Principal's Message

Principal Report 

After a lovely long weekend for our ARPS students, we are all straight back into focussed and engaged learning this week at ARPS. Teachers are currently spending many additional work hours writing student reports, completing assessment tasks with students and undertaking one-to-one conferences and learning tasks with students in all year levels to gauge student progress over the year.

Over recent weeks, students have been asked to consider the peers who they believe they work best with at school, and list ‘five friends’ to assist with the development of class cohorts for 2024. Teachers have almost completed the work of constructing classes for next year, with the possibility of several composite classes in 2023, to ensure the equal distribution of student needs and dynamics.

Many thanks to those parents who completed the online form to indicate special requests for student placements in 2024, based on educational needs. These requests have been passed on to teachers and are being considered as part of the development of 2024 class cohorts. Please be aware that this process takes considerable time and communications between teaching staff, and as indicated in the previous newsletters, late requests will not be considered.

Year 6 Graduation 2023

Our Year 6 Graduation will be held at the school this year, on Wednesday 13th December. The graduation includes the presentation of awards, speeches by our school student leaders (past and current), dinner and a disco for the students.

We have already had some amazing support from parents eager to assist with planning and connecting with the community for supplies and decorations. Families who are interested in supporting the planning of the evening can contact the year 6 teachers directly, or the office. We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration on the night! More details and times will be sent to year 6 families in coming days.

Remembrance Day Assembly- Friday 10th November @ 2.45pm

Albany Rise Primary School will be holding our Remembrance Day Assembly at 2.45pm on Friday 10th November in the hall. The Assembly will be led by our School Captains and Vice-Captains.

As per our ARPS tradition, we ask that families send students with flowers or foliage to add to class wreaths, which will be presented by each class at assembly.

Bike Education

Our Year 3-6 students are very fortunate to be able to take part in a Bike Education program with specialist instructors over the next 3 weeks. The program occurs every Friday, commencing tomorrow, with no cost to students through the ‘School Sports Grant’ program. With so many of our students regularly riding to school and around the local area, the importance of knowing how to be safe near the road has never been more important. I am sure students will learn much from this excellent program.

Thunderstorm Asthma

During the months of October to December, areas of Victoria are particularly prone to bouts of combined pollen and weather conditions that can result in 'Thunderstorm Asthma' in children and adults. On days of high risk of Thunderstorm Asthma at school, staff carefully consider conditions, and may have some outdoor activities relocated indoors (such as PE) to limit the potential impact of conditions that could result in a student having Thunderstorm Asthma. Families can monitor the potential for Thunderstorm Asthma through various websites and apps, including the following:

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma-risk-forecast

https://www.melbournepollen.com.au/mobile-app/

https://support.emergency.vic.gov.au/hc/en-gb/categories/203637608-VicEmergency-app

+For students prone to Asthma, Hayfever, or who take regular preventative medication, families are encouraged to monitor these sites (as does the school), and ensure children have their medication (named) at the school office, in case it is needed.

More information about Thunderstorm Asthma can also be found here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma-frequently-asked-questions

Working Bee Friday 1st December (4-6.30pm)

Our next working bee is to be held on Friday 1st December (afterschool). The main tasks to be completed include:

• Spruce up before carols night and before the break.
• Garden beds & hedging
• Playground behind Arc- tidy up
• Drains
• Gutters
• Cobwebs
• Setting up new storerooms
• Dispose of old chairs outside hall
• Odd jobs in classrooms
• Repaint dots (Arc)

A free BBQ will be provided for those families who attend. A separate notice will be sent home to all families soon to indicate intention to take part. Many hands make light work.

Student Leadership 2024

Our process for 2024 Student School Leadership selection has commenced. Positions include School Captains, School Vice-captains, House Captains and more. Interested students are asked to present a leadership speech to our Year 3-5 cohort of students, and each student can vote for their preferred candidates. Students who are seen as leaders by their peers are then interviewed for the School Captain Leadership roles by myself and Michael Mottershead (AP). Positions are announced at the last assembly, to be held on the final Assembly for the year, Wednesday 20th December commencing at 12.30pm.

At the assembly we will listen to the Year 6 graduates sing their farewell song, watch the Year 6 PowerPoint and celebrate the year we have had. We will also have our traditional farewell ‘guard of honour’ on the oval immediately after the assembly presentations.

After School Hours Care – Information for Families: KidsCo OSHC services to be operated by Camp Australia 

Recently, our Albany Rise School Administration team have been informed that Camp Australia (CA) is welcoming KidsCo’s OSHC services to the CA family, including the OSHC service at Albany Rise Primary School. 

We understand that any change can be a little unsettling, especially regarding your child's care. However, we want to assure you that there will be no changes to the services you have come to rely on. KidsCo will continue to operate the OSHC program at Albany Rise in Term 4, with Camp Australia providing oversight and operational support as required. This means no changes to the team, no changes to the program, no changes to the fees. 

What changes though is that from the start of the summer holiday season, you will need to book your holiday care and OSHC through Camp Australia’s parent portal app, available through the Apple Store and Google Play, instead of the KidsCo portal. 

As a Camp Australia family, our school will enjoy numerous benefits: 

· Inspiring tailored programs: CA's child experience philosophy is about purposeful play. The CA team tailor every experience to the unique children in their services. 

· National events: As the leading OSHC provider, CA also offers children the chance to participate in national events like the Big Art Competition or Film Festival. 

· Engaging Educators: Supported by a national team of specialists, the CA educators are engaged and foster a safe, inclusive environment where children can learn, have fun and connect. 

· Holiday Program (Rocketeers) Access: You will have access to their extensive network of holiday programs nationwide, meaning you can choose programs based on your preferences, location, or budget. · Child Care Subsidy: Eligible families can take advantage of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) enabled care, potentially saving up to 90% on your OSHC fees. 

· Parent Portal app: CA's parent portal gives parents complete access to everything from booking and billing to updating their child details and viewing a photo gallery of activities. 

Our current team within the KidsCo service will continue to remain unchanged. But they will now have access to Camp Australia's extensive library of learning and development resources, support from a network of experienced leaders, and a commitment to rigorous health and safety procedures and policies. 

Bookings for Rocketeers’ summer holiday program open soon!

Camp Australia online: https://pp.campaustralia.com.au/ 

Election Day Saturday Nov 18th - Fundraiser

Saturday November 18th is a by-election day for our local community and ARPS amazing Parents’ Association are again planning an Election Day BBQ fundraiser to support the school. We need volunteers to make this happen. At this stage, we are looking for volunteers from 7:30am through to 3.00 pm. If you can volunteer for an hour or so, please contact the office to add your name to the list! 

Parent Helper’s Morning Tea  - Tuesday 5th December 

Our school is all the better because of the extra-ordinary help received from our parents and members of our school community.  You, our wonderful parents and carers assist with classroom support, daily reading, working bees and with incursions and excursions.  Our School Council and its Subcommittee members as well as the numerous Parent Association helpers, who plan school events and activities, add to the vision and culture of Albany Rise PS.  The teaching and support staff, have valued your assistance and participation in the school life of your students and their school.

In acknowledgement of your tremendous support, we would like to extend an invitation to join us for Morning Tea, Tuesday 5th December from 1aam in the Function Room.  Please keep this date free in your diaries.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS/CONCERT:

Please put the date of Thursday 7th December  into your calendars for our Christmas Concert. We are thrilled that we can again host these wonderful community events. More information about this night will be shared with the community over the upcoming weeks. Classes are already learning songs and actions to share on the night. 

We look forward to a great night.

Parent Contributions 2024 - Repeat

By the Monday 13th November, we will inform the school community of the Parent Payments for 2024. A notice will be provided to each family with the details of book purchasing options and the voluntary curriculum contributions. The Department of Education has asked schools to itemise the payments, and you will see this on the letter sent home. The cost for Parent Payments has been discussed and approved at our Finance and School Council meetings prior to being announced to the school community. 

FREE MULCH – CONTACT OFFICE IF INTERESTED

On Tuesday 21st November, a number of trees identified as requiring removal or reduction will be attended to by a professional arborist at school. The Arborist has offered to provide Free mulch from the works to any families who are eager to use this at home. If you are interested in collecting some free mulch from the outcome of the tree works, please make contact with the school with your details, and we will ensure some mulch is left for prompt collection.

Musical Survey:

Recently, parents/carers were provided the opportunity to share feedback from our Whole School Production. The feedback was very positive, with a small number of constructive ideas for future performances and planning.

Some of the comments given:

'Was lovely to watch all the kids have a great night!'

'Very impressed overall with the production.  Communication could have been improved - would have appreciated knowing which nights childrent were performing and times for drop off much earlier'

'Overall, fantastic production to watch.  The children's dance routines were sensational and very well choreographed, not to mention the costumes were adorable? Well done everyone involved'

'It was a fantastic night'

'We had a wonderful time. Little ones loved dancing along.'

'Awesome thank u Albany Rise Primary School'.

'We thoroughy enjoyed this well organised event....ws so glad to see the kids having an awesom night!'

'Great performance overall!'

'Many thanks to all the staff member for all their hard work!'

'No it was a good night!'

'Great musical'

Some Pictures from the Year 3 and 4 Excursion to Werribee Zoo today

Parents are reminded that the Staff Car parks at the front and rear of the school are not for parent parking. Parents with a valid disabled pass may use the designated space at the front of the school..