Manna Gum – credit Mandy Nicholson
Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
It’s good to be back at work again! Yesterday was my first day back after a couple of weeks off, recovering from surgery. I’d like to thank Barb and Julia for driving the bus in my absence and keeping it running well. One of the reasons that I was pleased to be back at school was that it gets me away from my three grandchildren. Yes, I love them and enjoy spending time with them – but not every day!
FETE NEWS
BECOME A VOLUNTEER ON THE DAY OF THE FETE
Without volunteers on the day the Fete would not be possible. Please check out the following link and find a stall and time that suits you. https://signup.zone/rwps-pfa-events
PURCHASE YOUR RIDE WRISTBANDS
The unlimited wristbands are NOW AVAILABLE to purchase for your child/children. The cost of the wristband if purchased before 14th April is $35 per child. If purchased after this date or on the day of the fete the cost is $40 per child.
Ticket sales begin: Friday 1st March – 9am
Ticket Sales End: Sunday 14th April – 11.45pm
Distribution of Wristbands: Week beginning 15th April (There is no pick up of pre-sold wristbands on the day of the fete)
No refunds unless the event is cancelled
The rides include:
Meltdown Suitable for 7 year plus
Maze runner Suitable for 3 years plus
Chair O Plane Suitable for 3 to 12 years
Mini Ferris Wheel Suitable for 4 to 12 years
Ninja Wall All ages
Native Animal Petting All ages
Wristbands can be purchased via this link
https://www.trybooking.com/CPPCRYesterday’s Open Session was very well-attended by our current parents and the tour of prospective parents was extremely popular. All parents on the tour had explained to them that, in 2025, we would only be able to provide four Foundation classes. This means that we would be sending out a maximum of 88 offers of placement in August. Students who reside in our school zone will be automatically guaranteed a place.
All other applications will be considered subject to available space, and prioritised according to:
If enrolment applications exceed the number of places available, families that did not meet the criteria will be asked if they would like to be placed on a waiting list because, historically, of those that we offer places to, there are a number that decline.
The school is able to accept Enrolment Forms for Foundation (Prep) 2025 from 15th April 2024.
SCHOOL PHOTO DAY THURSDAY, 21st MARCH
School photos will be taken on Thursday, 21st March. Information on how to order photos will be sent home this week. Orders are to be placed online. Please ensure your child is wearing their Summer full school uniform on the day.
STUDENT LEADER BADGE PRESENTATION - FRIDAY, 22nd MARCH
Year 6 Student Leaders and Student Council Representatives (SRC members) from other year levels will be presented with their Student Leader badges at Assembly on Friday, March 22nd.
STUDENT OF THE WEEK AND FIVE MINUTES OF FAME
Our weekly SOTW awards are given to students for displaying the RWPS values of Respect/Responsibility, Wisdom, Persistence and Success. Please see The Student of the Week item for this week’s recipients and the photo of last week’s winners.
Because there is no assembly this week, the students who receive the SOTW awards will be presented with their certificates in their classrooms at 3.15 pm this week, apart from the Foundation students who will be presented with theirs near their dots at the same time. Parents are invited to come along to 5MoF.
The following classes have specialist lessons during the last hour this Friday, so here is where you will find them:
After assembly this week all SOTW recipients and Good Behaviour draw will be called to the stage for a photo for the next week’s Newsletter.
REITERATION OF A SECTION OF LAST WEEK’S WELLBEING ITEM
During the last couple of weeks it was noted that our students’ behaviour was not as good as it usually is. I thought that it might be an idea to re-emphasise part of the Wellbeing item from last week.
You may have noticed that the Wellbeing Newsletter item was missing from last week’s newsletter. Unfortunately, we had a large number of inappropriate behaviour and poor student choices that required Wellbeing support.
Our most frequent behavioural challenges in the last two weeks were:
It is very disappointing to see many students from Years 1-6 showing apparent little care for our school’s buildings and resources.
An increase in regards to student’s treating each other and teachers in a disrespectuful manner is something else that we have noticed and continue to address.
These types of behaviour are unacceptalble and do not model RWPS’ community values of respect for each another.
