Principal's Message

A busy start!

With sporting events and excursions starting from week one, we have certainly ‘hit the ground running’ at ARPS in Term 2. Our Year 5 and 6 students enjoyed a very positive interschool sports morning last week, with many individual and team successes. Most importantly, as always, our students exhibited wonderful sportsmanship, resilience and team cohesion. 

This week, (tomorrow) our Year 3 to 6 students are competing in our Albany Rise House Cross Country running competition. The Cross Country House Shield will be awarded to the House with the highest collective score, and individual children in each age group will have the opportunity to race for a place in the upcoming district Cross Country running competition. I am sure all of the students will try their best tomorrow to represent their house team and aim for an opportunity to represent their school in the future.

Curriculum News- Writing

Our whole school focus on writing, using the 7 steps approach, is certainly producing some impressive results for students in all year levels. Students have been encouraged to ‘Ban the Boring’ and focus on creating writing pieces which have ‘sizzling starts’ and engaging vocabulary. Across the school, classes have been focusing on poetry and engaging opening paragraphs for narratives and recounts. From this Friday, we will be sharing some of the writing at assembly each week, chosen and presented by teachers who are so proud of the efforts and progress of our students in their writing.

Many thanks to our parents and families at home who are encouraging such positive attitudes and efforts when completing writing homework tasks and creating opportunities for writing for our children; even the simple shopping list or greeting card can be a wonderful home-based opportunity to reinforce the value of writing in daily lives.

We hope to share some of our students’ wonderful writing pieces in future newsletters.

ANZAC presentation @ ARPS

Our School Captains and Vice-Captains did an outstanding job of running our whole school ANZAC presentation last Friday. Students in all year levels showed impressive levels of respect and understanding as the presentation and information was shared with the whole school group. Our Choir shared a lovely singing performance focussing on the history of ANZAC day, with support from our Music Specialist teacher, Mrs Jenny Lang.

Thank you to the parents and families who came to take part in the presentation with students and staff.

MOTHERS' DAY STALL  Albany Rise Parents Association have purchased and prepared lovely gifts for our mums. If you would like your child/children to participate in this fun activity then please complete the payment and consent on Compass by Wednesday, 10th May.This year we will be asking parents to pre purchase 'money' vouchers for their children on Compass. On Thursday, 11th May, students will be given vouchers to the value of $7.00.  Each year level will be given a time to visit the wonderfully prepared stalls by our Parent Association. Individual item prices range from $1.00 - $7.00.  Please send a bag along to hold your child's special present. Please do not send cash to school. 

This event can only be paid for via Compass. Please do not ring the office for credit on the day.

If you have any time to spare and would love to help our PA to prepare the gifts for the stall please contact the office on 9547 1146 or email albany.rise.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Public Announcements processes @ ARPS / Early Leavers

Recently, our administration staff and teachers have noticed an increase in the number of whole school interruptions caused by parents/carers coming to collect students before 3.30pm. When students are not in their own classes (eg. at a Specialist Class, undertaking a leadership task, out in the yard during play times, etc) this can result in Public Address (PA) system announcements being made which interrupt learning for every student in the school.

To reduce the number of unnecessary interruptions caused by announcements over the PA during school hours, we ask that parents/carers do the following:

• Avoid making appointments in school hours as far as possible.
• If an appointment must be made during school hours, parents/carers are asked to please inform the classroom teacher at least one day beforehand, so that the teacher can have the student with their bag at the office ready for collection at the allocated time (Class Dojo direct messaging to the teacher is ideal for this,  prior to the day, or call the school in the morning so a message can be given during lunch/recess).
• Make arrangements at the start of the day with your child about collection points (office/ classroom/ gate).
• Communicate any ‘early leaving arrangements’ with the classroom teacher at least one day prior to the required event/appointment.

Upcoming Working Bee – indoors!

Plans are currently underway to move the Uniform shop closer to the Foyer/Administration entry area, and move other resources and equipment into the space where the uniform shop currently is. We are hoping to have an afterschool ‘working bee’ in the next few weeks to allow this to happen seamlessly.  Parents, we would really appreciate any help to make this a quick transition.  Please call the office to leave your name if you can spare a little time.  😊

Student Attitude to School Survey

Students in Year 4, 5 and 6 will be participating in the 2023 Student Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS) this year.

We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of their school. 

The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general. 

This year, the AtoSS will be conducted at Albany Rise Primary School during the week beginning Monday 22nd May.

What are the benefits?

Young people enjoy having a say! This survey has been running for nearly 20 years and is invaluable in helping schools understand student views to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience. The survey responses also help the Department of Education understand how student’s learning experiences can be improved.

A letter to parents in Year 4-6 was provided to students today and a copy posted on Class Dojo for those classes involved.

Please contact the school or your child’s teacher if you have any questions about this survey.

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..