Primary School Update - 5 September 2025

HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE Melanie Woods

Dear Parents and Carers,

What a lovely term of learning this has been so far! I can’t believe we only have three more weeks of term.

On Thursday 18 September we have Market Day. This is an event run by our Secondary students, which our Primary students can participate in. The students run pop up stalls selling many delicious goodies. Families will soon be sent an Order Form and payment link, so that pre-orders can be organised and products readied for students to enjoy. Order forms and payments will be due by Wednesday 10 September.

Additionally, Week 8 is also the time that our Year 1 and Year 2 Students will be attending excursions. Year 1 is heading off to Mount Annan on Friday 19 September, and Year 2 is heading to Elizabeth Farm on Thursday 18 September. Letters have been already sent to our families so you have the latest information. If you haven’t received our correspondence, kindly reach out to us.

Please continue to use the email primaryhubmp@acc.edu.au for all correspondence to the Primary Student Hub. If you have a question for your class teacher, please continue to use their direct emails.

As a College, we need to ensure that our records are accurate, especially if your child is not on campus due to ill health or sickness. Please use attendancemp@acc.edu.au to report absences, and direct any questions about attendance to this email also.

In regards to our College uniform, please purchase black leather lace up school shoes only and kindly note that Mary Jane style shoes are not aligned with our College Uniform Guide. We have also noticed many students wearing Winter Blazers with Summer school shorts. Instead, please wear blazers with the winter uniform and the jumper with the shorts. In regards to sport sneakers, no bright colours are to be worn. White coloured sport shoes are our recommendation (a small extra side colour is ok).

Every Day Matters: Encouraging Strong School Attendance We believe every child deserves every opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive - and that starts with being present at school. In Australia, missing just one day of school a fortnight equates to a whole month of lost learning across the year. As the NSW Department of Education says, “It’s not okay to be away.” Regular attendance is not only essential for academic progress, but also helps children build friendships, confidence, and strong routines that support lifelong success. When families prioritise attendance, they send a clear message: school matters, and you matter too. By working together, we can help every student thrive - one school day at a time.

Year 12 Prayer Buddies Throughout the year, our students from K-6 have been visited by their Year 12 student buddies. The aim of these catch-ups is for our younger students to hear from our older students and be inspired about their future educational journey. Our students enjoy these catch ups so much, some even saying, “I’m inspired to go to University too”, or “I’m encouraged that learning can be fun and engaging when you are in Year 12”. Our young students have prayed for peace to be in the Year 12 students' hearts, that they have clarity of mind and that they end their time at ACC well.

Excelencia Live On Wednesday this week, our College was a part of an exciting event where all ACC campuses accross Australia came together online to celebrate all things creative and educational. Students throughout the year partake in Excelencia Projects. These are items which are chosen to be showcased for all to enjoy and be inspired by. Our very own Maddison W and Avyukt S were selected to present their projects. Congratulations to those students - it certainly was a fantastic effort.

Celebrating Student Curiosity Children are naturally full of wonder - always asking “why?” and “how?”. As a Christian College, we see this curiosity not as a distraction, but as a beautiful part of God’s design. The Bible reminds us that “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them” (Psalm 111:2). When students explore, question, and investigate, they are engaging with the world God has made and discovering His creativity in action. Whether it’s experimenting in Science, solving puzzles in Maths, or wondering about a story in English, curiosity leads to deeper learning and a stronger faith. At our College, we celebrate those big questions and encourage students to see their curiosity as a gift from God that helps them grow in both knowledge and wisdom.

To nurture this curiosity, we recommend families ask “I wonder?” questions together. You can model curiosity by wondering aloud about nature, the news, or even the stars in the sky. Families can also encourage exploration – let your child investigate, build, or research their own ideas (even if it gets a little messy!). Last but not least, connect curiosity to faith – remind your child that their big questions are part of discovering the world God has made.

I See You, Star Morning Tea Every Face has a Place at ACC! We continue to encourage students that we know them and that we see them. We want the students to know that we see when they are kind, showing respect, being willing to learn, make Christ-like decisions and when they make wise and safe choices. To celebrate their hard work and efforts, select students are invited to attend an I See You, Star Morning Tea each week, hosted by Mr Parsonage, the Stage Coordinators and myself (Mrs Woods). This is an opportunity to spend quality time with them, thank them, and congratulate them for their good work!

The following students have been given an I See You, Star award and attended the Morning Tea over the last two weeks:

Abigail O, Abigail S, Adrita G, Aenon P, Akshara S, Alwande N, Alyssa H, Amari B, Amariah T, Amelia R, Anvitha N, Ariella O, Aurelia N, Avianna C, Avyukt S, Ayaan V, Benjamin R, Curtis C, Daniel H, Davidson G, Dhriti P, Elina I, Elizabeth D, Evelyn G, Harrison D, Ibrahim I, Ithiel G, Jadon N, Jamie-Lee W, Janaia C, Judah B, Judah W, Kalki S, Keisha E, Kian T, Levi B, Lucas T, Luke C, Mackenzie H, Matthew S, Melissa S, Miles P, Nicolas N, Om P, Ondrea O, Paul R, Rainbeau C, Rebecca Z, Rhaeven M, Rishaan S, Ruby A, Saanvi B, Saanvi M

KB CLASS HIGHLIGHTS Rebecca Branson

One of the special highlights of KB’s schooling this term has been the opportunity for our class to be paired with a Year 12 buddy. This unique partnership has brought much joy to both groups of students as they learn, share, and grow together.

Our class has absolutely loved getting to know their Year 12 buddy. Having a ‘big kid’ to spend time with has helped them feel connected, supported, and valued as part of our College community. Our Year 12 buddy has taken on the role of mentor and friend, showing kindness, patience, and care as they spend time with our class .

One of the ways our buddy has connected is through prayer. KB are learning the importance of praying not just for themselves, but for others. Each day and each week, they take time to pray for their Year 12 buddy, asking God to bless their learning, give them strength during their final year of school, and guide them in all they do. This simple but powerful act is helping our class understand the importance of lifting each other up in prayer.

The playground has also become a place where these friendships continue to grow. There is nothing more exciting for the children than spotting their buddy across the playground. Whether it’s a quick smile, a wave, or a brief chat, these small moments make a big difference in their lives. Our Year 12 students are also encouraged as they see how much their presence means to their class.

Our buddy has also shared a range of activities with us, with developmental play being a particular highlight. Whether it’s building with blocks, creating artwork, or playing imaginative games, these times have allowed the children to collaborate, problem-solve, and celebrate each other’s creativity. For our class, it’s a chance to learn important social skills and feel supported by an older friend.

Recently, KB had a wonderful time celebrating their Year 12 buddy’s birthday! The children made thoughtful cards, sang Happy Birthday with big smiles, and enjoyed a special treat of cake together. It was a joyful celebration that was enjoyed by all!

As the term continues, we look forward to seeing these friendships grow deeper. We pray for our Year 12 students as they prepare for their final exams, and we thank God for the way they are investing in the lives of our class. What a blessing it is to witness faith and friendship flourish between the youngest and oldest members of our school.

3M'S DRAMA STUDIES Ashleigh McGowan

This term, 3M have been jumping into drama and exploring how to use their voices, bodies and props to create expressive, imaginative performances. It has been wonderful seeing them throw themselves into this creative art and really use their imaginations.

One of the best parts of last week's lesson was learning how everyday objects (props) can become something totally different when we use our imaginations. A scarf can turn into a river, a stick can become a microphone or magic wand, and a pillow can become a steering wheel. This creativity reminds us that God has given us such a gift in our imagination.

We’ve also worked on two Readers’ Theatres, where the focus was on using voice and movement to bring the story to life. The class loved the chance to perform together and practise how tone, volume and expression can change a character. Some even surprised themselves with how confident they became once they got into their roles.

What particularly has stood out to me in these past few weeks is the way 3M have learned to encourage each other. Drama can be a bit scary at first, especially performing in front of others. I've seen students whisper words of encouragement to their friends or step in and join someone so they didn't feel alone. These little acts of kindness remind me of what Paul talks about in the Bible when he says, “Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Drama has been a chance not only to grow 3M's creativity but also to practise working together, listening and celebrating each other's ideas. It has been such a joy watching them challenge themselves and have fun with it. I pray the students keep carrying this joy into other parts of their learning and see how their creativity reflects the Creator.