School Council President's Message 

What a difference 12 months makes. Even though we have still had to navigate an ever-changing landscape through this global pandemic, the second half of this year has certainly provided us with the opportunity to start to re-build the amazing connections amongst our Ripper community. 

Once again, the school council has worked tirelessly behind the scenes and I would like to take this opportunity in this last newsletter of the year to acknowledge the successes of 2022.

These include:

• Being successful in a grant application for our outdoor learning deck
• Overseeing another healthy budget outcome for the year
• Ratifying a host of school policies
• Implementing a new Child Safe Induction process for external providers
• Hosting a successful alumni event for our 100-year celebration
• Working with the local Indigenous community to launch new house names
• Supporting with the launch of the Koor Indigenous Garden 
• Supporting with the Centenary Carnival

As noted above, Ripponlea turned 100 this year and our small community really came together to hold such a wonderful celebration. The carnival was of course an amazing day of fun which raised much needed funds for the school, however one of the other highlights of our birthday was the more formal celebration that past students, families, and teachers were invited to. 

Our current students made us so proud as they took Ripponlea alumni on tours of the school and chatted about how different teaching and learning now looks at Ripponlea. I received many glowing emails about what delightful, intelligent, and capable young people we have attending RPS. 

This event was made even more meaningful as it gave us the opportunity to not only reflect on our past, but also start to lay the foundation for our future, a future where we learn from our local Indigenous community and strengthen our relationships. The launching of the Koor Indigenous Garden and changing of our house names to Bemin, Booring, Warren & Tunparrim are the first steps in our Reconciliation journey. Next year we hope to establish a strong Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) working group and hope to hear from interested community members. 

It is my third year as school council president, and I really must say that it is the continued commitment of my fellow school council members that ensure we are a successful council which does the best it can for Ripponlea. They are amazing and dedicated parent and staff representatives who ensure everything keeps moving smoothly behind the scenes, they make my role as president exceptionally easy.  A massive thanks needs to go to Suzete Ribeiro (Vice President & Ripper Families), Lee Wallace (Treasurer), Kara Merrin (Governance), Colin Smith (Facilities & Environment), Isabel Lasala (Facilities & Environment), Julie Pearce (Sustainability), Braden Leech (Governance), Julie Nield (Governance), Jess Grey (Governance), Marta Campbell & Natalie Rose (Executive Officer). Thanks to all of you for the roles you have played this year.

This year also saw a change in the team in our front office and we were so lucky to welcome the dynamic duo that is Kate and Jac. 

I need to thank Kate, our awesome Business Manager who keeps us all on track during meetings and manages to capture our rambling conversations in tidy and succinct minutes. Kate also works closely with Lee, Natalie and I to manage the school’s finances and does this with skill and patience. 

Kate has also been a legend this year as she has taken on this new role and managed to organise a lot of the behind-the-scenes finance admin for the Centenary celebrations! Kate, I can’t thank you enough. 

No doubt everyone knows Jac, the lovely smiling face we all see when we enter the front office. I personally need to thank Jac for the amazing amount of work and effort she has put in this year. Joining RPS in not only a fete year, but also the year we turned 100, has meant she has had to take on a lot of extra tasks she normally wouldn’t need to do, all whilst learning a new job. Jac has put up with endless phone calls and questions from me and has always done so with a smile on her face and kindness in her voice. For those who are lucky enough to spend time at the school you could also no doubt attest to the fact that this warmth and kindness is also always shown to the children. I love that even if there is an adult present who may need something from Jac, her focus is always on the children first. Jac you are an absolute superstar, and we are so lucky to have you at the school.

2022 also saw our wonderful Assistant Principal Jess Gray move back to the classroom so she could once again focus on her passion, teaching children. Jess, we thank you for all of your hard work in your role as Assistant Principal and teacher and hope you enjoy your well-deserved break in 2023. 

Jess stepping back to teaching meant we needed to find a new Assistant Principal and we were very lucky to have Marta Campbell join the RPS community. Marta, it has been a pleasure getting to know you and working alongside you in school council. 

To our all of our outgoing students, families and staff members, we wish you all the best for 2023 and hope you all know that you will always be a part of our Ripponlea Primary School family. Here I need to give a special mention to Vicki Smith as she moves on from RPS after 33 years to retire. Vicki, thanks once again for your wonderful contribution and we wish you all the best in your retirement. 

Last, but certainly not least, I can not get through this without acknowledging the amazing work of Natalie Rose, Jess Gray, Marta Campbell and the entire teaching team and the learning support team. 

As I speak to families in our community there is one message that is always consistent, and that is how lucky we all are that we have such amazing team educating and caring for our children. You are such an amazing and dedicated group of people, and our children truly benefit from having you in their lives. Thank you for all your hard work and enjoy your well-deserved break. 

I wish everyone safe, healthy, and happy holidays. 

Tarryn Holland

President, Ripponlea Primary School Council