Things To 

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You're Invited: Morning Tea with the Principal and Leadership Team

Dear New Families and Foundation Families,

We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to you and your loved ones to join us for a special morning gathering with the school principal Natalie Rose and some members of the leadership team. As we embark on an exciting new year filled with opportunities and adventures, we believe it is essential to connect, share, and build a strong foundation for collaboration and growth.

Date: Friday 23rd February 

Time: 9:15 am

Location: School Hall (Barrbunin)

During this informal session, you'll have the chance to:

• Learn about the exciting preparations and initiatives we have planned for the upcoming year.
• Have your questions and concerns addressed by our experienced leadership team.
• Get to know fellow families and begin fostering positive relationships within our school community.
• Enjoy a delightful morning tea and engage in friendly conversations with other families and staff members.

We understand that starting a new journey can be both thrilling and overwhelming, and we want to assure you that we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you have inquiries about our curriculum, extracurricular activities, or simply wish to connect with other families, this gathering is designed to provide you with valuable insights and opportunities to connect.

Please RSVP by Wednesday 21st February via this Google form

 to confirm your attendance and help us make the necessary arrangements for the event. If you have any specific dietary requirements or accessibility needs, kindly let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate them.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to this special occasion and to the start of a memorable journey together. Should you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact our school office.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS & NOMINATIONS

As we approach the start of the school year, we would like to bring your attention to the upcoming vacancies on our School Council. Each year, some of our dedicated councillors complete their two-year tenure, creating opportunities for new members to join and contribute to our school community. Some members like to renominate for a further 2-year tenure.

School Councils play a vital role in shaping the direction and quality of education provided by our school. They are legally constituted bodies empowered to set key directions within state-wide guidelines. Through active participation, council members directly influence the educational experience of our students.

We are reaching out to encourage interested parents and carers to consider nominating themselves for a position on the School Council. This is a voluntary commitment that requires attending a minimum of eight meetings per year. Our council members represent both Department of Education and Training (DET) employees and parents, ensuring diverse perspectives and insights are considered in decision-making processes.

Additionally, there are specific roles and committees within the council that oversee various school initiatives. Your involvement in these committees can contribute significantly to the success and improvement of our school community.

If you are passionate about contributing to the educational journey of our students and are willing to dedicate your time and efforts to this important cause, we encourage you to nominate yourself for a position on the School Council.

For more information or to express your interest, please contact Natalie Rose or Tarryn Holland our school council president. Your participation and commitment are invaluable to the continued success of our school.

Our committees consist of:

• Facilities & Environment
• Finance
• Governance  
• Ripper Families
• Publicity & Marketing 
• Sustainability

You DO NOT have to be on the School Council to join a committee, just come along for one of their meetings. 

We officially call for nominations to the Ripponlea School Council. Please read the following information to gain a better understanding of this role. 

MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 IN SCHOOLS

It is recommended that staff members, students or visitors who have symptoms of cold, influenza or COVID-19 undergo testing for COVID-19. Parents of symptomatic students will be asked to collect their child/ren from school and keep them home until they are no longer symptomatic.

The Department of Health recommends that staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 isolate for a minimum of 5 days and do not attend school until their symptoms resolve. If well enough, students should be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning material provided to support their continued learning.

COVIDSafe measures for schools

COVIDSafe measures have changed but all Victorian government schools are required to continue to implement important practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Schools must continue to:

• ensure air purifiers are in use
• maximise external ventilation
• encourage good personal hygiene
• make face masks available for staff and visitors who wish to wear them.

COVIDSafe Plan

The revised COVID-19 Safety Management Plan (COVIDSafe Plan) applies to all schools, outlines the key health and safety risks, and links to the latest guidance. Principals should ensure that staff, including new staff, are aware of their school’s COVIDSafe plan.

There is an increase in community transmission in Victoria.

ANNUAL PRIVACY REMINDER FOR OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY 

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy on the school's website

describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. 

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Microsoft 365 safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365, please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages:

• Amharic
• Arabic
• Dari
• Gujarati
• Mandarin
• Somali
• Sudanese
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese

2024 VOLUNTARY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS 

As per the DET parent payments policy, our School Council have diligently reviewed the proposed contributions and have disclosed for full transparency all costings that will provide rich curricula, resources, experiences and quality education for all students in 2024. 

We have released information for each year level via COMPASS and have attached this information for your convenience here in the newsletter and on our website. 

All contributions can be via the QKR app, B-Pay or alternative arrangements. We thank Kate Crawford (Business Manager), Tarryn Holland (School Council president) and Lee Wallace (Treasurer) our finance committee for overseeing this process and the endorsement from all members of the council.  

We thank our families for your continued contributions and we look forward to your support in 2024 and beyond.

2024 Voluntary Financial Contributions: 

Foundation

Year 1/2 

Year 3/4

Year 5/6

CHANGES TO THE CURRICULUM TIMETABLE - LEARNING SESSIONS AND BREAK TIMES 

As we stride into the new academic year, we bring to your attention some important modifications to our curriculum timetable, sessions and breaks that will be implemented in 2024. 

In 2022, a teaching agreement was established to address workload concerns and allocate more time for teachers' planning and preparation. This initiative marked a significant shift in every school's educational approach. 

In 2024, there will be some alterations to the Curriculum Timetable and school day sessions. We recognise that any shift in routine can pose an adjustment challenge for our students, staff, and the community at large. Yet, it is important to note that these changes are not arbitrary; they are strategically designed to foster a more conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

One notable adjustment involves optimising the first four sessions of the day for Teaching and Learning purposes. This modification aligns with educational research highlighting the importance of focused learning during specific times of the day. By restructuring the morning sessions, our goal is to enhance the overall classroom experience, allowing teachers to engage students more effectively and deliver targeted instruction.

Our teaching staff is enthusiastic about the positive impact these changes will have on both the quality of education and the overall well-being of our school community.

We encourage open communication and feedback during this transitional period. Your thoughts and insights are invaluable as we work together to create an even more enriching learning environment. 

CURRICULUM DAYS 2024

Term 1 – 30th January to 28th March 

Curriculum Day - Monday 29th January – Induction & Classroom Preparation 

Curriculum Day - Friday 8th March – Maths 2.0 Implementation

Monday 11 March Labour Day (backs onto a public holiday) 

Term 2 – 15/4 -28/6

Monday 25 April - Anzac Day 

Monday 10th June – King's Birthday

Curriculum Day - Tuesday 11th June – Student Voice & Agency

Term 3 – 16/7 – 20/9

Curriculum Day - Friday 30th August – Building Better Brains

Term 4 – 7/10 -20/12

Professional Practice Day - Monday 4th November – Professional Practice Day- Reporting? 

Tuesday 5th November – Cup Day 

UPCOMING WORKS ON FURNEAUX GROVE 

Scheduled to commence from March 2024

Please note the following points:

• The works will run through Carrington Gr, necessitating the closure of Carrington Gr at the intersection with Furneaux Gr during the works.
• During the construction period, there will be no through traffic in Carrington Gr.
• Local traffic including access for the school will still be permitted into Carrington Gr.
• Adequate traffic management signs will be placed to guide motorists as per the traffic management plan.
• However, drop off and collection from Carrington Gr will require a U-turn at the end of Carrington Gr to divert back into Orrong Rd.

Given the potential impact on parents, teachers and students, we wanted to advise you early to make the necessary arrangements.