Principal's Report

Parents are reminded that the Staff Car parks at the front and rear of the school are not for parent parking. Parents with a valid disabled pass may use the designated space at the front of the school.

Principal Report

Welcome Back

It has been wonderful to see so many smiling faces back at Albany Rise to start the 2025 school Year. Students have settled beautifully into their new classes and during the visits I have made to each class, I have enjoyed seeing well organised and engaged groups of students. Thank you to all the parents and carers who have prepared their children so well for school this year. 

A special welcome to the parents of Foundation students and the many students in other classes new to ARPS this year. We know you will quickly become part of our positive school community.

New Staff @ ARPS

This year we have a few fantastic new staff in various roles across the school:

Mia Rowlands             1/2R – Classroom teacher

Laura Young               3/4Y– Classroom teacher

Yan Ngew                   4/5N _ Classroom teacher

Nick Fergus                 Physical Education Teacher

Natalie Tzanatos         STEM teacher

We are very excited to have these teachers as part of our team and community, all of whom bring multiple skills and expertise to benefit our students. 

Transition 'Back to School' tips 

Back to school is an exciting time for students and families. It can be a big step – particularly for those starting prep or moving to secondary school.

For advice in multiple languages on how parents can help their child have a positive start to school, refer to Tips for starting school.

“Quality Beginnings Celebration Morning” Friday 14th February from 9am – 11.20am. 

At ARPS we have a ‘whole school’ games morning to celebrate the start of the 2025 school year!  At the start of each new year, students work with teachers to establish positive practices and protocols for working in the classroom and yard with peers and adults. Students learn our Values, our Code of Conduct, our positive behaviours and our high expectations at Albany Rise. We celebrate all this learning through our special ‘Quality Beginnings Celebration Morning’.

This year we will be running the program with the support of our House Captains and Vice-Captains. Parents are welcome to come and join us at school on the day (and young siblings).

This year, we have also revised our School Wide Positive Behaviour Matrix, following extensive work and feedback from our Wellbeing team in 2024. The ‘new look’ 2025 matrix continues to have a strong focus on our 3 core values:

Facilities upgrades 

Many thanks to Michael Mullner (recent parent) and Adam Summersett & Brian Hogan (staff) for all the gardening, mowing and hedging works around the school. It was certainly lovely to return to such a well-presented playground environment.

Over the holidays various facilities works around the school were also planned and initiated. These included:

• Tree lopping, tree removal and planting of new trees
• Year 6 Legacy project displayed (look up in Foyer- it looks amazing)
• Significant Asphalt works to remove crack and trip areas from various locations around the school. The new line marking and volleyball net post holes are also great additions as part of this project.
• CCTV cameras were serviced and replaced, where needed.

.A huge thanks also to staff who assisted with classroom set-up and furniture moving to ensure all classes were ready for the start of the new year over the holidays.

School Nursing Program 2025- Foundation Families – please take note

Breakfast Club

Our Breakfast club program will commence before school again from next week (Tuesday 4th February). There are a range of healthy, FREE food options for students, including cereal, fruit, toast and more. Student leaders are ready to help with the program and can assist younger students in the breakfast club if needed. Parents, toddlers and families are welcome to breakfast also! Breakfast club occurs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.30am in the Function Room (near Albany Drive entry Gate 1).

Curriculum

Our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for 2025 has a significant focus on READING, Mathematics and student Wellbeing this year, with substantial professional learning, resourcing and leadership planned to ensure students’ positive progress across the curriculum

Throughout the year, we are continuing to build our whole school practices in using School Wide positive behaviours and enhancing our communication processes with all members of the school Community.

Our 2025 AIP is available on the school website. We are eager to have parent input and feedback on all aspects of our school program and encourage families to communicate regularly with teachers and school leadership regarding school programs and practices.

Compass & Communication- Home/School

The Compass parent portal is a key communication tool, which provides parents with access to information about their child’s academic progress, attendance, key dates, reports, upcoming events, payments, teacher interview bookings and newsletters. I encourage all parents to ensure they can access this portal, as information is regularly shared through this service. A link to the Compass portal is on the school website.

