Term 4 Week 10

16th December 2024

This will be the last newsletter for 2024 – I cannot believe how quickly this year has flown by. When I reflect on all that has occurred during this past year, I understand why it has passed so quickly. Here’s to hoping that 2025 is another great year. 

As always, there will be many whispers over the next few days as teachers begin moving classrooms for next year. Although I cannot confirm exact class numbers or make-ups, and will not be able to do so until we return next year and reassess our enrolment, especially as we are one student away from maintaining 11 classes, here is how our staffing will hopefully be structured at that time:

Kindergarten – Mrs Hoyn and Ms Johnston

Stage 1 – Mrs James (K-2, AP), Mrs Nelson, Mrs Wrice

Stage 2 – Mrs Quince (Stage 2, AP) Mrs Logue, Mrs Rann, Mrs Brown and Mrs LaVanda

Stage 3 – Mrs Rafferty (Stage 3, AP), Mr Batley, Mrs Rejske and Mr Elsley

Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction – Mrs Smith

Learning and Support Teacher – Mrs Inwood

Library – Mr Shepherd

RFF – Mrs Cleall, Mrs Wrice

Mrs Cleall will continue coordinating an environmental and sustainability program for all classes each week, however this will be happening on Thursdays rather than on Fridays. 

To all of the staff members, I say a huge thank you for such a productive and professional year - this is a highly cohesive and collaborative teaching group, always striving to provide an education filled with new and exciting experiences for our students.

The Assistant Principals - Leesa James, Michelle Rafferty, Raeleen Quince, Pip Smith and Beth Logue have led their teams superbly and the school is fortunate to have them as leaders. They are truly dedicated and highly professional people who add great depth to the educational outcomes for all students. 

My administrative team of Anne Birkett, Jennifer Walker, Katrina Clothier and Alison Hand is highly capable, very caring and greatly empathetic towards our students. Thank you for your work, ladies. 

I congratulate and say farewell to Mrs Alison Hand who ends her service with Russell Vale PS this year. Mrs Hand is not retiring, rather cutting her hours and will continue to work at Bulli Public School. 

I thank Mrs Amy Dawson for her short but impactful service to Russell Vale Public School. Mrs Dawson joined us last year when we were in search of a Learning and Support Teacher and assisted our students and staff superbly in this space, moving on to teach Year 1 this year in the same manner. Unfortunately for us, but luckily for Wollongong West Public School, she will be taking her talents there next year in a permanent position. 

I thank Ms Maree Vella who joined us during some very challenging times that we would like to forget – namely, during the first lockdown due to covid. Mrs Vella was at Russell Vale PS every day during that lockdown, ensuring that our students of families who were essential workers were not only cared for but also catered for academically. Mrs Vella has taken on various roles across the school since then but has been successful in obtaining a full-time position next year at St Gregory’s College. 

To all of the parents who have assisted this year in a variety of ways, many, many thanks. Our students are wonderful at Russell Vale - we are truly blessed to have such lovely, caring, considerate, hardworking students and families. 

I thank all members of the P&C for their time and commitment in making Russell Vale a true community school.

Students return to school on Thursday 6^th February 2025. Staff returns to school on Friday 31^st January if you need to contact the school at that time. 

There will be plenty of action at Russell Vale Public School over the holidays. I am very happy to announce that we will once again be participating in Share Our Space during weekdays, Saturdays and public holidays this summer, meaning that the sports court will be available to the entire community every day except Sunday during the school holidays.

I ask that you please not access the school grounds outside these hours as Bungalow OOSH will be operating. 

Further to this, there will be lawn maintenance happening on the oval beginning Wednesday in preparation for when students return and the construction of the shed for our farm will continue.

To any parents or carers that have not completed our School Satisfaction Survey, I ask that you please take the time to give us your feedback on what we do at Russell Vale Public School and those areas which we could improve. This survey is different to the Tell Them from Me Survey that was distributed last term and it is required that we address the results in our Annual School Report. The school satisfaction survey can be completed at  School Satisfaction Survey

Finally, I would like to wish all students, staff, parents, carers and the school community a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Paul Cuthbertson

Principal

Last year at a P&C meeting it was asked if we could send home a list of school requirements at the end of the school year, rather than the beginning, to allow parents both time to purchase items and to ensure that items are still in stock at stores. Below you will find a list of the basic requirements for a K-2 classroom or a 3-6 classroom. Please note that these are the basic requirements and individual classroom teachers may require specific items not on this list, which would be communicated next year.

• School hat everyday
• Library bag
• Paint shirt
• Small headphones/earbuds
• Clear home reading folder (A4 document folder)

• A book of interest to read for silent reading each day – can be from the library.
• Library bag
• Paint shirt
• Small headphones/earbuds
• 2 small pencil cases which should be able to fit on your child’s desk.

• 2 HB pencils
• 2 blue pens
• 2 red pens
• 1 sharpener
• 1 eraser
• 3 highlighters
• 2 glue sticks,
• scissors
• 3 whiteboard markers (that will need to be replaced throughout the year)

• coloured pencils
•  textas
• 30cm ruler - no floppy ruler and no metal rulers

Students in Years 3-6 are also encouraged to be part of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).

What a wonderfully bright day we had supporting our Koalas for a brighter future! Thank you to everyone for your generous donations and support in helping us raise $294 for the Australian Koala Foundation. Your contributions  will make a real difference in the conservation of these beloved animals.

As we reflect on the year, we are deeply grateful and would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you for your incredible generosity and continued support of our SRC and school. We couldn’t have achieved so much without you. Wishing you all a wonderful end to the year and thank you once again!

 The holidays are a magical time, and few gifts light up a child’s face like a brand-new gadget. Whether it’s a gaming console, a tablet, or their very first smartphone, these gifts bring joy and open doors to creativity, learning, and connection.

Yet, with great devices come great responsibilities. As parents and caregivers, you have a unique opportunity to set the stage for healthy and responsible tech use from the very beginning.

Make the initial setup a shared experience. Sit side by side and walk through the settings together, enabling parental controls, filtering content, and discussing privacy features. You might say, “Let’s make sure this is safe and fun for you,” as you guide them in selecting age-appropriate apps and disabling unnecessary features like chat options for younger users. By creating a family account, you ensure transparency and oversight building trust through teamwork.

Together, agree on a few simple family rules:

• No screens during meals.
• No devices in bedrooms.
• A nightly shutdown time to prioritise rest. Frame these as opportunities to connect, not just restrictions. For example, suggest screen-free moments like board game nights or family walks to stay close. You also create a safe space for your child to share if something upsetting happens online.

“If you ever see something that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsure, let’s talk about it together. There’s nothing we can’t figure out.”

These open-ended tech talks foster ongoing dialogue and build trust, ensuring your child feels supported as they navigate the digital world.

Children learn more from what they see than what they hear. As your child explores their new device, be mindful of your own tech use. When they look up, let them see you engaged in non-digital activities like reading, cooking, or playing with them. Or even show them what you are doing if you are using your device like "I am just paying the phone bill" so they can see the device being used as a tool. Turn screen time into shared time by co-playing their favourite game, exploring an educational app together, or working on creative projects. By showing balance and intention in your own habits, you demonstrate that technology is a tool not a distraction.

Simple mindfulness practices like a breathing exercise or journaling about what they’re grateful for can help them develop a thoughtful relationship with technology. These moments of reflection promote balance and self-awareness.

Challenges are inevitable. Perhaps your child resists shutting down their device at the agreed time. Instead of frustration, approach it with empathy: “I know it’s hard to stop when you’re having fun, but let’s figure this out together.”

When accidents happen like a misplaced device or a cracked screen treat it as a teachable moment about responsibility. Involve your child in problem-solving or contributing to repairs. These situations help them develop accountability and resilience.

As the novelty of the gadget fades, guide your child in discovering its full potential.
 Encourage creative and educational uses, such as:

• Exploring apps to make music, design art, or learn coding.
• Video chatting with grandparents or friends to nurture connections. 

Balance screen time with offline adventures whether it’s outdoor play, board games, or family outings. Show that the device can be a bridge to creativity and connection, not a barrier.

Always, check in: “How’s it going with the new iPad?” This keeps the door open for ongoing conversations about their experiences both good and challenging.

Stay informed about app updates, emerging risks, and new parental controls to ensure the device remains safe and functional. By staying involved, you help the gadget remain a source of growth and joy instead of conflict.

Gifting a device is more than handing over a box with a bow; it’s an opportunity to guide your child in building a healthy, balanced relationship with technology. To set the stage for success, consider including a written use guideline with the gift. Together, outline key rules like screen time limits, tech-free zones, and approved apps.

Through open conversations, clear boundaries, and shared experiences, you’re giving your child more than just a gadget. You’re equipping them with the tools to navigate the digital world with confidence, creativity, and care not just this holiday season, but for years to come.

• 17th    Year 6 Graduation
• 18th    Party Day K-6   
•             Last day of Term 4
• 19th    School Development Day
• 20th    School Development Day

• 31st    School Development Day

• 3rd     School Development Day
• 4th     School Development Day
• 5th     School Development Day
• 6th     All students return to school for the first day of Term 1 2025
•            Year 1-6 9am
•            Kindergarten 9.30am - 2pm First day only - 9am - 3pm everyday thereafter     
• 7th     Swimming Carnival  Corrimal Pool 12pm - 3.15pm

Eleanor F, Harriet M, Lowndes J, Sophie C, Lenna L Marley T, Jai C, Ava T, Fletcher H, Joni W, Elsie T, Charlotte H, Bailie W, Ruby E, Saskia S, Indie E, Kennedy W, Molly J, Charlie P, Oaklie S, Harlo C, Sophie A, Rylee D, Jeremy E, Evie S, Alani A, Jesse D, Milly A, Caitlin S, Molly W, Owen T, Nixon C, Sebastian N, Max M, Louis T

 Fletcher H, Ava T, Mathew K, Louis A, Darcy U, Samuel W, Stevie W, Liliana S, Harlie P, Rylee D, Jeremy E

 Ruby E, Saskia S, Archie C, Cooper H, Jackson B, Jirah N

  Ava J

 Lucas B, Cooper B, Hamish B

Olive T, Ava J, Lucas B, Cooper B, Hamish B

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