From the Principal Team
The countdown
Tomorrow morning (Wed Nov 15) we wish our Year 3 campers good luck as they embark on their first proper camp at Gundiwindi Lodge. It's a wonderful experience with a very caring team, a calm location and enough challenge for everyone that the students walk away feeling proud of their efforts. It is a huge thing for the students and something not to be underestimated; for many students the worry about being away from family overnight and being with their peers for such an extended period of time a genuine concern. But I have no doubt that upon their return on Friday afternoon we will see some puffed chests, straight backs and tales of derring-do that are a world away from the worries that run through their head tonight.
This follows our Year 2 overnight campers who slept at school last Friday and had an amazing time in the lead-up, preparing for their teddies to do a trial run the week before. It's always such fun and a great way for the students to ease into the idea of sleeping away from home.
I have some amazing memories from my school years on camp. My Year 10 camp was quite a pivotal moment for me, but it was such a daunting task (10 nights away walking, riding and canoeing the Great South West Walk) that many students had opted out of the experience. We can never predict what those moments in our life are going to be that truly matter and make a difference for us, which is why we try so hard at RNPS to expose students to a broad range of experiences. But I know that for many students the worry and the stress is very real. Congratulations to those students and families who are working through these moments and encouraging students to get involved and 'have a go'.
It's been a massive year and there have been many of those moments where students have stepped up and tried something new.
As we head into the tail-end of the year, it is important that we remain focused on treating each other well, finishing the year strong and moving into next year with achievable goals and positive intentions.
In class, students are starting to pull together final pieces of work that they may select for presentation in their portfolio and finishing off some assessments. Teachers are deep into writing student reports and planning for next year, which seems crazy but the year has flown.
We look forward to seeing everyone together again for our Carols on the Green. See the page for more details that we hope will make the evening even better.
Parent cybersafety and technology use session
We are thrilled to have ThinkUKnow working with parents once again to update us on the current things to know, be aware of and understand about technology use and children.
This organisation work with the Australian Federal Police and are able to draw directly from the activity that police are monitoring and managing on a daily basis. It is always eye-opening to learn about the safety risks that have emerged in the last 18 months and to understand better about how to use technology in a safe, productive and creative way.
One simple and effective message that we share with children about responsible online behaviour is this:
When you're online, talk to someone not about someone.
By following this simple rule, you're more likely going to be able to avoid misunderstandings and the tense online situations some people find themselves in.