Principal Team Message

THREE WEEKS TO GO - LET'S STAY FOCUSED AND POSITIVE  🎉

With the exciting Rippstock Fete just around the corner, it’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all we've achieved together. This event will be a wonderful moment for our whole community, and every bit of support makes a difference.

Let's lend a hand wherever we can—working together, we know we can finish the term strong and with pride! Thank you for your dedication and teamwork as we make these final weeks count. 🌟

WORKING BEE HIGHLIGHTS  

We may not typically call a wet and rainy working bee a "highlight," but the community spirit at RPS is undeniable! Despite the weather—rain, hail, or shine—families turned up to help clean every area of the school. From weeding and mowing to general cleaning, the support was overwhelming. Our community is truly fortunate to have such dedicated families.

Not only did parents come out, but students were everywhere, lending a hand too. They pruned, picked up rubbish, and contributed to making the school look fantastic. The front of the school looks beautiful, and the senior playground is now free of weeds sprouting from the tanbark.

A special thanks to our students Jasper R, our newly appointed "MasterChef", who cooked delicious sausages to reward our hardworking families. Eva KL and Jasper ran the best service you could find, setting up, bringing out food, and entertaining the younger students while they waited to be served. The icy poles and soda were a big treat, and we loved how all the families stayed around, chatted, and got to know some of our new families, creating special new connections. 

If you see them at Rippostock, be sure to give them a big shout-out—they certainly deserve it for their efforts on this rainy Sunday in November.

Additionally, many Rippostock organisers were onsite sorting stock and dropping off goodies in preparation for the event. We extend a deep thanks to all the families and students of RPS for your incredible efforts at the working bee!

STEPPING UP TRANSITION SUCCESS: WELCOME, 2025 FOUNDATION FAMILIES  

Last Friday, despite the hot weather, we had the pleasure of welcoming our 2025 Foundation families and their children for the final Stepping Up transition session. It was a heartwarming day filled with excitement, community spirit, and memorable moments.

The session began with families learning to navigate our school's online platforms - COMPASS & QKR, meeting Kristy Airey and the team from EduThreads, and Kate Crawford our Business Manager who shared important information about our family payments policy, family bonus and voluntary contributions. 

Following this, everyone gathered for a special BBQ, enjoying quality time together. A huge thank you to Lee and our wonderful parent volunteers for their hard work in making the day so enjoyable!

Many families commented on the friendliness and respect shown by our current Year 4 and Year 5 students. Their enthusiasm about becoming buddies next year was inspiring, and they are clearly eager to take on this special role in 2025.

We also extend our gratitude to all the students across the school who created thoughtful packs of activities and cards for each Foundation child to take home. These personalised touches made the day even more special.

A big thank you to Mr. Blake and Stef for facilitating the transition sessions over the past month. They reported how school-ready and settled the incoming Foundation students appeared—a testament to the excellent preparation by their families and kindergartens.

As we bid farewell to our future 2025 Foundation students and families, we look forward to seeing them again next year as they officially join our Ripper community. We hope to see many of you at our upcoming fete, where you can already start to feel a part of our vibrant school family.

Welcome to our community—we can't wait for an amazing journey ahead!

CLASS PLACEMENT & STAFFING UPDATE 2025 

We know this time of year brings anticipation as we finalise class placements and staff allocations for the upcoming school year. We are incredibly fortunate to have such talented teachers and support staff, and it’s one of our great privileges as principal and assistant principal to see them embrace new challenges, year levels, and students with open-minded enthusiasm.

Allocating teachers to year levels is a thoughtful process that we undertake with care and responsibility. While the final decisions rest with us, we greatly value teacher input and their preferences. Just like students, teachers don’t always get their first choice, but their flexibility and professionalism make this process smoother for everyone. We appreciate their patience as we navigate recruitment and ensure the best fit for our students’ needs.

Thank you all for your understanding and support during this time. We’re excited to share some updates about our staff. 

