From the Principal's Desk
Welcome to Week 1, Term 3!
A warm welcome back to all of our students and families! We trust everyone had a restful and refreshing holiday break, enjoying quality time with loved ones. It has been delightful to see our students return with enthusiasm and quickly re-establish their positive routines. As we embark on a new term, we are brimming with excitement for the many enriching opportunities and memorable experiences that lie ahead. Here’s to a fantastic term filled with growth, learning, and achievement!
Pyjama Day
In Week 11 last term, we had a pyjama day at Rocky River to raise money for brain cancer research. It was a fun way to spend a cold rainy day - cosy in pyjamas, with a special hot chocolate treat (thanks Miss Miller!) and a chance to enjoy time with friends before the holidays begin. We raised $31 which we are donating to the Beanies4BrainCancer foundation. Thank you to our students and families for your support to make this a wonderful day!
Home Reading Logs
This term, all students across Kindergarten to Year 6 will receive a home reading log, and a structured oppportunity during school hours to select books to take home and read each week. Reading at home offers numerous benefits, including continuity of learning beyond the classroom, fostering enjoyment and a positive attitude towards reading. It encourages a shared love for books and story sharing between school and home, strengthening connections and supporting language development.
Introducing a structured approach to home reading across all years from Kindergarten to Year 6 will provide students with the opportunity to engage with texts at their own pace. Students will be issued with a home reading folder and a reading log to complete, with necessary instructions, whilst older students who already have homework folders, will receive a reading log template to add to their folders. Whilst homework is not mandatory, we believe in the power of reading and want to strengthen our whole school approach towards encouraging reading at home, to nurture lifelong literacy skills and create a supportive reading culture for future reading success in all of our students.
If you have any questions about the types of books your child is reading, please contact their classroom teacher.
New School Fencing Upgrade
I am pleased to announce that we have been successful in our endeavours to secure a boundary fence upgrade, to complement the new school build, ensuring safety and security for all students. Whilst the works were not yet scheduled to commence, some early activity has started. The back and side perimeter fencing of the school will be ugraded from farm fencing to current standard safety fencing, with the duration of the upgrade expected to take approximately two weeks.
In early 2027, when the new school building is established, the final phase of the upgrade will go ahead, when the front fence is to be completed. The front fence design will thoughtfully welcome members of the public to our front office, rather than restricting access to our school. This is a really exciting upgrade for Rocky River Public School, and I am very proud to welcome this infrastructure upgrade during a time where thought and consideration into the physical environment can be actioned, to better support the safety and learning needs of our students for decades to come.
Years 3-6 Camp
At the end of Term 2, information about the Years 3-6 Great Aussie Bush Camp at Tea Gardens was sent to parents via School Bytes. We are asking for an initial deposit to be made by the end of this week to indiciate attendance. A final cost for the camp will be advertised in Week 3 after the P&C and school financial support amounts are confirmed, making this a reduced-fee excursion, and one we don't want any students to miss out on! If you have any questions about the camp, please reach out to our staff. More information will be shared in the coming weeks to help students understand what to expect at this exciting experience!
Welcome Miss Faye
We welcome Miss Faye who is completing her School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) Placement at our school in Term 3. Miss Faye will support our students on Mondays and Tuesdays for the majority of the term, as the final component of her studies. Rocky River are pleased to welcome Faye and support her as she assists our students in their learning journeys this term.
P&C Fundraising Pie Drive
If you've ever considered stocking up on your favourite pies (both savoury and sweet) from the wonderful Moon's Bakery, now's the time to order! The Rocky River Public School P&C Pie drive are accepting orders until Monday 27th July 2026.
Please complete the form with your details and order information by Monday 27th July (Term 3, Week 2). All payments must be made via bank transfer to the Rocky River P&C account (details listed on the order form attached). Please return the paper-based order form back to the school office for collection, or scan and email a copy through to the Rocky River P&C email address: rockyriverpandc@gmail.com.
We would love if you could consider sharing this form with family and friends to order as many pies as possible to support our students! There are extra copies of the forms at our front office for members of the community to collect during school hours.
Happy pie ordering!
State PSSA Cross Country
We are cheering on Elyse in Year 3 who is attending the State PSSA Cross Country event today. We are beyond proud of the effort and determination Elyse pours into these events, and are all excited to hear her report back on how she went!
NAPLAN Results
NAPLAN results for students in Years 3 and 5 will be going home this week. Please see the attached infromation sheet provided by ACARA.
Thank a First Responder Day 2026
We were honoured to host a celebration last term for Thank a First Responder Day. We were pleased to receive kind words from the foundation commenting on the impact our small school had with our participation:
"... It sounds like Rocky River Public School organised a wonderful Thank a First Responder Day celebration. For a school of 33 students, that is an incredible effort and a fantastic example of how even small communities can make a big impact. Thank you for being part of Thank a First Responder Day 2026 and for helping first responders feel seen, valued and appreciated."
We were proud to feature in an article in The Armidale Express, and have a copy on display in our front office. Our certificate of appreciation recieved is also on display in the office foyer. You can see an overview of how the day was celebrated beyond our community in the video link below, with Rocky River featuring at 2:02 in the video:
Thank you to our students, parents and staff for your support in making this day such a success!
Rocky River Aboriginal Mural
We are beyond thrilled to invite all community members to our next consultation meeting for the Aboriginal mural design to be displayed at the front of the new school building. Mima Dave Widders and his daughter Narmi are currently working on the artwork, incorporating themes and ideas from our initial community consultation meeting held in Term 1. We are looking forward to Mima Dave presenting the design on Monday of Week 7, 31st August 2026 at 4pm (before the P&C meeting at 5pm). We will host the gathering in the bottom classroom again, and look forward to welcoming members of the Uralla AECG, senior Anaiwan elders and Anaiwan community peoples as well as interested students and parents.
Beautifying Our School with Helen’s Flower Pots
Helen Hine is spearheading a wonderful initiative to enhance our school’s appearance with plants that can be easily transferred to the new building once ready. She is seeking donations of approximately six large, sturdy pots to plant small trees or flowers at key school entry points including the end of the white pathway, the COLA, and the office entry. If you have any suitable pots to donate, your support would be greatly appreciated. Helen has begun the inititiative
during the holidays with these lovely pots she has placed outside the Lower Division Classroom.
She has plans to involve interested students in caring for the plants, fostering community spirit and responsibility for our school environment.
We are yet to receive any donations so please encourage any useful pots to travel our way!
School Rebuild Progress Update
I will be meeting with NSW Infrastructure and the construction team on Monday 27th July to receive our next project update and progress report on the build. I look forward to hearing how the work is progressing and have continued to be pleased with the movement we are seeing on the ground.
The department can be contacted by phone on 1300 482 651 or by email schoolinfrastructure@det.nsw.edu.au
'Trucks Turning' Signs
New yellow signs have been placed outside of our school on Thunderbolt's Way as a visual reminder of the increased truck activity at the school. During the school rebuild construction period over the next six months, we ask our community to be aware of vehicles entering and exiting the school grounds (where only a few staff cars would normally be parked!).
100 Days of School Celebration
This Friday, 24th July, we will celebrate the milestone of 100 days of school for 2026. To celebrate, all students are encouraged to dress up as an “older person”, symbolising the knowledge and growth acquired since the year began. It will be a fun and memorable day recognising the progress each student has made so far this year. Of course, students can attend in regular mufti if they prefer, as this is an out of uniform day.
Gabi Gabun Play Sessions
We love seeing little ones aged 0-5 attending the Gabi Gabun service at our school. Sessions are held on even weeks this term on Wednesdays between 10am-12pm.
The resources from Gubi Gabun are wonderful, we encourage all to take up this enriching and FREE service to all!
Please spread the word to ensure everyone can make the most of this fantastic offering!
Attendance
Please ensure your child's absences reasons are logged with the school. 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.
Enrolling Now for 2027
We are enrolling now for our 2027 Kindergarten intake. Please contact the school office to chat with Anne or myself or visit our website to complete an online enrolment application https://rockyriver-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/
Dani Clyde-Smith
Principal