Wellbeing & Engagement 

Student Leaders' Fundraiser Day

Coming up on Monday, December 19th (the second last day of school), our Student Leaders will be running a fundraiser day. Each year, our Year 6s are involved in some different 'Legacy Projects', where they get to leave their mark on the school - usually through an artistic lens. This day will help the Year 6s raise some funds to purchase supplies and equipment to complete their project - and also provide all other Rangeview students with a really fun day!

For a gold coin, students can participate in a free dress day - with the theme being 'Summer'. It would be great to see some bright colours, bucket hats, board shorts, and so on - but please remember that students must still be dressed appropriately for school, and in a SunSmart manner - i.e. no singlets or thongs. 

In addition to the free dress day, our Student Leaders will also be running a movie for F-2, and then for 3-6, along with some 'stalls', selling popcorn and juice boxes for $1 each. These additional extras are optional and students are under no obligation to buy, however if they would like some popcorn and a juice box, they would be required to bring along some extra money. It is all going to a very good cause and will allow our Year 6s to begin creating a display that we hope to build on well into the future with all of our departing Year 6 students each year.

More information about this day will come next week.

Fathering Project Camp Out 

What an amazing night we saw last Saturday! Our Fathering Project group put on a wonderful event for the school community with a Camp Out on the oval. I loved popping in for a few hours to see all the tents going up, families playing games on the oval and in the gym, before a movie and pizza night. The early risers on Sunday morning also had a communal viewing of the Socceroos round of 16 World Cup match against Argentina - unfortunately we just went down 1-2, but it was a great game to watch!

The attendance was amazing - over 160 members of our school community taking advantage of the opportunity to camp out. Thank you to Simon Tan and Chris Roche for all the work that went into organising and running this event. We are so appreciative of the efforts our parenting groups put in to provide these engaging community offerings for the school.

Holiday Screen Time

Over the break and without the structure of school from 9:00am - 3:30pm on weekdays, many children will no doubt beg and plead for more time on screens at home - this is only natural (and I am expecting it from my own kids, too!). 

We would encourage you to discuss agency here with your children; screen time is absolutely okay, but work with your children on balance and moderation. Discuss with them expectations before they get on the screen; set time limits, or even introduce a reward system - for example, children might 'earn' screen time, after spending an hour outside, or after going on a bike ride, or participating in some arts and crafts to promote creativity and problem solving. 

Building a consistent system will help limit any issues or arguments over screen time. Set clear rules and expectations, and most importantly, monitor what your children are viewing. Despite all the wonderful work classes have completed in the 'eSmart' space this year, we are still seeing students make poor choices online. This is all part of their learning; but setting strong examples at home is the best way to help young children learn how to behave online.

Senior School Bike Ride

To finish off the Bike Ed unit our 5/6s have been participating in this term, on Monday our senior school students went on a big bike ride to Marie Wallace Park in Bayswater (affectionately known as the 'train park').

The kids did a wonderful job making it there and back, with only limited mishaps! It was a challenging, yet rewarding ride, and I would like to thank all of the parents and staff who took part for providing our students with another great life experience.

Tribute to the Year 6s

As we edge our way towards the end of 2022, we are going to say goodbye to a wonderful cohort of Year 6 students. It has been an absolute pleasure watching the Year 6s grow and mature across the year; they really have been great role models for the school and have set a strong example for the younger students. 

I have particularly loved working closely with the Student Leaders. This group of 32 students has really felt like my own 'class' this year - and I am so proud of how they have led the school. We have had a lot of fun in our Monday morning student leadership meetings, and in many other events across the year. 

To all of our departing Year 6s - I would like to wish you every success in your future endeavours. Stay true to yourself, stand up for what you believe in, and stay loyal to those around you. Head into high school with a positive, growth mindset and don't be afraid to step outside of the comfort zone and give new things a go. You will always have a support network here at Rangeview, and I for one look forward to any future visitors next year when you are in Year 7 - I can't wait to hear how it's all going!

To quote a very wise man...

"Kid, You'll Move Mountains" - Dr Seuss

Farewell for 2022

What a year it has been! I have felt extremely privileged since joining Rangeview at the beginning of 2022, and after settling into the year in the 'acting' AP role for the first semester, I could not have been happier securing a position at the school long term at the mid-point of the year. Working across the past 12 months with such dedicated staff, brilliant students, and caring and involved families has left me so impressed with the whole Rangeview community. It's a place that you want to be, and although we've still got about nine days left of the school year, it leaves me eager to get back into it and get the ball rolling for 2023!

I want to congratulate all our Rangeview students on their successful year - the first full school year onsite over the past three. Showing the stamina and perseverance to make it through a whole year onsite is an achievement in itself; without even mentioning all the amazing events and experiences we've had this year! From incursions, excursions, camps, sports, special event/dress up days, fairs, sleepovers, camp outs... we've really had it all this year! 

I am sure, upon reflection, all of your children would be able to share some school moments they have really enjoyed. We have been practising gratitude all year as part of our Resilience Project focus, so I would strongly encourage all of our families to have a discussion around gratitude and school before the end of the year to frame a positive mindset to finish off the year the right way. 

Finally, to our families departing the school - I would like to wish you all the best for your personal journeys.

I hope you all have a very safe and relaxing school holiday period. Enjoy your Christmas and New Years, and we will see you back here at the end of January next year!

Liam Sommers

Assistant Principal

Wellbeing and Engagement