RSS Newsletter Issue 12 2023
From the Principal
Contratulations to all for a fabulous year at Richmond State School.
Thank you once again to our amazing students, staff, parents and community for supporting Richmond State School.
2024 Improvement Agenda
- Implementation of high-quality evidence-informed pedagogy, leading to improved learning outcomes for students
- Preparation and planning for the implementation of contextualised Version 9 Australian curriculum
This improvement agenda is part of our 4 year strategic plan and will ensure continued improvement in professional development of our staff and ongoing improvement in learning outcomes for our students.
Further information and consultation regarding the improvement agenda and strategic plan will be unpacked at our upcoming P & C Meetings. I encourage you to join us at P & C to ensure your voice is part of our school improvement.
Open Classrooms - 2024
We will have our classrooms open for parents to come and drop book list items off and view classrooms between 8-9:30am on Friday 19th Janurary.
P&C will also have the uniform shop open during this time for families to purchase any uniforms required for 2024.
2024
I have recently accepted a short term contract position working for the Education Futures Institute (EFI) as a School Improvement Coach. I will be starting this position part way through Term 1, 2024 pending the successful recruitment of an Acting Principal. I will work with the incoming Principal to ensure a detailed handover to minimise any disruption to the school.
Once further details are determined, I will be sure to update the community.
I wish everyone a safe and joy filled holiday period and look forward to seeing you in 2024.
Kind Regards,
Mrs Elizabeth Mayo
Principal
It was a privledge to celebrate our 2023 Showcase Award Win with our P-2 students at our Awards Presentation Evening.
Deputy Principal
As Term 4 concludes, we take time to reflect on the incredible achievements of the year. Last weeks awards ceremony was a spectacle of accolades celebrating the continued success of our students with the support of the fantastic Richmond community. Whilst the rain on the evening made it difficult for some to attend, the much needed downpour was welcome relief after the recent hot and dry weather.
The awards ceremony was also an opportunity to present some samples of our students work. Amongst these displays was the video footage of our students performing group songs developed as a result of the recent Topology Music Workshops run at the school over two days. The three visiting musicians taught foundation skills of music and song and put these into practice with our students contributing to the development and performance of three songs that featured particularly unique song titles and lyrics such as the ‘Big Bad Pig’, a Christmas bush song with lines like mentioning Santa drinking Fanta with accompanying dance moves. The music workshops were a wonderful opportunity for our students and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
With fond farewells to departing staff and excitement building as we plan to welcome new staff into 2024. The school is busily preparing for the next year. Nonetheless, we are committed to making the most of the final week here at school with regular lessons continuing up until the Thursday Swimming Carnival. On Friday the final school day of the year will conclude with an alternate program of extended learning opportunities across the school.
Regards
Chris Smith
Deputy Principal
Head of Department - Curriculum
I can’t believe the 2023 school year is already over. The Leadership Team have been deep in 2024 planning already and it is shaping up to be a fantastic year at Richmond State School. Starting the year off taking advantage of the warmer pool temperature with Year 1-10’s swimming in PE in Term 1 (Prep’s will continue to have their PE swimming lessons in Term 4 once they are more familiar with the school routines). Year 9 and 10’s will gain their Food Safety Certificate in Term 1 and some Year 10 students have taken up the opportunity to gain their Certificate 2 in Rural Operations. Mr Marshall has some exciting projects planned for the Years 5-10’s in Technology. In the Arts we are bringing back Visual Arts in Semester 1 and Dance in Semester 2, where students will be engaging with Footsteps Dance Company to support their Arts learning. In Health, we will be introducing the Respectful Relationships curriculum throughout all grades. Mr Smith is already working behind the scenes organising work experience opportunities for our Year 9 and 10 students and leadership will continue working with Council to support the local careers fair. We have the regular annual school activities such as Sporting carnivals, Sporting visitors, Master Classes, Science and Book Week, National Simultaneous Storytime, Premiers Reading Challenge, Day for Daniel, Year 5/6 and High School camps, Year 10 and 6 Graduation Celebration and Awards Presentation Evening to all look forward to throughout the year also.
But for now, thank you for a wonderful 2023! Please stay safe over the Christmas/New Year period and I look forward to seeing you all again in Term 1, 2024.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Congratulations to all students for successfully reaching their goal of 60 000 Happy Vouches.
