Principal's Message

How quickly the term is flying by with further news of zero COVID-19 cases and more easing of restrictions announced on Sunday. There is much to be hopeful and positive about and the normality of “school life” is certainly returning at RPS. As the term progresses we recognise how much more we need to achieve for the remainder of the term and to prepare for 2021. Who would believe it but many of us are even thinking about Christmas and holidays with family. 

NAIDOC WEEK AT RPS

Always Was, Always Will Be. 

First Peoples of Australia (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) have the oldest living and continuous cultures in the world. First Peoples have been caring for this country since time immemorial with artists, educators, scientists and activists contributing to all areas of Australia’s community. As part of NAIDOC Week 2020, students at RPS will access a range of online activities, digital interactives, videos, and resources, all celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and achievements for everyone to enjoy. From art and culture to science, activism, and education, we will explore First Peoples contributions to all areas of Australia’s society.

Some activities have included connecting to Wadawurrung Culture with Parks Victoria Ranger Ebonee. They also experienced guided meditation with elder Uncle Jack Charles. Uncle Jack Charles is an actor, musician, potter and performer. A member of the Stolen Generations Uncle Jack co-founded the first Aboriginal theatre company Nindethana in 1972. His awards include the Tudawali Award, honouring his contribution to Indigenous media, a Green Room Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ochre Award.

You can see some of the wonderful work done by our Foundation students so far: 

WORLD TEACHER’S DAY

On October 30 we celebrated World Teachers’ Day at RPS. It was a day where we not only celebrated working in a school and the teaching profession but also reflected on the enormous responsibility and opportunity teachers enjoy. Teachers shape the future! What teachers do, what teachers say each day influences the knowledge, the understanding, attitudes, and the mindset of young people and thus through young people, they have an opportunity to influence the future. 

The dedication and professionalism, the adaptability and resilience that has been exhibited by the staff of RPS this year is nothing short of incredible, bordering on the amazing. The shift in professional working habits has been profound, yet the values together with the CARE, CREATE, CONNECT manifested in different ways. 

On behalf of the RPS Community we say a collective thank you to the staff for all that you do, and all that you are! We also thank the many families who contributed to such an enjoyable luncheon. Thank you to Meagan Brake and Robyn Cooney for making this so special despite restrictions.  

FOUNDATION “STEPPING UP” PROGRAM

We are excited that restrictions have allowed us to plan some onsite visits for our students over the next few weeks. We are in the process of planning both sessions online as well as small groups of children visiting with their Kindergarten teachers. We will be working with families individually to organise a visit to the school in the coming weeks. 

We are also excited to announce that the Foundation teachers for 2021 will be: 

Ms Dominique Wimpole, Ms Luca Dickinson & Ms Jane De Lorenzo 

Ms Jane De Lorenzo will be leading the team with her wealth of Early Childhood experience. We are also very lucky to work very closely with Ripponlea Kinder and director Mishel Lowndes. Next week the team will be attending professional learning on play based learning experiences. 

 YEAR 6 GRADUATION

We look forward to making this year’s graduation one that will be a significant memory in the lives of our 2020 graduates, however it is with deep sadness that we cannot have their families onsite for the formal ceremony. We will be streaming and filming the ceremony as a keepsake for all families. The students have been planning the event and have total autonomy surrounding how they would like to celebrate this special occasion. Our staff are all looking forward to celebrating this significant milestone with them all on Tuesday 15th December. 

HALLOWEEN RIPPER STYLE

Two weeks ago our student leaders brought a little fun to Friday 30th October for all students by holding a “Halloween Treasure Hunt” across the school. Most staff and students had their spookiest costumes on and a little sweet treat was enjoyed by all. We thank our student leaders and Mrs Howell for organising the whole event. 

BEWARE, SPOOKY IMAGES AHEAD!

SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE

Ripponlea Primary School Council takes this opportunity to thank the parent community for their ongoing financial support of our school and its programs throughout 2020. Ripponlea Primary School adheres to the Victorian Government’s Parent Payment Policy. 

Every year School Council reviews and prioritises the financial needs of the school in order to provide our students with academic programs, learning technologies, a wide range of extracurricular activities, school facilities and resources to deliver the high quality education we have come to expect. 

There have been significant changes to the Parent Payment Policy and further information will be distributed this Friday. As a school we rely on parent contributions, especially voluntary contributions. Many vital programs and resources that were part of the Essential Student Items are now deemed "voluntary" even though we know these are essential for every student to access. We encourage all families to consider a "voluntary" contribution to student learning on the QKR platform.  

At the last meeting the School Council approved the installation of five brand new air conditioners for the Foundation and Year 1/2A and1/2B classrooms. These will be installed ready for the 2021 school year. We once again thank all members of our community who contributed to the Building Fund. We have raised 19K to be able to afford these reverse cycle units that are very energy efficient to support our environment. 

