RPS Chatter June 2023

And just like that (no, I’m not referring to the Foxtel show!)…Term 2 is done and dusted. To say we’ve had an “interesting” last day of term is an understatement with some of the power going off for some of the day in parts of the school, a wet day timetable, followed by sunshine after lunch (but the temperature remained cold), and the usual end of term clean/pack up excitement… it wasn’t dull!

So now that all is quiet, and I can have time to get our latest Chatter sorted, I started reflecting on the Term we have had. Time-wise, it’s only been 9 weeks, but in that time, we have managed to hold a whole school production, attend excursions and incursions, go on Year 5/6 camp, participate in sporting events including gala day, continued with our engaging and challenging learning and tasks in the classrooms, celebrated our official AND teachers have written mid-year reports. It is no wonder we are all a little tired.

 

Early School Finish 8th August

On Tuesday night, the school council approved an early finish for school on Tuesday, August 8th. Students will be dismissed on the 8th of August at 1:00 pm and teachers will commence their parent/teacher interviews at 1:30 pm. CommunityOSH will be operating an earlier program to cater for this early dismissal. Please remember this will be at an extra cost for those who use the program.

 

Road Safety and Helmets

As it’s the end of term, I use this time to get on my soapbox about Road Safety and Helmets … So here I go…

During the school holidays, please be aware of an increased number of children out and about, riding their bikes and scooters and playing around the streets.

It doesn’t matter how many years you have been riding for, accidents can still happen. From personal experience, I know that my bike helmet not only saved my life but also my ability to walk and function the way I still can. Helmets don’t work if they are being held in your hand while skateboarding or sitting on your handlebars when riding your bike. They also don’t work if they aren’t done up correctly or the straps are loose and just hanging around your chin. What we do need to do is make sure that our children are careful on the roads, follow the rules, and ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET CORRECTLY.

 

Should I stay or should I go?

You might be shocked to know that planning for the 2024 school year is in full swing! To assist us in making sure we are ready for next year, please let us know if you or anyone you know hasn’t enrolled or intends to leave our school community in 2024.

 

Please remember that it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that our school is looked after over the holiday period. It’s great to see people using the school facilities by making use of the basketball courts, ovals and playgrounds. We have a wonderful community resource and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our grounds are used appropriately.

Everyone deserves a well-earned break after the busy semester we have had. I hope you all get a chance to recharge your energy levels and spend quality time with those you care about most over the next two weeks.

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

We look forward to seeing you back at school for the start of Term 3 on Monday 10th July!

Megan 

Eleanor Thomas - School Council President

It’s my privilege to have been appointed President of the RPS School Council for 2023.

My son Rudy is in grade 1, and my daughter Miriam graduated in 2020, so I’ve been around for a while – and I have a few years still to come. After 9 years of active but informal involvement in school activities, joining the council was a welcome opportunity to understand what makes the school tick. It also comes with the huge responsibility to act as caretakers of our school’s values and unique sense of community – retaining that welcoming, small school feeling that makes us RPS.

The School Council is as strong and effective as the school community makes it. While the council itself has a specific composition, there are other (less time consuming!) ways to be involved. Each subcommittee can include non-council members – and are usually better for it. Subcommittees include:

• Finance
• Buildings and Grounds
• OSHC
• Education Policy
• Fundraising

If you have interest or expertise in any of these areas (or have ideas for how to improve or expand them) and would like to be involved, please let us know.

We welcome you to join us at our council meetings to share your experience, feedback and to put forward any items you are passionate about. If you would like to attend, we ask that you notify Jake DeBono in the office at least 24 hours prior to our monthly meeting (we meet on the third Tuesday of every month). Any agenda items should be submitted to me or Megan at least a week before a scheduled meeting.

Please feel free to email me at eleanor.thomas2@education.vic.gov.au or say g’day before and after school most days.

Richmond Primary School Council 2023

Eleanor Thomas

Nick Corker

Rob Finney

Leah Ferrari

Kristy Fuller

Krysia Mosley

Megan Dell

Nerida Burns

Kath Faichney

Rachel Foster

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 enviornment.

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

Foundation:

• Jessica B – Congratulations Jessica for being a respectful, kind and hardworking student at all times!
• Ezra K – For demonstrating confidence this week when he shared his amazing writing with the class. Well done for being brave and for sharing your learning with others!
• Astrid G – For writing an amazing book this week! Your All About Me book was beautifully written. Well done Astrid!
• Ruby M – Congratulations Ruby for great participation in class and applying yourself to tasks with stamina and resilience, always producing beautiful work!

 

Year 1/2:

 

• Emilio DM – For consistently challenging yourself in maths this week. I’ve been so impressed with your work ethic and for your ability to think outside the box! Well done, Emilio!
• Sienna W – For your considerate and caring nature. You always try your best and you are a kind friend to all. Kee up the good work Sienna, well done!
• Chloe S – For always taking on additional challenges in the classroom and extending herself by continuing her learning at home. Your passion for school and learning is infectious. Go Chloe!
• Oisin B – For his excellent attitude towards reading; it was wonderful to listen to and see the expression and passion when you were reading this week! Keep up the terrific work, Oisin!
• Raphie B – For your commitment to improving your focus in class. You have been working hard to stay on task and complete your work. Well done, Raphie!
• Theodore A – For your creative and well written fractured fairy tale. You work so hard to implement new vocabulary and your writing is always enjoyable to read. Congratulations Theodore!
• Piper F – For consistently being a thoughtful team player within the class and for your compassionate approach and attitude to classlife – you bring so much joy to the classroom each day, Piper – thank you!
• Malcolm O – For his super work with fractions and equivalent fractions and supporting his classmates to learn this concept. Amazing work Malcolm!

 

Year 3/4:

 

• Matilda H – For being such a great role model in the class, always being on task and always giving 100% effort to her learning.
• Jack H – Jack, your unwavering dedication to your studies and consistent positive contributions to our class discussions are commendable. Keep up the excellent work!
• Felix R – Being such a fantastic maths explorer this week! With quiet confidence you have challenged yourself in every lesson, even doing double digit multiplication! Congratulations Felix.
• Melika G – This is in recognition for her outstanding approach and dedication to her learning. Her growth mindset has unleashed her learning and she is extending herself day by day in all areas. Well done!
• Evie W – Evie, your positivity and growth mindset shine as you fearlessly tackle any challenge that comes your way.
• Orlando A – For always being will to contribute to class discussion, take on feedback and be a friend to EVERYONE in the room. Your kindness and energy is greatly valued Orlando!
• Harlan U – For her fantastic growth mindset this week. It’s been great to see you ‘have a go’ at tricky maths problems and share your thinking in reading book clubs!

 

Year 5/6:

 

• Jj S – For your well received and rapturous stand up comedy routine on camp! The whole area was definitely having pig laughs!
• Alfie A – For your wonderful efforts in getting out of your comfort zone on camp, particularly on the Giant Swing. Alfie-eel you should be proud of yourself as well!
• Minnie P – Minnie was an absolute joy to be around on our 5/6 Phillip Island Camp. She had such a positive attitude to all activities and showed off her epic dancing skills in the RPS talent show. Well done Minnie!
• Ellie R – For your positive attitude during 5/6 camp. You took yourself far out of your comfort zone, conquering all the team and individual activities, including the giant swing! Well done, Ellie!
• Grace I – For her impressive efforts learning and performing our production dance to Lion-Heart. You hard work and dedication makes you a role model for your peers. Well done Grace!
• Lily M – For your amazing efforts and assistance during the whole school production. You Lily were a great help to everyone!

 

 

What’s the best thing about living in Switzerland?

I don’t know, but the flag is a big plus!

 

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