Principal Team Message

WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE 

We are thrilled to share some updates about our assembly schedule that we've been trialling over the past term. Moving our assemblies to Monday mornings, except on public holidays or other timetable clashes, has proven to be a great success. We have seen increased engagement from students and have been grateful for the continued support and participation from parents and caregivers.

These Monday morning assemblies have provided a wonderful opportunity for us to acknowledge our students' achievements, allow our student leaders to feel heard and respected and set a positive tone for the week ahead. We've been fortunate to have guest speakers join us, and despite a few technological hiccups, the overall experience has been highly positive. Both our staff and students have expressed a preference for this new schedule over the previous Friday afternoon slot.

Recently, our staff conducted a review of this change and identified an area for improvement. Many teachers noted that holding assemblies on Monday mornings has led to a significant loss of valuable learning time, particularly during the critical literacy block (reading, writing, spelling, speaking and listening) for our Foundation and Year 1/2 classes. To address this concern, we propose moving our assemblies to Monday afternoons.

We believe that this shift will not only preserve the integrity of our morning learning sessions but also seamlessly integrate with our Classroom Helper program due to commence next term. Additionally, we plan to maintain the tradition of hosting the first assembly of each term in the mornings to welcome everyone back, and the final assembly of the term usually on Friday afternoons to bid farewell before the holidays.

We value the input of our parents and caregivers and would love to hear your thoughts on this proposed change. Your feedback is crucial to ensuring that our assembly schedule meets the needs of our entire school community. Please take a moment to share your opinions through the following Google form: 

RPS SOFT START TO SCHOOL ROUTINE      TERM  3 

At RPS, we pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for our students. One of our cherished traditions is the open classroom policy in the mornings, from 8:45 am to 9:00 am. This routine, which began with our Foundation students at the start of the year, will now be extended to all students starting next term. This change not only enhances our community spirit but also spares everyone from the discomfort of frosty cold mornings spent lining up outdoors.

Morning Routine Expectations

To ensure the smooth operation of this morning routine, we would like to remind everyone of a few key points:

• Families and students cannot enter the school classrooms or building until 8:45 am. This is the official time when our staff will be present in their classrooms, and the doors will open.
• Parents are welcome to come indoors and help students set up for the day. Teachers will be in their rooms, ready to assist. However, these mornings are not optimal for in-depth parent-teacher meetings due to confidentiality and timing constraints. For more detailed discussions, please schedule a separate appointment. Quick messages to help support your child's readiness to learn are, of course, welcome.
•  Students will be guided into the building by a teacher wearing a vest, who will usher everyone inside. Students must place their bags in their lockers or on their hooks. They are then welcome to go back outside for a short play until the music signals them to return to their classrooms just before 9:00 am.

The Soft Start Routine

Teachers across the school will develop age-appropriate soft start routines. These activities might include:

• Math Skills Practice: Engaging exercises to sharpen numerical abilities.
• Spelling Words: Activities to enhance vocabulary and spelling.
• Reading: Time for students to immerse themselves in a book.
• Fine Motor Skills: Tasks to improve dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
• Social Play: Opportunities for students to interact and build social skills.
• Organisation Skills: Helping students to organise their materials and prepare for the day, such as changing over their reading materials and other items.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to check in with teachers to understand how they can support their child's morning routine.

Music and Departure

As the music plays, signalling the end of the open classroom period, we kindly request families to make their way out of the classrooms. For those who prefer, you are welcome to drop your student in the school yard, and we will ensure they go to their class.

We are excited about this soft start to the school day and believe it will create a more relaxed and prepared environment for learning. Thank you for your cooperation and support in making our mornings at RPS smooth and enjoyable for everyone in Term 3.

KOBI SAINTY - INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH ART EDUCATION - RPS 'ARTIST IN RESIDENCE' PROGRAM

Kobi Sainty, a renowned Bunurong and Palawa contemporary artist, is set to inspire and educate the next generation of young artists through a series of collaborative projects at our school. Known for his unique blend of traditional Indigenous motifs and contemporary techniques, Sainty will be working closely with Year 1/2 students and two Year 3/4 classes next term. We are also excited to announce that we hope to welcome him back in Term 4 to engage with additional Year 3/4 classes and to lead a legacy project for our Year 5/6 students.

Kobi Sainty's work with Year 1/2 students will provide a unique opportunity for these young students to explore contemporary art from an Indigenous perspective. Through hands-on workshops, Sainty will guide the students in creating their own pieces that reflect their personal narratives and cultural identities. These sessions will not only enhance their artistic skills but also deepen their understanding of Indigenous art and its significance.

The Year 1/2 students will benefit from Sainty's expertise in using contemporary materials and traditional iconography. By integrating these elements into their own artwork, they will learn to appreciate the richness of Indigenous cultures and how they can be represented in modern art forms. Sainty's mentorship will encourage them to push creative boundaries and develop their own artistic voices.

For students in Years 3/4, Kobi Sainty's workshops will be an engaging introduction to the world of Indigenous art. These sessions will focus on the themes of Country, Culture, and water, which are central to Sainty's work. Through storytelling and art-making, he will help students understand the deep connection between the land and Indigenous peoples.

The Year 3/4 classes will participate in collaborative projects, creating artworks that incorporate traditional motifs and symbols. These activities will foster a sense of community and shared cultural heritage among the students. Sainty's approachable teaching style and interactive methods will make learning about Indigenous art a memorable and enriching experience.

In Term 4, we are thrilled to have Kobi Sainty return to our school to work with two more Year 3/4 classes and to lead a special legacy project for our Year 5/6 students. This continued engagement will allow even more students to benefit from his artistic expertise and cultural knowledge.

Kobi Sainty's involvement in our school community is expected to have a profound impact on both students and staff. His ability to seamlessly integrate traditional Indigenous elements with contemporary art practices will provide a unique and enriching educational experience. Through his guidance, students will not only enhance their artistic abilities but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural heritage and stories of the Bunurong and Palawa peoples.

We look forward to the creativity and inspiration that Kobi Sainty will bring to our school. We are honoured to have the opportunity to learn from such a distinguished artist and cultural ambassador.

STUDENT - PARENTS/CARERS & TEACHER CONFERENCES

Student-parent/carers and teacher conferences, alongside written semester reports and a student's record of learning, offer a unique and valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their learning journey. 

These conferences bring together students, teachers, and parents/carers to celebrate successes and discuss current and future learning goals. This collaborative partnership emphasises the importance of the student's perspectives and opinions, fostering a supportive environment for their learning.

Each conference is scheduled for 15 minutes. Parents can choose between a virtual Webex meeting or an in-person, face-to-face meeting. In-person meetings will take place in your child’s classroom. Regardless of the format, the student is encouraged to share their reflections on the semester and their learning experiences. 

Parents/carers and the teacher will support the student by providing clarifications, asking questions, and offering prompts.

Parents/carers have the flexibility to use the full 15-minute appointment with their child present or to spend the first 5 minutes with their child and the remaining time with the teacher alone. For appointments during regular school hours, students will meet in the classroom with the teacher at the appointed time. 

For meetings scheduled after school hours (after 3:30 PM), parents should bring their child along.

Booking a conference is straightforward. Parents need to log onto schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the special code in the COMPASS message posted last week. 

During the booking process, they will be prompted to select either a Webex (virtual) meeting or a face-to-face meeting. Please note that virtual meetings are available only between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM.

Whether you choose to meet virtually or in person, the key to a successful Parent-Student-Teacher conference lies in open communication and a shared commitment to the student's growth and development. Through these collaborative efforts, we can ensure that each student feels supported and motivated to reach their full potential.

ENHANCING COMMUNICATION A PATHWAY TO STUDENT SUCCESS - WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK

At our school, we are committed to continually improving communication about your child’s learning and social-emotional needs. Ensuring a supportive and challenging learning environment for all students is our priority. In response to the feedback from families in the Parent and Caregiver Opinion Survey administered last year, we recognise that there is room for growth. 

Here are some ideas for further improvement, and we request your valuable input on these suggestions via the following Google form link. 

Current Communication Strategies

Currently, we communicate your child’s needs, achievements, and areas for improvement, as well as curriculum delivery, through various methods, including:

• You Tell Us Meetings
• Parent-Student & Teacher Conferences – mid-year
• Parent Teacher Meetings – organised as needed
• Student Support Group Meetings - as required based on student needs
• Seesaw Updates - Student Learning Goals
• Bi-Annual Reports
• Seesaw Curriculum Blogs

Proposed Improvements and Parent Feedback

Termly Progress Updates

Idea: Implement a system to provide student progress reports in Term 1 and Term 3 using the COMPASS progress reporting system.

Increased Frequency of Parent-Teacher Conferences

We believe that more frequent parent-teacher conferences could enhance parent-teacher communication and support for your child.

Idea: Increase the frequency of parent-teacher conferences to twice a year. This means meeting with teachers will occur in June and December. 

Workshops and Informational Sessions

We want to empower parents with the knowledge and tools to support their child's learning at home.

Idea: Offer regular workshops or informational sessions for parents on how to support their child's learning at home, understanding curriculum standards, and using school resources.

Seeking Your Input

Your feedback is invaluable in helping us shape the best possible learning environment for your children. Please take a moment to reflect on these ideas and share your thoughts. 

Your input will guide our efforts to enhance communication and curriculum delivery, ensuring that we meet the needs of all students and support their success both academically and socially.

Please use the link below to share your views. 

RECYCLING FOR REFUGEES 

“Sorting is one of my hobbies” says Ernie, once our job was done. And with a few of his friends, he was good at it, yes he was. 

With Isaac, Luc and Jamie we tipped over the boxes, and thought about how we could do this - arrange order from the mess we’d created. 

The students decided to sort by materials – aluminium, glass, plastic, Tetra cardboard boxes – so this is what they did, turning it into a game, tossing cans into a tub and enjoying the percussion of the hollow metal.

“This is fun” said Isaac. “Can we do this every week?”

Once sorted, it was time to tally, and again the children devised a method. With one box, they grouped the items into piles of ten, then added the leftovers; with the second box they decided to pass each item along a chain and count together, as they went. A running tally.

Once done, we added up all the numbers: 

• 130 glass bottles
• 138 aluminium cans
• 66 plastic bottles 
• 5 Tetra packs. 

“That’s pretty good”said Luc. 

The total: 339 items. They did the maths in a jiffy. $33.90. And I said how Clementine and Bea, and Alby and Raph, had already counted 220. 

“We need ten more than that what we’ll get to five-hundred dollars” said Ernie. 

What I learned: these children are smart, and they’re good sorters and counters, and they work cooperatively, and they’re keen to help. 

THANK YOU to ALL in the Ripponlea Primary School community who are bringing in the 10c deposit scheme containers – you are making a difference, and helping me to help welcome and settle an Afghan refugee family who arrive in Melbourne in early August.

I’ve already processed the 130 glass bottles, and transferred that money into our group’s fundraising account, with a shout-out to the school. It can be seen here - Shout For Good – with many of the other funds that’ve come from recycling containers.

Meanwhile, please drink up, and bring in all the empties (no wine or champagne bottles, please!) and I’ll visit each Wednesday at recess with a tally book, and put the children to work!

Dugald....

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal