RSS Newsletter Issue 2 2024

Goodbye Mrs Mayo. We will miss you.

This week we are saying farewell and see you in 2025 to Mrs Mayo. The dedication and committment Mrs Mayo has shown to our school and community has been amazing. We wish you all the best in your new role and can't wait to see you again.

Deputy Principal

Our Richmond State School newsletter has notable absence in this edition as it is the first in a long time without Mrs Mayo writing as our school principal. From all here at the school, we say farewell and best wishes to Mrs Mayo. Her time here at Richmond will be long remembered for her fantastic contribution to the students, school and community. Mrs Mayo’s enthusiasm and love of learning will be missed.

We expect to be able to announce the appointment of our new principal very soon. Meanwhile, we are looking forward to a range of events in coming weeks, these include; parent teacher meetings, NAPLAN testing and the YLead program.

Parent teacher meetings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in week 7 on the 5th and 6th of March.  This year we are using an online booking system – Schoolzine Session Keeper.
To access this, parents will need to log into Schoolzine, this can be done via the schoolzine website or the mobile app. If you are yet to download the mobile app, advice on how to do this can be found at https://www.schoolzineplus.com/installing-szapp . First time users will need to enter the school pin number.

SZapp pin: 4822

Once you have been able to log into Schoolzine you need to go to the icon "Parent TeacherInterviews" 

The web address for this is: https://richmondss.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/1

To support parents booking an interview time using schoolzine, below is a link to a booking guide. https://www.schoolzine.com/sk-booking-guide/

If you have any questions regarding this, or are having trouble using the online booking system, please contact the school office. For any parents unable to make a booking in the available time slots parents are encouraged to make contact with class teachers to discuss alternatives.

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be sitting NAPLAN from Wednesday 15 March. Students will be completing the Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy NAPLAN assessments online again in 2024, except the Year 3 Writing assessment, which will remain paper-based. Below is the schedule of testing at Richmond State School, this includes times for catch up tests at the conclusion for students that are absent on any of the scheduled test days.

For further information regarding NAPLAN please visit: https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/p-10/naplan/general-information . If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's participation in NAPLAN, please contact our NAPLAN Administrator, Chris Smith to discuss further.

Also occurring in week 8 is the YLead program which returns to our school again this year to deliver a range of unique learning experiences that empower young people to be their best and make a positive difference in their world. The program schedule for YLead is detailed below:

Regards

Chris Smith

Deputy Principal

Head of Department - Curriculum

Student Support Services at Richmond State School

Richmond State School is fortunate to have a number of great support services available to assist staff and students in achieving learning and wellbeing outcomes. These services include guidance officers, chaplains and speech & language therapists. This year, Richmond State School has school-funded additional time with some of our support staff, in addition to our department-allocated time.

Our support staff work with our school in different ways, based on the needs of our students.
Some of our specialist staff may support our teachers and students by collaboratively planning tailored units of work via web conferences. Some support staff will visit our school to work with staff and students for a week block each term, or maybe a couple of days at a time. Some will call our parents at regular intervals to support our families during times of need. The support is tailored to our needs and as such, may look different each term.

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce the team of people who will be supporting Richmond State School in 2024. You will notice that some of these people will look familiar as they have been working with our school for a number of years now. If you see these people around the school, be sure to introduce yourself and say hello!

Chaplain: Charlie Chamberlin – Based in Townsville – Our school Chaplain is Charlie Chamberlin. Charlie is a familiar face in the classroom with his guitar and repertoire of songs and in the playground playing just about anything. The students love this time with him and it enables Charlie to build a strong and positive rapport with the students.

Involvement with the Chaplain is entirely voluntary and students choose whether or not they want to be a part of the activities that are offered. Parents will be consulted if their child wishes to be involved in ongoing one-to-one meetings with the Chaplain or in any program or group involving spiritual or ethical content. Parents have the right to refuse permission for their child to be involved in any Chaplaincy activity or event. The Chaplaincy Service is available to everyone in the school community regardless of their religious beliefs.

Chappy Charlie is based in Townsville and connects with the students regularly online as well as being at school for a week each term.

Guidance Officer: Bernadette Turnour – Based in Townsville – Bernadette joins our support team this year and will be visiting Richmond once per term. Guidance professionals work collaboratively with students, teachers, families and community agencies to ensure every student is learning and achieving within a safe, supportive, inclusive and disciplined environment. Guidance professionals are educators who have taught in schools and have the expertise to help students and teachers. Guidance officers can: undertake educational and psychological assessments, collaboratively plan and implement evidence-based interventions with staff, external agencies and families, provide counselling, therapy and programs for individuals and groups, and address a range of mental health, emotional and family issues to promote engagement in learning. Referrals to the GO are via the school and parents are required to sign a consent form prior to the GO meeting with a student.

