Things to know 

BUILDING WORKS COMMENCE THESE HOLIDAYS & INTO NEXT TERM

After waiting for almost two years we are finally 'breaking ground' as they say on the refurbishment of the school's main building toilet facility.  

In 2020, Minister Merlino approved funding of $243,665 to provide modern facilities at Ripponlea Primary School.

The facilities will include additional toilets for community and staff use, a shower and an accessible toilet in the main building. 

Additional spaces adjoining the facility will hopefully include a new first aid room, resource room and much needed storage.

Things are going to be very messy for a few months but we will all manage with the anticipation of having facilities that belong in the modern era! 

TRIPLE P- POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM 

Since 2020, the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program has been providing a range of supports to families in Victoria. These are self-paced learning modules on a range of topics to support our children. They have recently released a program to help children learn to manage and reduce anxious feelings. We know how difficult it has been to source additional mental health and wellbeing services. 

The link below might be a very good start to:

• Online support for parents of anxious kids (6-14 years)
• Find out the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of child and teen anxiety
• Learn more about what’s helpful and what can accidentally add to anxiety
• Start applying new strategies immediately
• New online program based on proven principles
• Improve your child’s emotional wellbeing in the long term
• Reduce your own stress, too!

https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/vic-uken/triple-p/

COMPASS NEW FEATURES ON THE APP 

Thanks to a few parents who contacted the school, we have uncovered some new features on the COMPASS app, which might be the cause of some families encountering difficulties posting absence notes and providing consent for excursions and incursions. 

The app features a new key at the bottom of your mobile device, which includes: 

                                Home - Schedule- Shortcuts- Notifications-More 

BULK BILLING PSYCHOLOGISTS ONLINE

Mental health services can be very costly, but we have found a bulk billing online service that can help. 

RIPPONLEA PRIMARY COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Ripponlea is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Our school community recognises the importance of, and a responsibility for, ensuring our school is a safe, supportive and enriching environment which respects and fosters the dignity and self-esteem of children and young people, and enables them to thrive in their learning and development. 

This Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce any opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur. It also assists in understanding how to avoid or better manage risky behaviours and situations. It is intended to complement child protection legislation, Department policy, school policies and procedures and professional standards, codes or ethics as these apply to staff and other personnel.

The Principal and school leaders will support implementation and monitoring of the Code of Conduct, and will plan, implement and monitor arrangements to provide inclusive, safe and orderly schools and other learning environments. The Principal and school leaders will also provide information and support to enable the Code of Conduct to operate effectively. 

All staff, contractors, volunteers and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work are required to comply with the Code of Conduct by observing expectations for appropriate behaviour below. The Code of Conduct applies in all school situations, including school camps and in the use of digital technology and social media.

Acceptable behaviours

As staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work individually, we are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children by:

• upholding the school’s statement of Commitment to Child Safetyat all times and adhering to the school’sChild Safe Policy. 
• treating students and families in the school community with respect both within the school environment and outside the school environment as part of normal social and community activities.
• listening and responding to the views and concerns of students, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused or that they are worried about their safety/the safety of another child
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of students with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds 
• promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of students with a disability
• reporting any allegations of child abuse or other child safety concerns to the school’s leadership team.
• understanding and complying with all reporting or disclosure obligations (including mandatory reporting) as they relate to protecting children from harm or abuse.
• if child abuse is suspected, ensuring as quickly as possible that the student(s) are safe and protected from harm.

Unacceptable behaviours

As staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work we must not:

• ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse
• develop a relationship with any student that could be seen as favouritism or amount to ‘grooming’ behaviour (for example, offering gifts)
• exhibit behaviours or engage in activities with students which may be interpreted  as abusive and not justified by the educational, therapeutic, or service delivery context 
• ignore behaviours by other adults towards students when they appear to be overly familiar or inappropriate
• discuss content of an intimate nature or use sexual innuendo with students, except where it occurs relevantly in the context of parental guidance, delivering the education curriculum or a therapeutic setting 
• treat a child unfavourably because of their disability, age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability, sexuality or ethnicity. 
• communicate directly with a student through personal or private contact channels (including by social media, email, instant messaging, texting etc) except where that communication is reasonable in all the circumstances, related to school work or extra-curricular activities or where there is a safety concern or other urgent matter
• photograph or video a child in a school environment except in accordance with school policy or where required for duty of care purposes[1] 

ENROLMENTS OPEN FOR 2023

Let’s spread the good word and let our neighbours know 'why our little school is such a big hit'. We welcome prospective families to peruse our website and book a school tour. 

Our tour schedule is available for the entire year, whether booking a group tour or a private tour with the principal.

We have already started planning a range of activities with our local kinders. Next term our teachers will present an information session to support a successful start in Foundation 2023 at RPS.  

All future families are welcome, so please use this flyer to share with friends and families in our local community, who might have a child starting school in 2023 or beyond.

To our existing families who have children starting school next year, please collect your enrolment form from Jac in the office or alternatively download one off the website.  

 SAVE THE DATE - WEBINAR FOR PARENTS 

At Ripponlea, we have been working hard on developing the writing skills of our students. Parents are invited to this special presentation in May.