Term 4 Week 6

18th November 2024

When deciding on the composition of classes for any school year, we attempt to obtain as much information as possible to ensure that, given the resources of the school (number of teachers, classroom availability, number of children etc.), we place the children as best as we can. With this in mind, we would like to know of any factors that could affect the placement of your child in the 2025 classes. While I cannot assure you that we will be able to meet your requests, I can guarantee you that I will listen to your thoughts and, if possible, find a satisfactory placement.

Please send a note to me via the front office staff (or email me directly at paul.cuthbertson@det.nsw.edu.au) and have your envelope marked “Mr Cuthbertson – Confidential”. I will accept your notes until Friday 29^th November. Please be aware that requesting specific teachers for your child without sound reasons is very flattering but often inappropriate.

If you know or think that you may be moving/changing schools for next year, please either drop in or call the office to let us know. Similarly, if you know of any families moving into our area, please encourage them to contact the school.

Welcome to our new families for 2025! You will notice lots of new children (and parents) getting to know our school and teachers over the coming weeks as our incoming Kindergarten 2025 children visit for their orientation.

As you are probably aware, at Russell Vale Public School we have a Bring Your Own Device Program for Years 3-6.  As a Year 2 parent/carer, you may have questions regarding which devices are suitable. While there is an allowance for iPads to be used, a Windows or Mac laptop is preferred. Chromebooks will work on our wifi network but are not always reliable. Samsung or Google Play tablets are not compatible with the Department of Education wifi. 

It is my recommendation that families do not overspend on a new device. The majority of use at school will be cloud-based, meaning that there is no need to install any programs or word processing applications. If your child will be using it for different activities at home, you may need to consider a computer with greater storage or processing speeds. 

If you require any further information, please contact one of our current 3-6 teachers, or me. 

We hope that you can join us Tuesday 10^th December for our annual Presentation Day followed by carols in the Hall. The Presentation Day assembly will take place at approximately 9:15am. Following that, parents and carers are welcome to join us for recess break and stay for carols which will begin at approximately 11:30am.

The date for the Talent Quest has changed to Friday 29^th November. The Talent Quest finalists have received a note with further details. We are looking forward to an entertaining, fun Friday! All community members are welcome to join us.

On Wednesday 27^th November, the NRL Game Development Team will be at school as we host the first K-2 Dragon Tag Gala Day in the Illawarra. The Gala Day will take place out the back field of Cawley Park. Woonona East and Woonona Public School have also been invited, but have not yet confirmed their attendance. In the lead-up to this, the Game Development Team will also be running skill building sessions with each class on Monday 18^th November and Monday 25^th November. Parents and carers are welcome to join us for the Gala Day.

The Department of Education has recently announced additional School Development Days for 2025. This may impact holiday schedules, providing you with more time or it may require changes to the plans that you have in place for the care of your child or children. For your information, the dates below outline the School Development Days and the planned start date for all students, Kindergarten included.

School Term Dates for all Students 2025

2025 School Development Day Dates – School is open but students do not attend

Woonona High School is providing a gateway experience program for Year 6 2025 students to gain authentic experiences of our HPGE program, including CAPA, sport and leadership. Students may apply for one or multiple programs as they will run fortnightly on alternative weeks.  This program aims to enrich students' knowledge and skills in various subject areas through a range of bespoken experiences.

These experiences will suit students who are seeking to access HPGE specialist programs in their local high school as they will enjoy the social and emotional benefits of local school attendance, coupled with the peer-effect benefit of participating in learning with students of the same interests and abilities.   

Applications and further information can be found at:

https://sites.google.com/education.nsw.gov.au/hpge-experiences/home

Over the past 25 school weeks, 240 students, from Helensburgh Public School to Kiama Public School, have participated in HPAG Extend classes. These weekly classes have been conducted in eight host schools throughout the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Regions. The primary objective with these sessions is to nurture the spirit of curiosity, encourage discovery, and stimulate creativity among High Potential and Academically Gifted students.

This year, it is with immense pride that we acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the following students from Russell Vale Public School – Eliza K, Lucas S, Nash J, Lola N, Tempe L and Harlie P.

For our current Year 4 students entering Year 5 in 2025, applications will come in Term 1 2025. 

Paul Cuthbertson

Principal

Mobile phones/smart watches are required to be signed in at the school office at the beginning of each day. 

When the bell goes at 3pm students come to the office to collect their devices. Any device that is not collected by 3.15pm will be locked in the safe overnight and can be collected the following school day.

The Russell Vale Public P&C have been very busy organising events for our students and school community over the past few months. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and we wish to thank everyone for their support to make such outstanding events happen for our students. We are half way towards raising the $40 000 target for the farm shed project.

Students at Russell Vale Public School attended the annual school disco in Week 4 and, it is safe to say that the disco WENT OFF! The event was very well attended and was a wonderful display of community spirit. The moves on the dance floor were lit and the smiles on students' faces were worth a thousand words. The disco raised valuable money to go towards the farm shed project. Thank you to everyone who organised, set up, worked a stall and packed away. 

You would have found the book of raffle tickets for this year's Russell Vale Public School Christmas Raffle in your child's bag. The sale of these raffle tickets will raise further funds for the farm shed project. The raffle will be drawn at Presentation Day at the end of the year. If you have or know of anyone who can donate a prize, please phone the school office.

Tuesday 26^th November is Sushi Day. Please use the Flexischools app to order fresh sushi for your child's lunch at school. Many options are available for all palettes.

Orders close Friday 22nd November at 7pm (Week 6).

Such fantastic events don't happen by chance. The Russell Vale Public School P&C is dedicated group of parents who strive to support our students and school community. New members are very welcome to come and share their ideas and suggestions to continue to make our P&C an effective partner to our school community. The next P&C meeting is on Monday 2^nd December, 7pm at the Woonona/Bulli RSL. 

Please contact the P&C secretary via email if you have any questions or wish to register your interest in joining the P&C. 

secretary@RVPSPnC.onmicrosoft.com

• 18th     Fit Futures Yrs 3-6
• 21st     Kindergarten Orientation Session 11.30am - 2.45pm
• 22nd    PSSA Sport
•              Order for Sushi Day (through Flexischools app) close at 7pm
• 25th     Fit Futures Yrs 3-6
• 26th     Sushi Day in the canteen (only ordered food).
• 27th     K-2 Gala Day
• 29th     Talent Quest

• 2nd     P&C Meeting at Woonona/Bulli RSL 7pm
• 3rd      Kindergarten Excursion
• 3rd      Year 6 Orientation Day - Woonona High School
• 10th    Presentation Day and Carols
• 17th    Year 6 Graduation
• 18th    Party Day K-6
•             Last day of Term 4

Alani A, Jesse D, Kendyl A, Arlie N, Wil N, Rex N, Millie B, Dylan B, Cruzer C, Lucy W, Marnie P, Mia B, Levi M, Oliver P, Louis A, Sadie C, Lily T, Ellis M, Isla V, Jake F, Hayes E, Axel CF, Flynn H, Madeleine W, Max L, Max B, Archie B, Tynan M, Rebel D, Archie C, Grace T

Miranda J, Alexa M, Arlie N, Olive T, Charlotte H, Bede R, Lochie J, Harriet S, Billy K, Marlie E, Josh W, Bailie W, Alani A, Jesse D, Rex N, Rosalie M, Minnie C

Wil N

Angus M, Taj L, Blake D

Kyan J, Molly W, Oaklie S, Jeremy E, Alani A, Oscar G, Leah S, James J, Anders K

Marnie P, Anika D

Murphy E

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