RSS Newsletter Issue 10 2022
- From the Principal
- Head of Department - Curriculum
- Student Achievements
- Principal Award
- Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
- Rewards
- PBL Golden Ticket Morning Tea
- Student Absence Process
- Staff Appreciation day
- Playground
- Library News
- P & C Meeting - Date Change
- Parents and Citizens Association
- School Information
- Scholarships
From the Principal
Hello,
Fristly I would like to acknowledge our parent community for taking the time to provide us with feedback regarding our 2023 Explicit Improvement Agenda. Your voice ensures that we, as a school, continue to serve you and our students to provide a relevant and high quality education. Over the coming days, myself and the leadership team will be reviewing your feedback in conjunction with the feedback of our staff.
Student Enrolments / Change of Plans
We have had multiple students speaking with staff in recent weeks informing them of an intention to move town, which creates significant uncertainty for our team. If you and your family are intending on moving and therefore ceasing your child's enrolment at Richmond State School in 2022/2023, I urge you to contact myself or our office directly. Your child's enrolment impacts the number of teaching staff we are able to employ and how many teacher aide hours we will have to support learning in 2023. Feel free to call or email - ehand15@eq.edu.au / principal@richmondss.eq.edu.au
Principal Business Days
This term has involved 2 Principal Business Days in Mount Isa, the second of which I will be attending on Tuesday 15th November. Whilst I do my best to minimise my time away from our school and classrooms, this forum provides an opportunity for myself and the leadership team to hear practice from the North Queensland Region and also allows for some deep reflection to ensure we continue to provide an excellent education for our students. Week 7 will be the final travel requirement for Term 4, 2022.
Kind Regards,
Mrs Elizabeth Mayo
Head of Department - Curriculum
Firstly, I would like to say that I am looking forward to seeing you all at the Richmond State School Awards Evening on the Friday 25th November when we as a school, have the opportunity to show off and celebrate the awesome learning that has been demonstrated by your children throughout the year. The students, teachers and wider staff have all worked extremely hard over the past months to overcome health, weather and wellbeing issues to ensure growth in every student. Keep the date free!
Now for an article of a different nature.
Recently I have been involved with or on the edge of many discussions regarding student’s education. I’d like to promote to the you and the wider community, the highlights and benefits of what the school at your backdoor, Richmond State School has to offer. These are my views based on experience across several primary and high schools and also being a parent of two. I speak highly of Richmond State School to others and a good word of mouth goes along way to building a great community and supporting the local school. Here is an example. My daughter was able to tell others all about Richmond when she identified a DVD from Kronosaurus Korner whilst volunteering in an op shop in Melbourne city. She has never visited Richmond but could pass on all the wonderful things I have told her about the town to the other curious volunteers who were wondering what the DVD was about, where it came from (and what rating it should have). Possibly six people now keen to visit Richmond. Keep an eye out for Victorian visitors!
So why Richmond State School?
The decision on which school to enrol your son/daughter in, the timing and for what year levels they should stay, the subjects in senior years, the pathway beyond year 10 and after school in general, is ultimately the parent/guardian decision and is best informed by all stakeholders – parents, teachers, community and the child. Here are a few dot points that are worthy of noting, about Richmond State School, just incase you are sitting on the fence, wondering where will best suit your child/children.
Teaching and learning @ Richmond Sate School
- Students are taught the entire Australian Curriculum from Prep to Year 10.
- Students in 7-8 exposed to all key learning areas throughout senior years.
- All Australian Curriculum subjects are on offer for students in years 9-10 and students get to choose.
- Context for learning is adjusted to be relevant and purposeful to students.
- Curriculum and teaching is aligned, adapted and or adjusted to match the varied ways of student learning and needs.
Staff @ Richmond State School
- University degree trained teachers with varying experiences which means new fresh ideas, energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and wisdom, all working altogether.
- Diverse range of skills amongst staff who are keen to pass them on to students.
- Teacher aides are in abundance to provide support in nearly every classroom.
- Staff consists of a combination of permanent residents, long term residents and temporary ones; a great mix which enables development of strong relationships with students and parents.
Class & School size @ Richmond State School
- Small classes: well below set limitations by department, more individualized teaching and learning.
- Small school: every staff member knows every child, stronger connections made, consistent practices throughout.
- Small school means more opportunity for development and attainment of student leadership positions.
Facilities and resources @ Richmond State School
- Modern, up to date, real world facilities including digital devices, books, manual arts workshop, kitchen, modern library, refurbished science lab and computer lab.
- Ample equipment for all students, no need to share or book times to use.
- New playgrounds, well maintained grounds, plenty of sheltered areas.
- Modern, fresh, spacious classrooms.
Support services @ Richmond State School
- Positive Behaviour for Learning program.
- Visiting SBYHN, GO, Chaplaincy, PT, OT, SLT – lots of acronyms, please ask what they are.
- Visiting hearing, vision and dental services.
- Community services assistance available: Uniting care, Centacare.
- Active Parent and Citizens committee.
