Principal's Message
STUDENT LEADERS – BADGE PRESENTATION
We invite all members of our school community to join us in the Barrbunin for a special badge presentation to all of our 2020 student leaders this Friday the 21st of February. These include our Student Councillors, School & House Captains. Josh Burns has kindly offered to officiate the special ceremony for our students and families. Josh will share with our students his experiences and words of wisdom on leadership in today’s world and the difference our students can make in our local and broader school community.
SCHOOL LIBRARY
We’ve just taken delivery of some really exciting new titles which are quickly being snapped up by our students which is great to see. Now that our catalogue is online, you can browse our collection by visiting: https://ripponleaps.softlinkhosting.com.au/oliver/junior.do.
If you have a request for a title that is not in our catalogues, or if you have any questions about the library, please email Jess on grey.jessica.j@edumail.vic.gov.au.
EXTRA CURRICULAR PROGRAMS AT RIPPONLEA
Ripponlea students can access a range of extra-curricular programs within the school day as well as after hours. School Council have engaged a number of providers that hire school facilities and operate creative and unique programs for our students to enjoy. These programs are on a user pay basis. Information regarding these programs are located at the school office or via advertising in the school newsletter. We have listed some of these programs for you and your child to consider.
- RED NOTES – INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TUITION
- IRENE SHIFFERSON – PIANO TUITION
- IMMERSE DRAMA WORKSHOPS
- BUILDIT4KIDS LEGO
- ROBOTICS – BRIGHTEN EDUCATION
- KELLY SPORTS – MULTISPORTS PROGRAM
Next Wednesday all students from Years 1-6 will have an opportunity to participate in a small Robotics demonstration by Jason Chen and William Yu co-founders of Brighten Education – Robotics School. The link to their website and further information is located in their attached flyer.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SUCH A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN IN SUMMER?
We would very much like to thank Tegwen for her green thumb, care and attention towards both the productive garden next to the library and the Italian garden. The gardens are flourishing with some amazing produce which has gone down a treat with our community. Look out for harvesting times coming soon at our next Progressive Garden Market!
SMART WATCHES AND MOBILE PHONES
Last year a ministerial order was issued for all government schools in Victoria to ban the student use of mobile phones. As such, we have developed a local policy to support this Department directive. This policy also covers the use of smart watches which, if worn by students, must have all functionalities (other than telling the time) disabled whilst at school, including at recess and lunchtime. We thoroughly appreciate your support with this policy and welcome any questions regarding its implementation. You can view the local policy below.
GOAL POSTS – STUDENT LEADERS
Our 2019 House Captains would be very proud to see the results of their efforts from the amazing funds raised at the Colour Fun Run last year. Looking at the oval today you will find quality custom-built, powder coated, white high tensile aluminium goals - Australian made combo Soccer and AFL goal posts.
This has been a long-time dream of many of our students and this week AAAFlags finally completed the project. What is more exciting is that they will be repurposing the old goals to fit on the mini pitch. The old goals are being resized and powder-coated and will be ready for our junior students to enjoy with new netting in a few weeks’ time.
ANIMALS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
We have noticed a lot of families giving their four-legged friends some exercise on the way to and from school. It is asked that families comply with our policy which seeks to ensure the safety of all students, staff, parents and visitors to RPS, through both direct and indirect contact with animals. You can view the policy here:
WELCOME PICNIC & DANCE OFF
One week to go and we have to say all parents are in for a delightful surprise at our Welcome Picnic and Dance Off. Watching the students rehearse their special dance numbers had every teacher dancing along. So for all you parents out there, be prepared to dance, eat and celebrate as Ripponlea welcomes you and your family to another special year as part of our very special school community.
WORKING BEES - 'LOCH' IN THE DATE!
Calling on all Loch family members! We’re trying out something a little bit different this year and will be holding an additional house competition centred on our termly Working Bees. Each term, a different house will be selected to contribute to the Working Bee. House points are up for grabs and additional house points would be gained for any house that can encourage families from other houses to participate. So 'Loch' in the date for the first working bee of 2020, Sunday 15 March.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE – EVERY DAY COUNTS
If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify the school as soon as possible on the day of absence, by adding an attendance note on the COMPASS Communication Portal.
Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of your child and will fulfil your legal responsibility.
We are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not logged this information on COMPASS or contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained. Meagan Brake our administration officer will make contact with you to seek further information regarding your child’s absence.
This system promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day and connect with their peers – missing school puts them behind.
The Ripponlea Primary School “Attendance Policy” which outlines the school’s processes and procedures for monitoring, recording and following-up of student absences is available via the school’s website.
WELLBEING SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
Despite an unfortunate interruption to this service towards the end of last year, we have been again approached by DBT in Schools Australia to provide psychological services on site at school. DBT in Schools combines approaches from clinical psychology and school psychology to support challenges faced in life by our students. If you would like for your child to access this free service, please contact Jess Grey grey.jessica.j@edumail.vic.gov.au. For detailed information about the service, please visit www.dbtinschools.com.au.
SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
Last night our 2019 School Councillors met for the final meeting to review the end of the 2019 school year and reflect on the extensive work achieved through the collaboration, contributions and efforts of all members. On behalf of the whole school community we extend our deepest appreciation to our members and farewell those members whose children graduated last year.
Jeremy Aaarons – School Council President (Departing)
Colin Smith - Vice President
Martyn Rose - Publicity and Marketing (Departing)
Michael Kent – Finance
Jaclyn Paltos – Governance
Kylie Jeffares - School & Community Partnerships (Departing)
Colin Smith - Facilities & Environment
George Keon Cohen – Facilities & Environment (Departing)
Julie Pearce (co-opted member)
DET Members - Lucy Clover, Alicia Oliver-Cook, Natalie Rose, Jess Grey
Nominations for School Council have officially closed last week. We have exact numbers to fill vacancies therefore an election will not be required. The Annual General Meeting of the new council will be held onTuesday 24th of March where we officially nominate office bearers.
FIRST AID
Your children’s health and safety is of course of paramount importance to us. If your child has a specific medical condition, for example, asthma, it is really important that we have an up-to-date management plan.
Next week our staff will be taking part in a First Aid refresher course which covers the management of asthma flare-ups, allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) and responding to emergencies. It is very important that we continually update our knowledge and skills in these areas so that we are best prepared in a First Aid situation.
CURRICULUM DAY – CHANGE OF DATE
Please note that our Curriculum Day in May has changed from the 15th May to the 1st May.
Looking forward to seeing you all at our picnic next week ...
Natalie Rose Jess Grey
Principal Assistant Principal