Principal's Message

We welcome back all families and extend a very warm welcome to new families joining our little school. 2022 marks the year of the Tiger as celebrated in the Chinese New Year. 

The tiger is considered the king of all beasts and often thought to be the zodiac sign of new beginnings.

What a fabulous way to start the new year and consider that this year could be the year of new beginnings for everyone in our community, especially for our Rippers. 

People born in the year of the tiger are said to be very loyal to their family and have very strong relationships with others in their lives. We hope that as a community we can continue to build strong relationships, be an extension of your family and partner with you in supporting the development and education of your child. Thank you for entrusting us with this privilege. 

We know we have said this at the start of many school years (including transitions back from remote learning) but truly we are all pleasantly surprised at how well our students have returned to school: so settled, happy and ready to learn, despite a six-week holiday period!

We can all take a deep breath and simply say WOW. It just shows how resilient our students are. Even our Foundation students separated from their parents at the door and some at the gate and not a tear of sadness was in sight. 

So, congratulations to our newest students at RPS, you brave little Rippers! 

Furthermore, thank you to our teachers and families for supporting our students in yet another transition in life. 

Now let’s kick start this year, enjoy the warmer days to come and focus on what matters most. 

WHAT 2022 HAS IN STORE AT RIPPONLEA

Here’s what our students want to achieve in 2022

Lily 5/6 - To make our school a more sustainable place

Lucas 1/2- Improve my soccer skills 

Olive 5/6 - Learn my timetables off by heart

Asher 3/4 - Improve my maths and hand writing skills

Poppy 5/6 - Help others develop respectful relationships

Avalon 5/6 - Improve my grammar

Here’s what our staff want to achieve in 2022

Stef - Continue to focus on the positives in life and the world 

Braden - Learn the Periodic Table Song off by heart

Julie - Further my new hobby of painting 

Kim - Complete a 'Wordle' a day

Lydia - Use less technology especially in the mornings 

Luca - Run a 10km Fun Run 

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Elena - 

What are you looking forward to the most:

I am looking forward to being able to make a difference to our school and helping out other students with the things I hope to make happen. 

What are you hoping to achieve:

I am hoping to create an incredible year for the students of 2022. 

Favourite thing about RPS: 

I love how every student knows each other and we're all part of a community. 

Interesting fact about our captains:

 I like sport and I have a kelpie named Rippa. 

Ivy - 

What are you looking forward to the most:

Helping people 

What are you hoping to achieve:

I'm hoping to give students more voice and responsibility in this school

Favourite thing about RPS: 

The flexible learning choices and the opportunities 

Interesting fact about our captains:

I can do the splits - I have a pet bird called Miso

RIPPONLEA STAFF 2022

MEET OUR NEW STAFF 

Kate: 

Hello Ripponlea school community! Thank you to everyone I’ve spoken to so far, you’ve all been incredibly welcoming. A little bit about me, before joining the Ripponlea team as the new business manager, I was working at Montague and Oakwood school as their Careers advisor. A job I found very rewarding, however after 5 years I’m looking to acquire some new skills and challenge myself in a new role. Outside of work I am a committed dog-Mum to my 11yo schnauzerX, food lover, book reader, and hobbyist beekeeper. Topics I could talk about all day at length, so please ask. I look forward to getting to know you all better and a wonderful 2022 😊

Antonia:

Hi everyone, my name is Antonia and l am delighted to be back at Ripponlea taking the tutoring program this year. Education has been my lifelong passion. I have over 27 years of teaching experience in various independent schools around Melbourne, where my career path has led me to a deep appreciation of the different ways in which girls and boys learn.

Born in Melbourne, Australia to parents of  Greek origin, I spent a great deal of time in the garden with my father. Now, away from school, you will find me gardening with my ginger cat Tiger. I love using my own produce to create delicious family meals to share.

I look forward to celebrating the school’s 100 year anniversary and being a part of such a welcoming and vibrant community. 

We look forward to introducing more staff in our next newsletter. 

FAREWELL/BEST WISHES

Over the school holidays we received some sad but also happy news for one of our staff members. Jordane Hyams was offered an opportunity she just couldn’t resist and has been seeking for many years. Jordane has accepted the role of an educator at the Melbourne Museum. Whilst we are saddened to see Jordane leave our community, especially since she was looking forward to teaching 5/6C, we totally understand that such an experience can’t be missed. We wish her all the best in her new role and will continue to stay in touch as she develops programs our students might partake in future excursions.  

HOUSE SWIMMING CARNIVAL 

What a perfect day to spend swimming at the Prahran pools. All Year 3-6 students were excited to board the buses with their peers and teachers. This carnival provides students an opportunity to trial and progress through to the Balaclava District Sports Association events and competitions, of which our school has a long-standing membership. 

Congratulations to all swimmers and a deep thanks to our wonderful PE teacher Ms Massey, her experience and organisation of such events is admirable, especially with the start of the school year just a week in. Thanks also to our incredible House Captains for their enthusiasm and house spirit. We are also very grateful for the support of our specialist team, teachers and parent volunteers for making this event happen. Congratulations to LOCH HOUSE for winning the Swimming Carnival. We eagerly await our next House event. 

‘YOU TELL US’ VIRTUAL MEETINGS

These pastoral care type meetings are an opportunity for parents/carers to meet with their child’s teacher to share information to begin the partnership of supporting your child as a learner. When parents and teachers work together, the educational outcomes are always better for the children. The benefits of a strong parent-teacher partnership also include maintaining the wellbeing of children, parents/carers feeling more connected to the teaching and learning process and teachers feeling very supported by parents. 

At this point in time, the Department of Education has recommended that we continue to be cautious over the next four weeks whilst there are still many cases in Victoria, therefore our You Tell Us meetings will be conducted online via WebEx. Please check the COMPASS feed for all booking details. 

As it very early in the school year, teachers will not be able to talk about children’s progress at this time. We look forward to further sessions with our parents, as our teachers will also provide year-level specific curriculum and program information in coming weeks. 

CONGRATULATIONS 

January was not only a hot month, but wedding bells were chiming loudly not only for one but for three of our staff members. Beautiful celebrations of love and happiness with families and their special partners in life. We are so happy that they were able to finally have their special days and on behalf of our whole school community congratulate Dom, Emily and Lydia on their recent nuptials. 

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY 2022

On top of the many other disruptions last year, our school photography did not quite go to plan. After community feedback, this year we’ve decided to switch providers to Monarchy Pictures. Our photography will occur on Thursday 3 March and you will be receiving more information, including ordering details, over the next couple of weeks. 

WELCOME PICNIC

Everyone’s favourite Ripper event, the annual Welcome Picnic, will occur a little later in the school term than usual. We are watching and waiting (anticipating) the best evening to pencil in the occasion which will likely be towards the end of March depending on health advice. Stay tuned!

LOLA BECOMES A THERAPY DOG 

Many of Stef’s past students would be familiar with her furbaby Lola. Over the holidays Stef and Lola completed an accredited therapy dog course. Dogs such as Lola can be trained to provide emotional support, companionship and relief from symptoms related to mental illness and some physical disabilities. Lola is very calm and loves children, especially when they read books to her. 

Well done to both Lola and Stef for taking on this extensive training over the holidays. 

Until next fortnight!

Natalie Rose Principal

Jess Grey Assistant Principal