Speech Language Pathologist: Yadanar Tut – Yadanar travels across North Queensland to provide Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) services in State Schools. For the last two years, she has been based in Mount Isa. This year, Yadanar is based in Brisbane but will continue to service North Queensland schools. Yadanar’s new role will focus on providing equitable services to rural and remote schools across Queensland. Yadanar loves engaging and working with children; this was one of the main reasons she decided to become an SLP. Her areas of interest include supporting early years (Prep to Year 2) and, has experience in supporting students with language and literacy difficulties. This year, we have school-funded additional time with Yadanar and she is planning to visit Richmond for one week per term. Her work will focus on collaborating with the school to understand and use evidence-informed reading instruction. This is Yadanar’s third year servicing Richmond State School and she is very excited to be working with us again.

School Based Youth Health Nurse: Kayleigh McIntosh – Based in Hughenden – Kayleigh is a Child Health Nurse from Hughenden and travels to Richmond every second Monday (even weeks). She also works with Hughenden State School. The role of the School Based Youth Health Nurse is to work with secondary students to focus on whole of school preventative health and health promotion. See more information about her role later on in this newsletter.

Physiotherapist: Allie Masarik – Based in Townsville - As a school Physiotherapist, Allie works with the students and school staff to ensure optimal inclusion in all areas of education.

Occupational Therapist: Emma Hay – Based in Townsville - As a school Occupational Therapist, Emma collaborates with school staff to ensure all students have the ability to access, participate, and achieve within their school environment and curriculum.

If you would like to discuss these services and how they can support your child, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or Rachel Dempster as the Head of Department for Curriculum.

School Based Youth Health Nurse

Hi my name is Kayleigh McIntosh and I am your School Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN). I have had the past 2 years off on maternity leave and am now excited to be back building rapport with students, teachers and parents of the school community.

I have been working as a School Based Youth Health Nurse since 2017, working with Hughenden State School and travelling to Richmond State School 1 day a fortnight.

As a SBYHN I am able to work with young people, their parents and members of the school community, to assist in gaining access to health professionals for matters relating to the health and wellbeing of young people. I can support the school community to adopt a whole school approach in addressing current health and social issues faced by young people and their families while ensuring young people make a safe and healthy transition into adulthood.

In a school environment young people are provided with access to a SBYHN in many ways such as:

o Individual and confidential consultations which involve an age-appropriate health assessment, brief intervention and referral to appropriate health services and agencies.

o Health information sharing in the classroom through co-facilitation of lessons with a health and wellbeing focus.

o Targeted group work in partnership with other support personnel.

o  Health and wellbeing information that a SBYHN can provide to young people.

o Healthy eating and physical activity.

o Feeling unhappy or stressed.

o Relationships.

o Healthy Skin.

o Personal and Family problems.

o Growth and Development.

o Sexual Health.

o Smoking, Alcohol and other Drugs.

Please reach out to the school office if you would like any further information regarding the role of a SBYHN or an appointment.

Regards Kayleigh

Student Achievements

Term 1 Week 4

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Term 1 Week 5

Term 1 Week 6

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PBL Golden Ticket Morning Tea

Our first Golden Ticket morning tea was held on Thursday  week 5,winners enjoyed a popper and biscuits with Mr Smith.

Students recieve Happy Vouchers from Staff when they are seen following the 4 school rules - Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe and Be a Learner. Every happy voucher students receive are tallied and the students with the highest number of Happy Vouchers, is selected to join the Principal/Deputy Principal for Morning Tea.

There is one more Golden Ticket Morning Tea for term one.

Congratulations to all the winners. 

Mid-West Sport

A huge shoutout to all of our students that attended the North West trials in Blackall last week, you all represented RSS with pride! Also, a massive congratulations to Lacie for being selected in the North West team to attend the State Championships in Brisbane next month. Lacie will be competing in the 50m Freestyle, 50m backstroke and the relay. We are all super proud of you and look forward to seeing you smash it in Brisbane!

PREP PE with Mr Evans

Students in Prep have been working on their catching and throwing skills this term with Mr Evans. In particular, students have looked at pointing and aiming at their target when throwing. With their catching, students have been focussing on using an aid to help them and then with practice, they use two hands to catch a range of different sized beanbags and balls. Prep students have been great listeners and have been having heaps of fun!

Ball Skills

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In the Kitchen With the 9/10 class

Students have been busy in the kitchen with Mrs S. They have made biscuits & scones so far this Term and will make a pie/slice in Week 8. Today, one group chose to modify the scones and made delicious savoury scones.

Below are the recipes if you would like to make them at home. Enjoy 

Biscuits for the masses

Ingredients:

• 1 can condensed milk
• 500g butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 cups SR flour

Method

1. Cream butter and sugar
2. Add condensed milk, then flour
3. Form mixture into balls and place on greased baking trays
4. Flatten slightly with a fork
5. Bake in 180^oC oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown

Makes 9 dozen

Divide mixture to make a variety of biscuits like: jam drops, choc chips, add peanuts, fruit or whatever.

Lemonade Scones

Serves 16 scones

Ingredients

• 4 cups self-raising flour
• 300ml cream
• 1 cup lemonade room temperature

Method

1. Preheat oven 200C.
2. Line a tray with baking paper.
3. Into a large bowl, sift self-raising flour.
4. Make a well. Add cream and lemonade.
5. With a butter knife, mix until just combined.
6. Roll onto a floured surface.
7. Knead into a 3cm thick round.
8. Push the scone cutter into the dough.
9. Cut 16 rounds.
10. Bake in a hot oven until golden brown.

Easy bacon & egg pie

Ingredients

• 4 – 6 rashes bacon
• 1 onion
• 1 cup grated tasty cheese
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup milk
• 3 – 4 eggs beaten
• Salt & cracked pepper
• Parsley – fresh chopped or dried

Method

1. Dice bacon and onion, place in bowl with grated cheese and breadcrumbs.
2. Beat eggs & mix with milk
3. Add salt, pepper and parsley
4. Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients
5. Mix well
6. Pour into a greased / lined pie dish
7. Bake in slow to moderate oven 45 minutes

Classrooms

Some very exciting things have been happening in our classrooms. Here is just a small snap shot of some of the great learning we have been doing at Richmond SS.

Prep

1/2 B

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Year 5 Science

Year 6 Science

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Homework Centre

Richmond State School is 1 of 120 schools that were successful in receiving funding to run a Homework Centre. Our Homework Centre is twice per week with students being able to attend 1 day per week - student numbers are capped for each session. Homework Centre spots are only per semester, we will re-offer the 2 days again at the end of Term 2, 2024 in preparation for Semester 2.

Homework is an important part of every child's education. To assist families with completing homework, students are to bring their homework to their allocated day to complete with the support of Teacher Aides. 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Cricket -Blast

Richmond State School is hosting a free four week Woolworths Cricket Blast Program for boys and girls aged 5-11, starting on 29th February. Perfect for boys and girls of any skill level.

Two programs 5-8 year olds and 9-13 year olds both start at 2:25pm and concluding at 3:30pm.

For more information, contact Antony Stewart at antonystewart@qldcricket.com.au or 0466795648

School Based Apprenticeship

Fruit Break

Library

The library is located at the front of the school campus.

Inside you will find a well-equipped library with the latest books, that are updated regularly.  Students have access to games, puzzles, colouring and much more.

Book fairs are held annually for students to purchase books for their home libraries. This year’s event will start on the 21^st May until the 24^th May, students, parents and community members are welcome to come along and see what books are on offer. Every book sold helps the school with credits towards new books.

Please keep an eye out for more fantastic events held throughout the year.

Book club goes out twice a term. Orders can be placed online or on the order form on the back of the catalogue the students will bring home.  Issue 2 orders will close Monday 11th March.

 The library uses Oliver 5 as its operating system, students are able to log on to their account.

 If you would like your student’s login details, for more information please contact library staff.

Below is the link to Orbit the at home platform.

https://richmondss.softlinkhosting.com.au/oliver/junior.do?corporation=RichmondState

Tuckshop

Weekly Specials

P&C Information

Welcome to 2024, we look forward to seeing you at our meetings, the dates and times will be posted on the facebook page and the school calendar.

Our AGM is coming up and will be on Monday 11th March at 5:30pm in the Resource Room.

Community news

Join our team

Please see the below advertisement for an opportunity to join the Richmond State School Team.  We are seeking a dedicated and hardworking individual to join our cleaning team. 

Please make time to contact the school office if you have any questions.