Principal's Message

SMOOTHIE DAY

Reading the web most recently we discovered that in the US they have a National Smoothie Day on the 21st June. Well, we would say that we had our own celebrations right here at Ripponlea Primary School, with our students enjoying a special smoothie day last week. Our students were very lucky to have this treat this term and when speaking to students, they really look forward to Lee’s special items at the Snack Shack. We thank Lee Brennan, our Snack Shack coordinator, and all of the parent volunteers so far this year.

F-2 SWIMMING PROGRAM

We hope our junior school students enjoyed their five day intensive swimming lessons last week. We received fantastic feedback from BJ Lamm - the director of the Starfish Swim Centre - and his instructors. From their perspective they felt the program was very successful and the instructors reported to BJ that they were very impressed with our children, their ability and behaviour. We made a conscious decision this year to move away from the large venue of GESAC. Over the course of this week, Ms Jo will distribute a special survey evaluating and gathering feedback from the parent body (see 'Specialist News' section). Please share your thoughts, so we can make a timely decision and book our swimming program well in advance, potentially securing better dates and venue.

UNIFORMS

We would like to thank our parents for taking extra effort to ensure students come to school in their appropriate school uniform. We have a range of uniform options through EduThreads (https://eduthreads.com.au/collections/ripponlea-primary-school), in particular some warmer new items such as the polar fleece jacket.

We have noticed that many of our students are wearing the new uniform items which have a RagTagd – lost property tag. We have been placing these items in our special cupboard, which scans the item every morning and sends an SMS alert to your phone, but the only way this is possible is if you actually register the ragtag special ID to your phone. Please read this information to register your child’s clothing to the RagTagd system: https://www.ragtagd.com/how-it-works

RIPPER ART ATTACK

Excitement is brewing, our student’s creativity is at its peak and we are one week away from one of our major community and fundraising events. Ms Zoe has been working with our students to produce exhibition quality pieces of art work from every student across the school. This will be a showcase of talents from our students and our local artists. Please let all your family, friends and neighbours know about the Ripper Art Festival coming Saturday 22nd June.

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AT RIPPONLEA

The most profound learning occurs when there is a healthy relationship between teacher and student. Restorative Practices assists teachers, students and parents to build, maintain and restore relationships. Restorative Practices build capacity to enable students to self-regulate behaviour and contributes to the improvement of learning outcomes. At Ripponlea Primary School Restorative Practices are used to complement the work we are currently undertaking in SWPBS.

In this approach to behaviour management, the term 'restorative' is used to stress that when a student misbehaves, restoring relationships, repairing harm and learning perspective-taking and social responsibility is more important and effective than simply delivering punishment for their misbehaviour. Restorative practices include:

Circle Time (and conference circles) in which students sit in a circle and, using a structured format, discuss and problem-solve an issue that has affected the whole class or specific members of the class.
The 'restorative interview' where the teacher uses an incident of misbehaviour as an educative opportunity for teaching empathy, consequential thinking and the importance of making amends in order to repair harm and relationships.
The more formal 'restorative conference' that is used with more serious or ongoing misbehaviour and usually involves senior staff, parents and carers.

THREE-WAY CONFERENCES – 23-24 JULY

Successful learning occurs when learners have ownership of their learning. The opportunity for learners to reflect on their strengths and articulate areas for improvement are key stages in developing such ownership. Early in Term 3, you and your child will be invited to take part in a three-way conference with the classroom teacher to share your child’s successes, reflect on their achievements and discuss challenges.

A three-way conference involves the student, teacher and parents/carers. It enables students to develop their capacity to reflect on their learning, to celebrate success and to set future learning goals. The structure of the three-way conference also helps to strengthen the home-school partnership by giving parents/carers greater insight into their child’s learning. Students will use learning samples from Semester 1 during the three-way conference to share their progress and create links with goals to further their learning.

This year, we are offering an option for parents/carers who would like to spend part of their conference time with the teacher only. More details will be made available, including how to book a three-way conference, when you receive your child’s semester report at the end of the term.

2020 ENROLMENTS

Did you know that most people find out about Ripponlea Primary School through word of mouth? Please help us spread the good news of our school and remind members in the local community, that we are accepting enrolments if they have a child commencing their Foundation year in 2020. It is very important that we receive their enrolment forms as soon as possible to assist our planning and preparation for 2020.

STUDENT’S ATTITUDES TO SCHOOL SURVEY

Over the last fortnight our Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 students completed a short online survey about our school. We value what our students think about our school and their learning, and appreciate their feedback as a means of improving student engagement, wellbeing and most learning experiences.

The Attitudes to School Survey is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist schools in gaining an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience.

THE POWERS OF WRITING

Our Year 3/4s have been working on persuasive writing. We were shown a photo of piles of perfectly good food, thrown away by our local Coles. This made us think about how we could persuade Coles to think about their food waste. We wrote letters and sent them off to the supermarket, using persuasive devices and language to persuade our reader.

We Have Had Enough of This!

Dear Coles,

We are two ten-year old kids and we want to remind you that what you are doing is a DISGUSTING waste! You are dumping out roughly 6,000 tons of fresh, untouched bread, fruit, vegetables and much more into landfill! It’s HORRIBLE!

This will be our future… It may not be yours but we will grow up in a world where all animals are threatened by plastics or starvation because you will not do something about it. In the past year we have donated food to homeless people, gone on climate strikes, written this letter to you and given food to a food bank. That is probably more than you have done for the environment in our lifetime! Yes, you give some food to ‘Secondbite’, but clearly half of it gets thrown out because you just keep on buying and growing when you don’t need to.

You have Coles express, you are building a huge Coles in Elsternwick and we cannot forget all those SticKeez! This is your problem now. If we have done more for the environment than a multi-billion-dollar company then you are not as ‘great’ as you think you are.

We might be the only ones who care, so take your chance now and SAVE OUR PLANET.

Sincerely,

Rita and Aidan

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose Jess Grey

Principal Assistant Principal