Things To 

Know

SOFT START MORNING ROUTINES - BEGIN IN TERM 2 AT RPS 

We’re excited to introduce Soft Start routines from the beginning of Term 2.

Here’s what it means for you and your child:

🔹 Students go directly to their classrooms from 8:45 am onwards.

🔹 Families are warmly invited to walk their children to class—this is a lovely way to connect with teachers, classmates, and be part of our vibrant learning spaces.

🔹 Teachers will guide students through the morning routines appropriate for their year level.

🔹 Foundation students are already experts! They’ve been practising these routines since Term 1.

💡 After drop-off: 

Students are welcome to head back outside to play only once they have placed their bags in their lockers/on hooks and set up their learning spaces for the day. They must return to class as soon as the music starts.

🚪 Students can only enter the buildings once teachers open the classroom doors and begin supervision. If a teacher is not yet in the room, please stay with your child until they arrive.

⏰ Important Reminders:

• No student should be dropped off before 8:45 am.
• Students must be supervised at all times before school.
• There will be no more lining up in Term 2 and Term 3!
• The back gate will be closed—entry is via the basketball courts or any other school building entry.

🚸 Afternoon Pick-Up Update:

At the end of the day, all students will be brought to the front of the school.We’re especially excited to welcome our Foundation families to join the whole school community at pick-up time.

🙏 Please note:

Mornings are a busy time for teachers as they help students get “Ripper Ready.” For in-depth conversations about your child, we encourage you to make a time with the teacher outside of these hours.

Thank you for supporting this calm and connected start to the day—we can’t wait to see you in the classrooms!

HOUSE CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL - SEEKING PARENT VOLUNTEERS

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Get Ready, Rippers! 2025 House Cross Country Carnival is Coming! 🏆

We’re gearing up for our second House event of the year — the 2025 House Cross Country Carnival happening on Friday 2nd May at Caulfield Grammar School!

This exciting whole-school event will see all students from Foundation to Year 6 representing their Houses: Bemin, Tunparrim, Booring, and Warren — bringing the spirit, colour, and friendly competition we all love!

We’ll be walking over to Caulfield Grammar together, and more detailed information about logistics, start times and what students need to bring will be shared early next term.

🎽 We Need You!

To help the day run smoothly, Sussie Massey and Jaryn Rambaran are calling out for parent volunteers with a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) to help with marshalling and general assistance on the day.

If you’re available and can lend a hand, please get in touch with Perrine at the school office as soon as possible.

Let’s make this a memorable day of fitness, fun, and House pride!

Go Rippers! 💪🌟

PUPIL FREE DAY - TUESDAY 10th JUNE

We’d like to let our families know that Tuesday 10th June will be a Pupil-Free Day at Ripponlea Primary School. This date has been approved by our School Council to allow all staff to participate in a Professional Practice Day.

On this day, students are not required to attend school. We encourage families to make alternative arrangements for the care of their children.

So, what is a Professional Practice Day?

These days are set aside across all Victorian government schools to give teachers and education staff dedicated time to work on planning, assessment, and professional learning—without the usual responsibilities of a teaching day.

At Ripponlea, our staff will use this time to:

• Plan high-quality lessons that match student needs and interests
• Review learning data to support every child’s progress
• Work together on refining our curriculum across all year levels
• Strengthen our approach to student wellbeing and inclusion

By investing in these days, we are ensuring that your child receives the very best learning experiences in the classroom.

We thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we continue to grow and improve our teaching and learning pedagogy.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with the school office.

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

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE 2025

The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is an annual initiative that encourages students across the state to engage with books and foster a lifelong love of reading. In 2025, the PRC promises to be even more exciting, offering new opportunities for students to expand their imaginations and cultivate strong literacy skills. With a focus on inclusivity and diverse reading options, the challenge is designed to meet the needs of every reader, regardless of their age or level of ability.

What is the Premier’s Reading Challenge?

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is an initiative led by the Victorian Government to encourage young readers to read a set number of books throughout the year. Students from Foundation to Year 10 are invited to take part in the challenge, with different levels tailored to different age groups. The goal is to motivate students to develop their reading habits and improve their literacy skills, with the added benefit of gaining recognition for their hard work.

How Does It Work?

To participate, students must read a specific number of books by the end of the challenge, which typically runs from March to September each year. The required number of books varies depending on the student’s year level. 

For example:

• Foundation to Year 2: 30 books
• Year 3 to Year 6: 15 books
• Year 7 to Year 10: 10 books

Books must be selected from an approved list provided by the PRC, but there is plenty of variety, ranging from picture books and early readers to novels and non-fiction titles. The books must be read independently or with the help of an adult, depending on the student's reading level.

New and Exciting Features for 2025

The 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge will introduce a host of new features to make the challenge even more engaging for students and schools. Some of the highlights include:

1. Expanded Booklist: In response to feedback from schools and students, the 2025 PRC will feature an even more diverse selection of books. New categories will be added to ensure that all students, regardless of their reading preferences, can find something they enjoy. From graphic novels and audiobooks to texts that promote inclusivity and cultural understanding, the expanded list reflects the changing nature of children's literature.
2. Digital Integration: In line with technological advancements, the 2025 challenge will integrate digital platforms to track reading progress and engage students in new ways. Interactive features will allow students to share reviews, create book-related projects, and earn rewards for their achievements.
3. Focus on Mental Health: Recognizing the importance of student well-being, the 2025 challenge will include books that address mental health, resilience, and social-emotional learning. These books will help students develop coping strategies and foster empathy, further enhancing the challenge’s positive impact.
4. Teacher and School Recognition: New incentives for teachers and schools will encourage participation and create a supportive reading culture. Schools will have the chance to compete for various awards, including a special prize for the most creative reading program or the highest participation rate. Teachers can also access additional resources to help them incorporate the PRC into their literacy curriculum.

The Benefits of Participating

The Premier’s Reading Challenge offers numerous benefits for students, schools, and communities:

• Improved Literacy: By reading regularly, students develop essential reading and comprehension skills, which are fundamental for success in all areas of their education.
• Increased Engagement: Students are exposed to a wide range of genres and authors, helping them discover new interests and hobbies.
• Recognition and Achievement: Completing the challenge provides students with a sense of accomplishment, boosting their confidence and self-esteem. In 2025, certificates and awards will be presented to students, highlighting their commitment to reading.
• Building a Reading Community: The PRC fosters a sense of community among students, families, and schools, as they share their favourite books and celebrate their reading achievements together.

How to Get Involved

To join the Premier’s Reading Challenge, students simply need to register through our school by contacting Mrs Rose. The challenge is open to all schools in Victoria, and participation is free.

Looking Ahead

With its renewed focus on inclusivity, digital integration, and mental health, the 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge is poised to be a highly successful initiative that will continue to inspire students to develop a lifelong love for reading. Whether students are reading for enjoyment or to improve their literacy skills, the challenge offers something for everyone—and in 2025, the sky's the limit!

Challenge Book Lists

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ON TIME TO SCHOOL - EVERY DAY AND MINUTE COUNTS!

A reminder that our teachers begin critical learning at 9:00 am sharp, focusing on phonics, spelling, and reading — essential for strong literacy development.

When students arrive late, they miss this vital learning, which can make it difficult to catch up and disrupts the flow of the class.

🕒 Soft Start to School — Launching Next Term!

From 8:45 am, students can head straight into class to:

✅ Unpack their bags

✅ Settle in

✅ Be ready to learn by 9:00 am sharp

Attendance Expectations — Every Day Matters!

Did you know that missing one day every two weeks adds up to nearly 4 weeks of lost learning per year? Over a school life, that’s equivalent to a whole year of school missed!

Please ensure your child attends school every day, unless they are genuinely unwell.

❌ Unacceptable reasons for absence include:

• Staying home to help with family duties
• Shopping, birthdays, or visiting friends
• 'Mental health days' without professional advice

If your child is absent, notify the school via Compass or the office, and provide a reason for their absence.

Late Arrivals

A child is considered late if they arrive after 9:00 am.

➡️ All late students must collect a Late Pass from the office before going to class.

➡️ Families can log late arrivals on Compass.

➡️ Students cannot enter classrooms without a Late Pass.

⏰ Being 15 minutes late daily = 8 full days of lost learning per year!

Regular Attendance Updates

We will provide regular attendance updates throughout the year, so you are aware of your child’s attendance pattern.

Need Support?

If you need help getting your child to school on time, please contact Marta Campbell — we’re here to support you.

Thank you for helping us ensure every Ripper starts their day ready to learn!