Principal Team Message

A BEAUTIFUL FAREWELL TO OUR YEAR 6  GRADUATES 

Last Wednesday, we gathered as a community to celebrate a milestone moment, our Year 6 Graduation. It was a truly special evening filled with laughter, emotion and heartfelt reflection as we honoured the journey our students have taken during their years at Ripponlea Primary School.

The celebrations began with a shared dinner in the staffroom, where staff proudly served the meal. The atmosphere was warm and joyful, with students and teachers enjoying those final moments together as a cohort. Our graduates looked incredibly special in their outfits, and although nerves were high, they quickly settled as they stepped into Barrbunin to begin the ceremony.

Once inside, the students shone. They confidently introduced one another, shared personal memories and funny moments, and expressed their gratitude to both their families and their teachers for guiding, supporting and believing in them throughout their primary years.

The video montage of their future aspirations brought smiles and laughter, dreams of becoming soccer players, interior designers, engineers, police officers and so much more. Whatever path they choose, we know each one of them will shine brightly.

Their time at RPS has been filled with experiences that helped them discover their strengths, build confidence and develop resilience. From stepping outside their comfort zone on school camp to embracing leadership roles, performing in productions, participating in events and engaging deeply in classroom learning, they have taken every opportunity to learn more about themselves and what they are capable of achieving.

To our dedicated teachers, past and present, thank you. Every educator who has worked with these students has helped shape their knowledge, their confidence and their sense of identity. They have celebrated their successes, encouraged them when things felt hard and believed wholeheartedly in their potential. Many joined us on the night, including their treasured Foundation teachers, Miss Rebecca, Ms Dom and Mrs Clover, who surprised students with heartfelt video messages.

To our families, thank you. Your partnership, trust and support have meant so much. Educating a child is a shared journey, and we are grateful to have travelled this path together. This year, we also farewell several families whose youngest or only child is graduating. Some of these families have been part of our community for over a decade, and we are deeply appreciative of their long-standing contributions.

We farewell:

Year 6, as you move into high school, carry with you the values that have guided your time at RPS. Continue to be kind, to be curious and to be courageous. Hold onto the strength of your character, the joy of learning and the values your families have nurtured in you.

It has been a privilege to watch you learn, laugh, lead and grow. You leave Ripponlea ready for new challenges, new friendships and new horizons.

On behalf of the entire school community, we wish you every success and every happiness in the years ahead. Be brave. Be curious. Be yourself. And remember, you will always be part of the Ripponlea Primary School story.

CELEBRATING MR G'S REMARKABLE LEGACY AT RPS

As the end of 2025 draws near, our school community gathered to honour an extraordinary educator whose presence has shaped Ripponlea Primary School for over 23 years. Mr G’s retirement is a milestone that brought together past and present staff, families, and students in a celebration filled with warmth, gratitude, and a great deal of laughter, very much in true Ripponlea style.

We began the week with a beautiful morning tea, attended by many former staff members who returned to celebrate the colleague and friend who has given so much of himself to our school. Families also joined us, each person carrying a story, a memory, or simply a heartfelt wish for Mr G as he prepares for his next chapter. The atmosphere was warm, nostalgic, and deeply appreciative, a testament to the relationships Mr G has nurtured across generations.

Of course, Ripponlea never does things by halves. The special whole-school assembly that followed was nothing short of spectacular. Our exceptional student hosts, Odee and Lottie, led the event with confidence, humour, and grace, setting the tone for a heartfelt and joyful tribute.

From video memories that captured Mr G through the years, to thoughtful presentations, to a spontaneous chorus of “Happy Birthday” for Mrs G, the assembly overflowed with love and admiration. One of the standout moments was a very special performance by The Ripoffs, with a song written especially for Mr G by Laurel. Their musical tribute filled the Barrbuin with applause, and pure delight.

The highlight for many was a comical video imagining what Mr G should do in retirement and, importantly, why he is retiring. From knitting and golf to the simple (and hilarious) notion of "just being old," the video had the entire space roaring with laughter. It was the perfect blend of affection and humour, exactly what Mr G brings into every classroom and staff room. 

Huge thanks to Stef, Miss I, Mrs Nield, and The Ripoffs for crafting such a memorable celebration.

No send-off would be complete without singing the Ripponlea School Song one last time with Mr G. As voices filled the hall, many could not help but shed a tear (or several). It was a moment of unity, gratitude, and recognition of the tremendous impact Mr G has had on our school.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all members of our community who contributed to Mr G’s online card and gift. With great joy, Mr G selected a stunning artwork from the Outré Gallery on Smith Street, Fitzroy, - The Bluest Note, as a lasting reminder of his time with us. Our community raised $900 towards this memorable gift. 

Thank you, Mr G, for 23 years of passion, humour, dedication, and unwavering care for our students and our community. Your legacy is woven into the very fabric of Ripponlea Primary School, and you will forever remain a cherished part of our story.

We wish you a retirement full of joy, creativity, laughter, perhaps even a little bit of knitting and all the adventures you deserve.

A FEW WORDS FROM MR G HIMSELF!

Dear RPS Community,

I wish to thank you all for the kind words and messages I have received over the last few weeks. I was truly blessed to have two celebration events—a morning tea and an assembly—and I feel very privileged.

I was given a tremendous book created by staff and students, filled with kind notes and pictures; an acoustic guitar signed by staff members, an online card filled with kind messages and a fantastic piece of art by Josh Agle (known in the art world as Shag). The artwork, The Bluest Note, celebrates the legacy of the Blue Note Record label, which released some of the finest music of the 20th century, including recordings by John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock. Perfect gift for a performing Arts teacher.

I feel very lucky—and more than a little emotional.

I started at Ripponlea in 2002 when, by chance, I was called in late as a CRT after a teacher went home unwell. (No, I wasn’t a young graduate—I began teaching back in 1979, but that’s a whole other story.)

At the end of the day, as I was heading out the door, the Assistant Principal called me back and said the Principal, Christine Bishop, wanted a word. My first thought was, Uh oh… what have I done?

Instead, I was offered a Grade 6 position, as the teacher was due to retire in a few weeks. I met her, and she told me about the class of 12 Grade 6 students and how lovely they were. Of course, I took the job.

So I began working here in 2002. In 2003, I took on a permanent position and never looked back. I always knew this was a great school, and it always has been. I never once thought about leaving.

Which is why it is with great sadness that I leave now.

To all the wonderful teachers I have worked with over the years—thank you.

To all the incredible students, especially those who still pop up in the strangest places—including Vietnam, Queensland theme parks, Grill’d, Bakers Delight, Maccas and Officeworks with a cheerful “Hey, Mr G!”—thank you.

And to the families of Ripponlea Primary School: what an extraordinary community. Thank you.

Rob Griffiths

RIPPERS ON THE RUN - COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER 

What an incredible achievement for Ripponlea Primary School! Our recent Rippers on the Run fundraiser has once again highlighted the extraordinary spirit, generosity, and community pride that define our school. Thanks to the enthusiasm of our students, the encouragement of our families, and the support of our wider community, we are thrilled to share that the event has raised $11,422.90 so far.

This is an outstanding effort, and while we are still finalising the full total, including additional food and drink sales but we wanted to acknowledge and celebrate the collective energy that made this year’s fundraiser such a success. 

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraisers

We are delighted to announce the winners across the school:

A special mention must go to our Foundation families, who had the highest number of sign-ups across the school. Their enthusiasm and willingness to get involved helped set a vibrant tone for the event.

Foundation:

• 1st Prize: Charlotte – and also the second-highest fundraiser school-wide, raising an incredible $740
• 2nd Prize: Mila

• 3rd Prize: Mia

   

Year 1: 

• 1st Prize: Millie 
• 2nd Prize: Theo 

• 3rd Prize: Olive 

   

Year 2:

• 1st Prize: Etta - also the highest fundraiser school-wide, raising an incredible $778
• 2nd Prize: Masie 
• 3rd Prize: Isla 

Year 3:

• 1st Prize: Kit R
• 2nd Prize: Aleck 
• 3rd Prize: India

Year 4:

• 1st Prize: Gabriel M
• 2nd Prize: Florence
• 3rd Prize: Odee

Year 5:

• 1st Prize: Raiden
• 2nd Prize: Bella 
• 3rd Prize: Ethan 

Year 6:

• 1st Prize: Vivienne
• 2nd Prize: Stav 
• 3rd Prize: Billy 

We are immensely proud of their efforts and the spirit in which they participated.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Wills Batch on Glen Huntly Road, who generously donated prizes for each year level, - first, second and third. Their ongoing support adds a special touch to our community fundraisers, and we are grateful for their partnership.

Our House teams put in an extraordinary effort, rallying together with pride, teamwork, and plenty of friendly competition. A huge congratulations to all four Houses for their outstanding contributions:

• 4th Place – Bemin: $1,808
• 3rd Place – Tunparrim: $2,290
• 2nd Place – Booring: $3,103
• 1st Place – Warren: $4,221.90 – our overall House fundraising champions!

As the 2025 winners, Warren has earned:

• 1,000 House Points
• 15 minutes of extra lunch or recess play (their choice)
• A celebratory icy pole for every House member

What an incredible achievement well done, Warren!

Beyond the dollars raised, Rippers on the Run once again showcased the values we hold dear at Ripponlea: connection, participation, and a collective commitment to providing the best opportunities for our students. The funds raised will directly support programs, resources, and projects that enhance learning and play across the school.

Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, cheered, donated, or supported in any way. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference, and we look forward to sharing the final fundraising total once all contributions have been tallied.

