Welcome back Welcome back to the start of the 2015 school year. I hope that everybody had a relaxing and enjoyable break and are ready for another exciting year. Welcome to all our new families at William Ruthven Primary School, especially to our Foundation students who are starting their schooling this year. We have had quite a number of families start at William Ruthven and I trust that they will have a very enjoyable time at the school I would also like to welcome two new staff members to our school, - Erika B who will be teaching in the Foundation area of the school and Sandra P who will be teaching Italian in the F-2 area of the school. Cybersafety Talk Notes were sent home earlier this week about an upcoming Cybersafety talk on Tuesday February 10

th commencing at 7:00pm. This is a talk to parents about

how they can ensure that their children are safe when they are online using the internet or one of the many social media forums. Most children use the internet and many are on Facebook, twitter, kik etc. Parents need to be aware the ways we can support our children and the traps in using them. Meet and Greet Wednesday 4

th March

On Wednesday 4th March we will be having a meet and greet opportunity after

school. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, introduce yourself and tell them of any concerns you may have. This is not a parent teacher interview where teachers will be reporting on your child’s academic progress. This will be happening towards the end of second term. Notes will be sent home next week where you will be able to nominate a time to meet your child’s teacher. Reminders A reminder to parents and students that during term 1, hats are to be worn when outside during recess and lunch. Could parents please ensure that all pieces of clothing are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Throughout the course of the school year we have many pieces of school uniform handed in and we are unable to return them as there are no names on them. Assemblies are now on Monday mornings commencing at 8:55 am. All parents are welcome to attend the school assemblies. Student Engagement and Inclusion policy At the last School Council meeting in 2014, School Council ratified the new Student Engagement and Inclusion policy. This policy outlines our student management strategies. Parents should become aware of this policy and its accompanying pro-cedures. It is through all members of our school community following these guide-lines that we make William Ruthven PS are safe and engaging place. Our new Stu-dent Engagement and Inclusion Policy can be found on our website and more infor-mation will be included in our next newsletter. Allan Waterson

Principal’s message

Have you visited our website

For all the latest information on our school visit our website: www.williamruthvenps.vic.edu.au

Important Dates

FEBRUARY

9Th - Grades 1-4

Hockey Clinic

10TH - Foundation

Welcome BBQ 5:00-

6:30 pm

Cybersafety Talk

7:00-8:30pm

16TH - Parent Help-

ers Program

19TH - F-4 Little Ath-

letics

MARCH

4TH - Meet & Greet

3:15-6:00pm

5TH - WRPS Open

Day

24TH - School Photos

60 Merrilands Rd

Reservoir 3073

Ph 9460 1668

Fax 9460 1858

5th February 2015

2015 Term Dates

WILLIAM RUTHVEN PRIMARY SCHOOL 5544 ABN: 84116388399

RESPECT CONFIDENCE COMPASSION

Term 1 29th January– 27th March

Term 2 13th April—26th June

Term 3 13th July—18th September

Term 4 5th October—18th December

Foundation

Page 2 5th February 2015

WRPS Foundation Welcome BBQ

We would like to welcome all foundation students and their parents to attend our Welcome BBQ to be held at the school on

Tuesday 10th February from 5:00-6:30pm This is an opportunity to meet other parents of students in foundation in an informal

and relaxed way. Sausages and drinks will be provided on the night.

We look forward to seeing as many students and their parents as possible.

Parent Helpers Thank you to the parent helpers who helped in classrooms last year. We hope we will see you back again this year. Please come in to see us to book in a time and group. For those parents new to the school and wish to help, we will be holding a parent helpers training session on Monday 16

th February at 2.00 p.m. in the staffroom. To be a class-

room helper you need to have a current working with children check and have attended our short training session. We hope to see lots of you there ready to volunteer. Please leave your name at the office if you are able to attend. I would like to become a classroom helper and can attend the session. …………………………………………………………………………….. Name ……………………………………………………………………………..Child’s name and class

IMMPORTANT COMMUNITY LETTER… Dear William Ruthven Families, Students with irregular and poor attendance often struggle at school and the value they receive from their education is greatly diminished as a result. Schools within the region are taking the issue seriously, improving monitoring and follow-up of students who stay away. Also we are making our programs and classroom teaching practices more engaging for young people. Student absence is not an issue which can be dealt with solely by the school. It requires the support of both parents and the community if it is to be successfully addressed. This year schools within the region are working together as part of a state wide strategy, engaging parents and the broader community in addressing the issue. The strategy uses the simple slogan…

…‘It’s Not OK to Be Away’… …and a copy of the brochure for parents is attached. Found on new DECCD website… http://www.education.vic.gov.au There are ways in which community agencies and service organisations can assist schools, and as part of the re-gional strategy we seek your cooperation and support for the work of your schools in your local area. It is only when we see education as a partnership between school, parents and community that we will be able to properly address this issue. Looking forward to working together, to give our children the best education possible. Yours sincerely, Peter MARCO & Allan WATERSON School Assistant Principal School Principal P.S. Please read carefully our school’s “Absence Data” below…

William Ruthven Primary School ‘Student Attendance Percentages 2014’ Total School Population

Community News

5th February 2015 Page 3

Attendance is on or above 95% Their attendance is excellent and they are likely to be performing to the best of their ability and to have a strong social connection with their peers

42%

Attendance is between 90 to 94% Their attendance is good and they are likely to be achieving results that will al-low them to succeed in school and to have a good social connection

32%

Attendance is between 85 to 89%- Take Care The child is missing enough days that this will make it difficult for them to achieve their best. It is also likely that they will find it hard to have good social connections with their peers

13%

Attendance is between 80 to 84%- Be Alert The child is missing so much school that it is difficult to keep in touch with what is being taught. It also makes it very difficult to have good social connections with their peers

6%

Attendance is below 80%- Immediate Action Needed The child is missing so much school that it is almost impossible for them to suc-ceed. It is also likely that they are having difficulties making good social connec-tions

7%

Make a 90 minute investment in your child’s wellbeing.

Information technology is by far the most common influence among young people. Today’s youth are considered to be the digital generation. They are IT savvy children who have never known life without a computer or the internet. Today’s youth use technology frequently and in a variety of ways; as a source of information, entertainment and for social communication. So how can you protect your own children in a connected world? William Ruthven Primary School is providing a parenting seminar - Protecting Kids Online. This

seminar provides parents with practical, easy to use ways to talk to kids about internet behaviour

and plenty of ways to keep them safer.

The seminar will be presented by Catherine Gerhardt, Director of Kidproof Melbourne. RSVP to: Allan Waterson/ Sam T Venue: William Ruthven Primary School

Address: 60 Merrilands Rd

Date: Tuesday 10th February, 2015 Time: 7-8:30pm

William Ruthven Primary School Is now taking enrolments for 2016

Academic Excellence Personalised learning Innovative curriculum

A strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy Committed and dedicated teaching staff

Strong partnership between school and family

A specialist Science School

William Ruthven Primary School 60 Merrilands Rd Reservoir

Tel: 9460 1668 Fax: 946 1858

Email: william.ruthven.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au www.williamruthvenps.vic.edu.au