A note from Mr Jackson
Rosanna Rocks
(Friday 10 October)
Thanks to all the families and students who celebrated the return to Term 4 at Friday’s assembly last week. While everyone enjoyed each areas specific dance, it was the community dance at the end of the day that brought laughter, smiles and warmth to all. If parents or students have a moment over the coming week, I encourage them to pop into the foyer and watch the students and over 200 parents dance together. A precious afternoon indeed.
Welcome to our 2026 Prep Students Thursday 16 October
On Thursday morning we swung open the gates for our new incoming preps. While parents had an opportunity to gather and meet each other, the new preps enjoyed some fun activities in their 2026 classrooms. It proved a wonderful springboard into primary education for many of our families. Our second orientation session will be held on Wednesday, 29 October. We look forward to the days ahead and getting to know our newest cohort.
RPS Clean Up Australia (or a little bit of it)
Friday 31 November
We are setting aside this important date to take action in the environment. The Sustainability Team have met and are making plans to help cleanup our community. Stay tuned for more information.
Crossing Our Roads Safely
We are fortunate to have two staffed crossings on Grandview Grove and Davies Street. This Banyule Council initiative ensures the safety of all our families. It has come to my attention that a number of students have not crossed at the crossing but instead opted to cross the road nearby. I encourage parents to remind their child/ren to appropriately cross the road at the staffed crossings.
Disruptions and Changes Due to Building Works from Friday 17 October
Please note below yesterday’s post related to some disruption in both the administration block and the front gate.
The first significant disruption will occur on Friday, 17 October, beginning at 7:00am, when the front gate will be closed to allow for concreting works. During this time, pedestrian access from Grandview Grove will be redirected through the top driveway and through Victoria Ave. Additionally, a small number of parking bays in the indented parking area on Grandview Grove will be closed to provide space for construction vehicles. We are hopeful that this disruption will only continue until midday, allowing the parking bays to be available again for afternoon pickup.
Also on Friday, 17 October, access to the school’s front office will be temporarily changed while new automatic sliding doors are being installed. During this work, the front office entrance will be closed for the entire day. Anyone needing to visit the office will need to use the side entrance, located near the staffroom and 2J classroom.
A more extended disruption will begin on Monday, 20 October and is expected to be completed by Friday, 25 October, in time for school pickup that day. This phase of the project involves completing concrete works along the footpath on Grandview Grove, which will require a temporary closure of the footpath to ensure safety for pedestrians. During this period, access to the school will be via either the Victoria Street entry or the top driveway on Grandview Grove. Please note that the Traffic Plan previously provided has an error and has been deleted from the original post.
REMINDER: Planning a Move in 2026?
If you are planning a move in 2026 we need to know. Current discussions concerning the composition of classes and workforce planning are impacted directly by student numbers. Please give the office a call or send through an email if you are considering such a move.
REMINDER: 2026 Class Composition: Parents and Student Preferences
Once we are clear on the students who will be with us in 2026, we will put a school structure in place to support teaching and learning. Teachers will then be able to thoughtfully consider each students’ needs in allocating them to a class. During this complex decision-making process, staff consider a range of factors including social, emotional and academic needs along with creating balanced class groups.
Each year at this time we invite parents to share their thoughts and information which may affect their child’s class placement for the following year.
The process of placing students into new classes is both complex and layered. A whole range of interconnected factors go into decision making. These factors include; academic performance, social and emotional development, behaviour, independence, relational groups, student history, as well as student and parental preferences. The focus on shaping classes for the coming year is always on building connected learning communities that are balanced throughout the whole school and support the needs of all students.
1. Students’ Learning Friends
Students have been listing a group of five Learning Friends for the coming year. We will do everything we can to ensure that each student has at least one learning friend in their 2026 class. This list of friendships has been sent home with students so that parents can have input and share in the discussion and identification of Learning Friendships with their child/ren. Parents are asked to discuss these choices with their child, make changes if required, sign it and return it to the classroom teacher by Friday 24 October.
2. 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.