Principal Team Message
AFFIRMATION TO HELP YOU HARNESS THE WEEK
Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.
- Dalai Lama
RECONCILIATION WEEK
This year's National Reconciliation Week theme of Be Brave. Make Change. seems quite appropriate given the significant changes experienced across the country following the recent federal election. Importantly, there is a record number of First Nations representatives entering parliament and this will no doubt amplify indigenous perspectives on significant issues.
Late last year the staff of Ripponlea enjoyed the opportunity to undertake Cultural Understanding and Safety Training (CUST) with Koorie Engagement Officers, Brian Walker, Shane Gittens and Stephanie Briggs. This important learning opportunity gave us the great privilege of deepening our understanding of the important role schools play in challenging former, insensitive representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. In line with the Department's Aboriginal Education Plan - Marrung - participating in CUST helped us understand how to embrace Indigenous culture and ensure our school is culturally safe and inclusive.
Next term we will embark on the process of developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). For RPS this is an opportunity to collaborate with Ripponlea Kindergarten that has established actions that build respect for Indigenous perspectives, create links with local community groups and foster inclusive practices. We have much to learn from our kindergarten counterparts and look forward to doing our part to "be brave" and "make change".
STUDENT VOICE & AGENCY @RPS
As members of the RPS community, we are all familiar with the vision we aspire to for our little Rippers...
Our vision is for the children of Ripponlea to be global and creative thinkers who are empowered with the skills and empathy to engage with an ever-changing world. They care, they create, they connect.
If ever we needed proof that our students actually do this, it was evident in the recent IDAHOBIT inspired rainbow day. This colourful and prideful event was driven by the student leaders for a cause they feel strongly about: inclusion. Please have your day brightened by clicking on the student leadership page in this newsletter to see joyous images from the day.
YEAR 5/6 CANBERRA TOUR
They are halfway through their tour of Canberra already and no doubt taking the nation's capital by storm! We simply can't wait to have our 5/6 peers arrive back this Friday to tell of their experiences at the High Court, AIS, Questacon, Parliament House and more. (Wonder if the members of our nation's newest parliament will take the time to learn from these amazing future leaders?!)
A huge thanks to the amazing staff who have organised this excellent trip and made the journey along with the students: Braden Leech, Sarah Coughlin, Matt Blake, Emily Ingamells, Dave Bremner, Julie Nield and Natalie Rose. Thanks too to the parents who calmed the nerves of our excited adventurers, packed a week's worth of belongings into a small suitcase, and bid farewell to the whole group on Monday morning.
2022 SEMESTER REPORTS and PARENT-STUDENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Teachers have been busily running assessments and checking student progress to inform their semester reports for parents. Each semester, parents receive a digital report of their child's learning mapped against the Victorian Curriculum. This semester, reports will be published on Compass on Monday 20 June for parents/carers to access. In order to discuss your child's learning in greater detail, there will be opportunity for you to meet with the teacher in a conference that same week.
Fifteen-minute appointments can be made with your child's teacher either in person or online. Students will join in the discussion for the first 5-10 minutes with the remaining time for parents/carers to meet just with the teacher. All appointments will take place between 9am and 6pm on the following days:
Tuesday 21 June - Foundation and Year 3/4
Wednesday 22 June - Year 1/2
Thursday 23 June - Year 3/4
Our specialist team of teachers will assist by releasing class teachers on the above days so that they conduct the conferences in the Barrbunin. Please look out for further information on Compass this week, including how to book your appointment.
ES PROFILES
My name is Jaclyn Holzer and I am the new administration officer at Ripponlea Primary!
Since starting late last term I have had the best experience at RPS and have thoroughly enjoyed these past weeks. It has been a joy to be included in the community and to meet all the staff, students and families.
Previous to this role I completed my Bachelor of Business and worked as an Underwriter in the insurance world for 3 years. At the beginning of the year, I decided to return to study and am currently completing my Masters in Education in the hopes of teaching either secondary or primary school.
When not at work I love to invest my time heavily into hobbies that include art, yoga, knitting and design. I am a certified animal enthusiast and proud dog owner to a 4 year old sausage dog named Señor.
Feel free to come and say hi in the office !
Hello my name is Lucy Cochrane and I joined the Ripponlea Primary School community at the beginning of the term as an Integration Aide.
In that short time I have met some wonderful staff and students who make it a pleasure to come to work, as well as some parents who have been so welcoming.
I have taken several different paths in my working life however working with children has always been a great passion of mine and I am excited to continue my career as a supportive, nurturing and positive role model for Ripponlea students.
When I am not at school I am either with my 6 year old Staffy, spending time with family and friends, or escaping to the Mornington Peninsula to hike or kayak, or in the winter just stay by the fire.
I am looking forward to getting to know more of the community and hope to meet you soon.
Hi everybody! My name is Jack Rogers, and I am one of the new ES workers at Ripponlea Primary.
I am very happy to be a part of the Ripponlea community and am pleased to say that I have been welcomed with open arms.
I am enjoying working with a wide range of students and staff members and I am constantly learning new things each day.
I completed my Certificate 3 in Education Support at Holmesglen, Chadstone Campus and did my placement at Katandra School in Ormond. I have been a volunteer at RDA, Moorabbin (Riding for the Disabled Association) for well over 6 years. RDA is a not-for-profit organisation that provides programs offering horse riding and interaction with horses for children with physical, intellectual, sensory, and learning disabilities.
My outside work interests include music production (although this has taken a backseat since I started at Ripponlea), cinema including classic movies and animation (anime and manga in particular), video games, and table tennis.
Thank you to all the staff at Ripponlea Primary for making me feel included. I am keen to keep learning so any guidance and tips would be greatly appreciated.
A NOT-SO-WARM WELCOME TO WINTER!
Winter has already greeted Victorians with snowfall and shivering starts to the day which makes it timely to remind everyone to rug up! As well as the low temperatures out in the yard, our century-old building with its high ceilings can be draughty at this time of the year so please ensure your child/ren has appropriate attire to be able to enjoy learning and play inside and outdoors. And when it comes to mentioning items of uniform we just have to repeat our ancient mantra... NAME EVERYTHING!!!
COLD & FLU SEASON
Whilst many of us were concerned with the further spread of COVID-19 in the colder months, we are witnessing more students and staff getting sick from the dreaded cold and flu. We really want to keep our teachers' teaching and our students learning.
Please ensure children remain at home when unwell and until all symptoms clear. A GP can assess, advise and provide a medical certificate when a child is ready to return to school and not contagious to others. We will all continue to do our very best in practising high levels of hygiene, but the best protection for all is to have the influenza vaccination.
Until next fortnight!
Natalie Rose Principal
Jess Grey Assistant Principal