Principal's Report

I hope all of our community had a safe and happy Christmas break, many staff took time out to relax and re-charge after a busy year. Staff have officially returned on site today and been involved in professional learning however many teachers have been in classrooms over the past couple of weeks preparing learning spaces.

COVID safety start to the year

We ask that our community please refer to previous communication on class DoJo and FB to stay up to date with our COVID safe protocols. When students return on Wednesday we understand that some will be nervous in particular our Kinder and early years students. Our recommendation is families drop their children at classroom doors however we understand this may look a little different in week 1 while students learn new routines. If you do need to support children in classrooms this week, please be as brief as possible and follow COVID safe protocols.

ELC playground

We have finally seen some progress with the new play equipment on the grass area. Our hope is this will be operational on Wednesday when students return! It is looking fantastic and will be a great addition to the ELC playground.

Basketball Courts

Unfortunately, during the holiday break in January, the basketball court was damaged due to a heavy rain event. After inspections from DoE it was decided that a new drainage system should be installed. This new system has been installed under the court however we are now waiting on the asphalt to be replaced. We hope that this will be operational in the next week or 2. In the meantime the fencing will remain, and students will be asked to play in alternate areas.

Grace Crichton-Gill Memorial

Many of our community would be aware of the sad loss in late 2020 of a much-loved teacher at AFPS, Grace Crichton-Gill. To honour Grace’s memory and contribution to our school we worked with Grace’s family to develop a memorial which reflects Grace’s impact on many in our community. It was agreed that we would re name our Early Learning Centre in Grace's honour. We have now finalised the signage and memorial plaque which looks fantastic and truly reflects the impact Grace had at our school.

 New Staff

Stacey King (P/1) – from Forest Primary School

Rupan Singh (Prep) – from New Town Primary

Brydie Pearce (3/4) – from UTAS

Gabrielle Gollogly (3/4) – from UTAS – Replacing Mrs Taylor who has started maternity leave early

Amelia Clifford (3) – from Waimea Heights Primary

Jordan West (5/6) – from UTAS

Rachael Sayers (AP) – from Brighton Primary

Angela Turner (Art) – from Bellerive Primary

Tim Parrot (Intern) – from UTAS

2022 UTAS students – Hannah Bonnitcha (3/4 Nichols), Rebecca Reid (3/4 Sackley), Laura Young (5/6 Perry)

Aleisha Howlett – Psych (return from maternity leave)

Emma Atkinson – Nurse (return from maternity leave)