Things To 

Know

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD UNDER 16 WITH NEW SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTIONS 

From 10 December 2025, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 will require social media platforms to:

· prevent children and young people under 16 from having a social media account

· deactivate or freeze existing accounts held by people under 16.

Delaying access to social media protects the health and wellbeing of young people and gives them extra time to build real-world connections and digital literacy skills.

The responsibility will be on the social media platforms, not parents, carers, children or schools, to implement these new restrictions.

Most popular social media platforms will be age restricted. These include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit and YouTube.

Messaging services and online games, as well as apps and platforms that support health and education, can still be used.

How to help under-16s prepare for the change:

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting their children to be safe online.

To help get under 16s ready for the social media minimum age requirements, you can go to the eSafety website to learn more about the social media age restrictions and find tips on how to talk about social media age restrictions with young people.

What the change means for our school

 At our school, all age-restricted social media platforms are blocked for student use on the school network.

To keep up to date about the new social media age restrictions, visit the eSafety website and subscribe to their newsletter.

FOUNDATION - YEAR 1/2 SWIMMING PROGRAM

Get ready for some fun… and maybe a few tired little swimmers!

Our Foundation and Year 1/2 students are gearing up for two fantastic weeks of swimming at the CGS Pool. This intensive program combines strong water-safety education with essential swimming skills, all taught by friendly, fully qualified instructors.

Students will walk with their teachers to and from the pool each day and take part in a 30–minute Swim & Survive lesson, focusing on:

• Stroke development
• Water safety awareness
• Personal survival skills
• Building confidence in the water
• Victorian Water Safety Certificate assessments

This initiative is designed to increase swimming proficiency for all students while supporting safe participation in aquatic activities. Importantly, it aims to reduce the risk of drowning through explicit teaching of essential skills, alongside opportunities to develop strong, efficient swimming techniques.

We know the students will be excited and definitely a bit tired! after their daily sessions. We encourage plenty of rest, early nights, and extra snacks in lunchboxes during the program weeks.

F–2 Intensive Swimming Timetable

Week 1:Monday 1st December – Friday 5th December(No session on Tuesday 2nd December)

Week 2:Monday 8th December – Friday 12th December

Daily Schedule (Monday–Friday)

Group 1

• 9:15 am – Depart School
• 9:30–10:00 am – Lesson 1 (1/2A)

Group 2

• 9:45 am – Depart School
• 10:05–10:35 am – Lesson 2 (1/2B)

Group 3

• 10:25 am – Depart School
• 10:40–11:10 am – Lesson 3 (1/2C)

Group 4

• 11:00 am – Depart School
• 11:15–11:45 am – Lesson 4 (Foundation A)

Group 5

• 11:35 am – Depart School
• 11:50 am–12:20 pm – Lesson 5 (Foundation B)

Please ensure your child brings:

• Bathers
• Towel
• Goggles (optional but recommended)
• A plastic or waterproof bag for wet items
• A labelled bag for all belongings

We can't wait to see our junior students grow in confidence, develop lifelong safety skills, and have plenty of fun in the water!

WHOLE SCHOOL 'STEPPING UP' OPPORTUNITIES 

As we welcome our newest members of the Ripponlea community through our Stepping Up to School program, it’s important to remember that every student in our school is also preparing for their own transition. Change is an exciting part of learning, and every child not just our incoming Foundation students,  will soon experience a step forward in their educational journey.

Across the school, our current students will be moving into new year levels, meeting new teachers, and forming new peer groupings. For some, this might mean moving upstairs into the middle school, a big milestone for our Year 2 students as they begin their Year 3 adventure. For others, it may mean adapting to greater independence, higher learning expectations, and extra classroom routines. These changes are part of what makes school such a dynamic and rewarding environment.

To help ensure a smooth and positive transition for all, we offer whole-school Stepping Up sessions. These sessions give students a taste of what next year will look and feel like, meeting their 2026 teachers, spending time in new learning spaces, and connecting with classmates in preparation for the year ahead.

Stepping Up Dates for 2025–2026 Transition:

• Friday 21st November at 11:30 am
• Friday 28th December at 11:30 pm
• Friday 12th December at 12:30 pm — Meet Your 2026 Teacher

These sessions are designed to build confidence, excitement, and a sense of belonging as students prepare to step into their new year levels. We look forward to seeing our students grow, adapt, and take these next steps together with courage and enthusiasm.

🎶 House Music Competition – Family Invitation 🎵

Get ready for one of the most exciting and joy-filled events on the Ripponlea calendar — our Annual House Music Competition!

We are delighted to invite all families to join us for this special celebration of creativity, teamwork, and musical talent.

📅 Date: Friday 12th December

🕙 Time: 2:30 pm

📍 Venue: School Hall – Barrbunin

Throughout the term, our students have been rehearsing with enthusiasm, dedication, and plenty of Ripper spirit! Each House has prepared a performance that showcases their unique energy, collaboration, and flair for performance. Under the guidance of their teachers and House Captains, students have worked together to choreograph, sing, dance, and bring their musical theme to life.

The House Music Competition is more than just a performance; it’s an opportunity for students to express themselves, build confidence, and strengthen connections across the school. Every performance reflects weeks of practice, creativity, and the pride our students have in representing their House.

We encourage families to come along, cheer on our young performers, and share in the joy and excitement of this wonderful school tradition. Let’s fill the hall with music, colour, and community spirit as we celebrate all our amazing Rippers!

We can’t wait to see you there and discover which House will take home the 2025 House Music Trophy!