Whole School Activities

Creative Streets Festival

Rocky River Public School - The River's Heart

Our students have created a beautiful and meaningful illuminated art composition that celebrates our connection to Anaiwan Country, our school community and the stories that connect us to the land.

At the centre of this artwork stands a striking white teepee-inspired structure, surrounded by a winding river that symbolically represents the waterways surrounding our Rocky River community. The flowing lines of the river reflect the importance of water, movement and connection to Country.

Each face of the structure has been thoughtfully decorated with traditional Aboriginal symbols, acknowledging and paying respect to Aboriginal peoples and Elders, past and present, and to emerging generations. Drawing upon their learning in Mathematics, students explored traditional mapping, spatial perspectives and Aboriginal songlines, creating their own bird’s-eye-view maps of Rocky River Public School using symbols to represent significant places, pathways and connections.

Throughout the creative process, students explored the elements of art, including line, shape, colour, space, texture and form. Flowing, curved lines represent the river, while geometric shapes and symbolic patterns communicate meaning and tell stories. The three-dimensional structure encourages viewers to explore the composition from different perspectives, while the contrast between the white surfaces and the warm glow of the light creates a sense of unity, reflection and belonging.

Nestled inside the structure is a glowing white lantern, symbolising the heart of Rocky River Public School. Each child has contributed their own unique thumbprint to create a collective heart, representing the individuality of every student and the strength, kindness and connection that unite our school community.

As the lantern illuminates the surrounding artwork, it becomes a powerful reminder that every child brings their own light to Rocky River Public School.

This inspirational composition brings together Visual Arts, Mathematics, cultural learning and personal expression, celebrating the importance of Country, community and belonging. It reminds us that while every student's story is unique, together we create the heart of Rocky River.

Snake Safety Education Day

Students worked in mixed-age groups named after local snakes (Red-bellied Black, Eastern Brown and Tiger Snake), and our Stage 3 leaders did a wonderful job supporting their younger buddies. The day began in the COLA with “Snakes in Our Backyard,” where students learnt that snakes are shy, protected native animals that help control mice and rats, and that colour isn’t a safe way to judge whether a snake is dangerous. Next came Snake Statues, a game like musical statues where a skipping rope symbolising a snake was led through the group, allowing students to practise the "STOP" and "Freeze" steps of our safety mantra. 

Groups then rotated through hands-on stations. In the Snake Bite Kit Scavenger Hunt, teams used school maps to find every kit on the grounds, discovering areas in the school which may be more appealing for a snake hideout. At the Snake Bite First Aid station, students practised pressure bandaging on teddies, learning about movement and walking after a bite must be avoided to help stop the circulation of venom. The rotations finished with a quick-fire quiz, the Snake Safe Pledge and snake lollies for everyone. 

In the afternoon, our special guest Matt McKenzie from Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre delivered an engaging session on getting to know our local snakes, reiterating clear information and facts about snake safety. He saved a surprise for the very end, revealing “Yamba,” his pet python, who had been in a box at the front of the classroom all afternoon! It gave many students quite a fright but was exciting too. They had the chance to meet Yamba and discover more about what amazing creatures snakes are. 

A big thank you to our staff and students for creating a memorable learning day, with important life skills around snake safety at school and beyond.

BackTrack Paws Up Visit - Photo Reel

Lower Division English

In our current unit, Lower Division students have been investigating the fascinating world of plants through the engaging text What’s Inside a Flower by Rachel Ignotofsky. As part of their studies, students have explored the importance of context—how understanding the background and purpose of a text helps us make sense of information.

A key focus has been distinguishing between informative and imaginative texts. Students learned that informative texts provide factual information, using clear language and visual aids, while imaginative texts use creativity and storytelling to spark interest. By comparing examples from What’s Inside a Flower and other books, students discussed how each text serves a different purpose and how to identify the features that set them apart.

Students also delved into the role of labelled diagrams in texts. Using the flower illustrations in the book, they learned how diagrams help explain complex ideas visually, making information easier to understand. Students experimented with creating their own labelled diagrams, reinforcing their scientific vocabulary and explaining plant parts clearly to others.

To make learning more engaging, the classes explored how informative content can be shared in entertaining ways. Through colourful illustrations, fun facts, stories, and interactive activities, students experienced how factual information doesn’t have to be dull. The use of storytelling and vivid imagery in What’s Inside a Flower inspired students to create their own informative yet entertaining texts about plants.

Through these activities, Lower Division students have strengthened their understanding of how authors communicate information, developed science and literacy skills, and gained a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Lower Division Mathematics

Lower Division students have been exploring how collections change when items are added or taken away, developing their core skills in addition and subtraction. These fundamental concepts are vital building blocks in mathematics, and students practise them throughout the year in a variety of engaging ways.

To make learning hands-on and meaningful, students use concrete materials such as blocks and beads. Manipulating these physical objects helps them visualise the process of adding to or subtracting from a collection. Additionally, they enjoy using interactive mathematics programs on the whiteboard, which offer dynamic and fun approaches to practising these skills.

These varied and interactive activities create enjoyable learning experiences that motivate students to deepen their understanding. We look forward to continuing to support their growth in mathematics with more exciting lessons ahead.

Roses

The rose bush outside the Lower Division classroom has been providing the most wonderful blooms, bringing beauty and joy to the whole school since we returned from the holidays. To make sure the flowers could be enjoyed to their fullest, Helen Hine kindly harvested them on Monday afternoon and sent them home with students. We extend our thanks to Helen Hine for her dedicated care of the school grounds and for tending to these special flowers, helping to create a welcoming and vibrant environment for everyone.