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Next week is School Administrative and Support Staff Recognition Week, a time to acknowledge and thank the often unsung heroes in our public schools. A heartfelt salute goes to our School Administrative and Support Staff (SASS). Your essential contributions ensure our school's smooth operation every day!

During SASS Week, 4-8 September, we acknowledge the essential work of our support staff members across the school. Our SAS staff play an important role in the school community. They are often the first people you see when you enter our school and are essential to maintaining positive relationships with students, parents and the community.

SAS staff work in school offices, in classrooms and libraries and maintain and care for school grounds and buildings. They are often the ones to tend to students when they are unwell and they ensure the efficient management of school financial and administration functions.

Roles range from supporting students with their learning, to working in our amazing Administration team and our General Assistant - just to name a few! We thank our wonderful team of support staff for all the work they do for Rydalmere Public School Community. See our lovely SASS team below!

Rydalmere Public School recently hosted a gathering for teachers in our district in collaboration with our local Barramutta Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG). This initiative strengthens our commitment to inclusive education and enhances our understanding of Aboriginal perspectives.

About AECG: The Aboriginal Education Consultative Group is a vital platform for educators to learn, share, and advocate for culturally sensitive and relevant teaching practices that honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Teachers had the privilege of participating in this gathering, which focused on exchanging insights, resources, and strategies that contribute to a more inclusive curriculum. By engaging with AECG, we enhance our ability to create a supportive learning environment that values diversity.

Together, we continue to champion educational excellence that celebrates diversity and promotes unity.

The NSW Department of Education shares information on a range of topics for parents and carers. Click through for additional information about managing your family screen time.

As a family, set some expectations on how much time your child should spend online. What are some of the things they should be doing online to be creative and productive? Balance this time with physical activity and time spent outdoors.

• The department's Digital Citizenship website has published recommendations for families on screen time and also strategies to moderate and improve time online.
• The Australian Government's Department of Health provides guides on how much physical activity your 0-5-year-olds and 5-17 year-olds should be engaging in.
• The Western Sydney Local Health District provides visual fact sheets and tips on managing screen time. Translations of these fact sheets in eight languages are also available.
• Common Sense Education has published a family media agreement template that you can use.
• The eSafety Commissioner has also published family tech agreements that parents of 2-5 years old and 5-8 years old children can use.

Please join us tomorrow evening for an information session about the stage 3 camp at Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation Centre in Narrabeen. There will be a short presentation about the camp and should answer frequently asked questions. There will be a chance at the end to ask additional questions.

• When: Wednesday 30 August
• Time: 7-7:30 pm
• Link: Microsoft Teams

We are delighted to share a recent event that brought together our school's captains and vice captains at Burnside Public School. This event was part of our involvement in the Cumberland Connected Communities (CCC) initiative. Our student leaders had the opportunity to engage with high school leaders from Cumberland High School and peers from other primary schools, contributing to their personal growth and leadership development.

What Happened: Hanin, Anabella, Razvan and Mitchell participated in a day of workshops, team activities, and discussions. They collaborated with students from different schools, learning from older peers who offered insights and strategies to enhance their leadership skills.

Expressing Gratitude: We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Burnside Public School and Cumberland High School for organising this meaningful event. Our student leaders' active participation shows their dedication to personal growth and their commitment to making a positive impact within our school community.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognise the significant role CCC plays in fostering connections and promoting excellence across our schools. Together, we cultivate future leaders who are poised to make a difference.