Acknowledgement of Country

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. 



Important Dates



~ 2025 Calendar 
EventDate
China Tour with Year 6 students 8-22 September
District Athletics 5 September
Marine Ambassador Excursion 9 September 
Year 6 Maths Olympiad #410 September 
Sport Colours Day19 September
Term 3 ends - early dismissal 2:30pm19 September
  

Term 4 begins

6 October

Division Athletics 

9th October 

PRICE Day

16th October

World Teacher Day 

31st October 

Melbourne Cup 

4th November 

PYPX Exhibition Day 

10th November 

Curriculum Day 

14th November 

Beach Swimming  

24th - 28th November

Student Free Day 

8th December

State Wide Transition Day 

9th December 

Graduation Year 6 

15th December

Last Day of School 

19th December



From the Assistant Principal

Hello everyone,

Choir Performance – Aspendale Senior Citizens:

On Monday, our school Choir ventured offsite to perform for the Aspendale Senior Citizens. Not only did the choir perform beautifully, they showcased their talents with confidence and pride. Congratulations to all members of the choir!

 

Beach Patrol:

Today our Foundation students along with our Marine Ambassadors made their way to Aspendale Beach to conduct Beach Patrol. It is fabulous to see our students actively participating in maintaining their local beach and caring for the environment.


Finding the Spark:

You are warmly invited to come along and support our Year 5 and 6 students in this year’s school musical production, Finding the Spark!

Date: Monday, August 25th
Time: 12:00pm and 6:30pm
Location: Frankston Arts Centre

Hear what Jack and Sienna have to say about the upcoming musical by clicking below.
Thanks to the Media Leaders for their support in putting the videos together.

It’s shaping up to be a fun and energetic night! Book your tickets through Frankston Arts Centre or click the link later in the newsletter.

 

Science Week – Week 4

Students have been captivated by the range of Science based activities happening in classrooms and at lunch clubs. This year’s theme is ‘Decoding the Universe- Exploring the unknown with natures hidden language.’ The Year 6 students have been exploring how Scientists have just discovered that plants emit sounds that animals can hear, but humans can not.

 

Smile Squad:

Smile Squad will be returning to Aspendale Primary School later this term. Soon, your child will be bringing home a free dental kit! Please ensure you complete the consent form (see following page) to ensure your child can access this free school dental program.

 

Wellbeing Whole School Focus – Week 4

This week the students have been focusing on ‘Stick to the rules and take turns when playing games.’

Stay tuned at tomorrow’s assembly for our Week 5 focus.

 

Book Week – Week 5

Our epic Book Week Character Parade is happening next Tuesday. Please join us in the courtyard just after 9am. There will other exciting events and competitions occurring across the week.


Enjoy the rest of the week!
Amelia 



Year 4 update



Inclusion at APS update

Inclusion at Aspendale Primary School

Aspendale primary School strives to provide a Safe, Inclusive and Supportive school environment. We adapt our teaching, routines, and environments so all children can access learning in ways that suit their needs and strengths. This means looking at the whole child – their abilities, interests, communication style, cultural background, and emotional needs – and making sure our classrooms are places where everyone can thrive.

Here are some ways we put inclusion into practice at Aspendale Primary School:

  • Using whole class or individual visuals & visual timetables, so students know what’s coming next and can prepare for changes.

       

Break out space
  • Offering quiet spaces for children who need a sensory break or a calm spot to regulate.

                                                                  

  • Providing flexible seating options such as cushions and wobble stools so students can choose how they learn best.

 

  • Breaking learning into smaller steps with regular check-ins to help students experience success along the way.

Aspendale Primary School Inclusion and Diversity Policy- Our school Inclusion and diversity Policy can be found on our school website: https://www.aspendale.vic.edu.au/

Disability and Inclusive Education Information for Parents:

Information and services for families of children living with disability and additional needs:

https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-and-inclusive-education

Please reach out to our Inclusion Leader- Jess Johnston for further information.




Book Week is next week!

Aspendale PS' annual Book Character Dress Up Parade will be on Tuesday 19th Of August.



