Principal Team Message

YEAR 5/6 CAMP ADVENTURE AT WARRA GNAN WARRNAMBOOL

On Wednesday morning, the excitement was electric as our Year 5/6 students boarded the bus for their much-anticipated school camp to Warra Gnan in beautiful Warrnambool. With bags packed and snacks at the ready, we hit the freeway for the four-hour journey, filled with chatter, laughter, and road trip games.

Situated in the heart of Warrnambool, WarraGnan offers a culturally rich and activity-filled experience, blending adventure, connection to nature, and history. 

Upon arrival, we were greeted by Mitch and the incredible camp team, and before we’d even unpacked our bags, the fun had already begun!

Day One kicked off with high-energy team challenges like the Amazing Race, a competitive game of Capture the Flag, and a scenic expedition around Lake Pertobe, where students solved clues, navigated new spaces, and embraced the great outdoors. 

Many students also had the chance to try their hand at fishing, which sparked both patience and excitement.

Afternoon tea was a well-earned delight with freshly baked scones, jam, and cream, followed by a hearty dinner that warmed us up after a big day. The evening wrapped up with a spectacular visit to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, where we were treated to the Tales of the Shipwreck Coast Sound and Light Show.

This immersive show took us back in time, sharing stories of Warrnambool’s whaling history, local Aboriginal culture, and the heroic tale of Captain William Dutton, a pioneering figure of early maritime Australia. Students watched in awe as light, water, and sound told the story of life along Victoria’s infamous Shipwreck Coast.

Day Two brought more excitement and action, starting with surfing lessons that saw students bravely face the waves with the support of friendly instructors. Others took to the water in kayaks, paddling with teamwork and determination. The sunshine returned just in time for beach games, and next to lake Pertobe, we enjoyed a round of mini golf, laughter, and plenty of free play in nature.

Lunch was a highlight – a DIY feast of baked potatoes with all the trimmings – the perfect fuel for another full day. Though the weather cooled slightly, our spirits stayed high.

What stood out above all was the outstanding behaviour of our students. Everywhere we went, from the surfing instructors to the camp staff and even members of the public, people stopped to acknowledge how respectful, polite, and kind our students were. The kitchen staff were especially impressed by the impeccable manners shown at every mealtime, and local neighbours appreciated the students’ thoughtfulness as they passed by.

It was clear to all: our Rippers were the best group many of the camp staff had seen in a long time.

As a school community, we should all feel incredibly proud. Together, we are raising capable, compassionate, and confident young people. A massive thank you goes to our dedicated staff team who made this entire experience possible – creating memories our students will carry with them forever. Our deepest gratitude to Noami, Corey, Dave, Jaryn, Mark, Izzy and Perrine. 

WELCOME BABY OTTILIE

We are absolutely delighted to share the wonderful news that Alicia Oliver Cook and her family have welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world!

Introducing Ottilie Doyle-Cook

A perfect new addition to the Ripper family!

Alicia tells us that all is going amazingly well — Ottilie is a calm little chiller by day and keeps things lively at night with just the right amount of cheeky spirit to keep Alicia and Rohan on their toes!

We can’t wait to meet her in person and give her a big Ripper welcome when the time is right.

Congratulations, Alicia, Rohan, and baby Ottilie — we are so thrilled for you! 💕🎉

WELCOMING OUR NEW STAFF 

Jaryn Rambaran

Hello, RPS community! I’m Mr. Rambaran and I’m so excited to be teaching Physical Education at Ripponlea this year. 

I’m originally from Canada - where there’s still a foot of snow on the ground right now.  I lived 13 hours away from the closest ocean back home; so now that I’m in St. Kilda, I try to get to the water most mornings whenever I can.

Before moving to Melbourne, I taught in London and Canada and have worked across all year levels. I absolutely love teaching PE and am passionate about helping students develop not just their physical skills, but also their resilience and mental wellbeing through sport—something that’s deeply connected to the curriculum and so important for students.

Outside of school, I love reading and writing scripts, so I’m always open to good book suggestions! I also enjoy exploring Melbourne’s amazing culture, especially its live music scene and great restaurants. You can often find me going for a walk around Albert Park, having a coffee at South Melbourne Market or playing tennis most weekends.

I also love to travel, so if you or your family have any exciting adventures coming up (or favourite stories from past trips), I’d love to hear about them. Looking forward to a great year—please feel free to say hello if you see me around the school! 😊

RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL -2025 SCHOOL COUNCIL REPORT 

Following the recent election and the Annual General Meeting, we are pleased to announce the composition of our 2025 School Council. The council plays a vital role in steering the strategic direction of our school, focusing on key areas such as Finance, Governance, Sustainability, Marketing & Publicity, and Ripper Families. The members of the 2025 School Council have been selected to guide our school in these areas.

School Council Members and Roles:

Tarryn Holland – School Council President

As the president, Tarryn will lead all School Council meetings, set agendas, and ensure that council activities align with the needs and vision of the school. The president serves as the primary liaison between the school community and the council, overseeing the work of each committee and ensuring that decisions are made in the best interests of the school.

Suzete Ribeiro – Vice President

Suzete will support the president and, in their absence, will assume the role of chairing meetings. She will assist with coordinating council activities, monitoring progress, and taking on specific tasks as required. The vice president is integral in maintaining the smooth operation of council proceedings.

Nikki Mizzi – Convenor of Ripper Families

Nikki will lead the Ripper Families committee, which is dedicated to fostering a strong, inclusive school community. This committee focuses on family engagement, organising school events, and creating a network of support for students and their families.