As we prepare for 2025, we must first bid farewell to some of our valued staff. While these departures bring mixed emotions, we always need to remember that teachers leave for various personal reasons—be it family, quality of life, or new opportunities. These decisions are never easy, and we respect and support their choices.

Farewell and Best Wishes to Brenton O'Hoy

We would like to take a moment to farewell Brenton O'Hoy. Many of you would not be surprised by Brenton's decision to move on to Collingwood College, which is much closer to his home. This move will allow him to spend more time with his wife, Kate, and their beautiful twins Elliot and Willow. 

The demands of long commutes, whether by car or public transport, can take a toll, and we understand the importance of balancing work and family life. Brenton’s departure marks the end of an incredible chapter at Ripponlea Primary, but we know he will always remain connected to our community. His dedication to our students and staff has left a lasting impact, and he will be deeply missed.

Please join us in wishing Brenton all the best in his new role and for the future. We know he will continue to thrive and make a difference wherever he goes.

Farewell to Jane DeLorenzo

We have been incredibly fortunate to have Jane DeLorenzo as part of our Ripponlea family. After arriving from Ballarat and exploring Melbourne, Jane found her home with us, and we have been grateful ever since.

Throughout her time at Ripponlea, Jane has worn many hats: English Leader, member of our School Improvement team, Foundation teacher, Year 1/2 teacher, and most recently, a beloved member of the Year 3/4 team, where she has made a significant impact in 3/4B. Jane has always shown a deep commitment to the growth and success of her students, and we are thankful for the care and passion she has brought to her role.

What we didn’t realise was that Jane and her partner, Corey, live in Cockatoo, and Jane has been commuting over 1.5 hours each way to get to Ripponlea every day. It’s no wonder she has been exhausted from such a demanding routine!

As Jane looks ahead to 2025, she is excited to make a change and join Menzies Creek Primary School, a small, tight-knit community with just 100 students. While the move will bring a new pace of life to this beautiful township, we know Jane will continue to be an invaluable part of whatever community she is in.

We wish Jane all the very best in this new chapter and know that her impact, dedication, and heart will continue to shine wherever she goes. We will miss her dearly and hope she will always be a part of the Ripponlea family.

Farewell to Our Dynamic Duo: Emma Fay & Kate Ries

As we continue our farewells, we want to acknowledge the incredible duo of Emma Fay and Kate Ries, who will be joining St Roch's Primary School in the Catholic education system. We know they’ll continue their dynamic partnership and make a positive impact at their new school, just as they have here.

Emma has been an invaluable part of Ripponlea Primary, starting her teaching journey with us as a student teacher in Vicki's class. She quickly became an integral part of our team and made a remarkable contribution as our Learning Tutor under the government initiative—a program that will continue for one more year.

Kate has had a long and cherished association with RPS. She was a dedicated member of our ongoing staff before stepping away to start her own family. Her return and continued collaboration with Emma in supporting Year 3/4C students have been truly inspiring.

While we say goodbye for now, we know the future holds endless possibilities. Whether or not they return to full-time roles here, Emma and Kate will always be part of our Ripponlea family. We thank them for their dedication and the lasting impact they’ve had on our students and community.

We wish them both the very best in their new journey at St Roch's!

Farewell to Jonathan (Jon) Wood

At the end of the year, we will bid farewell to Jonathan Wood, known affectionately as Jon. Jon has recently embraced the joys of fatherhood, welcoming his beautiful daughter Millie with his partner Emeline. While we are sad to see him go, we know his next adventure at Elsternwick Primary School will bring new opportunities for him and his growing family.

Jon’s journey into teaching has been unique. Starting his career in the corporate world, he later followed his passion for education—a decision that has truly enriched our school community. As a valued member of the Year 3/4 team, Jon has brought dedication, enthusiasm, and a wealth of knowledge to his students, especially in mathematics. His ability to make complex concepts accessible and engaging has inspired many young learners.

We’ve also benefitted from Jon’s analytical skills and data expertise, a legacy of his previous career. These skills have made a real impact on our teaching teams and student outcomes, and his data-savvy approach has set a high standard.

