2023 Edition 4 - 10-3-23

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

It has been an exciting fortnight where we have launched some key aspects to build the culture of our school. Our student leadership applications and process was unveiled and students in Year 4-6 are busy working on their applications and presentations. We also launched officially our Passion Projects which has created much excitement in our student body and gratefulness from our parents an families. It has been exciting to talk with parents about Passion Projects, here are some quotes below.

“I don’t have to argue for him to get his homework done anymore, he is just working on it without me” (Year 2 parent)

“This is the best idea, every school should do this” (Year 5 parent)

“Thank you for making afternoons so much nicer at our house” (multiple children across P-6)

“My children are all helping each other and are loving it” (multiple children in Prep – Year 6)

As our EPIC Learners grow, so does our culture of learning. Thank you for being on this journey of discovery with us.

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick | Foundation Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

PLD in Prep/1C

PLD (Promoting Literacy Development) provides our teachers with an Australian, evidence-based approach to Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP). Aligned with the Science of Reading, PLD’s SSP approach extends from prep through to Year 6 at Ripley Central State School.

Literacy involves more than just recognising words on a page. To be truly literate students need to be able to speak well, interpret what they’re hearing, and transfer all of this information into written language. PLD advocates that literacy and learning outcomes are maximised for children when their Literacy, Oral Language and Movement & Motor skills are targeted.

This week, students in Prep/1C learnt the sounds GOULFB. Students also revised SATPIN and CHREMD. Students identified words that begin with these sounds and they blended sounds together to make words.

Ms Petra Yager | Foundation Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Swadling

The Science of Reading

"The science of reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing. This research has been conducted over the last five decades across the world, and it is derived from thousands of studies conducted in multiple languages. The science of reading has culminated in a preponderance of evidence to inform how proficient reading and writing develop; why some have difficulty; and how we can most effectively assess and teach and, therefore, improve student outcomes through prevention of and intervention for reading difficulties." (The Reading League, Science of Reading: Defining Guide, 2021)

Our PLD Program is an Australian evidence-based whole-school approach to reading that is aligned with the Science of Reading. It encompasses all of the key learning strands to become skilled readers.  

• Phonological awareness (the sound a letter or group of letters make) 
• Phonics (connecting the sound to the image of the letters)
• Sensory (touch, fine motor, gross motor, listening) 
• Writing (dictation, sight words, handwriting) 
• Reading (comprehension, decoding Vocabulary 
• Language structures, Literacy knowledge). 
• It is sequenced and differentiated for the different levels of understanding and reading abilities.
  

Ms Fiona Swadling | Foundation Deputy Principal

Business Manager's Message - Mrs Van Der Zee

SRS Payments

Thank you to those families who have already made payment towards their SRS.  The first payment date was due in February.  We are quickly approaching the end of term and would like to have all SRS accounts up to date.  Please double check if you have made payment.  If not, please do this asap.  If you require assistance with payments, please don’t hesitate to contact me on bsm@ripleycentralss.com.au

New Staff

This week we had Ryley Wilson join our team.  Ryley has been employed as Admin Officer - Exec Services & Marketing and Finance/HR.  You will see Ryley at our Front Desk from time to time so please say ‘hello’.  We are very excited to have Ryley working with us.

Mrs Danielle Van Der Zee | Foundation Business Manager

Music at Ripley Central

This week our 3-6 Rock Band started to learn their first song, a classic by Vance Joy. Students were taught 3 chords and learnt about timing and how to play their music together as a team. The students had so much fun that they decided to hold an impromptu performance at second break to share what they learnt during rehearsals.

Our String lessons also commenced this week with Miss Eastman. Students learnt about how to hold their instruments, and how play music using pizzicato method (plucking the strings). We still have a limited number of places left in the String program with 1 cello, 3 violas and 1 violin left for hire. If your child is interested in strings and is in Years 3 or 4, please send an email to DP@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au

Key Chains on Bags

It has been great to see students individualising their school bags with different key chains and accessories. It helps to personalise them and easily identify their school bag. We suggest with the key chains, that instead of the 'D'-clips, which can be easily removed, you change them to the 'O'-ring style as it is much harder to be taken off.  

Passion Projects

On Tuesday at lunch time, students had the option for support or extra time with their Passion Projects. Some students used this time to plan and prepare, others for practice and rehearsal, some for extra internet research.

Our EPIC Learners are Empowered! They show agency and ownership.

A highlight was Oliver from Prep planning his Dinosaur Sign. He aims to present a sign, with a title, picture and a few facts he has learned about T-Rex dinosaurs.

We loved listening to the singing rehearsal from one of our Year 4 students who is planning on singing live for her class and parents at the Passion Project Fair.

The plan for baking a cake using nanny's recipe  was also shared and discussed. Looking at ways to connect with nanny who lives internationally and how to capture the cooking moments at home were all part of the planning.

There was also some amazing colouring in that will be finished and on display.

There was creating, making, learning and fun at our weekly Passion Project Club!

You can learn more about our Homework Policy, where we do Passion Projects, on our school website.

P&C News

Thank you to our families for your overwhelming support for donations towards our FREE Easter Raffle. We will draw the raffle (with every child receiving a tick entry) at the Easter Hat Parade.

Our next P&C Meeting is on Tuesday 28^th March commencing at 5pm and concluding by 6pm. All existing and new members welcome.

HPE News from Mr Schirmer

HPE Update

For their Health lessons, students have continued their learning about Zones of Regulation. They have been learning about triggers and how these can impact our emotions. Students have spent some time reflecting on their own personal triggers and learning different tools that can support them to regulate their emotions.

In PE, students across all year levels have been developing the skill of Bouncing & Dribbling. Students in Prep to Year 2 have been applying this skill in team activities such as relay races. Students in Year 3 to Year 6 have been applying this skill in team games that has required students to work cooperatively together.

Trials

10-12 years Boys Football (soccer)

Trial Date: Tuesday 18 April 2023

Nomination forms due back to Office by: Friday 24^th March 2023 2:45pm

Venue: Grammar Arms Park, Pearse Drive, Brassall

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 Friday, 24^th March, 2:45pm.

10-12 years Girls Football (soccer)

Trial Date: Tuesday 18 April 2023

Nomination forms due back to Office by: Friday 24^th March 2023 2:45pm

Venue: Collingwood Park State School Burrell Street, Collingwood Park 

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 Friday, 24^th March, 2:45pm.

Cross Country

On Thursday 9^th March, three 5/6A students competed in the cross country held by Ripley Valley State School. Congratulations to the following students on their fantastic achievements:

12 years Girls Race

Josephine  – 9^th place overall

11 years Girls Race

Lilliah – 2^nd overall

Lakya  – 3^rd overall

All three students will have an opportunity to represent RCSS at the District Cross Country in Term 2.

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

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/ 

Furture School Sections

What do you see? What do you think? What do you wonder? Check out our new window to the future of our school. 

We plan to have handover of our first playground very soon and look forward to students exploring their new space. 

We have started moving furniture in upstairs in our Bee Eater Wing (above administration) and aim to have our classes, 3A, 4A and 5/6A, move up their soon. 

The remaining project areas will be handed over later in the year. These will include our stop, drop go facility, our bus bay, our oval, hall, multi purpose court, Curiosity Centre and extra learning spaces for future growth. There are also some additional play spaces and under covered outdoor learning spaces. We are excited to open these areas later in the year. 

Book Club

Get ready for Book Club by setting up your online account!

Community News

Playgroups in Ipswich

Ripley Valley State Secondary College News

Contacting our School

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.