Principal Team Message

CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS

We are getting excited about the upcoming House Athletics Carnival at Duncan MacKinnon Reserve. The Carnival is not just another school event; it is a day filled with camaraderie, sportsmanship, and friendly competition. It provides our students with an opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities, step outside their comfort zone, build lasting memories, and strengthen the bonds that make our school community so special.

Volunteers are the backbone of any successful event, and the House Athletics Carnival is no exception. Without your unwavering support, organising this event and ensuring its smooth operation would be an arduous task. 

Marshals are essential for guiding and supporting the students as they participate in different events. While our wonderful teachers will be present to supervise the students, they cannot manage the logistics of the events and simultaneously oversee the participants. 

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our school office as soon as possible. 

Here is the schedule for the day, which requires lots of volunteers.

NATIONAL PYJAMA DAY 2023

Getting out of bed on Friday was particularly easy for all of us, as we had an exciting reason to do so - Pyjama Day! It was a delight to see our students, staff, and even parents arriving at school dressed in their comfiest and most colourful pyjamas and bathrobes. This fun and meaningful event aimed to raise awareness and important funds to support children in foster care, and it exceeded all expectations.

The sight of our school adorned with an array of adorable, creative, and sometimes hilariously mismatched pyjamas brought a smile to everyone's faces. The atmosphere was filled with joy as we all came together for a cause that is close to our hearts.

We are immensely proud of our students for embracing this initiative with enthusiasm and empathy. They have shown that even a small act of kindness, like wearing pyjamas to school, can make a big difference in the lives of others. 

The school raised $200.00 for the Pyjama Foundation and we thank our student wellbeing team for organising this whole school event. 

SCHOOL PRODUCTION IS COMING - CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY & COLLABORATION

As we settle into the new term, we are thrilled to share with you the wonderful progress our students have made in embracing new learning opportunities, setting goals and the excitement leading up to this year's school production. 

It has been a remarkable journey so far, and we couldn't be prouder of our students and the entire community for their dedication and enthusiasm. The school production has truly taken flight, and we must commend the students for their commitment and hard work. 

The dance rehearsals have been nothing short of mesmerizing, with our students dancing with intricate steps and enthusiasm under the expert guidance of the dance instructor from Stomp. The energy and passion they bring to the dance floor are truly awe-inspiring.

Alongside the dance rehearsals, the script for the production is also being diligently rehearsed by our talented group of Year 5/6 students guided by ex-parent Fiona Harris. Our students are experiencing high-calibre theatre work and dramatisation. Their dedication and teamwork are evident in every scene, and we have no doubt they will deliver a stellar performance.

We are now just three weeks away from the highly anticipated show and we are delighted to see how the entire community is coming together to make this event a resounding success. During last weekend's workshop, families eagerly lent a helping hand in preparing for the production. From assisting with costume design to set construction and props, the enthusiasm in the air was palpable.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the parents, carers, and community members who participated in the workshop. Your presence and support have been invaluable in shaping the production into something truly spectacular. It is inspiring to witness the collective efforts of our students and parents, working side by side, from the sounds of paintbrushes and carpentry tools to the humming of sewing machines – all in harmony to create something magical.

This production not only fosters creativity and teamwork but also strengthens the bonds within our community. It serves as a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared passion and purpose.

As we approach the final weeks of preparation, we encourage you all to continue supporting our students and the production team. Your encouragement and positivity play a significant role in nurturing the confidence of our young performers.

Let us celebrate the wonderful spirit of collaboration and creativity that envelops our school during this time. We look forward to welcoming each and every one of you to the Cripps Theatre at Caulfield Grammar to showcase our students' hard work, talent and dedication. Mark your calendars for the 10th of August and prepare to be amazed!

RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS SEXUALITY HEALTH CURRICULUM 

As part of our commitment to providing a comprehensive education that addresses the physical, social, and emotional well-being of our students, we will be introducing a series of Sexuality Health lessons.

