Book Fair -Thanks!

We would like to send a huge thank you to everyone who supported our recent Buy One Get One Free Book Fair and thank you also to those families who took this opportunity to kindly donate books to our school library. We sold $786 worth of books!! Rewards points earned will be used to buy resources for our school.

Staffing Changes in 2024

As we begin to plan for next year, I would like to announce that there will be a number of staffing changes in 2024.

Jess Fortescue will be moving to the Grafton area as her husband has been successful in gaining a new position there. This will mean Mrs Forstecue will not return to Rocky River. Georgia Brown, our current K-2 teacher will be travelling internationally next year so will also not be working at our school. I am very pleased to announce that I have been able to offer Mr Chris Ridley a full time, temporary position to take our Lower Division class in 2024. Mr Ridley will be a wonderful addition to our school in 2024.

Kirrily Buettel will be moving to the Maitland area with her new husband and will be working in the Hunter area.

Claire Wood, our School Learning and Support Officer is moving to Newcastle. I am waiting on final confirmation of funding before offering any support positions for Lower Division.

Both Leah Miller and myself will continue with our current structure for Upper Division.

I will provide more information soon about our staffing for next year. I just wanted to let you all know what is currently under way. We will have a number opportunities to meet, work and speak with Mr Ridley well before the end of term to ensure a smooth transition of teachers for our students.

Assembly

Next Friday the 10th November we will hold an assembly at 2.15pm. Everyone is most welcome to attend and help us celebrate the learning and achievements of our students.

Thunderbolt Festival

Thank you to the large number of students and their families who joined with us in the Thunderbolt Festival Parade last Saturday. Our students looked great and I thank them for taking time out of their weekend to help us. Thanks also to Anne for marching with me. Once again our P&C worked hard to provide a BBQ and cake stall which was very well supported by our community. Great job all round everyone!

Revised Student Behaviour Policy

The NSW Department of Education is introducing a revised Student Behaviour Policy and new Suspension and Expulsion Procedures, from Term 1, 2024. The policy and procedures support an inclusive and safe learning environment for your child, staff and every child in NSW public schools.

With the revisions to the policy, we now have clarity and consistency of how we manage disruptive and challenging student behaviour in the classroom, so our teachers can teach, and our students can learn.

The guidelines allow us to work closer together with you to support your child to behave positively and respectfully and when developing individual plans with clear expectations, so they can achieve their best.

We have many practices in place to help our students engage respectfully with each other and their learning. You can find out more about these and advice and support strategies to help you work with their us to achieve positive outcomes for your child through the department’s Behaviour Support Toolkit.

Violence in our schools is never acceptable. Suspension is a critical safeguard for ensuring the safety of our students, teachers and staff.

You can read a preview of the policy and procedures on the department website.

The staff and I are reviewing our current approach in line with the revised policy and procedures and will share any changes we believe need to be made with you from Term 1 2024.

Parents and carers play an important role in the school community. We will continue to engage and communicate with you around our School Behaviour Support and Management Plan that outlines our school processes and practices moving forward.

Our school already takes a strong, positive, student-centred approach, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with you and all our families to maintaining a safe learning environment so our students can thrive.

If you have any questions about the revised policy and procedures, please contact me at the school. Sarah Harper and I will be attending further training in Tamworth next week about the new c

Congratulations from Adam Marshall

Sydney Excursion

We only have a number of days until leave for our Sydney excursion on Tuesday 14th November. All student shave been provided with detailed information on what to bring and what we are doing each day. Please remember that students need to be able to carry their own luggage. We suggest a bag/suitcase with wheels to help them moving from our transport to the YHA and return. We will be uploading photos from time to time on the school Facebook page to keep families informed of our travels. Students in Upper Division have been working hard on conducting research about one of the landmarks we are visiting as well as creating a model of what it looks like in preparation for our trip. As always, please contact me at the school if you have any further questions.

Learn to Swim Program

We will hold our learn to swim program from Monday 20th November until Friday 1st December (weeks 7 and 8). Detailed information and permission notes will be sent home soon.

Presentation Day

Just a reminder that our Rocky River School Presentation Day will be held on Friday 8th December here at school from 11am. A BBQ lunch will follow and then we will present our performance of The Lion King. Please mark this date and time into your calendar!

2024 Swimming Carnival

I know it seems a long way off, but please note that our swimming carnival for 2024 will be held at the Monkton Aquatic Centre (Armidale) on Friday 9th February 2024. Please note, parents will need to transport their children to and from the event (however, we encourage you to stay for the day if you can). We will join students from our Thunderbolt Schools, Kentucky, Kingstown and Kelly's Plains Public Schools.

Brad Hunt

Principal

Community Announcements and Information