Term 3 Week 4

10 August 2026

Do you have a child starting next year, or know someone who does? If the enrolment application has not been submitted, please do so now via russellval-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/about-us/enrol as we are in the planning phases for our Kindergarten Transition Program. The key dates and times have already been communicated to enrolled families. 

Our next P&C meeting will take place Monday 7 September at 7:00 pm at Woonona Bulli RSL. Our fundraising committee is still looking for some extra support! We currently have a rather large group of volunteers assisting with the Fundraising Committee. However, we are seeking an interested volunteer to take over the coordinator role. If you’re interested in joining this dedicated group, please come along and join us. We have a supportive group of volunteers that helps and guides with support. We are now addressing succession planning as key members’ children will graduate from the school at the end of this year. If you’d like to find out more information about this role, please do not hesitate to contact me or any current member of the P&C.

We wish Mrs Cleall all the best for her scheduled operation for knee surgery today. Mrs Cleall will be off for at least the remainder of term as part of her recovery. In her absence, Ms Williams will be covering her classes. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Williams for her dedication to looking after the farm. The Russell Vale Farm is a very unique feature, that most schools do not offer. With that being said, it also is a very large task to maintain this space, requiring community and parent support. I would like to thank the following community members for their ongoing support at the farm (hope I didn’t miss anybody):

Lisa Farrington & family
Tess and Isaac Blomley
Elise and Matt Sorge
Shae Arazney and Evan Curtis
Evan and Charlotte Herrmann
Chantelle and Jason Carpello
David and Sune Messieh
Alana, Sophie and Anika Dacko
Jayne Wigginton
Vanessa Woelner

Best of luck to our netball teams who will be participating in a gala day at Berkeley on Wednesday 12 August. 

A reminder to parents that our Year 6 students will return to Woonona High School on Wednesday 19 August to continue their transition program. Please note that there is an earlier start than previous times as the Creative and Performing Arts Team will be performing a short musical concert before Session 1. Students are required to be at school by 8:20 am as the bus will be leaving at 8:30 am. The return shuttle will begin at 12:00 pm.

The Illawarra Hawks will be at school Friday 21 August at 2:00 pm to provide its Kmart Game Time Program. More information about the program can be found here: https://www.hawks.com.au/pages/kmart-game-time-supported-by-nbl

The Travel Mode Survey is a survey conducted by the Department of Education that is distributed to all public schools. The survey will ask students about their type of travel used to get to and from school in the morning and afternoon.

As part of the survey collection, classroom teachers will conduct a hands up activity where the teacher will ask students specific questions about their mode of transport used to get to and from school in the morning and afternoon. Students will be asked by the teacher to raise their hand when the teacher describes the mode of transport that the student used on the day of the survey to get to and from school. The teacher will record the number of students that have their hands up for each question in the survey.

The student personal information collected by the department through this survey will be de-identified.

The survey collects the following information from students:

• the number of students present in the classroom on the day of the survey;
• the number of students absent on the day of the survey;
• the method by which students travelled to and from school on the date of the survey (e.g. walking, cycling, bus, car etc.); and
• any issues or complaints that students have in relation to travel modes to and from school.

Why is the information being collected?

The purpose of the survey is to collect data on how students and teachers get to and from school to inform departmental infrastructure projects and transport strategies and services.

Will the information from the Travel Mode Survey be shared?

The Department may share the de-identified results of the survey with other government agencies, relevant local councils and relevant Transport service providers to help inform transport provision, strategies and infrastructure projects.

The Department uses Qualtrics (a third-party software provider) to conduct the survey by collecting and storing the survey data.  Qualtrics will not access the survey responses. Please see Qualtrics’s Privacy Statement and Cookie Statement for further information.

Is the provision of this information voluntary?

Yes. Student participation in the survey is voluntary.  By completing this survey, you understand and consent to Qualtrics collecting and storing the survey responses and to the department accessing, using, disclosing and storing the survey responses.

Access to the personal information collected in the Travel Mode Survey

If you have a question or concern about the way your child's personal information has been collected, used or disclosed please contact: SINSWTransport@det.nsw.edu.au.

If you do not want your child to participate in this survey, please email the school office. 

Paul Cuthbertson
Principal

• 11   Southern Stars DANCE Rehearsal - Illawarra Sports Stadium 8:50 am - 2:30 pm
• 12   Illawarra Netball Schools Cup
• 18   SRC Fundraiser Pyjama Day
• 19   Year 6 CoS Day at Woonona High School
• 21   Illawarra Hawks Kmart Game Time Program (K-2) 2:00 pm
• 26   Southern Stars COMBINED Rehearsal - WIN Entertainment Centre 8:15 am - 1:15 pm
• 27   Southern Stars Technical and Dress Rehearsal - WIN Entertainment Centre 11:50 am - 5:40 pm
• 28   Southern Stars Performances - WIN Entertainment Centre at 10 am & 7 pm
• 29   Southern Stars Performances - WIN Entertainment Centre at 1 pm & 7:30 pm

• 7     P&C Meeting 7:00 pm at Woonona-Bulli RSL
• 9     Interrelate 6:00 pm
• 10   Kindy 2027 Playgroup Session 9:15 am - 10:15 am
• 11   PSSA Gala Day
• 18   South Coast Athletics Carnival - Beaton Park
• 18   Surf Sense Program Years 2, 4 & 6
• 24   Kindy 2027 Playgroup Session 9:15 am - 10:15 am
• 24   Book Parade 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
• 25   Last Day of Term 3

Angus M, Will D, Hannah K, Ruby F, Poppy G, Louis F, Cruz C, Max M

Angus M, Austin K, Murphy E, Dylan B, Angus Mc, Madilyn T, Mahalia N, Isla B, Jasmin F, Max M, Molly J, Sam W, Imogen S, Harlo C, Abbey T, Violet H

Millie B

Louis F, Korban W

Sune M, Imogen S, Alani A, Jesse D, Sunny K, Evelyn R, Mia B, Fletcher H, Isabella P, Flynn M, Kyra W, Alexis M, Ava T, Millie M, Isla S, Eddy K, Jayda K

Raphi C, Brax F, Archie P, Harriet M, Oscar G, Jacinta P, Willow M, Georgia B, Spencer D, Olive T, Nixon C, Evelyn R, Ochre C, Dominic H, Hannah K, Eddy K, Owen K, Ella D, Cruz C, Ayla O

Flynn M, Ivy J, Ella R, Stevie W

Kyan C, Mila S

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.