ENewsletter

Term 1 Week 3 2025

Principal's Updates

Welcome back to the school year!

Dear Students, Parents, and Staff,

We hope you all had a wonderful break and are feeling refreshed and ready for another exciting school year! As we embark on this new academic journey together, we are thrilled to welcome back our returning students and extend a warm welcome to our new families joining us this year.

This year, we will continue to focus on creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for all students. Our dedicated staff is committed to providing high-quality education that caters to the needs of every learner. We will also encourage our students to become responsible and active citizens.

Parent Involvement

We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is crucial for student success. When families and educators collaborate, it creates a positive impact on our students' learning experiences. We encourage parents to actively participate by volunteering, attending meetings, or getting involved in school events. Your engagement plays a vital role in strengthening our school community.

Communication

We will continue to communicate important information through newsletters, emails, notifications via audiri, facebook, school bytes and our school website. Please make sure to check your inbox regularly and visit our website for updates.

Staff Updates

This year we happily welcome back Mrs Barbara Aldred and Mrs Melissa Townsend who are both well-known and respected Rydalmere PS staff members who will be teaching Stage 1. We also warmly welcome Mrs Theresa Shino who will be working as a School Administration Officer and Mrs Marina Zochil is our new school counsellor.

2025 Class Structure

Preschool - Mrs Yuji Mo and Mrs Simone Danieletto (Wednesday)

K Mint - Miss Cleo Masmanidis

1/2 Coral - Mrs Barbara Aldred (Monday-Tuesday)

- Mrs Adriana Colotouros (Wednesday-Friday)

1/2 Sapphire - Mrs Melissa Townsend (Monday-Tuesday)

- Mrs Jacquleine Scalley

3 Gold - Mrs Amanda Green (Monday-Thursday)

- Mrs Belinda Arnott (Friday)

4/5 Silver - Miss Lauren Stumberger

5/6 Turquoise - Ms Angela Taylor (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday)

- Mrs Helen Jaitani (Tuesday & Friday)

Executive Team

Principal - Mr Warren Yee

Relieving Assistant Principal P-2 - Mrs Adriana Colotouros

Assistant Principal P-2 (Term 1-2) - Mrs Melissa Townsend

Assistant Principal 3-6 - Ms Angela Taylor

Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction - Mrs Zebann Rana

Itinerant Support Hearing Team

Assistant Principal - Mr Stephan Shepley

Relieving Assistant Principal (Wednesday) - Ms Juliet Schumacher

Itinerant support teacher - Mr Paul Vogels

Itinerant support teacher - Ms Natalie Gordon

Itinerant support teacher - Mr Tim Byatt

Itinerant support teacher - Mr Cameron Taylor

Itinerant support teacher - Mrs Sharyn Fyvie

Itinerant support teacher - Ms Deborah Lamour

Itinerant support teacher - Mr Cam Taylor

Support and Relief Team

EAL/D - Mrs Melissa Townsend & Mrs Adriana Colotouros

Library - Mrs Belinda Arnott

School counsellor - Mrs Marina Zochil

Community Hub - Mrs Seetha Srinivasan

Administration and Maintenance Team

School Administration Manager - Mrs Dorothy Kushturian

School Administration Officer - Mrs Ann Brett

School Administration Officer - Mrs Theresa Shino (Thursday)

SLSO - Mrs Sonya Buckingham

SLSO - Mrs Frances Agostino

SLSO - Mrs Gunnar Karaman

SLSO - Mrs Annaleese Francis

SLSO - Mr Micah Taylor

General Assistant - Mr Glen Moss

General Assistant - Mr David O’Connor

School Upgrades

A new ramp to the computer was constructed over the holidays which allows easy access for all students and staff. Thank you to Mr Moss and Mr O’Connor for all their efforts in keeping our school well maintained and looking beautiful.

Meet the Teacher Afternoon

Next week, parent information letters for each stage will be sent home about information specific to each stage. These letters will complement what the teachers will discuss at our upcoming Meet the Teacher information session held at school from 3.30pm-5pm on March 5. While the parents attend their session, students be supervised by staff members in the hall. As well, the P&C will be hosting a bbq which will be held from 4.30pm. Further details will be sent home regarding this event, and I look forward to seeing all of you there on Wednesday March 5.

