Who would believe we are nearly mid-way through this term? Next week our Foundation students officially start a full-time schedule and from all accounts, they are super ready and excited to be at school every single day. It's been so rewarding to witness their growing confidence in navigating the school environment and building those important school and learning routines. They have been warmly embraced by their Year 5/6 buddies and these special bonds are forming quickly.

Across the school, we are preparing to send our students to the Balaclava District championship. Best of luck to the RPS team at GESAC today. Whether we win or lose, it doesn't matter because the Ripper spirit is all about giving things a go, respecting others and being grateful for the opportunities offered. We know they will proudly represent our school.

WELCOME PICNIC - OUR COMMUNITY, CONNECTION & RESPECT

What a special night for our community and it seems to get bigger and better each year based on the feedback we have received. Deepest thanks to Eric Edwards and Jungala Ellis from the Bunurong Land Council for coming out to open our special gathering with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.

Michael and the team from Indigenous Outreach Project had everyone moving and grooving and the profound messages of our connection to land and country, the oldest living culture and paying our respect resonated with all members of our community old and young. Their powers of positivity motivated our students and families and everyone was 'deadly'.

Thanks to all volunteers, because without your ongoing support events like these would not be possible. A big shout out to the team from TheirCare, for their generosity and donations of sausages and other goodies for the picnic and thanks to Natalie, Luke and Alex for their mastery on the BBQ.

The night was full of entertainment with the Ripp Offs (parent band) and all the baked goodies were satisfying our sweet cravings whilst the atmosphere made us all want to keep partying well past 7:00 pm.

A LITTLE ABOUT OUR NEW STAFF

Emma Fay

Hi everyone! I recently joined Ripponlea as a Learning Tutor and will be working with small groups of children in numeracy. Education is actually my second career and this is my first teaching role. Previously I worked in Media and Communications for nearly two decades, including 8 years in London and Sydney, and most recently at Cancer Council Victoria.

I then decided to try something new and went back to uni to study a Master of Teaching. I’m passionate about health and fitness and love running, swimming and Pilates.

I also love reading and am an avid consumer of news and current affairs...old habits die hard! My two children Sophie (9) and Lizzie (7) also keep me on my toes. Thanks to everyone I’ve met for making me feel so welcome. I’m now embracing the (self-imposed) challenge of knowing every student’s name by the end of the term!

Jon Wood

Hello everyone! I’m Jon and I am excited to be teaching 3/4 D at Ripponlea Primary school this year! I attended primary school in Derbyshire, England and emigrated to Brisbane with my family in 2006, where I completed my senior years of education. After studying Psychology and Business Management at university, and working in corporate technology marketing, I decided to study a Masters of Primary Education and make the switch to become a teacher.

I love to play the guitar, watch England win (or more likely lose) at football or cricket, and on the weekends, I love to watch movies at home with my two cats, exercise or play board games with my friends. I’ve had an amazing first few weeks at Ripponlea and have enjoyed getting to know all of the students and amazing staff. If you see me around the school, don’t be a stranger and please say hello!

Carlie Campbell

Hi, I'm Carlie. I have many years of experience teaching Physical Education in both coeducational and single-gender primary schools. I have also worked as a Personal Trainer / Pilates Instructor (predominantly running my own business) for 17 years. I have always loved participating in and watching a wide variety of sports and physical activities, and enjoy helping children and adults to improve and be the best they can be. I am a mum too, which keeps me very busy.

Shannon Connelly

Hello, Ripper community!

I am a graduate teacher just beginning my career as a Visual Art teacher. I have always been drawn to creativity through a range of interests I have explored over the years and I chose a path in education as I wanted to share my passion for art with students as my teachers had done for me. I love to draw and doodle in my spare time and enjoy creating characters. When studying visual arts at university, I had a passion for screen printing, traditional art, and digital art. In my free time, I enjoy doing anything that keeps my hands busy. I have picked up embroidery, knitting, crocheting, and sculpture but most projects go unfinished when I find a new interest to delve into.

I'm looking forward to encouraging every Ripper student to think of themselves as an artist!

2023 SCHOOL COUNCIL

As previously advised, we did not hold an official election ballot as we had the exact number of nominations equal to the number of positions. We warmly welcome newly nominated and renominated members to the 2023 RPS School Council.

Parent Members

Romany Tauber

Isabel Lasala

Colin Smith

DET Members

Julie Nield

Braden Leech

Existing members: Tarryn Holland, Suzete Ribeiro, Julie Pearce, Kara Merrin, Natalie Rose & Marta Campbell.

Next week we will meet with the 2022 School Council members to celebrate and reflect on our achievements in 2022, discuss our financial position and fundraising monies and review the goals of the 2023 Annual Implementation Plan.

In March, we will hold our Annual General Meeting, inducting the new council members and electing office bearers. We have our Annual Report to the School Community presentation on Friday 17th March, at 9:30 am. Please join us for a morning tea and hear about our evidenced based teaching and learning approaches in numeracy, literacy, the school's instructional model of teaching and student engagement, Respectful Relationships and well-being strategies.

DID YOU KNOW - RPS HAS A STRONG FOCUS ON HELPING STUDENTS FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN MATHEMATICS

On Monday, some RPS staff attended professional learning at Monash University. The Getting Ready in Numeracy (GRIN) program aims to address difficulties that students experience when learning mathematics. We have made an investment in literacy intervention and will now introduce this support in mathematics.

GRIN sessions conducted by trained tutors are designed to:

prepare intervention students for their subsequent mathematics lesson
familiarise students with the relevant language and terminology that they will hear during the classroom lesson
model what students can expect to see and/or do in the lesson.

G.R.I.N. sessions include mathematical discussions as well as modelling and manipulation of materials and equipment that will ‘front-load’ the students for the subsequent mathematics lesson. In order to help students who have fallen behind in mathematics learning, the G.R.I.N. program offers additional support to re-engage disengaged students and help them regain their confidence and a positive attitude so they will ultimately value the learning of mathematics

We're privileged to be working with Peter Sullivan, Penelope Kalogeropoulos, and Michelle Klooger in our strategy to improve engagement and learning outcomes for all students in mathematics. If you love research like us, please read this research paper about this approach to intervention.

STOPIT SERVICE

STOPIT is a new Victoria Police text notification service enabling commuters, including school students, to report any form of inappropriate behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened on the public transport network.

How STOPIT works

The STOPIT service enables commuters to use their mobile phone to promptly, easily and discreetly report inappropriate behaviours.

To use the service, commuters simply text ‘STOPIT’ to 0499 455 455. This triggers an automated response that includes a link to where the commuter can provide more details about what’s just happened.

When people report these types of inappropriate behaviours, police can investigate and identify offenders to improve safety on public transport for everyone.

Parents and carers are encouraged to consider discussing the new service with students who travel on public transport. Students who use mobile phones outside of school hours are encouraged to save the STOPIT number in their mobile phone.

Please note, STOPIT is for reporting non-urgent incidents on public transport. Always phone 000 in an emergency.

For more information, refer to sexual and anti-social behaviour on public transport on the Victoria Police website.

Until next fortnight.................

Natalie Rose & Marta Campbell

Principal Acting Assistant Principal

Mental Health & Wellbeing Student/Parent Support

Articles, Videos & Resources

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS

WHEN DO DAY-TO-DAY WORRIES TURN INTO ANXIETY - HOW CAN SCHOOLS AND PARENTS HELP