From the Principal 

Statewide Principal's Conference

Last week Ben and I attended the Government Schools Principal's Conference where the focus was on “Excellence in Every Classroom”. The conference focused on strengthening the culture and practice of collaboration within school networks to support the implementation of key school improvement initiatives. 

The keynotes and workshops aligned with the following priorities:

• Teaching and learning (including implementation of the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0)

   

• Wellbeing and engagement

   

• Cultural inclusion

   

• Network collaboration 

   

• Leadership

   

• Engaging and working with the community.

Principals heard from the Minister Ben Carroll, North Melbourne Football Club President Dr. Sonja Hood, The Deputy Secretary of Education Dr. David Howes and a variety of presenters across the various workshops. Of significant note was the work we are doing on the formalisation of our phonics teaching and the new Victorian Teaching & Learning Model 2.0. At CRPS we have already begun to plan and implement these initiatives and teachers in the junior school have been delivering phonics for a number of years. As always, our focus is to lead for impact whereby we understand the point of need of each and every student and aim to help them improve and maximise their learning outcomes during their time here.

We teach to the needs of individual students and ensure that all students are being catered for and challenged at their level.

The conference allowed for schools to learn from one another and identify areas where we can improve the delivery of student learning and wellbeing. It will no doubt lead to new partnerships and collaborations with local schools that will provide your children with long term benefits.

Student Illness

If your child is unwell, particularly if they have vomited in the preceding 24 hours prior to school, please do not send your child to school. We are experiencing a high rate of student illness and this in turn is passed on to other students and their teachers. Given the current challenges in obtaining replacement teachers, this is also problematic, as we have been forced to grade split recently as a result and this is not our preference. If families can ensure that children are well before attending school, this will go a long way to alleviating these pressures.

School Reports and Parent Teacher interviews

School Reports will go live on Friday, 27th June at 3.30pm.

Parent / Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday, 3rd July between 3.40pm – 8.00pm.

A Compass feed will be sent soon to outline the process for booking in an interview time.

Uniforms

As we head into the winter months, we note that many students are not wearing the correct school uniform. With the government’s School Saving Bonus, families have up to $400 that they can put towards the purchase of uniform items via PSW in Glen Waverley. We would urge all families to make the most of this bonus, as it won’t be available in 2026. Finally, school beanies are also available and certainly would be useful in the coming weeks and months.

Road Safety

Last week we can a ‘near miss’ on the road outside the school where a driver went through the crossing area while the crossing supervisor was standing in the road. Fortunately, no students were injured but I would remind all parents that this is exactly why we ask for caution when driving around the school. The 40kmh zone is for everyone’s protection. With so much going on the local streets, I would urge all families to slow down, avoid illegal U-turns and to follow the parking restrictions. A little bit of courtesy on the road goes a long way, and a simple wave usually puts a smile on everyone’s faces. If we can be mindful of each other, particularly either side of the crossing, it will make for a safer school.

The local police and council have been informed of this incident and we have been informed that the police will be monitoring driver behaviour around our school.

We all need to work together to ensure all members of our community are safe.

ICAS 2025

Camelot Rise Primary School will again be participating in ICAS Assessments this year. ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. This year our school will participate in English, Mathematics, Science and Writing.

 Every student who participates receives a printed certificate in each subject area, and an online results report to track development each year.

In 2025, students from Years 3 to 6 will have the opportunity to participate in the following subjects:

Please note: All assessments will take place before school. Please arrive at 7:50 am for an 8.00 am test start. There are no test re-sits or other make-up times.

How to participate in ICAS  *** CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENTS : 18th July ***

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  

1. Read the Privacy Collection Statement below.

    

2. Read the terms and conditions: icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Schools-TsCs_S2023.V6-1.pdf

    

3. Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas at: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/parent-payment/DKP383

    

4. Enter our school’s access code – DKP383

    

5. Enter your child’s details, select the subject areas your child would like to participate in, then proceed to payment.

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records.  

ICAS results and certificates

Your child’s ICAS certificates will be delivered to school. Once we have received them, we will present them to your child to bring home. The back of the certificate will show your child’s ICAS results and the login details, “TAP ID and Pin”. - Use these to access online results at: http://orti.icasassessments.com/ortiStudent

 Please refer to a recent Compass feed for additional information.

            ICAS - Leading Academic Competition - ICAS Assessments

Matthew Coney and Ben Heys