Manna Gum – credit Mandy Nicholson
Dear Parents, Carers, and Students,
It’s great to be back at work after a short three-week stint in Mooloolaba. It’s also good to come back to warmer weather in Melbourne along with daylight savings! It was a very special holiday this year as I was able to watch the Brisbane Lions win a very tense Preliminary Final against Geelong and then romp home in the Grand Final.
But it’s back to work with a vengeance. The main focus over the next two weeks is to sort out the classes and staffing for 2025. Thanks to Barb and Julia for keeping things ticking over during my leave.
2025 CLASSES
As sent out in a previous Newsletter the following class structure will be used for next year:
Foundation Team | Four classes |
Year 1 Team | Four classes |
Year 2 Team | Four classes |
Year 3 Team | Three classes |
Year 4 Team | Three classes plus a 3/4 Composite class |
Year 5/6 Team | Six classes |
Another important process to take place in the next few weeks is the placement of students into their 2025 classes. The Class Placement Policy is the document that guides the placement of students. I have include the main points below.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BONUS
As shared with you previously, parents and carers of every child enrolled in a Victorian government school in 2025 will receive the one-off School Saving Bonus $400 support.
In the coming months, the Department of Education will send you two email communications for each of your children enrolled in Victorian government schools.
By Friday 18 October 2024, please ensure that your child’s 2025 enrolment is completed and that your contact information is up to date.
The two emails from the Department of Education will:
If you do not receive a confirmation email from the department by late November, please check your spam or junk folders and contact the office if needed.
You can read more about the School Saving Bonus on the Department of Education website, with key information now available in fourteen different languages.
ANOTHER BUB ON THE WAY!
Some more exciting news! As well as Julia expecting her first bub early next year, Emma Menkinoska, our amazing psychologist is also expecting her first. Congratulations to Emma from the whole school community. She will be finishing up at the end of the year to commence her Family Leave and I thank her for all of her fabulous work with our students, staff and families.
SPECIALIST TIMETABLE TERM 4
EXITING STUDENTS
We have already been notified that a few of our students will not be returning to Reservoir West in 2025. If there are any others that will be moving schools, please let us know as soon as possible. Email Jo Blom in the office or me.
SCHOOL POLICIES
During Term 3 I have been working on reviewing all of our school policies to ensure that they are in line with those of Department of Education. Fortunately the DE provides a policy portal with updates to all of the policies required by schools. This makes my job much easier. All of our required school policies can be found on our school website. Part of the reviewing process is asking for feedback from our school community. If anyone is interested and has the time to take a look at our policies, please provide any constructive feedback to me by the end of October. This will give our School Council the opportunity to ratify them at the November meeting.
Regards,
Bruce
Principal
PARENT WORKSHOP
THE LITERACY BLOCK AND GENRE WRITING AT RWPS
YEAR 3 – YEAR 6 PARENTS/CARERS
A special workshop will be occurring on Wednesday, October 30th from 5pm – 6pm in LA2 and 3 (Year 5/6 building – Morton Wing). The workshop is aimed at Year 3 – 6 parents/carers and is dedicated to exploring what happens during a typical literacy block at RWPS. This is a great opportunity for you to gain insights into the literacy curriculum and understand how we foster reading and writing skills in our students using the John Fleming Effective Teaching Model.
The workshop will explain the components of a Literacy Block using classroom resources and some recordings – showing various components at different levels. In addition, our Genre Writing sessions will also be included. Genre Writing sits outside the Literacy Block. Please note this workshop is for parents/carers only. We ask parents/carers to make alternative arrangements for care of their children.
Please complete this form to indicate your attendance for the workshop.
LANGUAGE CLUB AT RWPS YEAR F-2 – STUDENT VOICE
We are pleased to announce that students in Year F-2 are invited to participate in Italian language sessions during a few lunchtimes this term. This idea came about through student leadership sessions run by Vicky (parent of Hanna in Year 4) last year.
Our Italian Language Club will be facilitated by Sandro (parent of Lara in Prep) supported by RWPS staff. Sandro has lots of fun planned for participants.
PRIMA SESSIONE – Where is Italy
SECONDA SESSIONE – How life looks like in Italy
TERZA SESSIONE – Italian history
Sandro will be helping to expand students' knowledge of Italy in a fun and engaging way. There will be dancing, handouts, discussions, photos, maps and immersion in the Italian language.
Participant numbers will be capped.
Sessions will be in the STEAM Room at Lunch on:
Please complete this form with your parent email address, child's full name, year level and LA to sign your Year F-2 child up.
LEARNING AT RWPS
Have a look at a writing persuasive piece (in the photo reel) created by Daisy in Year 1! Well done, Daisy!
In addition, a photo taken of our Turbo program where Bianca (Turbo teacher) took students outside to play a flashcard game to increase engagement and provide a movement break!
Barbara Balliro
Assistant Principal- Teaching and Learning
Barbara.balliro@education.vic.gov.au
Term 4, Week 2
NO Assembly this week.
Congratulations to all of the students that are receiving a Student of the Week award!
NAME | VALUE | ||
LA1 | 5/6L | Rayan Hassan | Persistence |
LA2 | 5/6M | Jessie Brooks | Success |
LA3 | 5/6K | Isaac Chahine | Success |
LA4 | 5/6V | Evie Jackson-Hugill | Success |
LA5 | 5/6P | Seth Maywood-Bryant | Success |
LA6 | 5/6H | Mahin Chouhan | Respect & Wisdom |
LA 8 | 4W | Margo Musacchia | Success |
LA9 | Prep B | Chiara Damiano | Success |
LA10 | Prep D | Hannah Welsh | Success |
LA11 | Prep V | Artemis Kypuros | Success |
LA12 | Prep H | Charlie Osborne | Success |
LA17 | 1C | Rohan Prescott | Success |
LA18 | 1M | Myra Nikolaidis | Success |
LA19 | 1P | Elijah Tsaousis | Success |
LA20 | 1R | Navya Nair | Success |
LA21 | 3W | Edith Noy | Success |
LA22 | 3J | Katia Morelli | Success |
LA23 | 3M | Emma Stockwell | Success |
LA24 | 3S | Aria Tumai | Persistence & Success |
LA25 | 2C | Jack O’Connell | Perseverance |
LA26 | 2G | Maia Mitrevski | Perseverance |
LA27 | 2B | Heidi Clayton | Success |
LA28 | 2M | Marleah Tannahill | Wisdom |
LA29 | 4T | Hudafa Aden | Wisdom |
LA30 | 4H | Nina Fabre | Success |
ART | Hamish Curry LA6 | Success | |
DIGITECH | Lois Presser | Success | |
LIBRARY | Kane Brown | Success & Persistence | |
MUSIC | Lionel Presser LA3 Charlie Hunter LA10 | Persistence & Success Success | |
SPANISH | Bonnie Salvo LA18 Hattie Pauli LA18 | Success Success | |
SCIENCE | Whole class LA5 | Responsibility and Success | |
PE | Mariam Awo LA27 | Persistence and Respect | |
TURBO/SUPPORT | Ngiilinya Andy-Harrison | Persistence & Success |
Group photo of last week's SOTW recipients!
Last week’s Golden Ticket winners!
OCTOBER AWARENESS MONTH
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and ADHD Awareness Month, and Friday 18 October 2024 is Developmental Language Disorder Day. This provides a great opportunity for us to reflect on how we meet the needs of our diverse learners and refresh our knowledge and skills in this area.
DIVERSE LEARNERS
Diverse learners have characteristics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and learning difficulties such as dyslexia and developmental language disorder (DLD).
There can be up to 5 diverse learners in a typical class. Diverse learners need targeted support and intervention to ensure they have the same opportunities to learn as their peers.
DYSLEXIA
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is characterised by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word reading and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological or sound component of
language and are often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.
Dyslexia affects people from different cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and exists on a continuum that ranges from mild to significant impact. People with dyslexia may demonstrate the following characteristics: difficulty sounding out new words (decoding); difficulty representing sounds with letters or groups of letters (spelling); and better listening comprehension (ability to understand text if it is heard instead of read) than reading comprehension.
Dyslexia is a language-based reading disorder. People with dyslexia have difficulty learning to read accurately and fluently, and to spell. They have unexpected difficulties with the sound structure (phonology) of language. Dyslexia is relatively common and affects 5–10% of people1.
Infographic – Dyslexia (PDF, 111KB)
Dyslexia in the classroom
Students with dyslexia have many strengths but may experience a range of difficulties in the classroom. Students with dyslexia may:
INFOGRAPHICS
Co-occurring conditions
Dyslexia can often co-occur with other conditions. On average, about 40% of children with a reading disorder will have another disorder as well2. People with dyslexia may also experience:
The Literacy Foundation for Children can provide financial assistance for children with learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia, to help offset the cost of intervention. Click here to see if you are eligible and to complete the application form.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
UNDERSTANDING DYSLEXIA VIDEO Transcript (DOCX, 21KB)
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 20 Australians. ADHD affects a person’s ability to exert age-appropriate self-control. It is characterised by persistent patterns of inattentive, impulsive, and sometimes hyperactive behaviour, and is frequently accompanied by emotional regulation challenges.
The theme for 2024 is “Awareness is Key”. Raising awareness opens the door to so many possibilities to support those with ADHD in school, at work and in the community. It also helps teachers and employers understand their students and employees who have ADHD.
People with ADHD have little control over these behaviours as they stem from underlying neurological differences. They arise due to an impaired ability to inhibit and regulate attention, behaviour and emotions; to reliably recall information in the moment; to plan and problem solve; to self-reflect and self- monitor; and to self-soothe.
ADHD can cause significant functional disability throughout the lifespan and in all areas of life, and without appropriate intervention can lead to significantly unfavourable outcomes. However, with evidence-based treatment and support, people with ADHD can embrace their strengths and interests, learn to manage their challenges and live a full and rewarding life.
