Principal's Message

Parent Teacher Meetings and 3 Way Conferences- June 2023

Parents/Carers can now book a meeting/conference session for students on Compass.

Year 3-6 students have 3 Way (parent/teacher/student) conferences of 15 minutes each on Wednesday 14th June (day time and afterschool) and Monday 19th June (Afterschool only).

Foundation to Year 2 students have 10 minute parent/teacher meetings on Wednesday 14th June (afterschool only) and Monday 19th June (afterschool only).

Please go to Compass to book your times: https://albanyrise-ps-vic.compass.education/ 

We are eager to talk to all our parents about the progress  students are making in all areas of learning. If these times do not suit, please message your child's teacher to arrange another time.

Budding Buddies

Our Year 5 students enjoyed a wonderful visit to one of our local Pre-schools earlier this week. The students in year five demonstrated excellent communication and social skills when working collaboratively with the younger pre-school students. We are very confident our Year 5 cohort will make excellent Buddies in Year 6, next year.

It was delightful to see our students working hard to engage the younger children, reading stories, taking part in play based learning and being respectful of the many different learning styles of the younger children in the group.

We were so proud of the children, with the pre-school teachers offering us the opportunity to visit again in the future, due to the positive learning that was evident for all.

The Year 5 students were very excited about their experiences, and shared some of their learning from the day in some writing pieces:

Curriculum News- MORE Writing

The Whole School Seven Steps writing approach continues to be a focus across the school. This week I have seen students developing their narratives beyond ‘Sizzling Starts’ to include the ‘pebble, rock and boulder’ in each story. These are the problems characters in any narrative may face, and how the characters’ problems can become bigger and bigger as the story progresses.

I had some more wonderful writers visit me again this week to share their fantastic writing efforts.

District Cross Country- 24th May

Good luck to our 48 qualifying year 3 to 6 students at the District Cross Country event which will be held next Wednesday 24th May. Parents are reminded to please ensure permission is provided for eligible students to take part on Compass.

Education Support Personnel Day -16th May

Our staff and students celebrated Education support Personnel Day on Tuesday 16th May. ARPS community  join in and acknowledge the wonderful work our ES staff do. Thank you so much to Lyndelle, Janine, Collette, Cas, Narelle, Josh, Michaela, Kathryn, Wendy, Kylie, Lisa, Natasha, Lily, Adam and Brian (Hoges) for keeping our school running and by supporting our students to learn, our teachers to teach and engaging our community in our wonderful school. Your efforts are very much appreciated!

Attendance

I am occasionally asked, “Having a day off every now can’t hurt can it?” Well actually …it definitely can! Not only should your child/ren attend school each day, but it is just as important to BE ON TIME! I remind you that school commences and lessons start promptly on the 9.00am (and occasionally before, as the children, and staff, are raring to get started with the day’s learning). You will all know we ring the bell at 8:55 with staff opening their rooms from 8.52 (music) to allow students to get a little organised before school. 

It is very disruptive for the other students and your child if they come into their class while the initial day’s instructions are being given. This is the most vital time to set things up, give any important information about the day ahead or changes to what students may have thought was happening that day. If your child is late they will miss this and be behind at times throughout day. 

I wish to refer you to the Department of Education and Training website where there is much information giving reasons why your child should be at school every day. This also applies to being on time to school every day as this has the same effect on your child’s learning as time away from  school. Of course, if your child is unwell please keep them at home and log this absence on Compass as soon as practical. 

Link: https://www.vic.gov.au/attendance-and-missing-school 

Student Attitude to School Survey: Reminder

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.