The other exciting news is the Deck Project. We are in the process of finalising building permits and should be ready for the tender process. Have a look at these amazing architectural drawings by Isabel Lasla. We are so excited by the prospect of all the outdoor learning opportunities and play that will be happening across this area. 

In 2021 we are introducing a Sustainability voluntary contribution and the committee has come up with some great ideas on what the funds might go towards. Have your say and vote on the 2021 Sustainability Project. Go to the Sustainability Corner of this newsletter to find out more. 

STAFFING FOR 2021

The leadership team is working through the staffing arrangements for 2021. We will be able to announce these arrangements in time for our whole school stepping up process in late November. Just like our families, our staff have experienced changes in circumstances in their own lives and will be making some changes, as well as seeking opportunities at other schools.  

CLASS STRUCTURES 2021

In the last newsletter we reported that across the school we were anticipating enrolments to be stabilised, however after the significant lockdown period in Metro Melbourne many families across the school have taken the opportunity to relocate. Just this year so far we have had families relocate to Northern Territory, Brunswick, Woodend and Dookie. Next year we have families moving to Regional Victoria, The Peninsula, Bayside, Tasmania and England. The significant drop in number brings our total confirmed enrolments to 297 with some more families yet to find housing. Due to the decreased enrolments we have had to reduce the number of classes across the school. 

Unless enrolments increase dramatically over the next few weeks, we will have the following classes across the school.

Leading in 2021

We have been very proud of this year’s student leaders – our School Captains, House Captains and Student Council Representatives – who have carried out their responsibilities with resilience and creative thinking amid the uncertainty and difficulties faced throughout 2020.

We cross our fingers that positive news continues to be delivered to Victorians and that our plans for Student Leadership opportunities at Ripponlea will not be disrupted in the same ways we have seen this year. Nevertheless, we find ourselves facing a unique situation…

For the past few years at RPS, our student numbers in Year 6 have been in the high 30s to 40s. When it has come to considering our Student Leadership structure, we have been able to develop a system which maximises the number of leadership opportunities especially for our students at the ‘top’ of the school. However, 2021 will look quite different with only 22 students, nearly half the number of our current Year 6 population. 

In approaching student leadership discussions for next year, the future 2021 graduating class (our current Year 5s) has been in consultation with Mrs Rose and other staff to look at how to embrace this difference and explore ways to ensure all Year 6s harness their tremendous leadership potential as a cohesive and productive team, allowing for all those willing to practise and develop their skills. The Year 5s have generated some excellent ideas and we will continue to activate their student voice by consulting further with students in Years 3 and 4. 

Stay tuned for more details to be revealed soon!

PARENT OPINION SURVEYS

Please help to complete the survey. We only need 35 more responses and would really value your input. Please go onto COMPASS to find the link.

 MESSAGE FROM CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER

The following message outlines strategies to manage coronavirus (COVID-19) in schools and explains why transmission risk at school is low.

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/chief-health-officer-message-parents-or-carers-school-aged-children

HEIDI ROGERS

Just when you thought your child was on a roll with building friendships... something like a global pandemic hits and mass amounts of missed class time can really mess with your child’s friendship group! The disruption to our children’s routine and daily socialising can stir up some feelings of friendship anxiety in kids who have just spent the past several months at home. They're only beginning to re-adjust to their old friendship circles and routines so you may notice them worrying about issues with their friends, or general insecurities coming up more frequently.  In this week's 3 Minute Parenting Playbook, we'll unpack six strategies to help navigate your child’s friendship group dynamics, and support them through the final term of 2020. 

Click HERE to watch Heidi Rodgers' video. 

BONUS - after watching the video, download a cheat sheet and script you can use to discuss the topic with your child.

EXTRA SUPPORT – FREE COUNSELLING

If you’ve noticed changes in your child’s behaviour over the last few months, they might still be adjusting to all the changes in their life. However, if their mental health starts impacting on their daily functioning, e.g. not eating or sleeping, complaining of feeling unwell, not wanting to go to school or not engaging in activities they once loved, then it is best to reach out for additional support from a psychologist.

https://heartlinks.com.au/our-services/

The above service is free and doesn't require a mental health plan from a GP

BOOK WEEK

On the week of the 19th to the 23rd of October we celebrated Book Week here at RPS. The week began with students and teachers dressing as their favourite fictional characters who we saw in our previous newsletter. Students who wore intriguing and creative costumes received a prize for their tremendous efforts. In the spirit of Book Week, students were able to choose from a selection of books to keep. 

The following students from each class were our lucky winners: 

Until next fortnight...

                                                Natalie Rose                              Jess Grey

                                                   Principal                         Assistant Principal