Acting Principal's Report

Acting Principal Report

Labour Day Public Holiday and Student-Free Day

A reminder we have the Labour Day public holiday this coming Monday 10th March, followed by a Student-Free Day on Tuesday 11th March. Students do not attend school on both days.

*IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please refer to the ‘School Savings Bonus’ TAB on the newsletter home page to explain how to use your School Savings Bonus (SSB) for school activities.

ARPS Cross Country – Southern Reserve – Friday 28th February

Last Friday our year 3-6 students walked to Southern Reserve to compete in our annual Cross Country competition. The cross country involved students competing against others in their age group, running a course around the boundary of Southern Reserve. Students test their endurance, stamina and resilience, running distances of between 2 and 3 kilometres, depending on their age.

The top 10 in each boy and girl age group, received a ribbon and house points. Our top runners will have the opportunity to represent Albany Rise at our District Cross Country in term 2, Monday 12th May. Mr Fergus (P.E Teacher) will send home District Cross Country invitations to all qualifying students, early in term 2.

Congratulations to all our students for their efforts and demonstration of our school values throughout. Thank-you to all our parent helpers, teachers and education support staff. Without your support, events such as these wouldn’t be able to go ahead. A special thank-you to Nicholas Fergus, our new P.E teacher/coordinator, for planning and leading this most successful event. It was Nicholas’ first ever event to co-ordinate and run. Great job, Nick!

Division Swimming – Wednesday 5th March - wishing two ARPS students all the best!

As I write, we have two students representing not only Albany Rise Primary, but the wider Monash District, at the Division Swimming Carnival.

We wish the following students all the very best as they compete against the best swimmers in our Division.

• Bryce (5/6C)
• Chenuli (5/6S)

No matter your placings today, we admire your talents to reach such a high level of competition. All the best, Bryce and Chenuli!

Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN, 2025

This week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students have commenced their NAPLAN PREPARATION, before the official assessments begin next Wednesday 12th March. Our NAPLAN assessment schedule for 2025 will be:

• Wednesday 12th March (Writing)

• Thursday 13th March (Reading)

• Friday 14th March (Language Conventions)

• Monday 17th March (Numeracy)

As part of the NAPLAN preparations this week we will be simulating the assessment process, aiming to help students feel comfortable and confident to show us what they can do.

It will be very important next week that students have breakfast before school, arrive each day on time and well rested, after having a good night’s sleep.

Opportunities for catch-up assessments will be provided for students who may have been absent for any reason across the testing days, from Tuesday 18th to Friday 21st March, to allow all students the maximum opportunity to participate.

It is important to remember (and remind our children) that this is just one of the many ongoing assessments used throughout the year, and NAPLAN reflects just a ‘moment in time’. At ARPS, teachers analyse the NAPLAN results to inform planning and cater to the individual learning needs of all our students. 

Twilight Working Bee: Friday 14th March – 4-6.30pm

Approaching in a couple of weeks is our first working bee for the year. We would love to see as many helpers as possible. Working bees are a great way to meet other families and contribute to improving our school. All helpers are invited to a FREE BBQ at the end and receive a complimentary certificate of participation, presented to the family at assembly!

Keep a look out for future Dojo messages and a hard-copy flyer with further details.

Whole School Multicultural Harmony Day and Performance – Friday 21st March

A reminder to all families we will be celebrating our whole school ‘Multicultural Harmony Day’ on Friday 21st March.

This day involves acknowledging and celebrating the many cultures and traditions of families in our school and wider community. 

Part of the celebration will involve a multicultural performance in the hall, which requires parent consent and payment. If you haven’t yet completed this, please visit COMPASS to process.

Schedule for the Day: 

9.20-9.50am: Costume Parade (either in hall or under blue shade sail – depending on weather)

9.50-10.40am: Group A - Multicultural Performance by the Kita Performing Arts Company: FM, F/1W, 12R, 1/2P & 3/4R

10.40-11.30am: Group B – Multicultural Performance by the Kita Performing Arts Company: 3/4Y, 4/5N, 5/6S and 5/6C

Afternoon sessions: students participate in a range of multicultural awareness activities, such as cultural hand crafts, cultural sports, with classroom teachers.

Thank-you to Yin Zheng (Mandarin) and Kylie Szabo (Educational Support and Marrung Lead) for coordinating our school celebrations.

School Operating Hours

A remind to families that our school’s operating hours are between 8:45am and 3:45pm. 

We provide yard supervising between 8.45-9am and 3.30-3.45pm. Gates are locked at 3.45pm. If your child needs to be at school prior to 8.45am or after 3.45pm, please enrol them with our out of hours care service provider, Camp Australia. Please contact the office if you would like further information. Student safety and adult supervision is paramount.

Acting Principal

Michael Mottershead