Principal Team Message

WELCOMING  OUR NEW STAFF TO RPS

At Ripponlea Primary School, we take immense pride in our strong sense of community, where relationships between staff, students, and families are at the heart of everything we do. Our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a vibrant, nurturing environment where every individual is valued and supported.

This year, we are delighted to welcome some wonderful new staff members to RPS. It has been an absolute pleasure to introduce fresh faces who bring not only a passion for education but also an enthusiasm that aligns beautifully with our school's values and culture. From their very first days, they have embraced the Ripponlea spirit, connecting with students, collaborating with colleagues, and immersing themselves in the daily life of our school.

We know that our families and students form strong bonds with our teachers and support staff, and we are pleased to share that our newest team members already feel like part of the RPS family. Their dedication and commitment to student learning and wellbeing have been evident from the outset, and we are truly fortunate to have them making a positive impact in our classrooms and beyond.

Please join us in extending a warm Ripponlea welcome to our new staff! We look forward to seeing the wonderful contributions they will make to our school and the lasting relationships they will build with our students and families. Here’s to an exciting year ahead, filled with growth, learning, and strong connections across our school community!

Caroline Robertshaw 

Hi Ripponlea Families,

My name is Caroline Robertshaw, and I have joined Ripponlea Primary School for 2025 as the Disability/Inclusion Officer and Reading Intervention Specialist. I had previously worked at Caulfield Primary School for the past 13 years where I had diverse roles which included Wellbeing, OHS and Library coordinator just to name a few!! I had also worked as an Education Support at Caulfield South Primary for seven years. I am passionate about wellbeing, in particular,  what that is to look like, sound like and feel like for our students. My weekends are spent with my family watching my grown boys play cricket and football. I am looking forward to embracing all that Ripponlea Primary has to offer.     

Isabelle Garcia 

Hi Ripponlea Families,

My name is Izzy Garcia, and I am excited to be joining Ripponlea Primary School this year as the Literacy Intervention Specialist and Library Coordinator! Originally from the UK, I moved to Melbourne in October 2024. Before relocating, I worked as a Year 2 classroom teacher in London. Outside of school, I love travelling and can’t wait to explore more of Australia!

I’m excited to meet many of the wonderful Ripponlea families and truly appreciate the warm welcome I’ve already received. Looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Naomi Hoewel 

Hello Ripper community. I am Naomi Hoewel and I have the pleasure of teaching year 5/6 this year. I have been teaching for 19 years and have experience in a variety of different schools, including high EAL, low-socioeconomic and middle to upper class communities. My passion is for supporting children to become critical thinkers in English and Maths and I cherish seeing children find their ‘ah-ha’ moments in their learning. I am looking forward to getting to know the Ripper community more as the year progresses.

Sayako Nakagawa

Hello, RPS family. It has been great to be part of RPS community. Thank you for having me. I am passionate about what I do and teach as a Japanese teacher, but other than that, I also have a passion for music, whether playing or creating. I am into yoga, mindfulness, healthy delicious food, self-development and well-being. I can be a foodie as well. I am looking forward to getting to know you all. 

Lauren Karas 

Hello, RPS community! I’m Lauren and I’m thrilled to have joined Ripponlea this year as a graduate teacher in 1/2B. Before this, I worked at Caulfield Primary School in Education Support. Yes, that is the bilingual school, and yes, I can speak Japanese! So I’m very excited that I can help our Rippers learn Japanese this year too. I also used to live in Japan and love travelling there – if you have a trip coming up I’d love to hear about it. Outside of school, I love spending time with family and friends, especially when it involves going out to eat something delicious. It’s been wonderful getting to know my students and their families, and I look forward to meeting more of our school community. Please feel free to say hello any time you see me around the school 😊  

Corey Posner

Hello RPS families! I’m thrilled to be back at RPS as a 5/6 teacher. It’s been wonderful re-acquainting with the students, their families, and the wider community over the past term. I absolutely love being part of such a family-oriented school, and it’s been amazing to see all the smiling faces as everyone enjoys their learning together. I’m passionate about helping students become the best they can be, especially when it comes to developing a love for mathematics and literacy. Outside of school, you can usually find me playing basketball, watching footy, or hanging out with my dog and making music with friends. I am looking forward to the rest of this year as a member of the Ripponlea Primary School community.

🌏CELEBRATING HARMONY DAY AND THE RICH TAPESTRY OF CULTURES AT RPS - FRIDAY 21 MARCH 🌏

This week, we look forward to coming together as a whole school community to celebrate Harmony Day. This special day highlights the importance of inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Harmony Day has been celebrated in Australia since 1999 and is officially held on March 21st each year. It is a time when we reflect on and honour the diverse cultures that make up modern Australia, recognising that "Everyone Belongs." At Ripponlea Primary School, we are so proud of the rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and traditions that our families and students bring to our learning community.

