Term 3 Week 2

27 July 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 as we are in the planning phases for our Kindergarten Transition Program. The key dates and times have already been communicated to enrolled families.

Next week is Public Education Week, a time for all of us to come together and celebrate our commitment to inspiring excellence. Let’s take pride in being part of NSW public education and the endless and far-reaching achievements of our students and staff.

As part of this celebration, we will be holding our annual Open House on Tuesday 4 August. The day will begin at 9:15 am with our assembly, featuring Education Week awards, Premier’s Spelling Bee Winner certificates, Gold and Silver awards, Public Speaking, our school choir and induction of our Semester Two SRC.

Following the assembly (approximately 10:30 am – recess bell will be adjusted if running behind), parents and carers are invited to visit our open classrooms and stay for recess break. After recess there will be two presentations, both happening at 11:30 am.

The first presentation is “How we teach phonics and reading” which is aimed at parents and carers in Years K-3 and will be presented by Mrs Smith and Mrs Dawson in the library.

The second presentation is “Choosing a High School: Separating What Feels Good from What the Research Says”. Every parent wants the very best for his or her child starting high school — but what actually predicts a good outcome doesn't always match what is easiest to find in the public domain. This workshop unpacks the research on school choice: what matters, what is marketing, and what the evidence actually shows. This will be presented by Caroline David, Principal of Woonona High School and PhD candidate (University of Sydney), researching school choice and how school success is represented.

Our next P&C meeting will take place Monday 3 August at 7:00 pm at Woonona- Bulli RSL. Due to a change in circumstances, our fundraising committee is looking for some extra support. If you are interested in joining this dedicated group, please come along and join us. Specifically, we are looking for someone that can help with Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls and our school disco. We have a supportive group that can help guide and support along the way as part of our succession planning for when key members’ children graduate from the school. 

Fit Futures has returned this term to provide gymnastics lessons for classes in Years 3-6. Lessons started this past Friday and will for continue for Weeks 1-4. This opportunity is due to our successful grant application from Sporting Schools Australia. Due to the Fit Futures schedule, our weekly Friday assembly will take place at 2:30 pm until the program ends.

Our Year 5 and 6 students have recently undertaken an educational tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy. A special thank you to Mrs Rafferty, Mr Batley, Mr Elsley and Mrs Rejske for providing this fantastic opportunity for our students while spending time away from their families. 

Printed copies of NAPLAN individual student reports (ISRs) and additional student reports (ASRs) have been sent home to parents and carers. 

NAPLAN results should always be interpreted with care. This is important for writing results in 2026 because some students experienced technical disruptions during the online writing test due to the widespread connectivity issue.

ISRs for Years 5, 7 and 9 students include caveats acknowledging the disruption. You will see one on the cover page and a second under the writing “rocket”. These remind schools, parents and carers to interpret a student’s writing result with caution.

Also, ACARA has recommended not including school writing means on the student reports for Years 5, 7 and 9 due to the variability in school experience following the disruption on Day 1. School means are on student reports for all other NAPLAN domains and Year 3 writing.

A NAPLAN report information sheet for parents and carers can be access via this link. 

Paul Cuthbertson
Principal

When planning leave which is for more than 5 school days, please complete an Application for Extended Leave at least 2 weeks prior to travel. This can be found in the FORMS section of School Bytes. Please do not apply for extended leave under planned absences.

For any absences that are 5 days or less, please go to School Bytes, click on Attendance and create a Planned Absence.

• 28    Southern Stars Mass DANCE Rehearsal - WIN Entertainment Centre
• 30    District Athletics Carnival - Day 1
• 31    District Athletics Carnival - Day 2

• 3     P&C Meeting 7:00 pm at Woonona Bulli RSL
• 4     Education Week Open House - 9:15 am Assembly - 10:30 am Open Classrooms
• 4     Phonics and Reading Information Session in the Library at 11:30 am (aimed at years K-3)
• 4     Choosing a High School Information Session in the Hall at 11:30 am (aimed at years 3-6)
• 5     Phonics and Reading Information Session online via Microsoft Teams at 4 pm
• 11   Southern Stars DANCE Rehearsal - Illawarra Sports Stadium 8:50 am - 2:30 pm
• 12   Illawarra Netball Schools Cup
• 19   Year 6 CoS Day at Woonona High School
• 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

Hendriks S, Louis C, Hannah K, Will D

Charlie P, Willow B, Aria P, Lola B, Florence F, Louie S, Ada S, Ella M

Jeremy E, Anders K

Axle C, Lola B, Isla B, Mahalia N, Eden-Rose G

Emma 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.