Principal's Message

REMINDER: Monday 12th June- Monarchs Birthday Public Holiday- NO SCHOOL

Parents as Partners

One of the many wonderful aspects of Albany Rise Primary School, is the parent input, participation and support for our school. Our Parent Association, daily reading parents, parents attending excursions and camps, and parents on School Council, parents who attend working bees, and daily positive parent interactions in the yard, create such a positive culture and environment at our school.

We aim to continually improve on the wonderful culture at our school, and regularly seek parent feedback on various topics. Most recently, our parent survey regarding KidsCo before and afterschool care resulted in a broad range of positive and constructive responses, leading to the School holiday program being made available during the winter break (which is great news to working parents and those who may need a ‘break’ during the holiday period).

Recently, staff have been discussing how the school might better or more regularly communicate student learning progress (and general communication), and provide greater access to afterschool activities for students. 

To support our understanding of parent/school communication processes, and student afterschool activities needs, another simple survey has been developed.

I encourage all parents/carers to please respond to this simple survey to help school leadership respond to the needs of our students and the school.

Link: https://forms.gle/GxgWvEPwNhdo31xf9 

REMINDER: 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.

Our Year 5 and 6 students have being provided with an amazing opportunity to take part in this social development program for FREE next week.

Positive Peer Relationships is about building personal and social skills to enhance the quantity and quality of our interpersonal interactions.

Positive Peer Relationships has two distinct sessions that each run for approximately 90-120 minutes. The two sessions are GROWING MY SOCIAL SKILLS and BUILDING STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS. They are delivered at our school in a single day by Unleashing Personal Potential, to whole year level cohorts. 

We are sure our students will gain much from this excellent learning opportunity.

PEER MEDIATORS

Our Year 5 and 6 Peer Mediator training program occurred this week. Students were upskilled in positive responses to supporting students in the yard, from finding a friend to helping students resolve simple problems about sharing and sportsmanship. Our students will be presented with their badges on Friday at Assembly. Students will then be allowed to work in pairs as leaders during lunch breaks in the yard, supporting other students and acting as role models and advisors to other students across all year levels.

Congratulations to all our Peer Mediators on accepting this challenging but rewarding leadership role.

Illnesses

We are experiencing a significant rise in flu/cold (Covid cases) for both students and staff this term. As you would be aware, the Covid Guidelines have changed with the passing of time, reflecting changing conditions. Current Covid Guidelines require staff to stay home for 5 days if they contract Covid. For students, the guidelines recommend a 5-day stay at home from school. Whilst it is not a requirement for students, we would strongly recommend that parents consider doing so to keep our school a healthy place to learn and work in.  We ask that any student showing signs of illness do not attend school. As per department guidelines, any student presenting with compatible symptoms sore throat, cough, fever, or cold-like symptoms a parent/guardian will be required to collect the student as soon as possible.

Albany Rise Primary School always endeavours to cover class absences with a Causal Relief Teacher. In recent weeks this has become increasingly difficult to do, due to the higher number of staff absences due to illness and Casual Relief Teacher shortages via the many companies we utilise. Therefore, we have spent countless early morning hours innovating and remodelling classroom structures via splitting/combining cohorts, re-deployment of staff from their designated roles (specialists, intervention) to cover the teaching needs across the school. 

We appreciate your ongoing support in minimising the spread of respiratory illnesses and viruses.

Smile Squad is the Victorian Government's only fully-funded school dental program. It offers free dental services to all Victorian government primary, secondary and specialist schools, including Virtual School Victoria.

We currently have the Smile Squad dental team at ARPS! Please be sure to take advantage of this free health service to support the health and wellbeing of all students at ARPS. Forms are available from the office.