Educators have a right to feel safe in their classroom environment and teach the curriculum without having to direct most of their time on behavioural concerns. Students have the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment without barriers presented by peers.
Please support our community by continuing to have informed conversations with your children at home about the importance of following rules and expectations within the school environment and beyond.
Please continue to reinforce RWPS expected behaviours that are based upon being a kind, respectful and responsible human being.
RWPS prides itself on being an inclusive school and has always adopted a strengths and rights-based approach to developmental differences. We provide support and adaptations that affirm students’ neurodivergent identity and work hard to take into account individual circumstances, including but not limited to; behavioural history, diagnosis, mental health and wellbeing, religious and cultural considerations, home environment/care arrangements - all of these factors inform how staff respond in regard to following up behavioural concerns.
We will continue to have differentiated expectations for students, however behavior that is consistent, repetitive, disrespectful, and harmful to the safety and wellbeing of students and staff is not something that we want to see continue at RWPS. School is a safe place to learn about the importance of behavioural and emotional regulation and we will continue to work with students and families to ensure RWPS students feel safe and supported in our school environment.
Regards,
Bruce
Principal
Congratulations to all of the students that are receiving a Student of the Week award!
NAME | VALUE | ||
LA1 | 5/6L | All Grade 5s | Success |
LA2 | 5/6M | All Grade 5s | Success |
LA3 | 5/6K | All Grade 5s | Success |
LA4 | 5/6V | All Grade 5s | Success |
LA5 | 5/6P | All Grade 5s | Success |
LA6 | 5/6H | All Grade 5s | Success |
LA 8 | 4W | James Waters | Responsibility |
LA9 | Prep B | Leo Miles | Success |
LA10 | Prep D | Bailey Crowe | Success and Respect |
LA11 | Prep V | Lucy Guilfoyle | Success |
LA12 | Prep H | Oliver Lucas | Success |
LA17 | 1C | Jesse Richardson | Wisdom |
LA18 | 1M | Arya Eldardeer | Respect and Success |
LA19 | 1P | Nadine Mesic | Success |
LA20 | 1R | Aidan Coates | Success |
LA21 | 3W | All Grade 3s | Success |
LA22 | 3J | All Grade 3s | Success |
LA23 | 3M | All Grade 3s | Success |
LA24 | 3S | All Grade 3s | Success |
LA25 | 2C | Violet Osborne | Success |
LA26 | 2G | Maia Mitrevski | Wisdom |
LA27 | 2B | Sorcha Buhagiar | Responsibility |
LA28 | 2M | Matilda Hamilton | Respect |
LA29 | 4T | Edie McCarthy | Responsibility |
LA30 | 4H | Asya Al-Saadi | Persistence |
ART | Elsa Vecchio | Success | |
DIGITECH | Hamzah El Khafir | Success | |
LIBRARY | Halima Kamareddin | Success | |
MUSIC | Lucas Godoy Hudafa Aden | Wisdom Wisdom and Success | |
SPANISH | Willow Espiritu-Sampson | Success | |
SCIENCE | Amir Abbas | Respect | |
PE | Finn Molloy | Persistence | |
PRINCIPAL | Mac Swinnerton | Success | |
TURBO/SUPPORT | Sonny Rika | Respect & Responsibility | |
TURBO/SUPPORT | Noah Semaan | Success & Responsibility |
Week 6 Golden Ticket winners!
REMINDER – THE WELLBEING HUB
On Friday 15th and 22nd March, Kane and I are facilitating Student Support Group Meetings. This means the Hub is closed, as we will be unavailable and running the meetings in a different space. These meetings are held at the end of every term. During this time, students who regularly use the Hub make other arrangements for morning drop offs, and recess/lunch play with the support of their parents and teacher. Please remind your child about these dates.
Year 6 WELLBEING LEADERS
Hi, I’m Lola. I am 11 years old and a very proud wellbeing leader and peer mediator. A peer mediator is a student who helps students work through their emotions and things that have happened in the yard. I have been very excited since I was in Year Three to be a school captain or a wellbeing leader. It is a dream come true.
