Principal's Message

Parent Helpers Morning Tea

We were so very pleased to have our parent helpers join as in the Function Room on Tuesday to thank them for all their hard work and support throughout the year. Parents in so valuable in partnering with the school to support events, improvements to facilities, learning and social activities throughout the year. 

Over this year, we have had parent helpers for reading in classrooms, excursions, Colour run support, Fun Fiesta roles, Parent Association, Working bees, presentations, breakfast club and preparations for graduation! We could not provide the students with all of the opportunities we do, without your wonderful support.

Swimming 

Our 2022 Swimming program has had a very successful start, with the majority of students participating in the program across the school. I had a wonderful opportunity to attend the pool yesterday and see the program in action. The children were very focussed in their small groups and all very active in the water. The confidence and skills that are being developed will be so important to their future safety around the water. Many thanks to all our parents and carers who are supporting the program daily- I know the challenges of drying bathers and towels every day ready for the next day at school!

REMINDER: Working with Children Check- Swimming: IMPORTANT

Child Safe Standards requirements introduced in 2016 make it imperative that any parents or carers MUST have a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) card if  they want to support staff on excursions (or taking part in student events, whether at school or offsite) where they interact with any other students. 

We very much need parents to support students at the pool during swimming. However, we cannot have any parents present at the pool who do not have a valid Working with Children Check Card.

Parents who are volunteers at the school should read and complete the Code of Conduct and OHS forms which are available in the ‘Volunteer Packs’ at the office.

Parents who attend the pool during Swimming sessions to help with our students will be asked to present their WWCC card. This is a mandated requirement in all schools. Thank you for your support to keep all our students safe.

Victoria-wide single-use plastics ban – from 1 February 2023

Single-use plastics make up a third of the litter in our environment and are difficult and costly to clean up. They pollute the environment, harming wildlife and contaminating our food and water. They are also a poor use of resources – they are often used for only a few minutes and generate significant waste that is not recyclable They can often easily be replaced with reusable products. 

Under new regulations, from 1 February 2023, Victorian businesses and organisations (including schools) will not be able to sell, supply or provide a number of single-use plastic items. The ban applies to the following single-use plastic items made from conventional, degradable or compostable plastics:

• Drinking straws
• Cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, sporks, splades, food picks and sporks
• Plates
• Drink stirrers and sticks
• Cotton bud sticks

The ban also applies to:

• Food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene. This includes expanded polystyrene plates, cups, bowls, clam shells and any cover or lid that is also made from expanded polystyrene.

Albany Rise Primary School will be implementing the Victorian government’s single-use plastics ban in the items we use as a school community including Breakfast Club, KidsCo, catering at fundraising events, classroom and staffroom activities and other school events, etc. We will not be using any banned single-use plastic items from 1 February 2023.

Exceptions to the ban

People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to a disability or for a medical need will still be able to purchase and use these items. If your child needs to continue using single-use plastic drinking straws because of a disability or medical need, please let the classroom teacher know and we will ensure that there is a supply available for your child’s use at future school activities.   

The Victorian government has produced a useful Fact Sheet explaining which items are banned and which are not, including information about exemptions. 

Student lunches and snacks from home

Offences relating to the ban do not apply to private or domestic activities at home, e.g. individual families’ decisions about lunch packaging. The intention of the government’s new regulations is to remove these items from the supply chain prior to reaching the customer. 

If you have any questions please contact the office.

Staff Class Plan

Below is our proposed Staff Class Plan for 2023. As we have an additional class, and a new specialist program (STEM) we have successfully recruited two new teaching staff. 

Some of our current staff are taking various leave opportunities and external opportunities in 2023. We will share our formal ‘Thank You’ messages to any staff leaving ARPS during our last assembly on Friday 16th December.

Students have the opportunity take part in two transition sessions during the last few weeks of the year. On 6th December, a general transition session occurred with mixed groups of students working in the year level spaces for 2023 (for a 1 hour session during the day).

On 13th December, students will have another transition opportunity, with all students meeting their 2023 teacher and working in their 2023 class space. Reports will also go home on this day.

STAFF/CLASS PLAN 2023