We wonder which book character will be the most popular this year? Will it be Wally? Harry Potter? Maybe it will be the Green sheep?  
The Parade will begin in the courtyard at around 9.10am and families are welcome to attend. 
You do not need to bring a donation. 

TICKETS ON SALE: Finding the Spark!



Tickets On Sale Now – Finding the Spark!
 

Join us for an unforgettable night as our talented students light up the stage in this year’s school musical, Finding the Spark! Full of energy, heart, and original flair, this production is not to be missed.


Secure your seats now by purchasing tickets here: https://artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/Whats-On/Search-All-Events/Aspendale-Primary-School-Finding-the-Spark 




100 days of Foundation celebrations continue



Choir performance

APS Choir performance at Aspendale Senior Citizens


It was an absolute pleasure to take the Aspendale Primary School Choir to visit the Aspendale Senior Citizens club in Aspendale on Monday 11th August. The students sang three songs that they knew well. The choir thoroughly enjoyed themselves and sang confidently to the audience of the senior citizens. It was a joy to see them be risk-takers and perform despite some nerves. This was the first time that they have performed in front of the local community outside of our school and they sang with pride and confidence. In a conversation afterwards, one of the students admitted,”I felt really nervous beforehand but after we had sung our first song my nerves went away and just enjoyed singing to the older people.” Overall, we had a great deal of fun sharing the excitement of this new experience with one another.


A big thank you goes to Tenille Northam and Kylie-Ann Freshwater as well as our parent helpers: Beth Prunty and Maria Schena, for supervising our students and for their assistance and support in order for the event to run smoothly. I would especially like to thank the choir for their continued commitment and passion toward singing as a group, through countless rehearsals so far this year. It is a joy to work with you.


Our next performance will be on the Friday before Father’s/Special person’s day. Choir as a lunchtime program will continue after that, with a more relaxed approach until the end of the year, where students can have regular input into the songs that they sing together. Everyone from Year One to Year Six are welcome.


Natalie Tideman



Butterfly Foundation: Raising Body Bright Children




With a focus on preventing body dissatisfaction and serious eating issues, this session provides information and practical tips to help parents better understand and promote positive body image and healthy relationships with eating and physical activity in the home. It provides practical strategies to be a positive role model, reduce the impact of risk factors in a child's environment. The session also explores when to be concerned and what you can do, including referral and support information.

Date: 1st September 2025

Time: 7pm – 8.15pm (AEST)

Via Zoom (time-limited recording available)
Register: HERE

Cost: $15pp

For info: Full registration link https://events.butterfly.org.au/portal/event/?id=EP_Raising_Body_Kind_Teens4046978637&Name=01/09/25%20RBBC

 



Daffodil Day badges for sale


Next week, students in Year 5 will be selling the Daffodil Day pins for $5. 
If you would like to donate to the Cancer Council, please follow this link: https://www.daffodilday.com.au/donation-options



Smile Squad

Smile Squad is back - you will need to complete a new consent form for 2025

Dear families,

The Smile Squad team from Better Health Network Parkdale are coming back to our school on 25th August.

Smile Squad is the Victorian Government free school dental program.

This means all students can get a free dental check-up at school.

 

How to access free dental care

We need your consent before we can provide services. Consent is usually provided by a parent or guardian.

Sign up to Smile Squad at: https://bit.ly/smilesquadvic

OR use the below QR code:

Please complete and submit the consent form by 25th August 2025.



School uniform



Please see Office Staff for purchase, limited sizes and numbers available.



Premiers’ Reading Challenge



Premiers’ Reading Challenge

Well done to all the students who have been recording their PRC books on the website. The challenge finishes at the beginning of September, but it would be great to have everyone’s book data in by the middle of August. Students who complete the challenge will then receive a book and certificate later this term. Any questions or problems with logging in, please contact us as soon as possible.

Leanne Peterson, Sarah Cornell and Georgia Bourke

Challenge Coordinators



Their Care July news



Dude & Dana Parties


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

 

Thank- you Dana!


A massive thanks to Dana Meyer from Dude & Dana Parties, for her very kind, generous and amazing donation of balloons to help us with celebrating and recognising our 100 Years of APS.




Alex Barnard - Music lessons



Luke Drohan – Guitar and Keyboard



Julia Davis - Singing lessons