Principal's Report

Principal’s Message

Cybersafety

I encourage all community members to have a read of the advice in the "Well Being" section of this newsletter. While the vast majority of our students display excellent digital citizenry on a consistent basis, recently we have been made aware of some examples of older students using language with peers online that is not in keeping with our expectations of how we treat others at Roberts McCubbin Primary School.

I would encourage all families to review how your family manages device use at home. Along with cybersafety experts, we strongly recommend that children do not have devices in bedrooms or areas where they are unsupervised, particularly overnight. Charging stations in common areas are a great idea. Parents and carers should have access to all device passwords, and regularly visually check and talk to children about their online habits.

Again, we are very proud to have a very low record of 'cyber transgressions' at Robbie Mac, with students utilising the many excellent learning opportunities that the internet provides. Our school has a strong record in wellbeing and we are passionate about ensuring that all students are safe at school and in the community; physically, emotionally and virtually!

If you have any particular concerns, I encourage you to reach out to your child's class teacher to discuss further.

Student Voice

I would like to congratulate two groups of Year 2 and Year 3 students on coming to Mr Roche with some great ideas for raising money for some important charities. We love students using their initiative and student voice; it's also great to know that our students thinking of those in our wider community who are in need of support.

Colour Run

Excitement is building for our annual Colour Run, with all sorts of exciting plans in place to ensure a memorable experience for all participants. We just hope the weather looks after us this year - I think I'm still defrosting after the Artic winds of 2023!

Thank you to all families for your fundraising efforts alongside this event - we look forward to exciting developments in the area between 3/4 and the gym as a result of these funds. We'll keep the community informed as these plans come closer to fruition!

'Stepping Up' & New Foundation Families Morning Tea

Next Wednesday sees the first of our 'Stepping Up' sessions for all year levels, including 2024 Foundation families. Students will visit the area of their 2024 year level and participate in a session run by a current teacher from that year level. We hope that these sessions ease the transition into the following year level and give students a taste of what life will be like in 2024!

We are very excited to meet our new Foundation students and families, with a morning tea planned from 9am in the hall on Wednesday. All current parents and carers are welcome to attend, please bring a plate of food if you are able. This is a great opportunity for our new families to experience a great Robbie Mac welcome!

The remainder of my message this week are reminders of some important messages featured in the last newsletter. Please take a moment to browse below.

Moving on in 2024?

If your family are planning a move to a new school for 2024, early notification greatly assists our forward planning. Please contact the school office to inform us of your plans.

2024 Planning

With Term 4 upon us, planning for the 2024 school year is well and truly underway. We are currently working with our leadership teams on roles and classroom allocations for next year, with planning for 2024 classes beginning in a few weeks. This planning of classes is an extensive task, with many contributing factors being taken into consideration before students find out where they will be for 2024 on Stepping Up day (Tuesday 12th December).

Students have opportunities to nominate some peers that they would like to be in the same class as in 2024. In all but very exceptional circumstances, students are placed with at least one of these nominated peers. In circumstances where this appears to be impossible, families will be contacted to discuss options prior to the stepping up day.

If parents have particular concerns regarding class placement, you are welcome to email me via peter.watson@education.vic.gov.au, however please be aware that it is very difficult to guarantee placements with or separations from  specific peers. Placements with specific teachers are even more difficult to accommodate.

Hats

A further reminder that our Sunsmart period is firmly upon us and as such, all students are required to wear a wide-brimmed school hat outside at all times throughout the day. The assistance of parents and carers in ensuring all students have such a hat at school is much appreciated.

Financial Assistance

We are well aware that many in our community are currently experiencing significant financial hardship at present. In keeping with our strong commitment to inclusion at Roberts McCubbin Primary School, if your family is finding payment for a school event to be prohibitive, please contact myself or Business Manager Melissa for a confidential discussion of options.

Peter Watson

Principal