A note from Mr Jackson
Road Safety Awareness
A parent phoned the office this week to express their concern over the safety of students heading home after school. They described a student from the early years trying to cross Ruthven Street at the end of Grandview Grove. Fortunately, traffic stopped to ensure the safe crossing of the road. I encourage parents to continue to model and instruct students to safely cross at appropriate crossings on our neighbouring roads.
Nesting Tawny Spotted
A special thanks to Arlo this week who was the first to spot our nesting Tawny Frogmouth in the large tree outside the Chandler Hall earlier in the week. I grew up knowing this time as ‘Spring’ but Wurundjeri people call this time Poorneet (tadpole season) which is the period between September to October. Keep an eye out for nesting Noisy Miners near the car park and the flowering plants on the prep embankment. Even a king parrot was spotted in the top playground on Wednesday! We may even discover a tadpole or two in the frog bog!
Breakfast Program
We are thrilled to have been successful at gaining access to the ‘Breakfast in Schools Program'. We are in the process of planning how the distribution of a nutritious breakfast and health food to students and families might look. Thanks to staff who have helped drive this and provide this support for families. Keep an eye out for more information.
Curriculum Day
(Monday 3 November)
This day has been allocated to support parents in taking a family break and make the most of the Melbourne Cup holiday. Our aim is to continue to minimise student absences that impact learning on days where students are required to be at school. On this day no students should be at school unless they are attending TheirCare and the office hours will be limited. Teachers will be preparing end of year reports and completing assessments.
Big Clean Up Day
(Friday 31 October)
We’re always discovering ways to encourage students to step up and ensure that our school values are not simply words on a page but actions shaped by personal choices. On Friday next week, our school will stop and do a giant clean up of the yard. Classes have areas designated and the Sustainability Team will venture to the parklands to do a cleanup.
Whole School Transition Sessions Start
(Monday 17 November)
Last week we welcomed our 2026 Prep families as we support students entering school. This term a range of experiences are planned to support our Year 6 students transitioning to secondary education. Just as important is supporting students as they transition between years within the school. In the last few days I have spoken with students about their perspectives regarding transitioning. Not surprisingly, some are full of excitement and others a little tentative.
To support each student during this time we have built in three transition sessions. The first will occur on Monday 17 November. Students will move into the 2026 learning spaces (eg. this will see the Preps head to the Yr1 rooms). This will be a chance for students to familiarise themselves with the spaces and faces of their peers. More info will follow.
Working Bee Invitation
(Sunday 9 October)
As we step towards a wonderful School Spring Fair on 15 Nov we are eager to ensure that our site is neat, tidy and ready for our visitors. On Sunday 9 November, all are invited to ‘lend a hand’ to spruce up our gardens and grounds. We will blow the yards and neighbouring pathways, as well as ensure the gardens and newly renovated spaces are looking good. We will start at 9:00am and continue through to 12 noon, ending in the traditional sausage sandwich. Looking forward to creating a welcome space for visitors on the following weekend. Bring a blower and wheel barrow if you have one, but most of all, bring along your eagerness to make a difference.
School Council Meeting
(Monday 20 October)
School Council met onsite and explored a range of topics and discussed diverse themes.
The Council members reflected on bullying behaviour and the manner in which such behaviours were managed by staff. This was particularly relevant noting the review of the Bullying Prevention Policy recently discussed in the Education Sub Group meeting. It was noted that student data indicated we were performing better than similar schools in this area. Members of Council discussed the way in which bullying is addressed by staff and students. It included the importance of restorative approaches underpinned by the Positive School Wide Behaviour process.
One of the highlights of School Council is always the Junior School Council Report. We were fortunate to have Hayley, one of the JSC Executives, who shared the great effort our students are taking. It included their collaboration with a previous student from Rosanna Primary (now at Thornbury Highschool) who has undertaken to plan collaboratively with the JSC around running ‘Empathy Day’ (6 November). It is a day to look outside of our school boundaries and raise awareness and money for Haven Home Safe Preston, a community and affordable housing provider delivering housing and homelessness services in our community. Please encourage your child to participate and bring along a gold coin donation on the day!
The development of a new website was discussed by the Grants and Promotion sub-committee. They were grateful to have received a range of responses from parents describing possible themes to include. Words such as ‘community’ and ‘inclusion’ were significant ideas that will be embedded in the new site. We are grateful for those who have been able to piece together a temporary site whilst the new site is being developed. The target is to ensure the site is online by the end of the year.
Planning is underway for the construction of a creative digging and construction space on the oval. A successful grant from the North East Link Community Fund will see a digging pit, renewed drinking fountain and upgrade of the Bellevue Ave edge of the oval. Another grant from the same Fund will be used to create a mural at the School Spring Fair to celebrate the 80 year school anniversary.
The facilities subgroup spoke of the ramping progress. Changes to the front entry will see everyone entering through the same gate. The current steps and gate will be removed and a platform will enable people entering the school to step off the ramp onto the walkway. Further concreting at the front gate and on the driveway at the top of the steps should be completed this week. Works are scheduled to be completed by 15 November.
The meeting discussed the ongoing structural issues related to the Administration Building (Block C). This aging building continues to cost the school and department significant funds. A letter was drafted and will be sent to the local State Member, Anthony Carbines. It was noted that the members were particularly frustrated knowing that building works in other local schools has been significant.
FINAL DAY!! Reminder for Class Composition Input From Parents/Carers Reflections
If there are specific requests for student placement in 2026 that are not covered in students’ identification of learning friendships, you can make a request in writing to the Principal. It is important to note that parents are invited to make this request each year and simply because a request has been made last year, it will not be considered the following year.
Recognising the complexity of the process, I ask that your requests be limited to no more than three suggestions that may be a request to separate or pair students. Any parent requests should be sent to the school email - rosanna.ps@education.vic.gov.au. The request should include ‘2026 Class Placement’ in the subject line and be received by Friday, 24 October. Any correspondence received after this date cannot be considered.
In shaping classes, teachers make every effort to consider all factors presented, but we cannot guarantee that all requests will be accommodated. All will be considered. It is important to note that requests for specific teachers cannot be accepted.