers depend on enrolments, we effectively dropped from an entitlement of 29 teachers down to 26 teachers. Fortunately, we have been able to make this adjustment without any permanent teacher losing their job or having to transfer to another school. Indeed, we still retain a significant number of temporary teachers who replace permanent staff on leave or who are changing to part time work as they raise young families.
The year ahead
We have lots of exciting programs planned for 2025 in keeping with our banner statement:
‘Opportunity, Learning, Community’
- The on-going opportunity for all teachers and all students to engage in a focus on ‘Happiness Through Helping’ (in alignment with our school motto). This is a chance for our students and staff to give back to the community within and without the school. Stay tuned for updates on what this will look like in the next few weeks.
- A continued and sustained focus on professional learning for teachers as we continue to refine our implemention the new K-6 syllabi for English and Maths. We also begin our exploration of the new Science and Technology syllabus and the new Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education (PDHPE) syllabus.
- We continue integrating the very popular and well-received The Resilience Project into our teaching and learning programs. We feel this will continue to have a truly positive and powerful impact on students AND staff, as we explicitly teach and learn about Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness – GEMs for short!
- We are deepening our significant teaching and learning with iPad technology, as we unleash a team of teacher mentors to enhance the practice of their colleagues. The initiative is called the Apple Learning Coach Program that involved around 43 hours of study prior to accreditation. In turn, this will deepen the learning and engagement of our students utilising digital technologies, in keeping with the new Science and Technology syllabus.
- The Colour Run returns on Friday 21 March. A spectacular P&C fund raising event, so stay tuned for details from the P&C team.
Are you reading tonight?
There can be few things as powerful as regularly reading to a child. It has astonishing benefits for children: comfort and reassurance, confidence and security, relaxation, happiness and fun. Giving a child time and full attention when reading them a story tells them they matter. It builds self-esteem, vocabulary, feeds imagination and even improves their sleeping patterns.
By starting the journey of building a lifelong love of reading for pleasure, parents are giving their child the opportunity to be the best they can be. Children who read for pleasure do better in a wide range of subjects at school and it also positively impacts children’s wellbeing.
More specifically, the following article suggests there are at least 19 benefits of reading to your child, including improved writing skills, concentration, memory, empathy and knowledge:
Not sure where to start? Please get in touch with our amazing librarian Ms Elleni Christie who will give you some terrific recommendations, talk to your child’s teacher, visit our local library in Avalon, or check out the 2025 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge booklists
Staff Updates
We are excited to welcome back Mrs Mandy Bussey who has been on leave for 12 months and travelled the world!
Please see below for our full staff list at Avalon in 2025.
Please make our staff feel welcome if you see them around – a very friendly ‘hello’ is always gratefully appreciated.
I would like to acknowledge and thank all staff, particularly the admin team, grounds staff, and executive team for making the start to the school year such a smooth one for all concerned. I must also make mention of our hard working P&C team members in the uniform shop, the canteen, band, and our OOSH – thank you!
School Uniform
As the leader of our wonderful school, it is one of my priorities to ensure that standards are kept high across the school. Of course, it is always a challenge to keep an eye on everything. The word priority is defined as: “a thing that is regarded as more important than others.”
I understand that some families may have different perspectives on the importance of school uniforms. However, I believe that wearing the correct uniform fosters a sense of belonging and helps minimise peer pressure among students. In previous years, while school uniform has not been as front and centre in my mind as it should be, we have focused on continual improvement in student wellbeing, academic programs and achievement, and engagement in real-world problem-solving with our community.
Consequently, I have noticed that the standard and consistency of uniform wearing in our school has slipped in some regards, particularly concerning the kinds of hats, shoes, jumpers, and socks that some students are currently wearing. Thus, this year, after discussion with staff and the P&C president, Morgan Webster, we wish to renew our focus on students consistently wearing the correct uniform. However, prior to doing this, we will be conducting a review of the school uniform’s requirements and expectations as, according to the NSW Department of Education uniform policy procedures, this must be conducted “at least every 5 years or as necessary.” This will likely include a survey to seek your feedback on the wearing of school uniform, although please note that this is not about changing the uniform.
I appreciate your support in this initiative, as we work together to create a positive and united school community. I expect to speak to this topic at a P&C meeting either this term or next, so I encourage you to attend. Additionally, if any families need assistance in obtaining uniforms, both the school and the P&C are very supportive in this regard, so please reach out if you need help.
In the meantime, thank you in advance for ensuring that your children are always dressed in the correct school uniform, equipped for class activities, and punctual to school. This commitment ensures that every child is a role model for one another and that teaching and learning remain our top priority. As always, please remember to label all clothing and equipment with the name of your child. Please ensure your child comes wearing the correct full school uniform, including the school hat, grey socks for boys and white socks for girls, and black shoes (Velcro options are often best for the little ones).
As the NSW Department of Education notes, “school uniforms promote a sense of belonging for students and contribute to a positive identity for the school community. School uniforms also contribute to the personal safety of students by allowing for easier recognition of students, both at school and in the wider community.”
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Uniform Shop
If you still have uniform needs, our uniform shop is offering extra opening hours next week:
Mon 10 February: 8-11am
Tues 11 February 8-11am
Thurs 13 February 2.30-4pm
More details about our uniform and the unform store can be found at
Parent Information Evenings
Our 3-6 information evening is on Tuesday 18 February and the K-2 evening is on Wednesday 19 February. Save the dates!
The Kindy and Stage 2 teachers (years 3&4) commence at 5pm in the hall on their respective evenings. The Stage 1 (years 1&2) and Stage 3 teachers (years 5&6) commence at 6.15pm in the hall, again on their respective evenings.
In the meantime, we would ask that you allow time for students to settle into their class (see section below on supporting students through change) but if you have a pressing matter, or important information to share with the teacher, please make an appointment via the office.
Supporting students through change
Our teachers are amazing professionals and they have carefully placed students in their new classes only after hours and hours of discussion, much consideration and very careful thought.
Moving into a new class with a new teacher is an exciting time of year for all students. However, some students can also become quite anxious regarding this change. Change, though, is a normal and frequent occurrence in life and it is our role as adults to maintain a positive outlook, and support and encourage children to embrace the new circumstances that they face. It also builds resilience, a key skill and attribute in today's ever-changing world. Some students adapt to their new class very quickly; others may take a few days, so please allow time for this and support them through it.
Parents and caregivers set an example. If you are positive and encouraging towards their new teacher and the school, your child will be too. We very much value your support in maintaining a positive outlook with your child and focusing on the exciting times ahead in the new school year at Avalon Public School.
School Calendar
Our calendar is updated regularly and can be found on the homepage of our website.
A few key dates:
- Swimming Carnival: Wed 26 Feb (Yrs 3-6)
- NAPLAN: Wed 12 March - Mon17 March Week 7
- Harmony Day: Friday 21 March Week 8
- Colour Run: Friday 21 March Week 8 (Yes, the Colour Run is back!)
- Parent Teacher Interviews: Thurs Week 10 - Fri Week 11
- Last Day of term: Friday 11 April, Week 11
Text Book Orders
Finally, please remember to order your child's 2025 textbook/exercise book packs asap. The information has been emailed and can be located on the school's website. Final cut off is Monday 10 February.
Keeping up with Avalon Public School happenings
Our School Bytes app is probably the easiest way to stay in touch with school happenings, so please ensure that you have the app installed on your phone or tablet via the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Please check in with the school website for calendar dates and general school information at
Our Avalon Public School Official Facebook page is another way of proactively keeping in touch with happenings and events at our school. Please ‘like’ and ‘follow’ our page at:
Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C)
The first meeting of the P&C will be held in the library on Monday 24 February at 7.00pm.
The P&C team is second to none and raises funds for the benefit of each and every student in the school. In addition, the P&C provides a quality uniform shop, a first class canteen service, Out of Hours School Care, a hard-working band committee and supports the school in myriad other ways.
Our P&C executive team is led by the amazing Morgan Webster. Please come along and meet the team, along with various members of the Avalon Public School executive too.
Your child’s progress
Avalon Public School prides itself on building and maintaining positive relationships through open and clear communication. So, in addition to the above-mentioned ‘Parent Information Evening’, we will be holding Parent Teacher Interviews in Weeks 10 and 11, starting on Thursday 3 April. This means that families will have much more timely feedback about the progress of their children.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s education, in the first instance please contact your child’s teacher to make an appointment. For more general enquiries, call or email the office.
Finally…
I would like to wish all students, staff and the community a happy and successful new school year and I look forward to a great year of learning for all.
Kind regards,
Andy Rankin
Principal
Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C)
Welcome to all our new families beginning their journey at Avalon Public School this year. We are so excited to welcome you to our amazing school and we hope everyone is settling in well to their classes and making new friends.
I would like to re-introduce our P&C team executive for 2025;
President – Morgan Webster
Vice Presidents – Tash O’Sullivan and Victoria Stillwell
Treasurer - Hendrik van Senden
Secretary - Jessica Boomer
Additional P&C team members include;
Events Coordinator - Sarah Loxton
Social Media and Promotions - Claire Kirby
Grants Coordinator - Natalie Reeves
Class Parent Coordinator - Holly Barton
The first meeting of the P&C will be held in the school library on Monday 24 February at 7.00pm.
The P&C team is second to none and raises funds for the benefit of each and every student in the school. In addition, the P&C provides a quality uniform shop, a first-class canteen service, Out of Hours School Care, a hard-working band committee and supports the school in myriad other ways.
We welcome all parents and caregivers to please come along and meet the team, along with various members of the Avalon Public School executive too. Each class is required to send along a class representative to the term meeting, we will send out a spreadsheet to add your name to soon.
Also please SAVE THE DATE for the amazing 2025 Colour Run.
It will be help on Friday the 21 March, with more information to come in the coming weeks.
We are now calling on volunteers to help out on the day. Please send an email to the school or presidentavalonpandc@gmail.com if you’d like to be part of this event.
Opportunity Class and Selective High School Placement 2026 – Applications Now Open
Parents and Carers of Year 4 and Year 6 students interested in applying for Opportunity Class and Selective High School placements in 2026 can now submit their applications online. This is a great opportunity for high-potential learners. Applications close on 21 February (Week 4), so be sure to apply before the deadline.
For more information and to apply, visit:
Garden Club
'Attitude and Gratitude' is Garden Club's mantra this term, Sue and I are delighted to be returning for 2025. After the Summer break we are always happy to see that the investment in our wicking bed systems has paid off with most things still thriving. We popped in over the break to check in on the Veggie Gardens every now and then; a few frazzled leaves from the heat but no disasters.
Tromboncino, bottle gourds, basil, chillies, marigolds, eggplants, rock melons, cucumbers... it has been a bonanza, a summer party growing! The Canteen has just made pesto to put on the menu for students with our bumper crop of basil, yum.
Sue and I are busy preparing for the return of Classes and we are also preparing for our First Working Bee.... SAVE THE DATE... Saturday 1st of March! More info on the working bee in the next few weeks. We'll be concentrating on an area to give the Students more space in the ShadeIf you see us in the Garden, pop in and say "Hi".
Keep on Growing
Fiona and Sue
Garden Club
Community
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