RPS Chatter July 2025

Welcome back to Term 3!  I’m sure these next 9 weeks will fly by, and before we know it, we’ll be celebrating the end of another eventful year here at RPS.

During the two-week break, I spent some time doing a “spring clean” of old boxes that had been sitting in my mum’s shed since three schools ago!  She was pretty impressed that I finally got around to sorting them out.  Honestly, it was a choice between organising them or having her throw everything away.  It was a dusty and lengthy few days (and I’m pretty sure everything I decided to keep could fit into a shoe box…but I’m not telling her that!).

While going through those boxes, I came across a reading that still feels relevant now.  It’s an article titled “I am the Future’s Child” by Hedley Beare.  The full piece is five pages long, so I’ve put together a summary for you.  After you’ve had a chance to read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the read!

 

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My name is Angelica. I’m five years old, and I am the future.

You need to understand what I believe, how I see the world, and the kind of life I’ll step into. My world is already different from the one you grew up in…and it’s changing fast.

I’ll likely live well into the 2100s, maybe even see the 22nd century. My future will be shaped by global challenges: climate change, dwindling fossil fuels, poverty, and rapid technological shifts. Cars, planes, and power stations will impact the climate I inherit. By the time I’m in my twenties, oil supplies may be running out, and I’ll live in a world needing smarter, cleaner energy.

Technology will change the way we live and work. Many jobs will be done by intelligent machines. I’ll live in a smart home and work flexibly, possibly changing jobs 17 times in my life. The 9–5 workday will be a thing of the past.

Knowledge, not things, will be the most valuable resource. The most successful people will be creative thinkers, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners. That’s the kind of future I want.

My school will help me form my values, understand different cultures, and learn to live in a diverse, interconnected world. I’ll need to know how to work with people from all walks of life.

Learning won’t look like it used to. Traditional exams, subjects, and year levels won’t define my education. I’ll learn from around the world….history, literature, science, and technology from many cultures…and be assessed continually, not just at the end.

Books aren’t my main source of stories anymore. I watch, stream, click, and connect. My school is already global; I speak with kids in other countries every week.

I see the Earth not as a machine, but as a living, breathing organism. That belief shapes everything: how I eat, live, vote, and dream.

Above all, I want to live with hope. Not fear. Not gloom. I want to succeed. I want a beautiful world; for me, my children, and theirs.

My name is Angelica.
I’m five years old.
And I’m sitting in today’s classroom.

 

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Angelica’s words have challenged me to think about whether we are preparing learners for our past or their future.

While it can feel like a huge challenge, every day we strive to meet the unique needs of each student by promoting critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and collaboration.  In a world marked by division, climate concerns, and constant change, schools play a vital role in helping students build a strong moral foundation.  We are committed to nurturing ethical awareness, resilience, flexibility, and a deep sense of responsibility to one another and the planet.  Though this challenge is ongoing and ever evolving, it’s one that we as educators gladly embrace.

I’m happy to share the full article.  If you are interested, let me know and I’ll send you a copy.

That’s all from me as we try and stay warm and get ready for a busy term 3.

Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Stay happy and remember to be kind to yourself and others.

Megan 😊

• Monday 28th July – Student Free Day
• Friday 1st August – Whole School Assembly
• Monday 4th – 7th August – Year 3-5 Swimming
• Sunday 10th August – Working Bee
• Monday 11th – 14th August – F-2 Swimming
• Wed 13th August  – 5/6 Wakakirri performance
• Friday 15th August – Whole school assembly
  – School Council
• Monday 18th-20th August – Year 3/4Camp
• Friday 22nd August – Student Free Day
• Friday 29th August  – Book Character Parade
  -Whole School Assembly
• Wed 10th Sept – Student-led conferences (students dismissed from school at 1 pm)
• Friday 12th Sept – Whole school Assembly
• Friday 19th Sept – Last day of Term 2.  Students finish at 2 pm
  – School council

The day started nicely, the sun was up and shining, but that didn’t last long.  Soon the weather turned nasty, but that didn’t stop us.  RPS had two teams, a girls’ team and a boys.  Together, we battled through the mud and rain.  The girls, unfortunately, lost both games, and the boys won one game out of four.  We all tried our hardest and had so much fun!  Special thanks to Coach Liam and Luke for making the day extra great.

In 2025, we took the exciting step of trialling AUSLAN as our Language Other Than English (LOTE) subject.  Now, it’s time to look ahead…what direction do we want to take moving forward?

Learning an additional language offers a range of benefits for students.  It enhances cognitive development, improves memory and problem-solving skills, and supports literacy in English.  Language learning also promotes cultural understanding, empathy, and global awareness; valuable skills for thriving in our increasingly connected world.

We’re inviting interested parents to be part of a working group that will explore language options for RPS students from 2026 onwards.  This group will help shape our final decision by gathering and considering different possibilities.

Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, 12th August at 10 am.  The location will be confirmed based on the number of participants.

If you would like to be involved, please email Megan at megan.dell@education.vic.gov.au to register your interest.

It may be hard to believe, but planning for the 2026 school year is already well underway!  To help us prepare, we kindly ask that if you (or anyone you know) are intending to be part of our school community in 2026 and are not yet enrolled, please ensure enrolment forms are completed and returned to the school as soon as possible.

What is a moment you are grateful for this week?

Chess Club – Fridays, 8:00 – 8:50 AM

Hot Shot Tennis – Fridays, 8:00 – 8:40 AM