The Link

A Publication of Rydalmere Public School

2023 Term 3 - Week 6

We have just wrapped up our 5th week of Term 3 and what an exciting term it's been!

Our Open Day on August 2 was a wonderful celebration of Public Education. Parents and friends enjoyed visiting classrooms around our school, then were treated to a terrific performance of songs and dances performed by all our classes from Preschool to Year 6. This was followed by a picnic lunch in our school grounds.  Thank you Mrs Townsend for all the efforts you put into arranging such a successful day.

This was quickly followed by our Preschool to Year 6 Athletics Carnival, held on our school oval on August 10.  Mrs Arnott and Mrs Townsend worked closely with Zing Active to ensure a busy and fun-filled day of athletics for all our students. Congratulations to all who participated and in particular our representatives for the Zone Athletics Carnivals to be held in September.

Our next community event is our Book Week Celebration to be held in just a few days. We hope that many of you can join us on August 23 for our annual book character parade and a performance by our school band. 

Attendance Matters

Regular school attendance is essential for our students' learning and I'm pleased to see that rates of attendance for our students are improving.

56.4% of our students attended 90% or more of the time during Terms 1 and 2 in 2023, which is a tremendous improvement over the same period in 2022, where  only 49.4% of students were in attendance over 90% of the time. 

Our aim is for all students to attend school more than 90% of the time. Teachers have been asked to contact the families of students who attend less than 85% of the time to find out what might be getting in the way of school attendance and to offer support.  If you are experiencing difficulties in ensuring your child attends school regularly, please let your child's teacher know, so we can provide support.


National Day of Action

We're standing up against bullying and violence on August 18th for the National Day of Action (NDA), a permanent addition to the calendar from this year. NDA's theme, 'Growing Connections,' highlights student connectedness and belonging. Let's empower our students to be kind, respectful and supportive.

    Together, we can create an environment where every child feels accepted and supported.

    For further information about bullying, visit: https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/support-and-advice/for-families.

    RPS Athletics Carnival 2023

    RPS Athletics Carnival 2023

    We're excited to share the highlights of our recent Athletics Carnival, held on the school oval. On Thursday, August 10, our students took on the field, displaying their prowess in various athletic activities while wearing sports uniforms or house colours.

    The day was a testament to teamwork, enthusiasm and a love for sports. We extend our gratitude to the parents and carers who joined us, adding to the atmosphere of camaraderie and support.

    A special shout-out to Zing Active, who've been working diligently to enhance our students' athletic abilities through their athletics program. The carnival was the perfect stage for our students to showcase their new-found skills and talents.

    We're immensely proud of our athletes and their unwavering dedication. The Rydalmere Public School Athletics Carnival was not just about physical prowess, but about fostering a sense of unity and healthy competition among our students.

    Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this day a remarkable success!

    P & C

    P&C email link

    rydalmerepublicschool@pandcaffiliate.org.au

    National Science Week 2023

    Mark your calendars for National Science Week from August 12th to 20th. This year's theme is "Innovation: Powering Future Industries," highlighting Artificial Intelligence's (AI) role in various sectors.

    Teachers have been provided with a Resource Book of Ideas for National Science Week with activities that support students from preschool to year 6. Teachers and students will have an opportunity to explore creativity, science, technology, engineering and ethics. It includes ideas for teaching artificial intelligence, coding, and the way innovation is applied to agriculture, transport, water and medicine. Students will explore AI's impact on industries like renewable energy, data science, medicine, agriculture, and more.

    Assistant Principal K-2 Updates

    Home Readers

    Home readers are an important part of students learning. They allow students to practice their learning from school at home. All students in K-2 have access to home readers in their class. They will be provided with a home reading log where they can record what they have read each night and earn Blue Wren tokens for their efforts. Please provide your child with a folder like the one pictured. Please speak to your child's class teacher if you have any questions. 

    We recommend Kindergarten students read with an adult for 10 minutes a day. Year 1 and Year 2 students should read with an adult for 15-20 minutes a day. This can be a combination of home readers, books from the library or texts from home.

    Assistant Principal 3-6 updates

    Stage 3 School Camp!

    We are excited to share some thrilling news with you – our Stage 3 students are embarking on an unforgettable journey of adventure and learning at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation Centre! From Wednesday, November 29th to Friday, December 1st, 2023, our students will immerse themselves in a captivating camp experience that promises non-stop action, camaraderie, and memories to last a lifetime. Look out for the information note coming out next week and our parent information zoom session at the end of the month.

    Engagement and Education

    We understand the significance of involving parents in this experience. To address any queries and provide comprehensive information about the camp, we invite you to attend the Parent Information Session on Wednesday, August 30th. This session will offer insights into the camp's details and provide a platform for questions.

    Preparing for the Adventure

    In preparation for the camp, we will be engaging our Stage 3 students with a social story about the camp experience. This will help them anticipate the adventure ahead and ensure a smooth transition.

    We are enthusiastic about the upcoming school camp and the valuable experiences it will offer our Stage 3 students. With a commitment to safety, education, and enjoyment, the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation camp promises to be a memorable and transformative journey. We look forward to sharing this incredible adventure with your children.

    ICAS Assessments

    ICAS stands for International Competitions and Assessments for Schools. These assessments are a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills, gain valuable experience, and open doors to a world of learning and growth.

    ICAS is an internationally recognised assessment program designed to challenge and extend students' understanding in various subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, and Digital Technologies. Developed by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Global, ICAS assessments are taken by students worldwide to measure their academic abilities and provide them with a platform to benchmark themselves on a global scale.

    We've had a number of students sign up for the ICAS assessments and they have completed their first set of assessments! Good luck for them for their upcoming ICAS Science assessment next week.

    Prime Minister's Spelling Bee 2023

    Calling all wordsmiths in Years 3-6! Get set for an exhilarating linguistic journey as the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee 2023 goes live in week 5.

    The Spelling Bee allows students to complete 30 spelling words in a fun format where they have to aim for accuracy, to beat the clock and finish ahead of their fellow students right across Australia. Check out the range of prizes! 

    PRIZES

    • National winners (3 in total, one in each category) will win:
      • A return flight to Canberra to meet the Prime Minister for each category winner (and their parent/guardian)
      • One night’s accommodation in Canberra for each category winner (and their parent/guardian)
      • 1 x iPad
      • 1 x $250 HarperCollins book pack
      • 1 x national winner certificate
    • School prizes (3 in total, one in each category):
      • The school of each national winner will 1 x $1000 voucher to spend on books, technology or other equipment and supplies
    • National runners-up (6 in total, two in each category) will win:
      • 1 X $50 Harper Collins book pack
      • 1 x National runners-up certificate
    • National finalists will receive:
      • 1 x National finalist certificate
    • State finalists:
      • 1 x State finalist certificate
    • School entrants:
      • 1 x School champion certificate for each school winner
      • 1 x Class champion certificate for each class winner
      • 1 x participation certificate for all entrants

    Dates Ahead

    August 21 - August 25 - Book Week

    August 23 - Book week parade & band performance


    Student Wellbeing

    Positive Behaviour For Learning

    Our PBL focus for Week 3 was Office. It presented an opportunity for students to understand and practice behaviour within in quiet and formal setting. Students learn about waiting patiently to be addressed and using polite communication skills to convey their message. 

    During Week 4 the PBL focus was on Playground. The playground is the ultimate place to be during playtime at any school. We reinforce to our students to have a nice break, but also to respect the space and all who occupy it. Students are encouraged to share the space, respect the equipment provided for play and be responsible over the actions that they take during this time, to ensure that all students are safe and have a good break time. 

    During Week 5 the PBL focus will be Littering.

    PBL & Learners Awards - Term 3 - Week 4

    PBL & Learners Awards - Term 3 - Week 2

    Community Hub News

    We are almost halfway through the term. We recently had an informative session on Healthy lifestyle by Ms. Sajida, a Bilingual Multicultural Educator from Western Sydney Local Health. If you missed this session, don't worry, we have another session on "Coping with Stress" from the same organization on September 5th.

    Thank you to those who participated in the Community Hubs Australia Survey in week 4. Your input helps us gather valuable data on the usage and usefulness of the hub.

    Our popular First Aid course in partnership with Parramatta Community College is back. We received over 20 applications after opening the expression of interest form this term. Since many people prefer Fridays, we will be holding a registration session on August 18th at 10:30 am in the hub room. This course is subsidized only for Permanent Resident holders or Australian Citizens. To register, you will need a copy of your passport and driver's license, Centrelink statement, and USI number.

    Don't forget to mark your calendars for our Creator's Meet on August 22nd and September 19th, both taking place on Tuesdays. Kerri from Bunnings will be visiting once again to teach us a new craft.

    Hub Weekly programs at a glance:

    Mondays: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm - Conversational English class (Walk-in)

    Wednesdays: 9:30 am to 11:30 am - Playgroup with SDN children services

    Fridays: 9:30 am to 10:30 am - Dance Fitness with Sophie (Walk-in)

    Important dates to remember:

    August 18th, 10:30 am - Registration for First Aid course

    August 22nd, 9:30 am to 11:30 am - Creator's meet (Crafts with Bunnings)

    September 5th, 9:30 am to 11:30 am - "Coping with Stress" Workshop with WSLH

    September 8th, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm - First Aid and CPR Full course

    September 19th, 9:30 am to 11:30 am - Creator's meet (Crafts with Bunnings)

    For those who are unfamiliar, I'm Seetha Srinivasan, the community liaison officer at our school's Community Hub. My workdays are Mondays to Wednesdays and Fridays. Our Community Hub connects families with each other, the school, and local community services. It's an inclusive place where parents can meet, make friends, and participate in weekly or one-off activities that are open to everyone.

    Drop by for a coffee or join one of our activities – we'd be happy to welcome you. If you're interested in learning more about the hub and how to get involved, feel free to contact me at 0448331588 or seetha.srinivasan@det.nsw.edu.au.

    Seetha Srinivasan

    Community Liaison Officer/ Hub Leader

    Community News