Romany Tauber – Treasurer

As treasurer, Romany will manage the school’s financial matters, including overseeing financial reports, ensuring the appropriate use of funds, and advising the council on financial decisions. The treasurer’s role is crucial in maintaining financial transparency and ensuring that resources are allocated in line with the school’s priorities.

Julie Pearce & Colin Smith – Sustainability Committee

Julie and Colin will work together to guide the Sustainability Committee in promoting environmentally responsible practices within the school. This committee will focus on long-term sustainability goals and the school's master plan projects, including reducing the school’s carbon footprint, implementing green initiatives, and educating the school community about sustainability.

Kara Merrin – Governance Committee

Kara will contribute to the Governance Committee, ensuring that the council operates in a legally compliant and effective manner. She will ensure that all policies and practices are transparent and that the council’s work aligns with the educational and strategic needs of the school.

Skye Holcombe-Henley – Publicity and Marketing

Skye will manage the school's publicity and marketing efforts, focusing on enhancing the school’s presence through its website and social media channels. This includes reviewing and updating the school's online platforms, ensuring the community is well-informed about upcoming events, and maintaining a positive public image of the school.

Naomi Hoewel – Leading Teacher (Department Staff)

Naomi brings her expertise as a leading teacher to the council, offering insights from the teaching staff’s perspective. She will contribute to discussions on how the council’s decisions impact the educational environment and ensure that the teaching staff’s needs are represented.

David Bremner – Staff Representative (Year 5/6 Teacher)

David is new to the School Council in 2025. As the Year 5/6 teacher, he brings a school-wide perspective that includes both early years and senior years education. His input will be vital in shaping strategies that address the needs of students across various stages of their learning journey.

Marta Campbell – Wellbeing and Inclusion Assistant Principal

Marta will represent the school’s leadership team on the council as the Wellbeing and Inclusion Assistant Principal. She will act in the absence of the Principal and contribute to discussions on how the council’s decisions impact student wellbeing, inclusion, and overall school climate. She will also convene the governance committee. 

Natalie Rose – Principal and Executive Officer

Natalie will provide strategic guidance and ensure that the council’s decisions align with the school’s operational needs. Her leadership will help ensure that the decisions made by the council support the school’s vision and objectives.

Meeting Schedule for 2025

The School Council will meet regularly throughout the year to discuss key matters related to finance, governance, sustainability, marketing, publicity, and family engagement. Below are the scheduled dates for the 2025 School Council meetings:

Each committee will meet separately as needed to focus on specific areas of responsibility. 

Acknowledgement of Lee Wallace’s Contributions

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Lee Wallace, who has served as the Treasurer for the past four years. Her dedication and expertise in financial matters have been invaluable to the success of the RPS School Council. 

Although Lee will not be continuing in her role, she has agreed to remain involved in an advisory capacity, providing her guidance and support as needed. We are deeply appreciative of her contribution and wish her the very best moving forward.

OPEN MORNINGS & CURRICULUM INFORMATION SESSIONS

Thank you to all the families who attended our classroom open mornings and curriculum information sessions. We truly appreciate your support and the investment you make in your child's education. For those who were unable to attend, we will be sending out the presentation slides to ensure you don’t miss out on any important information.

As you may be aware, these sessions cannot be facilitated outside of school hours due to the working and teaching agreements of our staff. We understand this may be challenging and are grateful to the families who have been able to negotiate time with their workplaces to attend.

Looking ahead to next term, Student, Parent, and Teacher conferences will be held during the last week of Term 2, from Monday, 30th June to Thursday, 3rd July.

If there are any additional topics or aspects you would like our staff to cover in future curriculum information sessions, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we welcome your feedback and suggestions.

TERM ONE HIGHLIGHTS

As we approach the end of another bustling term, it is a moment to reflect on the incredible growth and achievements of our students. It has been so pleasing to see how effortlessly our students have embraced their learning this year compared to last year, demonstrating resilience, enthusiasm, and a deepening sense of responsibility in their educational journey.

Our new Foundation students have made a remarkable start to their school life, already engaging in strong literacy learning. It’s truly inspiring to see these young learners, full of curiosity, diving into their phonics lessons and becoming confident readers and writers. Similarly, our Year 1/2 students have made fantastic strides with the introduction of systematic synthetic phonics through Phormes. Their growing literacy skills are a testament to their dedication and the hard work of our teachers.

In our Year 5/6 cohort, we’ve witnessed a fantastic shift towards greater independence and organisation. Our new teaching team has provided the right balance of challenge and support, encouraging students to take charge of their learning with confidence. It has been wonderful to see them rise to the challenge, demonstrating maturity and a newfound ability to organise their thoughts and work effectively.

Throughout the term, we have also celebrated a number of special events that have brought our school community together. From our welcoming picnic meeting new families to the exciting House events, there has been a real sense of unity and school spirit. 

Harmony Day was a particularly memorable celebration, as we came together to acknowledge and appreciate the diversity that makes our school community so special. 

This week, we also had the privilege of celebrating Happiness Day, which focused on fostering positive mental health and well-being—a key focus for us as a school.

One of the highlights of the term has been the shining leadership demonstrated by our student leaders. It has been inspiring to watch them step up, taking on responsibilities with enthusiasm and maturity, and leading initiatives that enhance our school culture. Their efforts continue to make a positive impact on our school environment, and we couldn’t be prouder of their growth as leaders.

In all, this term has been a wonderful reminder of the potential within each of our students and the power of community. As we look ahead to the coming term, we are excited about the continued growth of our students and the opportunities to celebrate their learning together.

Wishing everyone a restful break, and we look forward to more success in the next term. 

Until next term!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal