From the Principal's Desk
Welcome to Week 8, Term 2!
The last fortnight here at Rocky River has been jam-packed with high quality learning in classrooms and lots of extra-curricular opportunities happening! It has been a pleasure to see students across all grades showcasing how they can "Be a Learner" on a daily basis, both inside and outside of the classroom.
I'd like to share a snapshot through my lens from a regular school day here at Rocky River. Yesterday, I popped into the K-2 classroom for a surprise visit, witnessing a beautifully orchestrated phonics lesson. The lesson was differentiated for the diverse learners in the room; where students were chunking, writing and blending sounds to make the word presented to them, articulating the sounds verbally, with guided gestures and in written form. Our older learners in the room responded to a more demanding challenge, using technical vocabulary (e.g. phoneme and trigraph) to explain the parts of the words written on their mini-whiteboards. Our school prides itself on our students' ongoing success in reading achievement, and I believe with the explicit teaching of phonics delivery being so strong in our lower division, that we are building the foundations for not only reading success, but improved spelling, vocabulary and oral language and communication in all of our current and future Rocky River students! Wow, what a fantastic job our teaching staff are doing, and well done to our students for rising to the challenge of high expectations.
Building A: Project Update
Earlier this month at the June P&C meeting, I shared some updates on Building A. Please see the updates below:
- A preferred concept design for the new building has been endorsed.
- The department is preparing a formal project update which will include 3D renders of the agreed design. The department expects to distribute this before the end of Term 2 2025.
- Planning for the demolition of the building is continuing.
- We have changed the planning pathway to a Review of Environmental Factors (REF), which allows the department to complete the planning process without needing to go through the NSW Department of Planning.
We are expecting to undertake demolition of the building in the second half (July/August) of 2025.
The department is the best point of contact if you have questions about this project. The department can be contacted by phone on 1300 482 651 or by email schoolinfrastructure@det.nsw.edu.au. While these processes take time, the department is proceeding as quickly as possible. Thank you for your cooperation during this important work.
School Reports
Our teaching staff are working away at completing Semester 1, 2025 student reports. With changes in the department reporting policy this year, we are pleased to be presenting you with a refined, more parent-friendly report format. We endeavor to send reports home on Monday of Week 10. We will offer a formal parent, teacher and student interview opportunity early Term 3. We look forward to the formal reporting process of student progress with families and for an opportunity to reflect and reset ahead of the second half of what has already been a fantastic school year.
Colour the Earth - High Potential Art Camp
We were really proud to send off five budding artists to the Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre for the "Colour the Earth" visual art camp last week. The camp had a strict criteria for students displaying high potential in visual arts, good behaviour and the ability the cooperate. Reports were all positive with all students immersing themselves fully in the camp's overnight program. It is so wonderful to see all of the enriching opportunities public education in the New England region has to offer our young and creative minds!
Chicken Enclosure Upgrade
The chook enclosure re-vamp is well underway. Thank you to Mr Hine for initiating this work and taking care of our flock! We can't wait to see the finished product!
NSW Premier's Debating Challenge
This week, our first team of four students competed in Round 1 of the NSW Premier's Debating Challenge. Our students competed against Armidale City Public School via live on-screen connection. Students agreed on the topic: Year 5 and 6 students should learn another language at school. Rocky River were given the affirmative side and had 60mins preparation time to plan. Although our students didn't come away with a win, we were really proud of Henry, Charlotte, Harrison C, and Izzy for stepping out of their comfort zone and doing their best. They accepted feedback well from the adjudicator and we look forward to Round 2 early next term.
North West PSSA Cross Country
Congratulations to Elyse in Year 2 who placed 1st in the North West Cross Country Multi-Class category! We look forward to cheering on Elyse as she competes in the state cross country event to be held in Sydney, early Term 3. We are so proud of you!!
Stage 2 and Stage 3 Major Excursions
Stage 2 and Stage 3 parents are encouraged to consider their child's attendance at the major excursions next term and pay a $50 deposit to indicate their child's attendance, by the end of the term. Please see the consent form and information around payments on the SchoolBytes App. I would like to thank the P&C for pursuing ways to subsidise the cost for all Stage 2 and Stage 3 students, and would like to announce in due course the reduction of price in excursions with a school contribution and P&C and or other subsidy combined. We are so excited to offer such exciting opportunities for our students!
Mark Hughes Foundation Beanie for Brain Cancer Mufti Day Fundraiser
On Thursday 26th June our students are invited to wear mufti and/or a beanie for our Beanie for Brain Cancer Fundraiser. We encourage students to bring a gold coin donation or families can donate directly via this link to Rocky River School fundraising page.
https://mark-hughes-foundation.grassrootz.com/beanieforbraincancer2025/rocky-river-school
If you wish to purchase a beanie you can do so at IGA, Lowes or Woolworths Stores or purchase online by going to the link below.
Kindergarten Enrolments 2026
We are now enrolling for Kindergarten 2026. If you are thinking of enrolling your child to start school next year, or know someone who is interested, please contact our school office (02) 6778 4122 or pop in for a visit any time! We will be releasing some transition to Kindergarten dates and times soon for all students planning to enrol at Rocky River next year and look forward to welcoming lots of smiling, new faces!
Next Assembly
Our next assembly is Week 9, Friday 26th June at 2:15pm (that's next week!). We look forward to seeing families there to celebrate the learning of our students this term.
Attendance
Reasons for absence
Thank you to all who are prompt in notifying the school of their child's absences both full day and partial day, including the justified reason of why their child was away. 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.
Kindest regards,
Dani Clyde-Smith
Principal