Richmond Primary School Newsletter Wednesday 18th June 2025

Principal's Address

The school is a buzz with learning and assessments as we prepare to report to families over the coming weeks. Tomorrow you will receive your child’s report and for students from Prep to Year 6 the report will include two evidence of learning samples, one for English and the other for Maths. These samples will serve as a focal point during parent/student/teacher interviews scheduled for the last week of term.

Cross Country Division B Winners

Our cross-country team achieved remarkable success at the recent Division B Interschool Cross Country event held at Bayview High School in Rokeby, securing first place.

This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our students, who have benefited from regular P.E lessons with Mr Nichols, weekly run club training with Ms Taylor, Mrs Thomas and Mr Johnston and through parents encouraging participation in park run events in their local communities. It was a significant accomplishment for our small school to win this event, and we extend our gratitude to everyone involved.

As a result, twelve students travelled north to Symmons Plains to compete in the Statewide Schools Cross Country event.

Congratulations Oren, Archie, Henry, Cooper, Sam, Elizabeth, Grace, Scarlett, Georgia, Zoe, Theodore and Bailey for their outstanding performances at this major event. It was a great experience for these talented young runners.

My Community – from Kinder

In Kinder our students are exploring the concept of community. I was very impressed by the map they created to help them navigate their upcoming walk around the village, scheduled for next week.

They have been learning about street names and the numbers on their houses. They have been doing some big thinking engaging in thoughtful discussions about what communities need, who their community helpers are, and what makes our community special.

Mid-Year Reports and Parent Teacher Meetings

A reminder to families that mid-year reports will be distributed on Thursday 19th June.

For students in Years 1 - 6 the report will show your child's learning achievement in English, Mathematics and Science on a 9-point visual scale (and for Prep students at the end of the year.)

The 9-point scale shows where your child's learning achievement is against the expected standard for their learning level. 

There will be no teacher comments in this report, however we will be including evidence of learning in English and Mathematics, these work samples provide you with a great opportunity to discuss how your child is progressing with their learning. Parent teacher meetings will be conducted during week 10 of term 2, Monday 30th June - Thursday 3rd July. 

For more information about reports:

School reports - Department for Education, Children and Young People

Parent Teacher bookings are now open. 

Booking will close at 12pm Friday 27th June.

Please follow the link below to make a booking. 

https://richmondprimary.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/9 

Communities of Schools Model

In response to the Independent Review of Education in Tasmania and following Recommendation 8; Trial a limited number of models where access to resources and services can be maximised to better support learning and the work of schools, the DECYP has decided to trial a model for communities of schools and CFLC’s along with a Multi-School Organisation model to be trialled in 2026.

The proposed function of the Communities of Schools is to

• create a shared vision and values across all communities
• To provide smooth transitions across all age groups
• To allow for professional collaboration and learning
• To allow for shared resources and expertise across the communities
• To provide community engagement and wrap around support through a more holistic approach

The opportunities that the Communities of Schools should offer.

• Curriculum continuity
• Reduced Administrative burden on schools
• Stronger Family partnerships through coordinated communications and supported engagement
• Linked service system – supporting early identification of learning and wellbeing needs
• Leadership development to support aspiring leaders
• Innovation development of new ideas, programs and approaches across the community
• Equity and inclusion suitable distribution of opportunities and professional support services

Once our community, the group of schools we will be working with in 2026, is confirmed I will let you know.

Feeder School Arrangements

Please have your say on current feeder school arrangements. Our current feeder school is Rose Bay High School and although our students tend to head in many directions it has been an arrangement that has worked well for both our schools.

The Department for Education Children and Young People is seeking feedback from families on current feeder school arrangements. These arrangements have been in place for many years and are currently under review. The current feeder school arrangements have been published and can be found on the Department’s Find Your Local High School webpage. Find your local primary school - Department for Education, Children and Young People

Commencing on Friday 20^th June I will be taking a period of long service leave concluding on Friday 1^st August. I will be returning to work on Monday 4^th August just in time for the Swimming and Water Safety program to commence. During my leave Mrs Jaqui Mason will be acting principal.

Regards,

Clare McVilly

School Lunches

Importance of a balanced diet for school aged children

Healthy eating is essential for your child's good health, growth and development. Healthy eating in childhood reduces your child’s chance of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers. It can also mean they feel better and enjoy life more.

To stay healthy and maintain a healthy weight, children need to be physically active and eat the right amount of nutrients to balance the energy they use.

Which foods should be included in my child’s diet?

