Principal Team Update

 WELCOME TO TERM 2

Welcome back, everyone!

What a wonderful way to begin Term 2. The glorious weather in our first week certainly made it easier to rise each morning and enjoy being back together at school. There has been a lovely sense of energy and connection across the grounds as students have settled quickly back into routines.

This term is already thoughtfully planned, with many exciting learning opportunities and events ahead. To ensure you stay informed, we encourage all families to keep an eye on our key communication channels. We are continuing our efforts to streamline communication and reduce the number of daily alerts through Compass. Many of you shared that this made a noticeable difference last term, and we will continue refining this approach.

We also recognise that our community accesses information in different ways, so please find a helpful guide below:

• Key Dates: Available on Compass and the school website
• Newsletter: Published fortnightly, featuring key dates, celebrations, and upcoming events
• Things to Know Section: Important reminders that may be repeated across multiple editions
• Payments: All payments are made via Qkr! to minimise bank fees for families
• Permissions: All excursion and event permissions are completed through Compass
• Learning Updates: Sent in alternate weeks, providing year-level specific information about what your child will be learning and how you can support them at home

Our aim is to provide clear, consistent and manageable communication, while ensuring every family feels informed and connected.

We wish all of our students and families a successful term ahead filled with rich learning, strong connections, and plenty of joyful moments along the way.

HOUSE CROSS COUNTRY IS NEARLY HERE

The excitement is building as we prepare for our annual House Cross Country! The big question on everyone’s mind… which House will take out the title this year — Booring House, Tunparrim House, Warren House or Bemin House?

Our House Captains are already rallying their teams, and behind the scenes, Susie and Jaryn have been working hard to ensure everything is set for a fantastic event. We thank them for their preparation and organisation.

All students will participate on the day, proudly representing their Houses and showing determination, resilience and team spirit. For our Year 3–6 students, this event also provides an opportunity to qualify for the District Cross Country in the weeks ahead.

We warmly invite families to come along, cheer on our students and soak up the wonderful community atmosphere. We are also seeking parent volunteers to assist on the day from 8:45am–11:00am your support makes a big difference in ensuring the event runs smoothly.

Teachers will be walking their classes to the venue, so if you are available, you might like to join the walk and be part of the experience from the very beginning.

We can’t wait to see our students give it their all good luck to all Houses!

SHARING THE RPS STORY - THE POWER OF WORD OF MOUTH 

At Ripponlea Primary School, we know that our greatest strength is our people our students, families, and staff who bring our community to life each and every day. While we continue to promote our school through local kinders, early learning centres and broader campaigns, time and time again it is word of mouth that brings new families through our gates.

There is something incredibly powerful about the lived experience of our community. When families speak about feeling welcomed, when students share their sense of belonging, and when our values of Care, Create, Connect are seen in action this is what truly resonates with others considering their schooling options.

As a small, community-minded school nestled within suburbia and surrounded by many independent and Catholic schools some families simply don’t realise what is right here in their local area. We are proud to offer a high-quality education in a setting where every child is known, supported and valued. While we are not seeking to become a large school, maintaining strong enrolments is essential to sustaining the programs, staffing and opportunities we provide for our students.

This is where you can help.

If you have neighbours, friends, or colleagues who are considering schools, particularly for Foundation 2027 we warmly encourage you to share your experience of Ripponlea. Whether it’s a conversation at kinder, childcare, the gym, or your workplace, your voice makes a difference.

We are always happy to support this with a “cheeky flyer” you can share, just speak with Perrine in the office. Alternatively, you can direct prospective families to book a school tour via our website. Many families will be making their decisions by the end of this term, so this is a key time to help spread the word.

Thank you for being such passionate advocates for our school. It is your pride, your stories, and your connection that continue to grow and strengthen our wonderful RPS community.

HOLIDAY WORKS MAKING A DIFFERENCE 

While many of our students, families and staff were enjoying a well-earned break, the school was a hive of activity behind the scenes. School holidays provide the optimal window for us to undertake major building works, grounds maintenance and improvements, ensuring minimal disruption to learning time.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, particularly through voluntary contributions such as the Grounds and Maintenance Fund ($5,065.00) from the Parent Payments schedule we were able to complete extensive mowing and a full grounds clean-up over the break including sanitising and vaccuuming both synthetic ovals . These works ensure our outdoor spaces remain safe, welcoming and ready for students to enjoy from day one of term. We also have funds left over to complete this clean up in the upcoming Term 2 and Term 3 holidays. 

We are also delighted to share the immediate impact of tax-deductible donations to our Building Fund a massive financial contribution of $12,061.00. Families who have contributed can now see these funds in action. One of our long-standing priorities has been the replacement of worn and ageing carpets across the school. Using these contributions, we successfully upgraded flooring in classrooms 12A, 1/2B and 1/2C.

The Eduflooring team completed the works efficiently over the holidays, including moving all furniture and installing high-quality carpet tiles at a very competitive price. While there may still be that “new carpet” smell in the air, students have absolutely loved returning to refreshed learning spaces. The new carpets have noticeably brightened the rooms and are specifically designed for schools durable, hygienic and stain-resistant.

In addition, the school completed a significant safety upgrade, installing new tactile markers and stair nosings across all stairwells. This important work was funded through Department grounds allocations and ensures we continue to meet safety standards for all members of our community.

Projects like these highlight the powerful difference our community contributions make. They allow us to not only maintain but continually improve our learning environments for every child. As we look ahead, we are planning further carpet upgrades across additional classrooms in upcoming holiday periods. 

With tax time approaching, you may wish to consider making a voluntary contribution to the Building Fund, every dollar goes directly towards enhancing the spaces where your children learn, play and thrive.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of our school. Together, we continue to make Ripponlea a place we are all proud of.

INTRODUCING TONIA: OUR NEW PERFORMING ARTS TEACHER

Hello everyone,

I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Performing Arts and Music Teacher at Ripponlea Primary School 🎶. I feel very fortunate to be joining such a vibrant school community and to be sharing my passion for music, creativity, and education. 

I have worked as a music teacher in both primary and secondary schools for many years, and I’ve also taught music and stress management in the workplace both here in Australia and in Canada. I have performed as a flautist in rock bands, classical ensembles, music festivals and concert halls. 

I’m especially excited to be part of a school so close to home and to be able to contribute to and grow within this wonderful community. I look forward to making music and learning together!

Tonia Barolsky

A SPECIAL TIME FOR MISS I AND HER GROWING FAMILY 

What an incredibly exciting time awaits Miss I and her partner, Matt, as they prepare to welcome their baby into the world. This is such a joyful milestone, and we are thrilled for them both as they embark on this beautiful new chapter.

We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank Miss I for the care, dedication, and commitment she has shown to our Year 5/6D students. In the lead-up to her leave, she has worked thoughtfully and tirelessly to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for her class. From preparing students emotionally and academically, to working closely alongside Ms Shaw to establish continuity and routine, Miss I has ensured that her students feel confident, settled, and ready for the next phase of their learning.

Her professionalism and genuine care for her students have shone through during this time of transition. At the same time, we know she has been busy preparing for her newest and most important role getting everything ready for the arrival of her baby.

On behalf of our entire school community, we extend our warmest wishes to Miss I and Matt. We hope this next chapter is filled with love, joy, and many precious moments together as a family.

We look forward to hearing wonderful news and, in time, welcoming Miss I back to the Ripponlea community.

FAREWELL PERRINE PREVOT 

It is with a mix of sadness and deep gratitude that we share news with our community that Perrine Prevot will be departing Ripponlea Primary School at the beginning of June.

We did briefly consider writing to the immigration department to let them know that Perrine simply cannot leave us,  but, of course, this isn’t a visa issue!

Instead, it is something so many international visitors experience: the pull of home, family, and the special moments that are hard to be away from. 

Over the past two years, Perrine has truly become part of our RPS family. While we have loved having her here with us, we understand that home is calling, and she is looking forward to reconnecting with her family and friends in Belgium alongside her partner.

Perrine has been an absolutely outstanding member of our administration team and the heart of our front office. She is the first smile that greets you, the calm and friendly voice on the phone, and the ever-helpful support behind the scenes. Perrine has a genuine care for every student, staff member, and family, and this has shone through in every interaction.

Her warmth, kindness, and professionalism have made a lasting impact on our school community. She has been someone we could always rely on approachable, thoughtful, and deeply committed to making our school a welcoming place for all.

Perrine, thank you for everything you have given to Ripponlea Primary School. You will be greatly missed by students, staff, and families alike. We wish you safe travels, much happiness, and a wonderful time reconnecting with your loved ones back home. 

Once a Ripper, always a Ripper please know you will always hold a special place in our community. With heartfelt thanks and best wishes, The Ripponlea Primary School Community.

YEAR 5/6 CANBERRA STUDY TOUR - A LEARNING EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER 

Next week, our Year 5/6 students will embark on an incredible five-day study tour to our nation’s capital, Canberra, as part of their 'Democracy' unit of inquiry. This is truly one of the most powerful and memorable learning experiences we offer at Ripponlea Primary School bringing classroom learning to life in a deeply meaningful and authentic way.

Throughout the week, students will visit some of Australia’s most significant national institutions, including Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, and the Australian War Memorial. They will also explore the National Museum of Australia, the Questacon, and the National Electoral Education Centre, building a rich understanding of Australia’s history, governance, and civic life.

Experiences like this are simply not possible without the support and commitment of our families. We extend our sincere thanks to our parents and carers for investing in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your child. The Canberra study tour is often spoken about at graduation as a highlight of our primary school, a lasting memory and a defining moment in students’ understanding of themselves as active and informed citizens.

We also wish to acknowledge, with deep appreciation, our dedicated staff who will be accompanying our students. Their commitment to providing this experience goes well beyond the classroom. Leaving their own families, they take on the responsibility of caring for our students from early morning through to late at night, ensuring safety, wellbeing, and engagement every step of the way. Unlike local camps, there is little downtime—this is a continuous, high-level commitment that requires energy, vigilance, and care at all times. It is both a personal and professional commitment, and one we are incredibly grateful for.

We wish our Year 5/6 students and staff a safe, enriching, and unforgettable journey. We look forward to hearing all about their experiences when they return!

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

      Principal                                         Assistant Principal