Principal Team Message

A YEAR IN REFLECTION - OUR GRATITUDE

What an incredible year of highlights and achievements. We witnessed our community coming together again with pride and deep connectedness. This was the genuine Ripponlea community we have known in the past and have grown to love and value.

Returning to a full year of school for our students, staff and families had many challenges but once again your positivity, sense of fun, and resilience paved the way for our success. Our minds are filled with so many highlights from this year, but the Centenary Celebrations will be one to remember for many years to come

We are indeed a lucky school to have such an amazing staff. We are always humbled by their continued efforts, dedication and nurturing care of our students. They go above and beyond on a daily basis to support their learning and well-being. They build strong relationships with our students and their families and never cease to amaze us with how much they do for our students, even when they are exhausted and crawling to the finish line at the end of the year.

At our school, whether you are a principal, assistant principal, teacher, education support staff or administration team member, you will find a delightful melting pot of quirky personalities and very talented individuals, committed and passionate about what we do, and although we have different roles and responsibilities, our accountability to each other and our community holds firm. We thank each member who is a part of the RPS Team.

We are so very proud of our students this year because they were willing to meet the high expectations we set for them, not only academically, but socially and emotionally. We won't deny that there were many big emotions, social conflicts, and a little refusal of anything linked to learning.

We look back and have a little giggle about how teachers stopped reporting that students were saying 'I don't want to' anymore. The fine balancing act between praising, celebrating, scaffolding, supporting, and pushing them out of their comfort zones endured for the entirety of this year. Congratulations to all Rippers for meeting these high expectations and achieving so much growth and development over this year.

We thank our wonderful families and the broader school community. You have entrusted us with the care, education, and well-being of your child. You have supported us throughout very challenging times and we hope that you continue to work in partnership with us to maximise the outcomes for every student at Ripponlea. Thank you for your contributions big or small and we look forward to working with you in 2023.

DAME JEAN MACNAMARA AWARD

Dame Jean MacNamara was a ground-breaking doctor and scientist, one of the first female doctors to work at the Royal Children’s Hospital and was instrumental in the development of the polio vaccine.

As a tribute to her legacy, Isabelle R. in Year 6 has received this award from MP Josh Burns for her achievements in STEM subjects.

YEAR 6 GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022

There were tears, laughter, speeches, funny videos, singing, and lots of dancing last Wednesday evening at the special graduation ceremony held for our Year 6 students. They reflected on their time at Ripponlea, some at the school from Foundation whilst others arrived during different year levels.

They shared memories of their favourite activities, camps, productions, and sporting events. Ivy and Elena our School Captains brought tears to many as they mentioned how much this school and community mean to them.

Amongst these students, we have future actors, doctors, footballers, lawyers, electricians, plumbers, and a raft of other professions they wish to pursue. RPS has had a hand in shaping the person that they are now and the person they are yet to become.

Our proudest memories of them are grounded in the fact that they care for each other, and others and work together to show gratitude for what they have been given. They have accepted challenges without fear or judgment, and are all comfortable being who they are -True Rippers.

We wish them all success as they transition and begin Year 7 at different high schools, not only in the immediate areas but also interstate.

FOUNDATION STUDENTS MINI GRADUATION CEREMONY

On the same day as the Year 6 graduation festivities, our Foundation students were also acknowledged for completing their first year at school. They were cheered on by their teachers, buddies, and families. Their teachers spoke of their significant growth over the year and wished them well as they transition to Year 1 in 2023.

FURNITURE DONATIONS FROM AI GROUP

RPS received a generous donation of office furniture, equipment, and stationery from

AI Group earlier this term. We have already made great use of the chairs and tables during assembly and other end-of-year events. Please see a short blurb below about AI group and their misson:

Ai Group is a peak national employer association representing traditional, innovative, and emerging industry sectors such as – services, retail, technology, manufacturing, transport and logistics, labour hire and fast food.

We provide advice, services, networks, and advocacy to help members and industries thrive, and the community to prosper.

Our advocacy and support covers a range of business issues such as Workplace and Industrial Relations, WHS, Waste and Circular Economy, Energy and Defence.

Our purpose: Create a better Australia by empowering industry success.

Together with partner organisations we represent more than 60,000 businesses.

Find out more at https://www.aigroup.com.au/why-join/

THANK YOU, GOOD BYE & BEST WISHES

As the year draws to an end, we have staff leaving us to pursue other opportunities after completing some short fixed-term positions. We also have staff retiring and taking some well-deserved leave. We thank them for supporting the school this year and in previous years, and wish them the very best in their new roles or adventures.

Vicki Smith

As many of you know, Vicki will be retiring at the end of this year. We had a lovely assembly and many celebrations to mark this special occasion. Vicki extends her thanks to the entire school community and her many colleagues for the gift she received. We thank Vicki for her contributions to this community and wish her the very best in retirement and the next phase of her life.

Jess Grey

After being our Assistant Principal for over four and a half years and being an incredible school leader, Jess decided to support a group of students in 1/2B. It's not that easy stepping back into a classroom, but she accomplished this with so much commitment and care and we know the students have been well cared for and prepared to transition into their next year level. Jess is taking some leave to enjoy a well-deserved break. We hope there will be rest, relaxation, some travels on the horizon and lots of precious family time with her son and parents.

Antonia Provatas

Under the government's funding of the Learning Tutor initiative, Antonia was able to support many students in Literacy. Students were able to access six-week cycles of intervention in the areas of writing, reading and spelling. We have witnessed the confidence levels and skills of these student soar, thanks to her efforts and teaching.

Andria Arendze

The art pieces our students produced this year were due to the credit of Ms Arendze. Andria brought creativity and her vision to our program and taught students many wonderful skills. Andria has taken up a position at Ormond Primary School and is looking forward to travelling in the latter part of 2023.

Joel Lewis-Ninyo

As Susie departed, we couldn't have found a better replacement in Joel. Joel has made a significant impact on our students, especially our House Captains, who he worked very hard to support in the House Music competition. Joel will be taking a position at Mount Scopus Memorial College, stepping out of his base school for 2023. We thank Joel for supporting all staff and students this term. Joel is very giving and flexible and we will miss his positive attitude.

Michelle Roszbach

How lucky we were to have Michelle quickly step in to support Foundation B students and families when Luca departed. Michelle has been a wonderful asset to this community not only as a teacher but as a parent. Michelle is not leaving us to pursue other opportunities but will be on hand for casual positions. Having staff like Michelle allows our teachers, students and leadership team a sense of relief and comfort in someone so dedicated to our school community.

Lucy Cochrane

As many Foundation students and teachers know, Lucy has been a wonderful support as one of our integration aides. Lucy is not able to commit to further part-time work as she is considering some studies in 2023. Lucy will continue to be a part of the RPS team on a casual basis when other staff are on leave. We wish Lucy all the very best in her future studies.

Tahlia Leggott

Opportunities for study are abundant and Tahlia has been accepted into her dream course of study. This of course makes it hard to fulfill other roles. We wish Tahlia all the very best in her studies and thank her for supporting many students with additional needs across the school. Tahlia has been a wonderful member of our Education Support team and a member of the school's Consultative Committee.

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF JOINING THE RPS TEAM

Jonathan Wood

Year 3/4D has a lovely new teacher originally from the UK. Jonathan had been working at Grimwade House Melbourne Grammar just down the road when he heard about a position at RPS. We look forward to getting to know Jon a little better next year.

Alicia Oliver Cook

Cookie, as many refer to her, is back at RPS for 2023 and she is super excited to be back at her base school. Alicia has been a staff member at Ripponlea for many years and returns from working at Murrumbeena Primary School.

Janine Drakeford & Josie Cheney

You might have seen both Janine and Josie around the school already, as they have worked with some of our students in the latter part of this year. They are a welcomed addition to our integration aide team.

Carlie Campbell

Carlie has been a physical education teacher at Korowa Anglican Girls' School. She also runs her own business as a pilates and yoga instructor and personal trainer in her part-time role. We look forward to Carlie joining the team for Term 1.

Emma Fay

Emma was part of the team earlier this year, working with Vicki Smith, and was delighted when we offered her the opportunity to work in the Learning Tutor role. We look forward to welcoming Emma back in Term 1.

FAREWELL TO LONGSTANDING FAMILIES OF RPS – BEST WISHES FOR THE FUTURE

Whilst we say farewell to our graduates, we will also witness many families leaving RPS at the end of this year. Some of these families have been with us for many years and now their youngest child will be finally graduating.

These families have made significant contributions to our school and whatever their involvement we have appreciated all that they have done not only for their child but for all children at our school.

Goodbye and good luck!

Leaving Families of Graduating Students
Ablethorpe Family	Castle Family
Banks Family	Pegoli-Chin Family
Brannaghan Family	Kanapathippillai Family
Kostiuk Family	Lindewald Family
Rydquist Family	Wynen Family
Frangioni Family	Russell Family
Whyte Family	Micmacher Family
Watkinson Family	Wijtzes Family
Koumides Family	Morris Family

We wish all other departing families all the very best in the new year and beyond.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH AND CHEERS TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR

From our own Soccer Word Championship, with Portugal taking the win, House Music, teachers versus student games, a stepping-up program, special food days, a hip hop dance party yesterday, Christmas door competitions, end-of-year celebrations, and class movements, the school has been a hive of activity and this is what makes it so special for or students.