Principal Team Message

CELEBRATING SPECIAL PERSON'S DAY 

Last week our school was filled with joy, laughter, and love as we celebrated Special Persons’ Day, a new-loved tradition at Ripponlea Primary School. This is always a highlight of the year, giving our Rippers the chance to share their school day with the special people in their lives.

What makes this occasion so meaningful is the diversity of the people who join us. We recognise that families come in many different shapes and sizes, and it was wonderful to see grandparents, uncles, aunties, siblings, both younger and older, godparents, family friends, and neighbours all gathered to celebrate the important role they play in the lives of our students. It is a reminder that love and guidance extend far beyond the traditional roles of “mum” and “dad,” and every special person deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.

Some guests even travelled from interstate to be here, a testament to the significance of the day and the bonds they share with our children. We are deeply grateful for the effort so many made to join us.

This event would not have been possible without the hard work of Lee Brennan and Tarryn Holland as part of the Ripper Families team, who coordinated the day with such care and warmth. A huge thank you also goes out to the many volunteers who gave their time to set up, serve, and support. Your contribution ensured the morning ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all.

Special Person’s Day is more than just a school event; it is a celebration of the relationships that nurture and shape our children. Thank you to every special person who came along and made the day truly memorable for our Rippers.

RIPPER BABY NEWS

We are delighted to celebrate the arrival of another Ripper baby this year! Ms Luca Dickinson and her partner Nick, proudly welcomed their little boy, Frankie Timmins, into the world.

Everything went smoothly, and Luca is embracing the joys of motherhood. We can’t wait to meet baby Frankie when Luca visits the school later this year.

Please join us in extending our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Luca, Nick, and Frankie.

SCHOOL REVIEW – ONE PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE

This term, I participated in RPS’s School Review.  They occur every four years and examine how a school is performing in the areas of learning and wellbeing. The process took place over three days and involved classroom observations, focus groups with students, staff, and parents/caregivers, and discussions about priorities and goals for our next strategic plan (2026–2030).

For context, I'm a parent here at RPS with no teaching background and this was my first time participating in a review. I was asked to participate in my capacity as a parent member on the School Council. What I observed was insightful and has given me deeper appreciation for the learning environment.

Visiting classrooms, I saw the dynamics of teaching and learning up close. I observed different teaching styles, strong student engagement, the use of classroom structures (such as group tables or rows), and clear reminders of learning expectations. It was eye opening to watch teachers deliver lessons at a steady pace while ensuring students stayed attentive and on track.

As a parent, this was especially encouraging. Our children are in an environment where they feel safe, trust their teachers, and understand what’s expected of them. This sense of belonging and independence was clear across all year levels (Foundation to Grade 6). Students know the “rules of engagement” in ways that suit their age and stage. I should note that these impressions weren’t just mine; students themselves echoed these sentiments during the focus groups.

We should remember that RPS is a small school that consistently performs well by any academic measure at state and national levels. This success reflects student effort and the invaluable work of our teachers. Supporting our teachers and the investment in their professional development is key to maintaining these high standards.

The review also heard from our community: parents, students, and staff. Their insights and observations will guide the school’s next strategic steps.

Overall, the review reaffirmed that our children are safe, happy, and thriving at RPS. The school continues to achieve strong results and provide a nurturing environment for our students to grow. As we move forward, let’s continue to support the vital work and ongoing development of our dedicated teachers.

Suzete Ribeiro

Vice President, RPS Council

THEIRCARE - A VALUED COMMUNITY PARTNER 

As a community, we know many of our families are navigating busy schedules, balancing school pick-ups, drop-offs, and a range of after-school activities. Ripponlea Primary School has been very fortunate to have TheirCare as our Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) provider, offering both before-school and after-school care options for our students.

What makes TheirCare such a valued partner is not only the quality of their service but also their strong sense of community. Over the years, they have worked closely with our school to ensure their programs meet the needs of families while keeping care affordable and accessible. Our School Council has played an important role in representing family voices, ensuring that students attending TheirCare are not just cared for, but also meaningfully engaged with consistent, dedicated coordinators, and programs that spark curiosity and fun.

TheirCare has gone above and beyond in supporting our school community. From sponsoring events, providing coffee vans on Special Person’s Day, to cooking up sausages at no cost for our Welcome Picnics, they continue to show that they understand and value what community means at Ripponlea.

Looking ahead, TheirCare is investing further in student opportunities. Next term and into 2026, they will launch the TC Titans Program, providing after-school sports training in basketball and soccer with Liam, a qualified coach. While families may already access activities such as Sports X, the TC Titans Program offers a more cost-effective solution thanks to government subsidies.

