IMPORTANT DATES!
PRINCIPALS’ REPORT
Welcome back to all members of the school community as we commence another school year. The past few days has seen our students regrouping with old friends, forming new relationships and displaying excellent learning behaviours. All students have been adhering to the school values and have demonstrated great support to the various new members of staff. We also welcome many new faces and I have been lucky enough to have spent some of the first few days checking in with our many new students.
During my journeys around the school I have been witness to the wonderful supports and learning tasks that we offer and I have been extremely pleased to note that our staff are working hard to ensure that all of our students are thriving in an environment that values and celebrates learning and encourages gratitude and self-esteem.I look forward to a very rewarding and successful year for our parents, staff and most importantly our students.
At RGLPS we truly value the partnership that parents have with the school. We consider your input to be a valuable tool that assists us to support your child with their educational and social experiences. Please be sure to communicate with your child’s classroom teacher any suggestions, supports or concerns, as together we can ensure that your child has a happy and productive school experience. Do remember that the Team Leader of your child’s Learning Area is also a great point of call to assist you and our leadership team of Luke Franklin, Kate Haysom, Thom Jackson, Sarah McLellan, Kerron Worsdell and myself are also just a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss any matter concerning your child’s education.
Our students and staff are very grateful to be able to welcome parents back onto our site. Numbers of people on site during drop off and pick up is quite large and we do ask that you wear a mask during these times.
Tutor Learning Initiative
As you already know, the Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI) will continue to run in 2023. We have spent considerable time assessing our students to identify those who are eligible for the additional support and are now finalising these assessments with a plan to commence the program during the second half of the term. Our school will again adopt a collaborative, co-teaching approach that is delivered in a manner to support and accelerate student learning. This will result in explicit and targeted small group sessions. The program is not designed to support students with a 1:1 tutoring session but rather give students the opportunity to accelerate their learning through a focused and comprehensive small group forum. Further information will be available should your child/ren be eligible for the program. As we will run the program through the year, some students may receive tutoring later in the year.
Meet the Teacher Evening
Please save the date as there will be a meet the teacher evening on the 22nd of February from 3.30 – 7:00. Other sessions will be available throughout the week so do keep an eye on Compass as booking will be open soon. This is an opportunity for you to have a brief chat with your Childs’ new teacher. These will be 10 minute sessions held to ensure that our classroom teachers have all the information they need to support your children.
Privacy
This is just a quick reminder that access to the Department of Education and Training (DET) Schools’ Privacy Policy is available through the following link. https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/schoolsprivacypolicy.aspx#link6
This policy is updated regularly and is of great assistance as we support our students to navigate through an ever changing technological world. Please refer to the policy as needed.
I am looking forward to a really productive and hopefully uninterrupted year.
Take care,
Kirrily Lamers
Principal
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Welcome Back
Welcome back for 2023. I was so excited to see our new Preps starting and all of the students coming back in. We have worked hard over the holidays getting things organised. We are still behind on a couple of projects but they should be complete very soon. As always, never hesitate to make contact should you have any questions at all.
Welcome back for another exciting year.
Luke Franklin
Provisional Psychologist
We have a new provisional psychologist working with us this year. Cate will be working one day a week for the entire year. Should you have any questions or looking for support please contact Luke Franklin at the school to talk about options. The following is a short introduction from Cate. Please make her feel welcome should you see her around.
“Hi, my name is Cate! I am a Provisional Psychologist, currently completing a Master of Educational Psychology at The University of Melbourne. I also hold a research position at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where I assist with numerous family violence research projects. Prior to Rosanna Golf Links Primary School, I was positioned at a P-12 independent school in regional Victoria, where I predominantly worked in a counselling capacity with senior school students. I am a curious, open minded, and warm person, who always strives to ensure those around me feel comfortable, accepted, and understood.
I feel incredibly lucky to be completing placement at RGLPS for the entire 2023 school year. I am looking forward to connecting with students and parents, and working collaboratively with a passionate team of educators and administrators who have a genuine desire to see young people reach their potential.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me swimming laps at a local pool, picking up some fresh produce at the market, enjoying a good book, escaping the city for a beach trip, or exercising with my dog, Sadie – She’s a 2 ½ -year-old Border Collie x Labrador who keep very active!”
The Resilience Project
Throughout 2023, we will be working closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community.
The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.
Our Partnership Program consists of online presentations and weekly lessons for students, professional development for staff, and Parent & Carer Hub (inc. digital presentations) for our parent and carer community.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent & Carer Hub with you. The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness. You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support our kids’ learning and development, and also support you as parents and carers.
This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.
View the first presentation of the series here:
Part 1: Meet Hugh and learn about The Resilience Project – https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh/
In this presentation, Hugh shares a personal experience about his sister’s battles with Mental Illness.
Note: This video contains a story about an Eating Disorder that may be triggering. Please consider this before watching. For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Teaching and Learning
It has been wonderful to see the smiling faces of our children (and parents) as they returned to school this week. RGLPS classrooms and the playground have been very calm and settled as students enjoy reconnecting with old friends and forging new friendships.
