Things To 

Know

RPS 'SOFT START' TO SCHOOL ROUTINE  

Do you all remember a time, when our school corridors were buzzing with students and parents all making their way inside our buildings and even our classrooms? This was referred to Ripponlea's Soft Start to School from 8:45 to 9:00 am. Our teachers have been discussing the opportunity to return to this lovely routine as we did pre-COVID. 

Commencing this term, that is exactly what we are going to trial, but would like to remind our students and families regarding the expectations of a soft start routine. 

1. Students may begin entering the school grounds/building only when the teachers on yard duty arrive at 8:45 am.
2. Students may enter any gate they please even the Foundation gates and make their way directly to their classrooms. 
3. Students can also remain to play outdoors supervised by our yard duty staff. 
4. Students who wish to remain outdoors need to take their bags inside and come back outside. 
5. Any family member can walk their child into class if they choose to do so. 
6. For students experiencing separation anxiety, we encourage a quick goodbye or to maintain the current routine on the school grounds or just outside the classroom. 
7. All teachers will be in their classrooms supervising students. 
8. Students can begin some soft start activities provided by the teacher. These include changing take-home books, getting organised, setting up their desks, and practising any skills advised by their teacher.
9. The music will play for students to pack up their soft start activity or to start making their way inside from play. A trip to get a drink or toilet first thing avoids interruptions to learning. 
10. We would love to see parents and carers enter our classrooms and feel connected to our learning communities, but advise that this is not an opportunity to meet with the classroom teacher for any formal discussions about your child. These soft starts are designed to support student and teacher organisation, and preparations and help them ease into the start of the school day. 
11. Please be mindful that some parents and carers across the school have communication plans in place that require a verbal exchange in the mornings, these are agreed upon in Student Support Group meetings and are not a formal discussion with a teacher.
12. Parents and carers will be required to exit as soon as the music begins to play to enable the teachers to begin the first learning session of the day promptly at 9:00 am. 

UPDATE FROM THEIRCARE - OUR OSHC PROVIDER

TheirCare has exciting news about the Australian Government's changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), for your Outside School Hours Care Service. From July 10th families who were previously not eligible to claim the CCS due to income limits, may now be eligible.  In addition, most families who use or wish to use the OSHC Service provided by TheirCare, will save money. 

Learn more by opening reviewing the Fact Sheet Document. 

TERM 3 AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS 

Please check out the attached EOI flyer for details and email us at the office to join the list:

This term we have the following after-school programs on offer again. Please see the Community Classifieds page for more information about each program and the holiday programs available!