Principal Team Message

WELCOME TO TERM 2 AT RIPPONLEA PS 

Welcome back to the start of Term 2! We hope the school holidays provided a wonderful opportunity for rest, reflection, and connection. During the break, many of our families celebrated special cultural occasions, including Easter, Passover, Eid, and Songkran—highlighting the incredible diversity and richness of our school community. We hope these celebrations were joyful and meaningful for those who observed them.

We were also treated to some glorious autumn weather—perfect for outdoor adventures despite the season we are in. Nature certainly put on a show, reminding us how important it is to take time to enjoy the world around us.

With only a short week to start, it was the perfect opportunity for our students to ease back into routines, reconnect with their peers and teachers, and prepare for the busy term ahead.

Last week also marked ANZAC Day, a time of national reflection and remembrance. We know that this holds special meaning for many families in our community, particularly those with grandparents or relatives who served. 

We warmly invite students to bring in any ANZAC memorabilia—such as photos, medals or stories—to share with their class. These powerful moments help us connect history with learning in personal and memorable ways.

We have some fantastic events planned this term, including our House Cross Country, student-led conferences, and a continued focus on our whole school goals in Mathematics and Wellbeing. 

We sincerely thank our staff for the incredible work they’ve already done to prepare a rich and engaging term of learning.

Thank you also to our parents and carers for your ongoing support in helping students transition smoothly back into school life. Your partnership makes all the difference.

Here’s to another great chapter of learning and growing together!

HERE COMES ANOTHER RIPPER BABY!

It brings us so much joy to share in the personal milestones of our staff as they embark on exciting new chapters in their lives. From marriages and engagements to job promotions and new home purchases, we celebrate these special moments as one big family. It’s a beautiful reminder of how much we care for each other in our close-knit community.

Today, we are over the moon to announce that our very own Mrs. D, as she is affectionately known, is expecting a baby with her partner Nick! Mrs. D was thrilled to share this news with her students on the first day of the term, revealing the big surprise with a fun code breaker activity.

The students were absolutely delighted and are excited to watch that belly grow and grow! Ripper babies are multiplying, and we send all our best wishes to Mrs. D and her growing family as they prepare for this wonderful new adventure!

FAREWELL NATALIE PFALLER & BEST WISHES

At the very end of last term, we received both sad and wonderful news for one of our valued staff members, Natalie Pfaller, who has been successful in gaining a new position at Oakwood School in Noble Park.

Oakwood School is renowned for its exceptional support for students with diverse learning needs, providing a nurturing and inclusive environment for children with intellectual disabilities. 

The school is dedicated to empowering students by offering tailored educational programs and fostering independence and personal growth.

While we are saddened to see Natalie move on, we are incredibly proud of her promotion and excited for the new opportunities she will have in working with older students. Her expertise and caring nature have had a profound impact on our school community, and she will be greatly missed by both staff and students, especially those she supported throughout her time here at Ripponlea.

This is a significant step in Natalie’s career, and we are confident that her skillset and compassionate approach will be an incredible asset to the Oakwood community of schools. We wish her all the very best in this exciting new chapter, and we are certain she will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many more students.

INTRODUCING OUR PLAYGROUND PALS: PEER MEDIATION PROGRAM 

We are excited to announce the launch of the Playground Pals program at Ripponlea Primary School for the remainder of the year. This peer mediation initiative is a wonderful opportunity for our student leaders to support positive relationships and well-being in the playground.

Several students have now been trained in the principles of peer mediation, learning valuable skills such as active listening, conflict resolution, empathy, and problem-solving. These students, known as our Playground Pals, will be available during recess and lunch to assist their peers in navigating minor conflicts, helping students feel safe, heard, and empowered.

The program is built on the belief that students can be powerful leaders and role models when given the right tools. Our Playground Pals aim to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusivity in all areas of the school, one conversation at a time.

We look forward to seeing the impact of this initiative as our young leaders take on this important responsibility and contribute to a calmer, more connected school environment.

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 help, please contact Perrine at the school office as soon as possible.

