From the Principal's Desk
What a Wonderful Start to Term 3!
Congratulations to all our students and teachers on the wonderful start to Term 3. I have been proud of the way everyone has settled into their routines and got right into learning from Day 1. Bravo everyone!
NAIDOC Week
National NAIDOC Week is celebrated across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), recognising and honouring the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s a time for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and to celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.
Because this special week falls during our school holidays, Springvale Rise Primary School celebrated NAIDOC Week during the final weeks of Term 2. This year’s theme was “For Our Elders”, a powerful reminder of the wisdom, strength, and resilience passed down through generations.
This year Jeremy Morgan Worrall, a proud Ngarbal Gamilaraay artist, was the winner of the prestigious 2025 National NAIDOC Week Poster Competition. His artwork, Ancestral Lines, beautifully represents the connections, knowledge, and songlines that flow through generations.
Jeremy explains: “When I think of the next generation, I think of my ancestors—Lucy Wright, Enoch Wright, Nonie Wright—all the way from my Nanna Audrie to my mother Vanessa. When I look back at my mob, it helps me see towards the future. It gives me hope and strength, knowing what my mob have survived through and accomplished amid adversity. Each person in the painting depicts a series of lines akin to songlines, representing what they know, who they were, and what they have passed on. The first is of lore—interpretive, hunting, protecting, and tracking. The second is of care— weaving, fishing, and love. The third is where we see the two combine into one, and the last two take unfinished elements of them all, to show the passing down of knowledge and care. Above them is the essence of the land they live on and protect. It is a depiction of my home—the cold skies of Tenterfield with swirling clouds and a giant moon. A place around the fire is where the next generation finds their strength, vision, and legacy.”
Foundation 2026 – New Enrolments
Planning for our 2026 Foundation year is already underway! We encourage families with children starting school next year to enrol before the end of July, in line with Department of Education guidelines. As a special welcome, every family that enrols in the next week will receive a FREE school t-shirt as part of their enrolment pack. Please help us spread the word—if you know friends or neighbours who are considering joining Springvale Rise Primary School or would like a school tour, encourage them to call the office. Enrolment forms are available at both campuses, and interpreters are on hand to assist with translation if needed.
Trienial Review.
Our school is currently undertaking its Triennial Review and as such we will have a number of visitors conducting a range of tasks - including classroom observations - over the next few weeks. Our Reviewer will also be facilitating conversations with members of our parent community so please let me know if you would like to be invovlved.
Take care and keep smiling.
Mrs Debbie Cottier
Principal