As we wrap up another year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents, staff and community representatives that have contributed to PBL this year. I would also like to acknowledge the Richmond Shire Council, Kronosaurus Korner and the numerous community members that have contributed to our Master Class program this year. On behalf of Richmond State School, thank you and have a merry Christmas.
Scott Marshall
Student Achievements
Congratulations to all award recipients. You have been recognised for your hard work and dedication to learning & our school.
Term 4 Week 7
Term 4 Week 8
See you soon from Miss Kirk
To all the students, staff and parents who have been apart of my time at Richmond State School I can't thank you enough. To be welcomed in to such a kind and vibrant community with such open arms means that my time in Richmond holds a very special place in my heart. 1/2K will go down in history as the sportiest, spunkiest and most special class that I have had the pleasure of teaching and it has been an absolute privilege to be trusted with their eager young minds. With love - Miss Kirk ❤️.
Awards Night
Teachers gave a breakdown of 2023 during thier speech at awards night. If you were unable to make the night or would just like to read them, Enjoy
Prep- Mrs Ybema
Wow, what a year we have had in prep. We have had so much fun and learnt so much in such a short time. From not being able to write your name at the beginning of the year to now writing short stories about different characters. We have done lots of craft including creating astronauts, tigers, snakes and even undies when learning our letters and sounds. A highlight for the prep class this year would be when we made ice cream sundaes and toast when learning about sequencing events correctly. We have loved doing the morning song, finger gym, obstacle courses and singing and dancing to Pevan and Sarah, even though it took us half a year to say Pevan, not Kevin. The most accurate description to teaching prep is “you’re learning how to be a human, how to write things down, how to read, how to manage friendships and follow rules, and all the while everybody’s teeth are falling out all over the place". To our preps, I am so proud of the little people you are becoming and I cannot wait to see you grow as you continue your schooling.
Year 1/2 Mrs Buick and Miss Kirk
Welcome everyone, we are here to celebrate the learning of our fabulous 1/2 superstars. As well as building our knowledge, skills and confidence in the classroom we have also managed to make sure we stop and have a bit of fun along the way, with our excursions to the Bobby Murray Park and our class competitive games we played at the end of each term. The winning class got a lolly pop from the other class. It’s safe to say 1/2K received a lot of lollipops this year. We’ve have decided celebrate the end of year by highlighting a small snippet of each student within out speech.
Allicia is for an amazing smile.
Archer is for his amazing knowledge.
Archie is for always making Miss Kirk laugh.
Ashleigh is for an artist in the making.
Aubrey is awesome at helping at helping others.
Billie is for brilliant role modelling.
Braxton is for beautiful handwriting.
Bridgette is for the best hugs.
Brock is for being a great student teacher.
Cecil is for carefully creating drawings.
Chancey is close cuddles.
Clancy is for his carefree spirit.
Colt is for a crazy cool mullet.
Corbin is for caring for his classmates.
Daisy is for delightful illustrations.
Freya is for always showing fairness.
Heidi is for handy helper.
Isabelle is for incredible sportsmanship.
Keith is for kind nature.
Kohan is for keeping others on task.
Libby is for showing loyalty to her classmates.
Lilly is for legendary work ethic.
Lindsay is for loving to rock on his chair.
Lincoln is for lovely manners.
Logan is for laughing at Mrs Buicks jokes.
Matthew is for making sure he has a go.
Parker is for always politely asking.
Reagan is for really looking out for her peers.
Riley is for ridiculously great writing.
AND
William is for wild and wonderful stories.
Each and every student in the 1/2 has grown so much throughout the year academically, socially and emotionally and it was Jacinta’s and I’s absolute privilege to be a part of that journey.
Year 5/6 Mrs Pattel
To assist me with tonight’s speech I leaned on the very talented group of 5/6 students for material.
I asked them to answer a few questions about the 2023 year. In short a bit like that question that every parent asks their child at the end of the school day – What did you learn or do at school today?
They were quick to give me plenty of advice on what I should and shouldn’t say. So with their feedback in mind – here I go.
Whilst I can’t promise it will be humorous – I will do my very best to not preach or take up too much time
Q1 .
- What did you learn in 2023?
As an educator it was pleasing to see out all the responses, Not one responded with a NOTHING, the response I know so many parents receive at the end of a school day. Common responses were they learnt lots of new and challenging strategies in Maths, a new language, worked on many different styles of writing in English and for some they simply said – I learnt LOTS of hard stuff.
Q2
- What was your favourite thing
While I was hopeful that the favourite thing would be “going to school learning everyday – I had an inkling that that would not be the case. Of course with a landslide the group’s first ever camp to Daradgee at Innisfail rated as THE BEST THING EVER, with items of note being cruising down the river seeing crocodiles, enjoying a different climate, yummy food every day at breakfast, lunch and DINNER and going out of their comfort zone to meet new people and try new things. A close second to Camp was PE. In the mix of favourite thing were visits from groups such as Topolgy and YLead.
Q3.
- What was your least favourite thing
Assessment of any kind and mastering the many skills required in English from spelling to ensuring written work in English includes text structures and language features rated among responses. Another was having to leave play early to log on for Japanese. While I got one or two who did say - going to school !!
What I will look forward to in 2024
Reuniting with friends in grade four, moving to high school and for some of the year 5s just being in year 6 and working as student leaders. Some even said they wanted to learn more Maths skills (mastering their times tables) and get better at their spelling and improve their English written tasks.
Lastly – many of the comments the students shared about what they remember most about 5/6 were largely about the fun things we shared together as a class – so many fun times – so many laughs – so many new friendships. Many centred around my infamous organisation skills and the 5/6 Abyss.
In conclusion, for the graduating class of 5/6, I wish you all the best with your new ventures and classes next year. This group of students truly have been a pleasure to teach. These students really are self-motivated, dedicated to learning and wanting to improve and do their best – every single day and I look forward to doing it all again next year.
That is … if in case – if I don’t win the lottery.
For anyone interested, please see below photos for awards criteria
2023 Awards Night
Year 6 Graduation
The Completion of the primary school years was celebrated on the 17th November. Baylie, Toby, Leon, Courtney, Taylor, Issac, Morgan, Lucy and Jane. Parents joined the students for some canapes before leaving at 7 pm after the presentations. Mrs Pattel presented the P&C gifts to the students. A big thankyou to the P&C for the lovely pens that will lead our students into their highschool years - hope we managed to get our pen licences. Mrs S spoke very highly of the students she has taught since their first day on the Big School Campus.
The students presented Mrs Pattel with a lovely poem , think there may have been a tear or two.
The evening was catered by the wonderful Mrs Mayo, Mrs S, Mr Smith and Miss Julie. This year the students decided they would like cupcakes - Thank you Jules and Greg, they looked amazing and tasted just as good. I did have to do a taste test.
We wish you all the best for 2024. Remember -Every day is a new opportunity to change your life and become who you want to be.
Graduation Night Gallery
Topology
Topology is an internationally renowned, award-winning arts organisation. They are leaders in the defining aspects of creativity and collaborate across style and art form boundaries. Topology believes that everyone has the power to be creative and supports this through our Creative Academy and Growing Creative Communities programs.
Richmond State school was lucky enough to be able to host workshops for our students over two days in week 8. The sounds of music and laughter were a joy to hear.
Topology
HACC Christmas Carols
Students from grade 3 to grade 9 visited the HACC centre on Thursday 23rd November, to sing christmas carols during the Christmas luncheon.
Students have been practicing with Chappy Charlie on Tuesday via video link with a modern take on the old carols.
Richmond State School Chior
Boxing
What better to do on a rainy day, when playing outside is just too wet. Get to listen to and ask questions of some boxing Champions and coaches .
Maks from Maks boxing gym, Steve Deller (former boxer and trainer for Commonwealth & Olympic athletes and world champion boxers, Justin Hodges (ex Nrl Bronco's, Qld, and Australian player) and Erik Sokolov (Australian super bantamweight champion) visited the school to do a boxing demonstration with the highschool students. Afterwards they held a discussion in the library about making good life choices and motivation and encouraging kids to stay active and healthy. It was very interesting to speak with athletes of such high standing within their chosen sporting field. Thanks Maks and the team.
Question Time
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