From the Principal

Principal's Report

We would like to welcome you to the start of the 2022 school year.

 

We are just thrilled with how well all the students have returned to school. The transition to primary school for our Foundation students has been outstanding.

 

Thank you to all the dedicated staff that spent many days at school over the holidays

preparing their resources and classrooms for that start of the school year. We are most

fortunate to have such dedicated, professional staff who work collaboratively to ensure the best learning environment for our students.

 

On behalf of the staff, I would like to welcome all our new families to Camelot Rise Primary School, and we trust that you will enjoy working with us to provide your child with the best possible education.

 

Class structure for 2022

Foundation L                Miss Hayley Lonsdale

Foundation J                 Miss Ashleigh Jacobs

Foundation G               Miss Lauren Gabrielle

Foundation N               Miss Amanda Neary

1GH                                 Mrs Tennille Giannopoulos (Monday – Wednesday) & 

                                          Mrs Jane Humphries (Thursday & Friday)

1K                                     Mrs Mary Katsigiannis        

2CM                                Miss Amanda Curtain (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) 

                                          Mrs Sarah Martin (Thursday & Friday)

2JR                                   Mrs Peta Rose (Monday & Tuesday) & Mrs Stephanie Johnson

                                          (Wednesday – Friday)

3/4BM                            Mrs Linda Bett (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) &

                                          Mrs Adrienne Meer (Thursday & Friday)

3E                                     Miss Caroline Eaves

4J                                      Mr Simon Judkins

4WT                                 Ms IIana Tusia (Monday & Tuesday) &

                                          Mrs Sarah Woods (Wednesday – Friday)

5Y                                     Mr Chris Young

5CB                                  Mrs Michelle Cohen-Beavis

6Y                                     Mrs Wendy Yoong

6N                                    Mrs Sharyn Newstead

 

Specialist Programs for 2022

Physical Education   Mr Cameron Stillman

Visual Arts                    Ms Debra Hong (Year 3 – 6 classes) &

                                          Ms Rosemary Thom (Foundation – Year 2 classes)

Performing Arts         Mrs Debra Hong

French                           Ms Rosemary Thom

French Language Assistant  Ms Eliane Deslauriers (Madame Deslauriers)

EAL                                 Mrs Leilani Burgess

Tutor                              Mrs Marshia Nash

 

Principal                       Mr Matthew Coney

Acting Assistant Principal   Mr Ben Heys

Business Manager                 Mrs Christine Chara

Student Administration        Mrs Kerryn Wardle & Mrs Tracy Davidson

 

Education Support Staff (Integration Aides

                                          Mrs Jo Hewett                                                                               

                                          Mr Andy Pullar                                                   

                                          Mrs Fiona Schwass                                                         

                                          Mrs Deb Oakey                                                   

                                          Mrs Chrissie Sandford - Ricci

 

Welcome to our new staff in 2022

 

In 2022 we would like to welcome:

·         Miss Lauren Gabrielle (Foundation teacher)

·         Miss Caroline Eaves (Year 3 Teacher)

·         Miss Jane Humphries (Year 1 teacher Thursday and Friday)

 

We look forward to introducing these new staff to the students and community at a school assembly early in 2022.

 

Staffing news

 

We would like to congratulate Ms Helen Thomas, our substantive Assistant Principal, who has been appointed to the Assistant Principal position at Heidelberg Primary School. Congratulations to Helen on this appointment.

 

Helen has worked as the Assistant Principal at Camelot Rise Primary School since 2015 and in this time, Helen was highly regarded by students, parents and staff. Helen was a key driver in many initiatives throughout the school such as the School Wide Positive Behaviours, sourcing the grant for the Fellowship Garden and leading the development of whole school approaches towards teaching and learning. Helen will be invited back to say farewell to the school community at an assembly (when assemblies are allowed in the hall).

 

In 2021, Helen worked as an Education Improvement Leader in the North-Eastern Victorian Region of the Department as an Education Improvement Leader.

 

We wish Helen all the best for the future and know that she will be a wonderful addition to the Heidelberg PS community.

 

As a result of this appointment, we will be advertising for a substantive Assistant Principal at Camelot Rise Primary School. We are planning to complete this process in the first half of the year. Once this process is completed, we will announce the name of the substantive Assistant Principal to our school community.

 

French Language Assistant

 

Eliane Deslauriers (Madame Deslauriers) is our new French language assistant, and she will be working at Camelot Rise for one day each week for the 2022 school year.

 

Eliane will be here every Wednesday to work in class with Madame Thom and the Year 5 and 6 students. She will be taking small groups to extend oral skills and provide extra activities to help students consolidate what is being taught.

 

Productive Partnerships

 

Camelot Rise Primary School staff are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure all children can achieve their highest potential. We recognise that in order to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school, knowing that a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our students’ success. We want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities, and we ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring:

  • Attendance at school daily and arrival on time, ready for the day’s learning experience
  • Supporting the school values
  • Daily reading to develop a love for literature and to improve critical language skills
  • Sharing school experiences with you so that you are aware of your child’s school life 

Working and ‘learning together’ we can achieve great results.

 

Curriculum Days

 

Tuesday, 15th March will be a Curriculum Day (Pupil free day) at Camelot Rise Primary School. As part of our ongoing professional learning our teaching staff will be working with Mardi Gorman (Educational Consultant) with a focus on developing teacher capacity in the area of Writing. During the day our staff will further develop their skills and knowledge in this area.  

 

Upcoming dates for Curriculum Days

 

      ·         Tuesday 15th March

      ·         Wednesday, 27th April

      ·         Friday, 2nd September   

 

Information Nights

 

Our Parent Information Nights which will be held over WebEx are scheduled for the following days:

 

Monday, 7th February  

  • Foundation 6.30pm – 7.30pm
  • Year 5 /6 at 7.30pm – 8.30pm                                                  

Wednesday, 9th February        

  • Year 1 /2 at 6.30pm – 7.30pm 
  • Year 3 /4 at 7.30pm – 8.30pm 

We encourage all families to ‘log into’ these sessions and learn about the upcoming academic year ahead.

 

The presentations that will used by staff on the night will be sent home to families using Compass and displayed on our school website for future reference.

 

Parent Teacher Interviews

 

‘Getting to know you interviews” will be held on Thursday, 17th February. Information about how to make a booking will be sent via Compass. You will select a time via our Compass platform. These meetings will be held remotely over WebEx.

 

The purpose of these interviews is twofold. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend to:

  • Meet their child’s teacher to begin an effective home/school partnership.
  • Provide information to teachers regarding their child’s strengths, talents, issues or concerns.

Information shared by parents to teachers will assist us to plan for and work as effectively as possible with you and your child throughout the year.

 

School Production ‘Reality Cheque’

 

This year we will be having our School Production of ‘Reality Cheque’ on Tuesday, 30th August and Wednesday, 31st August at the Alexander Theatre, Monash University.

 

Please keep these dates free.

 

‘We are Learning’ Boards

 

Each term our teachers carefully plan what the students will be learning in all curriculum areas for the upcoming term. This is based on the Victorian Curriculum. The Victorian Curriculum F–10 sets out what every student should learn during their first eleven years of schooling. The curriculum is the common set of knowledge and skills required by students for life-long learning, social development and active and informed citizenship.

The Victorian Curriculum F–10 incorporates the Australian Curriculum and reflects Victorian priorities and standards.

 

Our staff carefully plan the content of what is taught based on the learning needs of the students, prior knowledge and student interests. These planning documents our teachers produce will now form part of our ‘‘We are Learning’ Board that is displayed in the foyer of our school.

 

We invite parents to look at our ‘We are Learning’ board that clearly articulates exactly what is being taught in all class and specialist classes this term. The class and specialist teachers have prepared this information. As a parent it is invaluable to know what is taught at school so you can assist and support your child / children at home. This information will be updated each term. Thanks to all the teachers for the amazing amount of work they have put into this display!

 

We encourage all parents to look at this board and see what exciting learning adventures your child has to look forward to this term. All of these ‘We are Learning documents’ will be sent out to all families via Compass by the end of Week Two each term.

 

Welcome to our new Foundation (Prep) students

 

We are thrilled with the way our 2022 Foundation (Prep) students have settled into schooling life. It was a pleasure to see so many smiling faces. I would like to thank Miss Lonsdale, Miss Neary, Miss Gabriele and Miss Jacobs who have created wonderfully attractive classrooms for these students and the look of excitement on the faces was priceless.

 

Our newly renovated Foundation room looks amazing thanks to the efforts of Miss Lonsdale, Miss Neary, Miss Gabriele and Miss Jacobs. We would also like to thank Mr Andy Pullar (Education Support) who spent many hours last year painting, sanding, and preparing the learning space for our 2022 Foundation students. The room looks brand new!

 

Thank you to the many parents that have provided such positive feedback on our school’s Facebook page….

Lunar New Year

 

Tuesday 1st February marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year.  2022 is the year of the Tiger.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in our community who celebrates this significant event a Happy New Year!

 

School Council Elections

 

Last Monday information regarding the 2022 School Council election process was sent to families via Compass. I would encourage any interested parent to contact me for more information. School council is an extremely vital part of the school, and it is from council that we take our direction. Please look out for this if you think you may be interested in nominating or being nominated for 2022. Information includes a timeline and summary of the role of School Council.

