Week10, Term 2 2021 RSS Newsletter
From the Principal
Semester 1 Celebrations
Are we reach the half way point for the 2021 academic year, it provides us with the opportunity to pause and reflect on the achievements we have already made in 2021.
- Adopted our new Adopt-a-Cop - Officer Mel
- Introduced additional extra-curricula activities
- Introduced our updated PBL resources for students
- Supported our Prep cohort in their first 100 days of school
- Introduced our first End of Term Master Classes
- Implemented 'Marker Student' Inquiry Cycles to support improvement for individual students, this project will continue into semester 2.
- Gained further insights into student wellbeing through completion of Wellbeing Surveys
- Enacted revised curriuclum materials for students
- Enacted IMPACT enrichment programs for student groups
- Welcomed Miss Jana and Miss Sheahan
I am immensly proud of the work our students, staff and community are doing to support the improvement of our school and prioritise the education of our next generation.
Thank you to all for your continued support, open communication and feedback.
Sporting Opportunities
We have been thrilled to have a number of our students attend a range of sporting events outside of Richmond where they have represented our school with pride. We are proud members of the Mid West Sporting District which supports our students in accessing a range of sports at a range of levels to once again ensure that our geographical location is not a barrier. I thank those parents who have also provided feedback directly to the school on some of the recent errors in communicating team selections and look forward to working with you all to ensure this is appropriately rectified.
Further information regarding Mid West and North West Sport can be found at the below link.
School Camps
Richmond State School staff have been working tirelessly behind the scences to organise our upcoming camps for Year 5/6 Students and our Year 7-10 Students. Further information will be sent to applicable families prior to the end of Term 2. Please ensur eyou check your child's bag and speak with them about information they have received at school.
- Year 5/6 Camp - Term 3, Week 3
- Paluma Environmental Education Centre
- Staff Attending - Mrs Pattell & Mr Gray
- Year 7-10 Camp - Term 3, Week 4
- Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre
- Staff Attending - Mr Marshall & Miss Murray
Head of Department - Curriculum
Supporting your child’s reading in Year 3 and 4
Over the last 2 newsletters we have looked at ways to support and engage Prep to Year 2 students in reading. This fortnight we will look at supporting your child’s reading in Year 3 and 4.
In Year 3 children will:
- use different words that mean the same thing (synonyms)
- use new words and terms to describe digital technology
- make comparisons to show their understanding
- retell, infer and discuss the features in the books they are reading
- read for 15-20 minutes at a time
- skim and scan to find important information in longer sections of reading material
- conduct investigations
- read simple chapter books and real-life stories
In Year 4 children will:
- understand that some words have different meanings when they are used in different situations
- use specific words to describe and explain their thinking
- use a dictionary and a thesaurus
- make connections to explain the meaning of information
- create outlines to show understanding of what has been read
- discuss ways that language can change meaning
- read for 15-20 minutes at a time
- remember details of what has been read for several days
- read short chapter books related to the curriculum
- read unfamiliar and unusual words
Ways you can help your child’s reading in Years 3 & 4
Get them to read another one - Introduce you child to a series or to a second book by a favourite author. You could ask your classroom teacher or Miss Julie for suggestions!
First drafts are rough - Writing supports reading and reading supports writing. Remember that drafts are not perfect and remind your child that writing involves several steps.
Record your reading- Use a device to record your child’s reading, have them listen back to it and reflect on their fluency, expression, pace and accuracy. Have your child incorporate their own feedback and record again.
Making links- Ask questions that help your child make links between the reading and their knowledge, their real-life experiences, events and happenings, what they may have seen in a movie or on TV. Model doing this yourself, ‘Remember when we went to the beach last holiday, the lightning was frightening. Why did we have to …?’.
Five ‘w’s - Ask why, when, where, who and what questions to help your child retrieve important information and ideas from the material they have been reading.
Write about it- Encourage your child to keep a reading journal to write their thoughts, ideas and questions about the books they are reading.
Encourage and praise - Reading should be enjoyable for you and your child. Always encourage their attempts and praise their efforts.
Our Improvement Agenda
Achievements & Awards
Around Our School
Questacon
Term 2 Farewells
Farewell to Verona Reynolds and Caroline Jarmey. During Term 2, staff & students at Richmond State School said goodbye to two of our wonderful Teacher Aides. Verona and Caroline will both be dearly missed, we wish them all the best in the next chapter of their lives.
Verona has been a valued team member of Richmond SS for more than 20 years. Throughout Verona's time at Richmond SS she has supported many students through their Primary schooling. Thank you Verona for all your hard work and dedication to Richmond SS.
Caroline joined Richmond SS in 2018. She has supported both our Primary & Secondary students with their learning in this time. Thank you Caroline for the time and effort you dedicated to the Richmond SS community.
P & C Updates
RICHMOND STATE SCHOOL
P & C ASSOCIATION
Dear Richmond State School Community,
Welcome to week 10 of term 2. What a term we have had!
Looking back: Together the P&C and R.S.S staff held a very successful canteen at the Richmond Field Days and Races. None of which would have been possible without the very generous help of all our volunteer parents, families, R.S.S staff and community members. We would like to thank everyone for their contributions which was paramount to the running success of the canteen. So again, THANK YOU!!
Looking forward: This Wednesday is our school athletics carnival! The P&C will be holding a canteen with lots of delicious goodies to fill the bellies of our little athletes and their cheer squads! No pre orders are required so please just bring/send cash on the day. If anyone is able to donate a little of their time in between their children’s events at the canteen it would be much appreciated. GOOOOOOOO MITCHELL & FLINDERS!
Next meeting: Monday 19th of July
Time: 5:30pm
Place: The school library
Regards,
Charlie Jones
R.S.S P&C President
