Principal Team Update

FOOD, BODIES & LUNCHTIMES AT RPS PARENT/CARERS WEBINAR

Ripponlea Primary School families are warmly invited to attend an upcoming online parent webinar presented in partnership with Better Health Network.

This important session will explore how families can help foster positive, respectful and healthy relationships with food, bodies and mealtimes at home. The webinar will also provide practical strategies and takeaways to support children in developing confidence, wellbeing and healthy attitudes around eating and body image.

Families will also gain insight into the work Ripponlea Primary School has undertaken to create positive food and learning environments that support all students across the school community.

Topics will include:

• Supporting healthy and respectful conversations about food and bodies
• Encouraging positive lunchtime experiences
• Building children’s confidence and wellbeing
• Understanding how school environments can influence lifelong habits
• Practical strategies families can use at home

We encourage all families to attend this valuable session as we continue to strengthen our partnership between home and school in supporting student wellbeing.

Date: Thursday 11 June 2026

Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Location: Online via Microsoft Teams once you register

Registration:

Register via Eventbrite

We thank Better Health Network for partnering with Ripponlea Primary School to deliver this important parent learning opportunity.

ST JOHN FIRST AID PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS 

This Friday, students at Ripponlea Primary School will participate in an engaging and practical First Aid education program delivered by St John Ambulance Australia.

The program has been designed specifically for primary school students and aims to build confidence, resilience and important life skills through age-appropriate first aid education. Students will participate in interactive sessions where they learn how to recognise emergencies, respond safely and seek help when someone is injured or unwell.

Throughout the sessions, students may explore:

• how to call for help in an emergency
• basic safety awareness
• recognising when someone needs adult or medical assistance
• simple first aid responses appropriate for their age level
• understanding the role of paramedics and first aid responders
• remaining calm and supportive during emergencies

Programs such as these provide significant benefits for children beyond learning practical skills. First aid education helps students develop:

• confidence and independence
• problem-solving and decision-making skills
• empathy and care for others
• resilience in stressful situations
• an understanding of personal and community safety

Importantly, students also learn that they do not need to “fix” emergencies themselves, but rather know how to respond safely, seek adult assistance and support others appropriately.

At Ripponlea Primary School, we value opportunities that build real-world capabilities and empower students with skills that contribute positively to their wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. We thank St John Ambulance Australia for partnering with us to provide this important learning experience for our students.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK AT RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL 

Beginning on Wednesday 27 May, schools and communities across Australia will acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week. This important week provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, while also reflecting on how we can continue to build respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community.

National Reconciliation Week is held each year between two significant dates in Australia’s history:

• 27 May — commemorating the 1967 Referendum, where Australians voted to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and allow the Federal Government to make laws for First Nations peoples.
• 3 June — marking the historic Mabo Decision, which recognised Native Title and acknowledged the deep and ongoing connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to Country.

At Ripponlea Primary School, reconciliation is not simply acknowledged during one week of the year it is an ongoing commitment embedded within our values of respect, community and open-mindedness. Through our work with our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), students continue to deepen their understanding of First Nations histories, perspectives and cultures in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.

We would like to acknowledge and thank our Marrung Champion, Sarah Coughlin, alongside our dedicated RAP Team and Student RAP Ambassadors, who have been working collaboratively to plan a number of engaging activities and learning experiences across the school throughout the week.

Some of the planned activities include:

• classroom discussions and reflections around the meaning of reconciliation
• student-led acknowledgements and presentations at assembly
• collaborative artwork and displays celebrating connection to Country
• literature studies exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and stories
• lunchtime activities led by our RAP Ambassadors
• opportunities for students to learn local language words and cultural understandings connected to Country

Literacy Activities Across the School – 2026

This year, our literacy focus during National Reconciliation Week will centre around the power of storytelling, voice and perspective. Some exciting learning experiences may include:

Foundation – Year 2

• Shared reading of rich picture story books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and illustrators
• Oral storytelling circles where students retell Dreaming stories through drama, puppetry and drawing
• Creating “Connection to Place” class books about the places that are important to students and their families
• Vocabulary explorations using local language words connected to animals, seasons and nature

Suggested mentor texts:

