Principals' Page
A Little Thunder, A Lot of Gratitude
Those afternoon thunderstorms certainly brought some welcome relief to our gardens, although the timing (why is it always around 3:30pm) can make pick-up a little more challenging.
While the rain is appreciated, safety always comes first. Please ensure children are collected safely, with umbrellas and clear meeting plans in place during wet weather.
We know it can be harder to park and navigate at that time of day, so thank you for your patience and care.
Junior School Council News
Our Junior School Council Representatives have been elected by their classmates to represent the voice of their class, and they take this responsibility very seriously.
They understand that their role is not just about sharing their own ideas, but about listening carefully to their peers, gathering feedback and bringing those perspectives to the table.
Throughout the term, the Junior School Council will meet regularly to discuss school-wide plans, upcoming events and initiatives that impact student life at Great Ryrie. These meetings provide an opportunity for students to contribute to decision-making, suggest improvements and reflect on what is working well across the school. Whether it relates to fundraising ideas, school environment improvements or ways to strengthen our sense of community, their input is thoughtful and considered.
GRPS News Break — Student Voice in Action
Today we proudly launched GRPS News Break, an initiative developed entirely by a team of our Year 5 students.
These students approached me with the idea and then did all the hard work, developing an action plan, drafting content, practising, revising, rehearsing and finally delivering their first podcast at lunchtime today.
Their news coverage included:
- The Winter Olympics
- The Ed Sheeran concert
- Floods in the Northern Territory
- School events and community updates and much more!
They were excited (and understandably a little nervous) to present.
What I loved most was seeing student voice and agency at its finest. When students identify a need, create a solution and confidently share it with their peers , that is authentic learning in action.
We are very proud of their initiative and leadership.
Attendance Matters — Every Day Counts
Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success — academically, socially and emotionally.
Research consistently shows that:
- Students who attend school 90% of the time or more are significantly more likely to achieve expected learning growth.
- Missing just one day per fortnight adds up to nearly a month of learning lost across a year.
- Patterns of absence in primary school can impact confidence, friendships and skill development.
The Department of Education monitors attendance very closely across all Victorian schools. Schools are required to track attendance data carefully, follow up unexplained absences and support families where attendance becomes a concern. It is not simply an administrative task, it is a key indicator of student engagement and wellbeing.
If your child is absent due to illness or other reasons, please notify the school promptly.
If you are planning a family holiday during term time, we ask that you let us know in advance. Family holidays are coded differently in the system, and accurate coding ensures our attendance data reflects genuine patterns of absence.
As always, if there are challenges impacting your child’s attendance, please reach out. We are here to work in partnership with you. Our shared goal is simple: every child at school, every day, ready to learn.
Network Gala Day — We’re Ready
Next Tuesday we look forward to our Network Gala Day, always a highlight on the calendar.
If you haven’t experienced it before, it’s a fantastic day filled with sport, teamwork and a wonderful carnival-like atmosphere. Students from Year 5 and 6 have the opportunity to represent Great Ryrie alongside peers from our network schools, demonstrating both skill and sportsmanship.
Thank you to the parents and volunteers who are assisting on the day.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of our wonderful school community.
Together, we continue to do what is best for our students.
Warm regards
Karen Rouda Principal
Melissa Roberts and Jean Maxwell Assistant Principals