RPS Chatter February 2026

It’s been a rapid but all-round smooth start to the year, and we are already halfway through Feb! It has been great to see our wonderful new foundation students adjust with ease to their new surroundings as well as our new and returning staff members – Izzy, Sherrick and Bella, hit the ground running. Make sure to say hi to them if you haven’t done so already!

This week, Josh, Sarah D, Hayley and I had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Dr Ryan Dunn from Melbourne University around continual school improvement, particularly in the area of Numeracy. We are delighted to be working with Dr Dunn over the next year to continue to look at ways improve our mathematics teaching and learning.

I have also been working closely with our environment captains – Mia and Maddie- on looking after our beautiful new landscaped courtyard. They have been working hard, looking after our new plants and keeping the sand in our new sand pit. They would like to remind everyone to please stay off the new garden beds where possible to give the new plants as much opportunity as possible to grow and flourish. We know it’s a little tight in that area at the moment, but every little bit helps!

Along with this, we are also seeking your help in making sure our new Foundation students are not too overcrowded at the end of the days, so if you are picking up a 3/4 student, we are asking if you could please find a spot further into the courtyard to stand so that the stairs and Foundation exit is free from adults as much as possible, particularly while OSHC are in this area as well. We appreciate your cooperation with this.

In other news, shortly, families of Year 3 and 5 students will receive information about NAPLAN, which will run from the 11th to the 13th of March.

Finally, I was lucky enough today to get a walkthrough of our new building, and all I can say is WOW! It looks amazing and is really not far away from being complete!

Have a great weekend!

Russell Sivewright

Hello RPS community! My name is Camilla Govier-Friend, and, as some families already know, I returned to RPS last year after having 7 years away from the school on maternity leave with my 3 children. It was lovely to return last year, and I enjoyed the opportunity to work with Grade 3/4 students in Literacy and Numeracy intervention.

This year, I am excited to be taking on two new wellbeing roles at the school: Disability and Inclusion coordinator and Mental Health and Wellbeing leader. In these two roles, my focus is on: creating a proactive, strength-based learning environment where every student has the right to learn and feel a sense of belonging; working with school leadership and staff to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families.

I will be working 3 days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I have enjoyed meeting a number of families this week at our ‘You Tell Us’ interviews, and I will continue to get to know more of you as the term progresses. Please feel free to reach out to me via email (camilla.govier-friend@education.vic.gov.au), at school pick-up/drop-off on my 3 work days or via phone (through the school office) if there’s anything you would like to discuss.

 

 

The start of the 2026 school year marks the completion of a School Council term, so I’d like to thank the 2025 members for their tireless efforts:

• Helen Haines (and her Finance crew of Michael Padbury and Andrea Gunn) for her incredible dedication to keeping us on track financially

• Nicole Siller (and James Bell and Steph Tuckfield Buildings & Grounds volunteers) for her laser focus on forging a future for our beloved Nick’s Garden

• Tom Byrt (and the Education & Policy team of Clare Davies, David Flood and Matthew Trotter) for his attention to detail and ensuring our compliance with policies across the board

• Kate Jones (Communications) for continuously improving the way our school gets important messages to parents

• The incredible Fundraising committee (Dayna Mayplestone, Chrissy Chow, Elizsabeth Smith, Emma Berry, Emma Bullen, Kat McCure, Kath Carson, Kristen Sidebottom and Sarah Foropoulos) for fun-filled events and significant funds raised

• Megan, Russell, Hayley and Josh for representing the school with such passion, expertise and best intentions

There’s just one meeting remaining for this current Council, with some positions becoming vacant in 2026 (Fundraising is a notable mention). We’d love for you to throw your hat in the ring in any way you can. It’s full steam ahead in 2026, with the new building opening, ongoing improvements to Nick’s Garden, and the Halloween Fest as highlights.

Thursday, 12 March for our annual Welcome BBQ this year to be held at Barkly Gardens.

Stay tuned for more information.

Foundation: 

• Jac LRM -For your incredible start to Foundation. You listen well and always try your best!
• Harley B – For showing outstanding resilience by staying positive and determined to keep learning and participating throughout the day. Well done Harley!
• Tom K -Tom has had a fantastic start to Foundation! His enthusiasm and contagious smile brighten the room!

 

Year 1/2:

 

• Josephine B – Making the classroom a fun environment and including everyone.
• Charlotte W – For being so helpful and thoughtful in class and for kindly looking after a new student. Bravo, Charlotte, you’re a star!
• Bella K – For having a fantastic start to Year 2 and being a wonderful role model to others.

 

Year 3/4:

 

• Santiago P -For showing care and compassion for others in our class.
• Novak S – For settling into our class,  showing respect, resilience and responsibility. Well done, Novak!
• Ruby M – For empathy and Kindness
• William W -Setting a wonderful example during reading time.

 

Year 5/6:

 

• Naimara N -For starting the year with such a bang. You’ve jumped straight into it with some great choices. Well done!
• Gabe P – For being a truly caring friend in a time of need.
• Esme B -For adjusting to life at RPS so beautifully! It’s a tough thing to do, and you rocked it!

 

Specialist Subjects:

 

• Kade N -For his fantastic can-do attitude in PA this week!
• Piper F -For her amazing effort and help during her start to 2026 PE sessions! Well done Piper!
• Tori L -For her wonderful use of initiative during our STEM classes