Riverside Primary School

Department of Education

Issue No 27 1 September 2016

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Principal Mrs Jane Bovill Psychologist Mrs Rebekah Mizzi

Assistant Principal Mr Colin Pearson (Grades 4, 5 & 6) Speech Pathologist Ms Danielle Le Rossignol

Assistant Principal Mrs Annette Langdon (Grades 1, 2 & 3) Social Worker Mrs Karen Button

Acting AST Mrs Lorraine Todd (Kinder & Prep) Chaplain Mrs Lindy Bailey

Congratulations to those students who were awarded prizes in

our Reading Rocks assembly. Well done on your commitment

and enthusiasm for reading. Riverside is proud of the efforts

students are making in reading – a special thank you to all those

families who regularly commit to the Home Reading program. I

am sorry I missed this special assembly but all principals attended

a forum in Penguin on this day with the Minister and the Secretary

of the Department.

We had many participants in the North/South Grade 5/6 sporting

exchange. Congratulations on your selection.

Last Thursday a group of nominated Grade 6’s attended the UTAS

Science Investigations judging. They presented their work as a

poster but also had to talk to the judges about their testing.

Three teams of students received honorable mentions in a very

strong competition that included public and non-government

schools. Well done to:

Emily Oakley

Anya Lokai and Sage Price

Fawz Ahmed and Jayden Roberts

This weekend our two Tournament of the Minds teams will be

competing against schools around the state. Best wishes to

our teams.

Social Media

At Riverside we focus on digital citizenship by encouraging

students to engage positively, know your online world and

choose consciously.

This is supported by our targeted teaching as part of Respectful

Schools where children have worked on the differences

between being rude, being mean and being a bully. This focus

examines all areas of bullying, including cyber bullying. Both

these initiatives are part of our ongoing work to build positive

relationships and respect for everyone in the school

community.

With more and more students and families accessing social

media we just want to remind you of your responsibility.

How much access do students have?

Is it being monitored?

What expectations do you have as a family?

This is an excellent strategy to encourage students to take

responsibility for their social media use.

T.H.I.N.K.

T Is it true?

H Is it helpful?

I Is it inspiring?

N Is it necessary?

K And is it kind?

If every member of the social media community applied

T.H.I.N.K. to their posts then we would all be modelling

respect online.

Is your child ready to take on the responsibility needed to be

a social media user.

Please have a talk as a family.

(an additional article is attached for Grade 6 parents)

CALENDAR 31 Aug – 2 Sept Father’s Day Stall

Wednesday 7 September

Respectful Schools Parent

Workshop 2.30pm Staffroom

Wednesday 14 September Kinder – Gr 2 Reading Session

Staffroom at 2.30pm

Thursday 15 September City Park Radio 4.30-5.00pm

Friday 16 September LSSSA Mass Dance Event

Monday 19 September International Talk like a Pirate

day

Monday 19 September RPSA Meeting 7.30pm

Wed 21 September LSSSA North vs NW Carnival

PREPfast breakfast event

Thursday 22 September RPSA School Disco

Friday 23 September Last day of Term 3

Monday 10 October First day of Term 4

Friday 21 October Student Free Day

ASSEMBLIES 9.00AM Friday 9 September Prep-2 1GH

Friday 23 September Whole School

Registration to Work with Vulnerable People

If you volunteer at Riverside Primary School, you are now required to have your

“Registration to Work with Vulnerable People”. This was mandatory by 1

September 2016.

When you sign in at the school office, you must show your card to the office staff if you have not already done

so, and you need to write your registration number in the sign in book at the office before proceeding to the

area of the school that you are volunteering in.

** In the interim, as long as you have your application underway, we will accept this but you need to show your

application number to the office staff and write your application number in the sign in book to enable you to

volunteer in the school until your card arrives.

The WWVP process became effective on Thursday, 1 September. This means if you have not been approved,

we will not be able to allow you to work as a volunteer in your child’s class or at a school activity. If you have

applied for your WWVP, and have had difficulties with the application, or for some reason your application has

been held up (payment issues, wrong work type status selected) or you have not heard anything at all in relation

to your application, please contact the office staff urgently.

Changes can be made independently via the Department of Justice website at the below link.

http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/working_with_children/change_details

then click on the Online Registration Amendment Form

Please contact the office staff if you need any assistance.

CHICKENPOX We have confirmed diagnosis of chickenpox within our

school community. Chickenpox is an infection starting

with a cold, headache and temperature. Small red

pimples appear on the body first then on the limbs

changing to yellow blisters. Chickenpox is highly

contagious. It is advised that if your child develops these

symptoms, please see a doctor as soon as possible.

