RPS Chatter July 2023

A very warm welcome back to all our students and their families. I hope everyone had a lovely break in preparation for a wintery term of learning and events.

 

Drop off and Pick up times

Barkly Street is extremely busy during drop-off and pick-up times and it is important that we are keeping the safety of our children at the forefront of our thinking at all times. I am concerned by the number of parents who are choosing to double park and allow their children to then disembark and walk between parked cars onto the footpath. This is not a safe and legal practice. Please allow extra time to park your car, and for your children to walk safely into the school gate.

 

Staffing

We welcome Pauline Wallis as our tutor for the rest of the year. She will be working primarily with students in grades 3 and 4.

At the end of term 2 our Performing Arts teacher Jane left RPS. We advertised for a new PA teacher but due to the teacher shortage, we are yet to fill this position. In the meantime, we have employed experienced performing arts teachers on a casual basis.

 

Term 3 Information videos

The term 3 grade-level information videos are now available on the school website under the parent tab. Important dates events and curriculum information is covered.

 

Teaching and Learning

At the end of term 2, all teachers planned in their teams an overview of learning based on the Victorian curriculum. This term the inquiry units students will be exploring are;

 

Foundation; Design and Innovation

Students will learn about, explore, and engage with different materials such as glass, wood, fabric, and metal. Through this they will learn about the different purposes of materials and their design functions. Students will be provided opportunities to use a range of materials to make their own creations and communicate the purpose and need of that design. Students will be encouraged to plan, test, make, and evaluate their own designs. They will learn how design and innovation are used to help solve problems and meet community needs during Investigations.

 

1/2; Community, Culture & Citizenship

An inquiry into the local community, focussing on cultural diversity, significant places (built and natural) and important commemorations.

 

3/4; Diversity, Culture & Citizenship

An inquiry into the different groups that form part of Australia and the different traditions they have. Exploring how different groups have different roles in society.

 

5/6; Design and Innovation

An inquiry into recognising that consumer choices and financial decisions are influenced by a range of factors. They will work to describe the effects of these choices and decisions on themselves, their family, others, the economy and the natural, economic and business environments.

 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Term 3 interviews are planned for Monday, August 7, 3.45-6.00 pm and Tuesday, August 8, from 1.30. More details to come.

 

Lunchtime Clubs

To support student well-being at lunchtime, the following clubs and activities operate in term 3:

 

Monday

Origami Club with Kath. In Kath’s space @ 11.35

 

Tuesday

Library Club with Lucie. In the library @ 11.35

 

Wednesday

Lego Club with Tammy. In the library @ 11.35

 

Thursday

Library Club with Pauline. In the library @ 11.35
Craft Club with Karen. In the Mandarin room @ 11.35

 

Friday

Technology Club with Josh. In Josh’s space at @11.35

 

Please see the Activities at RPS section to see a list of other activities that you can enrol your child into for Term 3.

 

Lost property

Thank you to one of our parents, Leah for sorting through the lost property and labelling those lost items. Sadly, after 4 days lost property is overflowing. Please ensure your child’s name is clearly labelled as it makes for a swift return and find.

 

This weekend I am spending Sunday morning with my family cheering on my youngest daughter to compete in the Run Melbourne. I hope you can also enjoy time together as a family over the weekend.

Take care,

Nerida

 

In Victoria, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection numbers are high among children aged 5 to 11 years, particularly in those in their first few years of school. The Victorian Department of Health expects more respiratory infections over Term 3.

Most children with flu or RSV have a mild fever, runny nose or cough. Some children, particularly babies and children with underlying medical conditions, may have more severe illness.

 

Keeping our school community well

Parents, carers and students are encouraged to:

• Wash and sanitise their hands regularly
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing · stay at home if unwell and consult a general practitioner (GP) or NURSE-ON-CALL as needed
• Stay up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Our school has masks for staff, students and visitors if they want to wear them.

 

Flu vaccinations

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family from getting the flu. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. As part of the National Immunisation Program, it is free for:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• People aged 6 months or older with underlying medical conditions.

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs, pharmacies or your local council immunisation service.

 

Find out more

For more information about staying safe this winter, refer to:

Stay well this winter on the Better Health Channel, translated into 16 languages

• Influenza and immunisation on the Better Health Channel
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the Better Health Channel
• Getting vaccinated against influenza

Foundation Year enrolments are now being collected at the school office to prepare for 2024. If you are planning to enrol your child into Foundation next year, please provide the relevant documents to the school office. Please see the below links for the list of forms that need to be read and completed in order for your child to be enrolled at our school. You are also more than welcome to attend a school tour in Term 3, we highly reccomend bringing your child with you so they can become familar with the school enviornment.

If you are intending to enrol your child at RPS, please submit your application by Friday the 28th of July 2023. Enrolments that are submitted after this date will be procesesd by our school as they are receieved, in accordance with the Department of Educations Placement Policy.

If you have any questions regardling enrolment, please contact our Enrolment Officer Jake in the school office.

• How to Enrol at Richmond Primary School
• Book a School Tour

As part of our school becoming an accredited eSmart school, we are required to build our studen’ts knoweldge on how ot be safe in the cyber world. This is also a requirement of the Department of Education’s Child Safe policies.

The Cyber Safety Project will be delivering an incursion on Tuesday the 18th of July to focus on digital wellbeing. It is expected that all students will be attending, unless they are absent.

Please ensure you have provided your consent and payment for this incursion by the 17th of July.

 

Two friends are sitting in a boat.

One asks, “which paddle should I use?”

His friend responds, “either oar.”

 

 

 

 

Please see the below list of activities that you can enrol your child into for Term 3:

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.

• Drama Lessons
• Music lessons
• Tennis Lessons
• Dance Class
• Chess Club