Principal's Report

 Principal Report    

Welcome back!

We hope that everyone has had the opportunity to have some rest over the break – even if that was just less hectic mornings! The children have had a settled return to school and resumed their learning routines well. We have an action-packed term planned – with Cross Country, Victorian State School Spectacular rehearsals, and a whole lot of learning!

Talented Artists!

Our Year 5 & 6 students have been demonstrating their talent in Visual Art classes.  They have produced some exceptional drawings. Students are focusing on the art elements of tone, light, shape and line, and the principles of contrast, scale and proportion. 

 Well done to all! 

Anzac Day Ceremony 

Today our school had a special assembly to honour Anzac Day 

School Council Office Bearers

Once again, I would like to thank the members of our parent community and staff, who have volunteered their time to be part of our School Council.  Your contribution is so valued – we couldn’t do it without you! We would like to congratulate the 26/27 office bearer:

• President: Chris O’Shea
• Vice President: Jade Horua
• Treasurer: Christina Conway & Kelly Lewis
• Secretary: Navneet Legha & Aleisha Kinross

If you would like to contact the School Council President, Chris O’Shea, about anything school related, please contact him on Chris.OShea@education.vic.gov.au

Twisted Science

Today, two groups of students ranging from foundation through to grade 4 participated in a Junior Entomology incursion run by Twisted Science.

Groups participated in hands-on activities learning about bugs and beetles. They used microscopes, looked into incubators containing real live mealworms through all their stages of development and students used their lifecycle wheels to identify which stages of development they could see. They identified the types of mouths, and body parts different insects had by using microscopes. 

Students said:

Sienna: “I liked holding the stick insect so much!”

Oliver and Luis: “We liked everything!”

Georgia & Evelyn: “We loved everything, but looking through the microscopes was so fun!”

 Buggy Fun Fact: Crickets have 4 x the protein of beef!

Huge thanks to Ms T, who organised this event for our students. 

We would like to welcome Gordon.

 He will be our school Supervisor this term. 

I know our school community will make him feel very welcome. 

Congratulations Mia!

We would like to celebrate Mia’s gymnastics success. Well done to Mia, who moved up from gym fundamentals to club gym at BK’s! 

Student Free Day – Monday 25th May

Our next student free day is coming up on Monday 25th May.  Students are not required at school on this day. However, our onsite Before and After School provider, Camp Australia, will be running a full day program – if there are enough bookings before 10th May. 

If you would like to have your child looked after by Camp Australia on site for this day, please contact Camp Australia (or the school office if you are unsure of the process) and please book before 10th May. Thank you!

Dont forget to book before and after school during our terms. Suranga provides lots of fun activities. You must go online to book https://campaustralia.com.au/

Thank you to Henry’s and Big W

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Henry’s and to Big W for their generous donations to our Easter hampers for our fundraising efforts.  We very much appreciate your support!

Glasses for Kids Program

At the beginning of Term 3, we are pleased to have the Glasses for Kids program onsite at our school.  This program provides free eyes checks during school hours and if needed, free glasses as well. Optometrists will be onsite on Monday & Tuesday 3rd & 4th August.  Forms will be coming home mid term 2 if you would like to take advantage of this great opportunity. 

Playgroup has arrived at Albany Rise!

The Albany Rise Primary School Playgroup is officially in session!  After the morning drop-off, if you have children aged 0-5years (who are not already at school), you are welcome to come to the Function Room,  where we will have a variety of toys and activities set up for the children to play, and parents/grandparents are welcome to have a cuppa and a chat. Families from outside our school community are also welcome. 

Gold coin donation if you can.  Huge thanks to Ann Dunford, who has kindly offered to facilitate our playgroup on Monday mornings 9.15 -10.30am during school terms. 

Tours

We have hit the ground running, with several tours for families already completed this year.  If you know of any interested families, our group tours run most Mondays at 9.30am.  Please call the office for more information. 

Please refer to our enrolment page for more information about our 2027 online Foundation Enrolment process. 

Measles

Measles is a viral infection. It spreads easily from airborne droplets, such as from coughing or sneezing, and nose and throat secretions.Symptoms may include:

· fever· feeling tired or unwell· cough or runny nose· sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis)· diarrhoea – especially in infants.

This is usually followed by a red, blotchy, non-itchy rash that often starts on the face before spreading down the body. Measles can cause serious illness and be life-threatening. People who are not fully immunised or have not had a previous measles infection are at increased risk.

Pregnant women, children aged under 5 years and those with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe illness and complications. If your child develops measles symptoms, you should:

· keep your child home from school and seek medical care and testing· call the health service and wear a face mask when travelling to and attending the health service· let our school know if your child has measles, or is being tested for measles· keep your child at home until well and advised by a health professional.

Free measles vaccines  Anyone who does not have 2 doses of measles vaccine, or is unsure, can get a measles vaccine.  Free vaccines are available for:

· infants aged 12 months to 18 months· children and teenagers aged under 20 years· adult refugees and humanitarian entrants.

Free vaccines are also available for anyone with or without a Medicare card if they are:· born during or after 1966 who have not received 2 doses or are unsure, including people born overseas· infants from 6 months and before 11 months of age before overseas travel. Vaccination is widely available at your GP, local pharmacist, local council or Aboriginal Health Service. Call ahead to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine.

Outside of School: sport or other activity - Achievement of the Week We know how important physical activity and sport is for our students and to our school community, which is why we privilege time at school for PE and sport. We also know that we have some very talented students who participate in sports and activities outside of school.

 We would love to celebrate their achievements! If your child has received an award or progressed to the next level of their activity outside of school (be it sporting or otherwise) , please let us know and we would love to celebrate their achievements in our newsletter. Please contact Mr Mottershead with information and a photo, or email through to our school office on Albany.rise.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Birthday Free Dress We know that every single day at school is important for learning and connection. Of course, we want to celebrate with our students when they have a birthday! Late last year, we introduced the practice of students coming to school in free dress on their birthday.  This seems to be working very well and will be continuing this year. Students are looking forward to being at school on their birthday, and also, it is easy to spot who has a birthday to make sure they have a great day!  

Thank you!

Jane Capon