RSS Newsletter Issue 11 2023
From the Principal
It has been a very exciting few weeks at Richmond State School as we progress towards the conclusion of the academic year.
P & C
On Monday 13th we held our final P & C meeting for 2023. I want to take this opportunity to thank our incredible P & C for their tireless efforts in fundraising, brainstorming, asking questions, reviewing school documentation and their commitment to our students and our school. Without this dedicated group of parents, we would not have been able to subsidise recent school camps, provide families with free and discounted uniforms, provide new resources for our students or upgrade playgrounds.
Our Executive Committee: Sherreen Johnston (P), Rachel Stenhouse (VP), Alison Pauli (T), Demelza Weston (S). You have done an outstanding job throughout 2023, thankyou for your incredible work, patience and support.
To all parents and community members who have taken time throughout 2023 to attend our meetings, support our events and provide suggestions and ideas to further improve our school, thank you. Your engagement and support of our school is very much appreciated. We look forward to working with you into 2024.
Student Leadership
Congratulations to all students who participated in our recent student leadership process. Student Leadership positions will be formally announced at our upcoming Awards Presentation Evening.
Staffing Updates
We will be farewelling some of our RSS Staff at the conclusion of 2023, we will be celebrating their contributions to the school at our end of year Awards Presentation Evening.
- Lucie-Ann Kirk
- Jessica Oliver
- Jack Graham
- Camille Carrigan
I would also like to formally welcome Mr Smith as our Deputy Principal for 2024 at Richmond State School. Mr Smith has been appointed following a statewide recruitment process. We are very excited about him continuing in his role and also to be welcoming his family in the new year.
Acting Deputy Principal
With 2024 fast approaching, we are beginning to plan for the upcoming academic year. The leadership team are beginning to plan for our 2024 class structures and the provision of subjects. Part of this process involves projecting our enrolments for 2024.
Parents/carers would have received a letter sent home to request information regarding your student’s educational future. For our school to best support the learning and wellbeing needs of your child, we would like to know if your child/ren will be continuing their education with us at Richmond State School in 2024.
As part of our planning for 2024 we are working to explore new and exciting opportunities to expand our diversity of curriculum opportunities. For year 9 & 10 we will be pursuing opportunities for work experience placements within the community. In addition, the year 10’s will have the opportunity to engage in a range of elective subjects or a Certificate II Rural Operations. The training course is being offered in collaboration with Longreach State High School and is designed to simulate a traineeship experience with 1 day a week as a work placement and a 1 week per term camp at Longreach.
Whilst planning for 2024 is exciting, we do need to remain focused on striving do our best now. To ensure our students are able to do this we are paying close attention to healthy habits such as drinking plenty of water and eating well. Please ensure your child/ren are taking care to stay hydrated and are bringing a water bottle with them to school.
Regards
Chris Smith
Acting Deputy Principal
Head of Department - Curriculum
Curriculum, Teaching & Learning
Attendance and Assessment
With only 12 school days left for 2023, teachers are asking students to demonstrate their learning through a variety of modes. Teachers collect and use this data to determine what your child knows and may still need to learn, against the Australian Curriculum achievement standard for each learning area in their year level. Every day, students are being taught new concepts and skills. Every day, students are being observed and assessed on their learning to enable teachers to plan for their next lesson. Every student, every day is provided with opportunities to achieve. Attending every day of school is vital for your child to succeed. Every day counts – even the ‘fun’ days such as the upcoming swimming carnival. Students are also in the middle of completing a number of formal assessments which provide their grade for their Semester 2 report card. You will find your child’s assessment calendar at the back of their Parent Curriculum Overview which was sent home earlier in the term.
Over the next three weeks, Prep to year two teachers will be collecting data from their students to complete the Early Start records. Early Start is a suite of literacy and numeracy materials which schools use to track progress and measure the growth of our Prep to Year 2 students. This data informs our curriculum planning, resourcing decisions and supports teachers to more effectively differentiate teaching for students in the early phase of schooling. All Prep to Year 2 students across Queensland, are required to gather and monitor this data to better understand where students are at and ‘where to next’ for their learning. Parents can access more information about Early Start from the Department of Education and Training website at
http:// education.qld.gov.au/strategic/advice/earlychildhood/earlystart.html.
Move-Up a Class Session
On Monday of Week 9, there will be no whole school parade as students will participate in their Move-Up a Class session as part of our whole school transition program. This session will provide students with an introduction to their 2024 cohort expectations, transition routines, rules and new play areas. It also gives students an opportunity to engage with their cohort peers that they may share a class with in 2024.
It is our goal at Richmond State School that all students feel supported and prepared for the learning at the start of each year. The Move-Up a Class session aims to lessen some of the anxiety students may feel and allow students to start the 2024 year with confidence. If you would like to discuss your child’s transition needs please contact the office to discuss how we can support the process.
End of Year Events and Celebrations
I love Term 4! It is a time filled with excitement, opportunities for the new year and celebrations of the year that has been. Our Year 6 students will celebrate the conclusion of their primary school chapter of learning Friday night with a celebration at school. The following Friday evening is our Awards Presentation Evening which we hope you can all join us for. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reflect and celebrate all of our students and their achievements throughout the year and welcome our 2024 student leaders to their new positions. The Prep class has an open-classroom in week 9 to celebrate their first year of school and show off their learning with their parents. We are so proud of them! Thursday of week 9 will see Mitchell and Flinders battle it out in the pool for our annual Swimming Carnival. Miss Murray has a fun-filled day planned with lots of activities to engage every student, whether they are a competitive racer or not. It’s not a day to be missed! Friday of week 9 will be the whole school free-dress day and PBL rewards. Our school facebook page will continue to provide updates on upcoming events. Please ensure that your child is attending school for the next 12 days so they don’t miss out on all of the learning, fun and finish the year strong!
2024 Staffing Updates
Miss Jaimee Baartz
Hi all, I would like to introduce myself & give you a little overview of me.
My name is Jaimee Baartz and I was born & raised on the coast of Central Queensland. I completed all my junior education in a small regional school - Benaraby S.S. This is where my passion & desire to become a teacher began & I always hoped that one day I would get the opportunity to teach in a similar rural location. My senior education was completed at Tannum Sands S.H.S. I then moved to Brisbane to begin my University degree at QUT. During this time I had the opportunity to complete one of my placements in a small school in Central West Queensland which was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed & cherished.
Some of my interests include camping, fishing, playing sport & exploring new places. I enjoy travelling overseas along with exploring the vast landscape of Australia. During one of our family holidays as a child we completed the dinosaur trail, where I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Richmond, Hughenden, Julia Creek & Winton.
I am extremely excited for the experience of teaching at Richmond S.S in 2024 and look forward to the opportunity that living and working in a small community provides. I am really looking forward to meeting all the families, work colleague’s and the local community of Richmond next year.
Chelsea Chambers
Hello,
My name is Chelsea Chambers. I am very excited to be teaching at Richmond State School in 2024!
I am originally from a small town in Gippsland, Victoria. After graduating high school, I moved to Melbourne to study a Bachelor of Education at Deakin University. In my first year of teaching, I had a Grade Five class at a state school south-east of Melbourne. I relocated to the Sunshine Coast in 2021 and have since been a relief teacher and taught Grade One and Grade Two.
Outside of school, I love to go camping and be outdoors. I enjoy watching the footy (AFL) and am an avid Collingwood supporter.
I’m really looking forward to getting to know you and beginning this next adventure of my teaching career in Richmond!
Miss Chambers
Mr John Hatfield
My name is John Hatfield and I am so happy to be coming to Richmond SS for 2024. I currently live on the Sunshine Coast with my partner Susan, our son Angus (18 years old) and our two dogs and two cats. Our other two boys, Dylan and Liam, live and study in Brisbane.
I have a true passion for working with young children and helping each child progress in all areas of their development-academic, social, language and motor skills. This is a challenge that I strive to achieve on a daily basis. I look to create a community of learners that allows each child to grow and all being done in a positive and fun environment.
My partner and I are really looking forward to this opportunity of coming to Richmond and cannot wait to experience life in North West Queensland. We are looking forward to being a part of the local community and making some new friends along the way.
Fun facts about me:
- My favourite food is Toad in the Hole.
- I love open water swimming.
- I try to play the harmonica.
- I support Middlesbrough Football Club.
- I have lived in Australia since 2003.
Student Achievements
Congratulations to all award recipients. You have been recognised for your hard work and dedication to learning & our school.
