News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:00:43 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:17:47 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:35:06 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:05:35 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:23:48 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:36:23 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:22:56 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:42:34 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:06:17 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:37:34 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:23:37 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:13:05 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:09:38 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:16:09 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:20:14 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:58:31 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:24:06 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Specialist Sports Coaching

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

Thanks to the NRL, our students have recently received three sessions of specialist sports coaching. Milo and Kel, from the NRL have given our students some great tips to build their skills, not only for football, but skills that can be applied to many sports. There were smiles all round, with Kel and Milo commplementing us on how well our students play, co-operate and encourage each other.

Fundraising For Canberra

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:31 AEST

Rukenvale Public School featured in The Northern Star newspaper recently in an article about fundraising for our Years 5 & 6 Canberra trip. In addition to the P&C BBQs which have been organised, students have also been writing letters to businesses requesting support , either in the form of items to raffle, vouchers or maybe even cash. We are all commited to ensuring costs for parents for this excursion are kept as low as possible.

Rukenvale Wins Scholastic Prize

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

All students at Rukenvale Public School were involved in a Scholastic Competition as part of their Library session at the end of Term 1, which involved various activities for different stage levels. Our students completed and sent away these entries. One of our Kinder students was the winner for the Wombat Competition. Part of her prize included a book for each student at the school and a copy for the library, plus a $50.00 voucher for our library to spend on Scholastic Books! She also won a book voucher for herself. Students had the opportunity to chose their book. Well done!

Swimming Success

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:33 AEST

Recently our school participated in the Kyogle District Small Schools Swimming Carnival. It was a wonderful day with lots of parents and community coming along to support our students. Congratulations to Holly, Dylan,

Harry and Oliver who were named Runner-up Champions in their respective age divisions. Congratulations also to our relay team - Holly, Estelle, Kayla and Dylan - for qualifying for the Zone Swimming Carnival later this month. Holly has also qualified for the 50metres Butterfly event. We wish them well and are certain they will do themselves, their family and their school proud.

Tree Levy

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:33 AEST

This week we received notification that our application for a Tree Levy through the NSW Teacher's Federation was successful. A huge thank you to Jane flower for preparing the submission, and to the local branch of the Federation for endorsing our application. This levy means an additional $400.00 is available to the school for the purchase of native trees and shrubs. Thank you.

Ecology Centre

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:31 AEST

Thanks to the help of community members Ann Hartigan and Jane Flower our students are enjoying their time in the school's Ecology Centre and Vegetable Garden. We look forward to planting our vegetable seedlings next week!

One Step Forward...

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

In this age of rapidly changing technologies occasionally 'blips' occur. Our school website has suffered a little setback, with all of Term 4 2011 updates being accidentally removed when the Department upgraded all DEC school websites to a new platform.

We will have the information reinstated as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience this delay may cause. For those of you who access our weekly newsletter online, may have missed out on some issues from this term and would like a copy, could you please contact the school office on 02 6636 4151 or email at rukenvale-p,school@det.nsw.edu.au.

The most recent newsletter, Week 6 Term 4 2011, dated 18th November 2011, is now available online.

Newspapers In Education

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

This week student work from Rukenvale PS featured in the local Northern Star Newspaper. We trust you will enjoy reading their page which is attached.Newspapers in Education (pdf, 826 KB)

Positive Links With Community

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

Our school is proud of the positive links we have built within the community. Parents, grandparents and other community members play an active role in school life assisting with:

Reading groups,
Sharing their skills in creative arts and 'Interest Groups',
Environmental Education in our Ecology Centre which was established by the parents in partnership with the school,
Supporting and encouring their children (and the school) at sporting events and carnivals,
Involvement in Education Week activities,
Fundraising and much more.

We value their contributions and know that our students, and the school, benefit so much form their support.

Encouraging Young Readers

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:31 AEST

Helping your children enjoy reading is one of the most important things you can do as a parent and it's well worth the investment of your time and energy.

Kids will learn reading skills in school, but often they come to associate reading with work, not pleasure. As a result, they lose their desire to read. And it is that desire—the curiosity and interest—that is the cornerstone to using reading and related skills successfully.

By far the most effective way to encourage your children to love books and reading is to read aloud to them, and the earlier you start, the better. Even a baby of a few months can see pictures, listen to your voice, and turn cardboard pages.

When you open a book with your children you are opening the world for them. You are making them wonder, and want to know more. You are helping them do well in school. Best of all you are enjoying time together as a family.

Reading Buddies

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

Each Tuesday and Thursday, after lunch, Rukenvale students pair up with a 'reading buddy' to share their love of reading. It's an opportunity for older students to mentor younger students as well as building friendships. Students change their buddy every five weeks. Reading Buddies is a valued part of Rukenvale Public School Culture.

Streamwatch

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

Students at Rukenvale Public School participated in the 'Waterwatch' program this week. Led by Tara Petel form Landcare, senior students tested water temperature, pH, salinity, oxygen content and turbidity. Results indicated that our river is very healthy. Junior students thoroughly enjoyed dip-netting to discover the diversity of life in the creek. Due to high recent rainfall, the number of creatures found was not as high as last year's testing revealed. It was a most enjoyable and informative day.

1st Prize for Picasso Cow Entry

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:31 AEST

Rukenvale School was proud to be named the winners of the recent Casino District Picasso Cows Project promoted by Dairy Australia. Students worked cooperatively in groups to research the dairy industry and the nutritional value of dairy foods. They created a learning journal, powerpoint presentations of their research and then designed and painted a life size fibreglass cow based on their learning. Several articles regarding their achievement appeared in the local press.

Dance Festival

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:31 AEST

Congratulations to our dance group! Our students did themselves, their parents and their school proud, performing at the 25^th Annual North Coast Dance Festival. in term 2 The feedback from our parents and many others at the festival, including the organizer and director, Robyn Ludeke, has been extremely positive. We were one of only a few small schools in the area to participate in the Dance Festival. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to perform on stage and experience a wide variety of dances and dance styles.

Art Exhibition

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:31 AEST

The COLOURSS Art Exhibition was officially opened at the at the ROXY Gallery in Kyogle in June. Art work from our small schools network is on display. Every student from each small school had at least one piece of artwork on display. All Rukenvale students made a contribution to our large 'yellow' artwork titled "Flowers for Vincent". This was a wonderful opportunity for students to display their work in a professional way in a public gallery. The community and public response to the exhibition has been overwhelmingly positive. Sincere thanks to the parents who were able to bring their students into town to participate in the small schools choir and be part of this special event.

Regional Director Visits

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

Late in term 2 Peter Haigh, North Coast Regional Director, visited our school. It has been 4 years since he visited Rukenvale and he was most impressed to see our new vegetable garden and the continued work in the Ecology Centre. He also passed on very positive comments regarding our Dance we performed for the North Coast Dance Festival. Mr Haigh viewed photographs of the COLOURSS Art Exhibition and was looking forward to visiting the gallery later that day.

Thank you Mrs Turner

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:33 AEST

At the end of term 2 we farewelled part time teacher Mrs Turner from Rukenvale School After 26 years service at Rukenvale Mrs Turner has announced her retirement. She is an incredibly well organised lady who has contributed immensely to our school and its community. During her time at Rukenvale she has taught several of the parents of children currently attending our school and many of their older brothers and sisters. She has provided students with a realm of wonderful music experiences and maintained an extremely well organised and beautifully resourced library. In addition she has delivered a fantastic Indonesian language program to our students. She has always provided students with a wide variety of learning experiences and presented these in a caring and compassionate manner. We sincerely wish Mrs Turner all the best in her retirement, but she will certainly be sadly missed by the staff, the students and the community. Mrs Turner has given so much to Rukenvale Public School. An assembly, attended by students, staff and community, past and present, was held in her honour in the last week of term.

New Sports Equipment

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

Last week we took delivery of our new sporting equipment purchased with the last of our Premier's Sporting Grant. The new equipment includes a complete softball kit ( with all the protective gear) and a variety of circus skills equipment. Although the rain has interrupted our outdoor activities this week, the students really enjoyed their time trying out some of this new equipment.

News story

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

NUDE FOOD

What is ‘nude food'?

Nude food is food without unnecessary packaging, food in its own natural packaging. We are promoting ‘nude food' to encourage students to care for their environment, and to eat ‘healthy' food, and where possible, ‘say no' to processed food (like chips, prepackaged cakes, biscuits etc) for one day. Sandwiches, vegie sticks, drinks etc can be packaged in a re-useable container, rather than in plastic wrap or ‘popper' cartons.

Last Tuesday we had a most successful 'Nude Food' day with only a very small amount of packaging brought to school. It was terrific to see so many healthy snacks.

NEW WEBSITE FOR RUKENVALE PS!

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:32 AEST

Early afternoon on Monday 21st September 2009 Rukenvale Public School's new website 'went live'.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our school. Through a well structured website we are able to provide students, staff and visitors to our website with knowledge and information about our lovely school. We can clearly state our mission, our character and our approach to together achieving and celebrating the potential of each student.

Later in the year we will be able to offer the opportunity of publishing students' work to both a local and global audience.

Stay tuned for some more photos and news items.

Moving forward with technology

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:50:31 AEST

On Monday 21st September several principals from the Kyogle district gathered together at Rukenvale Public School to create websites for their individual schools under the guidance of Faruk Avdi, Online Communication Manager from the Department of Education in Sydney.

Decades of collective experience were shared in the creation of what is said to be informative online communication for students, parents and the wider community.

Websites are able to be regularly updated to ensure that the wider community have access to up to date information about schools across NSW.