RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Principal's Message

WELCOME PICNIC UPDATE & CURRICULUM INFORMATION SESSIONS

Despite the unkindness of the weather gods, we are even more ready to celebrate and have contacted everyone involved to reset the date for the picnic and dance off. To make things even easier for families, we have decided to combine our Curriculum Information sessions together with a fun evening event.  

 

Curriculum Information sessions are designed to support you as parents to gain a better understanding of the curriculum taught to your children, year level unique programming, and an opportunity to learn about our communication processes, assessment practices and how we facilitate home learning opportunities. Teachers will explain learning in the school day as well as going over the most important aspects of literacy and numeracy. Our teachers will be devoting a lot of time and energy to prepare these sessions so it would be much appreciated if you could attend.

 

You don’t have to leave your children at home for these sessions or even organise babysitters, here is what we have in mind and have organised for you!

Schedule for Thursday 19th March

Curriculum Information Sessions 5:00 – 6:00pm

Welcome Picnic & Dance off 6:00 – 8:00pm

Performances will commence at 6:20pm once everyone is settled and ready.  

CURRICULUM DAY – STUDENT FREE DAY

The staff are preparing for our Curriculum Day this Friday 6th March with consultant Debbie Draper from South Australia. Debbie has two decades of experience in educational coordination, consultancy and implementation. She aims to provide quality learning for our school context and tailor approaches and strategies that address the needs of our students, teachers and instructional leaders. Debbie will be working with our staff on the Gradual Release of Responsibility Instructional Model in the context of reading instruction. Students do not attend school on Friday, but the OSHC service – TheirCare will be operational on this day. Please also be reminded that Monday 9th is a public holiday – Labour Day!

RIDE TO SCHOOL DAY

Join more than 350,000 students across the nation who will ride, walk, scoot and skate to school on Friday 13 March 2020. Stay tuned for our student leaders and their surprises on the day.

STUDENT LEADERS

We had a wonderful assembly a few weeks ago to present our student leaders with their official badges. We thank Josh Burns for his inspiring leadership chat to all students. As Josh said, leadership is about the ability to lead with others, have courage, inspire, empower, motivate and listen to those around you. Leadership is not just about wearing a badge. We wish all our leaders the best in their roles and look forward to their impact across our community.

 

Next week they will all attend the GRIP Leadership conference. This will give our leaders the tools and strategies to succeed in their roles with further mentoring from their teachers. The following skills will be a focus for our leaders: time management, goal setting, communication, attitude to failure, public speaking, character traits of a leader, creative leadership, teamwork, social skills, the power of relationships, integrity and much more.

 

PARENT WORKSHOP – DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AT HOME

We kindly remind all families about this unique parent workshop with Anthony King on Tuesday 17th March at 6:30pm. Anthony will share with you strategies to support positive behaviour management. 

 

Topics that will be discussed include:

  • Provide a logical approach for School and Home Positive Behaviour Interventions
  • Explore some of the reasons why we humans behave the way we do
  • Define the core features of School-Wide PBS
  • Outline some practical ideas/strategies for what you can do at home to promote a positive home environment

Anthony King Bio: 

  • Teaching (Primary/Secondary) – 22 Years
  • Assistant Principal (8 Years)
  • SWPBS Coach:  May 2018 – Current

BUSH FIRE APPEAL - RIPPONLEA STUDENTS

The fires that occurred over the summer 2019/2020 school holidays were devastating, affecting homes, families and wildlife. It is very heartwarming to know that our very own students sacrificed their time to raise donations. Archie, Harry, Billy and Jimmy raised money over the holidays for the red cross bush fire appeal in order to make a difference to those who lost so much. The boys sold home-made honey joys and held a 'guess how many jelly beans' competition. Their wonderful efforts helped raise $220 for the bush fire appeal. An excellent job boys, we are all very proud!  

 

Our student council together with Lenny in Year 4 are also organising a special fundraiser in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information on how we can all support the animals and communities affected by the bush fires.   

SAILING & PADDLE BOARDING

At Ripponlea Primary School we offer students unique opportunities and none compares to the unique swimming program of our Year 5/6 students. Over the course of three weeks they have been sailing and paddle boarding. See Miss Jo's video in the specialist section of the newsletter for all the sailing fun.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS – FUNDING $$$$$$ CELEBRATIONS

We are delighted to inform our community that through extensive collaborative efforts we were able to secure some significant funding for Ripponlea Kindergarten. Lobbying and working hard with all stakeholders, the kindergarten has secured an Inclusive Kindergarten Facilities Program grant to the value of $143,000. This allows the kindergarten to build an inclusive entrance and upgrade some facilities. We deeply thank thank community members who were instrumental to this occurring Nick Morris, Skye Holcombe-Henley, Myomi Abbott, Mishel Lowndes, Jeremy Aarons, and Colin Smith.

 

At the end of last year, the Facilities and Environment committee of School Council decided to apply for a Local Schools Community Fund. The Local Schools Community Fund provides funding of up to $200,000 for each Federal electorate to invest into small scale school projects. Josh Burns delivered the news that we were successful in our proposal for an inclusive deck at the back of the school. We have officially received federal funding of $20,000 towards establishment and extension of our existing learning deck. We look forward to discussing this project at School Council and will be sharing some plans in the near future.

WORKING BEE – LOCH HOUSE PARTICIPANTS WILL GET HOUSE POINTS

Calling all enthusiastic LOCH HOUSE volunteers for our first Working Bee of the year. Working Bees involve families coming together to complete projects that enhance the environment in which our children can learn, play and grow, and which otherwise would have to be outsourced at great cost.

 

In addition to improvement projects, Working Bees also include regular tasks to keep the school tidy such as painting, weeding, sweeping and raking back tan bark under playground equipment.

 

It’s a great opportunity for families and children to meet in a different social setting, as well as contributing to improvements and care of the school. Each Working Bee finishes with a BBQ, to thank our lovely volunteers!

 

So pack your good spirits and volunteer to help at our Working Bee! Whether it’s just one hour or more, RPS needs your help. Every bit counts!

 

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday 15th March at 10:00 – 2:00pm

 

Please contact Colin Smith if you can help on colin.smith@melbournewater.com.au

0425 710 478.

SCHOOL PHOTOS – REMINDER

 

 

Next Thursday the 12th of March is school photo day. Please ensure the correct uniform and big smiles are worn on the day! House t-shirts are not approved school uniforms - these are only worn on special house events. 

 

Please do not forgot to order your photos online or via the school office. 

Until next fortnight ...

                                                    Natalie Rose                                        Jess Grey

                                                          Principal                                     Assistant Principal