Term 2 Week 4

11 May 2026

They have arrived! Year 6 shirts were distributed Friday and our Indigenous Sports Shirts will be distributed today. 

Congratulations to our Girls’ Soccer Team in its knockout game in a hard-fought game against Bulli PS, unfortunately coming up short in a close 3-2 loss. Sometime this week we should receive information regarding when the boys’ game will take place. 

Fingers crossed for some nice weather this week leading up to our Athletics Carnival on Thursday. We will do everything possible to ensure this event goes ahead successfully. If the weather impacts this, communications will come via our app. This may be a decision made on the morning of the event. The back up date is Thursday 21 May.

As a reminder for parents, our school photos are scheduled for Tuesday 26 May. For this occasion, we would like to see every student come fully dressed in the full school uniform, including black shoes, plain white socks, green pants/shorts/skort and a clean shirt. Ordering information has been emailed directly to parents. Early discussions have begun with Year 6 as to whether or not all of Year 6 should wear their Year 6 shirts. A final answer will be communicated after discussing this with the students based upon their feedback.

At our school, we recognise that lunchtime is a vital opportunity for students to develop social skills, explore new interests, and enjoy a well-earned break from their classroom learning. In alignment with the NSW Wellbeing Framework for Schools, we provide a variety of structured activities and quiet spaces to ensure every child feels a sense of belonging and engagement.

We are proud to offer a diverse range of clubs and supervised spaces this term:

• The Library (Tuesday – Thursday): Our library remains the heart of the school, providing a calm environment for reading, research, and quiet reflection.
• The School Hall (Monday & Friday): To support students who prefer a lower-sensory environment, the hall is available as a dedicated quiet space on these days.
• Colouring Club (Monday): A wonderful opportunity for students to express their creativity and practise mindfulness.
• Soccer Training (Tuesday & Thursday): For those involved in our Soccer Knockout teams.
• Dance Club (Wednesday): A high-energy space for students to explore rhythm and performance.
• SRC & Choir (Thursday): Our Student Representative Council meets to discuss school improvement, followed by Choir for our aspiring vocalists.
• Lego Club (Friday): A popular choice for budding engineers to build, collaborate, and problem-solve.

These initiatives are designed to foster a positive school culture in which every student can succeed and thrive. We encourage all students to participate and find a club that sparks their interest.

Active travel is a fantastic way for our students to start their day with a clear mind and a healthy body. This year, our school is proud to participate in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 22 May. This initiative encourages students to develop the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their personal safety and physical activity.

While we promote the health benefits of walking, our primary focus remains the safety of our students. We encourage all families to use this event as an opportunity to model and practise vital road safety skills.

Key Safety Messages

In accordance with road safety education guidelines, we ask parents and carers to reinforce these essential habits:

• Hold Hands: Until children are at least eight years old, they should always hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
• The Routine: Always practise Stop, Look, Listen, and Think every time you cross the road.
• Safe Entry and Exit: Always use the ‘Safety Door’ (the rear kerbside door) when getting in and out of the car.
• Set the Example: Children learn by watching. By using designated crossings, you are teaching them life-saving habits.

Community Benefits

Walking to school helps reduce traffic congestion around our school gates, making the environment safer for everyone. For those who live further away, we suggest a ‘part-way’ drop-off—park a few blocks away and walk the final distance together.

At our school, we are committed to fostering a culture of safety and active living. We look forward to seeing many of our students arriving on foot and putting their road safety knowledge into practice. 

Children these days have their own phones at a much younger age than most of us did, and, understandably so, as phones are a form of communication for students who travel to and from school on their own. Many of these students travel outside the Russell Vale PS boundaries. I bring to your attention, however, that our school policy does not allow students to have phones in classrooms or in their bags during school hours. This does not mean that they cannot bring them to school at all as our policy states that if they choose to bring a phone to school, it is to be signed in at the office in the morning and then signed out at the office at the end of the school day. This also includes other cellular/mobile devices such as smart watches that can send messages, play games, etc., unless they are set to school settings and thereby locking them from being used during school hours. Recent feedback from teachers is that there are a number of students who do not have settings on their watches. I ask that if your child has a smart watches to please review the settings. Thank you for your assistance in ensuring that your child is following this procedure.

Paul Cuthbertson
Principal

Starting from 2 June , the uniform shop will be open on Mondays with Bec Emmett and on Tuesdays with Jess Jones.

There will be no changes to the ordering process via Flexischools.

If you need to contact the uniform shop, please email rvpsuniformshop@gmail.com 

Due to a low number of expressions of interest for the netball program starting on 12 May, this program has been cancelled.

• 14    School Athletics Carnival
• 20    WHS Year 6 COS Day
• 21    Back up date School Athletics Carnival
• 22    National Walk Safely to School Day
• 26    School Photos
• 27    Stage 1 Excursion - Science Space & Botanical Gardens
• 28    Walk for Reconciliation

• 5     PSSA Touch Football Gala Day - Stage 2 - Hollymount Park
• 5     PSSA Soccer Gala Day - Stage 3 - Ocean Park
• 5     PSSA Rugby League Gala Day - Stage 2 & 3 - Hollymount Park
• 12   South Coast Cross Country
• 24   Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - Save the date, more information to follow

Maddison H, James M, Dylan B, Reid S, Isaac L

Isla B, Archie W, Sam W, Lucy W, Minnie C, Elissa O, James M, Murphy E, Liam J, Taj S, Reid S, Reuben F, Jasmine K, Hayes E, Indie T, Jirah N, Ali S, Ada S, Macy D, Lexi J 

Milly A

Tyson M, Owen T, Molly J, Benny K, Amelia N

Sunny K, Daisy S, Indie E, Max B, Elissa O

Mahalia N, Jasmin F, Brax F, Violet D, Pippa M, Cooper L, Isla S, Noah S, Alby G, Will S, Korban W, Flynn M, Molly W, Jasper K, Andi K

Spencer D, Esther A, Tully C, Jack B

Disclaimer: Russell Vale Public School advertises in this column as a service to parents. Russell Vale Public School does not endorse, sponsor or accept responsibility for the management or organisation of the advertised events or services.