1. education
2. school

Principal: Doug Elliott
Assistant Principal: Barbara Nicoll
PO Box 809 Heathmont 3135
Telephone: 9870 6098
Fax: 9870 6051
great.ryrie.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.greatryrieps.vic.edu.au
A Learning Community
Volume 18 Issue 13
14 May 2015
NEWSLETTER
Watch this space for notices sent out each week.
If you have not received any of the following notices, please ask your child’s teacher or contact the school office.
11 May
Natural Disasters Excursion
Years 5&6 families
11 May
Federation Estate Excursion
Years 3&4 families
11 May
Wheel Talk Incursion
Years 3&4 families
Please come along to the
Working Bee
Saturday 16 May
9.00am – 12.00noon
Help us reduce paper use across our school by
receiving your copy of our weekly Newsletter
electronically!
To subscribe to our weekly email distribution list
simply email: great.ryrie.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
and post “Subscribe Newsletter” in the subject line.
From the Principal:
Children in Years 3 & 5 have
now completed their NAPLAN
tests for 2015. Every year
there is a lot in interest in the
media about NAPLAN and this
often causes anxiety for
students and parents alike.
It is important to remember that
the NAPNAN forms are only
one brief snapshot in a suite of
assessments used by teachers
to develop individual learning goals for students.
While testing like this can give a global view of how a
national or state-wide system is performing, it has
limited and qualified use in informing us of individual
student progress or school performance.
Students are encouraged to do their best and then
forget about the results. Parents are encouraged to
reassure their children that NAPLAN is nothing to
Diary Dates
MAY
Friday 15
Book Fair continues
I/S v Holy Spirit
Saturday 16
WORKING BEE
Monday 18-Friday 22
EDUCATION WEEK
Monday 18
Connections
Tuesday 19
ICAS (Technology)
Book Fair finishes
Friday 22
11.30 Open Classrooms
I/S v Croydon Hills
worry about and to not spend too much time focusing
on it before, during or after the event.
For an interesting and insightful reflection on NAPLAN
from teachers and a Principal’s point of view you may
like to go online to:
thecentreonline.com.au/?p=11197
Education Week May 17 to 23:
Next week is Education week and as in any week
there is a lot going on at Great Ryrie Primary School!
As well as school tours and open classrooms we have
Connections Groups from F-6 meeting on Monday
morning, as well as Regional Tennis Trials and the
ICAS Digital Technologies Competition on Tuesday.
The Foundation Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) recommences on Thursday afternoons and as usual we
offer Computer Club in the second half of lunch times
while Cheerleading Club practices on Wednesday at
lunch, Volley Stars on Thursday and Foundation
Open Rooms on Friday at 3:10pm!
Seasons For Growth, supporting students who have
experienced loss and grief, is currently being run by
our School Chaplain, Alan Silverwood, each Friday
morning.
Before lunch we have open classrooms on Friday May
22, while after lunch Interschool sport is against
Croydon Hills PS.
We finish the week with something for the adults on
Saturday night, our Trivia and Live Band evening of
fun and fundraising. Book your tickets before they sell
out!
trybooking.com/133527
It’s Eurovision that weekend, will anyone go with an
‘over the top glam’ theme? What are you and your
table planning? With more than two tables of staff, I
wonder what their dress up theme will be for the
night?
Open Classrooms Friday Week:
Remember, on Friday, May 22 we have an Open
Classrooms session between 11:30am and 1:00pm.
All families are invited to visit their students in class
during this time. Children may even take you on a
personalized tour around the school.
Parents and grandparents are invited to stay and
enjoy a BYO packed lunch with their children
afterwards.
Those who wish, may stay on for the afternoon to
watch the interschool sports matches.
Healthy Canteen, Healthy Kids:
We are very lucky to have a canteen operating daily at
Great Ryrie under the management of Danielle and
Natalie from “Hungry Hamper”.
The canteen menu indicates which food items are
classified as foods suitable to choose from every day,
occasionally or rarely.
greatryrieps.vic.edu.au/?page_id=195
Natalie and Danielle are constantly reviewing their
service to ensure that our children enjoy a nutritious
and pleasant snack or meal option at the convenience
of all our families.
The Policy & Planning sub-committee of School
Council has decided to form a small working party of
parents and staff to consult with Natalie and Danielle
in reviewing what our canteen offers in 2015 and
beyond.
If you would like to be involved in this group, please
give your name to the school office to pass on to Mr
MacDonald.
Foundation Enrolments for 2016:
A reminder that enrolments are open for Foundation
students in 2016. Informational tours of the school
are available during Education Week on;
Monday, May 18 at 11:30am
Tuesday, May 19 at 4:00pm
Wednesday, May 20 at 2:00pm and
Thursday, May 21 at 7:00pm.
Enrolments for Foundation in 2016 are due in by
4:00pm on Friday, June 26, 2015!
Monday Assembly:
Last Monday, due to the cold and wet weather, we
held our assembly in the Brian Allen Hall. Student of
the Week awards were presented along with other
reports and we were back in class by 9:30am!
Next Monday Connections Groups will once again be
meeting so there will be no assembly.
My Connections Group will be joining Mrs Gordon’s
group in room 24, as I have to attend a District
Principals’ meeting at Ringwood SC with the new
Senior Advisor for our area schools, Mr Jeremy
Beard. This meeting will focus on new processes for
staff performance reviews, which form part of our
annual accountability requirements behind the
scenes.
Yes, assessment and reporting for all school staff is
also an important and regular part of our work in
schools!
We focus on continual improvement in everything we
do!
Wishing you a great weekend,
Doug Elliott
Principal
“Every Child, Every Opportunity, Everyday,
Everyone’s Responsibility…”
School Captains Reports:
Sam K, Emilie Y, Stephanie K and Kieren T
Stephanie K in Foundation
Another busy week in Foundation.
The children explored the letter ‘E’ (Eddie Elephant)
and have enjoyed finding the magic words in books
that they read.
Foundation students have started exploring the
numbers 10 to 20 and made fantastic number chains
showing tens and ones.
This week students will start looking at how people
grow and change. Foundation students also wished
all the mums out there a very happy Mothers’ Day for
Sunday.
Emilie Y in Years 1&2
This week the Years 1&2 students made special
presents for Mothers’ Day along with making
dioramas on sustainability and keeping the world
green.
In Maths, they have been learning about 2D shapes
and in Literacy the students have continued with their
narratives. Good Job this week Years 1&2!
Kieren T in Years 3&4
What a great start to the week Years 3&4. In Writing,
they have been practicing persuasive writing for
NAPLAN. In Maths, they have been working on
fractions. In Integrated Studies, they have been
learning about what it’s like to be on a wheelchair.
Great job Years 3&4!
Sam K in Years 5&6
In Years 5&6, the Year 5’s are very excited about
NAPLAN coming up this week. In Maths, we are
enjoying working in different Maths groups. We have
already learnt lots about Natural disasters and can’t
wait to learn more. Students are also looking forward
to athletics tryouts this Thursday. Good job Years
5&6!
Community Notices
Is there some good news in your family that you would like to
share with the rest of GRPS? A new addition to the family, a win
in a Grand Final, a great sports game …. Let Yvonne at the office
have the details by Wednesday morning and we’ll let everyone
know!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Alivia (12R) is very excited with
the safe arrival of her baby
brother on Thursday 7th May. He weighed
3680gms and is 50cm long. His name is
Alwyn.
Congratulations to all the Shijo
family.
eSmart tip: Sharing images and video
To protect your own safety, it’s not a good idea to
send a photo or video of yourself to someone you
don’t know in real life.
MAKE A NOTE OF THIS DATE:
Great Ryrie is hosting a “Maths for Parents” night
on Wednesday 10 June between 6.30-8.00pm.
Details next week!
INDONESIAN LANGUAGE
Here is some Indonesian being taught in the FD
grades. You might want to practise with your child.
Bersenang-sensang (Have fun!)
Family members:
Ibu-mum Bapak-dad Nenek-Grandma KakekGrandad
Colours:
Biru-blue Merah-red Hijau-green Kuning-yellow
Jingga-orange hitam-black
Numbers:
Satu-1 Dua-2 Tiga-3 Empat-4 Lima-5
Animals:
Kucing-cat Anjing-dog Kodok-frog Sapi-cow
Tikus-mouse Ayam-chicken
Describing words:
Besar-big kecil-small
Short sentence examples:
Kucing kecil-small cat
Ibu saya-my mum
Anjing hitam-black dog
Satu tikus-one mouse
Nama saya-my name is….
Selamat pagi-good morning.
LIBRARY
BOOK FAIR
“Kings, Queens & Castles Enter the Kingdom of
Books! Book Fair has arrived and the children are
busy looking at all the exciting books and carefully
writing their Wish Lists.
In the journey through the Kingdom of Books you can
explore many good quality items, the genres include:Fiction, Picture Fiction, Non-Fiction, Posters and
Activity items and other goodies.
Competition:- GUESS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
BOOKS IN OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY.
Have a go and enter the competition, the box will be
on the table just outside the entrance to the Library.
HINT:- The number is between 20,000 – 25,000.
There will be a Lucky Door Prize drawn on TUESDAY
th
19 May.
BROCHURE – If you wish to purchase from the
brochure sent home with last week’s newsletter, follow
the instructions for payment and have the order to
school no later than FRIDAY 15 May. The order will
be filled and sent home with your child.
Also, if paying via the Wish List please return to
school no later than Tuesday 19 May.
SALE TIMES
THURSDAY 14
th
FRIDAY 15
MONDAY 18
th
3:30 – 4pm
8:30 – 9:30am
3:30 – 4pm
8:30 – 9:30am
CLOSED
8:30 – 9am
3:30 – 5pm
th
TUESDAY 19
th
Really looking forward to seeing you at the Book Fair.
FUNDRAISING NEWS
ONLY 9 DAYS TO GO UNTIL THE SOCIAL EVENT
OF THE YEAR!! GREAT RYRIE’S TRIVIA NIGHT :
RD
SATURDAY 23 MAY.
TRIVIA NIGHT CHECK
LIST

Organise some friends &
family to come along

Purchase tickets (available
online via the link @
www.greatryrie.vic.edu.au
until 20/5 or at the door)

Organise a table name &
theme

Get some refreshments &
nibbles organised

Put on your dancing shoes

Bring some gold coins to
join in the games

Have a fantastic night
A big ‘thankyou’ to Marg McHardy and Karina Jackson
for their fantastic effort in running last week’s Mothers’
Day Stall. Our appreciation also goes to the parents
who helped run the stalls. The kids get a lot out of this
experience as do the lucky mums!! This event raised
$1930.
Ann-Maree Bosomworth-Fundraising Convenor
ART ROOM HELP PLEASE
DO YOU HAVE ANY OLD TOWELS IN THE
CUPBOARD THAT YOU DON’T NEED? WE COULD
PUT THEM TO GOOD USE IN OUR ART CLASSES
SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE THEM,
PLEASE DROP THEM INTO THE ARTROOM.
NUDE FOOD RESULTS THIS WEEK
We encourage all children to bring their snacks, drinks
and lunches, but leave their rubbish at home.
Especially on Tuesdays!
 Years 5&6
56F
76%
 Years 3&4
34W
70%
 Years 1&2
12A
74%
 Foundation
FDK
65%
*PE News*
The date for the grade 3-6 Athletics day has been
confirmed. It will be held at Proclamation Park in
Ringwood on Tuesday 21 July from 9am - 3pm. The
back-up day in case of bad weather is on Friday 24
July. We will need as many parents as possible to
help out on the day with events so if you are willing to
help out please contact Mr Henson.
WINTER SPORT SCORE SHEET – 2015
Date: 8/05/15
Great Ryrie PS v Good Shepherd
Football
16
46
Good Shep
Soccer
1
6
Good Shep
Netball Girls
32
12
GRPS
Netball Boys
15
7
GRPS
Netball Beginners
12
8
GRPS
Volleystars
2
1
GRPS
Softball – mixed
22
18
GRPS
Softball – girls
15
6
GRPS
Hot Shots Tennis
261
410
Good Shep
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Wednesday 27 May
Individually named order
packs have been sent home.
Do you have an hour to spare?
Do you like meat?
Are you over the age of 18?
Would you like to support our Chaplaincy
Program?
Check out the Great Ryrie website and make a
booking for our meat-tasting fundraiser.
When: Thursday 28th May
Where: Great Ryrie Library
Times: 4.30, 5.30 or 6.30
For further information, see Alan Silverwood,
Janine or Di Gordon
PERFORMING ARTS
The National Boys choir will be holding auditions at
Great Ryrie Primary School on Tuesday 26 May. If
your son is aged between 6 – 10 years and has a love
of singing, he may be interested. Please contact Peta
Murray for more details and to get your son’s name on
the list!
Aladdin Trouble
Production Update
Classes continue to work hard in preparation for our
production, “Aladdin Trouble”, learning lyrics and
choreography for their class
songs. Students have received
photocopies of lyrics and placed
these in their music folders. We
encourage students to spend
some time at home reviewing
their lyrics and practicing their
songs.
The main cast have now been
presented with their scripts and
appointed a teacher mentor. A
teacher mentor is a teacher whom the students can
meet with on a regular basis to practice lines and
clarify character intentions and directions.
We have also recently appointed the non-speaking
roles. Well done to everyone who has agreed to take
on the challenge of a role, not matter how big or small.
Your time and efforts are truly appreciated and will
ensure that we have a very successful production
again in 2015!
Parent Production Meetings and Working Bees
Many thanks to the parents who continue to work
behind the scenes planning and preparing our
costumes, props and fundraising ventures. Your
generosity and time are very much appreciated
indeed.
Donations
We require lots of paint brushes, paint rollers, trays
and paint of different colours for our props and sets.
We are also on the hunt for chiffon or chiffon style
material. If you have any off cuts or contacts in this
area, we would love to hear about it.
Peta Murray and Helen Francis
OSHClub NEWS
FOUNDATION PARENTS:
For those of you that have children
in Foundation, starting Monday
th
May 18 we will be starting to
transition the children into being
able to come down to After School Care on their own.
This will be a process over time. We will start by
setting a meeting point where students will know to
come to and we will all go together from there. This
will continue until the end of Term 2 and into Term 3.
On Monday, we will start with children coming out with
their class and we will meet them with the other
parents outside. Please ensure that your children are
aware that they will be coming to After School Care as
we will no longer be going into each classroom unless
children do not arrive at the meeting point.
Program Details
To find out more about our program, view fees and to
register visit www.campaustralia.com.au
Chaplain’s Spot Term 2 Week 5 2015
Coping after a Natural Disaster
Natural disasters like the recent earthquake in Nepal,
or other traumatic ‘natural’ events can be extremely
distressing. They have massive impact on those
involved. However, they can also have a lasting effect
on those of us at a distance. We can feel uncertain
about the future, or become anxious that they might
also happen to us. Here are some outcomes:
Preschoolers—thumb sucking, bedwetting, clinging,
sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, fear of the dark,
withdrawal.
Primary School Children — irritability,
aggressiveness, clinginess, nightmares, school
avoidance, poor concentration.
Adolescents—sleeping/eating disturbances,
agitation, increase in conflict, physical complaints, and
poor concentration.
Here are some ideas for helping children to cope:
1] Remain calm & reassuring. Children take their
cues from you. Acknowledge the loss, but emphasize
the community’s efforts to cleanup and rebuild. Assure
them that family and friends care for them and life will
return to normal.
2] Acknowledge & normalize feelings. Allow
children to discuss their feelings, and address any
questions regarding the event. Listen and empathize.
An empathetic listener is very important. Let them
know their reactions are normal.
3] Encourage children to talk about such events.
Children need an opportunity to discuss experiences
in a safe, accepting environment. Provide activities
such as drawing, stories, music, drama, audio and
video.
4] Promote positive coping & problem-solving
skills. Activities should teach children how to apply
problem-solving skills. Encourage children to develop
positive ways of coping that increase their ability to
manage anxiety.
5] Emphasize resiliency. Focus on competencies.
Help children identify what they did in the past to cope
when they were frightened or upset. Talk about other
communities that have experienced natural disasters
and recovered.
6] Strengthen peer support. Children with strong
support from others are better able to cope with
adversity. Asking children to work cooperatively in
small groups can help children strengthen supportive
relationships with peers.
7]Take care of your own needs. Take time for
yourself and try to deal with your own reactions. You
will be better able to help your children if you are
coping well. Talk to other adults such as family,
friends, faith leaders, or counselors. It is important not
to dwell on your fears or anxiety by yourself. Sharing
feelings with others often makes people feel more
connected and secure. Take care of your physical
health. Make time, however small, to do things you
enjoy.
Alan Silverwood – Chaplain
[silverwood.alan.a@edumail.vic.gov.au] Pastoral
care for our community. [The Chaplaincy program
is funded through the Federal Government &
Community support. This is a voluntary program
in our school community.] Feel free to contact me
if you have something you would like to discuss.
PAID ADVERTISEMENTS
The Department of Education and Training and Great Ryrie
Primary School do not endorse the products or services of any
private advertiser.
No responsibility is accepted by DET and Great Ryrie Primary
School for accuracy of information in advertisements or claims
made therein.
COMMUNITY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS
We would like to acknowledge and thank the following
sponsors for their support.
(For more details please see our website!)
ALL SMILES
Sorrento Ocean Beach & the Yarra Valley
Donate vouchers for all fundraising events
Phone: 9876 4044
www.allsmiles.com.au
--AMAZING TRANSFORMATIONS
COSTUME HIRE kindly donate all the wonderful
costumes we use for school functions.
33 High Street Glen Iris, 9885 4714
--BEAUTY ON RYRIE donate many beauty products
and vouchers for all school fundraisers and events.
41B Great Ryrie St Ringwood, 9870 6766
--BENDIGO COMMUNITY BANK (Heathmont & East
Ringwood Branches) sponsor our school and along
with Student Banking donate the following amounts
for services taken out.
The amounts are
$400 for a Bendigo home loan greater than $250,000
$200 for a Bendigo home loan less than $250,000
$50 for a Bendigo equipment finance loan
$50 for a Bendigo personal loan
$20 for a Bendigo credit card
Heathmont branch: 9870 6654
East Ringwood branch: 9870 3655
COME AND VISIT US AT OUR
OPEN DAY
Saturday 16th May
10am-12pm
5A Greenwood Ave Ringwood
(next to Greenwood Park)
9870 8881
St John’s Kindergarten – Open Day 23 May!
On Saturday 23 May, from 10am to 12.30pm, St
John’s Kindergarten will throw open its doors to the
public. New Director Leah Johnson and all staff will
be on hand to show you around. The Kinder mums
will provide a delicious cake stall and the multi zoned
playground will be open to the public to enjoy. Come
and check out where our local pre-schoolers love to
learn through magical play!
9 Toorak Ave, Croydon
www.stjohnskindergartencroydon.org.au
Ringwood Football Club
is having their Annual
"Ladies Day"
Date:
Saturday 23 May
12:00-2:00pm
Where:
Ringwood
Football
Club,
Jubilee Park, Greenwood Ave, Ringwood
Cost:
$50.00 pp
(includes 3 course meal & first drink free).
Entertainment is the hilarious & Very
Naughty - Supergirly & her man slave
Bradley Cooper.
Adults Only.
For Bookings go to
www.trybooking.com/HPJD