Principal Team Message

END OF TERM 3 

This term has been incredibly busy, with numerous events and activities showcasing the strength of the Ripponlea Primary School community. From literacy celebrations to sports carnivals and inclusivity initiatives, students have had ample opportunities for growth, learning, and fun. Our staff, families, and volunteers have been instrumental in ensuring these experiences are enriching and meaningful for students, and we are proud of the positive impact these collective contributions have had on day-to-day school life.

Our student leaders have truly shone this term, stepping into meaningful roles and demonstrating leadership in a variety of ways. They have been pivotal in organising and driving key initiatives, such as food drives for the Refugee Resource Centre, representing Ripponlea at the Sustainability Festival, and leading the popular Book Swap Day. These opportunities have helped students develop not only leadership skills but also a strong sense of social responsibility and service to the broader community.

Additionally, the Playground Pals program was launched this term, with selected students undergoing training as peer mediators. These students have taken on the important task of supporting their peers in resolving conflicts and encouraging positive behaviour during playtime. Our house leaders have also excelled, leading their houses with spirit and pride, fostering a sense of camaraderie and school pride across the student body.

While we have much to celebrate, this term has not been without its challenges. Prolonged illness among both staff and students has been a persistent issue, impacting attendance and learning continuity. The ongoing teacher shortages have further compounded the situation, stretching our casual relief staff resources. Despite these hurdles, our staff has shown remarkable resilience, ensuring that student learning remains a priority.

As we approach the final term, we look forward to more exciting opportunities for student leadership and engagement. With programs such as Year 1/2 and Year 3/4 camping, new leadership initiatives, and further involvement in school-wide activities, there is much in store for our students. We remain focused on overcoming the challenges we face while continuing to provide enriching experiences for all.

Thank you to the School Council for their continued support, and to the entire Ripponlea community for helping us foster a nurturing and dynamic environment. Together, we are building a strong foundation for our students' success.

EXCITING CHANGES TO THE VICTORIAN CURRICULUM IN MATHEMATICS 

At Ripponlea Primary School, we are thrilled to share that the Victorian Curriculum in Mathematics has recently undergone significant updates, introducing new strands designed to enhance students’ mathematical understanding. Our recent Curriculum Day was spent unpacking these changes, allowing our teachers to explore the new content and develop a skills-based continuum or 'I can statements' for our planning documentation. This process helps us ensure students’ progress is aligned with a well-structured Scope & Sequence.

The revised curriculum now includes six interrelated strands, each contributing to a comprehensive understanding of mathematics:

• Number: Focuses on counting, representing, and working with numbers, operations, and their properties.
• Algebra: Involves using symbols and patterns to describe relationships and solve equations.
• Measurement: Helps students quantify and compare aspects like length, area, and time using appropriate units.
• Space: Develops spatial reasoning through the study of shapes, location, and transformations.
• Statistics: Teaches how to collect, analyse, and interpret data for informed decision-making.
• Probability: Introduces the concepts of chance and uncertainty, helping students assess the likelihood of events.

Mathematical proficiency, including understanding, reasoning, and problem-solving, is embedded throughout these strands. The new curriculum aims to ensure students develop these skills progressively, preparing them for real-world applications and future learning.

Our staff dedicated significant time on the recent Curriculum Day reviewing this content and developing a skills-based continuum, commonly referred to as ‘I can statements,’ to guide our teaching and student goal-setting. These ‘I can statements’ help us track student progress and focus on key skills at each stage of learning. 

Additionally, we have begun refining a Scope & Sequence that aligns with these new strands, ensuring we have a clear roadmap for mathematical growth from year to year.

At Ripponlea, we pride ourselves on providing a maths program that is engaging, dynamic, and responsive to individual student needs. Some of our key focuses include:

• Differentiated Learning: We tailor our lessons to challenge students at their own level, whether they are consolidating foundational skills or pushing towards mastery.
• Real-Life Applications: Maths is more than numbers! We teach our students how to apply their mathematical thinking in real-world contexts, from measuring and budgeting to solving everyday problems.
• Growth Mindset: We nurture a love of learning in maths by encouraging a growth mindset. Students are taught that mistakes are part of learning and that perseverance leads to progress.
• Hands-On Learning: We use manipulatives, games, and interactive activities to bring maths concepts to life and deepen understanding.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Students often work together to solve challenging problems, developing both their mathematical reasoning and teamwork skills.

As we continue to develop our planning documentation around the new Victorian Curriculum, we look forward to seeing even more growth in our students’ mathematical understanding. 

We thank our families for their ongoing support and encourage you to engage with your children about the exciting maths learning happening every day at Ripponlea!

STUDENT ATTITUDES TO SCHOOL 

Ripponlea Primary School remains committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritises student wellbeing. As part of this commitment, we have introduced several evidence-based initiatives that aim to promote emotional regulation, positive behaviour, and a healthy school culture. 

The recent review of the Student Attitudes to School Survey (SATS) by the School Improvement Team has provided key insights into student wellbeing and engagement as part of our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP). The results reflect improvements across several domains, with most targets for 2024 either met or exceeded, positioning the school well for future growth.

Below is a summary of the key areas reviewed, comparing 2023 baseline data, the 2024 targets, and the 2025 projections:

The results from the SATS demonstrate strong progress in multiple key areas, with most targets for 2024 being exceeded. These improvements are indicative of the school’s ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. 

Moving forward, we will continue to focus on sustaining this growth and addressing areas where further progress can be made, particularly in perseverance and student agency.

Further discussions on strategic steps to achieve the 2025 targets will be incorporated into our Annual Implementation Plan and school review process.

SAVE THE DATE - ZONES OF REGULATION PARENT WORKSHOP 

We are excited to invite you to a special workshop on The Zones of Regulation, presented by the knowledgeable Jade Sacker. This invaluable session will equip you with practical tools to support your child's emotional development, helping them learn to regulate their feelings—a crucial skill for life.

At Ripponlea Primary School, students have been actively engaging with The Zones of Regulation framework, learning how to identify their emotions and respond in constructive ways. As we head into next term, students will dive deeper into lessons 11 to 17, continuing to build essential strategies for managing emotions positively and productively.

The workshop will offer you insights into how the Zones of Regulation work, giving you practical tips on how to apply this learning at home. By reinforcing these strategies, you'll be helping your child develop self-regulation skills that will not only complement their learning at school but also build a foundation for lifelong emotional well-being.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to better understand how to support your child as they navigate their emotions. Together, we can create a consistent approach between home and school, empowering our children to thrive.

RIPPONLEA'S BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS 

This term, our Year 5/6 students embarked on an exciting journey through a combined Design and Technology and Financial Literacy unit that stretched their creativity, challenged their critical thinking, and gave them invaluable real-world learning experiences.

The Big Idea: Creative Ideas Can Be Refined Through a Design Process to Form a Successful Product

The aim of the unit was clear: students were asked to develop brand-new products using sustainable materials. But it wasn't just about the "what"—it was also about the "how." Through a structured design process, students refined their ideas, considered environmental impacts, and honed their creations into something marketable.

Inquiry-Based Learning and the Design Challenge

In teams, students explored every aspect of product development:

• Sustainability: What materials would they use, and how could they ensure those materials were eco-friendly?
• Cost Analysis: How much would it cost to produce their product, considering raw materials and manufacturing expenses?
• Marketing and Promotion: How would they effectively promote and sell their products to a target audience?
• Environmental Impact: What effects would their designs have on the environment, and how could these be minimized?

To bring a real-world edge to the project, students pitched their inventions in a "Shark Tank"-style presentation to a panel of parent experts, merging creativity with an entrepreneurial mindset. Our deepest thanks to the parents who volunteered their time.

Financial Literacy Unit – Building Real-World Skills

Alongside their design work, students dove into financial literacy, covering key concepts from the Victorian curriculum, including:

• Budgeting: How to allocate resources effectively.
• Cost of Goods Sold: Understanding production costs and their impact on pricing.
• Sales Forecasts: Estimating potential sales and revenue.
• Profit Margins: Balancing costs and sales to achieve a sustainable profit.

These skills were put into action during a highly anticipated Market Stall Day, where students sold the products they had crafted using recycled and repurposed materials. The buzz was electric as stalls featured everything from lemonade and soaps to keyrings, games, and more.

A Record-Breaking Market Day

The Market Stall Day was a resounding success, with students raising a total of $1,311.20 from all sales. The top-performing team, Bea and Lucy, raised an impressive $170.50 at their stall alone, and in a heartwarming gesture, they chose to donate their profits to Anglicare Victoria, supporting vulnerable children, families, and young people in need.

This experience brought together the power of creativity, mathematics, financial literacy, and sustainability in meaningful ways. It taught students not only the practical aspects of profit and loss but also the importance of innovation, responsibility, and giving back to the community.

What a fantastic example of real-world learning and engagement at Ripponlea!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 

As we head into the well-deserved holiday break, we wish you all a restful and rejuvenating time. Let's hope the weather warms up, inviting us to enjoy some outdoor adventures and recharge for the exciting final term of 2024. 

To our wonderful staff and students, may this break be an opportunity to refresh, so we can return ready to embrace the challenges and triumphs that await.

Enjoy the holidays, and see you all in Term 4!

Until next term!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal