Welcome

Dear families,

Learning is at full peak for Term One. It is great to see so many happy faces doing their Personal Best as I roam around the classrooms. I have really enjoyed seeing our past students as they pop in to let me know how they are going - they continue to have a love of learning.

Around the Classrooms:

I enjoyed reading our Prep learners' writing pieces after their visit from the fire brigade and hearing about their thoughts about our community services. The Teddy Bear picnic with their buddies last week was a lovely opportunity to see our Tribes in Action. Grade 1 and 2 students are learning how the text in their reading material connects to their lives, their world and the media. In Global Studies, students are still in Asia and Turkey. Where will they go next? The whole school did a great job on Clean Up Australia day. The Art Room and Gr 5-6 classes are studying the Grand Prix [very exciting trip tomorrow].

Cultural Diversity and Harmony Week:

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we would love to celebrate this and work to maintain it. Cultural Diversity and Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism. The message of Harmony Week is everyone belongs. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

Did you know?

· Nearly half (49 percent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was. · We identify with over 300 ancestries. · Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia. · 85 percent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia. · Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi. · More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia. And Ms. Moore's dad was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland and her mum's family is Irish Catholic [paternal] and Jewish from Lithuania [maternal].

* Every class across Rolling Hills will be participating in an Art project around Cultural Diversity. Our Tribes groups will be focussing on Cultural Diversity and Harmony. The ‘everyone belongs’ message is about inclusion and this is something Rolling Hills does well across many aspects. We now want to work hard on improving our understanding of different cultures and global understanding.

Grade 5 and 6 families:

Sharon Witt has been to our school in the past to present information supporting girls and boys to survive pre puberty [and parents) Michael Carr-Greg is well known in this area as well. They are joining up to present a workshop around surviving high school. Please see below for the link – Thursday March 19, 7:30 at Mt Lilydale College, Lilydale.

https://events.humanitix.com.au/surviving-high-school-with-dr-michael-carr-gregg-and-sharon-witt-19-3-2020-mlmc?fbclid=IwAR0GuRW4DN62OfMXxCIfDJleABMYXfGjRAiLYQqN-hEoCmxlBMDHl-s6Pow

Student Wellbeing leaders:

Cleo and Claire have done a great job wearing their Tribes Trooper vests and being visible out in the yard and giving out raffle tickets to students showing our Tribes Agreements. Thanks for modelling our Tribes Agreements and RHPS Values, Claire and Cleo.

Respectful Relationships:

Belinda Granger and I attended the initial training for our school. Our Respectful Relationships team also includes Mykaela Hodgett and Alarna Creed and is supported by our Student Engagement and Wellbeing [SEWB] team. They will be undertaking their training this week. All staff will have a 90-minute training session soon. Watch this space for more information in future newsletters.

Tribes:

Growth Mindset has continued to spread across the classes this term. Our Tribes groups have focussed on this to set up students with a positive mindset about learning and social development. Our Tribes focus for Term 2 will be RESPECT – one of our Tribes Agreements.

Fish and bugs:

Thank you to Jaci Lees for continued care with the fish tank and bug tank in my office. Much appreciated. The fish in my office are the best fed fish and have the most interesting of conversations with our kids. :-)

Drop off safety zone, car park and ring road:

Please please please, don’t get out of the car for a prolonged goodbye. Also, remember to drive right to the end. No matter if no-one comes in the gate, it’s Murphy’s law that the car park will fill again quickly. Drive to the end. Also, please don't park in the ring roads after school. This includes the staff car parks. it would be great if EVERYONE just followed our RHPS traffic management rules.

Classroom Visits:

We have only a couple of weeks until the end of Term One. It is often said that “it takes a village to raise a child” and I’m really encouraged to see all the positive learning experiences and activities taking place at Rolling Hills Primary School. I’ve had many excited children talking to me about their positive experiences at school and inclusion in different activities. One of my highlights each day is visiting classes and talking about learning and wellbeing and what makes our students’ tick.

See you at the school gate,

Cheers,

Mary

Notices

Hot Cross Buns Fundraiser

Prep Information Night

Vibe Studio Fundraiser