We acknowledge the traditional Aboriginal custodians of the lands, waterways and skies of the Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation where we gather, learn and grow at Aspendale Primary School.

We pay our respects to past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders of all nations,  and their ongoing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.  

We extend this respect to all Torres Strait Islanders and any First Nations peoples who learn or visit these grounds. We thank you for sharing and caring for the land we are learning on.

New version of the Acknowedgement of Country
Above is an updated Acknowledgment of Country that has been written in consultation with staff, students and members of our community. We recieved positive feedback and approval from our friends at the Bunurong Land Council in 2023. 



Aspendale Primary School commemorated Reconciliation Week.
We understand that for many members of the APS community, this is a challenging time.

Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Now more than ever, these conversations are important to be having. 

As a school, we commemorated the week by focusing on developing our sense of community and connections with a whole school event. 

Our School Captains made a video during camp to commemorate the week. It starts with our school's Acknowledgement of Country. You can watch the video here. 


Thank you to Gus, Surina, Warren & Edie for helping create the video. You all did an amazing job understanding the purpose of the week. 

Hello everyone, 
Our students have had another busy and successful week here at APS.

It has been a pleasure to see the Foundaiton students participating in independent reading and writing tasks and making loads of different patterns during maths lessons. 

Our varied extra-curricular activities this week have included guests from the Courage to Care program and our Marine Ambassadors heading off to their termly iSeaiCare program.

Student Led Conferences:

Highlight Monday 30^th June on the calendar because Student Led Conferences are now open for bookings. This is a fantastic opportunity for your child to share their learning with you as they showcase their learning progression of the year so far. Please book your conference through Sentral. This day is a curriculum day and students should only attend school at your scheduled booking time.

Myki competition - Follow the details below to enter.

Win $1,000 for creating the new Youth myki card!

With free public transport for young people and 17 and under on 1 January 2026, let their imagination run free! Create and explore a design for the new Youth myki card and they could win a $1,000 Visa gift card.

All Victorians aged 5 to 17 are invited to design the new Youth myki card!

Whether it’s hand-drawn or digital, we’re looking for original, creative designs that capture the spirit of young Victorians.

Entries close 15 June 2025.

All competition details can be found on the Engage Victoria website: engage.vic.gov.au/youthmyki

Click here for the design template and instructions: 
Youth Myki submission form

Keeping Healthy over winter:
The cold weather is definetly upon us and with that comes the possibility of more students becoming unwell or ill. If your child is unwell, please keep them home until the symptoms resolve. You can record your child's absence through Sentral. 

PBL Focus: 
This week’s PBL Focus is Respecting Everyone’s Right to Privacy. 
Key takeaway: We don't always have to know everything about everyone, and its up to them if they are comfortable enough to share.  
Come along to assembly to hear how our Year 3 team have been demonstrating our foucs this week. 

Stay warm this weekend,
Amelia Busuttil

This term our unit of inquiry for 'Where we are in Place & Time' is - A Country's history begins with its Indigenous peoples.

To support our learning grade 3 had two amazing excursions to Cranbourne Botanical Gardens and to Willum Warrain in Hastings. Both were an unforgettable experience filled with fun and learning about Aboriginal culture. At both excursions we participated in a “Welcome to Country,” which helped us understand how important it is to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land.
At Cranbourne Botanical gardens we learnt what the word ‘deadly’ meant and how to make a fire using sticks. We experimented with Oche using aboriginal symbols to create rock art, we loved getting to smell & touch lemon Myrtle leaves and then taste it as a tea. It was delicious! We were so lucky to have the sun shining as we explored the gardens.

At Willum Warrain we explored what was a traditional Aboriginal hut. We learned how these huts were carefully built using natural materials to provide shelter. Next, we saw a scar tree and discovered how Aboriginal people would carefully remove bark without harming the tree, using it to make canoes, shields, or containers.

One of the most fascinating stories we heard was about possum-skin cloaks.Aboriginal people used these cloaks to keep their babies warm. Each year, a person would receive another possum skin to add to their cloak, and over time, it would grow larger. Eventually, when they passed away, they would be buried with their special cloak, which had become a part of their life story. We also learned about the saltbush plant, which was used not just in cooking but also for its medicinal properties.

It was amazing to see how connected Aboriginal people were to the land and how they used it wisely and respectfully. We took part in a fire ceremony too, which helped us understand how fire is used in spiritual and cultural ways, not just for cooking or warmth. Both days was a wonderful mix of stories, nature, and hands-on learning. We left feeling inspired, respectful, and excited to learn more about Aboriginal culture and traditions.

Play Is The Way

This term during ‘Play is the Way’ sessions students have been introduced to some new games as well as revisiting some of the games trialled last year. All the games included are designed to replicate social situations that would arise during normal play, and provide students with the skills and strategies to work through challenges. Two weeks ago during our staff meeting we introduced a couple of new games to our teaching staff in preparation for next term.