5/6 FRIDAY SPORT 2 SEPTEMBER

Sport Opposition Venue

Football River East Launceston Riverside

Football Lions Ravenswood Ravenswood

Netball River 1 East Launceston East Launceston

Netball River 2 Waverley Riverside

Soccer River 1 Youngtown Youngtown

Soccer River 2 Summerdale Riverside

Soccer River 3 Norwood Norwood

Hockey West Launceston St Leonards Hockey

Bootcamp Riverside Primary

After school

No children should be staying in the school grounds and playing

on the equipment unless supervised by their parents. There is an

expectation that they will be under your close supervision. Could

parents ensure they are supervising their children at all times. As

part of a transfer of duty of care unsupervised children will be

asked to continue on their journey home after 3.00pm.

Happy Father’s Day on Sunday.

Congratulations to the fundraising committee for another

fantastic stall. Thank you to everyone who donated and

supported the stall.

Jane Bovill

Principal

Riverside Primary School

PO Box 205 RIVERSIDE Tasmania 7250

Phone (03) 63273731 Fax (03) 63271858

Email: riverside.primary@education.tas.gov.au

Website: www.schools.education.tas.gov.au/riversideprimary

COMMUNITY NEWS

TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY On Monday 19 September we will be celebrating International talk

like a Pirate Day. This will involve dressing up like a pirate and

celebrating a fun filled term. Remember to wear appropriate

clothing if you have a PE lesson.

UNIFORM SHOP Any donations of summer uniform items would gladly be

appreciated, particularly summer dresses. Thankyou.

FATHER’S DAY STALL OPEN FRIDAY Father’s Day Stall is OPEN to the whole school community

FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2.30-3.30pm in the Drama/Science room.

Gifts $4 or $5, cards $1. LAST CHANCE!!

RIVERSIDE LITTLE ATHLETICS CLUB Invite all returning and new families to a pre-season registration

session on Wednesday 7 and 14 September 3pm-4.30pm at the

gym foyer. Club Tops will be available.

Training will commence at Windsor Park Oval on Thursday 22

September 5pm-6pm (subject to weather and ground conditions).

Further information see www.launcestonlittleaths.org, facebook

(Riverside Little Athletics) or contact one of our Club Committee:

Sam 0457 585 418, Sue 0457 324 963, Di 0400 568 831 or Rikki

0417 342 066.

RESPECTFUL SCHOOLS RESPECTFUL

BEHAVIOUR PARENT WORKSHOP Re-shaping Riverside Primary Schools Anti Bullying policy

Aim for this session – for parents to have an input and give feedback

into the reviewing of the schools anti bullying policy

Where: Riverside Primary School Staffroom

When: Wednesday 7 September 2016 at 2.30-3pm

Afternoon Tea provided

RSVP by Monday 5 September to the school office 63273731 or

riverside.primary@education.tas.gov.au

DANCE EVENT When: Friday 16 September

Where: Silverdome, Launceston

Dance times: Prep – Gr 2 9.45am-10.45am

Grade 3 – 6 11.00am – 12.00pm

Parents welcome to attend.

A letter detailing this event and more information has been sent

home with the newsletter. If you have not received a copy, please

contact the school office.

FATHER’S DAY STALL 2016 Once again we have just loved helping your child choose that

special gift for their dad, pop or someone they love dearly. We

hope you all enjoy your gift as much as they enjoyed selecting if

for you.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank you, our school

community. Your donations and the willingness to support the

school by allowing your child to purchase a gift from the stall

means that we can continue this special event for the children.

To the teaching staff and the ever so helpful office staff who

continuously help and support our committee.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS Without you all, this event wouldn’t

have taken place. So a big “THANK YOU”. As a very small

committee we are always looking for new faces and fresh ideas

and invite anyone from our school community to come join our

team.

A special thank you to our local businesses for continually

supporting our school events year after year. Please support

them in return for their generosity.

Exeter Capital Chemist – Jo and Justin, Tamar Marine – Tim,

Riverside Newsagency – Amanda and Matthew, Chemmart

Pharmacy, Mazda, Toyota, Neil Buckby Motors, Riverside

Capital Chemist – Ivo, Helen and Peter, Tamar Valley Gourmet

Foods – Tanya, Rhubarb – Ruth, Gavin Kelly’s Menswear.

The total amount raised will be published next week.

WEST TAMAR SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

Bookings are now being taken for West Tamar Council’s Set/Oct

School Holiday Program. The program is open to all young

residents aged 10-16 and transport is provided to and from most

activities. Activities this holiday period include: Zorb balls,

Permian monsters (QVMAG), Wax Hands, Laser Force, Bush

Maze, Rock Climbing at Penny Royal, The Secret Life of Pets at

Village Cinemas and more. Booking forms are available from

Council offices or online at: http://www.wtc.tas.gov.au/Your-

Community/Youth/School-Holidays For further information

please contact Stewart Bell (Youth Development Officer) on

63239206 or email: stewart.bell@wtc.tas.gov.au

INSIGHTSBuilding parent-school partnerships

I am in transition and it has happened

way too fast. I hope I am prepared. I am

now the mother of a high school student.

Entering high school is a phenomenal year

of change for parents and youth. Actually,

it was the first week that really made its

mark. Suddenly my daughter has her own

laptop, email addresses and a smart phone.

