RSS Newsletter 2025 Issue 10
Principal Report
A Strong Start to Term 4 Learning
It has been a fantastic start to Term 4 at Richmond State School, with students across all year levels settling quickly into focused learning routines. Classrooms are buzzing with energy, curiosity, and purposeful learning as students continue to build on the progress made throughout the year. Staff have been impressed by the positive attitude and engagement students are showing as we head into the final term of 2025.
Kindy Transition Success
Our Kindy 2026 transition program has also commenced smoothly, with our newest learners exploring the early years setting and beginning to build their confidence and connections with staff and peers. It is always a joy to see our future Preppies so enthusiastic about school and ready to take their first steps into formal learning.
Planning Ahead for 2026
Behind the scenes, the leadership team has begun working on class organisation and staffing arrangements for 2026. As always, careful consideration is given to class structures, student needs, and teacher strengths to ensure every child is supported to succeed.
Re-energising 7–10 Curriculum Offerings
Looking ahead, we are also exploring ways to re-energise our Years 7–10 curriculum offerings. The leadership team will be seeking feedback from students about the subjects and learning opportunities they would like to see included in future programs.
We would also like to open this conversation up to parents, carers, and community members. Your insights into how we can best meet the needs of our students and develop an engaging, relevant curriculum are incredibly valuable. Whether through local expertise, ideas for community partnerships, or suggestions for hands-on learning experiences, your input will help us design programs that truly connect with our students’ interests and future pathways. While any final offerings will depend on staff availability and teacher expertise, collaboration across our school community will be key in shaping a curriculum that inspires and motivates our learners.
Careers Week and Community Careers Day
In Week 1 of this term, our Years 7–10 students participated in our annual Careers Week and Community Careers Day — a wonderful opportunity for students to explore future pathways and connect learning to real-world possibilities. We sincerely thank Mr Jeffrey and Officer Braden for their ongoing dedication and support in coordinating and guiding our students through this important week. Their commitment to student futures is truly appreciated.
A huge thank you also goes to all of the local and visiting businesses, service providers, and vendors who gave their time to speak with our students and showcase the wide range of career opportunities available both in our region and beyond. Your involvement plays a vital role in helping our students dream big and plan confidently for their futures.
School Uniform Review
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring our school uniform reflects pride, practicality, and community expectations, Richmond State School is currently undertaking a school uniform review. A survey has been shared with families to gather feedback from parents, carers, staff, and students. Your input is an important part of this process and will help guide any future recommendations. We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey and have your say.
As we continue through the term, thank you to our families for your ongoing support in ensuring that every day of learning counts.
Warm regards,
Rebecca Flick
Principal
From the Deputy Principal Desk
We’re already halfway through Term 4 and it’s been a busy and rewarding few weeks at Richmond State School. From Careers Week, the return of Healthy Harold, to a range of engaging classroom activities — there’s been a lot of great learning and participation happening across the school.
Careers Week Inspires Future Pathways
In Week 1, our high school students participated in Careers Week, exploring a wide range of future pathways through talks, workshops, and hands-on sessions. We were fortunate to have so many visiting guests from across different industries, including trades, training, universities, agriculture, and community services.
Thank you to all of our presenters, including:
- Richmond Shire Council
- Whiskey Plumbing
- Selectability
- Oakdare Holdings
- DTET
- Liberty Oil
- Civil Safety
- MEGT
- AgForce/CQU
- James Cook University
- Nutrien Ag Solutions
A special thank you to Officer Braden and Cait Bester for their support throughout the week.
The week wrapped up with the Richmond Regional Jobs & Community Expo — a great community event that gave students and families the chance to connect with real-world providers and employers.
PBL Focus – Respecting Staff and Each Other
This term, our PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) focus has been around showing respect — to staff, peers, and the school environment. It’s been really positive to see students actively:
- Listening when others are speaking
- Following instructions without talking back
- Helping create a calm and productive learning space
Well done to the many students demonstrating these values every day.
Thank you again to all our families for your continued support. If you ever have a question, idea, or just want to have a chat — I’m always happy to catch up.
Warm regards,
Scott Jeffery
Deputy Principal
Head of Department – Curriculum
Term 4 is here and it’s as busy as ever! There are countless exciting events happening over this term. Whilst we are finishing the year strong, we are also beginning to plan for a smooth start to 2026.
2026 Pre-Prep Transition Sessions
Our Pre-Prep transition sessions commenced in Week 1 and we have been so excited to welcome our next cohort of Prep students. Special thanks to Mrs Ybema for planning engaging transition activities, and to the Richmond Early Education Centre for their support in bringing the Kindy kids. If your child hasn’t attended yet, it’s not too late – there are still 3 transition days planned for this term. All 2026 Prep students are welcome to attend.
