Principal Team Message

CELEBRATING MR G's INCREDIBLE LEGACY AT RIPPONLEA 

It is with both joy and heartfelt emotion that we announce the upcoming retirement of our much-loved Mr G, whose association with Ripponlea Primary School has spanned 23 wonderful years.

Throughout his time at Ripponlea, Mr G has worn many hats, classroom teacher, mentor, musician, performer, and friend. He began as a dedicated Year 5/6 teacher, inspiring our senior students with his creativity and care. Later, he brought his infectious enthusiasm to the Year 3/4 classrooms, before finding his true calling in the Performing Arts program, where his passion for music and performance has shaped generations of “Rippers.”

Mr G’s impact extends far beyond the classroom walls. He is the talented writer behind our school song, which our community sings with pride at every assembly and special event. His performances, from legendary Lip Sync Battles to dazzling school productions, have brought joy, laughter, and unity to our entire community. 

Whether strumming his guitar, teaching choreography, or composing original songs for students, Mr G has left an indelible mark on the spirit and culture of Ripponlea Primary School.

We warmly invite all members of our school community, past and present, to join us in celebrating Mr G’s remarkable contribution and wishing him all the best in his next chapter.

📅 Save the Date: Tuesday 2 December, 10:30 am

📍 Ripponlea Primary School (Barrbunin) School Hall

📅 Save the Date: Friday 5 December, 2:30 pm (special assembly - Rippoffs Playing)

📍 Ripponlea Primary School (Barrbunin) School Hall

Come along to share stories, memories, and music as we honour the legacy of a teacher who has truly shaped the heart of our school.

Please sign his card, send your messages and with generosity, a small contribution to his retirement gift. 

RSVP arrangements via this link to support catering. 

RIPPERS ON THE RUN - A SPECTACULAR SPLASH OF COLOUR

What an extraordinary afternoon we had at our Rippers on the Run event! The school was absolutely buzzing with excitement as our students sprinted, danced, and laughed their way through clouds of vibrant coloured powder. Everywhere you looked, there were smiling faces, joyful squeals, and children proudly showing off their rainbow-covered t-shirts. It was pure happiness from start to finish.

The fun didn’t end with the run, our after-school festivities were just as special. Families enjoyed a fantastic BBQ, drinks, and delicious cupcakes, while students made the most of the sunshine with plenty to play, explore, and enjoy. The atmosphere was electric, with two talented local bands keeping everyone entertained and adding to the festival feel of the afternoon.

A huge thank you goes to our incredible volunteers and School Council members Romany Tauber, Tarryn Holland, and Nikki Mizzi, whose hard work and organisation brought this event to life. Your energy, creativity, and dedication to our school community are so appreciated.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to every family who generously sponsored students for the fun run. Your support helps us continue improving our facilities, resources, and opportunities for our Rippers.

There are still more prizes to be awarded, including the winning House and the highest fundraiser for each year level, we can’t wait to celebrate these achievements soon!

What a fabulous way to wrap up the Ripper Community Social Calendar for the year. 

Thank you to everyone involved for making it such a memorable and joy-filled event.

END OF YEAR REPORTING - VIRTUAL PARENT/CARER - TEACHER CONFERENCE/MEETING 

As we approach the conclusion of another successful year of teaching and learning at Ripponlea Primary School, our staff are finalising student reports and reflecting on the remarkable progress made by every child throughout Semester Two. 

These reports provide a comprehensive overview of each student’s achievements, growth, and areas for future learning, aligning with the Victorian Curriculum and our school’s commitment to continuous improvement.

In recognition of the importance of strong partnerships between home and school, we are offering families the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss their end-of-year report, learning progress, and goals. 

These OPTIONAL Parent/Carer–Teacher Meetings will take place via Webex throughout the day, providing flexibility for families to connect with teachers from home or work.

Meeting Schedule:

• Monday 8 December: Foundation families
• Tuesday 9 December: Year 1/2 families
• Wednesday 10 December: Year 3/4 families
• Thursday 11 December: Year 5/6 families

Bookings will be available through Compass, not our usual School Interview system. 

Further details and booking instructions will be communicated closer to the date.

We look forward to celebrating each child’s achievements and continuing to strengthen our partnership with families as we prepare for another exciting year of learning in 2026.

INTRODUCING THE 2026 PARENT PAYMENTS 

As we begin planning for the 2026 school year, we would like to share information about our Parent Payments in accordance with the Department of Education’s Parent Payments Policy. 

Ripponlea Primary School is committed to ensuring all contributions are fair, transparent and directly supportive of high-quality learning experiences for every child.

Following the Department of Education Policy

The DOE Parent Payments Policy outlines three categories of school contributions:

1. Curriculum Contributions (Voluntary)

These support the essential learning resources your child uses daily, such as:

• classroom stationery and art materials
• subject-specific resources across Literacy, Numeracy, Science, PE, Art and Japanese
• printed learning materials and photocopying
• online learning portals and digital subscriptions
• school-owned devices and ICT maintenance
• assessment tools
• student diaries

These contributions help ensure every classroom is equipped with the materials needed for high-quality teaching and consistent curriculum delivery.

