2023 Edition 3 - 24-2-23

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

Our enrolments continue to grow and we welcome new families each Thursday. It is exciting to see our school community grow.

Recently, I have had some families ask how they might be able to help our school, what they might be able to donate, or how they can volunteer. This kindness is appreciated and below are some ideas for families who are interested. 

If your family is visiting any seaside towns or the beach, we would love donations of shells. Shells of all shapes and sizes create interest, wonder, are great for sorting and collages. We can use shells in multiple ways. Please wash and dry and then drop them to the office in a bag.

We would also appreciate any donations of wool or buttons. These can be new or from your craft cupboard at home. Wool of all different shades, thickness and texture are welcome. Buttons of all shapes, colours and sizes would be great.  These can also be dropped to the office. 

If you love contacting books we have many that still need covering ready for when our Curiosity Centre opens later this year. If you are interested in collecting a box of books and cover to take home, please email volunteers@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au 

As our school community grows, it is important we stay connected. I invite you to have a chat at pick up and drop off time with myself, or our Deputy Principals. It is a great way for us to start and finish our day together.

Enjoy the next fortnight!

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick | Foundation Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

Esports

This week one of our Esports team completed in the Brisbane Fuse Cup Challenge in the game 'Just Dance.' The FUSE Cup is an international network of schools connected in providing young students with an opportunity to participate in a safe, supportive and structured national esports competition while developing positive gaming behaviours and digital wellbeing.

Our teams showed integrity, strength, inclusion and outstanding teamwork as they cheered on each other as well as the other schools as they played. With 18 teams competing against each other, our team went through to the semi-finals and placed 5^th overall. A brilliant effort by all. 

Next Wednesday our 2^nd team will take on the world as they compete against schools from around the Globe in their 'Just Dance' competition. We wish them all the best!

On Friday the 3^rd March, our school will be holding tryouts for our Term 2 Esports competition 'Mario Kart.' Interested students in Years 4-6 can come to 5/6A during 1^st break to battle it and in an attempt to secure a position on our Term 2 Esports team. Students will all compete in the 'Mushroom Cup' in heats of 4 using a single Joy Con Controller. The top player from each heat will progress until we form our final teams. 

Ms Petra Yager | Foundation Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Swadling

Some students helped me make playdough for our Prep classes this week. 

Thomas is an incredible reader so he helped us with our recipe instructions. We all loved learning about measuring and following instructions. Charlie was experimenting with what would happen if too much water was added and we discovered that we needed more flour so that our playdough wasn’t too soggy.  Harry from Year 4 was helping to be an Empowered Learner, being a role model, with the Prep students and helped them with following instructions. Thanks Harry!

Ms Fiona Swadling | Foundation Deputy Principal

Business Manager's Message - Mrs Van Der Zee

We are in the final stages of our Instrumental Music recruitment. When finalised, we will invoice the hire and SRS fees for participants. Prompt payment will be appreciated. We look forward to growing our Instrumental Music Program and hearing our students learn their new instruments in Strings and Band. 

Mrs Danielle Van Der Zee | Foundation Business Manager

Canteen Update

Our canteen will be reducing to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for orders for the remainder of the term. You can order on Flexischool before 7.30am on the day, or at any time on days prior. Thank you to the families who are supporting our Canteen and ordering yummy lunches. 

Information Session - Monday

We look forward to our current families visiting their child's classrooms on Monday afternoon. We have two repeat sessions on offer, at 3.30pm and 3.50pm. We kindly ask you drop your children home or make alternative arrangements for their care. If this is not possible, please bring something quiet for them to do. These sessions are a chance for you to learn more about your child's class routines and expectations. We look forward to seeing you!

Passion Projects

This week, we have launched our way of doing homework, Passion Projects.

You can learn more on our website https://ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au/curriculum/homework or the attached Homework Policy.

https://youtu.be/g93LrbxldPU Here is the short movie we made to launch Passion Projects in our classrooms this week.

Your child could do anything, big or small. Here are a few ideas!

paint something
volunteer and make people happy
develop a new idea
start recycling at home and learn about it
learn to cook something
build something
learn about your family tree
learn (or get better at) a sport
investigate something
learn about an animal
learn about a country or culture
sing, dance or learn an instrument
make a photo collage
read a book and share a book review

Our Passion Project club will start on Tuesday 1st break for any student who would like some help to get started, stay on track or are just extra keen to have more time to work on something they are passionate about.

In week 10 of each term, we will share our Passion Projects (our final or our progress). We plan to invite families to our Term 1 Passion Project Fair (Thursday 30th March between 1pm-2.45pm – more details closer to the date). Parents and staff are also invited to undertake a Passion Project too.

Any questions, please ask your child's teacher or email principal@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au

House Shirts - Launch Update

We had originally planned to launch our House Shirts on Wednesday, however will need to wait just a tiny bit longer. The shirts are due to arrive at our uniform shop mid March. We will keep you updated on their arrival and will allow 2 weeks for families to purchase and collect. Many families have pre-ordered and these will be packed ready for collection. You can order online, or visit the uniform store once stock arrives. We are excited for the shirts to arrive and become our Wednesday uniform shirt. We thank UMS and our school community for your patience. The excitement is growing and we will be able to see them all soon.

P&C Meeting

Our first P&C meeting will be held on Tuesday 28th February commencing at 5pm and concluding by 6pm.

You can come from 4.30pm for a casual catch up, meet the P&C interim executive members and meet some other family members.

Our first meeting's agenda includes some key organisational matters and set up for a successful year.

- bank account set up and authorisations

- selecting an auditor ready for 2024 AGM

- Fundraising ideas for 2023 and our fundraising goal

All families and community members are welcome and new memberships are encouraged. New membership applications are accepted at the end of the meeting, so all existing members are encouraged to attend so motions can be seconded and carried as needed for the above agenda items.

Children are welcome, parents please bring something quiet for them to do during the time.

The P&C meeting will be in our 5/6A classroom.

Literacy Competition

The Literary Competition invites Queensland and Northern Territory students and teachers to share their literary prowess by submitting either poetry, short stories or non-fiction prose.

It is Queensland’s longest running literary competition.

The competition is open to entrants from students (years 5-12) and teachers in Queensland state and independent schools and Northern Territory independent schools.

Competition categories:

• Years 5-6
• Years 7-8
• Years 9-10
• Years 11-12
• Open 

Important information and documents

Download the Literary Competition poster here.

Download the Rules, Terms and Conditions here.

View each category’s word count here.

All entries are to be made online here. 

Entries close: 5PM Friday, 16 June 2023.

Winners will be notified no later than Friday, 28 July 2023.

Presentation evening: Wednesday, 23 August 2023.

For more information visit  https://ieuqnt.org.au/competitions/

HPE News from Mr Schirmer

HPE Update

My name is Mr Schirmer and I am the HPE teacher here at RCSS. I am an avid AFL supporter (Go Bombers) but I also enjoy most sports. Students across all year levels have been participating in a 30-minute Health lesson and 1 hour of Physical Education with me each week.

In Health, students have been learning the Zones of Regulation where we have been identifying different types of emotion and what they look like. Over the next fortnight students will be learning different tools and strategies they can use as needed.

In PE, students across all year levels have been focusing on the skill of throwing. Students have learnt the foundational skills and have been applying the skill in game-based activities.

Sport Update

Please read the below information regarding an opportunity for any 10-12 Boys interested in playing Netball:

School Sport Australia has introduced a 10-12 Boys Netball National Championship in 2023, and Queensland Representative School Sport are proud to support this initiative.

Boys born between 2011-2013 will need to register their interest via this link for selection, attaching video footage (1-2 minutes) and principal approval in order to be considered for selection. A panel of selectors will select the team using video footage submitted.

Queries should be directed to Queensland Representative School Sport via email queenslandschoolsport@qed.qld.gov.au.

Upcoming district trials:

10-12 Years Boys and Girls Hockey

Trial Date: Friday 10 March 2023

Nomination forms due back to Office by: Thursday 2^nd March 2:45pm

Venue: Ipswich Hockey Association, Briggs Road, Raceview

Time: 3:30-5pm.  Students nominated will need to find their own way to and from these trials.

Students need to be between 10 and 12 years by 31 December 2023.

If your child has been playing at an elite club level and you are interested in nominating your child to trial, please see Mr Schirmer for permission note and return completed by Thursday, 2^nd March, 2:45pm.

Tour & Talk with our Principal - 23rd March 4pm-4.30pm

Thank you to the lovely families who attended our Tour and Talk this week. Our next Tour and Talk is scheduled for 23rd March between 4pm-4.30pm. This is for families who are new to the area or moving to the area who would like a tour of our school, information and an opportunity to ask any questions.  You can check your address at the Ed Map website https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/maps/edmap/ 

Parent and Community Code of Conduct

Our Parent and Community Code of Conduct supports learning, wellbeing and safety in our school. It outlines expectations for our parents and community members for communication, collaboration and school culture. 

We thank our school community for upholding this level of respect with our school staff. 

Community News

Ripley Valley State Secondary College News

Ripley Valley State Secondary College is holding its annual Community Open Day for all Year 4-6 students and parents on Saturday 4^th March from 9.00am – 12noon . 

The College Tours will operate from 9.00am to 11.00am.  This gives future students and their families an opportunity to view the College facilities and ask any questions on the day. 

An Expression of Interest for 2024 enrolment will be available online from Saturday 4^th March to coincide with the Community Open Day.  At that time, Year 7, 2024 families can either download and print directly from our website homepage ‘Enrol Here’ or collect a paper copy at the Community Open Day from the Enrolment stand.

Ripley Valley Football Club

Limited number of places are still available. Contact admin@ripleyvalleyfc.com.au for more details 

How to contact us and how we contact you

Our school phoneline for outgoing calls will come up on your phone as No caller ID, or Private number. We are unable to change this at this point as our phone lines are being diverted until telstra connection occurs for our standard landline. You can call us on 07 3819 5777  phof if you need to contact us.

Email – admin_@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au  OR for all enrolment matters please email enrolments@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au 

Phone - 07 3819 5777  (between 8.20am-3.15pm Monday to Friday - or school days) 

Please no longer use the mobile number that we used to use.