march -April            Newsletter 

Dear Families, Caregivers and Friends

It was hard to believe that the end of term arrived so quickly! Over the past weeks, our SSP community enjoyed a vibrant mix of busy learning, meaningful social connections, and fun opportunities for students and staff alike. As we reflected on all that was achieved, it was wonderful to see the positive energy, resilience, and enthusiasm that continued to shape our school.

NDIS Therapy 

Our NDIS partners commenced delivering their therapy services on-site from Week 7. This important collaboration brought specialised supports directly to our students, making it easier for them to access tailored therapies in a familiar and supportive environment. To enhance efficiency and ensure thorough oversight, we used a new digital platform to collate therapy agreements, service agreements, and compliance documentation. This system allowed us to maintain clear, organised records and supported seamless communication between therapists, school staff, and families. We were grateful for the dedication of our NDIS partners as they worked alongside us to support the learning and wellbeing of every student.

Literacy Program

Our HRCS Literacy Program also commenced in Week 7, offering targeted interventions designed to support the development of core literacy skills for all students. This evidence-based program recognises the diverse learning needs within our school community and is structured to provide each student with personalised opportunities for growth.

Every morning, the first hour of learning is dedicated to this literacy program. Students are carefully grouped according to their current skill levels, forming ‘like ability’ groups where learning activities closely match individual needs. Across four days each week, students rotate through different groups to focus on specific elements of literacy, such as phonics, vocabulary development, comprehension, and writing strategies. This rotational model ensures that each student receives focused teaching and support in the areas most relevant to their learning stage.

Teachers and support staff work together to plan engaging and multisensory activities that help build reading fluency, improve understanding, and boost confidence. Regular monitoring and assessment allow us to track progress and adjust interventions as needed, ensuring students continue to move forward with their literacy goals. The literacy program is a positive addition to our school’s approach, helping every student to achieve their best and develop essential skills for life.

Sailability

Our Sailability program concluded for Term 1, providing students with the wonderful opportunity to travel to Grahamstown Dam and develop essential skills in being on the water. Sailability New South Wales (Sailability NSW) is a state-level organisation dedicated to promoting sailing to everyone, regardless of disability, across the state. Supporting 24 branches throughout New South Wales, each branch offers unique sailing opportunities tailored to local conditions. The program includes learn-to-sail sessions, recreational sailing, and competitive sailing, all made possible through the expertise of experienced volunteer sailors and a broad community of volunteers who ensure sailing is safe, well-organised, enjoyable, and rewarding for all participants.

Guided by its mission, Sailability NSW facilitates participation in sailing and boat usage at social, recreational, and competitive levels on inland waters, estuaries, and the ocean, welcoming people of all ages and abilities. We are proud to be part of this inclusive program that fosters skill development, confidence, and a love for sailing among our students. A special thank you to Petra for coordinating this valuable program and helping us provide such enriching experiences.

Friday 13th

On Friday the 13th, our school hosted a spirited dress-up day where staff and students donned their spookiest costumes. The classrooms and playgrounds were filled with ghosts, witches, and creative characters, making for a fun and ‘scary’ atmosphere. This event provided a wonderful, light-hearted way to celebrate the first half of the term’s learning, bringing our community together and allowing everyone to express their creativity while enjoying a break from routine. It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm and participation, reinforcing our school’s sense of belonging and joy

Assessment Week

Week 8 in Terms 1 and 3 is designated as assessment week at our school. During this time, teachers focus on administering tailored assessments that reflect how each student learns to gather valuable information about their progress with pre-taught content. These personalised assessments help identify individual strengths and areas where additional support may be needed, enabling teachers to adapt future teaching strategies accordingly. Through reviewing each student’s achievements and growth, we ensure our programs remain responsive and targeted, supporting every learner to reach their full potential.

Assessment Week

Week 8 in Terms 1 and 3 is designated as assessment week at our school. During this time, teachers focus on administering tailored assessments that reflect how each student learns to gather valuable information about their progress with pre-taught content. These personalised assessments help identify individual strengths and areas where additional support may be needed, enabling teachers to adapt future teaching strategies accordingly. Through reviewing each student’s achievements and growth, we ensure our programs remain responsive and targeted, supporting every learner to reach their full potential.

Come and Try Athletics

A group of very excited athletes recently enjoyed participating in the “Come & Try” Athletics Day at Maitland Regional Athletics Centre! Our team had a fantastic time exploring the track, trying out some modified field events, and reconnecting with old friends. It was a day filled with energy, learning, and great sportsmanship.

Thank you to the School in Sports Unit for hosting such a wonderful event. The School in Sports Unit works to promote inclusive sporting opportunities for students of all abilities, providing safe, supportive environments where skills, teamwork, and confidence can develop. Their commitment ensures that everyone can participate and enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

We are also grateful to our enthusiastic staff for supporting our athletes and helping make the day a success!

Winds of Joy

The Winds of Joy program, part of the Making Waves Foundation, offered our students a truly unique and memorable experience on the water this term. Designed to introduce children with disabilities to the thrill of sailing, Winds of Joy supports participants as they build confidence, learn new skills, and develop independence in a safe and nurturing environment. Under the guidance of caring volunteers and experienced instructors, each student was encouraged to actively engage, whether steering the vessel, adjusting sails, or simply enjoying the breeze and scenery.

The positive impact of Winds of Joy goes well beyond learning to sail. As a Making Waves Foundation initiative, it provides students with opportunities for personal growth, social connection, and enjoyment outside the classroom. Being out on the water allowed participants to challenge themselves, work with others, and celebrate their achievements in a supportive and fun setting. We are also excited to share that some of our younger sailors may feature in the new promotional video for the program! We are grateful to everyone involved in making this enriching experience possible and look forward to more joyful sailing adventures in the future.

Purple – Epilepsy Awareness Day

Purple Day for Epilepsy is a very important day on our school calendar, as many of our students live with epilepsy. Staff and students joined together to raise awareness and show support for those affected, with everyone proudly wearing purple and creating a vibrant, unified atmosphere throughout the school. Through classroom discussions and educational activities, we promoted understanding about epilepsy and its impact, encouraging empathy and support within our community.

This day holds special significance for us, as it reinforces our commitment to inclusion and wellbeing, and acknowledges the resilience of all, especially our students living with epilepsy. Thank you to all who participated and helped make Purple Day an informative and supportive occasion.

P&C Annual Meeting

Our P&C Annual General Meeting was recently held, providing an important opportunity to reflect on the year past and look ahead to the future. We extend our sincere gratitude to the outgoing executive for their wonderful efforts and dedication in supporting our students, programs, and school community. Their commitment has made a significant positive impact throughout the year.

After all positions were declared vacant, nominations for the 2026/2027 year were called from the floor. We were pleased to receive enthusiastic participation from members eager to contribute to the ongoing success of our P&C and school.

Congratulations to Sharna Guion who was returned as President, Tanya Longbottom returning as Treasurer, and in a shared role, Sharon Guion (returning as Secretary) and Lisa Schelle (Secretary). Paula Jimmieson has been returned as a member of the Fundraising Committee.

We look forward to a productive and exciting year ahead with our new executive team at the helm.

Harmony Day

Harmony Day is a meaningful celebration at our school that highlights the importance of kindness, acceptance, and tolerance for everyone, especially those from diverse backgrounds. To mark the day, our school turned orange, with staff and students proudly wearing orange clothing, a symbol of Harmony Day and its message of inclusion. It is a day to recognise and value the experiences, cultures, and perspectives that enrich our community.

As part of our ongoing commitment, we provide students with lessons and activities focused on acceptance, inclusion, and understanding, helping them learn the value of embracing differences and building respectful relationships. By promoting these important values, Harmony Day reminds us that every member of our school deserves to feel welcome and supported. We believe that providing all students with these lessons equips them to contribute positively to an inclusive, caring community, where the strength of our school truly lies in its diversity.

Meet Leuca: Bringing Our PBL Expectations to Life!

Are you enjoying our weekly Leuca videos? Our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) team has introduced these fun and engaging videos to complement our PBL stories and lessons, offering an exciting new platform for students to learn and connect.

Leuca, our school PBL mascot, takes centre stage in each video, helping students understand and practise our important school expectations: We Learn, We Care, and We Are Safe. Through Leuca’s adventures, students see real-life examples of these values in action, whether it’s working together in class, showing kindness in the playground, or making safe and responsible choices.

The Leuca videos have been well received by our school community and are a great way to reinforce our PBL messages each week. We encourage everyone—students, staff, and families—to keep tuning in and talking about how we can all demonstrate “We Learn, We Care, and We Are Safe” every day.

Let’s continue to work together to build a positive and respectful school culture, with a little help from Leuca!

Easter Hat Parade

Our school community gathered on Wednesday for our annual Easter Hat Parade. It was wonderful to welcome families and friends to celebrate and share in the fun. During the parade, it was fabulous to see siblings join in the festivities, adding to the joyful atmosphere. Congratulations to everyone for the incredible creativity shown in both the hat and chair decorations—it’s clear that we have many talented and imaginative individuals in our community.

The Easter Art display was also vibrant and colourful, featuring a standout design of Leuca hugging his Easter egg. Certificates were presented to artists who demonstrated exceptional originality and creativity in their work. Congratulations to all of our wonderful artists!

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents, carers, and staff who supported this event, helping to make it a memorable day for our students. A huge thank you also goes to our Easter celebration coordinator, Zeb, who did an amazing job planning and coordinating all of our activities. The Easter Hat Parade is a wonderful tradition that brings our community together and celebrates the importance of creativity, fun, and togetherness.

Metford Public School Visit

On Wednesday, we also welcomed our neighbouring friends from Metford Public School’s Inclusion and Support faculty to join our Easter celebrations. It was wonderful to see both schools come together, fostering a strong sense of community and ensuring everyone could share in the fun. The partnership between Hunter River Community School and Metford Public School continues to grow, providing valuable opportunities for collaboration and support. We are grateful for the warm relationship between our schools and look forward to more shared events and opportunities to work together in the future.

Thank You for Making Our P&C Easter Raffle a Success!

A big thank you to everyone who generously donated items, sold tickets, and helped promote our P&C Easter Raffle. Your support and enthusiasm made this event a wonderful success!

The raffle brought our school community together and raised valuable funds that will go towards enhancing our students’ learning experiences and school programs.

We appreciate the time and effort from all of our P&C members and our school community for donating beautiful prizes and encouraging friends and family to participate.

Congratulations to all our lucky winners! We hope you enjoy your Easter treats and prizes.

Thank you once again for helping make our Easter Raffle such a positive and memorable event. We look forward to your continued support in future P&C activities! Thank you, P&C—we think you are fabulous!

Primary Students Join Metford Public School’s Easter Hat Parade

A group of our primary students recently had the delightful opportunity to attend Metford Public School’s annual Easter Hat Parade. This joyful event was a wonderful chance for our students to celebrate creativity and community spirit alongside their peers from a neighbouring school.

We are grateful for the strong partnership between our schools, which provides excellent opportunities for networking, collaboration, and shared celebrations. Events like the Easter Hat Parade help our students build new friendships, develop social skills, and feel connected beyond the boundaries of their own school community.

Thank you to Metford Public School for welcoming our students so warmly, and to our staff who supported this enriching experience. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnerships and creating more opportunities for our students to engage, learn, and grow together.

Turning Blue for Autism Day: Celebrating the Diversity of Our Students

On Autism Awareness Day, our school came together to "Turn Blue" in a heartfelt celebration of inclusion, acceptance, and the rich diversity that makes our community unique. This special day served as an important reminder of the importance of recognising and embracing the diverse needs and strengths of all our students.

Autism Day plays a crucial role in raising awareness and understanding about Autism Spectrum Disorder. It encourages everyone to learn more about the experiences of those who live with autism and challenges misconceptions and stereotypes. By acknowledging this day, we promote empathy, support, and positive change, ensuring that autistic students and their families feel valued and included within our broader community.

By turning our school blue, we not only raised awareness about autism but also emphasised the value of understanding and respecting each individual's differences. Celebrating diversity helps foster an environment where every student feels seen, supported, and valued for who they are.

Holidays

With the end of term now here, we wish all our students, families, and staff a restful and enjoyable holiday break. This is a wonderful opportunity to pause from our usual routines, recharge and spend quality time with loved ones. For those who celebrate, we hope you have a joyful and peaceful Easter season.

A reminder: school will resume for students on Wednesday, 22 April. Staff will return for two days of professional learning on Monday, 20 April and Tuesday, 21 April, to prepare for another successful term of teaching and learning.

We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for the term ahead. Enjoy the break and stay safe!