When I was her age I had a fairly simple

transition. I simply walked across the parking

lot and turned right towards the high school

instead of left for the primary school and the

transition had occurred. That was one of the

privileges of a rural education – not the norm

for most youth as they make the change from

primary school to secondary college. Back then,

thoughts of laptops and phones with internet

connection were non-existent, or at least only

possible in the realm of movies like Star Trek.

Fast forward to today and our kids are carrying

these devices around in their backpacks.

With all this technology comes a great deal

of responsibility for youth and their parents. I

know I expect my children to use their manners,

show respect and treat others as they would like

to be treated. I expect this in the real world and I

expect this online – constantly and consistently.

Social netiquette is exactly that: online rules

and guidelines that match real world rules and

guidelines.

Here are some guidelines you can teach your child to help them develop social netiquette:

Don’t be an ‘open book’

Giving away too much information, too soon,

to people you may not really know can put

your child at risk. What you need to know and

understand is that your child is now hanging out

in the biggest possible public place there ever

was. Placing themselves online and being an

open book can make your child a target. Once

they have put themselves out in this public

place, they are accessible to billions of people.

Even with tight privacy settings and all the

awareness in the world, that post, that photo is

out there; chances are that sometime, someone

out there is going to make a derogatory

comment about something they put online. I’m

not saying that is right, but I am saying that it is

bound to happen. Be prepared for that, and talk

to your kids about what to do when it does. We

recommend they do not respond, let a trusted

adult know what has happened and do not re-

enter that conversation.

Building your personal brand

In a world where social media rules, we have

all become brands. Everything we do online is

either adding or detracting from our personal

brand. Does your child want their brand to be

like a Nike or Coca Cola: a top shelf brand that

people want to buy into because it is seen to

have value? Everything your child says, ‘likes’, re-

posts, comments or retweets on social channels

tells others what they are all about. Online

presence is not only about the content that they

provide themselves – it is also about what’s

written or posted about them by others. Today’s

first impressions occur on the internet.

Your child’s personal brand will take them

further than any education or university degree.

In today’s world an individual’s online reputation

is far more believable than anything they can

provide on a piece of paper. A comment on a

piece of paper doesn’t have a lot of ‘weight’, but

what others can see about them on the internet

– now that is ‘real’. A strong personal brand will

allow your child to move between opportunities

with ease.

Housekeeping required

Your child’s personal brand will also outlive any

of their personal and professional achievements.

Setting up and maintaining social networking

requires constant work. Work with your kids to

maintain a clean house, so to speak.

Today’s transition to high school usually comes with a transition to a greater online presence. Here are four great

ways to help your children develop ‘social netiquette’

parentingideas.com.au

Social Netiquette

Stay one step ahead of your kids with great ideas & expert advice from Michael Grose. Join

Michael’s NEW Parentingideas Club today at parentingideasclub.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did.

© 2014 Michael Grose

WORDS Catherine Gerhardt

more on page 2

2

‘eSmart Schools has found the content in the Kidproof Safety program to be a valuable and credible resource on cybersafety for schools’ The Alannah and Madeline Foundation

parentingideas.com.au

Stay one step ahead of your kids with great ideas & expert advice from Michael Grose. Join

Michael’s NEW Parentingideas Club today at parentingideasclub.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did.

INSIGHTS

... social netiquette ...

Help develop ‘social netiquette’

Keep social networks tidy and tight. Some apps make it very easy to connect

with people they have never met. Have a conversation with your child about

why ‘quality friends’ should win over ‘quantity of friends’. Are they connecting

only with real life face-to-face friends? Who will stand beside them if they

don’t, and things go wrong?

Mistakes will be made, and our aim is to minimise the slip-ups our children

will make. The first thing is to reassure your child that you will be there to help

if something goes wrong or gets out of control. Yes, we may be angry at first,

but your child will need your support; we may be disappointed, but we will

get over it. Let your child know that you are far more likely to respect them for

being upfront about issues rather than trying to bury any mistake they have

made.

Even the most insignificant online actions can have an influence on how

your child will be perceived. Take a proactive and preventative stance –

spending the time now to help your child navigate their way through their

new digital world, and to help them attend to any stains and spills that might

happen along the way, will pay off in the long run. Learning how to edit, block

and delete content is a great place to start.

Encourage kids to T.H.I.N.K.

This is an ‘oldie but a goodie’ and it works every time. Work with your kids to

have them answer these five simple questions before they post. Is it True? Is it

Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? And is it Kind? If your child can answer

yes to those questions, then certainly they can consider putting their material

online. But even a single ‘no’ to one of these questions means they will be

pushing the boundaries of social netiquette.

Times certainly seem different these days, but the rules are still the same. Be

nice in public, make a first good impression, tidy up your mess and think twice

before speaking.

So far the transition has gone smoothly and we have both settled into the

new demands of online learning and the world of ‘bring your own device’.

Being the mother of a high school student is a privilege, and I welcome the

new challenges it will bring.

Catherine Gerhardt