Remembrance Day
The day was acknowledged by the Student Councillors, with the importance of the day reinforced by the classroom teachers. Richmond Primary has strong connections to people who have served in many theatres of war over the past 100 years, and their contribution will always be recognised.
Wartime Snapshot
At 11 am on 11 November 1918, a truce was signed 6 hours earlier between a German representative and Allied representatives which brought an end to fighting in World War 1. Many still in the forward areas greeted the news with sad relief and sorrow for their friends who’d lost their lives. Around the world, there were joyous public celebrations and many moments of silence to remember the fallen soldiers. People in the Allied countries celebrated, but they also reflected on the terrible cost of victory.
In Australia and other countries whose soldiers had fought on the Allied side, 11 November came to be known as Remembrance Day, a day to pause and remember the dead. Sixty thousand Australians lost their lives in the war, a fifth of those who served overseas. From a population of just over 5 million, this sad loss touched families around Australia.
After the war, Australian writer Edward Honey wrote to a London newspaper, asking for ‘five minutes silence’ in honour of the dead. His suggestion was well received, but 5 minutes of silence was too long, so on 7 November 1919, King George V issued an announcement making it 2 minutes silence at 11 am on 11 November. At the appointed hour, people across the British Empire paused for the first time to remember and started a tradition that we still honour today.
Cue Primary – Sister School
As part of Richmond Primary’s RAP planning, we have been lucky enough to form a brand-new sister school relationship with Cue Primary School. We will be starting off by getting to know the similarities and differences between our schools and some students will be able to be pen pals.
As an introduction Mr Neil Montgomery, Cue Primary principal has provided us with a description of life in Cue and some great photos.
Keep an eye on upcoming newsletters for the latest news on our Cue PS buddies.
Jenny Hart – RAP team member
Cue is a small community school located between Mt Magnet and Meekatharra. We are 650Kms from Richmond primary school which would take more than two weeks to walk – don’t forget to take lots of water. In summer we often get close to 50° while in winter we sometimes scrape ice off car windows, brrrrr.
We have 27 students ranging from kindy to Year 10 who learn in the same classrooms built when the school opened in 1895. Our high school students learn online with zoom meetings with the teachers who are in Perth. Not many houses in Cue have internet except from mobile phones.
Our Wajarri students like to go bush for swimming in waterholes, hunting Marlu (kangaroo) and Bungarra (goanna)and searching for Bimba (bush toffee -sap) and Coglas (bush bananas).
They also like to participate in sport that is held with neighbouring towns sometimes driving up to 2 hours to get there. The only weekend sport is a junior AFL club (Murchison Marlu) that started this year. East Fremantle Sharks donated some jumpers to help get it started.
Fun fact: houses don’t have letterboxes in Cue!
Cue is known for Gold mining which started back in 1892. We have Westgold based in town and many smaller companies surrounding still actively mining gold. We also have an iron mine near town and people used to mine for emeralds nearby too.
Cue is boarded by several small stations such as Nallan, Austin Downs, Coodardy, Yarraquin who breed cattle for meat. Mustering is always fun to watch when they are using helicopters at low heights.
Just out of town is Walga Rock (Australia’s second largest monolith) which has a large wall of ancient paintings. There is also a mystery sailing ship painting which was there when European settlers first found the rock.
Our town is made of lots of historical buildings that makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time. Come and have a look at the school if you come through town on your way to Mt Augustus or Karajini.
Kakarook – Pronounced Ka ka rook
Kakarook or Middar, the traditional Noongar word for dance and performance, includes and honours the Noongar community and traditional custodians of the land.
Gifted and Talented Secondary Selective Entrance
Information will be sent out to parents of current Year 5 students about applying for Gifted and Talented Secondary programmes, with further information available here.
Class Structures
We are currently looking at two possible class structures for 2023. The structure we go with will be determined by final enrolments, which have increased from last year. The Placement Policy will guide student placement next year and will be published after next week’s School Board meeting.
I have been asked why does the school have some split grade classes instead of having all straight year level classes?
As staffing is dependent upon the enrolment in each grade, multi-aged or combined classes may occur. This practice is well supported by research and our beliefs about how children learn. It is also often a practical necessity with our enrolment numbers. The class distribution will be considered on the basis of student numbers. The distribution for the class numbers may change each year according to numbers in the school and the effects of different numbers in each class or year group.
Before/ After School Play
A reminder that students arriving at school prior to 8.30 should wait on the Library Veranda until they are dismissed by a member of the Admin Team who are on duty until the bell goes. Classrooms are open for students 15 mins prior to the bell.
It is great to see parents at pick-up time chatting and students playing, however it is important that supervision of children is a priority.
Please click here for our Out of School Hours Providers.
Year 6 Camp
The Year 6 students are off to camp at Point Peron next week, which is a highlight of their final year at Richmond. Our Year 5 students will be taking on the responsibility as Leaders of the school with many of them nominating for Student Leadership roles for 2023.
Public Disclaimer
When a Pre-primary student informed Mr Carder and me that their father’s moustache was far better than our pitiful attempts, we thought it was time to explain that all the male members of staff are participating in ‘Movember’ for charity. Importantly, the feeble attempts will be removed on December 1, 2022.
Students Leaving in 2023
Please could you notify Lara – richmond.ps@education.wa.edu.au or 9438 8700 if any of your children currently in years K – 5 will be leaving Richmond PS at the end of this year.
Pre-primary Enrolments 2023
Current Kindy students should’ve received a yellow Pre-primary enrolment form.
To secure your child’s placement next year, please could you complete and return the form, with requested documentation, to the front office as soon as possible.
Book Lists 2023
We are finalising book lists for next year. We expect them to be ready late next week. Once completed, we will put the book list links in the letters and forms section on our website Letters and Forms – Richmond Primary School (richmondps.wa.edu.au). Book lists for our new students will be emailed directly to parents.
Community Notices
Friends of Cantonment Hill are also looking for support with rubbish clean ups and weeding, however other activities are listed on the flyer and can be arranged such as being involved in the bird counts.
They are very interested in engaging with Youth in surrounding schools to educate students on the historical and cultural importance of the area.