Term 1 Week 8

16 March 2026

Our Parents and Citizens’ (P&C) Association AGM will take place this evening in the Auditorium at Woonona Bulli RSL. As we strive for a representative and inclusive school community, we extend a warm welcome to all families. Joining the P&C is a meaningful way to contribute to school decision-making and support our educational goals.

Executive vacancies and nominations tonight - in accordance with our constitution, all current positions will be declared vacant. We will be seeking nominations for several vital roles, including:

• P&C President
• P&C Fundraising Coordinator
• Executive and Sub-Committee members

Important Notice Regarding Voting Rights and Membership - Please be advised of the following requirements under the Parents and Citizens' Associations Incorporation Act 1976 that has just come to my attention:

• Eligibility to Vote: Only those who became financial members at the close of a previous General Meeting are eligible to vote or stand for a position at tonight’s AGM.
• New Memberships: We encourage new members to join us tonight ($5.00 annual fee). However, per the P&C Constitution, any person who becomes a financial member during a meeting will not be eligible to vote on motions or be nominated for positions during that same meeting.
• Activation of Rights: New memberships become valid only at the close of the meeting at which the fee is paid. This means new members will be able to exercise their full membership and voting rights at the following General Meeting.

While this may limit immediate voting for new attendees, your presence and input are still highly valued as we plan for our students' success in the coming year.

Thank you to Woonona Public School who has extended an invitation for interested families from Russell Vale Public School to join the following event: 

Woonona Public School P&C is hosting renowned parenting educator and author Michelle Mitchell for an insightful evening on “What Kids Need NOW – Before the Teenage Years.”

Michelle will explore common challenges for primary-aged children including friendship issues, mood swings, confidence dips, tech habits and preparing for the teenage years. Michelle offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents and carers.

📅 Wednesday 18 March
 🕒 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
 📍 Woonona Public School Hall
 🎟 Tickets $35

Book here:
https://wpsuniforms.square.site/product/michelle-mitchell-parent-speaker-event/YY57UNVOI43GDAGTD4KKGNHL

All parents, carers and grandparents are welcome.

Wednesday 18 March, Russell Vale Public School will commemorate Harmony Day, celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity. We value inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional owners of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world.

Students can choose to wear something orange or wear clothing that represents their culture on 18 March, to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Instead of a gold coin donation on this day, we ask that students bring in a non-perishable food item to donate to the Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre that supports people from all cultures across our local community that are in need. For example: Pasta sauces, muesli bars, chips, biscuits, packet soups, oats, long-life milk, tea, coffee, milo, tins of soup, noodles, spreads like vegemite, jam, peanut butter, sugar, cake mixes and breakfast cereals.

A Term 1 Snapshot will be emailed directly to parents on Thursday of this week through School Bytes. This report focuses on the Social Development and Commitment to Learning. If you have not done so, please take the time to complete the Learning Directions page that was sent home at Meet the Teacher sessions. Goal-setting is an important part of teaching and learning where students are prompted to examine themselves as learners, acknowledge achievements, as well as consider areas on which to build for further growth. With your child, we would like you to reflect on last year’s learning and identify together specific learning priorities for literacy, numeracy and possibly in one other academic area.

Some questions for students to consider and discuss with their families are:

• What are your learning priorities for 2026?
• What can you do to achieve them?
• What support do you need to achieve these priorities?

The date for our Cross Country Carnival has been set – Friday 20 March with the back-up date to be Friday 27 March. Detailed information can be found on our app. 

A highlight in our school calendar is fast approaching – The Russell Vale Show. Students are asked to bring their projects in on Monday 30 March, clearly labelled with their name, class and category for entry. The hall will be open to the community on the afternoon of Tuesday 31 March and we invite you to join us on Wednesday 1 April at 10:00 am for the Russell Vale Show Awards (please note the time change from the Russell Vale Show note). 

From 11:00 am Year 6 will be hosting a cake stall (under the front COLA). Come and buy some morning tea, bring a picnic blanket and share a picnic with your child/ren. Cakes will range in price from 50 cents to $2.

Following the conclusion of recess, at approximately 11:30 - 11:45 am, we invite all parents and friends to watch our Easter Hat Parade. Students will parade in class groups. 

Year 6 classes will also be running an Easter raffle to raise money for the Year 6 Farewell and to assist with the purchasing of their gift to the school. Tickets continue to be on sale each morning from 8:30 am under the front COLA. Tickets are 50 cents each or 3 for $1. The Easter Egg Raffle will be drawn throughout the Easter Hat Parade. Good luck everyone!

Wednesday 1 April

• 10:00 am – Russell Vale Show Assembly
• 11:00 am – Year 6 Cake Stall
• 11:30 – 11:45 am approximate start time of the Easter Hat Parade

Woonona High School has announced that the Year 7 CAPA Enrichment applications are now available! Please find the relevant application forms and information on the Woonona High School website https://woonona-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/.

If you have any questions, please contact Woonona High School on 4284 1513.

The Woonona Community of Schools Band Program has been running successfully since 2012 and last year we had 25 students from several local primary schools participating in it. Each Wednesday morning from 8:00-9:15 am primary students go to Woonona High School to learn an instrument and rehearse as a band. Our current and ex-music students and outside tutors provide small group tuition on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass, keyboard or drums. The program is open to students in Years 4-6. Please email rhiannon.sharp@det.nsw.edu.au with any questions. 

At Russell Vale Public School, the safety and wellbeing of our students are our highest priorities. As we navigate the busy morning and afternoon periods, it is essential that we all work together to maintain a safe environment around our school gates.

We have noticed an increase in unsafe parking and traffic habits during these peak times. I am reminding everyone that traffic rules and parking restrictions are specifically designed to protect our children by improving visibility and reducing the risk of accidents.

Key Safety Reminders for Our Community

To ensure our students remain safe, please incorporate the following into your daily routines:

• Look Out Before You Step Out: Remind your children to Stop! Look! Listen! and Think! before crossing any road.
• Avoid Congestion: Please do not queue for a parking spot, as this obstructs traffic and creates hazards for others. If a space is unavailable, please drive around the block or consider parking at either end of Terania St and enjoying a short walk to the gates.
• The "Safety Door": Always drop off and pick up children on the school-side of the road. The safest exit for any child is the kerbside rear door.
• Crossing Zones: It is strictly illegal and highly dangerous to stop on or near a children’s crossing, even momentarily to let a child out.

Understanding School Zone Signage

We ask all drivers to be mindful of the specific parking regulations in place on Terania Street during school hours (8:00 am – 9:30 am and 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm):

• No Parking - You may stop for a maximum of two minutes to drop off or pick up passengers. You must remain within three metres of your vehicle at all times.
• No Parking - Do not stop here for any reason. This includes waiting for a spot to open or letting a passenger out.

Please click here for Wollongong City Council’s school zone safety flyer: https://wollongong.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/117034/School-Zone-Safety-Flyer.pdf 

Respect and Courtesy

Our school zone is shared by many, including our local residents and other motorists. Performing U-turns or three-point turns in school zones is dangerous and puts our students at risk. Showing patience and courtesy makes the transition to and from school a better experience for everyone.

Please bear this in mind when considering your current arrangements and help us uphold these vital safety routines. By working together, we can ensure that Russell Vale Public School remains a safe place for every student.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation.

Paul Cuthbertson
Principal

If you are collecting your child early from school for an appointment please come to the office and wait for them to be called up. Please remain at the office until your child arrives so that we can sight you leaving together.

The school apps we use regularly at Russell Vale Public School are as follows:

• Enews - newsletter, information for keeping parents informed including messages from the canteen.
• School Bytes - all school related matters including permission notes, absences and payments for excursions/incursions and school resources.
• FlexiSchools - lunch and uniform orders. Special days run by the P&C, for example Sushi Day.

Please ensure you have downloaded all three apps to support your child's education.

The RVPS Community Playgroup commences on Thursday 19 March with sessions running during school term from 9:15 am - 10:45 am.

• 16    Years 4 & 5 Woonona High School Open Night 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
• 16    P&C AGM  at Woonona Bulli RSL at 7:00 pm
• 17    South Coast Swimming Carnival
• 18    Parent Education Evening - Michelle Mitchell at Woonona PS Hall 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
• 19    RVPS Community Playgroup commences
• 20    Cross Country Carnival
• 25     Illawarra Sports HS Talented Sports & Development Program Year 6 Trials 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
• 27    Cross Country Carnival back-up date
• 27    Expression of Interest (EOI) for High School due date 
• 27    WHS Year 7 CAPA Enrichment Class application due date
• 30    Russell Vale Show items to be brought in for judging
• 31    WHS Year 7 CAPA Enrichment Class audition workshops

• 1    Russell Vale Show Awards Assembly 10:00 am
• 1    Year 6 Cake Stall 11:00 am
• 1    Easter Hat Parade 11:30 am - 11:45 am approx. start time (Easter Egg Raffle will be drawn throughout the parade)
• 2    Last Day of Term 1

Lacey J, Levi M, Sam W, Kendyl A, Leah S, Marnie P, Miranda J, Tulli P, Amelia C-F, Millie M, Alexa M

Vali T, Lola B, Penny J, Zadie K, Charlie P, Louis C, Louis A, Charlotte K, Hannah K, Jirah N, Lenna L, Remi B, Abigail T, Felix M

Scarlett P, Ezra N, Ivy J

Mia B, Maddison H, Hayes E, Marley K, Buddy K

Oliver D, Andi K, Callum T, Cade C, Axton S, Charlotte H, Jaxon L, Jack M

Andi K, Darcy U, Beau W, Sunny K, Beau F, Billy A, Millie M, John C, Ella R, Louis F, Milly A, Max M, Jaxon L, Daisy S, Ally K, Jett P

Louis W

Mason W-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.