The Conclusion of 2021 - Rochedale South State School

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Words that have been playing incessantly in our shopping centres and often until late December. At the time of year where financial stress, lack of time and stress and anxiety is at its worst. Why is it the most wonderful time of the year? This time of year is about reflecting, and looking to the hopes of 2022. It is in this December season that we get the chance to take stock of what’s important to us and realign our choices, time and energy back into what is really important to us. 

As a school we have been focusing heavily on our Literacy agenda in 2021 and alongside that, refining a focused vision for students as lead learner.  As a school we will be continuing our journey with Cal in setting a Positive Behaviour for Learning across our school culture and celebrating our four expectations for every student at Rochedale South being - We are all Safe, Responsible, Respectful and a Learner. We hold those four attributes not only to our students but to ourselves as a staff and community.

At next week's class awards, we will be honouring our students who have achieved their 200 Cal Club award with the artefact of a gold medallion to signify a continued commitment to displaying the attitude of a dedicated Rochedale South learner.

We also thank our departing cohort of Year 6 students and thank them for the integrity of staying focused and true to our school ethos until the end.  The departing gift from the 2021 primary school leavers, which embodies the heart and playfulness of the cohort, in the form of art work and handball courts in the Multi Purpose Area.

May your actions this season reflect your priorities. May I personally thank you all for a fantastic year at Rochedale South State School and I wish you and your family all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Award Ceremonies

Leadership Positions for 2022

The following students have recently been elected in leadership positions for the 2022 school year. 

School Captains -   Hamish Milne  & Isabella Saylor            

School Vice-Captains - Matthew Daley & Zoe de'Banks

House Captain, Cultural Captains, Senior Leaders and Student Councils positions will be allocated in the first 3 weeks of Term 1 2022.

We congratulate these students on their appointment to the prominent position of School Captain and hope that you grow in wisdom and stature in your tenure as school leaders. 

To our departing School Captains, Illyana Enever & Joshua Bruce and Vice School Captains; Shumway Sekona and Kate Hamilton, we thank you for your commitment, contribution and dedication to the role of a school captain.  Your growth in understanding the service attitudes of a leader will place you in good stead as you head into your high school years as you continue to represent the good name of Rochedale South State School.

150 CAL MORNING TEA

Today I  hosted the 150 Cal Morning Tea and students from Year 1-6 were rewarded with some of my favourite delicacies, to recognise their continued exemplary behaviour.  Congratulations to all the awardees and I look forward to seeing you achieve even more in the year to come. We did have some last minute awardees that arrived on the day so their name might not appear on the list. The next goal is 200!

200 CAL AWARDS

It has been a year full of firsts and with it has been the presentation of the third annual 200 CAL Award for 2021.  This year has seen four students presented with the award that recognises students who consistently and persistently demonstrate the four tenets of being; Safe, Responsible, Respectful, Learners. A recognition coin was minted with the school insignia and 200 Cals.

Congratulations 200's:

Congratulations 150's:

We look forward to seeing your achievements in the year to come and wish you well on what’s been a fantastic year at Rochedale South State School.

Report Cards

It’s report card time again, and no matter if this is your child’s first year at school or their seventh, it can prove to be stressful for everyone involved.

Teachers ensure that you receive an accurate assessment of your child’s achievements and progress. They have been recording results of summative assessments, as well as keeping track of ongoing task completion and achievement. Students want their parents to be proud of what they’ve done and they want to bask in the glow of your approval. As parents you want to be sure your child is developing as they should, and their learning is progressing soundly. That could add up to an awful lot of pressure and tension.

All of this build up culminates in that moment in time when you open the email of 'The Report Card' ready to read it! Before you do, here are some points to consider:

• Report cards are not designed to compare one child’s achievements with another child’s achievements
• As your child moves up in year levels the work becomes more complex so factor this in to your expectation levels
• Look for progress rather than a particular achievement level. Getting a ‘B’ is not the same as getting an ‘A’, but it’s also not the same as a ‘C’
• Affirm the effort they make rather than the final result. Celebrate personal bests and trying hard rather than looking for 10/10
• Avoid nagging about progress such as reading levels and test results. Your child is fully aware of their own abilities and if they feel pressure from you they may choose to avoid work so they can avoid your disapproval
• Read the report card with your child and use the time to celebrate, support and problem solve if it seems needed
• Be honest with your child. Acknowledge that they might find some things difficult and validate how they feel about this while showing them the part they play in moving forward i.e. problem solve
• Finally, remember that parenting is the role in life that challenges us to experience wonder, joy, hope, patience and unconditional love – all in abundance especially at report card time!!

A Farewell to Staff

Michelle Butler - A letter of thanks

Amongst the many farewells to staff this year, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the impactful work and commitment to the Rochedale South community displayed by our Principal over the past decade, Michelle Butler.  This past week we celebrated the life’s work of Mrs Butler with guests represented from local government, principal colleagues, our P&C and past colleagues and staff. 

On behalf of the community we thank Mrs Michelle Butler for the immense contribution she has made to our school, which has resulted in building a fine local school to offer the best education possible, with world class facilities that inspire our students to be global citizens.

We thank you Mrs Butler for providing the opportunity to engage in innovative learning environments and setting the environment for our teachers to thrive. Not only did Michelle facilitate a C&K, refurbishment ofschool facilities, overseen three new builds including two Performing Arts Centres but also the brand new S Block. Partnering with the P and C and local council, the school also inherited brand new sandstone seating on the oval, upgrades to our Prep Precinct, dedicated computer lab, and numerous facilities face lifts. Michelle has curated the staff and school of excellence in the Performing Arts, and future proofed our students with a laptop program but she understood it takes a village to raise a child which is epitomised by the very heart of Positive Behaviour for Learning. But not just any village… the village filled with the right people to build the programs and prestige, to see our school now known as – ‘The School of Choice’.

Thank you for the heart your shared for this community and over a decade’s work that has left our school a legacy of education based in high expectations, achievement and prestige. 

Farewell to school staff:

Mrs Sarah Haslam

I would also like to take the chance to farewell long standing staff member Sarah Haslam for the over twenty years of service to our school. Sarah has contributed to many facets of school life in her time here but most recently has been our Head of Special Education.  In your time here the school has shifted in may ways of working to see students supported to ensure every child succeeds. We wish you well in your many endeavours to come and as you continue to support every child, family and staff member you come into contact with.

Mrs Elizabeth Owens

Mrs Owens has been in many roles in her time here, also spanning a lifetime. Most recently Mrs Owens has taken on the role of PBL coach, which has seen her pioneer our whole school approach to Positive Behaviour for Learning.  The heart of our school’s approach to restorative practice, student support and joy has been founded with Mrs Owen’s blood and sweat.  We thank you for your unwavering focus on students to ensure they are supported and succeeding.  We will miss your contributions and care.

Mrs Justine Watson

You have been a dedicated Prep teacher in your time here and the school community will miss your kind and caring nature that has exuded to each family you have encountered.  We wish you well in your teaching career in the year ahead and hope to receive you back one day soon.

Mrs Dahni Wiseman (Armour)

Mrs Wiseman’s whimsical ways are notorious not just with her students but across the staff.  Your presence and joviality will be sorely missed in the halls of B block and across the school.  We wish Mrs Wiseman well and congratulate her on her recent nuptials to her long-standing partner Dallas. 

Ms Rebecca Marken

Ms Marken has taken on the mantel of Languages teaching within our school and during that time has made the learning relateable, fun and engaging.  From all of the teaching community we are so thankful for Ms Marken's influence and guidance of the languages program and wish her all the very best in her new context.

Congratulations:

Mrs Rachelle Lumsden

We wish Mrs Lumsden well as she prepares to receive her third child this holiday.  Mrs Lumsden has worked across Year 2, Special Education and has most recently been working in our local cluster of schools as a Guidance Officer.  Mrs Lumsden will be missed in the year ahead but we look forward to seeing her return soon.

Mrs Kylie Steward

Mrs Kylie Steward took on a teaching position with us last year in Year 3 and this year has been well loved by her students and parents in Year 1.  We send our love and support to Mrs Steward as she prepares to receive her first child. Congratulations!

Mrs Rachel Howearth

Mrs Rachel Howearth took on a teaching position last year in our 5-6 cohort and this year has been a vital part of the Year 3 teaching team.  We thank you for your bubbly and approachable manner which has been warmly received by all in our school community.  Mrs Howearth has secured a teaching position close to her home and we wish her well in her new context.

School Property

During this holiday I would like to remind everyone that the school is private property and is not to be used outside of school hours, without written permission. Security and police personnel will be patrolling the school grounds and unauthorised trespassers may be prosecuted. Unfortunately, over the past weeks and during the holiday period is a time of increased damage and vandalism. If you are in the local area please help us to protect school property by calling School Watch on 13 17 88 or the police if you see anyone acting suspiciously or inappropriately on the school grounds.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the school community for their support and work this year. Forming productive parent and school partnerships is a very important factor which allows Rochedale South State School to provide the very best for our students.

Personally, I would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday, and look forward to working with you all in the coming year of 2022. Have a good relaxing break and remember school will start for all students on Monday, 24 January. I trust you will enjoy the break and be ready for a new year of growth at Rochedale South.

Yours in Education,

Craig Charles
Deputy Principal