We encourage families to keep an eye out for TheirCare updates and correspondence. In the meantime, we are pleased to share their holiday program, which promises fun, engaging activities for our students.

We are very fortunate to have such a strong partnership with TheirCare and look forward to the continued benefits this brings to our school community.

CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF JAPAN DAY

Today, our school was immersed in the sights, sounds, and traditions of Japan as we celebrated our very first Japan Day. This special event quickly proved to be a highlight of the school year, giving students and staff the chance to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture through interactive workshops, performances, and hands-on activities.

Cultural Highlights

Throughout the day, students rotated through a series of engaging experiences, each one showcasing a unique aspect of Japanese tradition:

• Kendama Tournament – Kendama is a traditional Japanese wooden toy made up of a handle with three cups, a spike, and a ball attached by string. The aim is to catch the ball in the cups or spike it on top, with players practising tricks that test their balance, patience, and focus. Guided by Sayako Sensei, students learned the skills behind Kendama before competing in a tournament. Excitement built as students tried their best tricks, and our top three competitors proudly received Kendama Champion certificates.
• Manga Drawing Workshop – Under the inspiring direction of Kenny Chan, students explored the Japanese art form of manga. With over 20 years of experience teaching and creating Japanese comic art, Kenny gave our budding artists the confidence and techniques to bring their characters to life.
• Kendo Demonstration – Gary Oliver introduced students to Kendo, the Japanese martial art that combines physical skill with discipline and respect. His demonstration highlighted that Kendo is not just about technique, but about building spirit, manners, and resilience.
• Japanese Quiz – Sayako Sensei also prepared a lively quiz to test students’ knowledge of Japanese culture. With much enthusiasm and laughter, classes competed, and winners were recognised with certificates for their efforts.
• Bento Lunch – Students who ordered were treated to a delicious Japanese bento, making lunchtime part of the cultural journey.

A Memorable Finale

The day ended on a high note with a stunning Taiko drumming performance by the Caulfield Primary School Taiko Club. Their energy, rhythm, and passion filled our school with excitement, leaving students and staff alike enthralled. We extend our sincere thanks to the students and their teacher for sharing such an incredible experience with us.

Acknowledgements

Events like Japan Day are only possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of many. A heartfelt thank you goes to Sayako Nakagawa, our Japanese teacher, whose vision and planning brought this day to life, and to all staff who supported the activities and students throughout the event.

RESULTS: 2025 ATTITUDES TO SCHOOL SURVEY 

Earlier this year, all Year 4–6 students at Ripponlea Primary School completed the anonymous Attitudes to School Survey conducted by ORIMA Research. This important survey gives our students a voice in sharing their experiences of learning, wellbeing, and school culture.

Our 2025 results show that Ripponlea students reported levels of engagement, safety, and connectedness that are consistently the same or higher than both similar schools and the state average. 

This reflects the strong sense of community, supportive relationships, and focus on quality teaching and learning across the school.

By unpacking this data, we can track trends over time and ensure student feedback continues to shape our programs. 

Highlights include:

• School Safety (92%) and Managing Bullying (80%) – both above state averages.
• Sense of Inclusion (90%) – stronger than both similar schools and state averages.
• High Expectations for Success (93%) – consistent with the state average and above similar schools.
• Student Voice & Agency (72%) – while above state and network comparisons, it remains an important focus for further growth.

Ripponlea Primary School - Attitudes to School Survey 2025

Below is a summary comparison of our results with Similar Schools and the State average. 

END OF TERM MESSAGE 

As Term 3 comes to a close, we reflect on what has been a shorter term on the calendar, but certainly not short of learning growth, engagement, and connection for every one of our students.

Across these weeks, our Rippers have embraced varied learning experiences, while also enjoying the many social and community events that make our school such a vibrant place. In particular, the past two weeks have seen the excitement and dedication of our school production preparations take centre stage. It has been a joy to see our students’ creativity and confidence shine as they worked together towards this shared goal.

As we begin the holiday break, we extend our thanks to our dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and supportive families for your ongoing efforts and contributions. Whether you are travelling or enjoying time in Melbourne, we wish you a safe and restful holiday. Many of our families will also be celebrating cultural festivals, birthdays, and special family occasions during this time, and we hope these moments bring great joy.

Term 4 is just around the corner, and with it comes the final chapter of our school year. We know it will be a busy and rewarding term, and we’ll need all our energy right through to the very last day.

Wishing everyone a happy and refreshing break.

Until next term.....

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal