Principal Team Message

A Few Gentle Reminders for Families

As we near the end of the term, we would like to offer a few friendly reminders to support a smooth finish to the semester.

Firstly, please remember to book your Student-Parent-Teacher Interview via the SchoolInterview App, if you haven’t already done so. These interviews are a valuable opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress, reflect on areas for growth, and set goals for the remainder of the year.

Your child’s semester report will be released on Compass this Friday. We encourage all families to take the time to read the report together, acknowledging achievements and discussing any areas that may require support or clarification.

To View the Report

• On the Compass homepage, click or tap on the ‘View Academic Reports’ link (located under your child’s profile photo).
• Select the 2025 Semester 1 Report from the list.
• The report will download as a PDF for you to read or print.

To make the most of your interview, it can be helpful to come prepared with any questions you may have—whether for the teacher or for your child. These conversations are designed to be a collaborative and respectful dialogue, helping to strengthen the partnership between home and school.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s learning journey. We look forward to connecting with you during interviews.

National Fairy Bread Day a Magical Success!

Last Friday, Ripponlea Primary School was sprinkled with joy, colour, and compassion as students and staff celebrated National Fairy Bread Day in true Ripponlea style. Our wonderful Student Representative Council (SRC), led by the ever-enthusiastic May E, organised a Pyjama Day filled with fun and fundraising for a meaningful cause — supporting children in out-of-home care through The Pyjama Foundation.

From a pyjama design competition to the delicious sale of fairy bread at recess, the day had something for everyone. There’s no doubt that getting dressed was a breeze for many — straight out of bed and into school, wrapped in warmth and purpose!

The initiative was not only a celebration of one of Australia's most nostalgic treats but also a reminder of the power of student voice and community action. With every slice of fairy bread sold and every dollar raised, our students demonstrated empathy, creativity, and leadership.

A big thank you to all who participated and donated, and an extra special shout-out to our SRC leaders Max H, Jessie BS, Lucas K and Obie for their hard work and vision in making the day such a memorable and meaningful one. Your energy and generosity have helped provide comfort and care to children supported by The Pyjama Foundation.

Standing Together Against Racism: Our Commitment to a Safe and Inclusive School Community

At Ripponlea Primary School, we are unwavering in our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for every student, staff member, and family. 

As a public school, we proudly uphold the values of equity, diversity, and cultural safety — and we know that racism has no place in our community.

Recently, the Department of Education launched a new Anti-Racism Policy as part of its broader strategy to build culturally safe and inclusive schools across Victoria. This policy recognises that racism — in any form — is harmful, unacceptable, and must be addressed directly. It provides a clear framework for schools to prevent, respond to, and report incidents of racism, while promoting a whole-school culture of respect and belonging.

What the Policy Means for Our School

The new policy supports our ongoing work to:

• Call out racism when it occurs and provide culturally appropriate support for affected students.
• Educate our school community about the impact of racism and the importance of allyship.
• Empower students and staff to speak up safely, confidently, and respectfully.
• Implement clear processes for reporting and addressing racist behaviour in line with the Department's expectations.

We are working with staff and students to ensure everyone understands what racism can look like — from explicit comments to unconscious bias or exclusion — and how to respond appropriately. Education is a powerful tool for change, and we are committed to equipping our students with the knowledge, empathy, and courage to be respectful and active citizens.

A Shared Responsibility

Addressing racism is not the responsibility of a few — it requires a shared commitment from all of us. Families play a crucial role in reinforcing respectful attitudes and speaking with children about inclusion, fairness, and standing up for others. We encourage you to read the Department’s Anti-Racism Policy and discuss it with your child at home.

As a school, we will continue to:

• Celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of our students and families.
• Provide professional learning for staff in cultural responsiveness.
• Ensure students from all backgrounds feel seen, valued, and safe.

If your child experiences or witnesses racism, please don’t hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher, a member of the leadership team, or use our established student wellbeing channels. We are here to listen, to learn, and to act.

Together, we can ensure that every child grows up in an environment free from racism — one that uplifts and honours their identity, culture, and potential.

When Sport Stops Being Fun: The Importance of Fair Play at School

At Ripponlea Primary School, we take pride in seeing our students active, engaged, and enjoying the many games and sports played during recess and lunch breaks. Whether it’s a friendly game of basketball, downball, soccer, football, or even a simple game of tiggy/tag or cubby house play, these moments offer a valuable opportunity for students to reset and recharge from the cognitive demands of learning.

However, we have observed a concerning trend across all age groups: when sport becomes too competitive, the spirit of the game can shift. Without umpires to guide play and uphold rules, some games have turned overly aggressive, with students struggling to self-regulate. We’ve seen an increase in rough physical play, verbal put-downs, swearing, and arguments about perceived skill or fairness—all in the name of “winning.”

This behaviour not only undermines the purpose of playtime but also creates stress and tension where there should be fun, friendship, and inclusion.

What We’re Doing About It

To support students in returning to the true spirit of sport and play, we will be:

• Increasing supervision in popular game areas
• Offering coaching and guidance on how to play fairly and safely
• Introducing logical consequences: rude, rough, or disrespectful play will result in time away from the game
• Discussing the value of fair play across all year levels—not just in sport but in all forms of play, including sandpit sharing and imaginative cubby house games

Fair play means treating others with respect, taking turns, and accepting wins and losses gracefully. These are essential life skills we want all students to develop and uphold.

How Families Can Help

We ask our families to partner with us by having conversations at home about what it means to be a good sport, a fair player, and a kind peer. Remind your child that lunchtime is a break—a time to relax, connect, and enjoy. It’s not the AFL Grand Final or the Soccer World Cup, and no win is worth hurting a friend or ruining the game for others.

Together, we can help restore the joy of play and ensure our schoolyard remains a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

FOUNDATION INCURSION: Learning About Responsible Pet Ownership

This week, our Foundation students participated in a very special incursion led by the Responsible Pet Ownership Program, a government initiative that teaches young children how to safely interact with animals and care for them responsibly.

The excitement was clear as students met "Murphy," a gentle and friendly dog who helped demonstrate how to approach and behave around pets. The program presenter spoke about the key needs of pets—shelter, food, exercise, grooming, and love—and the importance of being calm and gentle when interacting with animals.

Our youngest learners explored scenarios where they might encounter a dog in the community, such as walking past one tied up outside a shop or playing in the park. Through storytelling, songs, and interactive activities, they were taught important safety messages such as “Ask the owner, let the dog sniff your hand, then gently pat” and “If a dog is alone, leave it alone.”

These simple but powerful lessons not only build awareness of animal welfare but also support the development of empathy, respect, and personal responsibility in our students.

A big thank you to the program facilitators and of course to Murphy for helping make this such a memorable learning experience! We encourage families to continue these conversations at home—ask your child what they learned about caring for pets and how they might help at home with a family animal.

Rehome Before We Remove – Furniture Giveaway

At Ripponlea, we are committed to recycling, reusing, and minimising waste wherever possible. As part of a recent clean-up, we’ve cleared out a number of old furniture pieces, including storage units and tables.

Before we place these items on the nature strip, we’d love to offer them to any community members who might find them useful—perhaps for extra storage in a garage or workspace.

If you're interested in having a look, please see Mrs Rose and she will be happy to show you what’s available.

Let’s work together to give these items a second life!

A MESSAGE FROM MRS NIELD, OUR MARRUNG CHAMPION, ON BEHALF OF THE RAP TEAM (RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN)

Last Friday, I was honoured to be invited to the Aboriginal Advancement League site in Thornbury, located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. This was the first gathering of Marrung Champions from schools across our network.

What is a Marrung Champion?The word Marrung comes from the Wemba Wemba language and refers to the Murray Cypress pine tree, symbolising the branches of education and knowledge.

As a Marrung Champion, my role includes:

• Fostering a positive climate for learning where Koorie children and learners feel strong in their cultural identity
• Supporting our wider community to appreciate and respect Koorie culture and history
• Contributing to the vision of the Marrung Education Plan—a Victoria where the rich and thriving culture of First Nations peoples is celebrated by all
• Promoting cultural inclusivity and deepening learners’ understanding of Koorie culture and history

One of my key takeaways from the day was the importance of ensuring that Koorie children and families feel safe, seen, and supported in our school community. If families have not yet identified as First Nations, we want them to feel secure and respected enough to do so in this inclusive environment. Our commitment is to continue educating all students in understanding, respect and truth-telling about First Nations peoples and cultures.

We were joined by representatives from many Bayside schools, as well as John Murray, our Koorie Engagement Support Officer (KESO). John is a member of our local Aboriginal community with a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. We also had the privilege of hearing from Leigh Saunders, Deputy CEO of the Aboriginal Advancement League, who shared his experiences growing up in Country Victoria in the 1990s and his ongoing work supporting Aboriginal youth.

I was deeply moved by the stories of both First Nations and non-Indigenous people who have worked for decades to support Aboriginal advancement. Their dedication to promoting self-determination, self-sufficiency and self-management continues through vital programs—such as efforts to reconnect members of the Stolen Generations with their families, maternal and child health services, community development programs, and initiatives that empower Aboriginal women and keep communities connected. It was truly inspiring.

We hope to take some Rippers to the AAL site in the future so they too can benefit from this incredible place of knowledge and history. Take a moment to view the photos of the vibrant murals on site, which honour influential figures such as Sir Doug Nicholls, Doris Blackburn, Stan Davey, and Gordon Bryant. It was a sunny Melbourne winter’s day beneath the tall gum trees—and an experience I’ll never forget.

Julie Nield

Marrung Champion

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal