From the Principal's Desk
Welcome to Week 4, Term 2!
Thank you to everyone who has supported our book fair this month. Our school receives reward points for any items purchased from the Book Fair which we can then use to buy resources from Scholastic for our students to use.
We are delighted to share with you that we sold over $800 worth of books and have been able to purchase the books pictured for our school library as well as lots of items to add to our rewards box. Additionally we have also earned $130 in rewards points to contribute to future purchases.
School Photos
Last Friday we held (my) first) School Photo day at Rocky River. I was so impressed with the huge effort put in by everyone to ensure all students were dressed head to toe in full school uniform. Damien did such a great job on the day, combating the elements, strong wind in particular, still managing to get a great shot! MSP Photography have been working hard and fast to get us our photographs with a short waiting time. We look forward to receiving our photo orders in the coming weeks.
Year 7 UCS Experience Day
Last Tuesday, we had the pleasure of welcoming some familiar visitors; Mr Hunt and two Uralla Central School students who attended Rocky River in their primary years. The now-high school students and Mr Hunt discussed all things secondary school and what Uralla Central has to offer. Mr Hunt invited each of our students personally to attend the first Year 7 Experience day at Uralla Central which will be held next Wednesday 28th May. This event is for all current Year 6 students, whether they plan to attend UCS next year or not. We encourage our Year 6 students to attend on this day and enjoy a taste of high school at Uralla!
GRIP Leadership Conference
What makes a good leader? Our Year 6 cohort discovered how to be an example, a helper and a voice to others, alongside being willing to do the what the school needs, as our 2025 school captains. The GRIP Leadership conference was an energy-filled, engaging day full of information and fun. It was a great chance for our students to collaborate with other Year 6 leaders across the region and explore how they can truly make an impact on the world around them.
Athletics Carnival
We had an absolute blast at the Small Schools Athletics Carnival last Friday!! Congratulations to all of the students who competed in the track and field events from both the Thunderbolt Alliance and Wild Rivers Learning Alliance small schools.
Thankfully, the rain held out, but it was still a cold and long day so everyone's efforts to make the day go ahead were very much appreciated! I'd like to thank Uralla Central School for loaning us their trailer to assist with the delivery and pick up of the high jump mats, marquees etc. Also Mr Hine for executing these tasks outside of his usual hours of work with us. We also want to acknowledge the 6 fantastic Uralla Central School students who attended and supported the day's proceedings with a positive attitude. What great role models for our students. Uralla Golf Club were generous as always loaning out a buggie for our first aid checkpoint and a last minute rake for long jump! A big thank you to Uralla Shire Council for their fantastic marking of the fields and Mayor Robert Bell for judging our opening marches in person. Thank you to the Rocky River P&C for running a wonderful canteen on the day and working well in making minute-by-minute decisions to keep the food supply running!
I appreciate all of the hard work that goes into such a large scale event like this and for the collaboration with Sarah Harper (Kingstown PS) to organise the day. In a small school, we wear many hats, and I am honoured to have worked with our combined small schools staff to create this fantastic sporting opportunity for our students.
Health & Wellbeing Day
Yesterday, Rocky River hosted a "Health & Wellbeing" Day with Kingstown, Kentucky and Kelly's Plains students. We engaged a number of external providers to offer a range of PDHPE Syllabus-aligned workshops which were exciting and informative for our students. The offerings included the NSW CPR Program, Healthy Harold, Positive-Self Talk and fitness workshops, as well as girls and boys puberty education through the region's former community health nurse provider. All feedback was positive, and we look forward to hosting a similar event with the support of allied professionals each year.
Reading Notifications on School Bytes
All of our communication to families goes out via our School Bytes app, please be vigilant in reading notifications to keep up to date with what is happening at our school and submitting any permission forms that are posted.
Absences can be submitted via the app too which ensures a smooth process for families and school staff.
If you have any questions regarding the app there is a user guide available on the parent portal or you can phone the school on 67784122.
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 this Friday 23rd May at 2:15pm. Due to the expected wet weather, we will do our best to host our gathering under the shelter of the Lower Division classroom. We look forward to seeing families there!
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