Term 4 Week 4
Term 4 Week 5
Term 4 Week 6
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Golden Tickets winners enjoyed a lovely morning tea with Mrs Mayo on Thursday 2nd of November.
Students have been working very hard for the last 6 weeks to reach the happy voucher goal for term 4, they are on target to achieve the rewards planned for the end of the term.
School Nurse
Healthy Screentime Habits
Children live in a world where digital devices are now a part of everyday life. Living in a digital age has both risks and benefits and screen devices are neither good nor bad. When used correctly, digital devices are a great source for social connection, entertainment, education, and fun. The challenge is to manage screentime, keep our children safe online, and to ensure that it doesn’t stop them from doing other activities.
There is no one answer for what amount of screen time in reasonable or safe. It is up for every family to decide how much screen time to allow at different ages, however there is evidence that suggests that more than two hours of total screen time per day is linked to depression in children. It is important that sleep, exercise, creative play, activities of daily living and time spent with others isn’t impacted by screen time. Limits should take into account what the screen time is used for. Using a device and screen for school or homework is different to scrolling though images on social media. Your child might be having too much screen time if they are having trouble sleeping; either falling asleep or not getting enough sleep due to amount of device usage. Emotional outburst, unhealthy eating habits and sore eyes and neck can also be a result of too much screen time. When looking at apps and games that are played on devices choose ones that promote creativity or musical skills, improves their problem solving and planning abilities or improves motor skills or hand eye co-ordination. Avoid social media apps as this can increase the risk of depression and emotional harm from exposure to unsuitable or unhealthy content.
To prevent conflict and problems over device usage and screen time set limits and have clear rules with your children’s screen time and with your own. Be a good role model by monitoring and managing your own use of screen and devices. Avoid using them when talking to others or when your child in playing nearby or sitting without trying to interact. Show them that you can put your device away when someone wants your attention. Show an interest in your child’s screen use and ask them about the games they are playing or who they are talking to online, this is a good way to check and monitor the content is appropriate. With your child set limits for screen time, agree on an amount of daily screentime, for how long for in one sitting and when/where they can use devices. Prepare a phone and device free zone for when they are doing homework, during mealtimes, family time and during sleep. Encourage your child to take a break for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, regardless if screentime is for fun or education and study purposes.
To manage conflict over screen time, use logical consequences. Avoid arguing or criticism, simply state that the rule has been broken and what the consequence is (preferably one that was agreed on together). If the rule is broken for a second time that day, enforce that no screen time/device use is allowed until the next day. If the rules continue to be broken, talk about the problem and why it is happening. Discuss ways to solve the problem such as setting reminders, different consequences or renegotiating the rules. It may be helpful to print the rules and have them on display in the house. Remember to be mindful of your own screen usage and not to break any of the rules you set for your children yourself.
P&C Information
Come along a cheer our students on, see who is victourious Flinders or Mitchell on Thursday the 30th November at the Richmond Swimming Pool.
Please note there will be no tuckshop from Moonrock Cafe for the carnival
P&C will be catering for the day. We will be supplying the following at no cost to children -
Watermelon
Poppers
Icey Cups (Red & Green)
BBQ Lunch (Sausage/Steak Sandwich)
Cupcakes - Sponsored by Richmond Shire Council
Uniform Update
The P&C is working towards an alternate material school polo. This will be a cotton back polo, suitable for children with sensitive skin, and will be available for all students. It is hoped this garment will be available in the uniform shop for Term 1, 2024. We will continue to provide updates and would appreciate parent feedback.
Premiers Reading Challenge
Congratulations to all students who completed the Premiers Reading Challenge. More than 1.5 million books were read by Queensland school students as a part of the challenge this year and over 500 of those came from right here in Richmond! After receiving their certificate on Monday the students were reminded today just how special taking part in something like this is, as they enjoyed a sweet treat in the shade with some of their fellow book worms.
Premiers Reading Challenge Reward
Library News
The last bookfair for 2023 is out now and will be closing on the 16th November, this will allow time for orders to be recieved before the end of the school year. There are lots of great gift ideas- just as a reminder if you are ordering as gifts let the school know and we will contact you when they arrive. Collection can then be made at a time which is suitable for you.
If you do not have a catalogue yet, email Library@richmondss.eq.edu.au and we will send one home with your child.
Triple P
Triple P is a valuable online resource with information that may be useful to parents who are after some tips.
School News
Community news
Term 4 Specials
