Specialist News

CULTURAL DAY 2022

We had una giornata FANTASTICA celebrating “Cultural Day “at Ripponlea Primary School on Wednesday the 17th of August. The students arrived at school dressed up in various costumes representing different cultures.

As they talked and played with their friends, 400 Gradi staff arrived with their van and mobile pizza oven. The students watched with anticipation as 400 Gradi staff set up their marquee and were greeted with big smiles and so warmly by our students at Ripponlea.

The day began with a “Masterclass” led by head chef Mariano and his staff. Students gathered in the hall where they engaged in a “hands on” experience, mixing ingredients and making dough. They were taught how to say in Italian the ingredients used and some phrases related to creating dough. One of the staff demonstrated how to stretch and toss dough while he danced around the room. This was as you can imagine, very entertaining for our students. They were given an opportunity to have a go at this which they loved!

Later the students participated in a variety of activities including a game of bocce/soccer, creating a 3D Leaning Tower of Pisa, colouring, singing and dancing. They also watched their pizza being cooked in the oven set up outside.

Students lined up in front of 400 Gradi marquee where they were served their pizza and then received their gelato at the Ice Creamery truck. Very generous servings and MOLTO DELIZIOSO!!! We were very fortunate to have a lovely day in Melbourne, so we all sat outside eating, chatting and just enjoyed being together.

Finally, we all headed to the hall to watch “ Spectacular Spettacolo” perform a show called “Il Dammi Cinque”. It’s about a heroine Claudia who finds a magical way to travel back through time to Italy, and has adventures in all the places she visits. The show was extremely interactive and aimed at familiarising students with the language through catchy songs. The dialogue was in Italian and repeated in English so that the children could follow the storyline properly. The students were taught various dances/songs throughout the show and many were invited to join on stage. The students eagerly participated in acting, singing and dancing. Mr Blake made an appearance on stage which was hilarious!

Thank you to all our students, families and staff at Ripponlea Primary School for your support in making this day such a success and a memorable one for all of us, especially the students.

Thank you to 400 Gradi, Ice Creamery and Spectacular Spettacolo for your wonderful contribution.

It was very lovely to hear from our guests how friendly, kind, engaging and respectful our students are at Ripponlea. A big thank you to all our students who embraced Cultural Day with such enthusiasm and appreciation. To see the joy on our students' faces on this day was very special!!!

Grazie tutti!

Signora Merlino.

PERFORMING ARTS UPDATE

This term as well as singing, dancing and exploring music we have also been learning all about puppets!

It's been fantastic to observe students attempt to develop their puppet characters by projecting their often-hilarious new voices and entertaining others in the class. Some of the students have become especially close to certain puppets and have even given them names. At the end of the term, we hope to stage some performances through live theatre and via Seesaw.

In music history, we have looked at the Sounds of The Seventies from Glam Rock (David Bowie, T.Rex) to New Wave (The Police, Blondie) music and even checked out country music through Johnny Cash.

In dancing, we try out a new dance each week and it’s great to get up and release some energy. (One class even danced with their puppets!) If you pop onto Seesaw you will find a video of all the school dancing which I released as an announcement last Friday.

This is Greg who likes to play guitar when he is not water skiing.

Two puppets in deep conversation.

Poppy is looking after Murray the possum in the guitar room.

We also had the pleasure of a group of singing puppets.

Rob Griffiths

Performing Arts

DISTRICT ATHLETICS

Last Wednesday 24 August, 52 students from Year 3-6 represented Ripponlea Primary School in the 2022 Balaclava District Athletics Carnival, at Duncan McKinnon Athletics Track.

Our squad of athletes performed exceptionally well in all track and field events and were awarded the Usain Bolt Population Trophy, for the best performing smaller school in the district!

A huge thank you to parent volunteer, Heidi Skillen, for giving up her time and assisting us on the day to run the Shot Put event.

Congratulations to the following Ripponlea students who placed 1st or 2nd in their event and will now progress to the Beachside Division Carnival on Tuesday 11 October 2022 at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park.

9/10 Boys 800m Asher Kennedy

9/10 Boys Hurdles Lewis Szprinc

9/10 Boys Discus Jamie Ash-Chamberlain

9/10 Boys Triple Jump Flynn Warburton

9/10 Girls Triple Jump Rosie Russell

9/10 Girls Long Jump London Pengelly

9/10 Girls Hurdles Asha Keane

11 Girls Shot Put Audrey Buchanan

11 Boys 100m Oliver Eyr

11 Boys Hurdles Oliver Eyre

12/13 Girls High Jump Avalon Chin

11 Boys 4 x 100m Relay Oliver Eyre, Mahmoud Elsaleh, Jimmy Evans, Kai Witt