Avalon Public School eNewsletter

Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We’re in the middle of a big few weeks here at the best school on the Northern Beaches! Our Cross Country Carnival and Zone Cross Country Carnival last week, Band Camp this weekend, Walk Safely to School Day last Friday, P&C meeting next Monday, and a visit from our local preschool directors on Tuesday this week. Thank you to all our terrific staff, parents and students who made/make these events happen so smoothly. They truly reflect our core principles of “Opportunity, Learning, Community” at our school.

Cross Country

Zone Cross Country

Local Preschool Directors

Avalon in Wonderland – save these dates!

Planning and preparation are well and truly underway for our K-6 musical production now entitled ‘Avalon in Wonderland’. A veritable fairy tale and classic children’s stories mash up!

The key dates are as follows:

Cast 1: ½ K (KAS & KSW), 2, 4 and 6:

Wednesday 17 September 1.30pm and 4.30pm (times TBC)

Thursday 18 September 1.30pm and 4.30pm (times TBC)

Cast 2: Year ½ K (KJP & KKR), 1, 3 and 5:

Wednesday 24 September 1.30pm and 4.30pm (times TBC)

Thursday 25 September 1.30pm and 4.30pm (times TBC)

Dance groups and the choir will be part of both casts

Please save the dates in your calendar. If you know your child will be away on their performance dates, please inform your child’s teacher. This is particularly important for students in years 5 and 6 who will have key roles to play in these shows.

Tickets: the shows will be ticketed. With four shows scheduled for each cast in the main hall, we are confident that there will be enough for all key family members to attend one show. Tickets will go on sale next term.

More information about tickets and the production itself will be provided as it comes to hand.

Logo design competition. We are opening an Avalon in Wonderland logo design competition to ALL our students. The winning logo will be used on all promotion materials for the production, as well as receiving a very generous canteen voucher for their efforts!

Visit our Open Classrooms/Book Week Parade

We are mixing things up this year. As mentioned in the last newsletter, we are replacing our Learning Expo with a different approach in 2025.

During Book Week in Week 5, we will be offering two new opportunities for our students and parent/carer community.

Tuesday 19 August: this will be our traditional Book Character Costume Day. However, this year, ALL classes will parade north from school, in costume, along the west side of Old Barrenjoey Road down to the crossing at Avalon Parade. We will then cross over and return to school on the eastern side of Old Barrenjoey Road, re-entering via the main gate at the front of the school.

This provides a wonderful opportunity for our entire Avalon community to see our students. Parents and carers are invited to line the streets to support our students as they parade. Time: 10.50am-11.20am.

Thursday 21 August: Parents, carers and grand friends are invited to Open Classrooms to see their child’s classroom and their work so far in 2025. This is a lovely informal opportunity for our families to spend quality time in our school.

Classrooms will be open from 2.15pm until 3.20pm. Families are invited to join their children for an outdoor picnic lunch at lunch time in the playground from 1.15pm until 2.05pm, if they wish to.

Donate a Book will also be held on the same day in our library. Each year, our wonderful librarian Ms Christie curates an amazing selection of books that will be available for sale in the library. Each book purchased is donated back to the library and inscribed with your child’s name in perpetuity. Book sales will be available before and after school, at lunch time and throughout the Open Classroom session.

Uniform Survey

At Avalon Public School, we believe our school uniform plays a vital role in fostering a positive and cohesive learning environment. As the NSW Department of Education's ‘Uniforms at School Procedures’ policy highlights, school uniforms promote a sense of belonging for students and contribute to a positive identity for our entire school community. Furthermore, uniforms enhance the personal safety of our students by allowing for easier recognition, both within the school grounds and when they are out and about in the wider community.

We are seeking your valuable feedback on our school uniform policy to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our students and families. This brief survey aims to gather your perspectives on various aspects of our uniform, including its overall importance, the effectiveness of current approaches to compliance, and any specific elements of the uniform that you feel require clearer enforcement. Please note, this survey is not about changing our school uniform itself, but rather understanding how we can best support its consistent wearing and uphold its importance.

Your input is incredibly important as we strive to maintain a uniform policy that is practical, inclusive, and reflective of our school's values. Please take a few moments to complete the survey. We appreciate your ongoing support in making Avalon Public School a wonderful place for our children to learn and grow. The survey is open until 3pm on Thursday 29 May.

Uniform Survey

Hall Refurbishment

The Asset Management Unit of the Education Department will be commencing a refurbishment of the front exterior of the main hall, as well as the foyer, toilets, and all the windows of the hall.

The work will commence on Wednesday 28 May and should be completed by the end of the school holidays (in time for rehearsals to begin on Avalon in Wonderland).

A small work compound will be set up behind the hall, opposite the admin block. Fencing will be erected (when necessary) to keep the students well away from any work. This may narrow some of the access on the entry paths at the front of the school but should still be fine for parents with pushchairs.

P&C Meeting

Our next P&C meeting takes place on Monday 26 May at 7pm in the school library. All are welcome!

Sickness

The school is being impacted by the seasonal arrival of flu and bad colds. We are experiencing increasing numbers of student illness, along with several teachers and staff sick on any given day.

Our community can best support us by following all the flu guidelines and by keeping children home if they show the slightest signs or symptoms.

National Simultaneous Storytime 2025

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 25th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy.

This year's book is 'The Truck Cat' written by Deborah Frenkel, illustrated by Danny Snell.

Our wonderful librarian Ms Christie is encouraging as many classes as possible to participate in this Storytime - either simultaneously on Wednesday or sometime during Week 4.

Reconciliation Week

A reminder that it is Reconciliation Week next week, 27 May - 3 June. Students will be participating in a variety of activities to support and develop their understanding of this important event.

Peer Support

We are excited to commence Peer Support sessions this week. The whole school participates in Peer Support for 30 minutes each week. Two Year 6 Peer Support Leaders facilitate a small group of 8-10 younger students, who work together through

several structured social/emotional educational activities.

This program runs for approximately 8 sessions. The first session on Thursday, supports children to get to know everyone in the group, agreeing on how they will work well together and interact cooperatively with others.

We encourage parents to talk with your child/ren about the peer support content each week, as this will help to reinforce the concepts learned in each session. We acknowledge the Year 6 team of Mrs Shlager, Mr Whitaker, Miss Fayle, Miss Curtis and Mrs Harris for their leadership of this valuable whole school program.

Dogs on School Grounds

Many of our students own dogs and feel comfortable around them. However, several other students are quite anxious around dogs.

Regardless of either position, under the Companion Animals Act, in Section 14 it states that dogs are prohibited (not allowed) in school grounds, whether or not they are leashed or otherwise controlled. Without blocking entry and exit, any visitor to the school is not able to bring their dog into the school grounds but may remain with their leashed dog on the footpath outside the school, which is a public area.

The only exceptions are Assistance dogs that are specifically trained to assist; for example, those requiring emotional support or who are sight or hearing impaired.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Enrolments now open for 2026

We have already received our first enrolments for 2026. If your child is of school age for 2026, please drop into the office to collect an enrolment form and return it to the office with the required accompanying documentation. Alternatively, you can enrol online by following the links on our website.

If you have any questions about the enrolment process, Mrs Crutcher in the office will be only too happy to answer your enquiries.

The importance of being on time for school

Research indicates success in learning is strongly linked to strong participation in school programs which is linked to school attendance. It is important for children to develop habits of punctuality at an early age, beginning from the time they start school.

Some of the benefits of being on time to school include:

Ensures that your child does not miss the important learning activities that happen early in the day when they are most alert.
Helps your child to learn about routines and commitment.
Gives your child time to greet their friends before class. This can reduce the possibility of disruptions in the classroom.

Arriving on time every day supports children to feel strong connections to school and to have a positive view of themselves.

We strongly encourage all students to be at school by 9:25am every day in order to be ready to learn and enjoy a successful day.

I hope you all have an excellent week.

See you on Sunday at Band Camp if you’ll be there!

Andy Rankin

Principal

Barrenjoey High School- Principal Tour

Barrenjoey High School is delighted to announce the first of the Principal Tours for 2025, offering a unique opportunity for prospective parents to engage firsthand with the school's leadership and explore its vibrant campus. These tours are designed to provide intimate insights into the school's ethos, facilities, and educational offerings. Participants will meet the Principal in small, personalised groups, ensuring a tailored experience that caters to individual queries and interests.

During the tours, parents can expect to discuss the curriculum, extracurricular activities, and educational strategies that define Barrenjoey High School. This initiative aims to provide clarity on the school's approach to fostering academic excellence and holistic development. Whether discussing specialised programs, academic support systems, or the integration of technology in classrooms, the Principal Tours look into what makes Barrenjoey High a nurturing environment for students to thrive.

Bookings can be made directly through the Trybooking link below;

Avalon PS

Calling All Talented Parents! – Parent Skill Register

A huge thank you to those parents and carers who have already signed up to our Parent Skill Register – we are so grateful for the generous offers of time, knowledge, and creativity!

For those new to the idea, the Parent Skill Register is a way for families to share any skills, professions, hobbies or passions they’d be willing to contribute to school life. This could include guest speaking, helping in classrooms, running a workshop, supporting excursions, or getting involved in special events. Anything from gardening to graphic design!

With our school musical now on the horizon, we are especially keen to hear from anyone who may have experience or interest in:

Costume design or sewing
Prop making or set design
Lighting and sound
Graphic design (e.g. promotional material)
Industry experience in performing arts
Mentoring students in singing, dancing or acting

The list is endless!

There are so many ways to get involved, and no offer is too big or small!

If you haven’t had a chance to sign up yet and would like to be included, you can do so via the link below:

Parent Skill Register

Let’s continue to make the most of the wonderful talents within our school community

Kindergarten 2026 Open Morning

Have you got a child starting Kindergarten next year?
Do you know any prospective Avalon Public School families?

We’re excited to welcome future families to our Kindergarten 2026 Open Morning on Tuesday 27 May from 9:45–11.00am in the school hall.

This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and carers to get a feel for our school, meet some of our staff, and see our vibrant learning environment in action. Visitors will enjoy performances from our dance group, school choir and Kindergarten students, followed by a guided tour of classrooms led by our Year 6 leaders.

If you know someone considering Avalon Public School for their child, please encourage them to come along. Bookings can be made by contacting the school office.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) at Avalon

At Avalon Public School, we proudly implement the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) framework to support a safe, respectful and engaging school environment.

Our three core expectations are:

🌟 Respect

🌟 Responsibility

🌟 Personal Best

These values are visible throughout our school and form the foundation of all behaviour expectations. Each week, students engage in lessons that explicitly teach how to apply these values across various school settings. This Week’s Focus: Technology Expectations. This week, all classes have been exploring what it means to be a respectful, responsible and high-achieving learner when using technology.

Lego Club

Lego Club has been a big hit across the school, now running during lunchtimes for students in Kindergarten to Year 6! It’s been wonderful to see so much creativity, collaboration and joy as students build and explore together. A huge thank you to our P&C and all the parents and carers who generously donated Lego to help make this possible. We’re also incredibly grateful to our Student Learning and Support Officers for facilitating the fun and providing such a welcoming space for all.

Zone Cross Country Success!

Our runners showed grit, determination, and incredible team spirit, achieving outstanding results across all age groups. We are proud to share that Avalon PS won the Pittwater PSSA Cross Country Handicap Division for the third year in a row, a fantastic achievement!

In the 12 Years category, all of our boys and girls ran their heats out with great determination. Charlie King tackled a tough 3km course and placed 6th in the boys’ race, while Bowie Acevedo finished an impressive 4th in the girls’ event. Their strong efforts helped kick off the day on a high note.

The 11 Years runners brought in a wave of success. Lucy Turner finished 1st in the girls’ race, contributing to an outstanding team performance that saw Avalon PS win the 11 Years Girls Age Group Division. Also placing in the top 20 were Rosie Pilgrim, Bailey Babicci, Clyde Varts, Frankie Delahunty and Ruby Buchan. An incredible show of consistency and teamwork. In the boys’ race, James Berling (5th) and Archie Turner (6th) both ran strong races, with Mav Macgugan close behind in 11th.

In the 10 Years division, Luke Van Donk had a fantastic run, crossing the line in 4th place for the boys. All of our 10 Years Boys finished in the top 35, a great team effort and a testament to their preparation and persistence. The 10 Years Girls also showed exceptional effort and determination, with every runner finishing in the top 30. A brilliant group performance.

Our 8/9 Years athletes were full of enthusiasm and energy, with several top ten finishes. In the girls’ race, Billie Rouhan placed 8th, Phoebe Stone came 9th and Liv Groenendijk finished 10th. In the boys’ event, Ben Cook placed 7th, Chevy Macgugan came 8th and Ziggy McCormack crossed the line in 9th.

A special shoutout to Reeve Hayne, our only Year 2 runner, who showed fantastic courage and determination to finish 34th in his race. Well done, Reeve!

We are incredibly proud of every student who represented Avalon PS. Your perseverance, dedication and school pride were on full display. Congratulations on a truly successful carnival!

Miss Curtis

Sport

Last Friday, 16 May our Senior Boys basketball team suffered a narrow defeat to Elanora Heights P.S in the statewide basketball knockout competition.

After a massive physical week for most of our team (competing at both our school and zone cross country carnivals in the same week) the boys put in a gallant effort and were unfortunate not to progress further in the competition. There were moments of brilliance in this game, some great shooting and a never-quit attitude that all Avalon players should be very proud of.

Massive thanks to the players' parents for supporting us with scoring/recording/driving duties, Mr Whitaker for his team management and the Barrenjoey students Leo Flaye and Archer Gertler that refereed the game on short notice. We wish Elanora all the best in their future rounds.

Mr Seaton

Garden Club

Garden Club has had all weather conditions over the last couple of weeks. Sunny, windy, rainy and boggy. Whatever the weather has thrown at us, we still got a lot done.

We transplanted plants from the front of the main school hall before refurbishment works are to be undertaken, we’re continuing to be soil investigators with classes, we’ve been planting all kinds of peas, sugar snap, snow pea and podding peas. We’ve been mulching some paths that have become boggy, netting brassicas, fighting with cockatoos. We’ve been harvesting chokos, parsley, rainbow chard, vietnamese mint which is delicious in laksa or a thai beef salad, chillies and radishes.

We’ve had a visit from some of the local preschools, chatting about what we do at the school and next week Sue and I are off to Kimbriki as we have been asked to present at one of their professional development days about Avalon PS and Garden Clubs journey.

There is always something to do in the garden, no matter the season, get your gumboots out and your raincoats on, have fun
Keep on growing

Fiona and Sue

Garden Club