From the Principal's Desk
Welcome to Week 5, Term 1!
Today, Stage 3 leaders, Miss Miller and I spent the day at the Uralla Street Store, which left us overwhelmed with gratitude and enthusiasm from the support of our local community. We thank all of the wonderful community members who stopped in to buy some goods, make a donation or just have a chat with us about our wonderful school and students. There were many compliments from members of the general public, commending our students on their behaviour and composure at the store. I am very proud of our Stage 3 students, including their efficiency in learning how to use the square reader faster than the teachers! This week, Rocky River P&C are running the store, selling a range of goods donated from Rocky River families through until Sunday. Thank you to our wonderful families who have donated pre-loved items and baked goods, providing such a wonderful offering for our store.
Outside of today, our K-6 students are working hard and establishing learning routines for the new year. The new shade sales over the play equipment have created a lovely shaded space which has become popular at lunch times. Tennis fever has also hit our school, as our Term 1 school sport is tennis at the Uralla Sporting Complex. We are seeing lots of tennis practice occurring during Recess and Lunch breaks, with big smiles and more accuracy in our strokes. We are very proud of the students who will represent Rocky River Public School at the Armidale Zone PSSA Carnival tomorrow, at Monckton Aquatic Centre. It is lovely to see such a a long list of students who have progressed to this level. This year's carnival saw a high participation rate with Rocky River students just wanting to get in the pool and give it a go - a testament to our school rule: Be a Learner which means just to always try your best.
Commemoration Service for National Servicemen Ceremony
Our school captains Ivory, Toby and Matty represented the students, staff and families of Rocky River Public School at the recent Commemoration Service for National Servicemen who served in Australia, South-West Pacific and Vietnam. They laid a wreath in honour of those who died during their service and in memory of those who have passed away since they served in the defence of their country. We appreciate the committment from our leaders and their families for attending this event on a Sunday.
Building A Project Update
Please see the official February Project Update below. We look forward to seeing work commence next week and are pleased that the contractors are working well with us to ensure there is minimal disruption to learning for students during this process.
New Building Design Competition
If you would like to have input on part of the new build design, check out our competition flyer. We are looking for designs which can be included on the perforated steel parapet which will wrap around the covered walkway along our classrooms and administration building. Entries are open with submissions welcome from any community member which a design or photo which meets the brief. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We can't wait to see your wonderful ideas!
NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5, 2026
We would like to inform parents that students in Years 3 and 5 will be participating in the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assessments, which will commence on Wednesday, 11 March. NAPLAN is an important national assessment that helps measure your child’s skills in reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy. These assessments provide information to help support your child’s learning and progress. Further details can be found by clicking the link below:
Gabi Gabun 2026
We are pleased to offer a permanent play session at Rocky River Public School in 2026. The Gabi Gabun team are back this year, fortnightly on Wednesdays 10am-12pm, of odd weeks. We had three of our regular little ones attend today and enjoy themselves. We'd love to see more babies/children who are not yet school-aged, join in on the session. The resources from Gubi Gabun are wonderful, we encourage all to take up this enriching and FREE service to all!
Aboriginal Mural Design - Community Consultation Meeting
On Monday 2nd March at 4pm (before the next P&C meeting which will be a special meet and greet event for kids and parents) we will hold a community consultation meeting for our Aboriginal mural and uniform design. We welcome Mima (Uncle) Dave Widders who will be creating the mural artwork, to meet with any interested school or community people who would like to have input in the design. All members of the community, including our Anaiwan families, are encouraged to attend. It is important to us that the consultation around the design is genuine, and truly reflects the history of Rocky River Public School, and the families which make up/have made up, the school community over the years. This conversation will allow Mima Dave to develop a design idea which will be displayed at the front of the new building, to be visible from the road and the welcoming visual when you walk into the new entry to the school. We look forward to the design being digitised into a permanent school uniform piece for all students to enjoy and wear at Rocky River. We hope you can make it!
Attendance
Please ensure your child's absences reasons are logged with the school. It is important that this communication comes through to the school via the correct channels:
- Absence submission through the School Bytes app (preferred method)
- Phone call to the school office: (02) 6778 4122
Email to the school email address: rockyriver-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Extended leave
Please remember to complete the extended leave or travel form if you are planning to take your children on holidays during the school terms. This must be completed prior to the planned travel.
Enrolling Now for 2027
We are enrolling now for our 2027 Kindergarten intake! Please contact the school office to chat with Anne or myself or visit our website to complete an online enrolment application https://rockyriver-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/
Kindest regards,
Dani Clyde-Smith
Principal