Whole School Activities
NAIDOC | The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy
NAIDOC Week is an important occasion for all Australians to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year, our school embraced this spirit through engaging activities like rock painting and creating a collaborative art piece that allowed students to connect with and learn about Indigenous culture.
NAIDOC stands for the National Aboriginal and Islanders Observance Committee, serving as a reminder of the rich traditions and histories of our First Nations peoples. Each year, NAIDOC Week has a specific theme that highlights an important aspect of Indigenous culture and its contributions to our society. The theme for 2025, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but also the bright future ahead. It emphasises the empowerment of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the enduring legacy of our ancestors.
During NAIDOC celebrations, students participated in rock painting, transforming plain stones into vibrant pieces of art that express their personal connections to Indigenous culture. Each painted rock tells a story, showcasing their creativity while honouring the traditions of the land. These rocks will be displayed in our friendship garden, serving as a visual representation of our commitment to recognising and respecting Indigenous heritage.
UNE Discovery Visit
We recently had the pleasure of hosting the UNE Discovery team at our school, where our students engaged in a variety of rotating activities. They participated in crime scene investigations, busy bots, and creative chemistry sessions. Although the wet weather prevented us from conducting the plants, poops, and pollinators activity, the team swiftly adapted and introduced an exciting palaeontology activity instead. The Discovery Voyager program from UNE aims to foster interest and understanding in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) subjects through interactive, curriculum-aligned experiences. With activities covering topics such as ecology, physics, chemistry, and natural history, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in hands-on learning that complements their studies. Each session was designed for up to 30 students and lasted approximately 45 minutes, making it an engaging and enriching experience for all involved.
PSSA | Coach Peterson
At Rocky River School, we believe that community involvement plays a vital role in enhancing our students' educational experiences. This past week, we had the pleasure of welcoming back Matt Peterson, a dedicated parent, who generously offered his time and expertise to assist our athletics team.
Matt came in to help fine-tune our students' skills and introduce them to new techniques in preparation for the upcoming PSSA Athletics Carnival. His passion for athletics and commitment to our students was evident as he guided them through various drills and exercises, helping each athlete build confidence and improve their performance.
Thanks to Matt's support, our students not only learned valuable skills but also experienced the joy of teamwork and camaraderie. His encouragement and positive attitude inspired our athletes to push their limits and strive for excellence.
We are incredibly grateful to Matt for his time, effort, and the wealth of knowledge he shared with our students. Community members like him make a significant difference in the lives of our children, and we appreciate his commitment to helping them succeed.
As we look forward to the PSSA Athletics Carnival, we feel more prepared and excited, thanks to Matt's invaluable contributions. Thank you, Matt Peterson, for being such a supportive member of our Rocky River School community!
Visual Arts | 1860 Still Life
Students recently embarked on an engaging visual art lesson that paid homage to their school’s rich heritage. Established in 1860, the original Rocky River Public School stands as a testament to the community's commitment to education and culture. This unique lesson allowed students to delve into this history while developing their artistic skills.
Students explored the concept of still life, a genre that has inspired artists for centuries. They were encouraged to observe their surroundings, drawing inspiration from the historical architecture of the old school house.
The students’ masterpieces showcased a remarkable blend of imagination and observation. Each artwork depicted a personal interpretation of still life, reflecting unique perspectives and creativity.
Preschool Postcards
In a wonderful display of creativity and community spirit, our students have continued to showcase their ability to be active contributors. Recently, we seized the opportunity presented by free postcards provided to the school by Australia Post to connect with our youngest community members at Uralla Preschool.
Each student took the time to write a personal message, alongside nursey rhymes, complete with beautiful illustrations that added a personal touch. This initiative not only allowed our students to express their creativity but also fostered a sense of connection and joy between the different age groups within our community.
Stage 2 English Unit | Ned Kelly and the Green Sash
In our Stage 2 English unit, students are diving into the mentor concept of ‘argument and authority,’ alongside the supporting concept of ‘genre.’ Through a thorough analysis of our chosen mentor text, Ned Kelly and the Green Sash, students are gaining insight into the distinctions between authority and authorship.
So far, students have created prediction covers for the text and shared their prior knowledge about the infamous Ned Kelly in a collaborative space. They have also been introduced to the members of the ‘Kelly Gang’ and are currently in the process of writing a bibliography for their selected gang member.
We encourage parents to share any information or insights they may have about Ned Kelly with their child. Your contributions will enrich our English unit and help foster a deeper understanding of this historical figure!
Wellbeing Journals
Engaging in wellbeing and mindfulness activities provides students with essential tools to cultivate a strong and healthy mindset. These practices promote emotional regulation, reduce stress, and enhance focus, allowing students to develop resilience and a positive outlook on challenges. By incorporating mindfulness into their routines, students can improve their overall mental health, leading to better academic performance and more fulfilling interpersonal relationships.
In Stage 3, we're focusing on gratitude through our morning Wellbeing Journals from Headspace. Each morning we follow some journal prompts that challenge us to think of the smaller moments in our lives which bring us joy, and how we can plan for a calm and peaceful day. We're working on understanding some of the new ways of thinking and are beginning to elaborate on our responses. The best part of the morning is when students naturally want to share their reflections which kicks off a domino effect of laughs and sharing of similar responses.
Parli-Flicks Short Film Competition
Our first mini unit in English this term involves the history of state parliament and the creation of a multi-modal text. Stage 3 are creating short films in response to the question: What do I value about democracy? We spent our first week researching and building the field around a historical timeline of events, which led to the establishment of the state parliament as we know it today at Macquarie Street, Sydney. Students brainstormed a creative and engaging way to deliver their message, with the challenge of the film not exceeding a minute's length. We've spent this week storyboarding our ideas and scripting the dialogue for our films, with some groups beginning their filming. We have a culmination of claymation, stop motion with original animations created digitally by the students and lots of clever humour! We can't wait to share the finished products and hope some of our films are shortlisted in the Parli-Flicks 2025 competition run by NSW Parliament education.
Stage 3 Genuine Data in Mathematics
This term, our Stage 3 students have embarked on an exhilarating journey of authentic data collection in the vegie garden area. Students actively explored their environment, making keen observations that will help inform the effective management of our land.
Stage 3 have proposed various metrics for data collection, including rainfall, temperature, plant height, egg production, and the frequency of refilling chicken feed and water. Our investigations have also delved into discrete and categorical data types, as well as the importance of recognising misleading data, ensuring that we approach information with a critical and analytical mindset.
We are establishing these vital skills for students to ensure they can apply and transfer this knowledge into their own lives, both in the present day and well into the future as they apply these skills in their careers and solve real-world problems. This foundation will empower students to make informed decisions and contribute positively to their communities as they navigate an increasingly data-driven world.
