RSS Newsletter Issue 9 2024
Principal
Engaged and Connected
Have you thought about the different ways that teachers work with students to ensure that they’re engaged and connected in their learning? This year our Explicit Improvement Agenda has been focused not only on preparing high quality curriculum based on the refreshed Version 9 Achievement standards, but also on drilling into practices that make for great English and Mathematics learning.
Teachers have been researching the elements in the research that makes learning engaging and assist students to connect to their learning and the real world. In several staff meetings, the following descriptions prevailed.
We are seeking your perspectives on what engaged and connected looks like for you. Please consider completing the very short (3 question) survey through this link.
Healthy Lunchboxes
At Richmond State School we encourage children to eat healthy food. Fresh daily fruit and nutritious sandwiches are recommended. If you want to include a snack, please do not provide sweets. Nuts, dried fruit, dry biscuits and cheese make healthy snacks. Children are not allowed to share food in case of food allergies.
If you’re ordering a delicious tuckshop lunch for your student, please remember to pack extra food for the second break. Learning takes a lot of energy, and having food at second break helps students to focus their learning in the afternoons.
Health and wellbeing Queensland have some great information on different ideas for lunchboxes.
Ms Liz Cumming
Deputy Principal
Planning for the future
Year 9 and 10 students will commence their work experience placements in the last week of Term 3. The school would like to express our gratitude to the local businesses and community members for supporting Richmond State School students in this important learning opportunity.
End of term events and planning
The last week of the Term 3 is set to feature a range of exciting events. The year 3/4 cohort will be travelling to Hughenden on Wednesday for a Sport Gala Day. On Thursday all students will be participating in Master Classes. This involves Richmond State School staff offering a range of specialty alternative activities that teach students new and exciting skills that extend beyond the traditional curriculum areas. Friday will conclude with a supercharged Breakfast Club that shouldn’t be missed, parents and students are encouraged to attend from 8:00am. The remainder of the day will consist of classroom PBL rewards in the morning sessions. The second half of the day will be capped off with the exciting Student Council School Fete, where a multitude of novelty activities and competitions are being set up around the school for students to participate in.
Farewell
It is with much sadness that I will be concluding my time working at Richmond State School at the end of Term 3. I will be returning to my substantive position at Stanthorpe State High School. Whilst my family and I had ambitions to stay on longer here in Richmond, we are very grateful for the opportunities afforded to us by this very welcoming community that should be proud of the children been raised here. Thank you again to everyone who has made my time here so memorable.
Mr Chris Smith
Head of Department - Curriculum
Communication
As a school, we are always looking for ways to evolve. Recently we have been exploring ways to improve our communication, and in turn, encourage positive partnerships with our families and communities. Strong communication between home and school is a key element in a positive schooling experience and ensuring success for our students. There are a range of ways in which we communicate with parents and carers about their students, including:
- emails
- phone calls
- parent teacher interviews and meetings
- SchoolZine messages
- Facebook posts
- LED sign at the front of school
- paper letters
- positive post cards
- report cards
In reviewing these modes of communication, we wanted to share with our families the ways in which you can communicate with the school. Please see the poster below. We encourage you to contact the school about your child, or for any concerns you may have. If you are in need of teacher contact details, please make contact with the office.
So that we are able to contact you when needed, please ensure your contact details are up to date with our school office.
Mrs Rachel Evans
Report Card Feedback
One of the formal ways we communicate students' academic results, as well as effort and behaviour is through our end of semester report cards, twice per year. Whilst all schools must follow the mandatory minimum reporting guidelines as outlined in the Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework, there are some elements of report cards that are school-based decisions.
Richmond State School is reviewing our modes of reporting on student learning to parents, prior to our move into Version 9 curriculum. We're looking to celebrate the strengths of our current processes, review and refine information, and clarify where needed.
We wanted to extend an opportunity to our parents and carers to provide feedback on how Richmond State School delivers report cards, the information communicated through report cards, and what parents and carers value.
We ask that parents and carers please complete a short survey to provide us with their feedback, at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/7BbT3fnG8Y
If you are interested in discussing this further, or would like more information, please contact the school office on 4768 6333.
Staffing
There will be some changes to staffing for Term Four.
Ms Cumming will be remaining as Principal at Richmond State School for the remainder of the year.
Mr Smith and his family will be returning to Stanthorpe at the end of Term 3. We are all very sad to see the Smith family leave the Richmond community and would like to thank Mr Smith for his dedication to the Richmond State School Students, Parents and Staff. You will be missed by us all.
Miss Grundy and Miss Murray will be team teaching the 3/4 students in their current classroom setting. We have had an increase to our student enrolments in the Year 3/4 class. To support student learning we will be increasing the resourcing within the classroom to enhance the teaching dynamics within the learning space. Miss Murray has spent considerable time in the classroom in preparation for this transition.
Student Achievements
Weeks 7, 8 and 9
Variety Bash
What a morning we had at Richmond State School as the Variety Bash convoy spent the morning with us. Students were able to view the impressive array of cars, all in different themes, and were absolutely spoilt with lollies, toys and souvenirs! We were also so grateful to receive a donation of $6,600 which will be spent on purchasing 3D printers for our school to improve our technology resources and provide students with unique, hands-on opportunities in the STEM space. After the cars had left, onto the next leg of their journey, students were treated to a magic show from Super Hubert - which had everyone in stitches of laughter, adults and kids alike. Special shout out to brave volunteers Daniel & Meighya for adding a bit of extra magic to the show through their participation. The morning was topped off by watching the Variety helicopter take off from our school oval - something not many schools or students would be able to say they've witnessed! Thank you so much to Variety for stopping by Richmond State School on the 40th Anniversary of the original Bourke to Burketown Bash. Thanks also to our P&C for providing breakfast for all the 'bashers' - they said it was the best they'd had on a bash in a long time! We would also like to give special mention to all of the community members that assisted the P&C with hosting breakfast, your generosity was greatly appreciated.
Variety Bash
Book Week
We certainly had some magic in Week 7, Mrs Ybema and her magic helpers led a wonderful week of activities from Book tasting (no eating of paper was conducted), mad hatters hat making, colouring, fancy dress, decorating the magic tree, which is still glowing with magic.
Thank you Mrs Ybema and her magic helpers for a wonderful week.
Magic Is In The Air
Book Fair
Term 4 week 2, we will be holding a buy one, get one free book fair. Come along and see what titles are available.
What a great offer in time for Christmas gift preparation or just to stock up your home library for the Christmas holidays /Wet Season.
How does it work - you buy a book, then select a book/s up to the value of the book you have paid for. For example, if you purchase a book for $10, you can then select a book of the same value or less.
There will be NO novelty items or reorders available - with this in mind, make sure you get in early before everything goes.
Richmond State School P&C
Richmond State School P&C will be hosting the community dinner at the lakeview Caravan Park on September 11th. If you have missed the chance to contribute by cooking for the night, you can still support the fundraiser by purchasing dinner on the night. Make a night of it, buy dinner and sit by the lake as the sun goes down with family and friends.
Any funds raised are used to support students in a variety of ways.
Time Out for Illness
Bell Times
