2026 | Issue 3 - 16 April / Ապրիլ
Dear Parents,
As we prepare to commence a new term, we reflect with heartfelt gratitude on the many moments that have brought our school community together. It has been a joyful and fulfilling term, filled with learning, celebration, and connection. From classroom achievements to whole-school events, and from cultural traditions to faith-based gatherings, each experience has strengthened our sense of who we are as a community.
Our students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and pride, whether through their learning, their participation in events, or simply in the way they support and care for one another. It is in these everyday moments that we see the true strength of our school. Moments where families, staff, and students work together to create a nurturing and vibrant environment.
We now look ahead to Term 2 with great excitement, as we prepare to celebrate a significant milestone in the life of our school - the Official Opening of our new Library and Multi-Purpose Centre. This beautiful new space has been created for our entire community, offering a place where students can gather, learn, create, and grow together.
We are also delighted to be introducing our new ‘STEM’ learning space, featuring the latest technology to enrich student learning and inspire curiosity. This addition reflects our commitment to providing opportunities that support every child’s growth, helping them to explore, discover, and develop skills for the future in a supportive and engaging environment.
Thank you to our dedicated staff, our supportive families, and our wider community for your ongoing partnership and trust. Together, we continue to build a school where every child feels valued, connected, and inspired - ‘In God’s Light, We Learn & Serve’
Mr Manoug Demirjian
Principal
On Sunday, 22 March, AGBU Alexander Primary School held its annual Easter Celebrations on a beautiful sunny day, truly full of God’s blessings.
We were honoured by the presence of His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand, Archpriest Fr Norayr Patanian, and Reverend Fathers Avetis Hambardzumyan (Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection) and Ashot Abrahamyan (Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Trinity). We were also pleased to welcome members of the School Board, Chairperson Mrs Sossie Giragosian, School Benefactors Mr & Mrs Varoujan and Silvia Iskenderian, Mr & Mrs Hovhaness and Marie Kouyoumdjian from the AGBU Sydney Chapter, representatives of AGBU Young Professionals Sydney, and Mr & Mrs Vasken Amirzaian from the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection, Church Council.
The day began with a colourful and creative Hat Parade, followed by the Easter Concert presented by students from Prep to Year 6. The concert explored the symbols of Easter, from the Easter Bunny, Easter Beetle, Chicks, and Easter Eggs to the true meaning of Easter: the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Through words of praise, songs and dance, the students delivered a powerful, colourful and engaging performance that brought the Easter message to life.
At the conclusion of the concert, School Principal Mr Manoug Demirjian congratulated the students and thanked the teachers and all involved in the production for their dedication and hard work. His Grace Bishop Navasardyan offered the closing remarks and a prayer, congratulating the school, students, and teachers on such a wonderful and entertaining program. He also commended the high quality bilingual presentation, highlighting the important educational message shared with everyone present.
The day concluded with a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny, bringing great joy to the children and spreading Easter cheer. The Easter Raffle, with its many hampers, ensured many families went home happy, making it a truly memorable and blessed day for our whole school community.
The aroma of freshly baked choreg filled the air as our students explored the beautiful tradition of Armenian Easter baking. ✨
As part of their learning, students were guided through the process of preparing choreg - a soft, sweet bread delicately flavoured with mahleb and cherished across generations. From mixing the dough to shaping each braid with care, it was a hands-on experience that brought culture, faith, and family traditions to life.
More than just a recipe, this lesson was a celebration of heritage, reminding us of the joy found in sharing traditions and creating together. We are so proud of our students for embracing this special part of Armenian culture with such enthusiasm!
Thank you to Mrs Svetlana Khachatourian for guiding them through this experience.
What a joyful way to wrap up the term! 🐣
Our students celebrated the final day with a wonderful afternoon of Easter fun, laughter, and creativity. Classrooms were filled with excitement as students proudly showcased their beautifully decorated eggs and handmade Easter crafts, from colourful bunnies to festive artwork.
Out in the playground, the energy continued with fun Easter games, including the always entertaining carrot challenge, where students put their skills and appetites to the test! Smiles, laughter, and friendly competition made for unforgettable moments shared among classmates.
The celebrations continued with students enjoying special treats and Easter baskets, bringing a sense of togetherness and joy to the whole school community.
A perfect ending to a fantastic term… wishing all our families a blessed and Happy Easter!🐰
Our youngest students had a truly memorable excursion at the State Library of New South Wales.
They stepped into “The World of Pamela Allen”, where beloved stories by Pamela Allen were brought to life. The children delighted in listening to her beautiful stories, immersing themselves in her much-loved characters, and taking part in interactive games and activities. It was such a joy to witness their excitement as they explored storytelling in a vibrant and engaging way.
The adventure continued at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where students explored Mike Hewson’s exhibition, “The Key’s Under the Mat.” They searched for hidden objects throughout the space, interacted with the exhibition equipment, and embraced the hands-on experience with wonderful curiosity and enthusiasm.
It was a fantastic day filled with storytelling, creativity, and exploration. Well done to our amazing students! 👏
Our senior students enjoyed an engaging and educational excursion to the Australian National Maritime Museum.
As part of their visit, students participated in the "Australian Migration Stories" program, where they explored the history of migration to Australia and examined the many reasons people have chosen to make this country their home. Through powerful stories and historical insights, students gained a deeper understanding of the migrant experience and its impact on shaping modern Australia.
The learning continued with an exciting guided exploration of the "HMAS Vampire", where students stepped aboard a real naval destroyer and discovered life at sea, gaining firsthand insight into Australia’s naval history.
Students also had the opportunity to visit the historic "HMB Endeavour" replica, gaining insight into early exploration and the voyages that played a significant role in Australia’s European history.
It was a valuable and memorable experience that brought history to life and enriched students’ understanding beyond the classroom.
During the Term, Years 3 & 4 students enjoyed a wonderful excursion to the Australian Museum.
Students participated in a self-guided tour of the museum and also took part in a guided learning experience titled "Caring for Sea Country: Garrigarrang". Through this program, students explored how First Nations peoples care for Sea Country, learning about sustainability, respect for the environment, and the deep connections between people and place.
The program, held in the Garrigarrang (Sea Country) exhibition, introduced students to First Nations technologies, materials, and cultural knowledge, highlighting the beauty, complexity, and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
It was a rich and meaningful learning experience for our students, and we are grateful for the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom.
Early Stage 1 students visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where they became “Super Art Heroes” for the day! 🎨
Through storytelling, role-play and hands-on art-making, students helped solve the mystery of the missing artworks while exploring shapes, colours, patterns and materials used by artists from different cultures and times.
It was a wonderful day of creativity, imagination and discovery, and our Super Art Heroes had an unforgettable excursion!
On Wednesday 1st April, during the final week of Term, our school community came together for a warm and engaging 'Open Classrooms' afternoon. After lunch, parents and families were welcomed into classrooms to experience firsthand the learning that had taken place throughout the term.
The afternoon provided a valuable opportunity for students to proudly showcase their work, including class books, projects, and a variety of achievements. It was wonderful to see the excitement on students’ faces as they shared their learning journeys with their families, reflecting on their progress and accomplishments.
Parents had the chance to engage with classroom environments, gain insight into their children's daily learning experiences, and celebrate their children's efforts and growth. The strong sense of connection between home and school was evident, making the event both meaningful and memorable.
The day concluded with a whole-school assembly, bringing everyone together to celebrate the term’s achievements as a community.
We are pleased to share that, during the final week of term, we were honoured to welcome His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia & New Zealand, to our school. Together with Fr Ashot Abrahamyan, a special blessing ceremony was held for our new Toyota Coaster mini-bus, with prayers offered for the safety and well-being of all students and staff who will travel on it.
Purchasing a new private bus was necessary to replace the smaller vehicle. This important upgrade reflects the continued growth in student numbers across the Telopea, Ermington, and Hornsby route, and will provide increased capacity, enhanced comfort, and a more efficient transport service for our school community.
We extend our sincere thanks to the School Board for its ongoing support in strengthening this complementary service for our families.
On 28 March 2026, AGBU Young Professionals, Sydney proudly hosted the inaugural AGBU Chess Tournament at the AGBU Cultural Centre ♟️
Bringing together players of all ages and experience levels, the tournament featured a fast-paced blitz format, with competitors going head-to-head in an exciting display of strategy, focus, and skill.
We extend our congratulations to the students from AGBU Alexander Primary School who represented the school with pride. A special well done to:
🥇 Ara Torossian – Winner, Junior Division (Championship Bracket)
🥇 Sarkis Demirjian – 1st Place, Junior Division (Challenger Bracket)
🥈 Razmik Sarkisjan – 2nd Place, Junior Division (Challenger Bracket)
Congratulations to all participants for the outstanding focus, determination, and sportsmanship shown throughout the day. A fantastic achievement by all 👏
To mark the 111th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Professor Bruce Scates - a renowned Australian war historian - will provide the keynote address at the National Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Sydney on Friday, 24 April 2026, 6:30pm at the Chatswood Concourse.
AGBU Alexander Primary School students will take part in the commemoration.
Term 1 | Weeks 6 - 10
Year 6: Sarkis D. (2), Scarlett H., Davit K.
Year 5: Razmik S., Lori M., Ayk A., Sossi M.
Year 4: Grigor B., Tereza N., Ara V. (2), Karoun D., (2) Adriana B., Ara T., Maria L.
Year 3: Aram S., Leon J., Naomi B., Sienna K., Armen N., Vanig O., Aren P., Elijah Y.
Year 1: Vana A., Lusianna T., Aria D., Siena A., Leilani B.
Kinder: Alen A. (2), Lilit S., Serine M., Arame K., Alexander A., Sarkis S., Hayk S., Leila M., Lilit S.
10 Encouragement Awards = Teacher’s Award
5 Teacher’s Award = Honour Award
(March & April)
Happy Birthday to…
Noah K.
Selah Y.
Anjela E.
Vaneh O.
Vache P.
Lilit S.
Siena A.
Anna A.
Alexander B.
Tereza N.
Ara V.
Nareg B.
Victoria K.
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