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. 

Dear parents and carers,

This is our final newsletter for 2025, Aspendale Primary School’s centenary year. It has been wonderful to connect with past and present school community members over the year and celebrate this special occasion in our school’s history.

On behalf of us all, I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the staff and volunteers who work in partnership to provide our children with the vast array of learning opportunities they are supported and challenged by each day.

To our teaching staff, thank you for your ongoing commitment to school improvement, the connections you build with each of our students and their families and your ongoing dedication to your own professional learning.

To our Education Support admin staff, thank you for your always being ready to help all members of our school community, being the first friendly face we see when we walk through the doors, keeping us organised, caring for our First Aid needs and making sure we pay our bills.

To our Education Support classroom staff, thank you for the ways you help students across the school to engage with their learning, your ongoing connection with their families and your support to facilitate our teaching and learning program.

Thank you to Bill Wong, our IT technician. You’re always ready to help staff and students with any of our myriad of tech issues when you arrive on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Thank you to Meg Wheelhouse for the smooth transition you have facilitated in becoming our canteen manager. Our students and their families appreciate the yummy lunches you provide on Thursdays and Fridays and your friendly face at the canteen window. Thank you to your team of volunteers for their ongoing commitment in the canteen.

Thank you to our school crossing supervisor, Charles Stewart, for the way you greet us each morning, whatever the weather, and the way you care for us in crossing the road.

To Anna and the team at TheirCare for the way you look after our students who utilise your program before and after school and across holiday breaks, thanks for your friendly faces, your engaging activities and your support of our school.

To our School Council and members of our sub-committees, thank you for your time and support throughout the year. We appreciate your expertise, your feedback and your ongoing commitment to our school and the community.

To all of our parent and carer community, thanks for your ongoing support of our school. We are grateful for the different ways you contribute to each student’s learning, including supporting your child at home, volunteering in the classroom, on excursions and in other various ways.

Year Six Graduation

On Monday we had the opportunity to celebrate our Year Six students and their time at Aspendale Primary School with their families. It was wonderful to spend the evening reflecting on each child’s achievement, enjoying the student’s performing their dance and song and sharing our pride in all of our students as they head off on their next adventure as confident, kind and clever young people. Thank you to our Year Six team, Cait Fletcher, Trent Dowling, Megan Thomas and Heidi Ellison for their organisation of the evening. Thanks to staff and parents across the school who helped prepare the evening. We were fortunate to have the Hon. Tim Richardson attend our ceremony. We look forward to celebrating our Year Six students with our student community at our final assembly on Friday. This will begin at 12:15 with an early dismissal at 1:00.

Exiting Families

At Graduation we farewelled the following families. We thanked them for the various ways they have contributed to our school community, including serving on School Council, on sub-committees, volunteering in the canteen, on sports days, our school library, on excursions, in the classroom, as class-parent representatives, at working bees, at election day barbeques and in many other ways.

FestiveSing Along

On Friday afternoon we enjoyed welcoming the community into the courtyard to join in our Christmas Sing Along. Our students did a terrific job of having fun in their year level song and dance. Luckily our Performing Arts team were able to teach the staff our dance live on stage. Thanks to Natalie Tideman for coordinating the event, our staff for preparing our students and our community for coming along on the afternoon.

2026 Curriculum Days

A reminder from previous newsletters of our School Council endorsed 2026 curriculum days:

-27th January - Staff return to school/Professional Learning to prepare for the school year

-6th March - Staff Professional Learning: Victorian Teaching & Learning Model 2.0 Implementation

-22nd June - Student-Led Conferences

-7th December - Professional Practice Day (2027 Planning)

This leaves us one curriculum day remaining which we will decide when to best utilise once 2026 commences.

TheirCare will offer a program on each of these days.

A Personal Thank You

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the school community for your support this year. I feel grateful to work at Aspendale Primary School, to lead our learning and teaching community and to share each day with community-minded people.

I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable summer holiday, spending time with the people who bring you joy. I look forward to working with you again in 2026,

Tom

Another huge THANK-YOU to Dana & Dude Balloons and Events for supplying the wonderful balloon display for our Year 6 Graduation on Monday evening.