Principal's Report

Colour Run

What a fabulous event our Colour Fun Run was on Friday last week. The forward planning by the Parents Association for the event, including colour, online fundraising, parent helpers and BBQ, all resulted in a wonderful community event with lots of fun for everyone. The highlight was definitely the ‘sliming’ of Dana (our Primary Welfare Officer), who ‘took it like a champ’.

Many thanks to all of the families who completed the online fundraising donations. Prizes will be distributed in classrooms early next Term.

Bunnings BBQ

A HUGE thank you to all of the parents who came to assist with our Bunnings BBQ on Sunday. We had great weather and many buyers for our sausages and drinks- resulting in a very positive fundraising event for the school. Again, many thanks for the Parents Association for all their planning and coordination to ensure Albany Rise could take part in this community fundraiser. We are always happy to work with our local businesses to mutually support each other!

A special thanks to the various families who came to Springvale Bunnings especially to buy lunch to support our school!

Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day

How amazing to see SO MANY of our Year F-2 student with their grandparents and special friends at school on Friday. Virtually every student in the building had a parent/ grandparent or special friend (aunty/ uncle/ older sibling etc) who they could share a school experience with. Activities included some games of ‘Simon Says’, creating personal timelines, making greeting cards, various craft work and some questions and quizzes. I’m sure every student enjoyed sharing this special day with their friends and families- something long remembered for many.

Dogs in School Grounds – Policy

We have a policy at ARPS regarding any animals or pets coming onto the school grounds, to ensure the sense of safety and comfort of all our students. Many students, particularly some students with special needs, are scared of even the smallest and most friendly dogs. Parents/Carers are asked to ensure they have requested permission from myself BEFORE entering the school grounds with a dog or other pet. The policy in full is available on the school website: https://albanyrise-ps.vic.edu.au/about-us/policies/ 

Special Assembly May 2nd- Farewell to Janine and Trish

Today we said farewell to Mrs Janine Wilson, as she heads of on her adventures as a grandparent and intrepid traveller. Mrs Wilson started at Albany Rise Primary School in 2000 (25 years ago) in the role of Education Support. She recently shared a story of her helping students with special needs in the classroom in her early days, climbing under tables to support children in distress, providing comfort for children suffering trauma- always in the ‘motherly’ role that we all know and love. The first time I met Mrs Wilson at the school (2012) she was working in office administration. When I entered the building, she greeted me with a huge smile, and a small student with her who she was comforting before returning the child to her class. Always kind, always generous to a fault, always with the best interests of staff and students at the forefront- We will miss her!

Next term we will also be fare-welling Mrs Trish Johnston. Mrs Johnston is currently planning to be on leave until September, but this plan may well be updated if she enjoys her time at home too much to come back! Mrs Johnston has been a government school teacher since 1987 (38 years), taking on many roles including Acting Assistant Principal, High Abilities teacher, Year level leader and so much more.

We are planning a special Assembly on Friday 2nd May at 2.45pm to say congratulations and ‘Thank You’ to Mrs Johnston and Mrs Wilson. We do hope current and ‘old’ families come along to the assembly to say farewell and offer their thanks and congratulations to these two, amazing, long serving, Albany Rise staff.

EASTER RAFFLE & HAT parade: 

This year our Easter raffle will be drawn at our last assembly (1.45pm) on Friday 4th April. We have so many great prizes thanks to parents/carers generous donations and our PA (especially Ann) for putting together some AMAZING Easter baskets.

Our Easter Hat Parade is occurring at 9.10am (outdoors, weather permitting) for students in Year F-2. Come and see some of the colourful hat creations this year!

Parents/carers are encouraged to both events.

Raffle Tickets are available on Compass NOW.

Early Finish Friday Assembly 1.45pm & Final Term 1 message

What a busy, fun, creative and ‘packed full of learning’ 10 weeks our first term has been this year. I was delighted to have some of our Foundation students visit my office today and share their writing, that they are already completing independently- How amazing!

Our Year 5 and 6 students have started the year as exceptional leaders, and I am so proud of all they have achieved in just one term. Our Year 3s and 5s very capably and confidently completed they NAPLAN assessments this term, and we had several sporting stars- especially in Swimming!

Next term, students in all year levels will be commencing their rehearsals for our Whole School Musical (performance in early Term 3). Hint: there is a white rabbit, some playing cards and a Cheshire cat involved! There are sports gala days for our Year 5 and 6 students early in the term, and some wonderful incursions and excursions planned. So much to look forward to!

Our Assembly on this Friday will commence at the early time of 1.45pm, and includes our Easter Raffle, some important sports announcements, prizes for the Hon Eden Foster Colouring Competition (Year 2 and 3), and so much more! School finishes at 2.30pm.

I look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday 22nd April for the commencement of Term 2.

Judy Drew

Principal

EASTER RAFFLE: Donations Please!

This year our Easter raffle will be drawn at our last assembly on Friday 4th April. We are asking for your help by donating items for the prizes. eg chocolate eggs, Easter toys or anything else that relates to Easter. Donations being dropped at the office will need to be received by 2nd April please.

Raffle Tickets are available on Compass NOW.

Judy Drew

Principal