From the Office 

News From the Principal

Hoppy Easter

I would like to take this opportunity to wish staff, students and their families as well as the wider community a very happy Easter and school holiday break.

A reminder that Term 1 finishes next THURSDAY (April 6th) and students are dismissed one hour earlier than normal- therefore our finish time on this day is 2.20pm and the bus should reach the drop off points an hour ahead of the regular schedule. 

A futher reminder that Term 2 begins of WEDNESDAY April 26th for students. Staff are attending a professional learning day with their fellow small school teachers on Monday April 24th and ANZAC Day (which is a public holiday, falls on Tuesday April 25th). Please note that some key dates for Term 2 are now listed on the Important Dates Page of this newslette

Last Day of Term

On the Thursday, students are welcome to come out of uniform for the last day (maybe some bunny ears wouldn't go astray...) . We encourage students to bring along a gold coin or coins as a donation to the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. I know that we have had in the past and currently have students who have been treated at this wonderful hospital and donating a small amount of money is a great way for our students to learn about charity and community. 

School Dental Visit

Smile Squad will be visiting our school on Tuesday to perform free checkups and minor dental work if required (ie cleaning, sealing etc) for those children who have been given permission. Parents will be contacted by Smile Squad following the check up so that a treatment plan/agreement can be reached. No dental work will occur without permission from parents. Students are checked in pairs to alleviate any fears and I know from experience that the dentists are so caring and patient with children. This is a great service offered free of charge by qualified dentists from Bendigo Health. Given how costly dental treatment is and that students often have to miss school to attend appointments it is surprising, and a little disappointing, that we have had only a handful of families sign up. 

Cross Country Arrangements

Our annual Cross-Country Event is on Wednesday of next week. Students from all year levels are invited to compete at the Elmore Events Centre. Could all families please log into uEducateUs and complete the permission approval?

Whilst the staff are happy to transport students to and from the event (leaving school just after 10.30am and returning in time for the afternoon bus run), we will require car seats for all students in Years P-2. If you have a child in this year level and are not transporting them to or from the event yourself,  you will need to drop off a car seat in the morning so that we can safety and legally transport your child to the event. Parents of students in all year levels are welcome to transport their own children and we would love to have you there cheering our kids along. 

Please contact Lisa via text or a call to the school to let her know if you are planning on transporting your child to and/or from the event and if you have a child in P-2 that you are able to supply a car seat if not transporting your own child. 

(Please note the photos below are from last year's event). 

ANZAC CEREMONY

Our school will be holding a short  ANZAC Ceremony on Wednesday April 26th. It will commence at 10.45am. We invite families and community members to join us for this event which will be lead by our Year Six students, Link and Piper. 

Pie Warmer

Next Term we will once again be operating the pie warmer each day. Students can bring along items wrapped (and named) in foil or in a foil container that will be placed in the warmer at recess and heated up ready for lunch time. A reminder that we are unable to heat cans, plastic wrap and paper items in the pie warmer. Also, the items do not have to be pies or other pastry products, last year we had re-heats of the previous night's dinner, pizza slices, toasted sandwiches, roast rolls, hot dogs in buns and so much more. Of course students do not have to use this service on days that they don't want to, but it is available as an option for a warm lunch during the colder school terms. 

School Council

School council met last week and have elected a new president. Congratulations to Jarrod Blake who is the 2023 President of the Raywood Primary School Council. Jarrod himself attended Raywood Primary as a child and has two daughters at the school.

Mitch Davey continues his role as Vice-President and Bree Blake as the minute secretary. 

These parent members join Lisa Tierney and Jess Chalkley as the parental component of our School Council. Hayden Collins and Lisa Duffy are the department representatives. We are very fortunate to have Marcus Uren (our local police officer)  join us as our community member- so we will all be on our very best behaviour! 

School Council are eagerly awaiting plans and a quote for our new playground equipment so we can get the project started. School Council also went through the 2022 Annual Report which will be available on our school website very soon. A reminder that our website has all school policies which are updated throughout the year, dates of special events and loads of information about our school programs and facilities. There is also a link to our most recent and all previous electronic newsletters on the site. 

Our next meeting is May 22nd at 5pm at the school 

Breakfast Club

Next week, we will host Breakfast Club on Thursday morning (as the Friday is the first day of the holidays and also Good Friday). Students are welcome to come along and have their regular breakfast of toast, cereal and fruit, however, a selection of hot cross buns (all toasty and warm) will also be on offer- we will have fruit and fruitless buns, choc-chip and maybe other exotic (strange) combinations for students to try and enjoy. 

Thank you to Mrs Lightburn for her mini quiches last week, they were yummy.

Edendale Farm Excursion

Our students are very lucky to be provided with a NO COST excursion to Edendale Farm. This excursion is taking place in Week 1 of Term 2 on Friday April 28th. All of the details you need are contained on the permission slip which is on uEducateUs waiting for your approval. Please take special note of the departure and arrival times as well as the fact that we need to all meet at ASQ in California Gully that day. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the school. 

That's all for this week- Lisa Duffy

.