Hello! My name is Audrey. My favourite things to do are drawing, dancing and playing with my dog. I chose to be a wellbeing leader because I understand well-being. I like taking care of people, especially with things like anxiety because I have anxiety as well. My goal as a wellbeing leader is to take care of every student in the school and perhaps plan some fundraising events to buy equipment for the school or we could use the money for charities who need them.
Hello, everyone! My name is Serena and I am one of the three wellbeing leaders for 2024. Here’s a little bit about me.
I chose this role because I am very passionate about school being a safe and comfortable place for everyone. I love being able to help people and solve their problems in a way that everyone can benefit from. I am also a peer mediator (one of many!), meaning on some days and lunchtime, I walk around the schoolyard with a blue vest on and help people brainstorm ideas on how to avoid problems happening. I love both of these roles so far and am looking forward to a brilliant year.
A goal I want to reach this year is not taking over. I am a very dominant person and love taking one for the team, but this year I am with two other leader-like people who make great leaders, too, so I want to not take over the spotlight too much.
I hope this year is fun for everyone in our school community. I am looking forward to spending my last year of primary school as a wellbeing leader of 2024!
18 March – 24 March
Neurodiversity week was founded in 2018 as a means to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by education and workplace settings, in recognition of the unique strengths that neurological differences bring to the world.
Neurodiversity is a term used to describe the variation in human brains and nervous systems. It is the idea that there is no one "right" way for the brain to function, and that the many different ways that people think, learn, and behave are all normal and valuable. At Reservoir West, we value all kinds of brains and diversity in all forms. By supporting all students and staff to better understand and celebrate differences, we create a positive learning environment in which all students can feel safe, supported and respected. In recognition of the strengths that neurodiverse students, teachers and families bring to our community, next week we will be celebrating Neurodiversity week in our classrooms with some fun activities to celebrate differences in the ways our brains operate and to dispel the myth that there is a “right” way for a brain to be.
We encourage our families to talk about neurodiversity at home, to help promote the inclusive message that all brains are valuable. The following resources may be helpful in sharing this message:
Finally, there is a RWPS parent group for families at our school with children who have neurodevelopmental differences. This parent-led group aims to create a safe and supportive space and help build social connections for parents on similar school journeys. If you’d like to learn more about how to be part of this group, please get in touch with Kane and/or Rebekah who can facilitate that.
Harmony Week (18 March – 24 March) is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
In recognition and celebration of our diverse community, teachers, we will be celebrating Harmony week across the school in Weeks 8 and 9 (due to Naplan).
Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.
We invite students to wear a touch of ORANGE on Monday, 25th March to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia. A newsfeed reminder will be sent Sunday.
The following is an example of a school activity that generates great discussions.
Anh’s story
Hi. I’m Anh.
It’s not often I ask myself who I really am, but that’s what I’m doing right now.
We’re going to have a day at school where we have to wear clothes and bring food to celebrate who we are and where our families are from.
Well, I was born here and so were both my parents. So I was thinking that I’d wear shorts and take some lamingtons. And celebrate being an Aussie: that’s who I am!
But tonight my bà made my very favourite dinner: I call it ‘magic noodles’ and that makes her smile. Bà often looks really sad so it’s good when she smiles. Her mother taught her to make the noodle soup in Vietnam; but she couldn’t make it for a many years because her life was very hard. And when she first got to Australia, she couldn’t buy the things to make it taste like it should.
But now there are lots of Vietnamese shops here. And I go with Bà when she buys the spices and incense that she has always loved. So, I am an Aussie. But I love ‘magic noodles’ and it would make Bà so proud if I took them to school. I’m thinking that I really do have a special story to share about who I am and where my family is from.
Discussion Questions
Imagine how Anh was feeling as she said goodnight to her family at the end of the day when she decided that she did have a special story to share at school. Write an entry in Anh’s diary that reflects her thoughts and emotions in coming to that decision.
MENTAL HEALTH / EVENTS CALENDAR 2024
Event Date | Event |
13 February | National Apology to the Stolen Generation Anniversary |
20 February | |
1st March | |
8th March | |
18-24th March | |
21 March | National Close the Gap Day |
20 March | |
20th – 26th March | Harmony Week |
30th March | |
31st March | Trans Day of Visibility |
7th April |
EASTER HAT PARADE
Foundation – Year 2
Our Easter Hat Parade will be held on Thursday, 28th March at 1.45 – 2.15 p.m.