Financial matters @ Richmond State School
- School resource scheme is very low compared to schools in regional Queensland.
- Grants frequently available to support and development of rural/ remote schools.
Wellbeing and other aspects @ Richmond State School
- Tuckshop food available every day.
- Brekky club open every Friday and its free.
- Homework club / learning beyond the bell sessions, two per week and its free.
- Amazing athletics, cross country and swimming carnivals.
- Camps and excursions for various year levels to supplement learning at minimal cost.
Please seriously consider what’s best for your children and your family when it comes to their education and the benefits of our community. Support and promote obtaining an education at Richmond State School. We will be most excited to see your children’s smiling faces again in 2023.
A reminder that report cards will be posted out to parent/guardians in the last week of school. If there is anything you’d like to discuss with your child’s teacher prior to the end of the year, regarding academic growth, please phone the school to make a time for this to happen.
Lastly, as the end of another school year approaches, the teaching staff would like to thank you in advance for the support and encouragement you give your child/children to give their best effort in all aspects of learning, every day, right until the last day, Friday the 2nd December. And then ‘Happy Holidays’!
Kronosaurus Korner DVD
Student Achievements
Congratulations to all award recipients. You have been recognised for your hard work and dedication to learning and our school.
Term 4 Week 4
Term 4 Week 5
Term 4 Week 6
Principal Award
Congratulations on receiving a Principal Award!
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
Hello Parents and Carers,
After receiving feedback from parents, carers and community members, it has been decided to make a change to the free dress reward system this term. Instead of individual classes working towards this reward we have turned it into a whole school reward. Each week during parade, Mr Marshall will combine the previous week’s average happy voucher totals from each class and track them throughout the term. This means that all students are working towards this reward and they will either all reach it or not reach it. This will mean consistency for every student and it will alleviate any confusion and uncertainty of free dress at the end of the term. The goal to reach is 3500 Happy Vouchers by the end of the term. So far, the students have earned a total of 2669 Happy Vouchers over the past six weeks. A note will go home at the beginning of Week 9 letting everybody know if the students have reached this goal or not. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the PBL Team at Richmond State School.
Mr Scott Marshall
PBL Leader
Rewards
Adopt-A-Cop Lunch/Officer Mels Birthday Party
PBL Golden Ticket Morning Tea
Student Absence Process
In the event of your child being absent from school please ensure you communicate via:-
- School phone 47 686 333
- Option 1 for absence line to leave a message
- Email: admin@richmondss.eq.edu.au
- Send a note with your child before the day of absence, if it is a planned absence
- For planned long term absence, please speak with admin staff
Children who do not present at school without explanation are recorded as ‘unexplained absence’. Mandatory same day notification is a legal requirement. If you have not informed the school of your child’s absence you will receive a phone call informing you of their absence and seeking an explanation as to the reason.
Students who are going to be on a planned absence of greater than ten school days are required to apply for an exemption from schooling. Should this situation apply to your child at any time please contact the school office for an appointment with the principal to discuss the required process.
Staff Appreciation day
28th October was staff appreciation day, many notes were written to thank the staff for their continued commitment our school and students.
Robyn McMaster came and celebrated with us, Rob has retired after over 30 years of dedicated service to RSS. She was presented with a lovely gift from the staff.
Thank you Rob for all you have done, we will miss you.
Playground
We have had feedback from our Prep to Year 2 students that the new playground is 'two thumbs up!'
We look forward to the official opening which will be occurring at 8am on Friday 18th November on the RSS front lawn - all welcome.
Library News
2022 has been a fantastic year for the library. We purchased 393 new titles.
If you have suggestions on titles you would like to see your children borrow, let staff know.
Thank you everyone for returning books on loan, this will also help us in what titles we need to replace for the new year.
P & C Meeting - Date Change
Please note that the P & C Meeting has moved from Monday 14th November to Monday 21st November 2022.
Parents and Citizens Association
School Information
Scholarships
AUSTRALIAN VETERANS' CHILDREN ASSISTANCE TRUST (AVCAT)
The AVCAT Scholarships are now open for children and grandchildren of Veterans and will close on the 31st October 2022.
AVCAT supports the children & grandchildren of Australian Veterans with the cost of tertiary education. They provide scholarships that help pay for textbooks and expenses and help ease the cost of living. These scholarships and bursaries provide much-needed financial assistance and a pathway to a life with greater possibilities.
For further information about the scholarships and bursaries click the ink AVCAT Scholarships and Bursaries
SCARTWATER AND CUNNINGHAM SCHOLARSHIPS
The following criteria must be met in order to qualify for both the Scartwater Scholarship (assistance for year 11 & 12) and Cunningham Scholarship (assistance for university studies).
Applicant must be a child or grandchild of an eligible Returned Serviceman or Woman who: has seen overseas active service within the Australian Defence forces in all theatres; enlisted from or resided in the Scartwater Area prior to enlisting; and or now permanently resides in the Scartwater Area and has done so for no less than 15 years.
Between Proserpine and Innisfail and West to the Queensland border.
Link here for further information Scartwater Trust Scholarships