Principal's News

Upcoming events

We have a lot of great opportunities planned this term. So much to get through in just 9 more weeks!! Please see 

1. Formal 2026 Prep transition program begins.
2. P/1 Bendigo excursion
3. Grade 2 sleepover
4. Grade 3/4 Camp
5. Grade 5/6 Camp
6. Grade 3-6 swim sports, P-2 Water fun afternoon
7. P-6 Swimming program in Echuca
8. Grade 6 Graduation
9. End of year Assembly
10. Christmas Night

We also look forward to our Whole School Transition Day on Tuesday 9th December when our Year 6 students head off to secondary school for the day, and all other students progress to their next year level to meet their 2026 class and teacher. 

These are just a few of the big events planned for this term, however there will be many more to keep an eye out for! Please continue to check the calendar in our shorter newsletter and monitor XUNO for specific information about school events.

Interviews

Thank you to the families who took up the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher  to discuss their progress, achievements and reflect on the year so far on Wednesday afternoon. This was a good chance to discuss ways we can continue to work together to support your child. If you were unable to make it on this day, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the office to organize another time or even just a chat over the phone. 

Term 4 Class Captains

Each class has nominated two class captains for term 4.  Captains have the responsibility of running class meetings and reporting to leadership 3 to 4 times per term to share any thoughts and ideas students have for improving our school.

Regional Athletics

Congratulations to the our team of athletes who travelled to Bendigo for  the Regional competition on Monday. It was great to have so many students from our school competing at this level.

FOOD FIGHT - Food Bank

Thank you again to everyone who raised funds for Food Bank. What great fun we all had at the Food Fight celebration on Friday.  

Pupil free days - Term 4

Each year schools are granted pupil free days and a Professional Practice Day by the Department. These dates may change each year depending on the needs of the school and must be approved by School Council.  We have two pupil free days this term-  Monday 3rd November and Friday 5th December.  

School Council

The October meeting of School Council is set down for Tuesday, October 28  at 6:30pm in the staffroom.

Classes 2026- Student Placements                                                                                                   Staff  will soon begin the conversations and work around class groupings for 2025. If your child will not be attending Rochester PS next year or you know of somebody who is yet to enrol could you please contact the office ASAP.  If you have any specific requests regarding the placement of your child for 2026  please make contact to discuss before Friday 31s  October.  

Our 2026 classes will consider parent request along with student needs from a social, academic, wellbeing and behavioural perspective. Teaching teams, Specialist staff, ES staff and Leadership review all classes to ensure the most appropriate placement of all students. 

A range of factors are considered in the process of forming each class:

• an academically and wellbeing compatible balance
•  a ‘social behaviour’ balance
• Children need to be placed with familiar faces while at the same time acknowledging that some children work better with certain students than others irrespective of friendships. 

Intentions to Leave?

If any families are intending to leave our school community and won’t be returning in 2026 because of relocation or other reason, could you please advise us as soon as possible. A phone call to the office, or an email to the school  asap would be most appreciated.

Christmas Raffle

Don't forget to collect and sell some tickets for our Christmas Raffle (formally known as Monster Raffle). Thanks to Nichol Trading for their generous donation of all 3 RBN vouchers. We have 10 prizes in total and the raffle will be drawn at our  End of year Assembly on Tuesday 16th December (save the date)!Please contact the office to collect a book of tickets. Tickets are in books of 5 and are $5 each. Any unsold tickets must be returned.

 Kate Whitford