29 August 2025
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am excited to be relieving as Principal while Andy takes some time away for health reasons. I know you will all join me in wishing him well. It is a privilege to step into this role for the term, and I feel very fortunate to be working alongside such dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and a wonderfully supportive parent community.
One of the things I value most about Avalon Public School is our strong sense of community, and I’m looking forward to sharing in the many events and celebrations that make our school so special.
Avalon in Wonderland
Tickets for our 2025 school production, Avalon in Wonderland, are now available—and what an amazing response we’ve had already! Over 1,029 tickets have been sold so far. If you haven’t booked yet, please see the QR code below to secure your spot before they’re gone.
Our students have been practising with energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. They can’t wait to showcase their learning on stage and share this magical performance with the community.
Costume Reminder: Information about costumes has been sent home. Costumes are required to come in this week as we prepare for our upcoming dress rehearsals.
Please also carefully read the Musical Q and A information with all the details you may be wondering about for our wonderful event. This will be sent out this week.
Thank you for helping us bring this production to life!
A huge thank you to our wonderful parent and community volunteers who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes on props and costumes. This has all been beautifully coordinated by our lovely P&C representatives, Holly Barton and Morgan Webster. We are so grateful for your creativity and dedication.
Book Week
This year, our Book Week theme, “Book an Adventure,” sparked excitement and imagination across Avalon Public School! Students explored new worlds, embarked on thrilling journeys, and discovered the magic of storytelling in every classroom. From fantastical tales to adventurous reads, our students embraced every opportunity to dive into stories and share their love of reading.
The sun miraculously came out just in time for our parade! Students proudly showcased their creative costumes as we walked down Avalon’s main street, cheered on by our local preschools and community members. We were even featured on the Department of Education’s website! As it was so successful, we will make this an annual event.
Book Week 2025 was a huge success. Together, we raised an incredible $4,625 through Donate-a-Book. A heartfelt thank you goes to Ms Christie, our passionate and dedicated librarian, whose love of children’s literature continues to inspire our students and bring joy to every corner of the school.
Open Afternoon
Despite the rain, our recent Open Afternoon was filled with warmth, energy, and a true sense of pride. Classrooms were buzzing with the enthusiasm of parents, carers, and grandparents, all eager to witness the incredible learning our students have been engaged in. It was inspiring to see our students so proudly showcasing their hard work, and equally heart warming to watch families come together to celebrate their growth and achievements.
Instagram Update
We’re now on Instagram!
Avalon Public School has a brand-new official Instagram account: @avalonpsofficial 🎉
This will be the only Instagram account we use to share school news, updates and celebrations with our community. Please make sure you follow @avalonpsofficial and not the old account, which is no longer in use.
We look forward to connecting with you there, as well as on our Facebook page.
Nura Djaroba Grant
We are delighted to share that Avalon Public School has received a $100,000 grant through the Community Building Partnerships program from the NSW Government, presented by Jacqui Scruby, Member for Pittwater, to support the development of our Nura Djaroba outdoor playground. This generous funding will help us create a vibrant, inclusive, and nature-inspired space where our students can play, explore, and connect with Country. We are truly grateful for this generous grant and the enriching opportunities it will provide for children in our community.
Lucy Turner Receives Premier’s State Representative Award
This week, Lucy Turner was proudly presented with the Premier’s State Representative Award by Jacqui Scruby, Member for Pittwater, at our school assembly.
Lucy was recognised for her remarkable achievement at the 2024 Athletics National Championship, where she placed third in the demanding Tetrathlon event. Her dedication and hard work have been key to her success, and this award celebrates both her individual efforts and the support from her family, coaches, and the Avalon Public School community.
We congratulate Lucy on this well-earned recognition and wish her continued success in her future sporting endeavours.
Athletics Carnival
After weeks of rain, our long awaited School Athletic Carnival finally went ahead, just in time to prepare for the Zone Carnival next week! The students were full of energy and enthusiasm, showcasing their athletic skills across a range of events from sprints and field competitions.
A huge thank you to Mrs Shlager for her expert organisation and leadership, ensuring the day ran smoothly despite the weather challenges. We also extend our gratitude to all the teachers who worked tirelessly to make the carnival a memorable and successful day for our students.
It was wonderful to see the students demonstrating not only sporting talent but also teamwork, perseverance, and school spirit. We are looking forward to cheering on our talented athletes as they represent Avalon at the upcoming Zone Carnival.
Combination Band Night
On Wednesday 27 August, I had the pleasure of attending the Combined Band Night at Bilgola Public School, where students from Avalon and Bilgola came together for a spectacular evening of music. After a workshop led by Colden (Avalon Conductor) and Monique (BPPS Conductor), the students performed with energy, skill, and enthusiasm, showcasing the results of their hard work and teamwork. It was inspiring to see them supporting each other and playing as one united band.
I would like to sincerely thank Molly, Jane, Kate, Amy, and Lydia for all their help in setting up, organising, and supporting the event. I would also like to give a special mention to Miss Dunbar, whose dedication and guidance as a teacher played a huge part in making the night such a success.
It was a joyful celebration of talent, friendship, and community, bringing together students, teachers, and families for a truly special night.
Father’s Day Breakfast
Our P&C is organising a lovely Father’s Day Breakfast event for dads, grandpas, uncles or any special family member to celebrate on Friday 5 September from 8-9am in the 3-6 playground.
Please see the flyer below.
As you can see, it has been a very busy and exciting time at Avalon Public School, and there is so much more to look forward to as the term unfolds.
We are excited to continue this journey with you and look forward to celebrating more wonderful achievements together in the weeks ahead.
Thank you,
Bianca Howarth
Relieving Principal
3/4MD Decoding the Universe at the Barrenjoey High School Science Symposium
During Term 2 and 3, 3/4MD has been busy turning curiosity into creativity as they explored the exciting science theme: Decoding the Universe. From swirling cyclones to sparkling snow, our young scientists dove headfirst into the mysteries of weather and natural phenomena, discovering what they are, how they form, where they occur, why they happen, and who they impact.
As part of their learning journey, students investigated a wide range of weather events including rainbows, clouds, lightning, cyclones, snow, and even the breath taking Aurora Borealis. Through research, hands-on experiments, and model building, they brought science to life in their classroom and beyond.
To showcase their understanding, students created a variety of engaging and informative projects: through designing posters and flyers, coding interactive factual websites, constructing 3D models and demonstrating these amazing events with experiments and displays.
Their hard work culminated in a presentation to an authentic audience at the Barrenjoey High School Science Symposium, where they confidently shared their knowledge with other schools, teachers, and science enthusiasts.
A huge congratulations to the following students for their outstanding achievements:
Josie Wellings, Frankie King, Luna Carnie and Estella Belcher– Highly Commended for their outstanding group project on snow, exploring how and where it forms, and what makes it such a fascinating weather event.
Luke van Donk – Highly Commended in the Junior Science Colouring Competition.Liam West – Winner of the Junior Science Colouring Competition, showing off amazing creative talent.Louis Bedford-Brown and Lucy O’Sullivan – Winners of the Science Photography Prize, capturing the wonder of the natural universe through the lens.
The students of 3/4MD not only gained valuable scientific knowledge, but also developed presentation skills, teamwork, and confidence. We are incredibly proud of their curiosity, effort and the thoughtful way they communicated complex ideas to real audiences.
Well done, 3/4MD — you truly are scientists in the making!
La Perouse excursion
Year 3 & 4 La Perouse History Excursion
In Week 3, our intrepid Year 3 and 4 students braved the elements, sunshine, wind and even bursts of rain, for a memorable and educational excursion to La Perouse, a site of deep historical and cultural significance.
This engaging day brought history to life as students stepped back in time to explore Australia’s early colonial past and the rich culture of our First Nations peoples. As many of you may know, La Perouse was the location where the First Fleet first dropped anchor in 1788, before moving on to settle at Sydney Cove. But its story began long before European arrival. Over the course of four interactive activities, students gained insights into:
First Nations Culture & Connection to Country
Guided by a ranger, students took part in show and tell that explored how Aboriginal people lived sustainably off the land for thousands of years, respecting and caring for Country. They learned how colonisation disrupted this deep connection and brought significant challenges to First Nation communities, insights that helped our students reflect on the importance of reconciliation and understanding.
The Impact of the Industrial Revolution
Students investigated the rise in crime in 18th-century Britain as a result of the Industrial Revolution and discovered how even minor offences could lead to transportation. They were fascinated to learn about convict life in Australia, the different sentences; 7 years, 14 years or life, and what daily survival looked like for those sent so far from home.
Bare Island Fort Tour
A highlight for many was exploring the historic Bare Island Fort. Built to act as Sydney’s defence system, students were captivated by stories of Australian soldiers stationed there and the role the fort played in aiming to protect our coastline, including the use of cannons!
The Journey of the First Fleet
Finally, students traced the perilous voyage of the First Fleet, months at sea with limited food, cramped conditions and illness, and developed a deeper understanding of the courage, hardship and human cost behind this major historical event. They constructed their own 2D models of the HMS Endeavour, hoping they too would survive the conditions out at sea.
This immersive day not only tied in beautifully with the students’ History unit, but also sparked many thoughtful questions and meaningful discussions. It was a powerful way to connect classroom learning to the real-world locations where these key events unfolded.
A big thank you to our dedicated staff and the wonderful guides at La Perouse for making this day both educational and unforgettable!
— Stage 2 Teaching Team
Eureka Maths workshop
Sport
Henry Killman - Sydney North Rugby
Congratulations to Henry Killman of 6LC who recently represented Sydney North at the NSWPSSA Rugby Championships. His team had an outstanding run, going through the competition undefeated with convincing wins over Western (43–0), Sydney South West (47–12), MacKillop (38–10) and Hunter (53–0).
Henry played strongly throughout the tournament, mainly taking on the key position of Hooker. His hard work and determination were rewarded when he scored a brilliant try against Hunter in the final pool game.
The Sydney North side were set to face Sydney West in the grand final, but unfortunately heavy rain forced the cancellation of the remaining games. Both teams were declared joint winners, making it a well-deserved victory for Henry and his teammates.
Well done, Henry – an impressive achievement!
Library
Book Week 2025 Book an Adventure
Book Week has come and gone – and what a busy week it was! Classes busy with reading activities and book talks throughout the whole week.
Our Book Character Costume Day on Tuesday was a wonderful success with the sun shining for our parade down the street through Avalon. It was wonderful to see many friends and family members cheering the students and staff as they walked along in their colourful, creative costumes. Thank you to all those who caught the action as we waved and cheered our way out, then back to school. The Gold Coin donation fundraiser for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation reached a total of $505. Well done APS!
On Wednesday Year 3 and 4 enjoyed a very informative presentation by illustrator Tom Jellett. He gave great insight into the creation of a picture book along with details about his love of drawing and work in illustrating books. The students really enjoyed Tom’s easy chat and fun drawing tips.
Although Thursday was a little wet and windy, participation and support in our Buy a Book 2 Donate sale was outstanding. So many students and family members visited the library to view and purchase books available for sale. These wonderful books with the student donation appreciation inside will be available for borrowing this week. A huge thank you to all those who purchased books which will now become part of the school library’s collection. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by all the staff and students at Avalon PS.
Our student competition entries for Book Week always give the library an extra sparkle with colour and creativity. Each year the judges (it takes five!) find it difficult to choose from the wonderful entries and this year was no different. A huge acknowledgement to all the students who entered the competitions as their entries were all wonderful. Congratulations to the winners who made the judges eyes ’pop’ this year: Elle H KJP, Winnie H 1GH, Adelaide G 2MB, Phoebe S 3/4MD, Indiana Q 4KP, Ava D 5KL and Ethan F 6CW.
Thank you to everyone for making it another fantastic Book Week at Avalon PS
Ms Christie
Uniform Store
Second Hand Uniform Sale
Friday 5th September 2.30-4pm
Outside the Uniform Store K-2 Playground
Preloved uniforms $5
Jackets and Sloppy Joes $10
Uniform Price Increase
There will be a slight increase in the price of our Uniforms from Term 4. This increase has come from our Supplier, which P&C will need to pass on.
Uniform Store opening hours:
Monday 8am-10am
Thursday 2.30pm-4pm
Orders can be placed online and will be delivered on Mondays and Fridays to your Child’s Classroom.
Garden Club
Finally!!!
The Sun has come out and the Garden has started to dry. It has been gumboot gardening only in the last couple of weeks. We are feeling the seasonal change, some call it Sprinter. The bees have been busy, there is definitely a shift in the air.
A few of our beds have been resting over the Winter months. We added soil, compost, manure and mulch last term. Now they are ready for planting.
The kids were super excited to be out for classes today. We made paper pots to sow Rocket seeds into, we planted up some Turmeric to grow from the amazing rhizomes that we have harvested. Lettuce, Beetroot, Rainbow Chard, Strawberries, Marigolds, Alyssum, Dianthus seedlings were planted out as well as some Sunflower and Cosmos seeds. It will be very interesting to see where a lot of these flowers pop up! Little fast fingers were everywhere.
Garden Club has recently put in an order for other seed varieties which we're super excited about. We like to purchase from a place called 'Eden Seeds', they are all heirloom seeds with some also having an organically grown option. It's hard to resist not getting one of everything. I'm always drawn to the weird and wonderful looking things that the kids have never seen before, very different from your usual supermarket variety. Curly Pumpkins, Purple carrots, winged beans, Golden Beetroot... we can't wait.
Our greenhouses are filling up, it's Gardening go time. Have fun, keep on growing, enjoy the sun
Fiona and Sue
Garden Club
Band
Band Tour – Blue Mountains
Our Performance Band recently embarked on a two-day tour of the Blue Mountains. Twenty-one students, alongside teachers Ashleigh Sparks and Tia Hurdley, Music Director Colden Anderson, and tour organiser (and parent) Stephanie Mangleson, brought musical joy to Glenmore Park, Warrimoo, and Glenbrook Public Schools. Performances were interactive and fun, with audience members conducting, joining in song, and even dancing along to Baby Shark. A highlight came when students at Glenmore Park spontaneously sang the opening of Counting Stars with our band. It was a wonderful reminder of music’s power to connect.
Between performances, the students enjoyed sightseeing at the Three Sisters and a visit to TruNinja Penrith, an indoor obstacle adventure park with warped walls, foam pits, and stuntman airbags. These experiences were not only a reward for the students’ commitment to band but also created lasting memories.
A big thank you to Music Director Colden Anderson, organiser Steph, teachers Ashleigh and Tia, and our P&C for their support in making the tour possible. It was a wonderful experience for the students, building connections, developing responsibility, and sharing the joy of music with other school communities.
Avalon PS Band Coordinator
0438323570
Strings
Avalon Strings had a fun rehearsal in their dress up costumes for book week! We had piglets, queen of hearts, Sherlock, Harry Potter, a green crayon, Anne of Green gables and Madeline all playing beautifully last Tuesday morning.
Avalon Strings will be performing a recital in week 7 in the school hall Tuesday 9am three pieces demonstrating their ability to play in an ensemble setting and each musician will be playing a solo piece to showcase their individual talent.All Avalon community is most welcome to attend and listen to our young strings students.
Yours in music,
Emma Wake
Community
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