Principal's News

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome for 2025

Welcome to the 2025 school year.  This year we have 176 students and they have all made a great start to the school year with all classes very settled and the yard has been very calm and friendly. I would particularly like to welcome our new families who are either starting their school journey in Prep (28) or who have joined us from other areas and other schools. Please ask lots of questions and seek help and advice whenever it is needed. A big thank you to our dedicated staff who have again ensured that everything was set up and ready for the start of the year. The thorough planning that goes into these first weeks of school sets us up beautifully for what promises to be another great year. A full newsletter will be published and sent to families each fortnight starting next Thursday. The  'Calendar Update' of events and reminders will be provided on the alternate fortnight.

Welcome Morning 

Due to the weather temperatures predicted next week we have decided to run our annual welcome night as a welcome morning. We would like to offer families the opportunity to come in to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers and catch up for a chat with other families. On Tuesday 4th, our classrooms will be open from 8:30am to 9:15am and then we will have a coffee van on site offering free coffees ( for the adults only) from 8:20am. 

Parent permissions required. 

This week your child received a copy of our ‘Local Excursions’ permission form and ‘Acceptable use of Technologies’ Agreement form. Please read these carefully and return ASAP.  (This agreement outlines the expectations for all students when accessing digital technology and devices at school. Students are unable to access technology and devices at school until this agreement is returned.

More information regarding these agreements can be found in the policies section on our school website or by contacting the school. 

Heatwave

A significant heatwave is making its way across the country and will arrive in Victoria on the weekend.  This heatwave - whilst not extreme, has been classified as “significant”. During these very hot days our Extreme weather timetable will be in place- limiting the time students are outside in the heat. Please ensure your child brings their water bottle to school so it can be refilled to maintain hydration.  We will have ice available for students to use in their water bottles.

School Photos

Our School photos will be taken on Monday the 17th of February. To order photo’s please complete and bring the envelopes to school on photo day.

Yard Works

Over the holidays the path at the front of the school was removed and replaced. It will be much safer than the slippery bricks and looks so much better. Work on our Asphalt areas will begin in the coming weeks and the new playground in the central sand area will be constructed early March.

Community Clubs

This year we are again planning to run community clubs activities for all students P-6 on Friday afternoons for 4-5 weeks each term. It is hoped that these sessions will involve members of the community visiting our school or students accessing local facilities and/venues. If you would like to be involved or have any ideas, please contact the school office.

School Assembly - Monday 10th February

Families and friends are welcome to join us to hear what has been happening and share in our celebrations at our Whole school Assemblies. These will take place each Monday afternoon beginning at 2:50pm in the open space of the BER building. Our first assembly will be on Monday the 10th of February.

School Hats and Water bottles 

With the warm weather about, it is vital that all students wear their school hat when outside. Students who do not have a hat will be asked to sit in a designated shade area or inside. Students should also be drinking water regularly while they are playing and using their water bottles during class time. Students should have a drink bottle containing water only.    

Staffing

We have some changes and there are some new faces to this year. Below is a list of all of our staff and their role in the school. A special welcome to Ned Nihill, Rebekah Hocking, Tobie Woodfine and Matisse Martin 

Principal – Kate Whitford

Office Manager – Mrs. Povey

Leading Teacher- Sarah Mangan

Wellbeing /MHiPS– Ms. Ross

Prep/1- Mrs. Pascoe (Learning Specialist)

Prep/1 – Mr. Ross

Gr 2 – Mr. Carroll (P-2 Team Leader)

3/ 4 – Mrs. Acocks (Mon-Thurs)/Ms. Trickey (Fri)

3/ 4 – Mrs Collins (Monday) Mr. Irwin (Tue-Fri & 3-6 Team Leader)

5/6 – Mr. Nihill

5/ 6 -Ms. Blackman (Tues-Thurs) Ms Watson (Mon & Fri)

5/ 6 – Mr. Rasmussen (Learning Specialist) 

Tutor Program – Ms. Trickey

Hands on Learning- Ms Wright

Art – Mrs. McPhee

LOTE – Mrs. Whelan

Library/Performing Arts – Mrs. Collins

Science- Ms Wright.

Phys Ed/Health- Mrs. Mangan

Social Worker – Bern Wright

Speech support- Ms Ietto

Education Support

Wendy

Beck P

Sandra

Monique

Bridget (Student Wellbeing Officer)

Bek H

Teal

Zane

Tobie (Sport Trainee)

Matisse (ES Trainee)

Food Allergies and sharing food.

At Rochester Primary School we work towards being an Allergy-Aware School. We have students who are Anaphylactic or Allergic to certain kinds of foods. Each year staff complete Anaphylaxis Refresher Training.  We ask that families avoid bringing foods in lunchboxes that contain nuts or nut products, and we ask that parents remind all students to not share food with classmates. With your help we can support all students and maintain a safe school environment. 

Child safe – Working with Children Check.

At Rochester Primary we love having family and friends volunteering and helping with our classroom and programs. Please be reminded that a WWCC (Working with Children's Check) is required for almost any activity in our school. These can be applied for on line and for volunteers they are free. One of these will be required if your child in involved in Junior Sport or activities.

Thank you.

I would like to thank the school community (parents, staff & students) for your support of the school this week as we welcomed everyone back to school.

Kate Whitford