2. Other Contributions (Voluntary)

These support whole-school improvements and wellbeing initiatives that enhance the learning environment for all students.

They include:

• our Building Fund (tax-deductible)
• our Library Fund (tax-deductible)
• playground and garden upgrades
• sustainability initiatives
• additional wellbeing programs and support staff
• learning and tutoring support

3. Extra-Curricular Items and Activities (User-pays)

These are optional experiences beyond the standard curriculum, such as:

• camps and sleepovers
• incursions and excursions
• graduation events and celebrations
• extra sporting activities
• private instrumental music
• Families only pay for these if their child participates.

Careful Financial Planning for 2026

Our Finance Committee, together with our Leadership Team, has reviewed the 2026 Parent Payments Schedule in detail. 

This review included:

• evaluating the cost and effectiveness of digital platforms and online learning tools
• reviewing school-owned devices and ICT infrastructure
• streamlining classroom materials and purchasing
• ensuring every contribution is necessary and aligned to school priorities
• being mindful of cost-of-living pressures and the financial realities many families currently face

We have worked hard to keep costs reasonable while ensuring our students continue to have access to high-quality learning resources.

Introducing Our “Pay It Forward Fund”

This year, we are proud to introduce a Pay It Forward Fund. This initiative allows families who are in a position to do so to make a contribution that directly supports another family experiencing financial difficulty.

The fund helps ensure that every child:

• has access to curriculum materials
• can participate fully in extra-curricular experiences
• does not miss out due to financial barriers

At Ripponlea, we believe in supporting each other and this fund reflects the generosity and community spirit of our families.

Supporting Opportunities Beyond the Standard Curriculum

Ripponlea Primary School offers a rich range of opportunities that go well beyond standard government funding, including:

• high-quality specialist programs
• digital learning platforms
• wellbeing and inclusion programs
• sustainability and garden projects
• upgraded outdoor learning spaces
• cultural and community events
• hands-on learning across all year levels

These programs significantly enrich your child’s school experience but are not fully funded by government allocations. Your voluntary contributions help make these programs possible.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to every family who contributed in 2025, whether through Curriculum Contributions, the Building or Library Fund, or donations to our Fundraising events. Your support ensures Ripponlea continues to thrive as a vibrant, inclusive and high-performing school community.

The full 2026 Parent Payments Schedule has been shared via Compass and the school's website. If you have any questions or require support, please reach out to the office. We are here to help every family.

Foundation Contributions 2026

Year 1/2 Contributions 2026

Year 3/4 Contributions 2026

Year 5/6 Contributions 2026

RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL STAFFING UPDATE 2026

Recruitment and workforce planning in a vibrant and growing school like Ripponlea Primary is both an exciting and complex process. Each year, the Principal is responsible for balancing student needs, program priorities, class structures, and the wellbeing and aspirations of our staff. This work sits outside the role of School Council and is guided by Department of Education policies, confidentiality requirements, equity principles and, most importantly, what is best for our students.

We are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated, talented and caring team at Ripponlea Primary School. Our teachers and education support staff consistently go above and beyond to create a nurturing, high-quality learning environment for every child. We know how invested families are in understanding who will be teaching their children, and we value the strong relationships that sit at the heart of our community.

At the same time, it is important for families to be aware that staffing can change from year to year for a wide range of reasons. Some of these include professional growth opportunities, family leave, higher duties, part-time arrangements, fixed-term contract cycles, health matters or late movements across the system. These decisions are deeply personal, confidential, and always respected. For these reasons, schools are sometimes cautious about making early announcements, as last-minute changes can and do occur—and ultimately, staffing decisions belong to the individual employee.

Despite these challenges, we take great care in placing the right teachers and Education Support staff in the right teams to ensure consistency, high expectations, and a strong learning environment for every child. Our focus is always on creating the best possible conditions for learning, wellbeing and growth.

With this in mind, we are pleased to share the current staffing profile for 2026. While this represents our confirmed structure at this point in time, we ask for your understanding that minor adjustments may still occur as we move into the new school year.

We extend our gratitude to our staff for their professionalism, their adaptability, and their unwavering commitment to our students. We also thank our families for their trust, patience and ongoing support as we undertake this significant and thoughtful work each year.

Together, we look forward to another year of learning, growth and community connection at Ripponlea Primary School.

2026 Staffing Profile – Ripponlea Primary School

A Heartfelt Farewell to Lauren Karas

This year, we have been incredibly fortunate to have Lauren Karas as part of our Year 1/2 teaching team. As a graduate teacher, Lauren has brought warmth, enthusiasm and a deep commitment to her students. She has grown remarkably in her practice, embracing every opportunity to learn, collaborate and contribute to the vibrant culture of Ripponlea Primary School.

Lauren has been a wonderful asset to our 1/2 team, building strong relationships with students, supporting their learning with care and creativity, and demonstrating professionalism well beyond her years of experience. Her gentle, calm presence and her willingness to jump wholeheartedly into school life have been truly valued by staff, students and families.

While we are sad to see Lauren leave, we are extremely excited for the next chapter in her teaching journey. Lauren has accepted a new opportunity at Elsternwick Primary School for 2026, and we know she will bring the same dedication, heart and energy to her new community.

Lauren, thank you for everything you have contributed to Ripponlea Primary School. We are so proud of your achievements this year and wish you every success as you continue to grow as an educator. 

An Update on Mrs Julie Nield

We would like to share some lovely news about Mrs Julie Nield, who has been a cherished member of the Ripponlea Primary School community for many years. While Mrs Nield will not be assigned to a particular class in 2026, she will remain very much a part of our school, just in a different and more flexible capacity.

After returning from her recent overseas adventures, Julie has well and truly caught the travel bug! This has inspired her to embrace a new balance in life: exploring the world, spending precious time with family, and taking on varied roles that offer new experiences and opportunities.

We are delighted that Julie will continue working with us next year, supporting classes when teachers are unwell or attending professional learning. Her deep knowledge of our students, routines, and school culture will be invaluable, and our community is incredibly fortunate to still have her familiar, nurturing presence around the school.

This new arrangement gives Julie the flexibility she deserves, while still allowing her to contribute her expertise and kindness to Ripponlea. We are excited for her as she steps into this next chapter, one that blends adventure, choice and new possibilities.

Thank you, Julie, for your ongoing commitment to our students and staff. We look forward to seeing you around RPS in 2026 and hearing all about your travels along the way!

Introducing Our New Learning Specialist – Literacy: Mr Hayden Broadbent

We are thrilled to welcome Mr Hayden Broadbent to Ripponlea Primary School in 2026 as our new Learning Specialist in Literacy. Hayden brings a wealth of experience as an instructional leader and is deeply committed to fostering excellence, consistency and high-quality teaching practices across our school.

Hayden is known for his unwavering belief that every student can achieve success when provided with the right environment, the right support and the right challenge. He sets high expectations, not just for his students, but for himself and models these through his professionalism, his reflective practice and his dedication to continuous improvement.

What truly sets Hayden apart is the way he supports students to reach their potential. He understands that striving for excellence involves more than setting high standards; it requires deeply intentional teaching. Hayden takes time to explicitly scaffold learning, modelling effective strategies, guiding students through complex tasks and helping them understand how to refine their own approaches. His goal is not only for students to succeed academically, but for them to develop intrinsic motivation, confidence and the lifelong work ethic that empowers them to thrive beyond the classroom.

As a Learning Specialist, Hayden will play a pivotal role in strengthening our whole-school literacy practices, supporting teachers through coaching and modelling, and ensuring our instructional approaches remain aligned with the VTLM2.0 and evidence-based frameworks. His leadership, combined with his passion for student growth, will be an invaluable asset to our community.

We are excited to welcome Hayden to Ripponlea Primary School and look forward to the positive impact his expertise and vision will bring to our students and staff.

Welcoming Back a Familiar Face – Sergio Returns to RPS in 2026

We are delighted to announce that Sergio will be returning to Ripponlea Primary School in 2026, and this time, with his very own class!

Sergio is already well known to our community. Over the past two years, he has taught across multiple year levels, stepping into a wide range of classrooms to support teachers and students whenever needed. He also covered Mr Bremner’s class during his period of family leave, forming strong relationships with students and ensuring learning continued smoothly and confidently.

Our students always looked forward to the days when Sergio was teaching, his calm manner, sense of humour, and ability to connect with children made every lesson engaging and enjoyable. His flexible teaching style and deep understanding of the RPS culture made him a valued and trusted part of our team.

This year, Sergio has been working at South Melbourne Park Primary School, further strengthening his experience and bringing new ideas and insights to his practice. We are thrilled that he is returning to Ripponlea to take on a more permanent role in 2026.

His passion for teaching, his strong relationships with students, and his enthusiasm for being part of our community once again make Sergio an outstanding addition to our 2026 staffing profile.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Sergio back to Ripponlea Primary School, we are very excited for the year ahead and know our students will be too!

RPS LUNCHTIME PROJECT - HAVE YOUR SAY!

Over the past term, we have been working closely with the Better Health Network on our RPS Lunchtime Project. This has included valuable workshops with students, staff and families to identify the most important values and practices that will shape safe, engaging and positive lunchtime experiences for our students in 2026.

We are now inviting all RPS families to contribute to the next stage of this work.

Your insights are essential in helping us refine our priorities and ensure our lunchtime spaces and routines truly reflect the needs of our community.

 Lunchtime Expectations: Ripponlea Primary School (Families) – Fill out form

Your feedback will directly support our planning and implementation for 2026.

Thank you for helping us build a stronger, safer and more connected school environment for all students.

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal