Things to know 

RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS

At the beginning of this term, the Leadership Team took part in the Respectful Relationships induction training. The Respectful Relationships initiative was developed by the Department of Education and Training in response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence which identified the critical role that schools and early childhood education have in creating a culture of respect to change the story of family violence for future generations. Respectful Relationships is a whole-school approach to building positive attitudes and behaviours around respect and equality. Everyone deserves the right to be respected, valued and treated equally, and as a community learning hub, we are well positioned to review our practices to promote Respectful Relationships and ensure that: 

• a workplace where all staff should feel equally respected, safe and valued and have equal opportunities;
• a safe space where young people can learn about gender equality and respectful relationships, in and out of the classroom;
• part of the wider community that can model gender equality and respectful relationships​.

Consistent with best practice, RPS is establishing a Respectful Relationships Implementation Team to work together to support whole-school continuous improvement in this important area. As part of this team, we are keen for parents/carers to take part. If you are interested and can give a couple of hours of your time each term to work with a committed team of staff, please contact the school via email: ripponlea.ps@education.vic.gov.au

STUDENT WELLBEING – RPS ART THERAPY IN SCHOOL TRIAL

The value we place on student and staff wellbeing at RPS is critical and therefore we have decided to engage the services of an Art Therapist to work on a weekly basis with students across the school in Term 4. Simona Weinstein from Indigo Art Therapy combines art with counselling on a range of mental health and wellbeing supports. 

For further information regarding Simona Weinstein please refer to her website. We welcome Simona to the team at RPS. The school will fully fund this trial and pay for all services. 

https://www.indigoarttherapy.com.au/

Weekly sessions for students will include: 

• creative stress release
• emotional regulation
• improving emotional intelligence and interpersonal/social skills

Based on the success of this trial, we can hopefully continue the role and add a whole-of-school art project to foster the creative community within Ripponlea Primary. Further creative therapies, including animal-assisted, movement and music therapy, may also be incorporated. Further information and consent for students to participate in this program will be released via COMPASS. 

STUDENT WORKSHOPS – SEXUALITY, RESPECTFUL RELATIONS & PROTECTIVE SAFETY

We hope many of our families take the opportunity to attend Vanessa Hamilton’s virtual parent workshop on Wednesday 1st September. It is not too late to register your attendance. 

In Term 4, Vanessa Hamilton will deliver a range of age-appropriate workshops to our students with two sessions delivered to older students in Years 3-6. All these dates are on the COMPASS calendar for your reference. 

Content/concept areas to be covered:

COVID-19 KEY HEALTH ADVICE 

Based on advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the following requirements for wearing a face mask apply to all schools.

It is now recommended primary-school-age children wear masks while indoors and outdoors, except when in the home or when an exception applies. However, it is not mandatory.

School staff and secondary school students aged 12 or older must always wear a face mask indoors and outdoors at school, including when attending an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program, unless a lawful exception applies. This includes while travelling to and from school on public transport and when in taxis or ride-share vehicles.

For communication purposes, teachers and education support staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but it is recommended that they wear face masks while teaching wherever practicable.

GLEN EIRA@HOME

Glen Eira Councilhave launched some great live events, youth activities, library at home, arts online for families and students to enjoy. 

There is so much on offer, so please don’t miss your opportunity to get involved. 

• A Parent/Carer webinar with Michael Carr-Gregg - Riding the Coronacoaster – Thursday 2nd September.
• Lego Bricks and Tricks Challenge – 1st September
• African Drumming – Let’s Get Loud – 8th September

https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/about-council/news/latest-news/council-launches-glen-eira-home

SCHOOL PRODUCTION

A new date has been set for our School Production in Term 4. 

Date: Thursday 9th December 

POLICIES APPROVED AT SCHOOL COUNCIL

School Council Policy Updates

In the August School Council meeting, the Governance committee convenor, Braden Leech, presented three updated policies on behalf of committee members Dominique Wimpole, Jess Grey and Julie Nield.

• About Our School – Values, Philosophy & Learning – this policy provides a summary overview of our values and vision, our approaches to learning, positive behaviour support and our commitment to child safety. We expect to revise this policy following the school review later this year.
• Attendance – this policy applies to all students at RPS and is aligned with the Department’s School Attendance Guidelines.
• Volunteers – this policy outlines the recruitment, screening, supervision and management processes of all people who volunteer at our school.