Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to Term 4 - traditionally one of the most vibrant and action-packed times of the school year. It’s a term of celebration, reflection, and connection and a time when we come together to mark achievements, enjoy community events, and create lasting memories. From the excitement of our school fair – SideFest, to the joy of our end-of-year celebrations, Term 4 provides opportunities to for all students to shine.

The Power of Presence

As we move into this term, I want to highlight something that underpins every success at Riverside High School: Student Attendance.

Being present at school is about more than just showing up, it’s about engaging with opportunities, building relationships, and developing the habits that shape lifelong success and positive habits for the workforce. Whether it’s a regular school day or a special event like our Athletics Carnival, SideFest, or Year 10 final celebrations, attendance matters.

Here’s why:

Leadership Pathways: Aspiring to be a prefect, transition mentor, or student leader in 2026? Consistent attendance demonstrates commitment and reliability.

Community Engagement: Events like carnivals and festivals are key moments to connect and contribute to our school culture.

Personal Growth: Every day is a chance to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

We understand that life can be busy, but we encourage all students and families to prioritise attendance. It’s one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to support your success. In this week’s newsletter we congratulate the students who received recognition for outstanding attendance in Term 3.  Students were presented with certificates in the recent grade assemblies.

PAT Testing – Years 7 to 10

This term, students in Years 7 to 10 will participate in Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Mathematics and Reading. These assessments help us to:

• Identify current achievement levels
• Track progress over time
• Inform teaching strategies and learning goals
• Provide targeted support

PAT tests are not pass/fail, they are diagnostic tools to support growth. Please ensure devices are charged and students are ready to give their best effort for the testing period.

SideFest – today, 5:00–8:00pm

We’re thrilled to welcome our school community to SideFest this Friday evening! Join us for a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community spirit, featuring:

• Food stalls
• Live entertainment
• Crafts and student-led projects for sale

Important Reminders:

• Gates open at 5:00pm (no early access unless operating a stall)
• Parking available near the bus turning circle
• Students must have transport home arranged
• Cash and card accepted at stalls
• Respectful behaviour is expected by all
• Out-of-bounds areas include behind the 7/8 block, Year 8 toilets, and all upstairs classrooms
• Everyone must be off-site by 8:00pm

A huge thank you to Cynthia Pearce, our Business Manager, and all staff and partners who’ve brought this event to life.

Prefect Selection – 2026

The selection process for our 2026 student leaders is underway. We’ve been incredibly impressed by the calibre of applicants, students who embody our values, mentor younger peers, and take pride in representing Riverside High School. Students and staff will vote on Tuesday, 28^th October after the student speeches.

Student Free Day – Friday 31 October

A reminder that Friday, 31 October is a Student Free Day, Teacher Professional Learning Day. Staff will be engaged in professional learning focused on reading fluency and moderation of student work samples in preparation for end-of-year reporting.

Year 6 Transition – 2025

Miss Dudley, our AST of Transition, is coordinating visits from our associate primary schools: Trevallyn, Riverside, and West Launceston. We’re also excited to welcome Legana Primary in the future. Families from non-associate schools are encouraged to contact our Administration Team to book enrolment appointments or school tours.

School Starting Time and Attendance

Listed below are the Lesson Times for Riverside High School.

Home Group starts at 8:45am each morning and it’s where Home Group Teachers record attendance and communicate important information to students about the day, school events, opportunities, and extracurricular activities.

Home Group Teachers provide pastoral care to students ensuring they feel connected to school and friends and have a significant adult at school to communicate with.

Please know that the Riverside Shopping Complex will not serve students after 8.40am.  The complex of a morning is not supervised by teachers, so we are encouraging parents/guardians to ensure their child is dropped at school rather than the shopping complex – we appreciate your support.

Celebrating Student Achievements

Finally, if your child is representing our school in state or national competitions, whether in sports, the arts, academic pursuits, or community initiatives we would love to celebrate their success with our wider community. Please contact the school administration so we can include their achievements in an upcoming newsletter. Together, let’s continue to champion the incredible talents and efforts of our students.

Term 4 Calendar Update

The online school calendar has now been updated to reflect Term 4 events, including our much-anticipated Year 10 celebration activities. Please take a moment to review the calendar to stay informed about upcoming events and key dates. http://riversidehs.schoolzineplus.com/calendar

Jeanna Bolton
Principal