ALEXANDER
NEWSLETTER

Inspired by the Primate’s New Year Message

In his New Year message to the faithful, His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand, calls us to recognise the “Light of Christ” as our guide. He reminds us that God’s light is not merely symbolic, but living and transformative:

• a light that dispels fear and uncertainty,

• illuminates the path of truth,

• and strengthens us to walk forward with faith and purpose.

This message resonates deeply with the mission of AGBU Alexander Primary School. As an Armenian Christian school, we are called not only to educate minds but also to shape hearts by guiding our students to grow in wisdom, compassion, and service.

By embracing the theme “In God’s Light, We Learn and Serve,” we affirm that everything we do, which means every lesson taught, every decision made, every act of kindness offered, is illuminated by God’s presence. It is the light we wish our students to walk in each day:

• a light that shapes their character,

• a light that guides their learning,

• and a light that inspires them to serve others with humility and love.

Building on the Legacy of the “Procession of Lights”

One of the most memorable moments of our 35th Anniversary Celebrations in 2025 was the “Procession of Lights” during the Anniversary Concert. As our graduates and former students walked forward carrying their lights, individual flames became a collective radiance - symbolising unity, hope, and the passing of faith from one generation to the next.

That powerful image continues to inspire us as we enter 2026:

• • • Each child carries a light uniquely their own.

    • Together, those lights illuminate the path for our community.

    • At the centre of it all is God’s guiding presence.

The Procession of Lights was more than a performance… it was a living expression of our school’s mission. It reminded us that when our students walk in God’s light, they do not walk alone. In fact, they walk together, strengthened by faith, heritage, and community.

Learning, Faith, and Service - United

Our 2026 theme brings together the core pillars of our school life:

Learning

God’s light guides our pursuit of knowledge, curiosity, and truth. It calls us to teach with integrity and to nurture students who think deeply and act wisely.

Faith

God’s light strengthens our identity as an Armenian Christian school. It reminds us that faith is not confined to prayer alone but is woven into daily life and learning.

Service

God’s light inspires us to serve others with humility, compassion, and joy. It encourages our students to look beyond themselves and to become active contributors to their community.

Therefore, “In God’s Light, We Learn and Serve” is not simply a motto. It is an invitation to live our faith through action.

Reflecting the Heart of Our Community

The simplicity of this theme allows it to speak to both children and adults alike. It honours the foundations laid over the past 35 years while guiding us confidently into the future. Most importantly, it reminds us that we do not walk this journey alone.

As we commence the 2026 academic year, may our school continue to be a place where faith illuminates learning, service flows from love, and every child is encouraged to let their light shine.

Honouring Our Armenian Christian Identity

As Australian Armenians, light holds deep significance within the Armenian Church:

• • • the light of the Resurrection,

    • the light of baptism,

    • and the light of faith passed from parent to child.

By embracing this theme, we honour our heritage and strengthen our students’ identity as young Armenian Christians - growing in wisdom, faith, and service.

As we step into 2026 together, may we continue to learn, serve, and grow in God’s Light.

«Աստուծոյ Լոյսով՝ Կը Սորվինք ու Կը Ծառայենք»

Mr Manoug Demirjian
Principal

Our first day began with a special blessing service conducted by Fr Avetis Hambardzumyan, the Parish Priest of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrectionreminding us that this year we walk in God’s Light together.

Following a warm welcome from our Principal, Mr Manoug Demirjian, classes were announced and our excited students made their way to their new classrooms. After lighting a candle and receiving blessings, the school was filled with joy, hope, and eager young faces ready to learn.

As we begin 2026 under our new theme, “In God’s Light, We Learn and Serve,” we look forward to a year guided by faith, learning, service, and community.

Here’s to a bright and blessed year ahead! 🌟🕯️📚

AGBU Alexander Primary School's Policy Documents are made available to parents on request from the School Office. In addition, the policies that are relevant to parents are also Shared in a folder with an email link. These documents can also be accessed from the Home menu of the School Stream App.

School Discipline Policy - Parent Handout

Parents should read this document carefully to familiarise themselves with the strategies implemented at AGBU Alexander Primary School to encourage positive attitudes and behaviour.

The school has expectations of its students to maintain standards that will promote personal achievement and school pride. It is the tone of our school to be positive, encouraging, and motivational. Children need this same encouragement from parents in order to succeed. Students achieve the highest when parents take an active interest and role in their education and school life.

School Standards on Homework:

• It is expected that students will complete set tasks to the best of their ability - untidy work will not be accepted.

• Parents should check each set of homework to make sure its completed at the accepted standard.

• Homework should be made a priority when students arrive home of an afternoon. However, teachers understand that students may have extra-curricular after school activities. If homework is unable to be completed,  please write a note to the teacher stating the reason.

• If your child has difficulty with set homework, please advise your child’s teacher in writing the following day. If the situation persists, please make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher.

Uniform - Please note the correct school uniform by referring to the “Uniform Policy” available on the School App or in your Enrolment Package. The “Uniform Policy - Parent Handout” provides a quick summary of the requirements.

Uniform Policy - Parent Handout

All uniform items are to be purchased from the school except shoes.

To help parents with the purchase of school shoes and sports shoes a Fact Sheet is available - 'School Shoes for Prep-Year 6'. It is important that parents purchase traditional black school shoes for Kindergarten to Year 6. Preparatory students only need white Sports shoes. We understand there are a variety of shoes in the market that are being sold as 'school shoes', but these sports-looking like shoes do not qualify and we ask parents to use the fact sheet to make the correct purchase.

Uniform Policy - Shoes Fact Sheet

Hair & Accessories

Boys’ hair should be kept short and neatly cut, off the collar with an even grade. Styles are expected to be reasonably conservative. Unacceptable styles include: undercuts, mullets, slits, layers, steps, lines, pony tails, rats tails, or marked contrasts of length or shape including long fringes.

Girls’ hair should be combed back or tied back with navy blue ribbon. Headbands and other hair accessories are only permitted in navy blue.

Girls should come to school wearing their sports briefs and are not allowed to wear coloured long boxer type shorts under their summer uniform. Students are also not allowed to wear coloured T-shirt under their summer shirts and/or sports uniform. Plain stud earrings or sleepers are allowed for girls. 

Uniforms can be ordered using the following Order Forms:

UNIFORM | Preparatory - Order Form

UNIFORM | Boys Summer - Order Form

UNIFORM | Girls Summer - Order Form

Label Clothing -All removable clothing including jumpers, hats, track suit tops and pants, must be clearly marked with your child’s name. This will assist the school with lost clothing.

Sports Day - The school’s Gymnastics program will run in Term 1. 'SportsPro' will run the sessions on our Sports day, which has been set for Mondays.

Students need to wear their summer sports uniform.

Summer sports uniform is worn in Terms 1 & 4, and winter sports uniform in Terms 2 & 3.

Students not participating in a sports session must bring a signed note from parents with a full explanation.

Sports Shoes - Students are allowed to bring sports shoes to school for play. They are allowed to leave a second pair of sports shoes at school to change into at lunchtime for play (eg soccer) then change back.

School Hats must be at school daily. One of our school rules is ...“No Hat, No Play”. Students without hats will not be able to use the playground area during play time. They are to sit down in the shade, read a book by themselves and not play.

Students who do not have a hat break the school Uniform Code.

School Standards on Uniform:

• Students are expected to wear the correct uniform at all times. 

• Students wearing the incorrect uniform (any part) should provide a note to the class teacher stating a reason.

• Students in Years 3-6 can bring sports shoes to school for fitness and play. Students are allowed to leave a second pair of sports shoes at school to change into for their fitness sessions.

• Students must have school hats at school daily. “NO HAT, NO PLAY”

• Jewellery, nail polish and make-up are not permitted. Only one pair, plain stud / sleeper earrings permitted.

• Random uniform checks are conducted and students receive House points for correct uniform standards.

• Students who lose an article of uniform (eg hat or jumper) will have a week’s grace after which time the article must be replaced.

• Students who repeatedly forget uniform items / hats will have records of misbehaviour sent home.

Student Lunchboxes

We are generally very happy with the contents of our students’ lunchboxes. Our school would rate fairly well with all the attention given to ensuring school lunchboxes contain mostly foods with good nutritional value. Whilst children may complain about lack of variety, try being inventive with the way you serve foods. Please continue to help us with this school program - keep up with the practice of providing low-fat, low-salt, low-sugar foods.

Fruit size can make all the difference between “fruit eaten” and “fruit wasted”. Please buy small-sized fruit for small mouths to chomp around otherwise, send cut fruit to school. Many of the younger children (P-2) could be wasting good fruit because it is just too hard to eat.

THE SCHOOL LUNCH BOX

Parents are instrumental in the success of our school’s healthy food program as providers of good, nutrition-filled lunch boxes. To help parents with the confusing task of deciding on suitable snack foods, below is a list of what we consider to be appropriate.  

ONE ONLY -  Snack Food which includes any one of the following: baked biscuits or snacks such as BBQ shapes; yoghurt or other dairy dessert such as Yogo or Petite Miam; slice of plain cake, fruit muffin or fruit toast; fruit straps/bars; breakfast/muesli bars, plain pop corn.

SNACKS WHICH DO NOT QUALIFY:  All chips, roll-ups, LCM’s, chocolate muffins, cream biscuits and wafers.

UNLIMITED AMOUNTS OF - Fresh Fruit & Vegetables … fruit bars and fruit yoghurt are no replacement for fresh fruit.

AT LEAST ONE SERVE OF - Bread …  sandwiches

Sandwiches are the most ideal lunch food but we do understand that children need some variety and often have home-cooked meals to replace sandwiches.

SUITABLE LUNCH DRINKS FOR SCHOOL -  fruit juice, milk, water.

Armenian Student Fund

The Armenian Student Fund program continues this year at AGBU Alexander Primary School and we hope to raise enough money to continue sponsoring two children in Armenia. We know our small effort makes a real difference to these families in need.

 This service was initiated in our school program in 1994. Today, Alexander school students continue to sponsor two young Armenians -  Arpine Nersissian & Garik Kasbaryan through the Armenian Apostolic Church child sponsorship program. 

How do we raise money for this program?

Students are requested to make a regular donation of a silver or gold coin each week. It is a good idea to have the children donate money from weekly pocket money or earnings regardless of how small the donation. The learning experience to share and give selflessly is a valuable one.

The collection is taken during Recess on Thursdays and students earn points for their House Teams. A weekly report on collections is given during the weekly Assemble and in the Newsletter.

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Clubs - bringing children and books together. 

Books are a very important part of children’s growth and development, and research suggests that the ability to read is critical to independence, success and personal fulfillment. It is said that, kids who read succeed!

Scholastic Book Clubs offer a good variety of age-appropriate books from Australia and the world at prices below recommended retail prices. Students purchasing from Book Clubs also help in earning Reading Reward Points for our school. These points are used to redeem valuable learning resources for the library and classrooms.

Pamphlets will be sent home regularly throughout the year, with 8 issues all in all.

All book club orders must be placed using the order form in the pamphlet or Online. Money and a completed order form (including your child’s name) should be placed in an envelope clearly marked “BOOK CLUB ORDER” for collection at the School Office.