Starting the School Year with the 'RGLPS Start Up' Program
RGLPS classes are currently teaching their ‘2023 Start Up’ programs, which will last for around three weeks. During this time, teachers focus on re-engaging students in learning, setting up class routines, outlining expectations and working through wellbeing tasks. Teachers also use this time to conduct academic assessments to determine skills, attitudes to learning and any misconceptions. We aim for teachers to gain an understanding of each child as a learner so we can best target our teaching to meet their individual learning needs. Assessments include things such as collecting a baseline writing sample for closer analysis; reading 1:1 with students and discussing their reading habits and preferences; and doing maths assessments to identify understandings and any learning gaps. ‘Start Up’ a very important phase of the school year not only to establish the classroom community, build relationships and set the tone but also to determine teaching areas we need to prioritise.
On February 22nd, teachers will be holding our ‘Meet the Teacher’ meetings between 3:30 – 7pm. These are designed as an opportunity for parents and the classroom teacher/s to both build a relationship and also to share any relevant information that will help us across the school year. We will discuss topics such as your child’s interests and hobbies, their attitudes to learning and homework and any wellbeing or other concerns you might have. Please keep an eye on Compass for information about how to book a ‘Meet the Teacher’ appointment during the week of February 22nd 2022.
Homework
Teachers will be slowly introducing homework over the ‘Start Up’ period and outlining their expectations around this.
The school Homework Policy can be found on Compass and is also included towards the rear of this week’s newsletter.
To find school policies on Compass, see Community Icon -> School Documentation –> School Policies All current school policies are also uploaded to the school website under the Community icon.
The RGLPS Homework Policy states:
For Prep – Year Two, homework will consist mainly of:
- – Reading activities to parents/carers, with parents/carers and by parents/carers.
- – Simple extension tasks associated with classroom activities.
- – Gathering of additional information or materials.
Homework will generally not take more than 30 minutes per day and will not be set on weekends or during holiday periods.
For Years Three – Six, homework will consist mainly of:
- – Independent reading, on a daily basis, for a minimum of 15-20 min.
- – Tasks such as continuation of classroom work, projects and assignments, essays and research.
- – Gathering of additional information or materials.
Homework will generally not take more than 45 minutes per day and may be set during weekends and school holidays. As students’ progress through school toward Year 6, homework may increase in intensity and complexity to better enable transition towards Year 7.
Kerron Worsdell
Learning Specialist
SPORT NEWS
TeamVic – Victorian Representative Teams for National Championships
Hi Grade 6 Parents,
You may have heard of TeamVic (the Victorian Sporting Teams who compete at the National Championships) in 2022 with RGL students Alia Chapman and Audrey Trubiano making the Victorian Softball Team and Sam Phillips making the Victorian Cross Country Team. Each year I ask for nominations for the sports I have listed below, so if you have a sporting fanatic in your house who you think could wear the Big V, then please read on to find our more.
SPORTS THAT CAN BE APPLIED FOR
I would also like to ask for expressions of interest for the following other sports in preparation for when their nomination process opens: AFL, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby League, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Touch Football, Track and Field. In the past, Cross Country, Swimming and Track and Field have been selected from the students that win the State Final, however it is listed as a nomination process this year – I’ll try to find out more regarding this. RGL is allowed to nominate 3 boys and 3 girls per sport. If four or more apply, there will be an interview process with Kirrily and I where we will determine which 3 students will represent our school. Please keep in mind, this is not a ‘come along and try’ event; for all of these sports it will be the most talented students from across Victoria trying out for a place to play for our State, so only nominate your child if you think they are exceptionally talented at the sport. Please send your nomination to darren.peters@education.vic.gov.au
A FEW OTHER DETAILS
If you child is selected as RGL’s representative, you will be given permission to sign up and pay the registration fee – from this point forward, all communication will be between you and TeamVic – I will not receive any information and it will be up to you as the parent to manage the dates, details and requirements for your child. You will need to drive your child to the selection events for District, Division, Region and State Trials, or carpool with other parents whose child is also nominated for that sport.
Please also be aware that the costs to attend the National Titles may be between $1000 to $2000 if the championships are held outside of Victoria and for the purchase of the Victorian uniforms. Grants are available for families in difficult circumstances through TeamVic to help children attend the titles and purchase uniforms.
If you have any questions you would like to ask, please email me and I’ll be happy to answer them 🙂
Thanks and see you all again soon,
Darren Peters
PE and Sports Coordinator
GARDENING NEWS
CANTEEN
Dear Parents
Welcome to canteen for 2023. We are open for over the counter sales and lunch orders on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
You need to order on-line through Flexischools. To do this you will need to set up an account as per the instructions following.
For over the counter sales, you will need to send your child with cash. The prices range from $1.00 – $2.90. Please ensure you send your child with enough money to buy something as they get very disappointed if they don’t have enough money.
Canteen Helpers
If you are are interested in helping at the canteen please fill in the form below and return to the school office.
Volunteering at the canteen is a good way to see your child at school and to meet other parents, especially if you are new to the school. The kids love to see you in the canteen. It is easy work, just the same as at home, preparing food, dishing up and cleaning up, only on an a larger scale.
Any profit we make goes back into the school.
Looking forward to meeting some of you.
Regards
Margaret Groves Peta Rose
Canteen Manager Canteen Assistant
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Disclaimer: Rosanna Golf Links Primary School (RGLPS) does not endorse any product or service advertised in this newsletter. RGLPS takes no responsibility for the content of advertisements or the quality and reliability of products or services offered in the advertisements
