RPS Chatter December (2) 2023

Message from the Principal

As we come to the end of our 11th week of term…. WOW! What a week we’ve had:

  • 2023 Year 6 Graduation
  • “Moving on up” day
  • 2024 Foundation orientation/meet the teacher.
  • Foundation excursion to Myuna farm

We still have another few days to go next week, so as the end of the year is rapidly approaching, time seems to be speeding up (and I’m avoiding the fact that in the background I can hear jingle bells jingling and I still haven’t started my Christmas shopping) …and still so much to do!

Before Wednesday we still have:

  • 2024 Student Leadership announcement
  • Year 6 end-of-year excursion
  • Class parties
  • 2024 meet the teacher day
  • Distribution of end of end-of-year school reports
  • Clean up/pack up
  • Final whole school assembly (9:15am on the netball court)

No wonder we are all feeling (hopefully not looking) a bit tired!

 

“Moving on Up”

 

“Moving on up, I’m moving on out…time to break free, nothing can stop me….”

Don’t know about you, but every time we start talking about “Moving on Up” day I start singing that song and it gets stuck in my head…. now we can all have that experience J

On Tuesday, we had our “moving on up” sessions, where students visited their 2024 year level.

They rotated through a few tasks and teachers looked at possible grade structures (which personalities worked well together, and which ones didn’t). We endeavour to structure our grades in the best interests of every child, focusing on who they work well with rather than who they are friends with. It’s like a game of chess with lots of different pieces moving at the same time.

 

Graduation

 

It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the 2023 Year 6 Graduation. I was honoured to speak to our students and hopefully provide them with some words of wisdom before they begin the next exciting chapter of their life; secondary school!

Our students looked amazing (and so grown up in their “good” clothes rather than their school uniform), spoke confidently during their speeches, put on a surprise performance and danced the night away at the disco.

Congratulations to the Graduation organising team for putting on a great night that the students and families will remember for years to come. We would also like to thank Sachin from Smokey Chooks for the delicious dinner, and David Sloan from Bulla for our yummy dessert.

 

 

That’s all from me this week.

Next week there will be a final “special edition” of the Chatter distributed on Tuesday.

Until then…stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay happy and remember to be kind to yourself and others.

Megan 😊

Message from the Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Students,

It is with a combination of sadness and excitement that I leave RPS to be the principal of Glen Huntly Primary.

I have been the Assistant Principal at RPS for 6 years. From my very first day, I was impressed and welcomed by the warmth and openness of this community. It has been a privilege to work here with such wonderful children, dedicated staff and caring parents I have especially enjoyed working closely with Megan to lead and support the school through the challenges of the pandemic and making RPS a school with academic rigour, high expectations and where our students are at the centre of everything we do.

I will miss RPS, this is a great community and I have really appreciated my time here. Thank you to the students and families who have given me such positive acknowledgements and gratitude, you have all filled my bucket.

As sad as I am to be leaving, this quote from one of my favourite authors reminds me to be grateful, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Dr Seuss

And please remember to be kind to yourself and others, “In a world where you can be anything Be Kind.” Dr Seuss

I wish every family a wonderful holiday season, enjoy and treasure your time together.

Take care,

Nerida

Dates for your Diary (2024)

2024 Starting Dates:

  • Foundation student commence on the 1st of Febuary
  • Students in Years 1 – 6 commence school on the 30th of January 

 

2024 School Terms:

 

  • Term 1: 30 Jan – 28th March  (school finishes @ 2pm on the 28th of March)
  • Term 2: 15h April – 28th June  (school finishes @ 2pm on the 28th of June)
  • Term 3: 15th July – 20th September (school finishes @ 2pm on the 20th of June)
  • Term 4: 7th October – 20th December (school finishes @ 1:30pm on the 20th of December)

 

2024 Student Free Days

 

  • Monday 29th Jan
  • Friday 26th April
  • Thursday 23rd May
  • Friday 9th August
  • Monday 4th November

 

Public Holidays

 

  • Labor Day 11th March
  • ANZAC day 25th April
  • Kings b’day  10th June
  • Melbourne cup 5th November

 

 

Community OSH

Student of the Week

Foundation

  • Sophie A – For working hard in our Writing sessions. You have been independently sounding out words and have tried your best. Well done!
  • Tom C – Congratulations Tom for your kindness and sensitivity towards others. You are very in tune with your peers, and you always show respect for everyone.

 

Year 1/2

 

  • Alexandra F – For your excellent questioning during whole class discussions and presenting your writing in front of your classmates. You read your writing piece with poise and confidence. Well done Alexandra!
  • Eddy A – For your incredible playground design in Inquiry. You have shown dedication, problem solving skills and amazing creativity in your elephant slide creation! Well done, Eddy!

 

Year 3/4

 

  • Jude B – For having such a kind helpful nature and giving everything his best effort. Well done Jude!
  • Thomas F – For his delightful positivity towards all aspects of school life and willingness to go the extra mile. Great job Thomas!
  • Gigi G – For your boundless enthusiasm for learning and finding enjoyment in every aspect of school life. It is contagious and you have helped make the class obsessed with Maths this year.
  • Alex A – You have a fantastic growth mindset in Maths and it has been so exciting to see how far you have pushed yourself this year! You have helped encourage those around to to try hard too. Well done!
  • Aanav G – Aanav your enthusiasm for school shines through every day and your joy and positivity for Reader’s Theatre has been contagious. Thank you for filling the buckets of those around you.
  • Alaia A – By sticking to your goals you have bloomed into a proficient wordsmith, and have showcased your resilience, creativity and growth with writing. Keep your eyes on those goals!
  • Otto P – For working so diligently on your book report. You showcased your dedication and commitment to your learning and produced a beautiful book report!

 

Year 5/6

 

  • Yuvaan M – For giving your all during our Grade 5 leadership project. Yu-vaan a great job at working independently to complete your slide. Well done!
  • Estelle B – For your hard work, professionalism and flexibility during our leadership application process. You have persevered through all the challenges presented and we are so impressed with your positive attitude towards the process. Well done, Estelle!
  • Marlo R – Marlo continues to bring her warm, friendly and helpful attitude to school every single day and is always striving to achieve her best in her learning.

 

 

 

Russell's Joke of the week

 

 

What is the best Christmas present?

A broken drum, you just can’t beat it.

 

 

 

 

Activities at RPS (2024)

Please see the below list of activities that you can enrol your child into for 2024:

Drama lessons: Thursdays, Lunch Time

Music Lessons: Individual Bookings

Tennis Lessons:  Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8:10AM – 8:50AM

Dance Lessons: Wednesday’s, Lunch Time

Chess Club: Fridays, 8:00AM – 8:50AM

If you are interested in any of the above activities for your child, please see the links below for further information.