As part of these celebrations, we are also learning about and acknowledging Purim, an important Jewish festival that is being celebrated by many of our families right now. Purim is a joyful celebration that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people in ancient Persia, as told in the Book of Esther. It is a time for storytelling, sharing food, giving to others, and coming together as a community.

Over the past week, students have been sharing their knowledge of Purim with their classmates, explaining the significance of this festival, and embracing its fun traditions. 

Together, we have been:

✨ Tasting and enjoying Hamantaschen – delicious filled pastries shaped like triangles.

✨ Creating colourful masks, symbolising the theme of courage and identity,

✨ And listening to the inspiring story of Esther, learning about bravery and standing up for what is right.

In addition to Purim, we are also celebrating Holi, the vibrant Hindu festival of colours, love, and joy. Holi marks the arrival of spring and is a time for renewal, unity, and happiness. It is celebrated with enthusiasm across many communities, symbolising the triumph of good over evil and the importance of love and friendship.

Students have been learning about the traditions of Holi, including:

✨ The playful throwing of coloured powders, representing joy and positivity.

✨ The significance of bonfires on Holika Dahan, symbolising the victory of good over evil.

✨ The spirit of forgiveness and strengthening bonds with family and friends.

These shared experiences remind us how important it is to learn from each other, celebrate our differences, and appreciate the many cultures that make Ripponlea such a vibrant place to learn and grow.

To mark Harmony Day, this Friday we invite all students to wear a touch of orange — the official colour symbolising meaningful conversations, freedom of ideas, and mutual respect. Students are also warmly encouraged to wear their cultural dress to share and showcase their heritage with pride.

Let’s make this a week where we celebrate who we are, the strength of our diverse community, and the friendships that connect us all.

We can’t wait to see everyone’s splash of orange and colourful cultural outfits on Friday!

Happy Harmony Day to all!

A VERY SPECIAL ASSEMBLY: WELCOMING MP ZOE DANIEL & CELEBRATING OUR 2025 STUDENT LEADERS 

Last Friday, we were honoured to welcome Ms. Zoe Daniel, Federal Member for Goldstein, to a very special whole-school assembly. This was an important occasion where we officially congratulated and recognised our 2025 Student Leaders, and Zoe’s presence made it even more memorable.

Zoe took the time to share her inspiring story, not only about her personal journey to Parliament but also about the significance of the Goldstein electorate, which carries the name of Vida Goldstein, one of Australia's most courageous and pioneering women. Vida Goldstein was a champion for women's rights and one of the first women in the British Empire to stand for election to a national parliament. Zoe reminded us that the name "Goldstein" symbolises determination, courage, and standing up for what is right — values that are as important today as they were in Vida's time.

Zoe also shared with our school community that leadership is not just about wearing a badge, but about respect, responsibility, and doing the right thing, even when it's hard. She spoke directly to our student leaders, encouraging them to lead with integrity and to understand that leadership is about service to others. She also urged every student to have the courage to speak up for themselves and others — a powerful reminder that leadership can come from anyone, at any time.

We are deeply grateful to Zoe Daniel for her time and for sharing such heartfelt and inspiring messages with our students. Her words will certainly stay with us as we continue to nurture strong, compassionate, and courageous leaders in our school.

To our 2025 Student Leaders, we extend our warmest congratulations. You have already shown great potential, and we know you will embrace your roles with pride, courage, and care. We are confident that you will leave a lasting legacy and set an example for future generations of students.

Congratulations to all — we look forward to seeing your leadership shine in 2025!

CLASSROOM REPRESENTATIVES - BUILDING OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Our Class Representatives play a vital role in welcoming new families to Ripponlea Primary School. Starting school can feel daunting — not only for children but also for parents. A huge thank you to all the parent volunteers who have generously offered to be Class Reps this year, reaching out with a friendly and positive welcome to help everyone feel included and connected.

At RPS, we are proud of our strong and positive community spirit among parents, teachers, and children, and we encourage active involvement of families in the life of the school.

Bringing Our Community Together

It’s time to rebuild and strengthen our community connections with some fun and relaxed social catch-ups — not just for the kids, but for parents and carers too! 

These might include:

• Class dinners
• Morning teas and coffee catch-ups
• Social drinks
• Movie nights
• Trivia Night (a highlight on the school’s social calendar!)
• And yes — even axe-throwing for the more adventurous!

Greenmeadow Park (just around the corner) is a beautiful space for picnics and informal gatherings after school. Our school grounds are also available for families to enjoy on weekends — a wonderful space for children to play and parents to connect.

Class Contact Lists

All families have received a class contact list to help you connect with other families. If you did not give consent via COMPASS to share your details, but would now like to be included, please reach out directly to your Class Rep to be added to your class distribution list.

The Role of Class Representatives

Class Reps are an important conduit for families, helping to:

✅ Welcome new families to the class and school community.

✅ Facilitate social connections and organise class catch-ups.

✅ Seek volunteers for school events.

✅ Help families stay connected and engaged.

