Principal Team Message

WELCOME BACK!

We hope our students, staff, and families had a relaxing break filled with quality family time and exciting experiences. The final term of the school year is already one week down, and we are off to a fantastic start! Our Year 3/4 students kicked things off with an incredible adventure at Camp Oasis in Mount Evelyn, setting the tone for a term full of learning, growth, challenge and fun.

This term is packed with events, so be sure to keep an eye on the school calendar to stay updated on all the activities. From classroom learning to special programs, our students will have many opportunities to thrive as they prepare to transition into their new year levels.

We’re also excited about several upcoming highlights:

• Rippstock (Fete) – A whole-school celebration bringing our community together for fun and festivities with a fundraising target to support the Junior Playground Vision.
• Swimming Programs—At the end of the term, students in F-2 will learn water safety and swimming skills, while Year 5/6 students will surf and complete an Open Water Learning Experience (OWLE) and lifesaving course. 
• Big Night In & Sleepover – Year 1/2 students will enjoy these special experiences right here at school.
• Whole-School Transition Program - Stepping Up – Helping students feel comfortable and ready for their next step.
• Year 6 End-of-Year Celebrations – A joyful farewell to our senior students, filled with special moments.
• Foundation 2025 Stepping Up Program - We are excited to meet future Rippers and their families. 

With so many exciting activities on the horizon, Term 4 promises to be a whirlwind of experiences, right up until our final day on December 20th.

Welcome back, everyone—let’s make Term 4 the best one yet!

YEAR 3/4 CAMP ADVENTURES YMCA CAMP OASIS - MOUNT EVELYN 

In the first week of term, our Year 3/4 students set off for an unforgettable adventure at the YMCA Camp Oasis in Mount Evelyn. Blessed with perfect weather, the stage was set for an exciting journey filled with challenges, team-building, and exploration.

Upon arrival, students left their luggage on the bus and were warmly greeted by our camp facilitator, Jarryd, at Mount Silvan Dam. From there, the group embarked on a scenic 5-kilometre bushwalk to the back entrance of the campsite. Along the way, students encountered native wildlife and lush plant life, gaining insight into the rich indigenous history of the area. Spirits were high as the bright sunshine welcomed us onto the grounds of the beautiful camp.

After a quick briefing and lunch, the students eagerly jumped into the wide variety of activities on offer. From soaring on the flying fox and swinging on the giant swing to building towering structures with the crate stack and testing precision through archery, there was no shortage of excitement. The bike skills and low ropes course also provided plenty of thrills, especially as students worked together to overcome tricky obstacles.

The camp’s "Challenge by Choice" philosophy empowered every student to step outside their comfort zone. Whether they faced a fear of heights or tried a new skill like archery, the emphasis was on personal growth. The low ropes course, in particular, highlighted the importance of teamwork, proving to be both fun and deceptively challenging.

We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing each activity with enthusiasm and perseverance. A special shout-out goes to the dedicated team of staff who accompanied and supervised all 89 students with care and support throughout the entire camp experience, especially at night. Their encouragement ensured that every child felt safe, confident, and included during activities and free time.

Speaking of free time, the students quickly found their favourite hangouts. The Gaga Pit was a standout favourite, with games running non-stop! Other popular activities included beach volleyball and exploring the parkour course - Risky Kids, where students enjoyed active play and friendly competition.

The camp was a wonderful success, filled with lasting memories, new friendships, and personal achievements. We look forward to hearing all the stories from students about their favourite moments – and who knows, maybe we’ve inspired some future adventurers!

Well done to everyone involved, and thank you to our staff - Natalie P, Josie, Mr Leech, Ms Jane, Tye, Ms Ries, Mark, Mrs Rose and Emily for making this experience so rewarding for our students. Until next time, Camp Oasis! 🌲🎯🚴‍♂️

LANGUAGES SURVEY RESULTS 

We sincerely thank all the staff, families, and students who provided thoughtful feedback on the RPS language program. Your input has been invaluable in shaping our planning and recruitment efforts for this term.

Language Preferences Survey Results

Key Takeaways:

• AUSLAN received the highest overall support across all groups.
• Japanese is highly favoured by both staff and students.
• Spanish ranks highly across staff, students, and parents.
• French shows strong support from parents only.

Your contributions have provided us with a clear understanding of the community’s preferences, helping us move forward confidently. We look forward to developing a language program that reflects these insights and meets the needs of our entire school community.

ZONES OF REGULATION - STRATEGIES LAUNCH FOR STUDENTS

At Ripponlea Primary School, our students have been engaged in the Zones of Regulation curriculum, designed to build emotional awareness and self-regulation skills.

From Lesson 11 onwards, students will take a deeper dive into understanding their emotions and the tools needed to manage them effectively. We will introduce four levels of strategies, focusing on key sensory systems: vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, and auditory. 

These strategies empower students to not only identify the zone they are in but also use personalised techniques to shift into a more balanced state when needed. 

Each sensory system requires tailored strategies to suit students’ individual needs. Below, we break down the four levels of strategies for vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, and auditory regulation.

1. Vestibular Strategies (Movement & Balance)

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, helps with balance and spatial orientation. Movement-based strategies help students regulate when they feel restless, ungrounded, or overwhelmed.

• Level 1 (Gentle): Slow rocking or swaying, seated stretches.
• Level 2 (Moderate): Walking or pacing in a quiet space.
• Level 3 (Active): Jumping jacks, spinning on a chair, or bouncing on a yoga ball.
• Level 4 (Intense): Running laps, trampoline jumping, or using playground equipment like swings.

These strategies help students channel excess energy or stimulate their system when feeling lethargic.

2. Proprioceptive Strategies (Body Awareness)

Proprioception refers to how we perceive our body in space, using muscles and joints. These strategies are excellent for grounding students and helping them feel more connected to their bodies.

• Level 1: Squeezing a stress ball or hand fidgets.
• Level 2: Weighted objects (like a lap pad or blanket).
• Level 3: Wall push-ups or isometric exercises (pressing hands together).
• Level 4: Heavy lifting (like moving chairs) or tug-of-war activities.

These exercises can assist students struggling with focus or who need calming after emotional overloads.

3. Tactile Strategies (Touch Sensitivity)

The tactile system processes sensory input through the skin. Engaging in touch-based strategies helps students regulate both under- and over-responsiveness to physical sensations.

• Level 1: Stroking soft textures (like a stuffed animal).
• Level 2: Using sensory sand or kinetic clay.
• Level 3: Cold water splash or ice cube holding to ‘reset’.
• Level 4: Hands-on activities like gardening or messy art projects.

These strategies are particularly useful for students experiencing sensory overload or needing grounding through touch.

4. Auditory Strategies (Sound Sensitivity)

Auditory regulation involves managing sound-related input. For students who are easily overwhelmed or distracted by noise, auditory strategies offer ways to recalibrate.

• Level 1: Humming softly or listening to white noise.
• Level 2: Calming music or nature sounds.
• Level 3: Structured rhythm activities (like clapping games).
• Level 4: Using noise-cancelling headphones during busy times.

Auditory strategies are vital for students needing to focus or calm their nervous system after exposure to loud or disruptive environments.

Personalised Strategy Toolkits

Students are encouraged to create personalized toolkits with strategies that align with their individual sensory needs. By practising these techniques, they learn how to apply them in real-life situations—whether in the classroom, playground or at home.

The deeper exploration of sensory strategies in Lessons 11 and beyond aims to equip students with lifelong tools for managing their emotions and behaviours. As students develop these skills, we are noticing more thoughtful self-regulation, increased focus, and enhanced interpersonal relationships across the school community.

Through the Zones of Regulation program, we empower students to recognize their emotions, understand the impact of their actions, and make positive choices—one strategy at a time!

RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL - GET READY FOR A SPOOKY HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION  

🎃Date: Thursday 31st October👻

At Ripponlea Primary, there's nothing we love more than a good dress-up day – and Halloween is one of the best! It's the perfect chance for our students to show off their creative costumes, enjoy some spooky fun at school, and head straight out for a night of trick-or-treating.

This year’s Halloween celebration will kick off with a fabulous costume parade in the morning, and we invite parents and families to join us for the fun! It’s always a treat to see the unique, imaginative outfits our students (and sometimes even staff!) come up with – from creepy creatures to movie characters, and everything in between.

After the school day wraps up, students can jump right into Halloween festivities without missing a beat. We encourage everyone to fill up on a hearty dinner before indulging in a few (or many) treats during the evening’s candy hunt! 🍬🍭

So, dust off those witch hats, superhero masks, and pirate patches – we can't wait to see what spooky surprises our school community has in store for this year's Halloween! 🎉

Let’s make it a day of fun, creativity, and community spirit – because at Ripponlea, any excuse to dress up is a good one!

MELBOURNE MARATHON CHAMPION  CONGRATULATIONS MS CONNELLY 🏅 

We are thrilled to celebrate Ms Connelly’s incredible achievement in completing the Melbourne Marathon! On Sunday, she joined thousands of dedicated runners, pushing herself through an astonishing 42.195 kilometres – the official marathon distance. This event takes serious preparation, physical endurance, and a whole lot of heart, and Ms. Connelly showed every bit of it on the course.

Crossing the finish line at the iconic MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), she earned her Finisher’s Medal, a symbol of her months of hard work and perseverance. The marathon medal not only celebrates completing the race but also recognizes the resilience and determination needed to conquer such an epic challenge.

We are so proud of Ms. Connelly for being an incredible role model to our students, showing that with commitment, grit, and a positive mindset, we can achieve great things. Be sure to give her a big congratulations next time you see her – we know she'll have plenty of inspiring stories to share from race day!

Well done, Ms. Connelly! You’ve made Ripponlea Primary proud! 🎉👟🏅

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal