From the Principal's Desk
Greetings from Canberra!
How have we made it to Week 10 already?! I find myself writing this newsletter piece from Camp Cottermouth in our nation's capital. It is such a privilege to lead the 2025 Thunderbolt's Alliance Small Schools Stage 3 Canberra excursion this year. For Rocky River, this is our first Canberra trip in over a decade, and I can understand why this may have previously been difficult to bring to fruition. Camps are no easy feat; with lots of logistical considerations and the extra administrative burden in the lead up to the event, on top of teaching, student wellbeing support and our regular day-to-day school operations, we were faced with many hurdles which may have been easier to give up on, rather than persist and overcome.
The benefits, of course, outweigh the cost, and make the endeavor worth it tenfold. Generally speaking, staff dedicating their time 24/7 to students, to be their support, teacher, carer, travel agent, leader and more - learning and growing through challenges and adventures that await, I believe, is the greatest gift we can give. Over the course of the week, students formed strong connections with their peers, bonding over shared experiences, learning about our great nation's capital and expanding their horizons beyond belief. Interpersonal skills blossomed, and students have found independence in their personal care, organisation and composure in a range of settings. They learn things about themselves that they never knew before and navigate challenges through healthy resilience building. Students realise how capable they truly are, and are thrilled as they meet new experiences the world has to offer. We currently have one student discussing how he'll spend his gap year in Canberra, and all of the wonderful venues he endeavors to come back and explore further... doesn't that say it all!
I once heard a [false] rumour, that small schools offer less than others. In completely busting this myth, I am so proud to be able to offer absolutely every opportunity, and more, to the students of Rocky River, and I wear a badge of honour this week in sharing core memory making with our Stage 3 students as we venture through this trip of a lifetime.
Diggings RFS Visit
It was a pleasure to host the Rocky River and Invergowrie Diggings RFS crew onsite last Friday afternoon after our belated book week dress up parade (hence the costumes!). The volunteers ran activities for our students whilst chatting to families about bushfire safety planning for their homes and properties. It was a pleasant surprise to see Mr Treton, Assistant Principal Itinerant Hearing Support, who volunteers with the RFS team! Mr Treton's visits to our school usually look a little different, normally with his Department of Education hat on. It was lovely to make further community connections with our dedicated RFS volunteers and we look forward to establishing this as an annual visit to support preparation in the lead up to bushfire season each year.
2025 Presentation Day Assembly
We will be holding our 2025 Presentation Day assembly on Tuesday 16th December (Week 10) 9:00am - 11:00am at Uralla Central School Hall. Our P&C are looking at organising a morning tea, similar to the format we ran last year, with our Rocky River's Got Talent show commencing at 11:30am. We will send out invitations with this information early next term, however, we know parents appreciate the dates as early as possible to make arrangements with work and other commitments where possible.
Our final, regular school assembly will be Friday 7th November at 2:15pm at Rocky River as usual - we look forward to seeing everyone there!
Snake Prevention
I previously shared some snake emergency response procedures that we were reviewing and improving as we head into the warmer months. I'd like to share two of the controls which we have actioned within the last fortnight.
Updated First Aid Kits
Anne recently updated and increased the number of snake-specific first aid kits onsite, allowing an externally hung kit on all major points of the school. Last week, we guided students K-6 around the school grounds to learn about the new snake bite first aid kits. We showed their location, explained their accessibility purpose, and rules around only accessing these kits in the event of an emergency. We welcome you to ask your child if they remember where all five kits are on the school grounds. This can open up the conversation around snake safety and checking that your child knows what to do during a snake sighting (freeze, slowly back away if safe to do so, tell a teacher) which we are regularly revising at school.
Snake First Aid refresher
After school on Tuesday Week 9, we welcomed a certified trainer to deliver a snake bite first aid refresher session for all staff. It was a great way to ensure we all understood the different ways snake bites can present, and how we can effectively respond with confidence. We had a chance to explore the contents of the new first aid kits (thank you Anne) and how to use the bandage indicators to ensure the correct application. We revised our risk management controls to ensure all staff are across updated measures including precautionary measures where your child may be sent in an ambulance for monitoring, if they are in contact with a snake. If you have any questions around these updates, please contact myself or Anne.
Gubi Gabun Play Session Trial - Term 4
Last fortnight, I announced that our school will be hosting promotional play sessions for Gubi Gabun in Term 4. If there is an interest from the community, we will continue to host play sessions in 2026. Please share this widely as we welcome as many local families to access this fantastic play opportunity at our beautiful rural school setting.
Term 4 Promotional Play Session Dates:
Tuesdays 10-12pm
- 14th of October & 28th of October
- 11th of November & 25th of November
- 9th of December
Kindergarten 2026 Transition Program
Enrolments are still open for Kindergarten 2026. To support children in familiarisation with basic school routines, and beginning to build some social connections and familiar faces that they can look forward to seeing on their first day of Kindergarten, we invite students to attend our Term 4 transition days.
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!
We look forward to welcoming lots of smiling, new faces to our beautiful school.
Building A Project Update
I am looking forward to establishing dates for the demolition of Building A, to be scheduled during Term 4. I will update the community with information around this planning as soon as it is provided to me.
School Infrastructure 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.
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.
Happy Holidays!
I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday break. We look forward to welcoming back everyone's smiling faces on Tuesday 14th September (NSW DoE schools have a Term 4 School Development Day on the Monday).
Kindest regards,
Dani Clyde-Smith
Principal