Principal's Report

Principal Report 

Victorian Curriculum 2.0

During term 3, our school leadership team have been working closely with regional Education Improvement Leaders to develop updated Curriculum planning documents to align with the new and revised components of the Victorian Curriculum 2.0.

In particular, our focus has been on developing an updated assessment schedule, A revised Whole School Curriculum Plan, a comprehensive curriculum Scope and Sequence for English and Mathematics, and the provision of professional learning for staff in the use of assessment tools and data analysis. It has been a very busy time for teachers in leadership roles and we are looking forward to finalising these documents and professional learning by mid-Term 4, so that our Annual implementation Plan and strategic planning for 2025 will be even more targeted and effective.

Last week, following the overall pleasing results of our Parent Survey (again- many thanks to the 25% of parents who completed the online survey), staff and school council members pondered over the responses to the teacher to parent communication processes at ARPS. The opportunity was provided for parents to again add their thoughts in relation to this particular communication process, and I appreciate the responses from those who answered the question: 

How might ARPS improve opportunities for teachers to communicate to parents/carers about student progress?

As part of our development of our new assessment schedule, we are seeking a range of ways parents/carers can access and engage with teachers to share the positive progress their children are making at school. I look forward to seeing and hearing any further parent/carer thoughts and feedback on this front. 

Link to new Maths Curriculum: https://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/mathematics/mathematics-version-2-0/curriculum/f-10 

Camp Australia Special FREE afterschool Event Tuesday 10th September

On Tuesday next week, afterschool, our Camp Australia Before and Afterschool Care facilitators are inviting everyone in the school to a free event to celebrate 30 years in childcare.

The afternoon will include:

• FREE afternoon tea
• Egg and Spoon races
• Pass the Parcel
• Creating Friendship Bracelets

And so much more!

I urge families to show your support for this Before and Afterschool program at ARPS and come along to the hall straight after school on Tuesday 10th September for some food and fun!

Life Education 'Healthy Harold' program 

Our Life education program for all year levels continued this week, with students in all year levels taking part in this great program. Students enjoyed seeing ‘Healthy Harold’ the giraffe at Assembly last week, reminding students to make good, healthy choices and avoid potential peer pressure when it comes to using substances or taking risks that might harm our bodies.

Parents/Carers are encouraged to talk to children about their new knowledge from the program and the personal goals students have set to keep themselves healthy and happy.

Sunsmart- REMINDER

A reminder that as the UV levels increase at this time of year, we need to be sunsmart! The Cancer Council recommend a combination of sun protection measures: 

1. Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible. 

2. Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ (or higher) sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun. 

3. Slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your face, head, neck and ears. 

4. Seek shade. 

5. Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards. 

Our Sun Smart Policy specifies that all students must wear a sun smart hat whenever they are outdoors at school once the UV reaches 3. 

Please support our Sun Smart policy by providing a ‘sun smart’ hat for your child. Hats are available for purchase at the uniform shop.

Students without a hat will remain in a quiet, shaded space during lunchtimes and afternoon recess due to our ‘NO HAT, NO PLAY’ Sunsmart policy.

Year 2 Sleepover

Our Year 2 sleepover is TONIGHT! I know the students in Year 2 are very excited about this evening, with dinner at school, onsite ‘movie night’, bedtime routines and a special day of fun planned for tomorrow. A HUGE thanks to parents/carers for providing all the resources and supports for students to take part in our Sleepover. I am sure all of the students will learn much from this first school camping experience (and sleep well on Friday night…)

District Aths (50 selected students from Year 3-6)Selected students from Year 3-6 represented Albany Rise Primary School with pride and success at the District Athletics event today. Several students had very successful outcomes, which will be shared at assembly tomorrow. A special thanks to Celia Kelsall (our Physical Education Specialist teacher) for all her preparation and follow up with  students and staff to ensure as many participants as possible could represent our school in this event.

School Savings Bonus Information 2025- ARE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS CORRECT?

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.   

Actions for parents and carers

Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

• Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School. 
• Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us directly.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

• in October, to verify your email address
• in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus and access to an online system.

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers (below) or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus. 

Parent Requests for Grades in 2025- REPEAT:

How is the grade structure decided? 

At ARPS, our policy is to create a whole school grade structure which is either single year levels or multiage (across 2 year levels). The structure is dependent on the numbers of students in each year level, the dynamics of students in each year level, our knowledge of students in the school and the best operational timetable and staffing arrangements that can be created within the budget provided by the Department of Education. The exact class structure is often not finalised until all of our future enrolments for 2025 are confirmed. Parents should consider the likelihood that their child will be placed in either a single year level or a multiage class

Can parents choose teachers?

•            The short answer is no.

What can parents request?

•            That their child might be with (or not with) another student based on education needs, or if there may have been a past incident or negative history with another student. Parents may request something like, having your child separated from a good friend to help them focus or have the opportunity to make new friends. 

Who do I send my request to?

Follow this link and complete the online form: https://forms.gle/uhZTSxeBnAjTiLBu5 

Student class Place requests 2025

No later than Friday 18th October, 2024 (no exceptions)

How do we make grades for 2025?

We start by asking students to identify five ‘friends’ they might like to have in their grade for the next year. When we say ‘friend’, we mean someone who they would work well with, not always their best friend. Students have ample time and opportunity to be with their best friend, outside of school and classroom hours. Importantly we don’t guarantee these ‘five’ requests, usually students will get one or two of their ‘friend’ requests.  Sometimes not getting requests upsets students and their families. Invariably however, we find that students meet new friends (in their new grade) that they wouldn’t have met if we hadn’t encouraged mixing the grades, across their years at school. So, this is a deliberate strategy that supports students building their friendship groups across the years. 

Who makes the grades?

Classroom teaching staff and specialist teachers all contribute to making the grades. 

The Principal Class Team decides on the final grades. As a rule, we never make changes after the grades have been made. So please make your request before 18th October.

What factors do we consider when we make grades?

When we make grades, we consider things like: Academic capabilities / friendships / students’ behaviour. We want to ensure that grades have an even spread of boys and girls – we do not stream grades.

I trust this explains how we do this process; this is consistent with most schools.

Jump Rope for Heart- Fundraising for Heart Foundation- ‘Jump Off Day’ -11th September

Albany Rise Primary School is participating in Jump Rope for Heart this year – a fantastic fundraising and physical activity program by the Heart Foundation. By participating in Jump Rope for Heart this term, our students will raise funds for the Heart Foundation as well as build their skipping skills, stamina and fitness. We have skipping ropes available on the school grounds and are encouraging everyone to help raise funds for lifesaving research and support programs.

Over the past few weeks (completed 11/9/24) your child has learned new skills, increased their physical activity, and learned about heart health. The program will end with our school wide ‘Jump Off Day’ on the 11th of September 2024 where children get to show off their new skipping skills to their friends.

When you register your child online, you’ll get access to additional skipping resources to help give your child a great reason to get away from the screens and get outdoors. Register and create your own secure webpage at jumprope.org.au/parents

Student Mobile phones and Smart Watches- privacy and safety

All Department of Education schools are required to have a Mobile Phone policy that ensures the safety of students, staff and community. At ARPS, students are required to hand in their mobile devices (ie. Any device that can make calls or take messages) at the start of the school day. This is part of our School Council approved Mobile Phone policy. The policy also covers the appropriate use of Smart Watches. These devices can be set to ensure students are not taking photos, calls or messages during school hours, especially in class or when outside in the yard. Where a student in unable to set their Smart Watch to the appropriate privacy and safety settings, we ask that it not be bought to school, or must be handed in with other mobile phones and devices to the office at the start of the school day. It is not appropriate for students to be taking photos of other students (or selfies) during the school day, before or after school on the school grounds, using any device. Similarly, messages sent from Smart Watches during school time (to and from home) is not appropriate. 

A copy of the school policy can be found here: https://albanyrise-ps.vic.edu.au/about-us/policies/

More information about the Department of Education mobile phones policy can be found here: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/students-using-mobile-phones/policy 

R U OK? Day is an annual national day of action that reminds us that every day is the right day to ask, ‘are you okay’?  

This year, R U OK? Day is on Thursday 12 September. The theme, ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day’, highlights the importance of regularly checking in with those around us. 

Got a feeling that someone you know or care about isn’t behaving as they normally would? Perhaps they seem out of sorts? More agitated or withdrawn? Or they’re just not themselves. Trust that gut instinct and act on it. Learn more about the signs and when it's time to ask R U OK? here.

By starting a conversation and commenting on the changes you’ve noticed, you could help that family member, friend or workmate open up. If they say they are not OK, you can follow the conversation steps to show them they’re supported and help them find strategies to better manage the load. If they are OK, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask.

Link: https://www.ruok.org.au/ 

Judith Drew

Principal