Ripponlea really does run on community. Thank you for making this event such a wonderful success.

RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL - 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW

The 2025 school year at Ripponlea Primary School has been a year of remarkable growth, strengthened community connection, and purposeful improvement across every corner of our school. As a community, we continued to uphold our values of Community, Creativity, Integrity, Open-Mindedness, Resilience and Respect, which were visible daily in our classrooms, playgrounds, and whole-school events.

Teaching and Learning

This year marked a significant step forward in our journey toward greater consistency and excellence in teaching practice. Staff continued implementing VTLM 2.0, strengthened explicit teaching through our whole-school RPS Instructional Model, and refined targeted support through Professional Learning Community (PLC) inquiry cycles. Our focus on Mathematics and Literacy, particularly the rollout of the updated Victorian Curriculum 2.0, has built stronger foundations for student growth and achievement. Students benefited from structured phonics, fluency routines, and increased writing stamina through the six traits.

Wellbeing and Inclusion

Student wellbeing remained at the heart of our work in 2025. We continued to embed multi-tiered supports through SWPBS, Social Stencil, and the Zones of Regulation, while strengthening our inclusion team with additional expertise and new roles. The introduction of further allied health support, Visiting Teacher services, and targeted inclusion initiatives ensured students received timely, needs-based assistance. Our commitment to fostering safe, respectful relationships continued to underpin classroom culture.

Across the school, students demonstrated increasing emotional literacy, improved self-regulation, and stronger connections with their peers and teachers. Foundational skills in organisation and readiness to learn were reinforced daily through Ripper Routines and consistent Classroom Routines, helping students transition smoothly and engage more confidently in learning.

A significant part of teacher practice this year also centred on strengthening engagement norms, using strategies such as checking for understanding, whiteboard response routines, and turn-and-talk opportunities to promote active participation and deepen learning. These practices contributed to calmer, more predictable classroom environments where students felt secure, supported, and ready to learn.

Student Leadership and Voice

Student leaders were exceptional ambassadors for Ripponlea in 2025. Captains, House Leaders, SRC representatives, Sustainability and Wellbeing Leaders, as well as our newly formed RPA Ambassadors, all made significant contributions to school-wide initiatives, events, and community engagement. Their voice played a meaningful role in shaping improvements across the school, from enhancing structured play opportunities to informing cultural celebrations and whole-school events.

Through programs such as the Foundation Buddy Program, our leaders modelled integrity, responsibility, and empathy, consistently setting a positive example for younger students. Their enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to strengthening our community were evident throughout the year and reflected the strong culture of student agency we continue to foster at Ripponlea Primary School.

Community and Events

A hallmark of 2025 has been the vibrant spirit of our community. From House Music, Japan Day, Book Week, The 2025 Production, Rippers on the Run, camps, excursions, sporting events, and parent-led initiatives, our families, staff, and volunteers created countless memorable experiences for students. Our strong partnership with the School Council continued to enhance communication, improve facilities, and ensure our resources directly benefit student learning and wellbeing.

Building and Facilities

This year saw continued and strategic investment in maintaining and enhancing our buildings and grounds. Improvements ranged from important safety upgrades, including expanded CCTV coverage and new fencing, to the creation of accessible outdoor learning decks and revitalised garden spaces. We also upgraded several internal learning walls to support cognitive focus and minimise distractions, ensuring classrooms remain calm, purposeful environments that promote deep learning.

Our commitment to providing safe and well-maintained play spaces remained a priority. Ongoing work included the maintenance of the synthetic oval, regular rejuvenation of sand and soft-fall areas, and comprehensive tree audits, all ensuring that students could enjoy safe, high-quality outdoor spaces every day. These combined efforts have contributed to a more engaging, inclusive, and secure school environment for all members of our community.

Looking Forward

As we conclude 2025, we do so with pride in our collective achievements and with a clear vision for the years ahead. Our School Review and new Strategic Plan (2025–2029) set a strong foundation for continued improvement in teaching, learning, wellbeing, and community partnerships.

We thank every staff member, student, and family for your contribution to another successful and inspiring year at Ripponlea Primary School.

STAFFING UPDATES 2026

After extensive consideration and careful workforce planning, we are extremely excited to share our 2026 staffing profile and the exceptional educators and support staff who will be working alongside our students, families, and colleagues next year.

We are proud of our support staff who have recently completed their teaching degrees. Many are now branching out and beginning their own teaching careers, and while we will miss their daily presence at Ripponlea, we are thrilled to see them take this next step in their professional journey.

We wish the following support staff all the very best in their future endeavours

Connor, Mia, Bella, Harriet & Heather

Others within our team are relocating to regional Victoria or pursuing new opportunities. Our own Mrs Julie Nield is heading off on her next adventure, and while she is stepping away from her current role, she will continue to work with Ripponlea Primary School in a new capacity. We extend our warmest wishes to Ms Lauren Karas as she begins an exciting chapter at her new school. She will be greatly missed by students, families and colleagues.

At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Hayden Broadbent, our new Learning Specialist, and welcome back Sergio, whose return strengthens our junior team. We are also very pleased to introduce our new Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) Leader, Ms Nikki Olsen, who will bring additional expertise to our wellbeing and inclusion framework.

The year ahead is shaping up to be one filled with opportunity, growth, and strong support for every learner. We look forward to working with this incredible team and continuing to provide the highest quality education and care for our Ripponlea community.

Principal Team: Natalie Rose & Marta Campbell

Business Manager: Kate Crawford

Office Administration & Enrolments: Perrine Prevot

School Improvement Team: Natalie Rose, Marta Campbell, Naomi Hoewel, Hayden Broadbent, Stef Hoffner, Lydia Ioannidis & Jaryn Rambaran

Disability & Inclusion Support: Caroline Robertshaw

Intervention Specialist & Library: Isabelle Garcia

Mental Health In Primary Schools Leader: Nikki Olsen

Learning Support Team: Integration Aides

Mark Soroczynski, Fiona Clarke, Janine Drakeford, Carly Storer, Breanna Gale, Davina Gatz

Mathew Archon, Ava Wolf, Lewis Soroczynski

Foundation Team

FA – Emma Davidson

FB - Matthew Blake

Year 1/2 Team

1/2 A – Stef Hoffner

1/2 B- Sergio Msahli-Azagane

1/2 C – Braden Leech

Year 3/4 Team

3/4 A – Hayden Broadbent

3/4 B - Sarah Coughlin

3/4 C – Casey Trotter

Year 5/6 Team

5/6 A – Corey Posner

5/6 B – Naomi Hoewel

5/6 C – Dave Bremner

5/6 D – Lydia Ioannidis

Specialist Team

Performing Arts: James Martin

Visual Arts: Shannon Connelly

Japanese: Sayako Nakagawa

Physical Education: Jaryn Rambaran

FUNDING FOR SCHOOL RESTORATION

Did you know that Ripponlea Primary School is over 103 years old? Our school is rich in history, tradition and community pride. With that legacy, however, comes the responsibility of caring for ageing buildings that require ongoing maintenance and thoughtful restoration.

That is why we were absolutely delighted to receive the wonderful news that Ripponlea Primary School has been successful in securing $499,966 through the Capital Works Fund 2025–26 Open Round.

This significant funding will support the replacement of roofing and associated restoration and painting works across the school. The project will be led by the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA), who will work closely with our school to finalise the scope, undertake design work and manage delivery.

This investment is a major step in preserving our beautiful historic buildings, ensuring they remain safe, functional and welcoming for our students, staff and wider community for generations to come.

We are incredibly grateful for this support and thank the Victorian Government and the VSBA for their commitment to maintaining and improving public school facilities.

We look forward to sharing further updates with our community as the project progresses.

FROM STAGE TO CLASSROOM - A PRODUCTION WITH PURPOSE

This year’s school production was an incredible success, with outstanding attendance at both the matinee and evening performances. Thanks to the generosity and talent within our own community including Lea Perkins’ choreography and the dedication of our writers and directors. we were able to significantly reduce costs usually associated with external providers.

As a result, the production raised an impressive $17,000 profit, which will be reinvested directly into student learning through the replacement of furniture in all Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 classrooms. While the full furniture upgrade totals approximately $30,000, the production has made a substantial contribution.

Even more exciting, our existing furniture will not go to landfill. Through our partnership with Pacific Assist, the tables and chairs will be collected and shipped to schools and communities in Papua New Guinea, supporting learning beyond our own school.

A powerful example of community, sustainability and global impact working together.

A FINAL THANK YOU & HOLIDAY WISHES 

As we come to the end of another remarkable school year, we would like to extend my sincere thanks to our incredible staff, students and families. The dedication, care and partnership that exists within the Ripponlea Primary School community is something truly special, and it is what makes our school such a vibrant and nurturing place to learn and grow.

To our staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, for the care you show every day, and for the passion and professionalism you bring to your work. To our students we are so proud of your efforts, achievements, kindness and resilience throughout the year. And to our families, thank you for your ongoing support, trust and collaboration. Together, we have shared another year full of learning, celebration and connection.

As the holiday period begins, we wish all families a safe, restful and joyful break. May this time offer opportunities to slow down, reconnect and enjoy precious moments with loved ones. We also warmly acknowledge and celebrate the many cultures, traditions and festivals observed across our community during this season, and we hope each family’s celebrations are filled with meaning and happiness.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for a wonderful year ahead.

“Rest is not a reward for hard work — it is essential for the rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul.”

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday and festive season.

Until next year!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal