Principal's Report

Focus on Writing

Our Seven Steps writing program is certainly resulting in some amazing writing efforts across the school. This week I enjoyed visits from many students to showcase their writing efforts, including ‘Sizzling Starts’ and Tightening Tension’ for their narratives and some recounts of events. Our Foundation and year 1 students in particular have made great gains in their writing skills this term, from ensuring letters are formed correctly, to being able to use high level conventions, such as quotation marks and paragraphing. How wonderful to see this exciting progression in writing skills across the school.

Musical Update

Congratulations to Veronica (56S) for her winning entry to our poster competition for promotion of our whole school musical. There were so many wonderful and carefully created designs in the competition, our Junior School council took time to decide a winner from the collection of finalists last week. 

We are looking forward to seeing Veronica’s artwork included in posters around the school and as part our promotional board at the front of the school in coming days.

Junior Advisory Group at Monash Council

Yesterday, five of our student leaders and two staff took part in an intraschool school advisory gathering at the Monash Civic Centre. The Year 3 and 4 Junior School councillors from ARPS, along with many students from other schools,  were provided with an opportunity to have input in future local council plans for parks, activities and infrastructure in the area. The students engaged in group work and a question and answer session to learn more about leadership at the local council level.

We were very impressed with the efforts of our school representatives and their input at the session.

PHOTO from Michael

Approaching the School to address student concerns

As Principal, it is my role to ensure the safety, security, health and wellbeing of all of our staff and students.

At Albany Rise we are committed to ensuring that everyone is treated with respect, fairness and dignity. We expect all employees, students, parents and visitors in the school to act accordingly.

From time to time, students can make poor choices in their behaviours, words or actions. As teachers, our role includes supporting students with a range of capabilities to learn personal and social skills, build resilience, and learn from mistakes made. Our Student Code of Conduct provides a range of responses and actions through which positive behaviours are demonstrated and appropriate responses put in place when students have an indiscretion.

Parents/carers and even older siblings have a role in supporting teachers with building these capabilities. Reinforcing appropriate responses to problems with their own child, parents/carers communicating directly with the teachers, building trust in children to communicate any concerns with staff at the school.

However, it is never appropriate for a parent/carer/older sibling of another student, to directly approach a student with concerns about another students’ behaviour, actions or words. 

Whilst we welcome regular communication from past students and older siblings/parents of students currently at our school, interactions such as these within the school grounds can have an impact which may not be immediately apparent and can result in raised anxiety for various children, parents and staff across the school. 

Albany Rise Primary School has an ‘Approaching the School policy’ available on our website, which includes the following important steps for raising concerns at school:

For minor issues directly contact your child’s teacher to clarify information. 

For more serious concerns, contact the office. State the nature of concern and arrange a suitable time to talk with the class teacher or appropriate staff member.

I encourage parents/carers (and older siblings if appropriate) to make a time to meet with staff if needed and remind all members of our community about the appropriate steps to take when raising concerns.

Working Bee- REMINDER: 

Our School Council – Facilities Sub-Committee have set a Term 2 working bee for Sunday 22nd June between 9am – 12pm. We will be completing some indoor and outdoor tasks, including updating our corridor displays with student work and photographs. We would love some talented ‘indoor decorators’ with a flair for displays, to come and assist on this working bee. Other tasks include clearing our storage areas, sorting equipment, gutters and drain cleaning, and general gardening.

Pre- Review Self Evaluation (PRSE)- Reminder and Thanks

Thank you to the 10 parents who have completed the informal parent survey so far. The comments and information received have already been discussed and options considered. 

Whilst is it great to know that most families are content with current practices and so do not feel their response on the survey is needed, THESE are the very families we would like to also hear from. There is still time for more parents/carers to complete the survey.

This year, Albany Rise Primary School is undertaking a whole school review. Schools undertake a school review every 4 years to inform the direction of the school’s 4-year School Strategic Plan (SSP).

Parents/carers have a very important role in the Pre-Review Self Evaluation (PRSE), during the PRSE, we ask parents about their experiences, opinions, ideas and possible opportunities they would like to be considered when developing a new strategic plan. Over coming weeks, I will be asking parents to provide input through various platforms, including a simple online survey. 

PLEASE take the time to complete this simple survey: https://forms.gle/BhSRmF2LgfZ7i3LP7

LSL information

Many thanks to Mr Michael Mottershead (Assistant Principal) who will be taking on the role of Acting Principal as I am on Long Service Leave from 6th June to 13th June (inclusive).

Public Holiday Reminder

Don’t forget that Monday 9th June is a public holiday for Monarch’s Birthday. There is no school on that day.       

Judy Drew - Principal