14 December 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

What an eventful and exciting year we have had! I would like to thank our amazing students and their families as well as a dedicated staff for making our school such a great place for learning.

I would like to thank the parents and families who work alongside us to ensure that each of our students have the best possible start to their education and have the opportunity to grow into the very best versions of themselves. This might mean talking to your children about their day at school, sharing a book together before bed, coming along to school events, or taking the time for a chat with the teacher before or after school. Your interest in your child’s education is so important and we thank you for the ongoing support you provide for the work we do here at school.

Thank you to those of you who bring your little people along to LiL and Pre-Kinder groups each week even when it means a long walk with a stroller or having to make the journey on a cold, winter’s day. You can be assured that your efforts are important and that you are making sure they get the best start to their education. Thank you also to our parents who have attended 3 for me and Meehan Dad sessions this year. The work that you are doing with your children here at school and the support that you are providing for them at home is making a real difference to their learning.

Thank you to those who have assisted our school this year in providing additional opportunities for our students. Thank you to MONA and the 24 Carrot Garden Project for supporting our school garden and cooking programs, for helping to improve the appearance of our school environment, providing access to the Aboriginal Sharer’s of Knowledge Program, inviting us to the Big Dance event as well as supporting us in many other ways throughout the year.

Thank you to Ann Harrison and the other staff and volunteers at the Risdon Vale neighbourhood centre who do so much to support our children and their families. From organising and running our breakfast club program three mornings a week, to supporting our students through the homework club, school holiday events, café and Friday afternoon activities.

Thank you to Ant and his team at the Risdon Vale Bike Collective for their ongoing support and providing such amazing opportunities and mentoring for our students.

Thank you to all those who have supported the development of our Outdoor Classroom. With the generous support of so many people we have been able to create an extraordinary space for our students to participate in engaging, authentic, hands-on learning experiences. We are so proud to be able to offer our students these rich learning opportunities which will help them into their futures.

Thank you to our amazing school association who work tirelessly to provide support for our school through fundraising and running fun events for our families including the school fair and Halloween disco. This year, funds raised have gone toward installing shade shelters, a sandpit, new playground equipment, new banners for sporting events and providing leavers tshirts for all our grade 6 students.

We have so much to be proud of at Risdon Vale Primary School. Our students continue to work extraordinarily hard and have made wonderful progress in their learning. Our teachers are incredibly dedicated and caring and we couldn’t ask for better. Our teacher assistants, admin staff, cleaners, groundsman, support staff – every single person at this school is committed to these children and want to make sure that their primary school experience is the very best that it can be and for that, we are so fortunate.

Staff Farewells

Wendy Palfreyman has been at Risdon Vale for the past 2 years in the role of Maths Coach. She has inspired and supported our teachers as well as engaging and challenging our students. We thank Wendy for her expertise and commitment to providing the best possible learning opportunities for the students at Risdon Vale Primary School.

Carolyn Cross has been our music teacher for the past 8 years. In addition to providing our students with specialist music lessons from kinder through to grade 6, she has offered our students the opportunity to challenge themselves in Marimba, choir and recorder groups.

Andrea Porte has taught early childhood classes here at Risdon Vale Primary School for the past 8 years. She has shown great care and compassion for her students while ensuring they receive the very best learning opportunities. Ms Porte has accepted a position at Waimea Heights next year and we wish her all the very best.

Owen Bowering has taught at Risdon Vale PS for the past ten years. He is known for his calm and patient manner as well his sense of fun. Lauderdale Primary School are very lucky to have him joining their staff next year.

Edna Banks has been a much-loved Teacher Assistant at Risdon Vale Primary School for 23 years. Her warmth and compassion for our students is undeniable. She will be sorely missed by students and parents alike but we wish her all the very best for her well-deserved retirement.

Carol Andrikonis is one of our longest standing staff members having worked at Risdon vale Primary School for 30 years. She has worked across all grades as well as in the library. Her knowledge and experience will be dearly missed by us all. We hope she enjoys her retirement.

Adam Lockey has taught at our school for the past two years as a grade 5/6 teacher. His cool, calm manner and dedication to the children’s learning will be missed. We wish him well at East Derwent Primary.

We thank all of these staff members for the commitment they have shown to our students during their time at Risdon Vale Primary School.

Rachael Wells
Principal

Home Reading

Congratulations to these students who will receive Home Reading Certificates at assembly next week.

Congratulations to Mason Burr and Chloe Tulip who achieved their eSmart Digital Licence from the Alannah and Madeline Foundation!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Canteen

Wednesday 19th December last canteen for the year. There will be limited stock.

LIFT NEWS

LUNCH WITH SANTA

CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY LUNCH

The Risdon Vale Neighbourhood Centre never fails to impress with their annual Christmas Luncheon. This year was no exception with a delicious menu prepared by volunteers and excellent entertainment from the Risdon Vale Primary School choir singing some Aussie Christmas carols.

CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY LUNCH

ECE CHRISTMAS ASSEMBLY

UPPER PRIMARY ASSEMBLY

HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

GARDEN OPENING

SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE

ORAL HEALTH

LEAVER DINNER

KINDER CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS