RSS Newsletter Week 2, Term 3 2021
From the Principal
Homework Centre Success
It is with great excitement that we are able to announce that Richmond State School is 1 of 11 schools in North Queensland that has been approved for a formal Homework Centre. Further information is being disseminated to schools regarding requirements, funding and obligations. We look forward to announcing the new format of our homework centre in coming weeks.
Our Learning Beyond the Bell is currently run by staff in a voluntary capacity and funded by our school. Our successful application will now allow for additional resources and increased capacity for students to attend and complete their homework in conjunction with any study/revision requirements.
Further information can be accessed at the below link.
Mid West Sport
During Term 3, students will have opportunities to attend Mid West Athletics (21st July) in Hughenden and Mid West Cricket (20th August) at a location to be announced.
Congratulations to those students who represented our school in Hughenden.
Please contact Miss Murray or access the North West Sport Website for additional details.
Staffing Update
During Term 4 and into 2022, we will be welcoming a temporary Head of Department – Curriculum in replacement of Miss Sinden. Miss Sinden and Mr Marshall will be welcoming a baby and therefore will be accessing leave. We wish them all the best.
Head of Department-Curriculum
Welcome to Term 3! I hope everyone had a lovely winter break and stayed safe and warm.
The 2021 Premiers Reading Challenge for students in Prep to Year 9 continues for another couple of weeks. I look forward to seeing how many books our students have read during the challenge. If students have filled their reading log over the holidays please remind them to see their classroom teacher for another reading log to continue the reading challenge until August 27th. Over the last couple of newsletters we have looked at ways to support your child’s reading in Prep to Year 4. We will continue to look at ways to support reading in Years 5 through to high school in the upcoming editions, but for this Newsletter I would like to share information with you in relation to The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) as we will be collecting this data in the upcoming weeks.
What is the NCCD?
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. The NCCD is a collection that counts:
• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability
• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students
Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Schools provide this information to education authorities.
Why is this data being collected and what are the benefits?
All schools in Australia must collect information about students with disability. The NCCD:
• ensures that the information collected is transparent, consistent and reliable
• provides better information that improves understanding of students with disability
• allows parents, guardians, carers, teachers, principals, education authorities and government to better support students with disability
The information collected by the NCCD helps teachers, principals, education authorities and governments to better support students with disability at school. The NCCD encourages schools to review their learning, support systems and processes. This helps schools to continually improve education outcomes for all students.
What is a reasonable adjustment?
All students have the right to a quality learning experience at school. Students with disability must be able to take part in education without discrimination and on the same basis as other students. To ensure this, schools must make reasonable adjustments if needed for students with disability. Educators, students, parents, guardians, carers and others (e.g. health professionals) must work together to ensure that students with disability can take part in education. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 describe schools’ responsibilities. An adjustment is an action to help a student with disability take part in education on the same basis as other students. Adjustments can be made across the whole school (e.g. ramps into school buildings). They can be in the classroom (e.g. adapting teaching methods). They can also be for individual student needs (e.g. providing personal care support). The school assesses the needs of each student with disability and provides adjustments in consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians and carers. The Disability Standards for Education 2005 define ‘reasonable adjustment’ as an adjustment that balances the interests of all parties affected.
If you would like further information about the NCCD, please see https://www.nccd.edu.au/for-parents-guardians-and-carers or arrange a time to speak with Miss Sinden.
School Opinion Survey
Survey Reminder For Schools
Thank you to all of those who have already completed the Parent/Caregiver Survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey yet, please note that the online surveys will remain open until Friday, 30 July 2021. This is your opportunity to provide feedback about what our school does well and how we can improve.
To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2021.
Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school framework that promotes positive behaviour across our school and helps us to develop safe and supportive learning environments for our students.
The Richmond State School PBL Team is led by Mr Scott Marshall and currently comprises of our Principal, 6 teaching staff and 2 support staff.
The goals of the PBL Team include the implementation of Tier 1 PBL, support for all staff in implementation and ensuring positive learning environments for all students through consistent understanding of our school expectations.
PBL at our school is based on our 4 school rules which inform our RSS Behaviour Expectations. These expectations are explicitly taught through our 'Focus of the week' lessons on Monday's and are supported by our focus of the week posters displayed throughout the school.
If you have any questions about our PBL program please contact Scott Marshall via: smars160@eq.edu.au
Adopt - a - Cop Blue Light Disco
Join Officer Mel and our Student Council at our Term 3 Blue Light Disco.
Around Our School
Just some of the exciting events that have occurred in our school.
Dr Arthur Shelley visited on Monday for parade, Dr Shelly is a past student of Richmond State School. He spoke to the students about learning and how his time at Richmond State School instilled a love of learning in him and was the foundation to his continued success.
We welcomed the NRL Overlander Tour gruop back to Richmond State School on the 16th July. Our students had a fantastic time engaging in some field activities. What a great opportunity our students were able to take part in.
PBL
Dr Arthur Shelley
NRL Tour
Book Club Issue 5
Students have been given Issue 5 of the Scholastic Book Club.
On the last page there is a web address for costume ideas. Costume parade will be in week 7 for Book Week.
More information will come on the fantastic activities that will be held during Book Week.
Parents and Citizens
Volunteers Sought - 7th August
P&C are inviting volunteers to support the canteen at the upcoming Diggers Day Races on the 7th August. P&C are running the canteen from 12 noon til 5pm. Please contact Charlie Jones if you may be available for a shift on the day or on the day prior to support preparation of food.