Information Book

Message from the Principal

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Great Ryrie learning community.  Our school is a warm and welcoming teaching and learning environment with committed professionals who are focussed on enhancing their students’ learning.

Our school offers learning programs that cater for the diverse needs of all students, with a priority on teaching relevant skills and knowledge that are important in real world situations. Curriculum programs are delivered using an integrated approach so that links can be made between all subject areas. Our integrated units of work include the use of ICT and promote sustainability, self-responsibility and thinking skills.

Our school community works together to make it a successful school with increasing enrolments. Great Ryrie has a strong sense of community involvement with an active Parents and Friends Association, who work hard to maintain this characteristic through community events.  Whilst these events are often fundraisers, the primary aim is community involvement.

Our School Council and its subcommittees form a productive and harmonious group with a commitment to education. Parent support is provided in many ways including help in classrooms and additional school activities, at working bees and fundraising activities.

I look forward to sharing the educational journey of your child’s education and am always available to discuss any ideas or concerns with you.

Doug Elliott

Principal

School Attendance

 Term Dates 2008:

          Term 1        30 January to 20 March

          Term 2          7 April to 27 June

          Term 3        14 July to 19 September

          Term 4          6 October to 19 December 

Term Dates 2009:

           Term 1          28 January to 3 April

          Term 2          20 April to 26 June

          Term 3          13 July to 18 September

          Term 4            5 October to 18 December

 

School Hours:        8.55am to 3.30pm

Session Times:     School commences at      8:55am

                                Morning Recess                  10:40am – 11:10am

                                Lunch Recess                      1:00pm – 1:50pm

                                Dismissal                             3.30pm

 

Whole school organisation time begins at 8.55am.

Please ensure that students are at school on time so that they are able to participate in organisation time prior to lessons beginning at 9.00am.

 Lunch is eaten in the classroom between 12:50pm and 1:00pm.

Absences
If your child is unwell the best place for them is at home. There are also some infectious diseases that have their own exclusion times (Please check with our First Aid officer - Janine). All absences must be explained in writing to the class teacher.  Notes are then recorded as an approved absence. Parents may contact the office to inform staff of any absences as well. All absences are closely monitored by Education Department data collection.

 Active to School Program
The Active to School committee is a group of parents and staff who are interested in promoting and supporting healthy and safe travel options for the students of Great Ryrie PS. They meet a couple of times each term to discuss issues and ideas for encouraging students and their families to exercise their bodies to get to and from school ie; scooting, walking or cycling. If you are interested in joining the committee or have any ideas or concerns that you would like to pass on, please contact the office and check the newsletter for more information.
 
Anaphylaxis
We have many students who suffer from Anaphylaxis and therefore request that parents do not send ‘nut’ products to school for snacks, lunches or birthday treats. Staff has been educated and trained in the use of an EpiPen if a situation arises. Should your child suffer from anaphylaxis, ensure that the school is advised and make sure that your child is aware of the steps they need to take to protect themselves while at school. You are required to provide the school with an EpiPen and the accompanying information. 
 
Assemblies
Assemblies are held at 8.55am each Monday in the quadrangle at the rear of the school. School Captains take the assemblies and they include level reports, Student of the Week awards given for students who have achieved in class and at Specialist programs, as well as notices from staff and house points.
 
Asthma Friendly School
We have become accredited as an Asthma Friendly School in 2007. To achieve this status we have been recognised as a school that provides our community with a better understanding of asthma, high standards in the care of students with asthma and the education of staff.

Athletics
In Term 3 of each year the Physical Education program has an athletics focus. Level 3 and 4 have a House Athletics day where the winners are chosen to be part of our Interschool Team. This team competes at various levels, depending on their success, such as Zone, Region or State level.

 Aussie of the Month
Once a month assemblies are held in the school hall. The assemblies are run by the students of the Junior School Council. Advance Australia Fair is performed by the school band. A guest presenter is invited along to acknowledge the work done by a student from across the school as the Aussie of the Month and a trophy and certificate are presented.

Baha’i
A Baha’i education class is offered to students from any cultural or religious background,

subject to written parent approval. It is a weekly elective class and goes for 30 minutes. It is based on the teachings of Baha u llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith. Classes aim to contribute to the awakening and development of the spiritual nature of every child, complementing the material and physical development.
 
Band
Students who learn an instrument at school are encouraged to join the Junior or Senior Band. These bands are ability-based and are led by an instrumental teacher. There is a small charge for those in Senior Band. Junior band rehearses 9-9.30am Wednesday and Senior band 3–4.00pm Wednesday.
 
Before and After School Care Program

Qualified staff are employed by ‘Quality Junior Programs’ who run this program in our school gym.

The times are -

          Before School Care: 7.00am - 8.45am

          After School Care: 3.30pm - 6.15pm

To contact Out of School Hours Care Program supervisors please telephone them direct on 0418 571 136. All students must be booked into the program and have completed a registration form.

 “Bridges” Program

This is a support program for students at Level 2 to develop their literacy skills. Volunteers are sought from the school community to devote 3 to 4 half hour sessions a week to work one on one with students working on reading, writing and literacy games.  Each volunteer is trained by one of our staff members.
 
Buddies
At the start of the Prep year, students are matched with a buddy from Level 4. Buddy activities help develop positive relationships between students and support Preps in their learning. Activities occur on a regular basis when suitable to both levels. The program starts with a Buddy Picnic at the beginning of the year.
 
Camp/Tour Program

Camps are held every 2 years on even numbered years. Level 3 camp is a 3-day base camp and Level 4 go on a tour for 5 days. Staff and parents supervise students and first aid trained staff are present as well. Parents must complete vital medical information sheets before students can attend.
 
Canteen

The school canteen is operated by Canteen Management Systems who offer nutritious food for students’ lunches.  A canteen price list is sent home to every family.  Please send correct money in a paper bag with the students’ name, grade and order written on the outside of the bag.  The order is placed in the classroom based lunch basket. The canteen is also open at recess and lunch time for students to make purchases.  There is a limit of $1 per child for over the counter sales (excluding drinks).

Car Parking

Parents are asked to encourage their children to walk to school, even if this means dropping them off a block or two away. All drivers are required to adhere to parking and traffic regulations around the school precinct.  Parents are asked not to use the staff car park in order to drop off

or pick up children.  This is a matter of student safety!  No child should walk through the staff car park at any time, even if accompanied by an adult.

As well as not using the staff car park, attention is drawn to the yellow line which designates NO PARKING in the parent car park. This is to avoid accidents. The car park that services Aquinas College is only for the use of parents of Aquinas students. Drivers should also remember that double parking and crossing the double lines in Great Ryrie Street is an illegal and very dangerous practice. Police and council officers do patrol the area and on the spot fines are issued.
 
Chaplaincy
The school has received government funding to run a chaplaincy program. Alan Silverwood is our school chaplain and is available to see students and parents on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Students can elect to see Alan for an initial visit and will then require a signed consent form for further contact.  Areas that Alan can assist with include grief and loss counselling, social or family issues or any concerns that need an independent and caring ear.
 
Choir
As an extension of the Performing Arts Program, we offer Junior Choir for those in Grades 1 - 3 and Senior Choir for Grades 4 - 6. Helen Francis our Performing Arts teacher coordinates both choirs and anyone is welcome to join. Both choirs are given performance opportunities such as; Aussie of the Month assemblies, the fete and a variety of school functions.
 
Class Norms
Classes at Great Ryrie develops their class norms. Rather than the teacher creating a set of rules, the norm-setting process involves all students. The aim is to establish behaviours and attitudes which respect all class members and for students to take responsibility for their own behaviour.  Great Ryrie Primary School aims to establish an atmosphere in which all children feel happy, safe and secure and have the maximum opportunity for learning.

 
Classroom Helpers
At Great Ryrie, we value the support of parents in the classroom program and excursions. During Term 1 most classroom teachers will establish rosters for Classroom Helpers and during Term 2 a Classroom Helpers’ Training Program is offered to those parents who are working in classrooms for the first time.
 
Communication
We encourage parents and teachers to work together in partnership for the education of our students. Communication is very important and we encourage you to read the weekly newsletter, which is also available on our web site or through email. Special events will be notified in the newsletter. Information will be sent home pertaining to class activities during the year when required. If you have any questions, ideas or concerns, please speak to the classroom teacher, Office Manager, Assistant Principal or Principal.

Parents are welcome to attend whole school activities such as assemblies, sports and special occasions.

Each Monday morning after assembly parents are warmly invited to have coffee with the Principal and Assistant Principal in the staffroom and share ideas and concerns or be informed about an area of interest.
 
Competitions
At Great Ryrie we provide students with the opportunity to participate in a range of academic competitions in order to provide extension and enrichment in areas of interest and expertise. Many competitions are for students from Prep to Year 6 but the Australasian Schools Competitions and the Westpac Maths are for Levels 3 and 4 only.
 
Computers - ICT
Classrooms are all equipped with 4 or more desktop computers that are used to support and enhance the learning of our students. Level 4 also have a set of laptop computers that a whole class can use. Our computer lab has 29 computers and every child can maximize their computer lab time.
 
Concerns

Don’t let things worry you.  Come to the school or phone your child’s teacher so that we can talk them over.  It may be that there is no problem at all or that we can do something about it.  Remember that a problem dealt with early can often be solved, but if it is left to build up over time it will often become much harder to resolve.

 It is preferable to make an appointment if you are coming up to the school, so that we can be sure to give you the time required.  Teachers cannot leave classes unattended during class time.

 If you have any concerns or queries about your child’s progress or schooling do not hesitate to contact the school and make an appointment to see the class teacher.
 
CRE - Christian Religious Education
Classes are held across the school where CRE teachers are available. The program follows the recognised Christian Approved Course and is taken in classrooms with the teacher present. There is a small cost to cover the student booklets and materials. If you do not want your child to participate in this program we are able to make alternate arrangements but you must inform us in writing on the prescribed form available at the office.
 
Curriculum

The Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) are the basis for the Prep to Year 10 curriculum programs within Victoria.  VELS describe the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours students need to prepare them for further education, work and life. For each year level there are standards that define what students should know and be able to do at different stages of learning. Teachers report against these standards using the New Report Card.

The Standards for:

Years Prep to Year 2 focus largely on building the foundational literacy and numeracy skills and development of physical, personal and social skills.

 
At Level 1, (Prep) standards are written for English, Maths, Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Interpersonal Development.

At Level 2, (Years 1 - 2) standards are introduced for Information and Communication Technology.

At Level 3, (Years 3 - 4) students are expected to also achieve standards in Science, the Humanities, Thinking Processes, Design, Creativity and Technology, Personal Learning and Civics and Citizenship.

At Level 4, (Years 5-6) standards are introduced for Languages Other than English (LOTE), History, Geography, Economics and Communication.

At Great Ryrie, we integrate many of these areas into our units of work and provide specialist programs to include The Arts (Performing and Visual Arts), Physical Education and LOTE.  

 
Dance Group
A lunchtime class is available to Level 4 students. Styles include modern, jazz and ballroom.
 
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed in the school grounds at any time, without the express permission of a teacher (i.e. for Show and Tell) or the principal (i.e. a guide dog).   Even the friendliest pet can nip or bite when surrounded by children, becoming frightened or over excited.  Also we have some children who have allergies to dog fur and saliva, which can be quite debilitating.  If you walk your dog to school please keep it on a leash and stay with it outside the fence line.  It is recommended that you don’t bring the dog at all, as in the past we have witnessed very aggressive behaviour between dogs outside the gates, even when on a lead with their owners.

 
End of Term Days

On the last day of Terms 1, 2 and 3 children are dismissed at 2.30pm.  In Term 4 children are dismissed at 1.30pm.
 

ESL (English As A Second Language)

At Great Ryrie PS an ESL program is provided to support students from an ESL background.

 
Excursions

Educational tours and school visits are selected to complement the classroom program.  Permission notes must be signed and sent to school by the due date at the bottom of the form.  Late returns are generally not able to be considered. Students, unless otherwise specified, are expected to wear school uniform.  Parents will be notified of details and costs involved in advance of the planned activity.  Parents are able to make pre-payments of $20 - $50, in anticipation of excursion costs over the year.  These pre-payments can then be debited against the cost of most activities as they arise.  Pre-payments cannot be made for swimming, camps or school sports.

 
Fete

Each year that a fete is held, all the organisation is undertaken by an active fete committee made up of parents and staff. Fetes are normally held later in the year. Stalls are run by classes under the organisation of a class rep. These fetes are a wonderful community activity and also provide the school with funds for additional spending on community determined projects.

 First Aid

A First Aid officer is employed to supervise the First Aid room during recess and lunch play. If your child has been treated, there will be a written report given to them to pass on. If required they will contact parents by phone, so please ensure that we have up to date phone numbers and emergency numbers. During the day all medication is administered by the First Aid Officer as instructed by a doctor or parent. Please provide the office with written instructions for the administration of any short-term medication. At the end of each day the medication will be returned for home. If your child has ‘long-term’ asthma or allergies, the information must be registered with the office and an action plan from the doctor provided. Any ‘long-term’ medication needs to be supplied and it will be named and kept in the First Aid room. During excursions, these will be taken with the other first aid equipment.   
 
Graduation

During the final week of school Year 6 students will take part in a graduation ceremony. Students and teachers share a meal together prior to the presentations. Family are welcome to the presentation. We currently have three categories of awards for students graduating from Year 6.

1. Community Service and Citizenship:  (The Deakin Shield and the McCutcheon Shield – recipients receive a small shield)

2. VELS Domain Awards: (Perpetual Plaques for Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Health & Physical Education, Information & Communication Technology, English, Indonesian, Mathematics, Humanities, Science and Technology (recipients receive a small shield; encouragement award winners receive a laminated certificate)

 
Green Team

All classes elect a Green Team representative to take part in environmentally related actions such as promoting rubbish-free days, gardening projects, Walktober, recycling, reusing and composting. This team meet regularly to discuss ideas and plan events. Representatives pass information on to their own classrooms.

 
Home Learning

We believe that home can provide a supportive environment for children to experience a broad range of opportunities that assist in lifelong learning. Homework develops a link between home and school and acknowledges the importance of working together. We respect the diversity within families and their cultural, personal, time and economic needs. Homework will support the learning that takes place at school and have a clear purpose communicated to students and home.

At the start of each new year, minimum expectations for each level will be outlined to students and parents.  Expectations will be consistent amongst each classroom within a level and accommodate the different abilities, interests and learning styles. If homework is creating stress or conflict within the family, please contact your classroom teacher or the level coordinator.   A copy of the Homework policy is available from the office.

 House Teams

The students are allocated into House Teams in Prep and are placed in the same house as  siblings at the school. They remain in this colour for the remainder of their school days. The houses are Gold – O’Neill, Red - Perkins, Green - Moneghetti and Blue - Freeman.

Interschool Sport

Level 4 Interschool Sport takes place during Term 1 and 2. And in Term 2 we have the Cross Country competition with Term 3 being Athletics. There is a cost for this program. It is essential that money and permission forms are returned by the due date. Students must be in school uniform and have a hat during Term 1and 4. Teams that win in the interschool sport competition can progress to the Zone level and if successful the Regional level of competition. Over the past 5 years, our Rounders teams have been very successful and reached the State Finals and in 2007 became State champions. The school also participates in Interschool Swimming and Tennis.  
 
JSC – Junior School Council
Students from Year 6 nominate for a position and after giving speeches are elected by their peers to perform many and varied tasks across the school. They also run school assemblies
 and organise fundraising for charity organisations. They meet regularly to plan activities.
 
Late Passes
If students are late to school they are required to visit the office and collect a Late Pass to take to their classroom teacher. This ensures that all students are accounted for.
 
Library
The Library is a valuable resource and is manned daily by Mrs Pechar who assists students with book selection and borrowing books. Class teachers take a weekly 50 minute session with their class where literature and research skills are developed. Each child needs a library bag so that books are kept in good condition. There is a fee if books are lost while at home.
 
Medication
See First Aid.
 
Mobile Phones
Permission must be obtained from the Principal for students to bring mobile phones to school. If this is the case they must be kept turned off in bags and the school doesn’t accept any responsibility for loss or damage.
 
Money
Please send money to the class teacher in the envelope provided by the school, with your child’s name, grade, room number and reason for sending money, marked clearly on the outside.  To assist our office staff, please send money to school on the specified day.

Newsletter
We have a weekly newsletter that is sent home every Thursday and is also available on our web site or through email. If you require it to be emailed, please let the office staff know. This is a great way to save paper.

 
PFA - Parents and Friends Association

Great Ryrie has a strong sense of community involvement with an active Parents and Friends

Association, they work hard to maintain this characteristic through community events. Whilst these events are often fundraisers, the primary aim is community involvement. We welcome anyone who would to join this active and important group. Meetings are held in the evening and at the start of each year the meeting time is set.

 
Portfolios

Each student will have a portfolio, which is a folder of work samples. These portfolios come home at the end of each term. This gives parents and students an opportunity to discuss the work and see what has been achieved. Parents are asked to return it to school with a positive comment inserted as encouragement for their child.
 
Prep Testing
In the month of February Preps do not attend school each Wednesday as teachers conduct Prep assessments. Each student and parent is required to attend one Wednesday session for about an hour at a nominated time to take part in tasks including Maths and Literacy assessments. This is followed by a discussion with the parents about their child’s transition into school.
 
Production

Every second year (odd numbered years) the school runs a whole school performance at a nearby theatre, as part of our Performing Arts Program.  All children from Prep to Grade 6 are given the opportunity to perform on stage over two nights.
 
Private Music Tuition
Great Ryrie encourages all students to learn musical instruments and develop new skills. The school provides for this through organizing private tuition during school times. Qualified teachers who are able to teach a variety of instruments offer bass guitar, drums/percussion, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, flute, violin, piano, guitar and this year recorder. For most instruments students can either have group or individual lessons. Some instruments are available for hire. There is a fee structure and guidelines that are available from the office or our Performing Arts teacher.
 
 
Pupil Free Days

School Council approves ‘Pupil Free Days’ and parents are reminded of these dates via the school newsletter and notices. Teachers use these days to continue their professional learning on areas identified by the school.


Reading Recovery

This program offers support to students in Year 1 in Literacy. Students on the program receive an individual session each day by our qualified Reading Recovery teacher until they are ready to discontinue.
 
Recorder
All students are introduced to the recorder during music lessons during their time at the school.  Each student is expected to have their own recorder, these can be purchased through the school.
 
Reporting to Parents

• An initial interview later in Term 1 where teachers, parents and students negotiate to write an Individual Learning Plan for each student highlighting their strengths, areas for future learning and what the school and home can do to help out with these.
• A mid year written report and portfolio
• 3 Way Interviews at end of Term 3 to evaluate or change Individual Learning Plans written in Term 1
• An end of year report and portfolio
• Requested interviews throughout the year

 
Rubbish Free Lunch
One of our efforts towards being a Sustainable School is to encourage students to use re-
usable containers for snack and lunch as much as possible. The use of re-usable containers
each day has also helped us to keep our school grounds rubbish-free.
 
Smoke Free

All school buildings and grounds are smoke free zones in order to provide a healthy environment for our school community.
 
Snack Attack

Students are encouraged to bring a fruit/vegetable only, snack for our mid morning ‘Snack Attack’. They are also encouraged to bring along a water bottle. This begins at Level 2.

 
School Council

School Council is the governing body of the school and is involved in making decisions about the school. Parent representatives are elected by the school community and serve for 2 years.
 

Sign In Book
All children arriving to school after 9.00am need to be signed in at the office and collect a Late Pass. Parents collecting children early from school also need to sign their children out before collecting them from the classroom.
 
Specialist Programs

The Arts – Performing Arts and Visual Arts, LOTE – Indonesian, Health /Physical Education.

 
Supervision of Students
Teachers supervise the playground from 8.45 am to 8.55 am in the morning and 3.30pm to 3.45pm in the afternoon in addition to recess times. Parents are asked to plan for delivery and collection of children between these above times.
 
Sustainability
We are working through an extensive accreditation process with the Gould League that as a ‘Sustainable School’. Throughout their years at Great Ryrie, students investigate biodiversity,
 water, waste and energy and their impact on these elements and the environment. Children
 may also take part in activities such as gardening clubs, the Green Team and helping with our water tanks, recycling, composting and worm farms.
 
Swimming
An intensive 8 day program is held over two weeks at Ringwood Aquatic Centre. Students walk to the pool and are taken by Aquapass qualified pool staff.  Preps attend in Term 4 and Level 2, 3 and 4 earlier in the year depending on availability of the pool.
 
Uniforms

All students are expected to wear school uniform. By wearing a school uniform children develop a sense of identity and pride within the school.  The uniform is practical and comfortable for all school activities.  Uniforms are available to the school community through a school uniform shop.  As part of the Sun Smart policy children must wear a school hat in terms 1 and 4.  A written note is required if your child is out of uniform at school. The school uniform policy excludes the wearing of jewellery and makeup (including nail polish).
 
Units of Work
Units of work are written by teachers for the level and these ensure that all Domain areas are covered and that the work is relevant to students’ needs. The units incorporate the use of ICT and thinking skills as well as ensuring sustainability has a strong focus.
 
Valuables

Private property brought to school by students is not insured and the Department of Education and Training does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage. Please do not allow your child to bring valuable jewellery, electronic and valuable toys or sums of cash to school as no guarantee can be given against damage or loss.
 
Volunteers
We encourage parents to participate in a range of school activities. All volunteers must have a Working with Children Check which can be arranged at a post office.
 

Walking to School Bus

A school map of where all students live has been established at the school and we encourage parents to get to know others around them and organise walking groups of students to school. For more information contact Kerryn Gosbell a School Council member.

 
Welfare

Student Welfare is a high priority at the school and the main role of Barb Nicoll the Assistant Principal is to coordinate all services to care for students in need. Programs that we have at the school include –

• School Chaplain on Monday and Friday
• Student surveys to identify problems
• Empower ‘N Girlz program for Year 6 girls
• Fab Friends program for girls at Level 3
• Teachers trained in focussing on education for boys
• Also lots of other processes and procedures across the school and classrooms to ensure the welfare of all students
• This year we be investigative the Restorative Practice approach.

 

Working Bees

The Facilities sub committee of School Council organises Working Bees as required and all parents are asked to attend at least one to help keep the grounds in pristine condition. Any parents with particular skills are encouraged to make themselves known to Doug Elliott the Principal and perhaps their skills can be utilised.

Children will learn best when ………

 

·      They feel confident because of previous experiences of success.

·      They are expected to learn.

·      Their natural curiosity is aroused.

·      They are active and involved – discovering, solving problems, explaining

·      What they are doing ….

·      They feel safe.

·      They feel challenged.

·      The task is interesting and makes sense.

·      They have the best opportunity to observe and imitate others.

·      They have plenty of chance to practise.

·      Home and school support each other and work as a team.

·      They are provided with a healthy diet (including school lunches)

·      They arrive at school and class on time.

·      Their bodies are provided with enough rest and sleep.

A good classroom is a place where children …….

 

·   Feel safe and happy.

·   Enjoy a sense of both challenge and achievement.

·   Feel as if they belong.

·   Are learning how to learn.

·   Are involved in a wide range of learning experiences is provided.

·   As individuals are allowed to learn at their own pace.

·   Parents and teachers feel that they are genuine partners in the learning process.

Ways to support the Learning Process at home ……

·      Foster reading at home – give books as presents, join the local library.  Encourage children to spend some time with a book before lights out each night.

·      Talk with your children about the stories they have written at school – express interest in the content, don’t be too critical about mistakes in grammar and spelling.

·      After school, talk about things that were seen and done –

·      one of the most valuable results of children’s experiences is found in their use of language to relive and make sense of the experience.

·      Cultivate your children’s curiosity – encourage them to ask questions, to wonder about things, to have hunches …….. and then to check them.

·      When checking be supportive and encouraging rather than anxious and critical.  Check

methods being taught in the classroom, especially to mathematics, before showing “the way we used to do it at school.”

·      Have a family television policy that balances viewing programs with time for homework, hobbies, reading, play…..and family conversation.

·      Above all, be clear about the difference between pressure (which can destroy self-confidence and the excitement of learning) and encouragement (which stimulates growth and true achievement).

THE FIRST YEAR AT GREAT  RYRIE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Children commence school with a wide range of skills and abilities and come from a variety of backgrounds and early childhood experiences.  They are developing in many ways, including self awareness, peer relationships, forming simple symbolic concepts, mastering increasingly complex physical skills, moral judgements, acceptance of extended separation from parents and learning independent self help skills.  The kind of experiences the children encounter as they make sense of their new surroundings, routines and procedures will depend on the support we give the children as we work together to implement a smooth transition process.

At Great Ryrie Primary School we are acutely aware of the need to ensure that your child commences school life happily and that the relationships developed between teachers and parents become a strong and lasting partnership.

School Values

At Great Ryrie we believe that all relationships need to be based on common values and those that have been chosen by the school community are –

 

·          Care and Compassion

          Care for self and others

·          Respect

     Treat others with consideration and regard, respect another

     person’s point of view

·          Responsibility

     Be responsible for one’s own actions, resolve conflict,

     contribute to society and take care of the environment

·          Doing Your Best

     Seek to accomplish something worthy and admirable, try

     hard, pursue excellence

·          Fair Go

     Pursue and protect the common good where all people are

     treated fairly for a just society

·          Freedom

     Enjoy all the rights and privileges of Australian citizenship        free from unnecessary interference or control, and stand up for the rights of others

·          Integrity

     Act in accordance with principles of moral and ethical

     conduct, ensure consistency between words and deeds

·          Honesty and Trustworthiness

     Be honest, sincere and tell the truth

·          Understanding, Tolerance and Inclusion

     Be aware of others and their cultures, accept diversity within a democratic society, being included and including others