 

Student Leadership badge presentations

 

Since assemblies are being conducted via WebEx, with students remaining in their classrooms rather than being in the school hall, we have had to modify our 2022 Student leadership Badge presentation for our Year Six Student Leaders. The badge presentation will still be held on Friday, 11th February at 2.45pm.

 

At this assembly all Year 6 students will be seated in the hall and the student leaders will be announced. They will be asked to come forward and collect their badges from Camelot Rise PS staff.

 

At this assembly we will be presenting badges to the following students:

·         School Captains

·         Vice Captains

·         Sport Captains

·         Visual Arts Captains

·         Performing Arts Captains

·         French Captains

·         Environment Captains

·         Resource Captains

·         Wellbeing Captains

·         House Captains (Avalon, Galahad, King Arthur & Chivalry)

 

Parents will have the opportunity to log into this assembly by using the following link https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/judkins.simon.b

 

Photographs will be taken throughout the assembly to commemorate this special event.

 

We thank all community members for their understanding as we adapt how we would normally conduct our assemblies whilst still allowing parents to view the assembly from home / work.

 

2022 Parent Payments Reminder

 

Parent payments are an essential source of funds for a school to operate effectively. Without student fees schools would not be able to provide the many programs and resources we provide for the students at Camelot Rise Primary School. We would like to thank the parents that have already made these payments.

 

Working with Children Checks (WWC)

 

We encourage and value parental and community support at Camelot Rise Primary School. There are many ways that parents, grandparents and friends can assist at our school. We encourage all parents to obtain a Working with Children’s Check that will allow you to be very involved in your child’s education. These checks are free for volunteers. Once you have your WWC please come to the office so we can photocopy this, and we will add your name to our list of parents who have a current WWC check.

 

Accident insurance

 

The Department of Education and Training (DET) does not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents are generally responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs.  Ambulance cover could be one consideration as the school will not hesitate to call an ambulance if we are concerned for a child’s wellbeing.

 

The Department of Education and Training (DET) states that reasonable low-cost accident insurance policies are available from the commercial insurance sector. For those parents who seek personal cover, details of an insurer who offers individual accident insurance for $29 for the year is:

 

EBM INSURANCE BROKERS and the link is https://www.ebminsurance.com.au/personal-cover/student-cover.php

 

Personal goods brought to school at owner’s risk

 

The Department of Education and Training (DET) does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools. Principals are requested to remind students and parents/guardians of this at the beginning of each academic year and to discourage parents/students from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school. Please, try and avoid bringing these items as it can be most upsetting for all concerned when items do go missing.

 

Annual Privacy reminder

 

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.

 

Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website Camelot Rise Primary | Glen Waverley | Home

 

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. . This information is also available in ten community languages:

* Amharic

* Arabic

* Dari

* Gujarati

* Mandarin

* Somali

* Sudanese

* Turkish

* Urdu

* Vietnamese

 

Our new Physical Education / Sports Uniform

 

As part of a school uniform the Year 4, 5 & 6 students will have the opportunity to purchase and wear a sports uniform. This sports uniform is an optional item.

Historically our students have worn their ‘normal school uniform’ on Sports Days, however, now students can wear their sports uniform when representing the school and participating in Physical Education classes.

 

These items are currently available in the PSW shop.

 

These are optional additions to the school uniform.

 

These uniforms can be worn by Year 4, 5 & 6 students on the following days:

  • Physical Education classes
  • Sporting events
  • Interschool Sports
  • House Sport events

We are very excited at the prospect of these sports uniforms as we will look fantastic and further develop a sense of pride in the school.

 

The students in the senior classes were involved in the voting process to determine the style and design of our new ‘2022 Sports Uniform’.

 

We already have a number of students wearing these and they look great!

Camp Australia

 

If your child attends the Camp Australia Out of School Hours Program and tests positive to COVID -19 please contact the Camp Australia Parent Helpline on 1300 105 343 as well as informing the school.

 

Literacy Parental Engagement and Activities

 

We have listed below a useful Department of Education website that provides parents with many activities that parents and children can participate in to help inspire and boost their Literacy & Numeracy ​skills. 

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/english/literacy/LiteracyandNumeracyTipstoHelpYourChild_Final.pdf

 

Home-school communication

 

Ben Heys (Acting Assistant Principal) and I, are always open and available to meet with parents and our community. Our number one priority is the engagement, wellbeing and care of all students at Camelot Rise Primary School, and we are always happy to hear feedback on the improvements we are making and what we can do to better assist our students. Ben and I are always available to speak to parents in relation to any feedback you can provide us that will ultimately benefit the students at Camelot Rise Primary School. Please feel free to drop in at any time or contact us to arrange a suitable meeting time.

Please come and see us for a chat!

 

 

Matthew Coney and Ben Heys