Rozelle Public School Newsletter

Rozelle is a place where Aboriginal children learned, played and celebrated their culture for thousands of years on this beautiful, natural land. As we learn, play and celebrate together on this land, we honour the Wangal people of the Eora nation and pay our respects to elders both past, present and emerging.

As we come to the end of Term One, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made together.

Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to all students and staff for their hard work and commitment this term. Term One is always busy as learning programs, school routines and extra-curricular activities are established. Our new Kindergarten cohort can be especially proud of the way they have settled into daily routines both in the classroom and across the school. 

I am pleased to report that our students have made great progress this term, both academically and socially. They have shown growth in their learning, engaging in literacy and numeracy programs and activities that foster critical and creative thinking. They have also demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility, respect, and kindness towards one another. This was particularly evident on the recent Stage Three overnight excursions to Canberra (Year Six) and Stanwell Tops (Year Five). Well done to all students for your outstanding behaviour and cooperation on both excursions. 

Our staff have worked tirelessly across the term to set our students up for a successful year. This starts with our hardworking administration team who support staff, students and parents to ensure effective communication of all school programs and events. Our teachers continue to deliver high quality teaching programs, going above and beyond to support our students' success. Over the past fortnight, most parents took the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher, to discuss Term One progress. These important conversations help build on the strong partnership between home and school. 

Looking ahead to the next term, we will continue to provide engaging opportunities for our students to enjoy, learn and succeed. While the first week of next term is only three days, there is a visit to the theatre planned for Year Two, the school’s cross country carnival and a special ANZAC Day assembly. Three days - three special events. 

I would like to wish all our families an enjoyable Easter break, and to thank our parents and staff for their ongoing support and partnership. I am proud of what we have achieved this term, and I am confident this will continue throughout the year. 

I look forward to seeing you this Wednesday at 9.15am for the return of the Rozelle Easter Hat Parade on Darling Street. 

Y SAFE - ENROL NOW FOR THE PARENT INFORMATION SESSION 

Protecting children in their digital worlds is an ever-evolving task for Australian families. Now more than ever parents are looking for guidance in how to manage screen time and navigate the world of games and social media. 

The parent workshop will be held on Tuesday 4 April at 6.30-7.30pm in the school hall. There is no cost to parents and the school encourages all parents to attend. All you need to do is register using the Eventbrite link: https://bit.ly/rozelle-ps

Please note: This parent workshop is not for children.

Earlier in the day, Rozelle students will have participated in workshops delivered by ySafe experts. Content will be grade specific and include key issues such as cyberbullying, online strangers, personal information, online reputation and digital wellbeing. 

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to our P&C who have lent their support to fund this initiative, enabling access for all families. 

Rozelle Public School is looking forward to holding it's annual Easter Hat Parade along Darling Street again from 9:15am this coming Wednesday 5 April!

Children are encouraged to create a decorated hat for the parade with some help at home. Remember not to spend too much money on materials – the best hats are those made from reused and recycled materials. You could even recycle parts of an old Easter Hat!

Students and staff will parade up and down Darling Street from 9:15am on Wednesday morning. Parents are welcome to line the route along Darling Street to cheer us along before farewelling us at the school gate. 

Opportunity classes cater for highly achieving academically gifted students. These classes help gifted and talented students to learn by grouping them with other gifted and talented students, teaching them in specialised ways and providing educational materials at the appropriate level.

Applications for opportunity class placement are considered mainly on the combined results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test and school assessments. Please note the following dates. All applications must be done on line.

Parents and carers must apply online from now up until Monday 15 May.

Please visit the website for further information about the application process and dates: LINK

Rozelle Public School is currently taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2024 from families living within our school catchment area. Detailed information about enrolment procedures and a map of the school catchment area can be found on the school website at LINK or by phoning the school office on (02) 9810 2347. 

A comprehensive Transition to School Program will be outlined in future newsletters. In the meantime, the school has six tours planned for new families who are considering enrolment at Rozelle. The tours will be held on the following Wednesday mornings from 9:30am:

• Wednesday 10 May 9:30am

• Wednesday 31 May 9:30am

• Wednesday 21 June 9:30am

• Wednesday 2 August 9:30am

• Wednesday 23 August 9:30am

• Wednesday 13 September 9:30am

Applications for enrolment into the preschool program have now opened. All the necessary information and application forms are available on the school website at LINK or from the school office. Children are eligible for enrolment in preschool classes from the beginning of the school year if they turn four years of age before July 31 of that year. Applications close at 3pm on Friday 30 June 2023.

There is no priority for the order in which enrolments are received by the office. The Preschool Placement panel, consisting of the Principal, the President of the P&C and one of our preschool teachers, considers all applications in accordance with the priorities of the Department of Education and Communities' Preschool Enrolment Policy and the Rozelle Public School Preschool Enrolment and Fee Policy.

KAMAY BAY EXCURSION BY JUDE ROSE (4 PWERLE)
On Thursday the 23rd of March Year 4 travelled to Kamay Botany Bay National Park. We had to leave at 8:30am on the dot. We were on the bus for nearly an hour. Finally, when we got off the bus, they showed us where everything was.

First, we did a timeline to show us when everyone arrived from the Gweagal People to Captain Cook and the First Fleet. When that was finished, we followed Dave to do some banksia sketches. Most of ours were good. It was very tricky trying to get the same size and shape. The details were especially hard, but we got them done. While we were walking to the roleplay area, Dave showed us the woodlands around us. When we got to roleplaying with Pat, we re-enacted what happened when Captain James Cook landed in Australia. We did it from the British’s perspective and the Indigenous perspective. So that meant that some people were Lieutenants, Marines, Sailors, Indigenous People, Botanists, Botanical Artists and of course Captain Cook. While we were walking back to our picnic area, we saw a little possum poking its tail out of the tree.

We stopped to eat, then after lunch we played some tips while others played cricket. After we finished lunch, we went down to the foreshore to search for some shells and sea life. We talked about where Cook anchored and how the whale is the Gweagal people’s totem. We then talked about the nooies, the boats that the Gweagal clan used and where the Endeavour found fresh water. After that we left the National Park. Finally, we got back to school and that was the end of our excursion.

A huge thank you to all those who gave up their valuable time last Saturday to help run the band's cake stall fundraiser and to all those who baked and donated the delicious cakes!  We raised a very respectable $2,969.40 for the band and many of the children got photos with Albo to boot!

JOINING THE BAND

A few places exist to join the RPS training band programme in Term 2.  Whilst our main intake is done in term 1, it is certainly not too late to get involved, and keen students will quickly make up for lost time. We have openings for several instruments, so please email Matthew Roe if your child is interested.

REED REPLACEMENTS

Saxophone and clarinet players will from time to time need to replace their reeds as they become chipped. For your convenience, reeds can be bought from the school office for $3 each. 

BAND REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

• Monday 7:45am - 8:45am - Year 4 (Junior Band)
• Tuesday 7:45am - 8:45am - Years 5 & 6 (Senior Band)
• Wednesday 7:45am - 8:45am - All Training Band (regardless of year) 
• Thursday 7:45am - 8:45am - Year 4 (Junior Band)
• Friday 7:45am - 8:45am - Years 5 & 6 (Senior Band)

All rehearsals are held in the band room next to the Tiger Turf.

K-2 PERCUSSION GROUP
Today marked the last session for Term 1 and the children are progressing nicely. There are limited spots still available for Term 2 and a note has gone out in the children's bags this week asking for expressions of interest. K-2 Percussion Group is being held on Friday lunchtimes in the band room next to the Tiger Turf as usual. Please reply asap if your child is interested or contact Matthew Roe for more information.

RPS STRINGS PROGRAM

Strings Ensemble continues Wednesday mornings in the Gallery space at 8am. Any questions, please contact Lucy Clarke-Randazzo

RPS is now using the upgraded School Bytes finance system for online payment and permission form consent. If you have not done so already, parents should access the School Bytes portal and register using https://portal.schoolbytes.education.

When logged online, go to the "Activities Section" to give parent consent and payment. 

You can access your portal at anytime, using the portal link https://portal.schoolbytes.education.

You an also access your portal via the Rozelle Public School website - by clicking on the button "Make a Payment" located at the bottom of the home page screen.

If you should have any questions, or have difficulty logging in, please get in touch with the School Office. 

Helping out at school is a great way to get involved in your child’s education as well as get to know the staff and other parents and carers.

You can help by:

• listening to children read in the classroom
• volunteering on sports days
• helping supervise excursions
• getting involved in fundraising activities
• joining school committees.

Parent volunteers are not required to have a Working With Children's Number, however they are required to fill in a 'Declaration for Child-Related Workers' Form, as well as provide 100 points of ID to be photocopied at the school office (including either a passport OR birth certificate, along with drivers license OR Medicare / bank card.  

The School Canteen operates as an order-only service five days per week. All orders are made online through Spriggy Schools app and delivered to the school in time for students to enjoy at lunchtime and recess. Orders need to be placed by 7:30am on the day or can be placed weekly in advance. Families will need to download the Spriggy Schools app and create a profile for their child. If you need assistance visit spriggyschools.com.au.

A number of students at Rozelle have been diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy to nuts. While it is not advised for the school to declare itself “nut-free” we are definitely a “nut-aware” school. This means that we ask parents/carers to carefully consider the food they provide for their child and avoid foods that contain nuts. Before sending in food for special occasions for your child’s class, please check with the teacher. The school appreciates everyone’s effort in keeping all our students safe and supporting their families to manage this difficult situation.

Families are reminded that students should not be arriving at school before 8.30am unless they are attending OSH Club or a before school activity such as band rehearsal. There may be occasions where you need to drop your child off 10 minutes earlier. In these instances, students must go to the middle playground, where they sit and wait for teacher supervision to begin. 

When parents are up at the school they may have seen the lost property trolley which is located inside the building entry from the Darling Street playground. Should your child misplace a hat, jumper, water bottle or lunchbox…you may find it in the trolley.

A big thanks to Darling Street Meats who provided the sausages for the democracy BBQ.

Darling Street Meats & Eat at ROBs proudly support Rozelle Public School

● Locally owned and operated

● Quality products at affordable prices

● Friendly service

● Daily and weekly specials

● Orders by request

Trivia Night: Saturday 1 April 7-10.30pm in the school hall

Last chance to get tickets!! https://www.trybooking.com/CGJYL

Book individual seats or a table of 8. Tickets $25p.

BYO Food and Drink.

Get a team together or buy individual tickets and compete to be the Trivia Master!

Proudly sponsored by Cindy Kennedy @ McGrath

*All proceeds go towards P&C initiatives*

 Proudly sponsored by Cindy Kennedy @ McGrath

CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL CAKE STALL - THURSDAY 27 APRIL
We need parents to provide cakes, muffins, savoury treats, etc to sell!!!
Items can be dropped to the school the day prior, the morning of or direct to the table tat the event.

Year 6 Parents please sign up here to work the stall on the day: https://volunteersignup.org/JC4PY

Main event 2023 – calling parent volunteers Years 4-6!

Calling Year 4, 5 & 6 parent volunteers to organise the RPS Main Event 2023!

Returning for the first time since 2019- this pre-covid fun parents dress up night out is returning to the RPS school hall for a night of dancing, socialising and all kinds of fun on Saturday 17th June!!!

Please sign up here to help organise the event including determining the dress-up theme. The volunteer sign up also includes spots to volunteer to DJ, entry ticketing and pack up. Volunteer here: volunteersignup.org/DQ3LE

We’re asking for parents who have experienced the fun of this event before to help organise it. Thank you in advance for volunteering!

Representatives from the P&C are commencinging dialogue with the developers of the Rozelle Village (old Balmain Leagues Club). This is the very initial stages, however, should you like to be involved in these discussions which will focus on safety, traffic, noise, pollution and waste management please email the P&C: rozellepublicschool@pandcaffiliate.org.au

The new Red Light Speed Camera outside Rozelle Public at the intersection of Darling Street and Victoria Road will be installed mid 2023.

This is a huge win for the safety of Rozelle Public School students and our local area.

The working group will continue to advocate for further improvements including an extension of the school speed safety zone.

NEW UNIFORM ORDERS

Please order new items online from LW Reid Made for Schools with deliveries direct to your home. New orders can be made using this link madeforschool

All uniform orders are delivered direct to your home address by Australia Post.  Uniform order are no longer available for collection from the Office. 

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP

The second hand shop is open at the end of the first week of Term 2 on Friday 28 April with all second hand items priced at $2. A selection of new stock available to purchase all for $10 each includes dresses, polo shirts and backpacks.

Opening times: 8.45-9.30am

 Did you know that 100s of school grounds will be open and welcoming the community these holidays. Share Our Space (nsw.gov.au) and see what activities are on offer Free holiday activities (nsw.gov.au). 

10:45am-11:45am

Laughing Yoga is loads of fun! Take part in breathing and playful laughing exercises to overcome your inhibitions, get out of your comfort zone and feel great about yourself. You'll come away from this one-hour session feeling invigorated.

link for booking details

Newtown High School of the Performing Arts is a specialist high school that accepts enrolments through audition and from our local drawing area.  

Please find below information (and flyer download) regarding their audition process for entry into Year 7 2024. 

Our annual auditions process is separate to the Year 6 into Year 7 Transition Program.  

 To assist parents and carers completing the ‘Moving into Year 7 in a NSW Government school’  form, please note the following:-  

Newtown High School of the Performing Arts is a specialist performing arts high school with specific enrolment criteria which requires students to audition if residing outside our catchment area. 

• All students, including those from within our local catchment area are encouraged, although not obliged, to audition for places in our performing arts stream.
• To apply for an audition, an online application form must be completed via our school website: https://newtown-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/ 
• The closing date for audition applications online is Monday 1 May 2023 

For any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly on 02 9519 1544.

The Australian Performing Arts Grammar School is an exciting, innovative school for students with a passion for the creative and performing arts. Established in 2005, APGS is open to students of artistic ability, dedicated to nurturing talent and encouraging rigour and dedication to both the performing arts and academic learning. The school is a boutique institution, designed specifically to meet the needs of young people who, in addition to their academic studies, desire to focus on Music, Drama, Dance and/or Visual Arts. 

These tours will be held on: 

• Term 2 - Wednesday 3rd May, 9 00am – 10 30am - Years 7 to 9
• Term 2 - Wednesday 3rd May,10 00am – 11 30am - Years 10 & 11 
• Term 3 - Wednesday 26th July, 9 00am – 10 30am - Years 7 to 9 
• Term 3 - Wednesday 26th July, 10 00am – 11 30am - Years 10 & 11 
• Term 4 - Wednesday 18th October, 9 00am – 10 30am - Years 7 to 9 
• Term 4 - Wednesday 18th October, 10 00am – 11 30am - Years 10 & 11