From the Principal
Camelot Rise Playgroup
We are thrilled to share the Facebook Post from John Mullahy (Member for Glen Waverley) who recently added a post on his Facebook page about our wonderful Playgroup that is held every Wednesday at our school between 9.00am – 10.30am.
Thanks to Jo Hewett for leading this wonderful program for our school community.
NAPLAN 2025
The NAPLAN test window starts on Wednesday 12 March 2025 and finishes on Monday 24 March 2025.
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It has been part of the school calendar
since 2008. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling/grammar/punctuation and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken nationwide, every year, in mid-March (previously May).
NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas (or ‘domains’) of:
• reading
• writing
• language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
• numeracy.
At Camelot Rise Primary School, we take great pride and care in ensuring that our students are not overwhelmed by the suite of assessments in the NAPLAN schedule. Whilst NAPLAN tests are an important system-level component of the Department of Education, at Camelot Rise Primary School they are viewed as just another form of assessment in our ongoing process of monitoring student achievement.
To alleviate any pressure or anxiety associated with the tests, a special timetable has been formulated to assist teachers and students in the implementation of the tests. The timetable provides ample time both before and after testing for students to prepare and relax. In addition, students will also have an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the types of questions, layout and expected timeframes within which they are required to work for each of the test domains.
We are confident that our well-considered preparatory procedures will enable your children to complete the NAPLAN assessment suite with minimal concern. For more information about NAPLAN please click on the link: https://www.nap.edu.au/.
The way NAPLAN is reported to parents changed in 2023. Instead of the old 10 band system used previously, students will now receive one of 4 ratings for each test area. The new NAPLAN ratings are:
Exceeding – A child has met the proficiency standard
Strong – A child has met the proficiency standard
Developing – A child has not met the proficiency standard
Needs additional support - A child has not met the proficiency standard
The new standards are designed to provide a clearer understanding of your child’s achievement levels. A result in strong or exceeding shows that a child is achieving at the expected standard for their age level.
As is always the case at Camelot Rise, we use the information from NAPLAN and our testing to inform planning and then cater to the point of need of each of our students. The NAPLAN tests will provide information as to what areas our Year 3 and 5 students need to focus on next. NAPLAN provides each student with a snapshot of their learning and this information is cross referenced with school-based assessments to provide a rounded view of each child’s progress. NAPLAN results should be received in Term 2.
Early Arrival
As we move further into the school year, I want to take a moment to highlight the importance of punctuality. Arriving at school before 8:55am ensures that students are settled and ready to engage in their learning from the very beginning of the day. The first few minutes of each lesson are crucial, as they provide explicit instruction that sets the foundation for the learning ahead. Missing these vital moments can impact a student’s understanding and confidence. Your support in ensuring that children arrive on time is greatly appreciated.
Year 6 Camp to Lorne
Next week our Year Six students and staff will be attending the Lorne Surf Camp. This is a
wonderful camp, where the students learn how to surf as well as how to be safe near water, and how to read a rip in the ocean. These are essential skills for all children and adults.
I will also be attending this camp and Ben Heys will be Acting Principal while I am away on this camp.
Annual Report to the School Community
The Annual Report to the school community will be presented on Thursday, 27th March at 6.30pm (in the Conference Room) just prior to our School Council meeting that commences at 7.00pm.
All community members are invited to attend the Annual Report to the School Community.
Ben Heys, our Assistant Principal, and I will be presenting the Annual Report.
The Annual Report is designed to add value in a number of ways:
Keeping the school community informed:
The annual report provides a means for the school council to inform the community of what has been achieved and how the school is performing. Providing information about schools helps the community hold schools, the system and government accountable for improving student outcomes.
Contributing to system accountability and meeting legislative requirements:
Public accountability for improving student outcomes and for the use of public money is mandated in the Education and Training Reform Act (2006), where school councils are required to prepare and publish an annual report.
Relationship between the planning and annual reporting processes:
The development of the annual report is an opportunity to reflect on the school’s achievements and use this as a basis for future planning.
It is great to reflect on the results we have achieved as a school and celebrate our successes whilst carefully planning to ensure our results continue to improve.
Our first meeting of the 2025 School Council will be on Thursday, 27th March at 7.00pm.
The Foundation Enrolment Process for 2026
In 2023 the Department of Education introduced a new process for Foundation (Prep) enrolment that included a timeline to follow. Having a set date for enrolment works very well and this was an effective change and provided schools with more certainty earlier in the school year.
In 2024 the Department of Education took this a step further with the introduction of a new online system for putting in enrolment applications. Families now make all enrolment applications using an online application to enrol via the new ‘Insight’ Portal using a quick and easy process. Basically, just set up an account and then enter your child’s name, residential address and then choose Camelot Rise PS as one of your choices for enrolment. The process worked well in 2024 and continues in 2025.
Due to our increasing student numbers throughout the school the Education Department has placed an enrolment cap in Foundation. This is a great sign that shows how highly regarded and sought after our school is.
We invite prospective families to go to our website and book a school tour so we can show them what is happening at Camelot Rise PS.
Division Swimming
On Wednesday 5th of March, Neil, Callum, Riyaan, Hasayn, Hayden, William, Emilia, Aiden, Andrew, Tamar and Clement represented Camelot Rise Primary School at Division
Swimming. The students competed in a range of events, including freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and relays. Our students performed amazingly, achieving their best and displayed support and comradery with all participants. Congratulations and “Just Keep Swimming!”
Smile Squad - Thank you
Thank you to the Smile Squad team for working at our school over the last few weeks. We have had over 350 students attend the service over the past 4 weeks.
Smile Squad is the Victorian Government free school dental program. This means all students can get a free dental check-up, preventive services, and treatment at school.
Information regarding accessing Smile Squad Services have been shared via Compass. To support this initiative the Smile Squad free school dental program has provided free oral
health pack that students brought home. These packs contained a toothbrush, full sized toothpaste, and an oral health brochure. Please take the time to read the brochure. It’s full of helpful hints and tips to help your whole family eat well, drink well and clean well – for life. If you have any questions, please contact The Smile Squad on 9341 1000.
Thanks to Mrs Giannopolous for leading this initiative.
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad
GRIP Leadership Conference
Our Year Six student leaders enjoyed the opportunity to enhance their leadership development with their attendance at the GRIP Leadership Conference on Tuesday. GRIP
Leadership stands for the four core values of the team and the conference: Generosity, Responsibility, Integrity, and People.
The GRIP Student Leadership Conference is unique in that it concentrates specifically on training student leaders for their role as School Leaders. The style, topics, and content of this conference all focus on what the students can do right now. They explored the responsibilities of a student leader, leadership through friendship and new ideas to help others.
https://www.gripleadership.com.au/content/conferences/gjf8zc
Twilight Sports
We encourage as many families as possible to attend the upcoming Twilight Sports night,
which is being held on Thursday, 3rd April commencing at 5:00pm and finishing at 7:00pm. Food trucks and a BBQ will be onsite from 4:30pm.
Please read Compass feeds for additional information.
This is a very popular community event, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Matthew Coney and Ben Heys