 

Student Behaviour Flowchart

As part of our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) framework we are continually modifying and adapting our responses when dealing with inappropriate behaviours. Many of our teaching and ES staff have been personalising our student flowchart (shown below) with what this looks like in particular classrooms, or for particular students. This visual is a great resource for students to see and know the steps involved.

Play Pod

The Play Pod continues to be a sought after area each recess and lunchtime. Students from years 2-6 all have a rostered day using the play pod materials, and are all doing an amazing job of packing the materials up after use each day. Building forts and cubbies are always a popular pastime and the skills of cooperation and negotiation are always much needed skills.

At Aspendale Primary School, we are committed to building a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can participate, achieve, and thrive—regardless of their individual needs or abilities. As part of the Victorian Government’s Disability Inclusion reforms, all government primary schools are transitioning to a more inclusive approach to education, with full implementation expected by 2025.

What does inclusion look like at our school?
Inclusion means recognising the strengths and needs of every learner and ensuring they can access the curriculum and take part in all aspects of school life. Here at Aspendale Primary School, we provide tailored support for students with additional needs through a range of strategies, tools, and partnerships.

Key supports and inclusive practices include:

• Individual Education Plans (IEPs): All funded students and those with a diagnosis have an IEP developed in collaboration with families, support staff, and teachers to ensure their goals and learning needs are met.
• Student Support Group (SSG) Meetings: Regular meetings are held for students with a diagnosis or additional needs to monitor progress, update goals, and plan next steps together with parents and carers.
• Disability Inclusion Profile (DIP): A tool used to identify a student’s unique strengths and needs to guide effective planning and access to funding.
• Inclusion Outreach Coaching: Over the past three years, we’ve proudly engaged in two partnerships with an Inclusion Outreach Coach- Kristy who has worked alongside our staff to build knowledge, improve inclusive classroom practices, and strengthen whole-school approaches to inclusion.
• Diverse Learners Hub: We use the Department’s resources to support students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other diverse learning needs.
• Inclusive Schools Fund: Our school is working towards creating even more inclusive classrooms, learning and play environments, supported by this state government initiative.

Why inclusion matters:
Inclusive education supports all students to reach their potential. It fosters improved academic outcomes, greater social and emotional wellbeing, and a stronger sense of belonging for every child. It also promotes a culture of respect, empathy, and acceptance throughout the school community.

For more information:
- Please reach out to our Inclusion Leader, Jessica Johnston via jessica.johnston2@education.vic.gov.au

- Visit the Disability Inclusion page on the Victorian Government website
https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-inclusion-extra-support-children-disability

You can also find our school’s Inclusion and Wellbeing policies on our website at https://www.aspendale.vic.edu.au/page/9/Policies 

Kind regards,
Jess

Year 5 & 6 STEM - Chemistry task - Testing the fizziness of bath bombs

  Students planned to test the fizziness of bath bombs by using a recipe and modifying one ingredient and comparing it to the original recipe. Students decided which substance in the ingredients list they would change to positively improve the fizziness of the bath bomb. Students used their measuring and math skills to include the correct ingredients. After spending a lesson making the bath bombs, each group of four students designed a scientific test to measure the gas or fizziness produced after dropping each of the bath bombs into the same volume of water. Students created a table and a graph from their results and completed a conclusion using suggested sentence starters.

Year 1 & 2 students built house-based designs out of cardboard. 

Here are some of the Year 2 designs. Students worked from the same stencil to realise the importance of straight lines and a balanced design. Year One and Two students spent time assembling their house and a few had time to add extra details. This was a two week project.

This is a once in 100 Years event!!!

LAST CHANCE!!!

Ticket sales close TONIGHT.

So come on down and join the fun TOMORROW NIGHT!!!

Click on the link below or use the QR code to purchase your tix.

https://tinyurl.com/APSCommunityEvents

Get in quick, as time is running out...

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus (SSB) – a one-off support of $400 for eligible government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.

The SSB can be used for uniforms and textbooks until Monday 30 June 2025.

Any funds remaining after 30 June 2025, including online voucher amounts that have not been redeemed, will become a credit to use on school activities. However, the credit will not be available on your family account at our school until late July.

To use any remaining SSB funds to cover the cost of school activities in July, please refer to the SSB online system and allocate the funds to school activities before 30 June 2025.

To learn more about the SSB online system, download the step-by-step System guide for parents and carers (DOCX, 945KB) or watch this School Saving Bonus video. System guide translations are also available in 14 languages.

The Department of Education’s SSB contact centre will remain available until 30 June 2025. The contact centre can be reached by:

• completing the School Saving Bonus enquiry form
• calling 1800 338 663, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays.

After this date, please contact our administration team for any SSB related questions.

Thank you,

Tom Pearce

Another huge THANK-YOU to Dana & Dude Balloons and Events for supplying the wonderful balloon displays for our 100 Years Celebration afternoon on Friday 16^th May.

Thank- you Dana!

Our program is unique to other local clubs as we are the only Sunday morning program in the broader area, thus offering an alternative for those who have Saturday committments.

We have many players at our club already who are past or present students of APS and we look forward to welcoming more!