Class Dojo

All classes at Albany Rise use Class Dojo as regular form of informal communication between parents and classroom teachers. Dojo provides direct communication between home and school, including opportunities to share photos, achievements, reminders and special events. Please look out for your class invitation for 2025, to join Dojo with your child’s teacher.

Student Safety

EXCESSIVE HEAT AND LEAVING CHILDREN IN CARS – Albany Rise Primary School ensure students are kept safe on very hot days, by operating a ‘Hot Timetable’. We remind our parent community about the dangers of leaving children in cars on very hot days. 

Wellbeing

Parents and carers are encouraged to read the department’s mental and wellbeing health toolkit, which offers guidance to help them support their child’s mental health and wellbeing at home, and advice on working with your school and seeking help if they have concerns.

Child Safe Standards Code of conduct & WWCC

Albany Rise Primary School is committed to safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making.

Albany Rise Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.

Our school is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention is paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.

Every person involved in Albany Rise Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

To create and maintain a child safe organisation, Albany Rise Primary School ensures ongoing compliance with the 11 Child Safe Standards.

Access to our school ‘Child Safe Standards’, ‘Mandatory Reporting’ and ‘Engagement and Wellbeing’ policies is via the school website under Policies.

The ARPS Engagement and Wellbeing policy clearly outlines school values and expectations of conduct for parents, students and staff.

Parents are reminded that a current Working With Children Check is required to volunteer in any school based activity.

School Council

Information relating to vacancies on School Council will be distributed on coming weeks. Please look out for this if you are interested in nominating or being nominated for 2023. Information will include a timeline and summary of the role of School Council. Our next school council meeting is on Wednesday 26th February at 7pm.

DET does not hold insurance for students personal items

A reminder to all community members that the Department of Education does not hold insurance for the loss or damage of personal items bought into the school. Students are encouraged to avoid bringing any items of value into the school. Parents are also strongly encouraged to clearly name all items, especially hats and jackets, as this can lead to a prompt return if lost.

Dogs on School Grounds

ARPS has a policy regarding dogs (and any other animals) being bought onto the school grounds, available on the school website. Please refer to this before entering the grounds with a dog (with or without a lead) whilst other students are present. 

Anaphylaxis

Albany Rise Primary School has some students with severe, life threatening allergies to nuts. We ask that all families consider eliminating nut products from student lunchboxes to reduce the risk of these students having an allergic reaction at school. 

Parents Association and Families

Last year our Parents’ Association worked very hard to create some wonderful positive fundraising experiences for our community, raising funds to support the school.

We would love to build on the successes of 2024. If you would like to be involved, we would love to hear from you.  Please contact the office if you are interested. We look forward to working with you this year!

Hats

A reminder that hats must be worn in terms one and four and anytime the UV is 3 or higher.  Sunscreen and sunglasses are also highly recommended.

Students without a hat will be directed to shaded areas during outdoor breaks.

Attendance

Research and proven than regular attendance at school ensures students have far more positive social and academic learning experiences and outcomes. Information to support parents/carers with attendance can be found here:

https://www.vic.gov.au/attending-school

Schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6 to 17 years unless an exemption from attendance or enrolment has been granted.

Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don't fall behind both socially and developmentally. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.

School participation is important as it maximises life opportunities for children and young people by providing them with education and support networks. School helps people to develop important skills, knowledge and values which set them up for further learning and participation in their community.

Conversely, limited school participation is associated with a greater chance of dropping out of school, disruptive and delinquent behaviour and may lead to a cycle of rebellion against authority. These outcomes have later implications for employment, a range of health risk behaviours (drug and alcohol abuse), homelessness, poverty, welfare dependence, and involvement in the justice system. For more information, visit Student Attendance and Educational Outcomes: Every Day Counts.

I look forward to enjoying a wonderful year with all members of our ARPS community in 2025!

Judy Drew

Principal