Term 1 Week 10

30 March 2026

This will be the final newsletter before the break for what has been an extremely busy, yet successful start to the school year. We have an extremely dedicated and hard-working staff at Russell Vale and these educational leaders combine to make it a pleasure to work here. The same can be said for our students, parents and community. I hope that everyone has a very relaxing, yet exciting holiday break. We still have a very busy end-of-term ahead and hope many of you can make it to our Easter Hat Parade and the Russell Vale Show.

Monday 20 April and Tuesday 21 April are School Development Days. Students return Wednesday 22 April. Friday 24 April will be our ANZAC Ceremony, led by our student leaders. Parents, carers and community members are welcome to attend. Monday 27 April is the newly announced ANZAC Day Public Holiday. 

Thank you to the very large number of parents who came to our AGM. In fact, our regular attendance has nearly tripled over the past couple of years. New parents and carers are still encouraged to attend. Our next meeting will take place in Week 3 of next term, Monday 4 May, 7:00 pm at Woonona Bulli RSL. At our next meeting, we will be looking to add to our Sub-Committees, specifically the Canteen Sub-Committee, Fundraising Sub-Committee, Grants Coordinators, School Disco and Social Media Office. If you have any interest in assisting in any of these areas or would like to find out more information, please reach out to any of our current members or me.

A special thank you to the following members that will form our executive team and sub-committees for this year. I look forward to working with them.

Executive Committee

President: Nicole Aldred

Vice-Presidents: Naomi Adamson & Holly Williamson

Secretary: Natalie Moore

Treasurers: Jayne Wigginton & Vanessa Woelner 

Sub-Committees

Uniform Shop: Jessica Jones and Bec Emmett

Canteen: Candice Bergner

Canteen Sub-Committee: TBD

Fundraising: Olivia Kerr

Fundraising Sub-Committee: TBD

Grants Coordinators: TBD 

School Disco: TBD

Social Media Officer: TBD

A special thank you goes to Melissa Murray. With this being Melissa’s last year as a parent at RVPS, she has stepped aside as Fundraising Coordinator to aid in the transition of her role. Melissa has been one of the many ‘backbones’ of our P&C for many years at Russell Vale, dating back to 2020. Melissa has led or contributed to nearly every event that has happened at Russell Vale Public School in that period of time. These are events that bring our entire community together. I thank her deeply for what she brought to our school and community. Many would not be aware of the endless time and effort that she has put towards many different activities behind the scenes, going well beyond fundraising. Melissa, thank you for your time and effort.

A highlight in our school calendar is here – The Russell Vale Show! Students should have brought in their items today. The hall will be open to the community tomorrow afternoon, including a visit from Ryan Park, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Keira, Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health, and Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, possibly with some media in attendance. 

Wednesday we invite you to join us at 10:00 am for the Russell Vale Show Awards. From 11:00 am, Year 6 will be hosting a cake sale (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 drawing for the Easter raffle. Tickets continue to be on sale each morning from 8:30 am under the front COLA. Tickets are 50 cents each or 3 for $1.00. Good luck, everyone!

Wednesday 1 April:

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

At Russell Vale Public School, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for every member of our school community, both in the classroom and in digital spaces. To support this, our teachers are working with students this week to deepen their understanding of our technology expectations.

What is happening this week?

Primary students will be discussing and completing a Student Declaration in class. This agreement ensures that all students understand how to use digital devices and the internet safely, respectfully, and responsibly.

The declaration focuses on three key pillars:

• Being Respectful: Being kind and polite, and asking permission before taking photos or recordings of others.
• Being Responsible: Following teacher instructions and using technology for learning rather than distractions.
• Staying Safe: Keeping passwords private and telling a trusted adult if they see something that makes them feel worried or upset.

Our Commitment to Safety

To support our students, the school provides a filtered internet service to reduce risks and follows clear protocols to protect students in online spaces. We also deliver age-appropriate programs to help students develop the skills they need to navigate the digital world.

We encourage parents and carers to view the full agreement (attached above) to help support these safe and responsible habits at home.  

Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have any questions or concerns regarding our digital policies.

Paul Cuthbertson
Principal

Wishing everyone a happy Easter and a safe and enjoyable school holidays.

• 31    Russell Vale Show open to community members in the hall from 2:30pm
• 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
• 20    School Development Day
• 21    School Development Day
• 22    First Day of Term 2 for Students
• 24    ANZAC Day Ceremony
• 27    ANZAC Day Public Holiday

• 4      P&C Meeting at Woonona Bulli RSL at 7:00 pm
• 20    WHS Year 6 COS Day
• 26    School Photos

Penny J, Finn B, Jade S, Luca B

Axle C, Audrey A, Aria P, Georgia B, Ellis M, Joni W, Harvey S, Owen J, Oliver D, Dimitri P

Sophie D

Kendyl A

Amarli M, Ashton A

Dylan B, Monty B, Jake F, Ali S, Joey N, Anders K, Cade C, Evie S, Levi M, Ella D, Keira F, Stevie W, Max M, Annika F, Mila T, Macy D, Eddy K, Joni W

Mason G, Brodie S

Billy K, Kade M, Kendyl A

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.