We are looking forward to a fantastic year filled with learning, growth, and fun. Together, let’s make this school year the best one yet!

Warm regards,

Warren Yee

Zing Activ

Zing Activ will be attending our school each Thursday in Term 1, commencing Week 2 Thursday 13th February 2025 to teach provide a specialist in-school gymnastics program that includes all equipment and accredited coaches.

It is important that the students have a qualified instructor to ensure that all movements are performed correctly and safely.

This is an exciting and valuable experience for your child as gymnastics plays an important part in your child’s physical development.

The gymnastics program provides students with the opportunity to explore what their bodies can do, the space within which their bodies can move, the effort involved in the movement and the environment within which such movement takes place.

The focus of the gymnastics program is on initial movement exploration experiences involving locomotive and non-locomotive skills, leading to the acquisition of some specific gymnastic skills.

The cost of the term 1 program is $45. Please complete the permission and payment online via school bytes by February 18th, 2025.

K-2 Assistant Principal Updates

Welcome Kindergarten

Welcome to our new Kindergarten students and their families! It was a big first week, students learnt how to line up, play respectfully and met lots of new teachers. A special highlight was meeting our Year 6 buddies! Thank you to Year 6 students who were respectful and kind helping Kindergarten on the playground and in the classroom.

Each morning students have been engaging in play based learning activities and completing literacy based craft activities. After recess they have been enjoying some hands on maths activities. In the afternoons students have been engaging with other key learning areas such as personal health and fitness and creative arts.

Kindergarten Students 2025

Stage 1 Learning

Stage 1 have dived straight into learning for the term. Students are continuing to use Decodable Readers Australia this term when learning to read. Students have engaged in a review of phonics concepts, hands on maths activities and are developing an understanding of their personal strengths in Health lessons. We are looking forward to a busy and productive term of learning.

Just a reminder to please pack a water bottle for your child. Drinking water is essential for students because it helps maintain focus, energy levels, and overall brain function, which are crucial for effective learning and concentration.

Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 overview

Download

3-6 Assistant Principal Updates

Welcome Back to a Fabulous 2025 School Year!

Welcome back to what promises to be a fabulous 2025 school year! We are excited to embark on another year of growth, learning, and fun with your children in Years 3-6.

We look forward to meeting you at our upcoming "Meet the Teacher" event which is a wonderful chance for you to hear more about the curriculum, ask questions, and connect with your child’s teacher. Find our stage overviews below for this term.

Together, we’re looking forward to a year filled with new experiences and achievements, and we can’t wait to work alongside you to support your child’s success.

Stage 2 and 3 term 1 overview

Download

Selective HS and Opportunity Class Placement

Applications for selective high school and opportunity class entry in 2026 will be open until 21 February 2025. There will be no late applications due to the longer application period.

Opportunity Class Placement

Parents and carers will now need to apply for opportunity class placement when their child is in Year 3 (or by the end of Week 4, Term 1 when their child is in Year 4). This change applies to students currently in Year 3.

Selective High School Placement

For selective high school placement, parents and carers will continue to apply when their child is in Year 5 and can now apply when their child is in year 6 until the end of Week 4, Term 1.

The placement tests in 2025 will be held at scheduled times over multiple days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and conducted mostly in external test centres (i.e. not in schools). Students will be allocated an external test centre within the local area of their current school.

The 2025 selective high school and opportunity class placement test dates are 2-4 May 2025.

Enrol now! https://shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au/

NAPLAN 2025

This term, your child will undertake the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN provides schools with valuable information about your child’s/children’s learning progress in literacy and numeracy. NAPLAN is one way we assess student learning in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

The NAPLAN 2025 test window will take place from Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March.

Teachers will ensure students are ready for NAPLAN and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Students will become familiar with the types of questions in the tests and the online testing platform. In addition to school preparation, I want to share with you some information on how you can further support your child/children for NAPLAN.

Preparation for NAPLAN

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. Excessive preparation or the use of coaching providers is not recommended. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program. If you or your child/children would like to know more about the NAPLAN online platform you can go to the public demonstration site. Some past NAPLAN papers are also available online.

Participation in NAPLAN

Adjustments are available for students who have diverse functional abilities and needs. On a case-by-case basis, reasonable adjustments for individual students can be made so they can complete NAPLAN. Speak to your child’s teacher to discuss the adjustments available or find out more about disability adjustments for NAPLAN.

Supporting your child

You can support your child by reminding them to simply do their best on the day. You can also encourage:

a healthy diet

drinking enough water

getting enough sleep

exercise.

Further information for parents and carers is also available on the NESA website.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.

High School 2026 Expression of Interest (EOI)

We would like to inform parents and carers that the Expression of Interest (EOI) window for enrolling in high school for 2026 will open from Week 6 to Week 9 of this term. During this period, you will be able to complete the online EOI for your child’s high school enrollment.

Further information will be sent out later this term, including instructions on how to access the EOI process. Please keep an eye out for these details to ensure a smooth enrollment experience.

Safer Internet Day 2025: Empowering Our Students for a Safer Digital World!

Global Safer Internet Day is on Tuesday, 11 February 2025 this year, led by the eSafety Commissioner in Australia. This important day of action is dedicated to making the internet a safer and more positive place for everyone. Year 3-6 students will participate in exciting incursions on the 26th of February, with Year 3 and 4 exploring how to build respectful and responsible online friendships, while Year 5 and 6 dive into critical thinking around fake information and online impersonation. Let's work together to create a safer online community!

Exciting Leadership Appointments at Rydalmere Public School!

We're thrilled to announce that our new Student Representative Council members, Sport House Captain, and Sport Vice Captain have been voted in by our students! Parents will receive a push alert with more details and are invited to join us at our whole school assembly next Monday morning.

Our assemblies are proudly led by our capable 2025 school captains and prefects, showcasing the incredible leadership potential within our student body. These opportunities allow young people to develop vital skills in responsibility, communication, and teamwork, preparing them for a bright future as leaders in our community. We can’t wait to celebrate this new chapter in our school’s leadership journey!

Enabling push notifications for School Bytes on your phone.

Enabling push notifications for School Bytes on your phone is a simple process. Here's how you can do it:

First, make sure you've downloaded the School Bytes app on your Apple or Android device.

Once you've installed the app, push notifications should be automatically activated.

If you've accidentally turned off notifications, you can re-enable them in two ways:

A: On your phone: Go to Settings -Tap on Notifications - Find School Bytes in the list - Make sure notifications are turned on.

B: In the School Bytes app: Go to Settings - Ensure notifications are turned on.

By enabling push notifications, you'll receive instant alerts about important school information right on your home screen or within the app. This way, you'll stay up-to-date with all the latest news and updates from your school!

From the Office

RPS Preschool Enrolments for 2025 are now open.

General Guidelines

Public preschools enrol children for one year only, the year before they start school. Children can enrol from the beginning of the school year if they turn four years of age before 31 July that year.

Priority is given to:

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children
children living in low socio-economic circumstances
children who are unable to access other early childhood settings due to financial hardship

The Principal will then offer enrolment in the following order:

children living within the school's catchment area
children living outside the catchment area but have siblings at the school
other applicants

For further information, please go to the NSW Department of Education link below:

Enrolment in a public preschool (nsw.gov.au)

Our office staff are happy to be of assistance with any further questions or with the enrolment process.

Change of Details

Please contact the office by email rydalmere-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au if there has been a change to any of the following to your child/children's details:

- change of address.

- change of email.

- phone numbers - mobile or home/work.

- change of emergency contacts.

- Additional/change of medical circumstances

Lost Property

Our PBL expectations of being Safe, Respectful Learners support our students in taking responsibility for their own belongings at school including jumpers, hats, lunchboxes and drink bottles.

To support your child and the school in maintaining lost property to a minimum level we ask that parents or carers clearly label all items brought to school with your child's FULL NAME.

The most common items to lost property include jumpers and hats, lunchboxes and drink bottles, and personal treasures. Students have access to lost property during the school day to search for misplaced possessions. When possible, labelled items in the lost property will be returned to students. Due to the limited space for lost property, unlabeled and unclaimed items are regularly disposed of.

Lost property is located at the front of the office.

