Term 1 Week 4

17th February 2025

At Russell Vale Public School we are committed to providing our students with the best tools to support their learning journey. This year we are implementing a new program in place of Maths Online, called Essential Assessment. This powerful educational resource helps teachers personalise learning, track progress, and ensure every student receives the support they need to succeed.

What is Essential Assessment? 

Essential Assessment is an online assessment and reporting platform that aligns with the New South Wales curriculum. It provides comprehensive insights into each student’s strengths and areas for growth across various subject areas, particularly in mathematics and English.

How Does Essential Assessment Benefit Students?

• Personalised Learning: The program tailors activities and assessments to each student’s ability level, ensuring they are appropriately challenged and engaged.
• Data-Driven Insights: Teachers receive real-time data on student progress, allowing them to adjust their teaching strategies to meet individual needs.
• Targeted Practice: Students can access activities and challenges designed to reinforce their learning and build confidence in key subject areas.
• Independent Learning: With access to interactive and engaging tasks, students can take ownership of their learning, setting goals and tracking their improvement.

Supporting Your Child at Home 

Parents play a vital role in their child’s education, and Essential Assessment offers opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. You can support your child by:

• Encouraging them to complete their Essential Assessment activities regularly.
• Discussing their progress and celebrating achievements.
• Using the insights from reports to focus on specific areas for improvement.

We are excited to see the positive impact Essential Assessment will have on our students and encourage all families to engage with this valuable resource. Individual student login information will come home in the coming weeks as homework programs get set up for the year. If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out to your child’s teacher or visit https://www.essentialassessment.com.au.

Together, we can empower our students to achieve their full potential!

Parents and carers are invited to attend information afternoons next week, at which you will hear about class procedures, units of work being taught, timetables, reward systems, discipline procedures and many other pieces of information about your child’s class. Times and dates differ as certain teachers have various commitments around which to work. Please note that child care is not provided during these sessions.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday 24^th February
3:30pm   5/6B - Mr Batley
4:00pm   3/4L - Mrs LaVanda
5:00pm   5/6R - Mrs Rafferty and Mrs Rejske

Tuesday 25^th February
3:30pm   1/2N - Mrs Nelson
4:00pm   5/6E - Mr Elsley

Wednesday 26^th February
3:30pm   2/3 LB - Mrs Logue and Mrs Brown
4:00pm   1JW - Mrs James and Mrs Wrice

Thursday 27^th February
3:30pm   3/4 QR - Ms Quince, Mrs Rann
4:00pm   KJC - Mrs Johnston, Mrs Cleall

Friday 28^th February 
3:30pm   KH - Mrs Hoyn

As always, I am available at most times to discuss any aspect of your child’s education that may be of concern. Please take that opportunity to speak with me if you need to do so.

Our first meeting of the year is scheduled for tonight, 7:00 pm at Woonona Bulli RSL. As always, new members are welcome to attend. I’m looking forward to catching up with our very dedicated group of parent and carer volunteers.

Our SRC and House Captain Induction Assembly will take place Friday 7^th March (Week 6). Parents and carers will receive an invitation sometime this week.

A reminder that two years ago was our final year for transition between school uniforms, meaning that it is our preference that any of our previous shirts not be worn. There have been regular reminders to our students regarding the rest of our uniform and the importance of following it. This includes a hat (wide brim), white socks (without large branding or advertising, specifically Santa Cruz), green shorts, black shoes (except for sport on Fridays). Grey shorts and socks have been phased out and should not be worn moving forward. I thank parents and carers in advance for their support in this and in purchasing appropriately for the new school year.

Indigenous Sports Shirt

The ordering portal for our optional Indigenous sports shirt is still open. This shirt is an optional Friday ONLY sports shirt for those that wish to purchase. Please note that this shirt is not carried in stock by the uniform shop. Orders can only be placed once per year at the starting of each school year. 

Orders must be placed by Friday 28^th February (end of Week 5) with delivery expected towards the end of this term.

To purchase, please click the following link: Indigenous Sports Shirt Order

School Photos will be held on Tuesday 4^th March February (Week 6). It is our hopes that all students can wear the entire proper school uniform for this. Information has already been distributed outlining the online process for ordering and payment of school photos. There will no longer be envelopes coming home. 

Best of luck to our swimmers who qualified to compete in the District Swimming Carnival tomorrow.

Paul Cuthbertson
Principal

Extended leave applications are only required when students are going to be absent for more than 5 days. For any absences that are 5 days or less, please complete a planned absence via School Bytes. 

Lunch snack shift training day will take place on Wednesday 26th February. No need to sign up online. Just sign in at the office on the day and head over to the canteen anytime from 12:30pm. Lunch windows open at 1pm. 

Please note:  this is not training for a full canteen shift, however it is a good opportunity to become familiar with the space, the products and how we roll, its lots of fun! Have a chat to someone who has done canteen and I’m sure they will testify it's well worth seeing those smiling faces.

Any questions please give Candice a call or text – 0434 411 904

• 17th  P&C Meeting 7pm Woonona Bulli RSL
• 18th  District Swimming Carnival
• 24th  Meet the Teacher 5/6B - 3/4L - 5/6R
• 25th  Meet the Teacher 1/2N - 5/6E
• 26th  COS Day 1 - WHS
• 26th  Canteen - Lunch Snack Shift Training Day 
• 26th  Meet the Teacher 2/3LB - 1JW
• 27th  Meet the Teacher 3/4QR - KJC
• 28th  Meet the Teacher KH
• 28th  Indigenous sports shirt orders close

• 4th    School Photos
• 5th    Farm Incursion - Stage 1 & 2
• 6th    Scripture Starts
• 7th    SRC and House Captain Induction Assembly 9:15am
• 10th  South Coast Swimming Carnival
• 12th  NAPLAN Starts

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.