From the Principal's Desk

Welcome to Week 5, Term 4!

It has been a tumultuous fortnight, as I finally had my turn in catching some of the viruses that have been circulating! I am so thankful for the wonderfully committed teaching and SASS team we have here at Rocky River, who were able to seamlessly continue our school operations in my absence. I was disappointed to miss our last onsite assembly on Friday, but was very proud to hear of the wonderfully hard working award recipients who received certificates, badges as well as students who proudly showcased their impressive learning over the past fortnight.

New England Garden Festival

I was pleased to present Lola and Sarah with certificates from the New England Garden Festival colouring in competition. Lola received an encouragement award for her submission, and Sarah received a second prize certificate and cash prize. Well done to all of our students who submitted their colouring in submissions. A special mention to our Tilbuster Wind Ensemble who performed at this event also. It was lovely to have such wide representation from our school at the festival.

Special Visitors

Last week, we had a lovely visit from some of the Department's lawyers from Sydney who were delivering a seminar at Uralla Central School. Mr Hobbs brought the team in to see our beautiful school setting and meet our students. The group commented on how encouraging it was to see students with such a love and passion for reading, with one of the team even making a personal donation for book purchases for our students. We love to open our doors to the broader community and share the wonderful things happening here at Rocky River!

Donations

Each year our school accepts donations to help fund our presentation day awards costs for students. We have so gratefully welcomed very generous donations from some organisations and individuals thus far. I would like to publicly acknowledge these contributors in future correspondence, and would like to further welcome any businesses who may be considering choosing our school as a recipient of your next donation (not only monetary). Every donation benefits our students directly, maximising the acknowledgement of academic and personal achievements in the 2024 school year.

Sarah Rose - Author Talk

On Wednesday next week, will welcome a live video visit with Sarah Rose; a three-time Paralympian, children's book author, disability advocate, mother of two and Playschool superstar. Thank you to Peta Swilks who organised the purchase and gifting of a signed copy of Sarah's latest book "ABC Disability" to the school, and for Sarah to share some of her life story with the students, including her time as a Paralympian, and what life is like living with dwarfism. We're excited for this event and to share Sarah's message of disability advocacy in our school community.

School Swim Program

We are pleased to have found wonderfully enthusiastic and committed certified Learn To Swim Instructors to support the delivery of our program in Weeks 7 and 8. Notes regarding the program information and the required pre-program survey will be sent home to families this week to complete, and to return by Monday 18th November.

Final Assembly - Presentation Day

Our final assembly of the year is our 2024 Presentation Day event. This will occur on Friday 13th December 9am-11am at the Uralla Community Hall. Our wonderful P&C are coordinating a morning tea offering after the assembly, and will draw the Christmas raffle prizes, too. Our students will then perform their end of year musical/play item. More information, including a invitation, will be sent out in due course. Please save the date as we look forward to seeing you all there to celebrate the learning of our students.

Uralla Christmas Street Fair

As you are aware, our students have been invited to sing in a combined school choir with all Uralla schools at the Uralla Christmas Street Fair on Friday 22nd November. There will be an optional combined choir rehearsal on Wednesday 20th November at the Uniting Church, Uralla at 6pm (approx. 30mins in duration). This is not a school-organised event, so there will not be teacher supervision provided by us at this event. Parents will have to take children and supervise, if you wish for your child to participate.

Attendance & Extended Leave

Reasons for absence

Thank you to the families who have been vigilant in notifying the school of their child's absences, including the justified reason of why their child was absent. It is important that this communication comes through to the school via the correct channels:

• Phone call to the school office: (02) 6778 4122
• Email to the school email address: rockyriver-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au 
• Notification through the school Audiri app

Please note, we are unable to accept your child explaining their own reason for absence on behalf of a parent or carer. Our school has a legal responsibility to ensure the safety and known whereabouts of our enrolled students on school days, and we really appreciate your partnership in following the correct procedures around attendance explanations.

School mobile

The school mobile will no longer be used as contact point for parents to communicate with the school. The phone will not be switched on over the weekends or after school hours, and is not able to be regularly monitored during teaching hours, so please do not rely on messaging or calling this number, as your call or message may be missed. 

The purpose of this mobile phone is for outgoing contact from the school, in the event of an emergency, when we must evacuate or if we are at on offsite excursion and need to call a parent.  All communication must come through our regular communication channels as listed above, to ensure families are able to access the correct support through the approved school channels. 

This change is in line with our NSW Department of Education Secretary, Murat Dizdar's, announcement for improved wellbeing, to help school staff 'switch off' when outside of school operating hours. If you have any concerns around this change, please arrange a time to meet with me.

Extended leave

Thank you to the families who have used the extended leave form to notify us of planned family holidays during the school term. If you are planning on taking your children on a family holiday, outside of school holiday periods, you are required to complete an extended leave form,  for approval prior to the scheduled holiday. Please see Toni in the office for a hardcopy form, otherwise I have attached a digital copy below.

Kindest regards,

Dani Clyde-Smith

Principal