From the Principal's Desk
Published by Rochedale State SchoolWelcome Back
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break and enjoyed the holiday period. It was a different end to Term 1 with the sudden lock-down in the greater Brisbane area forcing schools to close, to most students, three days earlier than anticipated. I would like to once again thank our community for their support around this early closure and for the ongoing commitment and trust you give to our school as we continue to navigate the impact of the COVID pandemic. As of today, the previous lockdown and related restrictions have been lifted in relation to our school and we will revert to the processes and procedures that were in place for the majority of Term 1, prior to the sudden lock-down. Please refer to the separate newsflash sent home yesterday which outlined these expectations and policies. With that unrest now behind us, it was wonderful to see all of the students and families return to school today ready to commence the new term with smiles on their faces.
Term 2
Term 2 commences with a couple of long weekends because of public holidays beginning this weekend. Monday 26 April is a public holiday for ANZAC Day meaning Week 2 will only be 4 days. Week 2 also ends with a long weekend, as Monday 3 May is a public holiday for Labour Day resulting in Week 3 also being a four day week. From Week 4 we will return to regular five day weeks.
Anzac Day Parade
Our whole of school ANZAC parade will be held this Friday morning during our regular parade time. To help recognise the significance of ANZAC Day within Australian society and the importance of this event, we will not be having any other awards or items on this parade. Students and staff are encouraged to wear their relevant medals or badges to help promote and honour the ANZAC spirit at this special assembly. Unfortunately, due to COVID number restrictions, this parade will be a closed event.
NAPLAN
Term 2 is always an important term as our Years 3 and 5 students take part in the National Assessment Program, Literacy And Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing. (These tests were not held last year due to COVID, but are back on the agenda for schools in 2021). The NAPLAN tests are designed to give a point in time snapshot of a child’s progress and to compare this progress with peers within the school, across the State and also across Australia. The tests will be held in Week 4 and all parents will receive an individual student report later in the year. The end of Term 2 will also see formal written school report cards for all students sent home outlining their broader achievements across all subjects for first semester.
Staffing
Mrs Denise Wardle is taking the first five weeks of term off on long service leave. During her absence we welcome Miss Michelle Rossiter to the role of acting Sector Deputy for Years 1 and Prep.
Learner Profile: Attribute focus for the week – Caring – students care about our school’s public image and about how they present themselves, by wearing the correct school uniform with pride. To achieve this goal this term, students must abide by our school uniform policy for the entire term.
Enjoy your long weekend – Lest we forget.
Keith Graham
Principal