A note from Mr Jackson 

Transition into Year 7

We’re excited to hear that the traditional State Wide Orientation Day for our Year 6 students who are heading into Year 7 will go ahead (provided Victoria has reached the Last Step in the roadmap for reopening on 22 November). This day is organised by secondary schools and further information on how this will be conducted in line with COVID-19 safe plans will be shared by them.

Arrival Times Reminder

A reminder to all parents that students should not start arriving at school until 8:45am. Supervision on the playground begins at 8:45am, when students move directly to their classrooms. Please ensure your child is registered with OSHClub if there is a need for them to be at school earlier. 

2021 School Structure

In preparing the class structure for 2021, we were very aware of the need to support students who have had a very disrupted year in 2020. The structure reflects the need to adapt to the learning needs of students. While it ensures minimal class sizes there are a number of elements that are different from previous years.  It is important to note that it is a one year plan to respond to 2020 only. The 2021 structure includes a fifteenth class, that based on current enrolled 2021 students, will see class sizes as low as 19 in the Prep rooms and up to the largest class of 25 in the older classes.

The 2021 classes will be structured in the following manner;

Prep Area – Prep, Prep, Prep

1/2 Area – Year 1, Year 1, Year 1, Year 2, Year 2

2/3/4 Area – 2/3, 3/4, 3/4, 3/4

5/6 Area – 5/6, 5/6, 5/6

Recognising that our 2021 Prep cohort have not received the expected year of Kindergarten our prep program will cater for diverse entry points to the primary setting. While in previous years we have spoken a great deal about a child’s ‘readiness for school’, we are now readying ourselves for our prep arrivals. Learning will be enriched with an oral language, experiential program that will meet students at their next learning step.

Our current prep cohort has had a remarkable first year of schooling. While this has not been the year we thought it might be, teachers and parents have collaborated to make our home learning experience as rich as possible. Thanks to these parents, students and teachers who gave so much to ensure students were challenged and enriched. In 2021 we are eager to continue to build on their Foundation year as they enter Grade 1. While we usually celebrate the richness that working with composite grades can bring (normally we would have a couple of 1/2 classes) we recognise that straight Year 1 and straight Year 2 classes will be an important response to focus our COVID response.

The structure then continues in composite classes to ensure both students and staff in the 2/3/4 and 5/6 areas are collaborating to maximise learning. 

RPSTV Assembly

All are welcome to join our weekly assembly this week. Our ‘Students of the Week’ will be awarded and we will have a chance learn what is happening around the school.

Meeting link:

https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=m23cb9561b5d0defa3a910e918b9e9918

Meeting number: 165 769 8318

Password: FGmYsfPp572