From the 'Acting' Principal 

Welcome Back to Term 3

If only we were in Tuscany! Mrs Rouda is having an amazing time on her Europe adventure and has recently enjoyed a gondola in Venice. She is currently enjoying a villa in Tuscany.

As for the rest of us, we are two weeks into term 3 and have a jam packed term ahead. 

Year 5 & 6 students can look forward to a five day Camp in August at Camp Coolamatong.

For those looking for a challenge we will be running both the Australian Mathematics Competition and International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). 

The School Nurse will be visiting our Foundation students and they will also make a trip to the Zoo. And to finish off the term the swimming program will commence in late August for all year levels. 

Thank you to all that attended Parent Teacher Conferences. As teachers, we value the opportunity to discuss your child's progress and work together to support students to achieve their goals.

COVID Update

Unfortunately cases are increasing both in the community and at GRPS. Please ensure that you contact the Office if you require another box of RAT's. Regular testing is a preventative measure that can help us stop the spread. 

Mask wearing has been strongly recommended for both students and teachers as has been communicated this week. We do have supplies of masks for students . These can be requested by students via their teacher.  

Please remember to contact the school with positive cases and continue reporting positive COVID-19 cases to both the Department of Health and our own testing portal. 

Students who are close contacts and want to attend should still take 5 x RATs over 7 days and must wear a face mask whilst indoors if they are aged 8 years or over.

A reminder that exemptions for testing and isolation has reduced from 12 weeks to 4 weeks. This means that staff and children who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are now required to undertake the testing and isolation requirements from 4 weeks after completing isolation with COVID-19. 

New Furniture in Year 1

Last week we received the long awaited Year 1 furniture that was purchased using the money raised from the Slime Fun Run last year.

Not only does this furniture brighten the classroom, but also provides more space for students when working at their tables and when listening on the floor. 

Cadbury Fundraiser

Families received a box of Cadbury treats on Wednesday. We would be very grateful if you could support this fundraiser and help us with our goal of purchasing more new classroom furniture. We now have both Foundation and Year 1 decked out with new furniture and are hoping to upgrade another year level with monies raised from this chocolate campaign!

Thank you to the parent helpers that packed the boxes full of Freddos, Caramellos and Oreos. 

Farewell Janine Wallace-Smith

Last Friday both current and past staff farewelled Janine in her retirement. Janine has been part of the Great Ryrie community for over 20 years, both as a parent and member of our Office Team. 

Janine started at GRPS in 2000 as a parent helper in her son's Foundation classroom. She then joined the Fundraising Committee and continued to be a member for many years. Janine was incredibly committed to supporting the school raise money throughout her career and was also a long standing member of School Council. Janine then went on to join the After School Care program, which was then run by the school. Following that, Janine extended her role to include working as a Teacher Aide and First Aid Officer, and then found herself as a permanent member of the Office team. Eventually she took on the role of Office Manager and was in this role until her retirement. Janine managed Facilities, Buildings and Grounds and was involved in the construction and fit out of the Sports and Performance Centre, demolition of the Annex and construction and fit out of the new classrooms in 2019, as well as the refurbishment of the Netball Courts. 

Janine, you have played a major part in making the school the wonderful place that it is today. You will be forever embedded in Great Ryrie Primary School’s history. Thank you for your service to the school and we wish you a restful and happy retirement.