Primary School Update - 4 April 2025

HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE Daniel McClintock

Dear Primary families,

Over the past week, I have been glad to serve in the Primary team while Mrs Woods has taken some leave. Ordinarily, I serve in the College as Executive Head of Professional Practice. 

As always, the Primary is abuzz with kindness, joy and learning. It was a special privilege to introduce myself to the students on Tuesday morning, and then have so many students come say hello while I was escorting guests around the Primary School on Wednesday’s Open Day. One guest said to me, “The students are so happy here!”

While Mrs Woods is on leave, I am supported by our incredible Primary leadership and administration teams - I am grateful for their support and especially thankful for Mr Parsonage’s efforts.

Heritage Day Assembly

On Monday this week, we enjoyed our Heritage Day assembly, a day set aside in our College calendar to celebrate the diverse and wonderful heritages our students and staff come from, and the unity we experience as a Christian educative community.

A particularly touching moment was the performance by our Year 2 signing choir. Each child wore the flag of their heritage, creating a beautiful display of unity and diversity. Our students performed “He Makes Everything Beautiful", delivering an inspiring message through both their voices and their signing.

We also enjoyed watching a video from one of our College families, the Aydins, making a traditional Middle Eastern dish called warek enab (which literally translates to ‘paper from grapes’). We watched as Shiloh, one of our Kindergarten students, laid out vine leaves, placed a rice and meat mixture on it, folded the edges in and rolled it up under the guidance of her Teta (grandmother). Students were enthralled as they watched their peer Shiloh, and teachers Mr and Mrs Aydin, sharing their Lebanese and Egyptian heritage.

Inter-school Sport Trials Begin

We have loved Gymnastics for sport throughout the term, and this week we began trials for our inter-school sports teams - Netball, Boys Football, Tee-Ball and OzTag. We are aiming to announce teams next Friday.

Have a Blessed Easter

While Christmas certainly holds a special place in Australia’s cultural calendar, for many Christians it is Easter that is the most consequential holiday year. Many use this time to reflect on their own spiritual life, to bring themselves 'back to the cross'. May we be reminded that God is for us, not just as a distant, well-wishing force, but as an active, redeeming, present God. A God who seeks and saves the lost. For our God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Richest blessings to you and your families this Easter.

KL NEWSLETTER Shirley Lie

KL came together with 6B this week to discuss the meaning of Easter while having fun!

There were lots of smiles, turn-taking, guiding, and collaboration amongst the students. Year 6 showed their ability to gently assist and model with Kindergarten. KL enjoyed decorating, listening, colouring, writing and even dancing with their buddies. 

After KL decorated biscuits, their buddies helped them write an Easter card for their family and friends. Students Annika B, Idha G and Isla K from 6B read the Easter Story to KL.

KL also met with Ayva R from Year 12. They will get to know Ayva more each week and learn about her journey at ACC. KL looks forward to praying and supporting Ayva in her final year of schooling here at ACC.

1D NEWS: BUILDING BRIDGES & PEER SUPPORT Micah Diaz Year 11 Peer Support Our College's Year 11 Peer Support program with Year 1 students has been in full swing this term, creating valuable connections between our oldest and youngest learners. This fortnightly initiative has quickly become a highlight for our Year 1 students, who eagerly anticipate this special time with their older mentors.

The program begins each session with morning reading, where our Year 11s visit 1D to participate in either guided reading (listening to our Year 1’s read) or shared reading (reading to our younger students). This one-on-one reading time not only supports literacy development but also establishes a foundation for meaningful relationships. During Recess, the Year 11 students lead various fitness games, helping our younger students stay active while continuing to build positive rapport through play and movement. These interactions create natural opportunities for our students to connect outside the classroom setting.

Learning Peacewise Together Following recess, students reconvene to explore the Peacewise curriculum, which focuses on understanding conflict and developing healthy resolution strategies. Through discussions, crafts, and interactive activities, students examine what conflict is and how we might deal with it by looking at the example of Jesus, the ultimate peacemaker.

These sessions provide a safe space for our Year 1 students to explore important social concepts with the guidance of their older peers. The program deliberately creates opportunities for trust-building and relationship development that extends beyond the typical classroom experience.

Growing Together It has been truly heartwarming to witness the special bonds forming between our students. For our Year 1s, having the attention and friendship of the 'big kids' brings excitement and confidence. For our Year 11s, the program offers valuable leadership experience and the chance to make a positive impact on younger students.