• Welcome to Country
• Somebody’s Land
• Respect

Years 3 – 4

• Exploring Indigenous poetry and descriptive language connected to Country
• Writing personal reflections about belonging, identity and community
• Comparing perspectives in historical and contemporary texts
• Collaborative class yarning circles to build oral language and respectful listening skills

Suggested mentor texts:

• Young Dark Emu
• Cooee Mittigar

Years 5 – 6

• Inquiry projects exploring significant moments in reconciliation history
• Persuasive writing focused on actions young people can take towards reconciliation
• Analysing speeches, biographies and media created by First Nations authors and leaders
• Podcast or digital storytelling projects sharing student reflections on reconciliation and truth-telling

Suggested mentor texts:

• Dark Emu
• Sister Heart
• Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia

As a school community, National Reconciliation Week provides an important opportunity to continue listening, learning and walking together towards a more respectful and inclusive future for all Australians. We look forward to sharing these learning experiences with our community throughout the week.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SAFE ARRIVAL OF BABY IMOGEN 

We are delighted to share some very special news from Miss I and her partner Matt.

Please join us in welcoming beautiful little Imogen Demicoli, born on 22 May.

Miss I is absolutely besotted with her gorgeous baby girl and has shared that all is going well. We know many members of our community will be thrilled to hear this lovely update and cannot wait to meet little Imogen in the months ahead.

We send our warmest congratulations and very best wishes to Miss I, Matt and baby Imogen as they begin this precious new chapter together. May these early months be filled with love, joy, cuddles, wonder and many treasured memories.

We look forward to welcoming Miss I and little Imogen for a visit when the time is right

OPEN CLASSROOMS - MATHEMATICS RESCHEDULED TERM3  

We would like to advise families that our planned Open Classroom Mathematics Sessions will now be rescheduled to next term.

At this time of the semester, staff are heavily engaged in a range of important responsibilities including student assessments, report writing and preparation for upcoming Parent Teacher Interviews. In addition, a number of afternoon programs and events are currently creating scheduling clashes for many students and classes.

We understand that families were looking forward to visiting classrooms and seeing our Mathematics learning in action, and we sincerely apologise for the change in plans. We remain committed to providing opportunities for families to engage with our teaching and learning programs and look forward to welcoming parents and carers into classrooms next term when we can ensure the sessions are delivered in a calm, purposeful and well-organised manner.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our staff during this particularly busy period of the term.

RPS WINTER SOIREE - SATURDAY 13 JUNE  TICKET SALES ON QKR 

As we move into the cooler months, one of the highlights on our community calendar is fast approaching our much-anticipated Winter Soirée. This special evening is far more than just a social event; it is an opportunity for our Ripponlea community to come together, strengthen connections, celebrate our school, and invest in the future of our students.

At Ripponlea Primary School, community matters deeply. The Winter Soirée provides a wonderful opportunity for parents, carers, staff and friends of the school to connect outside the busy routines of school life. In schools like ours, where relationships and belonging are at the heart of everything we do, events such as these help foster the strong sense of community that makes Ripponlea such a special place to learn and grow.

Importantly, the evening also carries a significant fundraising purpose. Funds raised through the Winter Soirée will directly support the realisation of our Junior Playground Project, a long-held dream for many of our Rippers. This exciting project aims to create a vibrant, engaging and inclusive outdoor space where our younger students can play, explore, imagine and connect. The new playground will provide opportunities for creativity, collaboration, physical activity and joyful play experiences for years to come.

Alongside the playground redevelopment, fundraising efforts will also contribute towards a range of smaller school improvement projects that continue to enhance learning and wellbeing opportunities across the school.

Every ticket purchased, raffle entered, auction item donated and conversation shared on the night helps move us closer towards bringing these aspirations to life. It is a reminder of what can be achieved when a community works together with a shared vision for its children.

We encourage all families to consider attending this wonderful event. Whether you are new to the school or have been part of the Ripponlea community for many years, the Winter Soirée promises to be a memorable evening filled with warmth, laughter, connection and purpose.

Together, we can continue building a school environment where our students thrive — both inside and outside the classroom.

We look forward to celebrating with you all soon.

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal