From the Principal’s desk
Welcome to the last few weeks of Term 2!
The term has gone by so fast! We have squeezed so much in - camps, excursions, sporting representations…and still have a few action-packed weeks left before winter break. We have finished our class public speaking and are eagerly looking forward to our Wollemi Public Speaking competition next week. Thanks to Mrs Helen Grant for organising the whole program.
Change to assembly…all together again from next term
Next term we are going to try to go back to having weekly assemblies K to 6. It was decided to go back to our original format to help our Infants classes learn how to participate from our more ‘experienced’ primary students. Although it may be a tight squeeze, we ask that all parents and friends attending try to sit in all the seats available and try not to stand at the door.
Reports going home next term
Just a friendly reminder that we send our Semester One reports home first week back in Term 3. We are introducing a new ‘parent friendly’ report format.
The new format has been developed by the NSW Department of Education in response to feedback from parents and educators to make reports easier to read and understand.
Your child’s report will still show their progress across all subject areas.
Teacher comments will appear in English, mathematics and the general comment section, in line with department policy*.
The general comment for Kindergarten also covers all other key learning areas including creative arts, HSIE, PDHPE, and science and technology.
A new achievement scale and descriptions are included to provide a clearer picture of your child’s progress.
The plain English achievement scale helps parents better understand their child’s progress by using clear, accessible language.
Kindergarten – Early Stage 1
The 5-point achievement and plain English scales are not used. Teachers provide written comments for each key learning area describing student achievement in relation to syllabus expectations.
Years 1 to 10 – Stages 1 to 5
Schools may use:
· the 5-point achievement scale.
· plain English achievement scale
· personalised reporting scale (for students with disability)
Standards referenced assessment is used in NSW schools. This means your child’s performance is compared to a set of standards, not to other students. The table below shows the achievement scale used to report your child’s achievement at this point in their learning. A variety of assessment opportunities were used to gather information about their learning this semester.
Parent–teacher interviews remain an important way to discuss your child’s progress and achievement in more detail.
We welcome your feedback or questions about the new report format.
The Anxiety Project
We are starting our second round of Anxiety Project lessons this week. For those interested in learning more, information can be found here:
The Anxiety Project, developed by the New South Wales Primary Principals' Association (NSWPPA), focuses on addressing childhood anxiety in primary schools. This initiative aims to build the capacity of school leaders, teachers, and parents to reduce anxiety levels among children. It provides resources and support to help educators recognize and respond to anxiety in students, ultimately improving their well-being and academic outcomes. The project has shown significant positive changes in teacher confidence and student
outcomes since its launch in 2022, and it is now available to all Australian primary schools.
Early drop off
Just a friendly reminder - teachers are not on duty in the morning until 8:50am. Please do not drop your children at school earlier than this if you can help it, as it is very cold in the mornings and children will not be supervised until a teacher starts morning duty. OOSH is available for anyone who is finding childcare difficult. It can be arranged weekly or casually.
Play performance
Next term we will begin our annual play preparations. I have already met with some very excited Year 6s (who have ALL asked for a LARGE speaking part!). I have started to write the script and all I will say is it will be based around our beautiful Cudgegong River…
A reminder that our annual play will be held during the day on Thursday 25th September at the Rylstone Hall. As always, we invite all friends and family and it will be free to attend.
Our Pact
A friend who is a parent of a ‘pre-teen’ mentioned this app to me. It does cost money, but for those struggling to limit their child’s internet usage or app access, it sounds pretty helpful. I’m sure there are lots of other apps out there that do the same or similar things, but this one seems to be helping my friend.
Parental Control App Pricing | Manage Screen Time with OurPact
Of course, there’s always the old tried and tested ‘you-can’t-get-the-internet-password-until-you’ve -done-xyz!” …which is free…but you need to remember the new password each time!
As always, I encourage all families to get involved in our school community. Your support and participation are important for the success of our programs and events. Please keep an eye on our school calendar and newsletters for updates on activities and volunteer opportunities.
As always, any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 6379 1404 or jodee.burcher@det.nsw.edu.au
Kind regards,
Jodee
In the classrooms
Kookaburras, Goannas and Quolls
This term, students in Kookaburras, Goannas, and Quolls have been learning all about living things in their Science lessons. Last Thursday, we went to Red Hill Environmental Education Centre and continued this learning by investigating minibeasts. We mixed into groups with students from each grade and rotated through three different sessions.
In one session, we investigated worms! We learned about their needs and the important role they play in our environment. There was also worm labelling, a visit to the Red Hill worm farm, and some close-up viewing with a microscope!
In another session, we learned about what makes an insect an insect! We used handheld magnifiers to investigate insects and look closely at their features. We also played a fun running game to demonstrate what we know about how to identify insects.
In the third session, we turned into ECO SPIES. We had to predict where most insects would be found and explored the gardens with magnifying glasses and a checklist of minibeasts to search for. In that session, we also constructed our own minibeast models using clay and natural materials from the garden.
It was a fantastic experience for all our students, and they deepened their classroom learning in many exciting ways!
Mrs Rankin, Mrs Grant and Mrs Mulvaney
Kangaroos
We have had the best term! Great Aussie Bush Camp was so much fun! We battled our nerves and anxiety and ‘had a go’ at everything!
We have nearly finished our study of the book BINDI, which is all about poetry and imagery. We’ve loved writing poems and painting the black cockatoo that Bindi saves
Ms Burcher and Mr Langdon
Magpies
Magpies have been working on metaphors, similes and hyperbole. To finish off, they have written poems about different aspects of school. Enjoy!
Metaphor, Simile and Hyperbole poems
Mrs Newham
NSW Public Schools Student Survey
In Term 2, we are offering our students the opportunity to participate in the NSW Public Schools Student Survey. The survey gives students the chance to share their thoughts and feelings about life at school, including questions about their engagement, learning experiences and wellbeing at school.
Hearing directly from our students will help us understand what’s working well and where improvements can be made to our school. The survey is confidential, takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and will be conducted online during school hours.
Participation is voluntary. If you prefer your child not to participate, please complete the opt-out consent form, which will be sent home, and return it to the school. Further information about the survey is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/npss
Debating
Round 1
Congratulations to our two debating teams! Both teams had their first debates on the 12th June against Bathurst West Public School. The ‘Argument All Stars’ - Grace, Bec, Jai, Charlotte, Sophie (Chairperson) and Olivia C (timekeeper) argued that ‘We should NOT ban homework in primary school.’ It was a very close debate with some excellent points and rebuttals, with the debate being awarded to Bathurst West.
The ‘Chat Champs’ - Acacia, Celeste, Alice, Ori and Charles (Chairperson and Timekeeper), debated in the afternoon, arguing that ‘We should NOT make the school day 1 hour longer.’ Again, this was an exceptionally close debate, with it being awarded to RYLSTONE!!!
All students have been giving up their break times to learn the art of putting together a convincing argument. Look out parents!
Sport
Touch Football Gala Day
Twenty boys and girls from RPS headed off to Mudgee on Monday 26th May for a Touch Football Gala day. After already being rained out once, we crossed fingers, rugged up, grabbed umbrellas and gumboots, and turned up ready to play.
Despite the Arctic weather conditions, all students played their hardest and proudly represented RPS.
A huge thank you to Mrs. Rankin for break time training, and to Mr. Kimmorley, Mrs. Croake and Mrs. Carver for organising teams and the other parents who supported us on the day.
Western Cross Country
Congratulations to our Western Runners!
A huge well done to all five athletes for braving the chilly weather in Orange. They did an outstanding job representing us with pride. A special shout-out to Wyatt, who finished fifth and will be heading to the NSWPSSA Cross Country Championship in Sydney next term!
SRC
Our SRC have been busy during breaks organising activities. We have had handball coaching, touch footy games, basketball coaching, soccer drills and skipping. A big thank you to all the SRC reps for giving up their time to support their school.
Sentral
Please remember that Sentral is the go to place for all school information, permission requests, school payments, absences, newsletters, Parent Teacher Interviews.
Please note that SMS messages sent via Sentral from our school will come from a random phone number but we will always start our message with RylstonePS or RPS. We have limited characters use so messages may be brief and to the point.
Sentral Parent Help pages: https://www.sentral.com.au/parents
Please keep up to date with your child's absence explanations, as unexplained absences, as well as total absences, will be mentioned on your child's report. Red on your child's attendance calendar indicates we do not have an explanation.
Dates for your calendar
Don't forget you can find these dates on your Sentral Calendar too.
June
- 26th - The Wollemi COPS Speaking Competition
July
- 4th - Whole School Assembly
- 4th - Last Day of Term 2
- 22nd - Students First Day of Term 3
- 31st - School Athletics Carnival
August
- 6th - Bookfair
- 16th-23rd - Book Week
Reminders
- Students arriving late or departing early MUST come to the office to sign in/out.
- Parent helpers must sign in at the office for WH&S.
- Payments to school (not P&C) can be made online via Sentral Pay with a debit or credit card, or cash can be sent in an envelope to the school office. The school does not have an EFTPOS machine.
- Please check your child's attendance on the Sentral app and keep up to date with absence explanations. Explanations are required within 7 days of an absence. A text message will be sent if your child is absent and you haven't submitted an explanation.
- School Drive Subsidy and bus transport: Please keep your details current and notify the Dept. of Transport of any address changes at www.transportnsw.info/school-students
P and C News
Following the P and C's AGM at the beginning of May, the following parents have been elected to the committee:
- President: Open
- Vice President: Liz Docherty (Acting President until position filled)
- Secretary: Jess Clarke
- Treasurer: Eva Mahy
- Events Coordinators: Karen Croake, Kate Nash
- Uniform Shop: Kristina Heather and Casey Astil
Uniform Shop
Opening hours, 2:30 - 3:30pm Friday afternoons, online orders welcome anytime and parent can specify pick up or send home with their child: https://rylstone-public-school-parents-and-citizens-association.square.site/