Term 4 Week 8

27th November 2023

Please note, our P&C meeting that was scheduled for tonight has been postponed. Unfortunately, I believe that I have come down with Chicken Pox. This meeting has been rescheduled for Monday 4^th December. Apologies.

I extend an invitation to all families, parents, carers and grandparents to attend our P&C meeting Monday 4^th December at Woonona Bulli RSL. We have a very small, yet dedicated group of parents who brings a lot of extras to our students. Unfortunately, many of these parents have had to remain in positions for extended periods of time due to a dwindling pool of volunteers. Next year will bring many changes to this group as individuals need to move on due to other commitments or their children are moving on from the school. Specifically, we are looking for individuals to join our Executive Team in the following positions: President and Secretary, with the possibility of other positions needing to be filled. Our AGM will not happen until March next year, however, tonight will be a good opportunity to come along and just watch and listen to see how we operate as a group. 

Thank you once again, to our very dedicated group of volunteers.

School Satisfaction Surveys went home with the eldest students in each family recently. I thank you in advance for your feedback on what we do at Russell Vale Public School. This survey is different to the Tell Them from Me Survey that was distributed last term and it is required that we address it in our Annual School Report. If you did not receive a copy, please inquire at the office. 

Our Presentation Day, Tuesday 12^th December, is fast approaching. I am looking forward to welcoming a large crowd on the day as we recognise our students’ achievements. The presentation will begin at 9:15 am. Parents, carers and community members are welcome to join us after recess on the same day for carols in the hall. 

We will also be holding our Volunteer Afternoon Tea on Tuesday 12^th December, following the carols in the hall. I would personally like to thank our many volunteers for their time and efforts this year, making Russell Vale such a great community and school for our students. 

Reports will go home on the same day as Presentation Day. As always, these reports will indicate whether the classroom teacher is requesting a parent interview. However, I am reminding you that you too can request an interview and this can happen at any time throughout the school year, including following these reports.

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony will take place Thursday 14^th December at approximately 9:15 am. The celebrations will continue later in the evening. Detailed information regarding start and finish times has been communicated to families. 

What a superb performance by all students involved in our Talent Quest last week. Thank you to Mrs Inwood for her time and effort in organising this opportunity for our students. Congratulations to our winners:

• Highly Commended: Max B, Keira D and the Kindergarten group of Millie B, Ava J and Lucy W
• Third Place: Matteo M and Matilda R
• Second Place: Zara W
• First Place: Ruben M and Felix M

This week will be our last Scripture and Ethics lessons for the year. Protestant and Catholic students will have a combined scripture show in the hall.

Best of luck to our Year 6 students as they head to Woonona High School tomorrow for their Year 6 Orientation. This is the final visit of the transition program and students are to arrive at Woonona High School on their own and depart on their own.

Our Kindergarten students also have a planned excursion next week for their Teddy Bear Picnic. Parents should have received a notification that there has been a slight change in location for the day due to closures. This does not affect the timing or schedule of events. 

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 the 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. 

Woonona High School is providing a gateway experience program for Year 6 2024 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 across various subject areas through a range of bespoke 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?pli=1

Paul Cuthbertson

Principal

On Friday 24^th November,  Russell Vale held a Jump Off Day to celebrate all the hard work our Russell Vale students have put in to skipping and fundraising. As part of the celebrations, we held a school assembly. During the assembly, we announced the winners of the Happy Heart Colouring Competition, held the finals for the Minute to Win It final, and announced the students who skipped the most minutes and raised the most funds. To finish off the assembly, we had the Development Squad skip their routine for the first time and the Performance Squad (Russell Vale Rockets) perform their routine.

Here are the results of the Happy Heart Colouring Competition:

Early Stage One - Sebastian KJ

Stage One - Reid  1BI and Kyan 2JW

Stage 2 - Harper 3/4QR

Stage 3 -  Madeleine 5/6R and Sonni 5/6R

Next was the Minute to Win It competition. Students competed in year groups to see who could skip the most times in a minute. Our winners were:

Kindergarten - Orryn KH

Year 1 - Oliver 1BI

Year 2 - Verity 2JW

Year 3 - Talulah 3/4QR

Year 4 - Ella 3/4QR

Year 5 - Tyler 5N

Year 6 - Poppy 5/6B

After the competition, we announced the student who skipped the most minutes and our overall highest fundraiser.

The most minutes skipped: Keira Daly 3/4QR

Highest funds raised: Harper Elliott 3/4QR

Overall, I am proud to announce that Russell Vale Public School raised $2774 for the Heart Foundation.

Thank you to Mrs Nelson for giving her time up to rehearse and organise the development team.

Please read the attached document if you think you be an Ethics Coordinator at Russell Vale Public School.

ethics-coordinator-needed-2023-russellvale.pdf

 Dylan B, Giselle B, Ava J, Lucy W, Ollie P, Mathew K, Kyra W, Cohen B, Lilah C, Charlie D, Rosie S, Zara W, Max B, Minnie C, Mads B, Isla P, Madeleine W, Lucas S, Emily M, Poppy M, Milly A, Jackson B, Orryn H, Rex N, Will N, Ayla O, Hudson C, Emmett S, Jude M, Audrey B, Asher E, Haven W, Tyler M, Elsie T, Oscar G, Louis C, Jasper K, Charlotte H, Archie B, Levi M, Jaxon L, Verity L

 Kalani J, Lily-May S, Cohen B, Louis T, Mohammed A, Amelia C, Cooper S, Beau F, Nixon C, Ruby M, Audrey B, Leah S, Mathew K, Kennedy W, Ollie P

 Asher E, Flynn M

 Orryn H, Ayla O, Noah S

 Anders K

Cooper H, Molly W

• 28th    Woonona High School Year 6 Orientation Day
• 30th   Kindergarten Orientation Session

• 4th     Kindergarten Excursion
• 4th     P&C Meeting
• 6th     Stage 3 Camp
• 7th     Stage 3 Camp
• 8th     Stage 3 Camp
• 12th   Presentation Day/Reports home
• 12th   Volunteer Afternoon Tea
• 14th   Year 6 Graduation/Farewell
• 15th   Party Day
• 15th   Last Day for Students
• 18th   Staff Development Day
• 19th   Staff Development Day

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