Dates Ahead

Zing Gymnastics lessons every Thursday

Monday 18 February	Zing Activ payment due
Friday 21 February	School swimming carnival - Merrylands Pool
Monday 24 February	P&C AGM - School Library
Thursday 27 February	Parramatta Eels Blitz
Friday 28 February	Women's Day Celebration - Organised by the Community Hub in the Hall.
Tuesday 5 March	Zone Swimming Carnival - Merrylands Pool
Friday 7 March	School Leadership Day
Wednesday March 12 - Monday March 24	NAPLAN test window

P&C Report

Welcome from the P&C! We’re excited to start the new school year and look forward to bringing our community together through various events. Our fundraising efforts will continue to support the upgrade of the playground and to provide decodable home readers for K-2 students.

This year, we have a range of events everyone will enjoy. Please save the dates and keep an eye out for further information and volunteer opportunities.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

Monday, 24 February: Annual General Meeting
Monday, 17 March: General Meeting
Friday, 11 April: Easter Raffle at Easter Hat Parade assembly
Term 2: Federal Election BBQ & Cake Stall, Mother’s Day Stall, General Meetings in Weeks 3 & 8
Term 3: Father’s Day Stall, SLSO Appreciation Morning Tea, General Meetings in Weeks 3 & 8
Term 4: Colour Run (major fundraiser), Teacher Appreciation Morning Tea, Last Day Lunch, General Meetings in Weeks 3 & 8

Volunteer with Us!

We welcome volunteers to help with our P&C activities, events and canteen. To join our volunteer registry, please email secretary@rps-pandc.org.au. We’re excited to work together this year to support our school community!

Uniform Shop – Second-hand uniform sale & Contact info

Later in Term 1, the Uniform Shop will be holding a second-hand uniform sale and we are now accepting old uniform donations! If you have clean, gently used uniforms your child has outgrown, please drop them off at the school office. We will share more details about the second-hand uniform sale once we have date and time confirmed. Please keep an eye out!

Please note, the old Hotmail email address for the Uniform Shop is no longer in use. Please update your records to uniforms@rps-pandc.org.au.

2025 Membership Fee

Ahead of the Annual General Meeting, please pay the $1 membership fee into the P&C Bank Account, with your full name as the description. After making your payment, please email secretary@rps-pandc.org.au to confirm payment. Your confirmation email will also ensure that we have your most up to date contact details.

Bank details

Name: RPS Parents Association

BSB: 062 167

ACCT: 1013 3599

Community Hub News

Dear Amazing Families,

Can you believe we're already kicking off another year together? We hope you've all had a chance to recharge and make some wonderful memories during the break!

Speaking of memories, what a joy it was meeting our newest families last Thursday and Friday. Your enthusiasm and warmth made the Hub feel even more like home. To those who dropped by – thank you for bringing such great energy to our space!

Are you looking for a job? Come to the hub on 18th February from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. to learn more about working with the Australia Electoral Commission. We will help you register your expression of interest.

Our English conversational class will be going on a picnic on 24th of February. Would you like to join us?

Stay tuned – we've got more incredible things brewing that we can't wait to share with you. This year is going to be our best one yet!

Hub week in a glance:

-Mondays (9:30 am - 12:30 pm): Drop by for our Conversational English class—no appointment needed!

-Tuesdays: (9:30 am - 11:30am): Training hub: Best for participants looking for job or volunteering opportunities.

- Wednesdays (9:30 am -11:30 am): Playgroup with SDN Children's Services (9:30 am - 11:30 am):** Just walk in and play!

Baby playgroup (By Playgroup NSW (10:00 to 11:00)

One Box Collection Exclusively for those who've signed up

-Fridays: (9:30 am - 10:30 am): Dance Fitness with Sophie Get your groove on—no need to sign up, just show up!

**Mark your calendars for February 28th, Friday—International Women’s Day Celebration!**

For those I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, I'm Seetha, your friendly Community Liaison Officer at the Community Hub. You'll find me around the school from Monday to Wednesday and on Fridays. The Community Hub is your gateway to forging meaningful connections with fellow families, the school, and local services. It's a welcoming space where all parents can meet, mingle, and build lasting friendships. We host a variety of activities, both regular and special, that are open to everyone from all walks of life.

So why not pop in for a coffee and a chat, or jump into an activity? I'm eager to meet all of you. If you want to learn more about the Hub or find out how you can get involved, give me a call at 0448331588 or shoot me an email at seetha.srinivasan@det.nsw.edu.au.

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A Publication of Rydalmere Public School