Principal's Report

Principal Report 

World Teachers’ Day is just around the corner! 

On Friday 25 October, we will celebrate the incredible work teachers do and the lasting impact they have on Australia’s students and communities.

In a time when recognising our teaching profession is so important, it’s wonderful to see the opportunity to celebrate again this year. 

The World Teachers day theme, “Hats Off to Teachers”, is a great way for the nation to show its appreciation for the expertise, dedication, creativity, and support all teachers provide to our young learners.

I encourage members of the school community  to  recognise and communicate  with teachers with positive affirmations and to take part in this celebration. 

We certainly have wonderful teachers at Albany Rise Primary School, and we hope all our community shares the positive ‘vibes’ during World Teachers’ day, next Friday.

To our ARPS teachers: Thank you for everything you do. You’ve earned this day of joy – let’s make it memorable!

Parent Contributions and Booklists 2025

By early November, we will inform the school community of the Parent Payments for 2025. The Department of Education has asked schools to itemise the payments. The cost for Parent Payments is discussed and approved at our Finance and School Council meetings prior to being announced to the school community.

As per previous years, books and stationary will be available to purchase (and be delivered to school ready for next year) through Ross Office Supplies. More information will be provided with the upcoming Parent Payment information.

Swimming Term 4

All students from Foundation to Year 6 are strongly encouraged to take part in the school swimming program, which will commence on 9th December this year. Information sheets to be returned to school were provided to families this week. These need to be completed to assist with the planning of our whole school swimming program. 

Payments, permissions and the swimming schedule will be available on Compass very soon.

School Toilets for community and visitor use

At ARPS, we work hard to ensure all aspects of our school environment are safe and inviting for our students, including our recently completed new toilet facilities. The student toilets are for Albany Rise Primary School students only. Primary aged students feel much more comfortable going to toilets where other community members (including secondary students and adults) are not present. Additionally, adults must have a Working with Children Check if in a school space with any students who are not their responsibility (eg. family member, guardian).

Parents, toddlers and visiting secondary students are welcome to use the toilets in the office foyer area, or in the gymnasium foyer if needed.

Somers Camp 2025! ATTENTION 2024 YEAR 4 AND 5 STUDENTS

Every two years our school is offered a limited number of places at the Department of Education and Training’s Somers School Camp. State Primary Schools from our area now have their biennial opportunity to plan to send a small number of students (usually up to 8 children per school) from Years 5 and 6 (2025) to Somers School Camp.

This is for selected and interested students. Not all students in year 5-6 2025 will be attending.

DATES: 04/03/2025 to 12/03/2025 (9 days)

COST: $350.00

Somers Camp is situated on Westernport Bay, 80km from Melbourne (Melway Map Ref 193 H9).

The camp provides an opportunity for social interaction between children drawn from many schools and presents a variety of challenging situations through outdoor education and contact with the local environment. The nine day commitment is essential if the social aims are to be achieved.

The District Secretary will make allocations of places for schools once interest is expressed.

Selection :Allocations to schools are made by the District Secretary. When we receive our allocation, we will randomly select our children from a cross section of our school community, with consideration of the level of interest, leadership, values and wellbeing factors as observed by all staff.

GENUINE EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST for Somers Camp 2025 are now being sought from ARPS students in Year 4 and 5.

This Camp does not replace the Year 5/6 Camp in August 2025. Students attending Somers Camp are still also included in the Year 5/6 cohort Camp later in the year. It is a nine day commitment and as such I would ask that you only provide an expression of interest, if children can attend without concerns of sports or family commitments. Sunday is a day when visitors can attend from 12.00 – 2.30pm and again children must be able to return to their camp activities willingly after their family leaves.

The activities are mainly physical and outdoor and include High and Low Ropes Courses, Boating, Rock Climbing, Abseiling, Challenge Swing and Initiative Activities which require a reasonable level of physical fitness. All children are also required to take part in the following activities: Archery, Art, Drama, Environmental Studies, Bush Cooking, Orienteering, Bike Education, Flying Fox, Bush Dancing, Disco Night, Singing and Diary Writing. Separate boys and girls living arrangements are provided but all activities are done in mixed groups.

Children who gain selection from our school will join with 160 Grade 5 and 6 children from our school district in this very special Outdoor Education and Personal Development program.

If you would like your 2025 Grade 5 or 6 child to attend: Please email Judith.drew@education.vic.gov.au  with your expression of interest, including your child’s name, Date of Birth, Year Level and confirmation of a commitment to the 9 day camp (if successful).

Expressions of interest are due by Monday 21st October, 2024. No late responses will be considered.

Judith Drew

Principal