From the Principal's Desk
Learn to Swim Program - Extra Days
We are seeing some amazing progress in students with their swimming! Due to the wet weather at the start of our swimming program, we have 2 days to make up. We have booked the pool for Monday and Tuesday of next week. Please ensure students bring their swimming clothes, towel, sunscreen, etc. Thank for your help.
Presentation Day on Friday
Just a reminder that our Rocky River School Presentation Day will be held this Friday 8th December here at school from 11am. A BBQ lunch will follow and then we will present our performance of The Lion King. Mr Chris Ridley, who will be taking Lower Division in 2024, will be at our school to meet us all on this day as well.
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 with students from our Thunderbolt Schools, Kentucky, Kingstown and Kelly's Plains Public Schools.
Safety Day @ Rocky River
We have been able to put together a small Safety Day for our students in week 10 on Wednesday 13th December.. We will have two sessions from the local police about stranger danger and being safe online. The Uralla Fire Brigade will also come along and talk with us about being safe around fires and what to do in an emergency.
Pet Safety Workshop for Lower Division
Students in Lower Division will participate in a pet safety program today aimed at showing young students how to approach animals and how to be safe around them. This is an annual event provided to schools. The workshops will include a visit from a well-trained dog to assist with the presentation.
Pool Party Day
We have scheduled our annual pool party for Thursday 14th December, which is the second last day of school. This will be held at the Uralla Swimming Pool from 1-3 pm.
Uralla's Carols By Candlelight - Tonight
Carols by Candlelight will be held at Alma Park tonight, Wednesday 6th December from 6pm. Our students are preparing a small item to present for those families who can attend. Please bring a picnic rug or chairs. Please also note that students must be under the supervision of an adult as this is a community event (not a school event).
2024 School Starting Dates
Tuesday 30th January - Staff Development Day (Staff only)
Wednesday 31st January - Staff Development Day (Staff Only)
Thursday 1st February - Students in Years 1-6 return to school for 2024
Tuesday 6th February - Kindergarten students commence school for 2024
Semester 2 Reports
Semester 2 reports will be sent home with students tomorrow. Can I please take this opportunity to thank every student for effort and achievement this year. It is so nice to see such growth in student outcomes across the school. Well done everyone. If families have any questions regarding your child's report, please contact your child's teacher at the school.
Farewell Jess, Georgia, Kirrily and Claire - Welcome Amberley Burton
At the end of next week, we will farewell four staff members who are either moving away of travelling.
I would like to sincerely thank Jess Fortescue for the many years of her work at Rocky River, teaching across all areas of the school. Jess has been on maternity leave since the middle of Term 1 this year. Jess has been an integral part of the smooth operation of Rocky River and we wish her all the best in her move back to the coast.
Georgia Brown will be taking a year off to travel next year. Thanks so much for your hard work this year Georgia teaching Lower Division and also taking Upper Division at various times,including the Sydney excursion. It has been so nice to work with you this year.
Kirrily Hahn is moving to the Hunter Region with her husband. Kirrily, thank you for your hard work as our hearing support teacher as well as working in our classes for our relief from face to face lessons. Your dedication to implementing the Auslan sign language program at or school this year is most certainly a major success. Great job!
Claire Wood is also moving to the Hunter Region. Claire has been our School Learning Support Officer in 2024, working with students in Lower Division. Claire, we thank you for your support and for being committed in helping us deliver the Mini Lit program. You will certainly be missed.
Sarah Harper will be relieving as principal at Kingstown School in 2024 and we will welcome Amberley Burton to our school as our Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction (APC&I). Miss Burton will work with us each Thursday in 2024. Welcome Amberley! I also wish Mrs Harper all the best in her relieving role next year. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Harper back in 2025.
To all of you, please keep in touch with us and make sure you come along and visit when you are back in the area.
Farewell Year 6 - Class of 2023
We also farewell our Year 6 students at the end of next week. We have been fortunate to have such a wonderful group of students this year to work with. They have led the students well and we all wish them the very best as they embark on high school and beyond! Farewell Charlotte, Sam, Ben and Abby. Keep in touch!
Happy Holidays and Thank you
This is the last newsletter for 2023. I will provide a detailed Term 1 Information Pack on the first day back next year, outlining dates and events for the year ahead. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support in 2023. We have tried hard to provide as many opportunities for our students as possible. We always strive to improve and next year, we will be a part of the External Validation process, in which we will assess ourselves against the School Excellence Framework, to gain a better understanding of our overall operations. To that amazing staff here at Rocky River, our incredible P&C, our parents and of course our students... every one of us is part of the puzzle to ensure our approach to education is 100%. I wish you all a happy and safe summer break and I look forward to seeing you all in 2024. Merry Christmas!
Brad Hunt
Principal