The Link

A Publication of Rydalmere Public School

Term 3 Week 2 2025

Dates Ahead

Zing Gymnastic lessons every Thursday

Friday 1 August 2025Winter PSSA - Cancelled due to wet weather.
Monday 4 August - Thursday 7 August 2025Parent teacher interviews
Tuesday 6 August 2025Education Week - Open Day - Book Parade
Wednesday 6 August 2025

AFL after school clinic - 3:15pm - 4:15pm

Friday 8 August 2025Winter PSSA
Tuesday 12 August 2025Numeracy Parent Workshop K-2
Wednesday 13 August 2025AFL after school clinic - 3:15pm - 4:15pm
Friday 15 August 

Winter PSSA

K-2 Excursion to Elizabeth Farm





Principal's Updates

Welcome back to the term.

As we embark on Term 4, we extend a warm welcome back to all our students and staff. We hope you had a refreshing break and are ready to dive into an exciting and productive term ahead.  

Mark your calendars for Public Education Week in week 3, where we take the opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of public education in our community. This week is dedicated to highlighting the importance of quality education for all students and recognising the hard work of our educators. We invite everyone to join us on Tuesday 5th August for our Open Day. We will begin Open Day with an assembly under the COLA which will include a performance from the band, book character parade and open classrooms. All visitors are welcome to stay during recess to have morning tea with the students.  

During Public Education Week our Book Fair will be open during Open Day at 10:30am, and on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 3-3:30pm. Please come and visit the book fair to purchase books for your children or as a donation to our school library. 

Athletics Carnival

Thank you to Mrs Arnott and Mrs Colotouros for organising a successful athletics carnival. It was a great day to see all of our students trying their best at the track, field and novelty events. Ribbons will be handed out at our Monday morning assembly in Week 3.  Good luck to the students who have qualified for Zone Athletics. 

Parent-Teacher Interviews – Book Now!

Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held next week, with morning and afternoon sessions available from Monday to Thursday. Session times may differ depending on your child's classroom teacher.

Please click the link below to book an appointment with your child's teacher:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/25tdy

Classroom Teachers:

Miss Masmanidis - KM

Mrs Aldred and Mrs Colotouros - 1/2C            

Mrs Scalley - 1/2S                     

Mrs Green and Mrs Arnott – 3G

Miss Stumberger – 4/5S

Ms Taylor and Mrs Sini – 5/6T

School Upgrades

All painting work has now been completed. Every classroom in Blocks E and F has been painted along with external paint work for the hall, administration building, library, Blocks B and C. Thank you to all the students and staff for being so accommodating during this period, as all classrooms had to relocate at the end of term 2. 

NAPLAN

NAPLAN results were sent home last week for students in Years 3 and 5 last week. Please take the time to view the results with your child and if you have any questions regarding NAPLAN you may ask them during parent teacher interviews.

 

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing you at Open Day. 

Warren  Yee

K-2 Assistant Principal Updates

Term 3 K-2 Program Overview

Welcome to Term 3! It’s an exciting term full of learning and experiences for our K–2 students.
Download

K-2 Home Reading Update

We’re excited to share that we are now moving to physical home readers and phasing out the use of online decodable readers. Each student will now take home carefully selected decodable texts aligned with their reading level, along with a home reading log and folder.

A big thank you to our amazing P&C and Paul McDermott from the Department of Education for generously assisting with the donation of these new home readers. Your support helps make home reading possible for every student!

We kindly ask families to read the new Home Reading Log Guide that outlines how home reading works, how to fill out the log and tips for caring for the books at home.

Please take a few moments each day to read and record in your child's home reading log. Re-reading each book up to four times is encouraged to build fluency, confidence and comprehension.

To help us care for these shared resources, please:

  • Keep books in the Home Reading Folder at all times

  • Handle them with care

  • Ensure both the book and log are returned to your child’s teacher every Friday (please don’t return them earlier)

Please note: If a book is lost or returned damaged, a $15.00 replacement fee will be charged to your school account.

Thank you for supporting your child’s home reading journey.

RPS K-2 Home Reading Log


Download

Swim Program - Week 9 and Week 10

Students who are enrolled in the school swimming program taking place in Weeks 9 and 10 will receive a swimming ability note this week.

This note is designed to assist Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre in grouping students according to their current swimming ability. Parents and carers will be asked to tick the box that best describes their child’s level and return the form to the school office by Friday 8th August, 2025.

Please note:

  • This information is only required for students participating in the swim program.

  • The form also includes a section for medical considerations.

Thank you for your support in helping us ensure a smooth and successful swim program.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

This term, all Year 1 students will take part in the Phonics Screening Check, a short, one-on-one assessment designed to identify how well students are learning to decode words using phonics.

The check involves students reading a combination of real and pseudo (nonsense) words aloud to their teacher. It helps us monitor individual progress and identify any areas where further support may be needed.

This is not a test, and there’s no need for preparation at home. It’s simply a tool to support teaching and ensure every child is on track with their reading development.

For more information, please see the link below:

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

K-2 Excursion Reminder

K–2 students will be attending an excursion on Friday 15th August to Elizabeth Farm. Please ensure all payments are finalised. Important reminders for the day:

  • No lunch orders should be placed for this date.

  • Students must bring a labelled water bottle, recess, and lunch in a small backpack.

  • A school hat and sports uniform must be worn.