While Jon’s focus will now include his important role as a dad, we hope his connection with Ripponlea remains strong. We wish Jon all the best in his new role and this exciting chapter of fatherhood. He will be deeply missed, but his influence will continue to be felt here for years to come.

Farewell to Danielle Merlino

After extensive community consultation, our decision to transition to a Japanese language program has created a unique opportunity for Caulfield South Primary School—they are gaining one of the finest Italian teachers we’ve had the privilege to know: Danielle Merlino.

Danielle joined us four years ago and quickly became an invaluable member of our specialist team. Her dedication and enthusiasm have left a lasting impression on both students and staff. Not only did she inspire our students with her passion for Italian, but she also took on the brave challenge of teaching French, even when it wasn’t her most familiar language.

Danielle’s care for every Ripponlea student has been remarkable. She navigated the complexities of language teaching with patience, understanding, and creativity, always making thoughtful adjustments to ensure every student felt supported and engaged. Her work has enriched our school community beyond measure.

While we are sad to see her go, we know Caulfield South’s gain is our loss. Danielle will always be woven into the fabric of our Ripponlea family, and we hope she will visit us often.

Thank you, Danielle, for your incredible contribution to our students’ learning journeys. We wish you all the best for next year and beyond!

Farewell to Emily Ingamells

It’s with mixed emotions that we announce Emily Ingamells will be leaving us at the end of this year. Many of you know the profound impact Emily has had on our students through her exceptional delivery of the evidence-based MiniLit and MacqLit reading intervention programs. Thanks to her dedication and expertise, countless students have thrived, achieving outstanding results in both school-based assessments and NAPLAN.

While we are, of course, saddened by this news, we also know that Emily’s next step is nothing short of impressive. She has been accepted into a government-funded program at Griffith University to become a Speech Therapist—a role she’s been inspired to pursue through her work as an intervention specialist.

Emily’s decision to undertake two years of full-time study speaks volumes about her passion for supporting students. And, selfishly, we can’t help but wonder if, one day, Ripponlea might have its own in-house speech therapist in Emily!

Her students will deeply feel her absence. Emily’s daily encouragement, care, and expertise in small-group literacy support have helped so many children achieve tangible success. She has been their greatest cheerleader, and her legacy of impact will be long-lasting.

Congratulations, Emily! We know you will shine in your studies and beyond. Your Ripponlea family is so proud of you and excited for this next chapter in your journey.

Farewell to Tye McGannon

After several years without a dedicated PE teacher, we were thrilled to welcome Tye McGannon to our team this year. Coming to us from Benton Junior College, Tye quickly made his mark with his enthusiasm, dedication, and passion for physical education. His energy and commitment have truly inspired both students and staff, and we are grateful for the time he’s spent with us.

However, as much as Tye has enjoyed his time at Ripponlea, the call of family has led him back to his hometown Fish Creek. Tye will be taking on a Year 4/5 classroom position at Korumburra Primary in regional Victoria for 2025. While we are sad to see him go, we fully understand his desire to support his loved ones, and we hope this will be a temporary farewell.

Tye’s time as our PE teacher has been marked by great enthusiasm, strong leadership, and a genuine connection with the students. We know his future students will benefit from his passion and care, just as we have. We wish him all the best in his new role and hope that, in the future, we might have the pleasure of welcoming him back to Ripponlea.

Best of luck, Tye, and thank you for everything you’ve contributed to our school community.

Farewell to Josie Cheney

Last but certainly not least, we say farewell to our wonderfulJosie Cheney. Josie has been a dedicated and valued member of our team as an integration aide, providing unwavering support to our students and staff alike. Her kindness, patience, and commitment have made a positive impact on everyone around her.

Josie is now moving to Mount Martha, embracing the relaxed peninsula lifestyle. She has been studying for her teaching degree and will continue to pursuethis goal in the coming year. We are excited for Josie as she takes this next step in her career, and we know she will continue to excel in whatever role she chooses.

We’ll certainly miss Josie’s presence at Ripponlea, especially our students, who have greatly benefited from her care and support. We wish her all the best and look forward to visiting her and the nearby peninsula hot springs during the upcoming holidays!

Best of luck, Josie, and thank you for everything you’ve done for our school community. You will be deeply missed, and we’ll always remember the positive impact you’ve had on all of us.

STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS 2025

We are excited to share some initial staffing updates for the upcoming year, with more details to come soon!

To further enhance our support for all students, we have expanded our Disability and Inclusion program with the addition of new staff. This will provide even more tailored support for students who need it most. 

Alongside this, we’re growing our Education Support team, ensuring that every child receives the care and assistance they deserve.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates about the new staff joining our vibrant school community!

We are excited to introduce some fantastic new members to our teaching team for 2025! We are thrilled to welcome a diverse group of educators, each bringing unique skills, passion, and experience to our school community.

Jaryn Rambaran, a Canadian-born teacher with a strong background in physical education, will be joining us after teaching at Malvern Primary. 

Lauren Karas, who many of our students will remember from her time as a student teacher with Mrs. Nield, is fluent in Japanese and is excited to help launch our new language program. She comes to us from Caulfield Primary School. 

Mrs Sayako Nakagawa, who brings a wealth of experience from both mainstream and bilingual Japanese schools across Victoria, impressed us with her depth of expertise in Japanese language and culture. Mrs Nakagawa is looking forward to launching our exciting new language program and seeing our students thrive as they explore the richness of the Japanese language and culture.

We’re also welcoming Naomi Hoewel, who will be our new leading teacher. Naomi brings a wealth of leadership experience from Mount View Primary, a respected World IB School. 

Additionally, Izzy Garcia, an experienced teacher from the UK, and Caroline Robertshaw, an experienced Education Support leader, will be joining our student wellbeing team, bringing valuable expertise to support our students.

We are also delighted to welcome back Lydia Ioannidis, affectionately known as Miss I, who has had a wonderful experience working at Sacré Cœur. Lydia has certainly missed our students, staff, and community, and we’re excited to see her bring her recent experience working with Year 5 students to our Year 3/4 cohort. Her passion for supporting student growth will be a valuable addition to our team, and we know our students will benefit from her dedication and expertise.

Many of you already know Casey Trotter from her time working in our school office. Beyond this role, Casey has been an educator in Botswana and served as the principal of a small school for students with disabilities. Having recently completed her Masters in Education, Casey brings a wealth of knowledge and diverse experience to our team. We are thrilled to welcome her as she joins our staff next year, and we look forward to the positive impact she will have on our school community.

Together, this team will help drive our vision for a vibrant, inclusive learning environment, and we’re excited about what the future holds with them on board!

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FROM THE ASYLUM REFUGEE CENTRE

We are thrilled to share a special message of gratitude we’ve received from the Asylum Seeker Refugee Centre, following our recent whole-school food donation drive. Our SRC student leaders delivered your generous contributions, and the response was truly moving.

The Centre sent a book of heartfelt stories of refugee families who have directly benefited from your kindness, highlighting the incredible impact our community has made. These stories are a powerful reminder of the difference we can create when we come together in support of others.

A big thank you to all students, families, and staff for your generosity and compassion. This recognition belongs to every member of our RPS community, and we are so proud of the empathy and leadership our students have shown.

Dear Ripponlea Primary School

Thank you for the compassion and commitment you have shown by your Food items contribution to the ASRC Foodbank.

Our Foodbank operates as a free grocery store for people seeking asylum who live in our community. We support more than 1000 people with essential food, almost half of whom are children. 

Giving food is the most immediate and tangible way to support people seeking asylum. The majority of all groceries and material aid is donated by generous supporters just like you. We can’t operate our programs without your compassionate contribution.

Like to stay in the loop? Follow ASRC Foodbank on Facebook and Instagram to keep up-to-date with all the ASRC Foodbank activities.

If you have any questions or require additional support please email us at foodandgoods@asrc.org.au.

Thank you once again for your wonderful support. It truly is invaluable.

Warm Regards,

The ASRC Community Food Program

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal