RPS Chatter November (3) 2024

…And BANG!  All of a sudden next week is December and nearly the end of another school year….where did the year go?  So as the man in the red suit keeps checking his naughty and nice list (I’m crossing my fingers I’m on the “nice” list!), we have so much going on in the next few weeks, it looks like there is not much chance of us slowing down anytime soon.

Before we get into my part of the Chatter, two of our staff are going to hijack this part of the …Take it away Lucie and Izzy!

 

Lucie: 

 

It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave RPS and embark on a new adventure at Loreto Mandeville Hall as the junior school Art teacher. It’s a bittersweet decision, as I’ve loved the last 10 years at RPS spent with all of you and the fun creative times we’ve experienced together. I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement throughout my time here. Your kindness and enthusiasm have made my time at RPS truly special, and I will always treasure the memories we’ve created. It’s been a joy to watch students grow and express themselves through art, and I will carry these experiences with me into this new role. While I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, I will miss the wonderful community here and the close connections I’ve built. Thank you again for being such an important part of my journey. I look forward to staying in touch and hope our paths cross again soon.

 

Izzy:

 

Dear RPS Community,

It is with a mix of sadness and excitement that I share the news that I will not be teaching at Richmond Primary School next year. Instead, I’ll be starting a new chapter at Carlton Gardens Primary School.

RPS has been my home for the past three years, and it’s where I began my teaching journey. I feel so fortunate to have been part of such an incredible school community. Working with the amazing students and families here has been a joy, and the support and camaraderie of the staff have made every day special.

Thank you for the memories, the laughter, and the shared successes. I’ll always treasure my time here and will carry a little bit of RPS with me wherever I go.

Wishing you all the best for the future,

Izzy 🌟

 

As you can imagine, this news took us all by surprise!  It makes sense for both of them and I know we all wish them well in the next exciting chapter of their lives.

 

2025 Specialist Team

I’m sure you are now all wondering what’s going to happen with our Visual arts teacher…well, there are not many staffing arrangements I can share with you just yes, but what I can do is share our specialist team.

So, introducing our 2025 Specialist team:

Performing Arts:  Kath

Visual Arts:  Karen

Physical Education:  Julian

Science:  Tammy

We are all very excited about the introduction of a specialist Science teacher.  That does mean for 2025 we do not have a Mandarin teacher/class, but after discussions with school council and the staff, we believe this is our best option for our “interesting” year during the build.

In our next chatter, I will be able to confirm our classroom teaching and support staff members.

 

150th Celebration

WOW, what a great day to celebrate our 150th anniversary.  I have had the pleasure of meeting previous students from as far back as 1932, previous staff have popped in throughout the day and even the principal who built our fairy castle!”

Thank you to those who assisted in cooking sausages this morning, and particularly Emma Link and Pamela Khoo for helping Russell and I organise today, as well as Hope Capoglu for the amazing birthday cake.

We’ve had a fantastic day hearing stories and anecdotes about the history of the school…maybe we will all be talked about at the 200th birthday celebration!

 

Rumour has it

Word on the grapevine is that we still have some members of our community who have either not enrolled their child for the 2025 school year yet, OR they intend on leaving our RPS community and haven’t officially informed us.  If you know of any of these people (or are one yourself), could you please contact the office as soon as possible.  That way we can ensure that we have appropriate staffing and resources in place to begin the 2025 school year.

 

Marty & McFly

Over the Christmas holidays, we need someone to look after our budgies, Marty and McFly.  As we won’t be able to attend school to feed them while the removal of any contaminated materials is dealt with by our builders, we won’t be able to pop in and feed them and that’s an issue because they love their food.  They need fresh food and water once a week….and they love a chat.  If you can look after them, please let me know.  I would, but with two mischievous cats living at home, I don’t want Marty and McFly to be traumatised from the experience.

 

Still to come this term (and there is only 3 weeks to go!)

• Planning week
• 1/2 excursion
• 3/4 excursion
• Year 6 Graduation
• Moving on up day
• Year 6 – 7 Orientation Day
• Year 6 Open Water
• Meet the teacher session
• End-of-year reports

 

 

Dates for your 2025 Calendar:

• Jan 30 – Students in Years 1 – 6 commence
• Feb 3 – Foundation students begin
• Feb 12 – “You-tell-us” interviews (early student finish…. time TBC)
• Feb 16 –Working Bee
• March 3 – Foundation students attend full-time
• March 10 – Labor Day public holiday
• March 12-24 – NAPLAN
• April 4 – End Term 1 (Students finish 2 pm)
• April 22 – Term 2 begins
• April 25 – ANZAC Day public holiday
• May 11 – Working Bee
• May 13 – 16 – Year 5/6 Camp to Rumbug
• July 4 – End Term 2 (students finish 2 pm)
• July 21 – Term 3 begins
• Aug 10 – Working Bee
• Aug 18- 20 – Year 3/4 Camp to Lady Northcote
• Aug 22– Student Fee Day
• Sept 10 – Student/parent/teacher conference (early student finish…. time TBC)
• Sept 19 – End Term 3 (students finish 2 pm)
• Oct 6 – Term 4 begins
• Oct 26 – Working Bee
• Nov 3 – Student Free Day
• Nov 4- Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
• Dec 18 – Last Day Term 4.  Students finish at 3:30
• Dec 19 – Student Free Day

 

Obviously, there will be other days/events that we have to add along the journey, but at this stage, this is what we already know.

That’s all from me this week and I look forward to seeing you around the school grounds over the last few weeks of term

 

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

Megan 😊

Our Grade 5’s met their 2025 buddies this week, a highly anticipated event! Congrats to all the Grade 5’s on their wonderful welcome letters for our 2025 Foundation students.

Captaincy applications were submitted this week for the 2025 Captains. Students will be kept updated as who has been shortlisted and when their interviews will be held.

Second round of electives concluded this week! One of the electives this term was a mindfulness/yoga/meditation session, that incorporated breath work.

It’s been a busy time in 5/6 and we look forward to the coming weeks. Celebrating our Grade 6’s at Graduation on the 9th of December who have been busy writing their speeches and enjoying the last couple of weeks of primary school.

Foundation 

•  Julia T – For being an enthusiastic, hard worker who loves to learn and who has shown incredible resilience – happily writing with her left hand whilst her other arm was broken!

 

Year 1/2

 

• Hiro S – Well done, Hiro! This award is for joining every lesson with an open mind and a great attitude. Keep up your amazing enthusiasm for learning!
• Sienna W -Congratulations, Sienna! This award is for always working so hard and creating such beautiful work. We’re so proud of you—keep shining bright! 🌟
• William W -For listening well and always making meaningful contributions to our conversations about our class novel.
• Rudy T – Congratulations for showing remarkable growth in your positive attitude towards your learning and school routines. Keep up the great effort!!!

 

Year 5/6

 

• Nikolas D – Congratulations Nik, your dedication to peer mediation and your unmatched enthusiasm have made such a positive impact on those around you.
• Abbie S – Your confidence has shone through, and it has been a pleasure reading the formal letters you’ve written. Your efforts and dedication are commendable. Congratulations!
• Louis K – Louis thank you for always demonstrating a positive attitude. Your willingness to step up and support your peers and the school community is truly admirable. You are an inspiring role model for others. We’re lucky to have you.
• Thomas R – Congratulations, Thomas, on being named student of the week. Your dedication to your learning and the careful presentation of your work has truly stood out. It’s evident you are putting in your best effort. Well done.
• Jack B – For your determination in Maths and tackling different challenges with a positive attitude. Your growth mindset is so impressive and you should be so proud! Keep up the amazing work, Jack!

Please see the below list of extracurricular activities that you can enrol your child into next year:

Code Camp: Tuesdays, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

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

Chess Club: Fridays, 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM

 

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

• Code Camp
• Tennis Lessons
• Chess Club