Class Reps will not distribute formal school information but will encourage families to refer to official school communication channels, including:

• Fortnightly School Newsletter
• Compass Alerts and Notifications
• Seesaw Year Level Updates/Blogs
• Direct teacher emails and correspondence

Thank you again to our amazing Class Reps for supporting our school community. We look forward to seeing many smiling faces at upcoming events and building even stronger connections this year!

STUDENT SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING – POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT (PBS)

It comes as no surprise that our students’ social and emotional wellbeing continues to be our high priority in balance with academic skills. While our students are settled and engaged in their classroom learning spaces and communities, navigating the playground can still feel overwhelming, especially when ‘big emotions’ surface during friendship challenges and social interactions.

In our classrooms, we focus on using positive language to frame expectations, and transfer this same approach to the playground. Our Wellbeing and PBS leadership team is working closely with staff and students across the school to identify the types of behaviours we would like to see more often in the yard, focusing on building positive, respectful interactions.

As part of our PBS approach, we avoid using "don’t" language and instead reframe expectations positively, helping children learn what they should do, rather than focusing on what they shouldn’t. This encourages students to understand and internalise positive behaviours rather than feeling shame or confusion.

How Families Can Support This at Home – More Positive Reframes

Here are examples to try at home, building on the ones we already use at school:

Teaching the "Why" Behind the Behaviour

Each time we reinforce positive behaviour, we connect it to the value or purpose behind it. This helps children make meaning of their actions and understand how behaviour affects others.

For example:

• "We wait our turn to speak because everyone deserves to be heard."
• "We share toys because we care about our friends and want everyone to have fun."

Noticing and Acknowledging Positive Behaviour

Rather than focusing on when things go wrong, we celebrate when children get it right, using language like:

• "I love how you waited patiently — that shows great respect."
• "Thank you for using kind words — that makes our home feel happy and safe."
• "I noticed how you helped your brother — that was very caring of you."

Transferring this to the Playground

These same strategies guide our work in the yard:

• Encouraging children to say "Can I play with you?" instead of grabbing or excluding others.
• Teaching "I don't like that, please stop" as a way to assert boundaries respectfully.
• Reinforcing taking turns, using kind words, and including others as daily expectations.

By shifting to a positive language approach and teaching the values behind actions, we are supporting children to become more thoughtful, respectful, and socially aware citizens. We encourage families to mirror these strategies at home to build consistency and reinforce these important life skills.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION: EMPOWERING FAMILIES FOR STUDENT SUCCESS 

At our school, we believe that the input of our families is an essential part of creating an environment that fosters growth and success for our students. Community consultation has been at the heart of many of our initiatives, as it helps us ensure that our programs and practices reflect the needs and aspirations of our school community. Two key areas where we’ve recently sought input from families include school reports and the Languages Other Than English (LOTE) programs, and we are now seeking further feedback to continue enhancing our offerings.

Consulting on School Reports: Fostering Collaboration for Student Growth

One of the most notable examples of community consultation occurred when we restructured our school reports. After consulting with families, we introduced a more holistic approach by including future learning goals for each child and offering suggestions for how families can support their child's learning at home. This change was made to help families feel more connected to their child’s learning journey, providing them with tangible steps to reinforce educational concepts and ensure academic progress continues beyond the classroom. This initiative was designed to build a stronger partnership between home and school, with families empowered to actively engage in their child’s growth.

Consulting on the LOTE Language Program: Reflecting Community Diversity

Another key area where we sought family input was in determining which Languages Other Than English (LOTE) program to offer our students. Language education is an essential part of our curriculum, promoting intercultural understanding, global citizenship, and multilingualism, all of which are values we hold dear at our school. We engaged with families to gather their preferences and to ensure that the language offerings align with both student interest and community needs. This feedback was invaluable in shaping a program that reflects the diversity of our school and community, ensuring that our students have access to language learning that is both relevant and enriching.

Seeking Further Feedback: Your Opinion Matters

As we continue to refine and improve the programs and initiatives we offer, it’s essential that we continue to listen to our families. In last year’s Parent Opinion Survey, we received valuable insights into the strengths and areas for improvement at our school. Now, we would like to take this a step further and gather more specific feedback on two important questions:

1. Does the school provide diverse programs for your child's interests and abilities?
2. Do the academic standards at this school provide adequate challenge for your child?

These questions aim to help us understand how well our programs are catering to the varied interests and abilities of our students and whether our academic standards are offering the right level of challenge. Your input is crucial as it will help us make informed decisions about the future direction of our curriculum and extracurricular offerings.

How Can You Contribute?

We invite all families to provide their input through a simple Google Form. Your responses will give us the insights we need to make adjustments that better meet the needs of our students, ensuring that we offer diverse, challenging, and engaging programs. Please take a moment to complete the form and share your thoughts on what would best support your child's interests and academic growth. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of our school.

We are committed to working together with our families to create a learning environment that is supportive, challenging, and inspiring for every child. Thank you for your continued partnership as we strive to provide the best possible education for all our students.

https://forms.gle/LBzfKcuEjgz9pHr5A

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal