Term 3 Week 6

25th August 2025

Russell Vale Public School has recently completed the NSW Department of Education’s external validation process, a crucial quality assurance measure conducted every four years. This process involves a comprehensive self-assessment supported by robust evidence, which is then reviewed by an independent validation panel to confirm alignment with the NSW School Excellence Framework (SEF).

The external validation panel, led by Khalil Khay, along with peer panellist Melanie Hogan, met with the school leadership team, including Director of Educational Leadership Mandy Crocker, to discuss the school’s evidence and achievements across the domains of Learning, Teaching, and Leading. The panel validated the school’s self-assessment at excelling in all 14 elements, affirming that Russell Vale Public School is performing strongly and consistently with the high standards outlined in the SEF.

Highlights of Russell Vale Public School’s excelling areas include:

• A vibrant learning culture that fosters student engagement and growth.
• Effective classroom practices that support differentiated and responsive teaching.
• Strong educational leadership driving continuous improvement.
• Efficient management practices ensuring optimal use of school resources.
• A supportive and inclusive school wellbeing environment.

I would like to thank our dedicated school leadership team—Pip Smith, Leesa James, Raeleen Quince, and Michelle Rafferty, reflecting the school’s commitment to excellence and high expectations for every student.

This external validation recognises the collaborative efforts of all staff, students, and families in creating a nurturing and high-performing learning environment. Congratulations to everyone at Russell Vale Public School for this outstanding milestone in the school’s journey towards educational excellence.

Our school community has, as one component, a number of different staff members, all of whom play an important part in the running of our school and in the provision of quality education for our students. School Administrative and Support Staff (SAS staff members), whether they work in the office, the library, on the school grounds or in a classroom setting, are important contributors to the success of the school and students’ education.

Our SAS Staff members are:

Anne Birkett – School Administration Manager
Jennifer Walker – School Administration Officer
Emma Belo – School Administration Officer
Katrina Clothier – School Administration Officer
Renee Wallace – School Administration Officer
Joy Della Vedova – School Learning Support Officer
Charli Stewart – School Learning Support Officer
Brooklyn Fletcher – School Learning Support Officer
Jeremy Woodford – School Learning Support Officer
Ethan Fuller – School Learning Support Officer
Antun Pivovarski – General Assistant

I appreciate this opportunity to acknowledge the vital role that our SAS staff plays at Russell Vale Public School and I encourage you to do the same. 

Fortunately, we made the right decision to postpone our Book Parade last week as the weather would not have made it possible to enjoy the event, both for students and for families. Our Book Parade will now take place on Thursday 28th August at 11:45am (please note the time change – not 11:30am). Parents, carers, younger siblings and community members are welcome to join us for the parade and to stay for a packed lunch or purchase from the canteen which will be open on the day and will have hot food available.

Wollongong City Lifeguards will be at our school on Monday 1st September delivering their Surf Life Safety program to Years 2, 4 and 6.

We have set our date for Grandparents’ Day – Monday 27th October. The official date is Sunday 26th October so we have decided to host it the following day so that any grandparents who may be travelling will have the opportunity to spend some time with their grandchildren over the weekend.

Russell Vale Public School works to create positive environments for students, staff and the entire school community to support student learning. We strive to ensure that every student is known, valued and cared for.

The best education happens when students, parents and schools work together. Parents and carers play an important role in the school community. The School Community Charter informs parents and carers on how to engage with NSW public schools. Please read the School Community Charter (PDF 1.4 MB) to ensure you understand how important it is to create a positive learning environment for our students.

Parents and carers can expect:

• communication from teaching staff will be timely, polite, informative and solutions-focused;
• professional relationships with school staff will be based on transparency, honesty and mutual respect; and
• to be treated fairly. Tolerance and understanding are promoted as we respect diversity.

Our staff members will find a time to talk to you when they can give you their full attention. Please remember that while our staff members are in class or dealing with other matters, they may not be available to answer your questions immediately.

Russell Vale Public School makes sure that written communication is appropriate, fair and easy-to-read. We encourage you to use email and social media appropriately to connect with us and stay up-to-date with events in the school community. 

In all workplaces, people have the right to feel respected. Unacceptable and offensive behaviour has no place in our school community.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and the community, steps will be taken to address unacceptable behaviour. 

https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/en/home/schooling/parents-and-carers/going-to-school/school-community-charter/school-community-charter.pdf

Many children love video games. In fact, they like them so much that they might hear something like this from mum or dad: "Enough! Find something else to do!"

It can be good advice, even if they were about to get to the next level. Why? Too much of anything is just too much. It is true that some studies have shown certain video games can improve hand–eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and the mind's ability to process information. But too much video game playing may cause problems.

It is hard to get enough active play and exercise if children are always inside playing video games. Overdoing video games could also affect other important areas, like friendships and how well a student does in school.

But here is the good news: Playing video games some of the time can be ok. Choose quality games, and limit screen time — which includes TV, computer, smartphone, tablet, and video game time combined — to a reasonable amount of time.

A good game will be the right one for how old they are. Games are rated like movies and you can help figure out which ones they should use. If you can choose one that gets them up and moving, that is even better.

As a recommendation, locate the computer or games console in an open area of your home, or if your child is playing on a handheld device, invite he or she to do so in the family room. Talk regularly with your child about their gaming interests and with whom he or she plays online. Help them understand the risks.

There is no magic number of hours, but your child may be spending too much time playing games if the gaming starts to have negative impacts on your child or your family. 

Look out for signs such as:

• less interest in social activities like meeting friends or playing sport;
• not doing so well at school; 
• tiredness, sleep disturbance, headaches or eye strain;
• changes in eating patterns;
• reduced personal hygiene;
• obsession with particular websites or games;
• anger when being asked to take a break from online activity, or appearing anxious or irritable when away from the computer; and/or
• becoming withdrawn from friends and family.

In some cases, setting firm limits as a family may be enough to help address too much gaming. But there may also be underlying problems like depression and anxiety that are linked to problematic internet use. 

For more information, please visit: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/gaming#how-to-create-a-safer-gaming-environment-for-your-child

Paul Cuthbertson
Principal

• 28th    Book Week Book Parade

• 1st       Surf Life Safety Program - Years 2, 4 & 6  
• 2nd     RVPS Girls Soccer Knockout Team vs Illaroo Road PS    
• 5th      South Coast Athletics Carnival
• 11th    Kindy 2026 Playgroup Session
• 12th    Stage 2 & 3 PSSA Gala Day
• 16th-18th     Book Fair
• 25th    Kindy 2026 Playgroup Session
• 26th    Jump Rope for Heart Skip Off
• 26th    Last Day of Term 3

• 14th     Students return for Term 4
• 23rd     Kindy 2026 Playgroup Session
• 27th     Grandparents' Day    
• 29th     WHS Year 5 Discovery Day

Anders K, William H, Ezra N, Isaac L, Anika D, Kalani J, Milly A, Callum J

Ky A, Angus M, Ella D, Billy K, Liam J, Dylan B, Millie B, Felix M, Sienna B, Louis F, Indie T, Will S, Indie E, Angus Mc, Aria P

Kyan J

Louis C, Bowen P, Vali T, Archie W

Ellie K, Lily T, Georgia B, Nixon C, Keira F

Angus M, Rex N, Audrey A, Nell R, Lachie E, Scarlett P, Kendyl A, Emily M, Arlie N, Indie T, Ellie K, Cooper B

Lenna L

Ava T, Jasmine K, Daisy S, Jack M

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.