Principal's Message  

Ready, Set, Go.....2021

There were tears and tissues galore in the Foundation Building last week, and that was just the parents, on the first day of school. The Foundation students, who we lovingly refer to as Foundlings, were the opposite. Their heads held high with broad smiles and shrieks of joy, with their polished shoes and brand-new uniforms, marched into school assuring their anxious parents they were big school kids now!

I hope that you are all relaxed, recharged and ready to start a new school year. 

For returning families, I look forward to reconnecting with you and to our new families, we are all here to support your child in transitioning to Great Ryrie.  I am so delighted that you are part of our amazing learning community. I welcome and value your positive energy, and I look forward to working with you and your children. 

All signs point to an incredible and productive school year. In what was a particularly disruptive and challenging 2020, the improvement in our collaboration was one of the key reasons for our successful remote learning throughout last year. Our skilled and devoted staff has already spent many hours planning and preparing engaging lessons with the common goals of nurturing responsible, respectful students and promoting high-level learning.

New Staff 

Each year brings positive change. This includes a few additions to our staff. We are delighted to welcome Claire Pratt, Courtney Atkinson, Liesl Field, Jean Maxwell and Esther Stevens.

We are fortunate to have you at Great Ryrie Primary School.

Classes 2021

A great deal of time, effort and thought has gone into the process of student placement for the 2021 school year.

Classrooms have been balanced academically and socially. Our class lists are structured to provide equitable class sizes at each grade level.  

Thank you so much for being positive with your child and helping him or her understand that it is impossible to place all students with all of their best friends or teacher. All of our staff works hard to make school a positive experience for all students.

 Great Ryrie is eagerly looking forward to enriching your child’s life. Thank you for understanding that it can take a few weeks for a child to acclimate to a new grade, peer group and teacher. 

Drop Off Zone/Kiss and Drop 

Our  Kiss and Drop system has started well and  traffic flow is becoming smoother. 

 Some of the requirements of using the drop off are that the children are ready to disembark independently without parents leaving the car, and that there is no overtaking. 

Melissa and I are there each morning currently to assist the children to make a safe exit.

Please be vigilant as you drive: small children have very little road sense and can do the most unpredictable of things. They dash out from the wrong side of cars, chase balls and run to see their friends. It only takes a moment’s impatience to cause a tragic accident. 

Parent Teacher Meet and Greet, and Information Sessions 

 At Great Ryrie, we see education as a three way partnership between the school, the students and families. The stronger the relationship the better the outcomes for all involved. I encourage you to read our School Newsletter , The Great Ryrie Grapevine, 

each fortnight and continue to engage with your daughter or son’s education this year. 

One of the key ways that you can support your child’s education is by taking a genuine interest in what they are doing at school. Ways that you can show that you are interested is by asking how their day was at school or through your attendance at Parent/Teacher/Student interviews, volunteer as a classroom helper or join our fantastic Parents and Friends Association. 

Due to the COVID restrictions the Parent/Teacher Meet and Greets will need to operate differently this year. The Information Sessions will also need to change to an On-line format. We will be sending out further details in regards to the arrangements early next week. 

DET Annual Privacy Reminder

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools' Privacy Policy. 

We ask that all parents read the DET Schools' Privacy Policy below.

Have a wonderful weekend 

Warm Regards

Karen Rouda

Principal