On Tuesday in Week 5 we will have our half-day transition session. From 9am-10:30am we invite parents and carers of 2026 Prep students for a Parent Information session, morning tea and school tour. If you are able to attend, please let us know on 47 686 333 or email hod@richmondss.eq.edu.au for catering purposes.
If your child is ready for Prep in 2026, see our office to collect an enrolment pack!
Thank you & farewell
I wish to share with the Richmond community that I will be concluding my role as Head of Department – Curriculum at the end of 2025 and transferring back to Winton State School in 2026. I would like to thank all students, staff, parents and community members for their support during my time here. It has been a privilege to work with you all on improving the outcomes for our students in Richmond. Recruitment is underway for a Head of Department – Teaching and Learning to commence in 2026, and I know that Richmond will continue moving in a positive direction in the future.
I look forward to seeing you all at one of our many end-of-year school events.
Kind regards,
Rachel Evans
Head of Department – Curriculum
Awards
Student awards are given to students who have followed the 4 school rules and gone above expectations to develop their learning skills.
Congratulations to all of our Award Winners in Weeks 2 and 3.
2026 Prep Transition days
Welcome to all 2026 prep students and their families. If you think your child is eligible to start their education journey in 2026 contact the school to find out.
Sport
Swimming lessons have commenced for term 4. Just a reminder that all students are required to swim as it is part of the curriculum. If you are unable to swim during any lesson all students must have a note with an explanation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Miss Baartz.
Student Sporting Achievements.
A big shoutout to Luca who represented the Northwest Region at the Track and Field State Championships in Townsville. Luca achieved a PB time in his 100m sprint.
Lacie represented the Northwest in the 11-12 Rugby League trials at the end of term three. Lacie received player of the match for her skills and sportsmanship.
Adding to Lacie's many sporting achievements, she has been selected as a finalist for the PEAK Junior Sport Star awards. The winner will be selected at the awards ceremony held at the convention centre, Townsville on the 25th of October. Lacie was nominated by the Richmond swimming club for her outstanding success in the pool over the last few years.
Congratulations Lacie, you are a true all-round Sportsperson.
Important Notices
Early Arrival
We would like to remind parents and carers that our school day at Richmond State School begins at 8:00am, with learning commencing at 8:30am. In recent weeks, we have noticed an increasing number of students arriving to school prior to 8:00am wandering around the school grounds and playing. We understand that families have different work and care arrangements within their households, however, students are unable to be supervised at school prior to 8:00am due to staff not commencing their duty of care until this time.
With an increase in students arriving prior to staff commencing their morning playground duty, there are concerns regarding student behaviour and safety before 8:00am. Given these concerns, we would like to remind families, that students are not to arrive at school until 8:00am. If your child/ren are here prior to 8:00am, you will be required to supervise them until our staff commence playground duty at 8:00am.
If we continue to have students arriving prior to 8:00am, without a parent/carer present, we will be calling home to discuss the early arrival. Parents and carers wishing to discuss this further, please contact the Administration Office to arrange a meeting with Rebecca Flick.
Sufficient Lunches
Please ensure your child/ren have enough food to cover both breaks. There is an increasing number of students requesting extra food for second break. The school maintains a supply of emergency food items that may not frequently align with individual preferences.
Labelling Student Clothing
We encourage families to write student names on their uniforms and winter wear, as we have a number of clothing items being put in the Lost Property.
Our Lost Property box is overflowing with clothing, hats and lunch containers. If your child/ren are missing items, please come in and check the lost property as we will be taking the items to Red Cross at the end of Term 4.
Hats
Due to the increase in headlice cases at the school, we will not be offering spare hats to students that have forgotten to bring their own hat. All students have been provided with at least one free hat from the P&C, and families that have been here since the introduction of our new uniform would have also received a hat during the transition which the P&C also provided.
Uniforms
The school's Uniform Policy has been developed and endorsed in consultation with the P&C. Whilst we are reviewing the policy for 2026, it is expected that all students adhere to this policy.
Keep an eye out for the P&C Meeting & Agenda notices so you can contribute to this process.
Illness
We are seeing an increasing number of students absent due to illness. It is extremely important to maintain correct hand washing and hygiene procedures Included in this newsletter is the timeout poster which includes information about exclusion times to help stop the spread of illness. If you child/ren are not well enough to be engaging in student learning activities due to feeling unwell or presenting with symptoms such as fever, persistent cough or a continuous running nose, please keep them home.
Save The Date
- Year 10 Graduation Thursday 20th November
- Year 6 Graduation Thursday 4th December
- Awards Night Thursday the 27th of November
- Melbourne Cup half day holiday 4th November
- Swimming Carnival 28th November.
Heat Wave Precautions.
Due to the current heatwave conditions, we are making changes to some playground duties to ensure our students are able to stay cool. Please see the fact sheet below for more information.
Parent Curriculum Overviews - term 4