3-6 Assistant Principal Updates

Term 3 3-6 Program Overview and Homework Task

Welcome to Term 3! We’re excited for another engaging term and look forward to working together to support your child’s learning. Please find the parent term 3 program overview with a weekly rundown of activities, along with the homework task in the download,

Download

Year 4-6 Camp at The Great Aussie Bush Camp

The Great Aussie Bush Camp is less than a term away!

Today, we held a camp meeting where we addressed many of the questions students had about the trip. Students asked about a variety of details, including food, medication, the 1 hour 15 minute bus ride, and the sleeping arrangements. We reassured them that they can bring along a comfort toy to help them feel at ease.

We also talked about the camp experience itself, including some of the activities they’ll be participating in and how they will have the opportunity to develop their independence. For example, students will learn to manage their own showers and get themselves ready for bed and in the morning, helping them grow in confidence.

We know that some students may be feeling a little anxious about being away from home, but we assured them that it’s completely normal to miss mum and dad. We’ll be sure to share more information soon as we finalise the details. Stay tuned for further updates! We can’t wait for an amazing adventure at the bush camp!

High School Transition Program – Starting This Term!

This term, we’re kicking off a program to help students feel more at ease about the upcoming high school adventure. We’ll be chatting about some important topics like making new friends, managing time, studying effectively, and staying organised. We’ll also focus on creating a good study space, balancing school and social life, and setting simple goals. It’s all about giving students the tools to feel more prepared and less anxious about the big step ahead. The goal is to help them feel ready, confident, and excited for what’s next.

From the Office

Sick Bay

If your child is unwell and needs to be picked up from the sick bay, the school will contact you from one of the following phone numbers: 9638 1568 or 9638 2944. 

To ensure you can easily recognise the call, please save these numbers in your mobile phone under the name Rydalmere Public School. 

Change of Contact Information 

If any of your contact details have changed, including phone numbers, please let us know via the school App Audiri by selecting Forms > Change of Details, or by emailing the administration office at rydalmere-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au. 

Keeping your contact information up to date ensures we can reach you when necessary.  

Lost Property 

At Rydalmere Public School, our PBL expectations of being Safe, Respectful Learners encourage students to take responsibility for their personal belongings, including jumpers, hats, lunchboxes, and drink bottles. 

To help us return lost items, please ensure all your child’s belongings are clearly labelled. Any unclaimed items will be donated to the P&C Uniform Shop at the end of each term. 

RPS Preschool Expression of Interest for 2026 – Now Open 

General Guidelines 

Public preschools offer enrolment for one year only, in the year before children start Kindergarten. 

For more information, please visit: Enrolment in a public preschool (nsw.gov.au) 

Our office staff are happy to assist with any questions or to guide you through the enrolment process. 

Community Hub

Community Hub News

Hello everyone!

Hope you’re staying cozy this winter. We’ve got a bunch of new and exciting things happening this term, and I wanted to make sure you don’t miss out.

First up, we’re launching “Huddle Up – Play My Way,” a free, fun physical activity session just for adults! Join us for some laughs and movement every Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 am, starting July 29th. Bring your energy—no experience needed.

Our Barista Course is also kicking off on August 13th and will run for six weeks. This one filled up fast! Priority went to our awesome school canteen volunteers, so if you grabbed a spot, congrats!

In English class, we’re adding special lessons to help you prep for the Australian citizenship test and learn more about Aussie life. It’s a great chance to pick up tips and ask questions.

Keep an eye out for some one-off programs too—there’s always something new around the corner. And don’t forget: we’re hosting a special Father’s Day celebration on September 2nd, from 3:15 to 4:00 pm. Save the date, and stay tuned for more details!

If you haven’t signed your child up for the eye clinic yet, now’s the time. Parents and carers can also get a free eye check. Just use the consent form on the Mobileyes website. The clinic will be at school from August 25th to 29th, and we’ll send out your appointment details once everyone’s registered. Consent Form – Mobileyes Website

On August 6th, pop into the hub between 10 and 11 am to meet reps from NDIS and Carers Gateway. They’ll explain what they offer and answer any questions you’ve got. Everyone’s welcome—just come along!

And for something creative, Mihikaa is offering individual art therapy sessions for families. Interested? Book your slot with Seetha quickly—spaces go fast! The first session is a relaxed 45-minute intro, then you’ll have six personalized sessions to follow.

We can’t wait to see you at these events and programs. There’s something for everyone, so jump in and get involved!

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.

P&C Report

Welcome to Term 3! We hope that you all had fun school holidays. 

Canteen Volunteers: We’re still looking for volunteers to help with the running of our canteen and to expand our volunteer base more generally. Without the support of parents, carers and community members, we would not be able to provide the canteen service for our students and staff at RPS.

 Please complete the volunteer expression of interest via the online form https://forms.office.com/r/H9yge1rjEw or email canteen@rpspandc.org.au.  

Next meeting:  Our next meeting will be held on Monday 4 August at 7:00 PM in the School Library. If you would prefer to join via Teams, that is also an option by clicking the link below and entering Meeting ID/Passcode.

Join the 4 August meeting via Teams  

Meeting ID: 489 446 937 296 - Passcode: zE67oa2K 

The Colour Run will be the focus of the next meeting, with the planning meetings to be set for Term 3. We hope that you will consider joining the planning committee and volunteering at the event itself! More details to come. 

Upcoming dates for your diary 

  • Term 3: Father’s Day Stall, SLSO Appreciation Morning Tea, General Meetings in Weeks 3 & 8 
  • Term 4: Colour Run (7 November), Teacher Appreciation Morning Tea, Last Day School Lunch, General Meetings in Weeks 3 & 8 

Rydalmere P&C Association 

Community News