To join in the fun - DECORATE A HAT - PUT IT ON – SHOW IT OFF!
Children will need to get creative and make their hat at home.
Let’s see what your imagination can create!
Robyn Griffin
Junior School Co-ordinator
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
International Women's Day is celebrated on Friday, March 8th. The day serves to honour the incredible women in our lives and the diverse and remarkable contributions (social, economic, cultural and political) of women from all walks of life. Regardless of their backgrounds or identities, women make incredible contributions to our world.
During library lunchtimes sessions we will be honoring some incredible women by looking at books written by women and about women. The ‘Little People Big Dreams’ series are just a few books that showcase influential women around the world.
The library will be open Monday and Thursday from 1.40 pm to 2.05 pm.
Flora Kossivas
Librarian
NATIONAL RIDE2SCHOOL DAY
Reservoir West Primary is taking part in the National Ride2School Day which is on Friday March 22nd 2024. Let’s see if we can make a huge effort and ride our bikes, scooters or skateboards to school on that day.
Always remember the safety rules when riding:
Kind Regards,
Flora Kossivas
GLOBAL STUDIES EXPOS HAPPENING THIS TERM!
Come and see what we have been learning about this term - information in posters below.
HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED IN THE 2024 SCHOOL FETE
JOIN THE PFA
The PFA is organising the Fete, you are most welcome to join the PFA by emailing Zayna at pfarwps@gmail.com.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER ON THE DAY OF THE FETE
Without volunteers on the day the Fete would not be possible. Please check out the following link and find a stall and time that suits you. https://signup.zone/rwps-pfa-events
BOOK A MARKET STALL AT THE FETE
To be book a stall at the fete contact Rosalyn and she will be able to provide you with all the details as well as a booking form. pfarwps@gmail.com
BECOME A FETE SPONSOR
To become a Fete Sponsor contact Zayna and she will be able to provide you with all the options available to you. Fete sponsorship options come in Gold, Silver, and Bronze in the hope that the difference financial commitment enables many of our community business to support the Fete and our school. pfarwps@gmail.com
DONATE CAKES TO OUR RESERVOIR WEST CAKE STALL
Closer to the Fete date the school will ask for dessert items to be sold at our school cake stall. If you are a star baker in the kitchen keep some time free in the days leading up to the Fete and make sure your creations are on the cake stall table.
PURCHASE YOUR RIDE WRISTBANDS
The unlimited wristbands are NOW AVAILABLE to purchase for your child/children. The cost of the wristband if purchased before 14 April is $35 per child. If purchased after this date or on the day of the fete the cost is $40 per child.
Ticket sales begin: Friday 1 March – 9am
Ticket Sales End: Sunday 14 April – 11.45pm
Distribution of Wristbands: Week beginning 15 April (There is no pick up of pre sold wristbands on the day of the fete)
No refunds unless the event is cancelled
The rides include
Meltdown - Suitable for 7 year plus
Maze runner - Suitable for 3 years plus
Chair O Plane - Suitable for 3 to 12 years
Mini Ferris Wheel - Suitable for 4 to 12 years
Ninja Wall - All ages
Native Animal Petting - All ages
Wristbands can be purchased via this link https://www.trybooking.com/CPPCR
FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES
Follow and share our social media pages to spread the word!
Instagram - @rwpsfete
Facebook Reservoir West Primary School Fete - https://www.facebook.com/RWPSfete
This is a video link to our last Fete to give you an idea of how epic our school fete is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juRG09_vI7M
BOOKINGS
A friendly reminder that if you are no longer requiring care for your child on any day to please cancel you booking. This allows for another family who may need it to take the spot. It also supports staff to know who should be in attendance each session.
If you have any questions, or need support to update your booking, please contact our support team 1300 072 410.
APPLICATION FOR EXPANSION
We have submitted all the required paperwork for the increase and we are now just waiting for approval. The approval process for changes like these can take sometime, but I would hope we will have the updated capacity in place for the beginning of Term 2.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
School Holiday Program Flyer