The Australian dietary guidelines recommend children should enjoy a wide variety of foods from these 5 food groups:

• fruit
• vegetables, legumes and beans
• grain (cereal) foods, including breads, rice, pasta and noodles, mostly wholegrain or high cereal fibre types
• lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives
• milks, yoghurts, cheeses or alternatives — children under 2 years should have full-fat milk, but older children and adolescents should choose mostly reduced-fat varieties

  Children should limit their intake of foods that contain saturated fat, added salt or added sugar. They should also be encouraged to choose water to drink.

  How can I encourage healthy eating habits?

  Showing your child how to eat healthily now maximises their ability to make healthy choices as they get older. Here are some tips to encourage healthy eating habits:

  • Sit together as a family at mealtimes, without any screens.
  • Make healthy foods fun, for example by cutting fruit or sandwiches into interesting shapes.
  • Serve a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables.
  • Learn together about how different foods are grown.
  • Let your children help with food shopping and preparation and try new foods and recipes together.
  • Limit the amount of junk food you keep in the house.
  • Keep a bowl of fruit handy for snacks.

Dates for your Calendar

1/2B News

Science

We have been learning about the solar system. We made our own Earth using a styrofoam ball and a toothpick for the axis, we took turns explaining to our class how the Earth rotates around the sun. We created some information posters on what causes day and night and the seasons.

Playing together

We have enjoyed some extra inside play lately due to the wet weather. A popular activity in our class is building with the big blocks. Here are some of our recent creations. 

Buddies

We enjoyed an outside game of sardines with our buddy class after spending some time reading together.

Art in 3/4B

This term, we have been busy learning about the artist John Behnke. Behnke’s style is abstract, vibrant and complex, telling a story that combines the natural world with a dystopian vision. We spent some time investigating his work and considering how we could apply his style to our own art project.

After analysing Behnke’s city invasions, we began creating our own. This project had many components, first being the vibrant water colour background. The students then designed their city silhouettes, taking care to create some intricate designs. We used posca pen to create the twinkling city lights. Next, we designed our foreground. If you look closely, I am sure you will spot some of the student’s favourite hangout spots (such as sushi train and bubble tea!).

Lastly, students designed their city invader! The invaders range from animals that have fearlessly escaped the zoo, symbiotes that want to destroy the city to gigantic and adorable lab experiments gone wrong!

We are very proud of our projects and want you to come and see them for yourselves! Come along on Thursday to our Lantern Walk and see all the amazing displayed work that the students have created.

Term 2 in Drama

This term in Drama, students have been exploring characters, performing scenes, and working together as a team.

We’ve focused on projecting our voices, using expression, and facing the audience with confidence. Students are learning how to use their voice, facial expressions, and body language to bring characters to life.

Collaborative group work has strengthened teamwork and communication skills, while drama games and performances are helping students feel more comfortable and confident speaking in front of others.

Drama is a wonderful way to build confidence, creativity, and connection whilst having fun along the way!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 28

Next

Notification of Influenza A

We have several cases of Influenza A among our students. This illness is highly contagious and can be hard to distinguish from COVID-19 or other winter illnesses.

Common symptoms:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Cough

If symptoms worsen but are not serious, contact your GP. For urgent symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe vomiting, fever with a rash, or any other concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical care.

If your child is unwell:

• Keep them home from school or childcare.
• Avoid visiting people at risk of severe flu.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.
• Maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres from others.
• Cover mouth with elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Most children recover within a week, but seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.

Cross Country

Richmond are Cross Country Champions!

Our incredible Cross Country students shone brightly at the recent SPSSA Cross Country event, bringing home the shield. This marks our first-ever victory in Division B, and we are thrilled to announce our promotion to Division A for 2026.

We also had some outstanding individual performances, with several students finishing in the top 20.

Grade 3

Theo 10^th

Milo 11th

Georgia W 2^nd

Zoe 4^th

Tori 6^th

Mia 16^th

Grade 4

Leo 1^st

Sam 3^rd

Abi 12^th

Georgia B 18th

Grade 5

Cooper 1^st

Tim 5^th

Scarlett 1^st

Grace 2^nd

Grade 6

Elroy 6^th

Harry 14^th

Lewis 16^th

To win three out of 8 races showed how hard our students have been training!

Final Results;

Richmond First, Howrah Second, Mount Nelson Third and Dunalley Fourth.

Good luck to all of our students competing at Symmons Plains. Thanks to Mrs McCarthy and Mrs Thomas who helped out on the day.

Assembly Awards - Week 7