Things To 

Know

LAST DAY OF TERM 3: Friday 19th September

As we head into the last day of Term 3, please take note of the following important changes to our usual schedule:

• Recess: 11:00am – 11:30am
• Lunch: 1:00pm – 2:00pm (earlier than usual)
• Whole School Assembly: 2:00pm – 2:30pm
• Early Dismissal: Students will finish at 2:30pm

For families requiring care after dismissal, TheirCare will operate as normal until 6:00pm.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our end-of-term assembly and thank our community for a wonderful Term 3!

FOOTY COLOURS DAY - FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 

It’s time to show your team spirit! On Friday, 19th September, we’re celebrating Footy Colours Day. Students are encouraged to wear their favourite team colours, whether it’s AFL, NRL, A-League, rugby, or soccer. Let’s celebrate all codes of footy.

Our House Captains have been busy organising some fun team games for everyone to enjoy throughout the day. With the Victorian Footy Finals just around the corner, this is the perfect way to kick off the excitement, come together as a community, and enjoy some healthy competition.

So pull on your scarf, jersey, or guernsey, bring your best team spirit, and get ready for a day full of colour, energy, and fun!

EXCITING NEWS: MENTAL HEALTH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE COMING TO OUR SCHOOL

We are delighted to share some exciting news with our community. From next year, our school will be part of the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative, a Victorian Government program that provides every primary school with a dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL).

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This is a significant step forward in supporting the wellbeing of our students and families. We know that children’s mental health is closely linked to their ability to learn and thrive at school. Having a qualified teacher in this leadership role will strengthen our whole-school approach to wellbeing and provide extra support for our staff, students, and families.

What This Means for Our School

• Our school will receive government funding to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader for two days a week in a non-classroom role.
• This person will not be a counsellor, but instead will act as a coordinator and facilitator.
• Their focus will be on promotion, prevention, and building staff capacity to support students.
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What the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader Will Do

The new role will:

• Build the skills of our teachers and education support staff to identify and respond to student needs.
• Create clear referral pathways for students who may need extra help and connect families with local community services.
• Embed evidence-based training and strategies across the school to strengthen student learning and emotional development.
• Lead a whole-school approach so that wellbeing is supported in every classroom and playground space. 

Why This Matters

This expansion of our Wellbeing and Inclusion Team reflects our school’s strong commitment to supporting every child. While the role is non-clinical, it is a vital position that helps coordinate supports, build staff confidence, and ensure that wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do.

The MHiPS initiative is based on a highly successful pilot led in partnership with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne. It has been shown to make a real difference in schools, and we are thrilled to now be part of this program. 

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Looking Ahead

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader will begin in Term 1, 2026, and will work closely with staff, students, and families. This is an exciting addition to our school community, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn in a safe, supportive, and thriving environment.

SAVE THE DATE: RPS WORKING BEE 

Sunday 26th October | 11:00am – 2:00pm

We are so grateful for the way our community continues to rally behind our school. The incredible energy and teamwork we saw during the production preparations showed just how much can be achieved when we all come together. We are hoping to see that same spirit shine again at our upcoming Working Bee on Sunday, 26th October.

This is a wonderful opportunity for families to roll up their sleeves and help make our school grounds and facilities even more amazing for our Rippers. 

Under the guidance of Colin Smith and Nick Smith, our Facilities and Environment (Sustainability) Team, we’ll tackle a range of projects including:

• Gardening and pruning
• Weeding and yard clean-ups
• General maintenance tasks
• Larger projects to improve our school spaces

Bring the whole family along – students are welcome to help too! We’ll also have a BBQ and some special treats to keep everyone energised throughout the day.

When: Sunday 26th October, 11:00am – 2:00pm

Where: Ripponlea Primary School

🎟️RPS PRODUCTION 2025 - FUNDRAISING RAFFLE! 🍫🍷

Our school production, The Toys, isn’t just a fantastic show—it’s also an opportunity to raise funds for our school community through our annual raffle!

Last year’s hamper was a huge hit, valued at $295, and included:

• 2 double tickets to Classic Cinema
• $100 restaurant voucher to Copycat Elsternwick
• Champagne, craft beer, and wine
• Chocolate, popcorn, and chips

This year, we want to go even bigger! We’re planning first, second, and third place prizes, each filled with amazing goodies, vouchers, and treats from our local community.

But we can’t do it without YOU!

We are looking for a passionate, organised, and community-minded volunteer to take the lead in making this raffle a success. This person will:

• Gather donations from local businesses and community members
• Coordinate the raffle hamper contents
• Design and promote the raffle to the school community

This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved, support our students, and showcase local generosity. Your efforts will directly contribute to the magic of our production and help us raise important funds for the school.

We need you! If you enjoy connecting with the community, organising fun projects, and seeing your work make a real difference, please step forward.

📩 Interested? Contact the office - Ripponlea.ps@education.vic.gov.au - to volunteer or ask any questions.

Let’s make this year’s raffle bigger, better, and even more exciting—we can’t do it without your help!