Principal's Page
Welcome Back Everyone
Welcome Back to Term 1
I hope you all had a wonderful break and are feeling refreshed for the year ahead. I enjoyed some quality time with my family and daughters, with plenty of reading, swimming, and relaxing, just what was needed before the excitement of a new school year.
It’s certainly been a warm start to Term 1, and I know many of us have felt like we’re melting. As we settle back into routines, I wanted to share some important reminders you may have missed in last week’s Save the Dates. You'll find these details below to help you stay up to date.
Looking forward to a fantastic year ahead
Thank You for Attending the ‘Getting to Know You’ Interviews
Thank you to all the parents and guardians who took the time to attend our Getting to Know You interviews. These conversations are invaluable in helping us build strong, supportive relationships between home and school.
Understanding each child’s strengths, interests, and needs allows us to create a learning environment where they feel seen, supported, and set up for success. Your insights help us tailor our approach, ensuring that every student can thrive both academically and emotionally.
South East Melbourne Phoenix Visit GRPS
Yesterday, we were excited to welcome players from the South East Melbourne Phoenix Basketball Team to Great Ryrie Primary School!
Our students had an unforgettable experience playing against the team, meeting the players, receiving special tops, and even scoring some autographs.
Be sure to tune in to Channel 10 News tonight around 5:30 pm, there may be a short segment featuring their visit to our school.
A highlight of the day was the teachers' half-time challenge: a long-range shot from the centre of the court. Everyone gave it their best, but the only one to sink the shot was Mr. Warren Smith. What a legend! Judging by his reaction, we’re pretty sure he was the most excited of all.
What an amazing opportunity for our school community 🏀💚🖤
Start of the Year Reminders
Assembly
Assembly takes place in the Sports and Performance Centre commencing at approximately 9:10am. Assemblies will be once a fortnight with the second week being a class meeting. Parents are welcome to attend.
Assembly will be run by our School Captains and Student Leaders. The next assembly is scheduled for Friday the 21st of February. This will be a presentation assembly for our student leadership positions. Parents of the leaders will be invited to attend the assembly followed by a morning tea after the presentations.
Parent/Carer Contact Details
If you have moved house, changed your telephone number or emergency contact details over the school holidays can you please ensure that you have updated this information with our office staff, it is essential that we are able to contact all parents/carers in the case of an emergency
Mobile Phones
If your child brings a mobile phone to school, please remember to remind your children that they must be handed to their classroom teacher in the morning and collected at the end of the day. All teachers have a safe, where the phones are stored securely each day. Please also note that this policy also applies to APPLE or SMART Watches that have the capability to make or receive phone calls.
Sun Smart
A reminder to all parents that Term 1 is a Sun Smart term. Protective hats must be always worn outside. If students are not wearing their hats, they will be asked to sit in the shade.
Morning Arrivals
Please remember, unless your child is attending Team Kids, no students are to enter the school grounds until teachers are on duty at 8:45am, this is to ensure the safety of all our students. At 8:55am students are to head straight to their classrooms, unpack and enjoy chatting to their friends and teachers. Learning commences sharply at 9:00 am. If your child is arriving late to school, you do need to accompany them to the front office to collect a late pass.
Car Parks
For safety reasons, parents are not permitted to park in the school staff car parks to drop off or pick up students. In the morning, the student Drop-off operates in the horseshoe for families to kiss and drop. Please have bags ready to exit the car on the footpath side, assisted by the teachers on duty. Please remain in the car to ensure the flow of the drop off continues. Please resist the temptation to overtake as small children are difficult to see if they embark on the roadside due to additional baby car seats.
Please have patience with the Drop-off.
Bikes and Scooters
Riding bikes and scooters to school is encouraged, however as soon as students and parents enter the school grounds they are required to walk with their bikes or scooters, no bikes or scooters are to be ridden in the school grounds for the safety of others. Children may ride their bikes across the oval to the bike shed.
Animal Friends
While many of our students love dogs, we also have many students who are not comfortable with them, as such please remember dogs walked into the school grounds must be on a lead and are the friendly variety.
Wishing all families, a lovely weekend
Karen Rouda