ADHD is frequently misunderstood and contrary to prevailing myths is under-diagnosed. These myths are both unhelpful and not evidence-based. To learn more about myths and facts of ADHD check out the ADHD-Myths-Factsheet.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE DISORDER
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is the new term to replace Specific Language Impairment (SLI).
Developmental Language Disorder is diagnosed when children fail to acquire their own language for no obvious reason. This results in children who have difficulty understanding what people say to them, and struggle to articulate their ideas and feelings.
Recent research has shown that, on average, 2 children in every class of 30 will experience DLD severe enough to hinder academic progress.
In 2017, the first DLD awareness campaign was introduced with the theme DLD 1-2-3 highlighting
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
MENTAL HEALTH / EVENTS CALENDAR 2024
Event Date | Event |
1 - 31 October | Mental Health Month |
1 - 7 October | |
2 October | |
10 October | |
13 - 19 October | |
17 - 23 November | |
19 November | |
25 November | International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women |
10 December |
Dear Parents and Carers,
From Years 3 to 6, students have the opportunity to participate in a 1:1 Smart Classrooms program using Chromebooks running Google’s ChromeOS. We have had great success with this program, with over 90% of families opting in.
Reservoir West has chosen to create technologically inclusive learning environments to inspire hands-on learning, promote creativity, provide personalised learning and education in a variety of subject areas, and develop students 21st Century learning skills. Through increased access to digital technologies, students can benefit from enhanced learning that is interactive, collaborative, personalised and engaging.
Attached below is further information from both RWPS and our supplier, EduNet for those who would like some more information around the program.
The portal for purchasing Chromebooks for 2025 is now open.
Visit the Edunet Parent Portal at: http://reservoirwestps.technologyportal.com.au
Please note the following cut off dates:
* Cut off dates are only for devices listed on the portal as in stock. If a device is out of stock we can’t promise a Christmas or Week 1, Term 1 delivery.
In addition, some families have asked if other devices from home can be used at school. Unfortunately, this is not an option at RWPS. Chromebooks are exclusively used from Years 3-6 and they must be purchased via EduNet to be configured to our network. If you believe you have a device from an older sibling that may be able to be used, please see the criteria in the attached handout or email Jen Barnes.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to email:
Jen (Digital Technologies Co-ordinator) Jen.Barnes@education.vic.gov.au
Bruce (Principal) Bruce.Kearney@education.vic.gov.au
Edunet (Supplier) portal@edunet.com.au
Kind regards,
Jen Barnes
Digital Technologies Co-ordinator
2025_RWPS_Smart_Classroom_Presentation
RWPS BYOD 2025 Parent Doc
Dear RWPS community,
This year, we will be hosting a Community Conversations event, which is being led by one of our school council members, Viki Komornik. This event provides families in our community an opportunity to share ideas, perspectives and voice on matters that impact our school.INCURSION
Instrumentos de Países de Habla-Hispana.
On Monday 21st October, the grade 5/6 students will engage in an incursion for Spanish & Music, at no cost to parents. In Semester One, the 5/6 classes completed a unit on instruments from Spanish-speaking countries: Instrumentos de Países de Habla-Hispana. This incursion will allow students to see and listen to the instruments they studied. Señorita Vargas’s father, Alejandro, moved to Australia with his parents and siblings at 13-years old, escaping Pinochet’s dictatorship in Chile. He and his brother began playing Chilean folk and Andean music as children in Chile, and shared their culture through music as non-English speaking teens. They formed the first Andean band in Australia and to this day, continue to share our culture through music. Alejandro has performed in multiple Latin bands and is still a key figure in the Latin community of Victoria. Alejandro will be bringing his instruments to play for the students and sharing his story.
Read his story here: https://www.latinstoriesaustralia.com/blog/2018/9/25/rodrigo-vargas
This is an opt-out event. If you do not wish you child to participate, please contact your child's teacher.
On Tuesday, Our Grade 5/6 girls ventured out to Darebin to compete in the regional basketball tournament. In the first game, the girls battled hard and showed they could play at a high level, but they lost to Holy Name by 10 points. In the second game, the girls were up against Holy Spirit and played their best but lost to an exceptional outfit. In the third game, the girls hit their straps and played very well to get the win against Fairfield. Walking away 1-2 for the day was a great result, and the girls should be all super proud of themselves and how they represented our school in the community. Thank you to Rex Hickman for coaching and James Weaving for helping with coaching and scoring.
Hi everyone!
The P.E team here! Just thought we would highlight how fantastic our new goal pads look on our oval. Here is a picture of some of our fabulous Grade Four students enjoying them during our AFL focus in P.E. Just a reminder that we would love for our new goal posts to last for as long as possible so we are asking that we please take care whilst using them.
Thanks everyone!
Keep kicking goals!
Miss Mulynda, Amanda and Olivia