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

Go Rippers! 💪🌟

2025 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

At Ripponlea Primary School, we are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our families through voluntary financial contributions. Your generosity plays a vital role in enhancing the educational experience for every student.

There is often a common misconception that education in government schools is entirely free and that schools receive enough funding to cover all essential costs. While the Department of Education provides funding to deliver the standard curriculum, this funding does not cover everything that makes our school such a rich, dynamic, and engaging place for students to learn and grow.

At Ripponlea, we believe our students deserve more than just the basics. We are committed to offering an exceptional educational experience filled with unique learning opportunities, special programs, and enriched resources. This includes enhanced classroom materials, updated technologies, specialist programs, engaging incursions and excursions, student wellbeing initiatives, and a range of 'pay-as-you-go' activities and events that fall outside the standard funding envelope.

Each year, we carefully plan our curriculum to be vibrant, meaningful, and exciting – and to achieve this, we sometimes incur additional costs that the school budget alone cannot meet. Voluntary contributions from families help bridge this gap, ensuring our students have access to the best possible resources, environments, and opportunities.

We invite all families to review the 2025 Financial Contributions information and consider supporting the school in whatever way they can. Every contribution, no matter the size, directly benefits our students and helps maintain the high standard of education we are proud to provide.

Thank you for partnering with us to invest in your child's future and in the future of our wonderful school community. Together, we continue to make Ripponlea Primary School a truly exceptional place to learn, grow, and thrive.

👉 To view the 2025 Financial Contributions information and find out how you can support our programs, please visit our school website or contact the office. Every contribution makes a difference — thank you for your support!

https://www.ripponleaps.vic.edu.au/page/270/Parent-Payments

JOIN THE PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE IN 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Ripponlea Primary School is once again participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge – and we encourage every student to get involved!

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is a wonderful opportunity to foster a lifelong love of reading in your child. It’s not just about the number of books read – it’s about building confidence, imagination, language skills, and a deep appreciation for the world of stories and knowledge.

Research shows that children who read regularly perform better at school and develop strong communication skills that last a lifetime. By taking part in the Challenge, students will experience the joy of reading while also working towards a personal goal – one that celebrates perseverance, curiosity, and achievement.

Here's why we encourage you to register your child:

• Motivation through fun: Setting a reading goal and tracking progress is a great motivator for young readers.
• A wide world of books: Students can choose from a diverse list of titles across many genres, encouraging them to explore new interests and authors.
• Recognition of achievement: Every child who completes the Challenge receives an official certificate from the Premier of Victoria – a proud reminder of their efforts.
• School spirit: When students read together, it builds a strong sense of community and shared learning at RPS.

How to get involved:

• Registration is now open! Simply contact your child's teacher or the school office if you would like to register your child.
• Once registered, students will receive their login details to track the books they read online.
• Reading can include books from home, school, or the public library – it all counts!

We would love to see as many of our students as possible embrace the Challenge this year. Let’s fill 2025 with amazing adventures, inspiring characters, and exciting new worlds – one page at a time.

Let’s make reading a celebration at Ripponlea Primary School!

Register today and be part of something wonderful.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs Rose, Izzy Garcia or the school office, so we can activate your child and provide a password. 

Happy reading!

SUPPORT RPS AT THE FEDERAL ELECTION POLLING CENTRE - BARRBUNIN

This Saturday, Ripponlea Primary School will be a polling centre for the Federal Election, and we’re excited to invite you to come along, cast your vote, and support our school's fundraising efforts.

In addition to voting, we’ll be hosting a Democracy Sausage BBQ—perfect for a family outing! We encourage you to grab a bite, meet other school families, and enjoy the atmosphere.

We’re also calling on your generous contributions:

• Bake a cake or muffins: Share your baking skills and donate some delicious treats for sale.
• Volunteer your time: Help us raise funds towards important school projects, including our sustainability initiatives and the junior playground redevelopment.

Every bit of support helps, whether it’s through volunteering, baking, or simply buying a sausage! Let’s come together as a community to support these crucial projects and make the day a fun and meaningful experience for all.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope to see you there!

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal