Principal Report

Our staff engaged in a very productive curriculum day on Friday, with Mathematics curriculum a major focus of the day. In 2025, our school will be fully implementing the new Victorian Curriculum for Mathematics. Our work over coming months will include developing a revised and updated Scope and Sequence for the teaching of Mathematics at Albany Rise, along with deepening the teaching and learning of the ‘Big Ideas’ in Mathematics, such as understanding place value, counting and multiplicative thinking skills. Parents can access information about the updated Victorian Curriculum here: https://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/mathematics/mathematics-version-2-0/curriculum/f-10

During the current week, our school has had multiple facilities and safety works undertaken, including continued works on roofing, replacement of carpet, installation of plumbing items and more. Over the coming weekend some minor outdoor painting works will be occurring. It is wonderful to see and hear students taking such care and pride in their school environment with the new facilities and improvements being completed.

In STEM Specialist sessions, students in all classes have been visiting the garden on the North side of the school, reviewing the plants, habitats and environment to consider ways to make this space an even better learning area. Students have seen the ‘frog bog’ and solar powered water pump, and the native edible garden area. Our student Environmental leaders will be working with staff to further enhance and use our garden space more effectively over coming months. This may also be the focus of our next working bee.

BUNNINGS BBQ FUNDRAISER- HELPERS NEEDED

Our school has been fortunate to secure two Bunnings BBQ fundraiser weekend slots in 2024. The first of these is on Sunday 9th June. A roster is being developed for parents to assist in this Parents' Association fundraising event. If you can spare just one hour, we would very much appreciate your time and support on the day. Please see the office to ‘sign up’!

Parent teacher Conferences- save the dates: Weds 12th June (day times) & Monday 17th June (afterschool ‘til 6.45pm)

Each year, parents area strongly encouraged to meet with each child’s teacher and share the learning progress across the curriculum. Parents of students in Year F-2 will have 10 minutes allocated to meet with the teacher and discuss learning progress, individual learning plans, future goals and special needs.

Parents and students in Year 3-6 have 15 minutes allocated, during which the students present the learning and achievements they have had during the year thus far. These ‘3 way conferences’ allow the students to celebrate the goals they have achieved, the tasks and learning they have completed, and their future learning goals and aspirations.

I urge parents to ‘save the date’ and keep an eye out for the upcoming Compass link to book your allocated time with your child’s teacher later this term.

Toys at school

Families are reminded that any objects bought to school from home, such as balls and toys, remain the responsibility of the student. The school does not take responsibility for these items if lost, broken or misplaced. We strongly recommend no ‘special’ toys are bought to school, to avoid potential heartache. Any balls or toys bought to school should be clearly named, to avoid confusion over ownership.

There is always a significant collection of ‘found’ items at the office, including Tupperware containers, drink bottles, toys and balls. Students who have lost and item belonging to them, can usually find it in the ‘lost property’ box just outside the office door. Named uniform items left at the office are returned to classes via the office on a regular basis (usually 2-3 times per week).

Transition to year 7

We have been lucky enough to have a number of high schools visit our Year 5 and 6 students this term to speak to the year 5/6s about what each Secondary School has to offer. This week, we had a visit from a few of Wellington Secondary College's staff and student leaders.

Year 6 students at Albany Rise Primary School are requested to have all our Year 6-7 high school preference forms back by this Friday if possible. Many thanks to the majority of families who have already returned these forms to teachers at school.

AEDC – 2024 Australian Early Development Census

Parents of students in Foundation will soon receive information about the AEDC from their class teachers. The AEDC is a national census that is conducted every three years by the Australian Government, in partnership with state and territory governments. It measures how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school.

The AEDC is completed by teachers based on their knowledge of the children. Children do not need to do anything to be included in the census and will attend class as usual while the census is conducted. The data collection will start on 07/06/2024.

Teachers will answer questions about the five key areas of early childhood development, which are: physical health and wellbeing, emotional maturity, social competence, language and cognitive skills (school-based), and communication skills and general knowledge. You can see all the questions at https://www.aedc.gov.au/avedi.

Please keep an eye out for this letter from the school, with more information for Foundation students which will be distributed soon.

Wellbeing Wonderings