Term 1 Week 8

17th March 2025

Our P&C AGM will take place tonight at 7:00 pm at Woonona Bulli RSL. I hope to see as many parents and carers as possible attend this meeting to have their say in what could happen at school for the remainder of the year. I have booked the Governors’ Room in the hope that we have a large turn-out. All positions will be deemed vacant and expressions of interest will be sought. There are many different committees or interest groups that require a team of members to ensure that our P&C continues to operate efficiently. New volunteers are always welcome. Similarly, I invite you just to come to watch and listen if you have not attended a P & C Meeting previously or if it has been a long time since you last attended one. At these meetings, I often provide updates to classroom programs and upgrades to facilities. If you would like to find out more information regarding the specifics of various roles, please see the P&C section in our newsletter, our P&C President, Holly Williamson, any current P&C member or me. 

The date for our Cross Country Carnival has been set – Thursday 27th March with the back-up date to be Thursday 4th April. Details of the course, times, etc. have been sent to parents and posted on our app and website.

A highlight in our school calendar is fast approaching – The Russell Vale Show. Students are asked to bring their projects in on Tuesday 8th April, clearly labelled with their name, class and category for entry. The hall will be open to the community on the afternoon of Wednesday 9th April from 3:00pm - 4:00pm and we invite you to join us on Thursday 10th April from 10:00am-11:00am for the Russell Vale Show Awards. Parents are welcome to stay during the recess period. Our Easter Hat Parade will commence at 11:30am. The Easter Raffle will be drawn during this time.

Woonona High School has announced that the Year 7 Academic and CAPA Enrichment applications are now available! Please find the relevant application forms and information on the Woonona High School website for your convenience: Woonona High School Application forms

Please note, students who applied for the Year 6 HPGE program may choose to use that application for the Year 7 Academic Class by signing the first section of the Academic Form, or they can update their application by completing the entire form. All students who are applying for the Creative & Performing Arts Class will need to complete the full CAPA application form and follow the audition requirements, including HPGE students.

Students may apply for both the Academic and CAPA programs and may choose their preference if they are successful in both.

All applicants must return completed forms to the Woonona High School front office by the close of the business day on Friday 4th April 2025.

If you have any questions please contact Woonona High School at 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 8:00am-9:15am, 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 Year 5 and 6 students. 

Please email rhiannon.sharp@det.nsw.edu.au with any questions. New applications are now open and you can register your interest here.

A Term 1 Snapshot will be emailed directly to parents on Thursday 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 Night. 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 2025?

· What can you do to achieve them?

· What support do you need to achieve these priorities?

Harmony Day and Ride 2 School Day have fallen on the same day this year, Friday 21st March and we will be celebrating both! On this day, we encourage students to wear something orange or to come dressed in clothing that represents their culture or a culture of interest. 

We are also encouraging students to ride their bikes to school on this day. This is a timely reminder to chat with your children regarding their path to school, safety and various obstacles about which to be aware. We often have a large number of students who ride to school and it is a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle.

A reminder that Wednesday 19th March is Sushi Day. Thank you to our canteen volunteers for organising this opportunity for our students.

The Life Education van, along with Healthy Harold, will arrive at school next week (week 9). Each class will visit the van at various times throughout the week.

Paul Cuthbertson
Principal

To enrol your child in Year 7 for 2026, you will need to complete an Expression of Interest for Year 6 to Year 7 transition. The Expression of Interest (EOI) lets you indicate which school(s) you would like your child to attend in Year 7.  At this stage only half of our year 6 students have completed an EOI.  If your child will not be attending a NSW Government high school next year, please let us know by completing a Placement Not Required form. If you are unsure whether they will be attending a NSW Government school (you’ve applied for a private school, or you are moving interstate), we ask that you still complete an EOI and follow up with your school once a decision has been made. Forms can be found on the school website, enrolment, moving to high school. Submission is due by Friday 28th March. 

If your child is late to school, even if only by a couple of minutes please come to the office so they can be signed in before going to their class.

If you are dropping items to your child after the first bell, please bring them to the office rather than going to the classroom.

If you have urgent communication to pass on to your child at school, please call the office rather than emailing.

Sushi Day will be held on Wednesday 19th March. Orders have now closed.

Wednesday 19th - open for snacks and drinks at lunch.

Friday 21st - open for snacks and drinks at lunch (as it is Harmony Day the canteen will be giving away cut up oranges during this break).

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Russell Vale Public School P&C will be on Monday 17^th March at Woonona Bulli RSL at 7pm. All positions are open and available to anyone who wishes to take on a role. New financial members are welcome to join by paying a fee of $5. This will allow you to play an active role in the Parent and Citizen Association of Russell Vale Public School.

What is the P&C?

The goal of a P&C member is to actively contribute to a positive and supportive school environment by engaging with the community, advocating for student needs, and working collaboratively with the school staff to enhance the learning experience for all students

What are the Executive Roles of the P&C?

President:  Leading the P&C, chairing meetings, overseeing operations, and representing the association at external events.      

Vice President:  Supporting the President, taking on responsibilities in their absence, and potentially managing specific projects. 

Secretary:  Maintaining records, taking minutes at meetings, managing correspondence, and distributing information. 

Treasurer:  Managing the P&C finances, maintaining accurate accounts, and reporting financial status at meetings. 

Fundraising Committee:  A team within the P&C dedicated to organising a wide range of fundraising events to raise money for the school.

Grants Co-Ordinator:  A dedicated member who seeks out and applies for grants to benefit the school community.

• 12th - 24th  NAPLAN 
• 17th  P&C AGM 7pm Woonona Bulli RSL -  The Governor's Inn
• 18th  StEPS Vision Testing - Kindy
• 19th  Sushi Day
• 21st  Harmony Day - SRC Mufti Day
• 21st  Ride 2 School Day
• 25th - 28th Life Education Program (Healthy Harold)
• 27th  Cross Country Carnival (back up date 4th April)
• 28th  Year 6 to Year 7 Expression of Interest Closes
• 28th  Farmer for a Day Mufti Day (bring a cake/biscuits)
• 29th  P&C Cake Stall at Bunnings 

• 4th    Back up date for Cross Country Carnival
• 4th    Hot Cross Bun orders due
• 4th    Woonona High School Year 7 Academic and CAPA Enrichment applications due
• 8th    Bring RVPS Show entries to school
• 9th    Illawarra Sports High School Year 6 Talented Sport Program Trial
• 9th    RVPS Show - hall open to the community from 3:00pm - 4:00pm
• 10th  RVPS Show Awards 10:00am
• 10th  Easter Hat Parade 11:30am
• 10th  Hot Cross Buns delivered
• 11th  Last day of Term 1
• 30th  Term 2 commences for students

Harlie P, Emily M, Thea S, Sienna B, Poppy M, Ava P, Blake D, Taj L, Isabella P

Isaac H, Jacinta P, Anika D, Oscar G, Jade S, Charlie F, Tim P, Poppy M, Ellie K, Jackson D, Hayes E, Sophie C

Sunny K, Evie S, Charlie P

Jayda K, Nell R, Lola B, 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.