Term 3 Week 6

26th August  2024

It’s nearly here! We hope you can join us as we celebrate 70 years of excellence! Our next P&C meeting is fast approaching and most of the agenda will be focusing on this event. The meeting will take place Monday 2nd September, 7:00 pm at Woonona Bulli RSL. 

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

Allison Hand – School Administration Officer

Katrina Clothier - School Administration Officer

Joy Della Vedova - School Learning Support Officer

Charli Stewart – School Learning Support Officer

Michael Essenstam – 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. 

Best of luck to our dancers and singers as they take part in the largest singing and dance festival on the South Coast. I look forward to watching the performance Friday night. I thank Mrs Hoyn, Mrs Nelson and Mrs Rann, who not only have spent a lot of their time in preparing for this event, but are also giving up their personal weekend time to provide this opportunity for our students. I ask that all parents ensure that they allow themselves plenty of time to arrive for drop offs and pick-ups so that teachers are not being asked to wait longer.   

We all have a responsibility to follow the rules and keep each other safe. Last week was Road Rules Awareness Week (19-25 August) and we are encouraging everyone not only to brush up on road rules, but to also to follow these rules as part of a routine.  

 Keeping children safe around schools is a big focus of our road safety work. It is important that everyone, whether driving, walking, or riding, follow the road rules around schools.  

• Pedestrians! Look out before you step out.  

• Do not queue for a spot. Drive around the block if you cannot find a spot to park. 

• Help reduce congestion in the school zone; park a block from the school and walk. Or arrive 10 minutes after the bell for pick up. 

• Drop off and pick up children on the school side of the road. The safest door on a car is the kerbside rear door. 

• It is illegal and unsafe to stop on a children’s crossing – even to let children out of a car. 

• Waiting in the no stopping zone is illegal and unsafe. 

Many of you would be aware that we are currently hosting one of Wollongong City Council’s parking banners, reminding parents what our street signs mean. This is an ongoing issue in our community, not just by parents or carers dropping off or picking up their children. It has become a regular habit of many to use this space inappropriately.  

Please note that between 8:00 am – 9:30 am and 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm the signs below indicate that this is a no parking zone. It is a pick up and drop off zone only and cars are not to stop for more than 2 minutes. You must also stay within 3 metres of your vehicle while in this space. Quite often parents or carers are arriving long before the bell and parking in this space. Further to this, some drivers have made it a habit to wait on the street for a space to be available, causing a long queue. This is not fair to the cars that are trying to pass. The reality is that if you are at school early enough before the bell to park here, you have enough time to park and walk to meet your child or children. The same thing goes for the drivers who have the time to wait for a free space. This time could also be used to park and walk to meet your child. I ask that you please consider your current arrangements and respect these appropriate routines. 

Your driving affects everyone, so please do the right thing and help us keep school zones safe for everyone.  

For more tips, visit: https://wollongong.nsw.gov.au/community/safety/road-safety

If you have a younger child starting school next year or know of any families who are planning to enrol their children at Russell Vale Public School, our online enrolment system is currently open to process these. Our Kindergarten orientation planning has begun and the dates below have been mailed to families. More information regarding the enrolment process can be found here:  

https://russellval-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/about-our-school/enrolment.html

As most may be aware, we continue to have difficulties in keeping our canteen open and operational. It was our hope that going the route of making the canteen manager position a paid one would be a viable option, but unfortunately this has not turned out to be the case. Thank you to those that have shown interest in the position and I offer my apology that it has not worked out as we had hoped.  

I thank Amanda Townsend, who is leaving us as her daughter graduates at the end of this year, for her years of dedication to our school canteen. It would not have remained open at all without her dedication.  I also thank each and every parent or carer who has volunteered their time.  

We unfortunately have come to a fork in the road and one of two things will need to happen in order to provide this service to our students. Option one is that we are looking for a volunteer canteen manager to take over what is currently provided by Amanda. This is our last opportunity to provide a handover and continue to operate the canteen under the P&C. This would entail purchasing and organising weekly volunteers. The second option is that the school would venture down the tender process in hopes of securing a suitable tenant for the canteen.  

If you are at all interested in discussing the volunteer canteen manager role, please contact me or any member of the P&C executive for further discussions.  

Thank you once again to all of our parent and community volunteers for your dedication in providing these extras for our students.  

A very special day is approaching for our Russell Vale students! Be sure to wear pink next Tuesday, August 27th, as we join forces with Pip’s Warrior team for the Step Up to Breast Cancer event. All the details are provided below. 

Paul Cuthbertson

Principal

• 26th     Fit Futures Yrs 3-6
• 27th     SRC Pink Day
• 28th     Southern Stars Rehearsal
• 29th     Southern Stars Rehearsal
• 30th     Southern Stars Rehearsal

• 2nd        P&C Meeting-Woonona Bulli RSL
• 6th         Regional Athletics
• 7th         School Fete
• 9th         Playgroup Session Kindergarten 2025
• 13th       Gala Day
• 20th       Playgroup Session Kindergarten 2025

Samuel W, Callum J, Millie M, Finn B, Thea S, Emily M, Beau A, Max A, Jackson W, Scarlett B

 Jesse D, Ashton A, Alani A, Alby G, Millie M, Charlie F, Jade S, Marnie P, Harlie P, Will H, Jime-Paul K, Cooper B, Jaxon L, Isaac L, Ava J, Darcy U, Marlie E

 Callum J, Owen K, Harper E, Jackson W, Max A, Kobie M, Olivia C

Hamish B, Sadie C, Jasmine K, Harriet M

Liliana S, Taylan E, Ashton M, Kayla M, Ella S, Eloise K, Grace T, Bede R, Holly W, Lowndes J, Ruby E, Lux P

Marley T, Ellie K, Kaden F, Ashton M, Liliana S, Lowndes J, Grace T, Keira D, Leah S, Kendyl A, Isabella P, Rylee D, Alani A, Maddison H  

 Scarlett B, Finn B 

 Nixon C, Molly W, Kalani J 

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.

02 4284 4396

Email: russellval-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: www.russellval-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russellvaleps 
Terania Street, Russell Vale NSW 2517