These lessons have been carefully designed to comply with the Australian Curriculum and are recommended by the Department of Education. Our focus will be on three key areas: Respectful Relationships, Consent, and Sexuality Education. The aim is to equip our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate these aspects of life confidently and responsibly.

At Ripponlea Primary School, we believe in fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, and these lessons are an integral part of that commitment. By providing age-appropriate and fact-based information, we hope to empower our students to make informed decisions and foster healthy relationships.

The Sexuality Health lessons will be delivered by our dedicated classroom teachers who have received specialized training in delivering this content in a sensitive and appropriate manner. They will work with our students to explore these topics through various engaging methods, such as games, conversations, and audio-visual media. 

While we recognize that family plays a crucial role in teaching Sexuality Education, we hope these lessons will complement and facilitate further conversations at home. We encourage you to engage with your child about what they are learning, allowing for open dialogue and reinforcing positive values around respect, consent, and healthy relationships.

RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS, HUMAN SEXUALITY & BODY SAFETY - SAVE THE DATE THURSDAY 3 AUGUST 

We are excited to share with you an upcoming workshop that will play a significant role in the successful implementation of our Sexuality Health lessons. The workshop will be conducted by Health Nurse, Vanessa Hamilton, who has cleverly developed the program we will be incorporating into our curriculum.

As parents and carers, your involvement and understanding of the content we will be covering are crucial to ensuring that our students receive the best possible support. We invite you to attend Vanessa's workshop, where she will provide an overview of the program and address any questions or concerns you may have before we begin these lessons with your children.

We understand the importance of open communication between school and home, and this workshop aims to facilitate exactly that. We encourage you to come with any questions or concerns you may have about the program. Vanessa will be more than happy to address them, ensuring that you feel confident and well-informed about the content your child will be exposed to.

Your active participation in your child's education is invaluable, and we believe that your involvement in this workshop will strengthen our partnership in creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment for our students.

We look forward to seeing you at the workshop and embarking on this journey together.

     RPS SUPPORTS LOCAL FOOD DRIVE 

Hi Ripper Families,

I’m here to let you know about the food drive I’ve organised. Some of you might recall that we had food drives in the past but sadly after COVID struck we did not have them anymore and I would like to bring them back!!

When my Mum was on Facebook she saw that Christ Church Community Centre was running low on supplies for their community pantry. I sent them an email to see if they wanted some extra food and they said yes.

All the food collected will be donated to them.  I have also noticed that food prices have gone up and  I’m sure the extra food we collect would be very much appreciated. There will be posters around the school stating what you need to donate. The food drive starts on the 18th of August and ends on the 25th of August. All the food items can be dropped off at the school office.

With your support, it will be much easier. I hope all Ripper families can support me to make this successful!!

Thank you. 

Sofie 3/4C.   

NAPLAN 2023 UPDATES

As you may already know, NAPLAN has been an essential tool in assessing student performance in English, Mathematics, Spelling, Language Conventions and Numeracy. However, this year, NAPLAN is introducing new proficiency standards to provide a more comprehensive understanding of student achievement. 

The standards are set with challenging but reasonable expectations of what students know and can do at the time of testing. There are 4 proficiency levels: 

• Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing. 
• Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing. 
• Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
• Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes that are expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.

To provide a clearer and more detailed picture of our student's abilities in the assessed areas. These standards will go beyond the traditional method of reporting results as a simple score and will instead offer a more nuanced assessment of their skills and knowledge.

At our school, we firmly believe in a holistic approach to education that encompasses not only academic achievements but also personal development, character building, and emotional well-being. NAPLAN results, in combination with our ongoing assessments and teacher observations, contribute to a comprehensive understanding of our students' overall growth.

Year 3 and Year 5 students will receive their NAPLAN Individual Reports by the end of this week. We have retained a photocopy of each report in case of loss. 

VOLUNTARY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

At Ripponlea we believe in providing the best possible learning environment for our students, where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our commitment to this vision is evident in the resources and facilities we offer to ensure a well-rounded education for every student.

Over the years, we have strived to create a conducive atmosphere by maintaining inviting classrooms, equipping them with modern and comfortable furniture, and stocking them with a diverse array of resources. Our teachers, staff, and support personnel work tirelessly to ensure that the school remains a safe and nurturing space for all.

However, maintaining such a high standard of education and facilities is no small feat. It is through the collective efforts and voluntary financial contributions of our generous parents and carers that we have been able to uphold the quality of education and amenities that make RPS exceptional.

We understand that financial circumstances can vary, and we deeply appreciate the contributions, both big and small, that have been made by our school community. Your generous donations have enabled us to provide extracurricular programs, update technology resources, enhance our library, and maintain the school building in excellent condition.

With the resources we have been able to provide, we have witnessed our students flourish and excel in various fields, be it academics, sports, arts, or community engagement. Your support has played a significant role in shaping our students into confident, well-rounded individuals, ready to face the challenges of the world.

It is crucial to acknowledge that your support extends beyond monetary contributions. The countless hours you spend engaging with your children, attending school events, volunteering, and collaborating with our teachers contribute to the vibrant school community we cherish.

As we move forward, we will continue to ensure transparency in the allocation of funds and maintain the highest level of integrity in financial management. Our goal remains to provide an outstanding educational experience while being prudent and responsible with the funds entrusted to us.

We extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you for your continuous support and partnership. Together, we are creating an educational haven where students can reach their full potential, empowered with knowledge, and equipped with life skills.

SPECIAL PERSON'S DAY REMINDER

As we approach the much-anticipated Special Person's Day celebration we would like to extend a friendly reminder to ensure that all students have given out their invitations to their special person or people. This event promises to be a heartwarming occasion where we celebrate the significant role these individuals play in our students' lives.

The morning schedule will include classroom visits, interactive sessions, and engaging activities, which will give our special guests an insight into the various facets of our school and the nurturing environment we provide for our students.

We want this morning to be memorable for both our students and their special persons, as they create lasting memories together. Encouraging children to express their appreciation and love for their special guests through small tokens of gratitude or heartfelt messages will undoubtedly make the day even more meaningful.

If you have any questions or require any additional information about the event, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Ripper families.

BREAKING THE STIGMA - UNDERSTANDING & ADDRESSING NITS 

Nits are a common challenge that many children and families may encounter. Instead of perpetuating stigma and misconceptions, we must take a proactive approach to educate ourselves and our community about nits. By promoting understanding, empathy, and support, we can create a stigma-free environment where children can focus on their learning and well-being without fear of judgment or exclusion.

What are Nits? Nits are tiny, oval-shaped eggs laid by head lice. They attach themselves to the hair shafts near the scalp, making them challenging to spot. Head lice are not a result of poor hygiene or cleanliness; they are simply opportunistic pests that thrive in any hair type or texture.

Dispelling Myths One of the most critical steps in breaking the stigma of nits is to dispel the myths surrounding them. Contrary to popular belief, nits do not discriminate. They can infest anyone, regardless of age, gender, social background, or personal hygiene habits. It is crucial to understand that getting nits is not a reflection of one's character or worth.

Addressing the Stigma The stigma associated with nits can have significant negative impacts on children and their families. It can lead to feelings of embarrassment, shame, and isolation. Moreover, it may discourage open communication about the issue, making it challenging for those affected to seek help and support.

Education and Empathy Education is key to breaking down the stigma of nits. Our community can play a vital role in fostering understanding and empathy. Our teachers will incorporate age-appropriate discussions about nits into health and hygiene lessons, helping students learn the facts and dispel misconceptions.

Parents can also contribute by talking openly and honestly with their children about nits. By providing accurate information in a supportive manner, parents can reduce fear and stigma, allowing their children to feel comfortable seeking help if they suspect an infestation.

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

Natalie Rose             &                        Marta Campbell 

             Principal                                     Assistant Principal