2023 Edition 6 - 21-04-23

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

This week our teachers have prioritised their learning and planning on our target area of English. We aim to have 90% or more of our students achieve an A, B or C in English by the end of the year. It is therefore important that we align our resources, finances and building staff capabilities to English. This week, all of our class teachers have had some targeted release time to unpack units, undertake a Before Moderation, create resources for their classroom Learning Wall and review resources needed for this term. You might like to ask your child the following questions about English and as we get deeper into the term their responses to these questions will improve.

* What are you learning in English? And why?

* How are you going?

* How do you know?

* How can you improve? 

* Where can you go for help?

Growth in enrolments at our school

We have been experiencing a large enrolment growth and our class numbers are all increasing. I am working with Regional Human Resources team regarding an application for an additional teacher (or 2).  If we were to achieve this, we may consider keeping classes how they are until the end of this term and then making adjustments next term, however this will need to be monitored as we continue to grow. If we did do this option, the additional teacher would support the class and teach a learning area, then next term we would have some class restructuring and teacher changes. In P-3 class target sizes are 25 and in year 4-6 they are 28. We are exceeding these already in week one of the term. When an outcome of the application is known, I will keep you all updated.

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick | Foundation Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

Welcome back to our wonderful Ripley Central students, families and community members!

I hope everyone had a restful Easter break. We are excited to have our students return to school, and we look forward to a term filled with learning, growth, and fun!

In exciting news, our talented Cheer Squad will be participating in their first competition of the 2023 season on Sunday, 23rd April! They have been working tirelessly with their amazing coaches to perfect their routines, and we are incredibly proud of their dedication and team spirit. We wish them all the very best as they compete in the Qualifiers. Let's show our support and cheer them on!

This term is filled with exciting events for our students! Our Esports team is gearing up to compete in the Ipswich Fuse Cup Esport Challenge on May 3^rd at Ripley Valley State Secondary College where they will compete against students in years 5-8 from across Ipswich. We are confident in their abilities and look forward to seeing them represent our school with pride.

Additionally, our Prep and Year 1 FISAF Dance Crew are amping up their training as they prepare for the State Super Series on the 10th June.  

Once again, welcome back to our wonderful students and families! We are excited to embark on another fantastic term together, creating lasting memories and strengthening our school community. Thank you for your continued support and involvement.

Ms Petra Yager | Foundation Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Swadling

Inclusion at Ripley Central State School

In all Queensland State Schools, inclusive education is part of our everyday practice, classroom settings and our environments.  Students experience inclusive education when they can access and fully participate in learning, alongside their similar-aged peers, Inclusion is embedded in all aspects of school life, and is supported by culture, policies and every day practices.

At Ripley Central State School, part or our EPIC values is Inclusion. Our ‘Inclusion’ value is guided by The Department of Education’s Inclusive education policy which means we are committed to ensuring that our children and families from all social, cultural, community and family backgrounds, and of all abilities have:

• access and participates in high-quality education and fully engage in the curriculum.
• a safe and supportive environment personalised to their needs.
• reasonable adjustments tailored to support learning needs so as to achieve academically and socially.
• support to attend school every day

At our school currently, we have a full-time experienced Inclusion Teacher and a supporting Teacher Aide who works closely with all of our students and families. They work collaboratively with teachers, the executive leadership team and relevant stakeholders, to ensure all students additional needs are met.

Our Differentiated Learning Spaces…

For students who, at times, require sensory experiences outside of the classroom environment, we have a calming ‘Sensory Space Station’ room. This environment is an intentionally created space that provides multisensory resources to support a student’s sensory needs.

For students that require more focused personalised learning, we also have a quiet space to work during scheduled times, to target their individual learning needs and requirements.

Our aim is to engage and empower all of our students within their classroom environments as opposed to segregation or exclusion. Through flexible learning spaces in every classroom, students have a selection of furniture and seating options that benefits; postural variation and preference, collaboration and groupwork, communication, movement and variety. This has been proven to enhance attention, engagement with learning and autonomy.

Differentiated group work is in place across all classrooms to support and excel students learning development based on needs across curriculum areas.

Our teachers work together to develop our inclusive curriculum using, Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL is a set of principles for curriculum development that gives all individuals equal opportunities to learn. It guides the creation of learning outcomes, resources and assessments that work for everyone.

All students have individual learning needs and this is our guiding belief for everyday Inclusive practices at Ripley Central State School.

Ms Fiona Swadling | Foundation Deputy Principal

Business Manager's Message - Mrs Van Der Zee

Join our team!

Ripley Central State School is looking for casual Cleaners and Teacher Aides to join our team. If you are interested in casual work please send a resume to BSM@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au

Student Resource Scheme

Thank you to those families who have already made payment towards their SRS.  The next payment is due Week 2, Term 2.  If you require assistance with payments, please don’t hesitate to contact me on bsm@ripleycentralss.com.au

2023 SRS Due Dates

Week 2, Term 1- $80

Week 2, Term 2- $50

Week 2, Term 3- $50 

Mrs Danielle Van Der Zee | Foundation Business Manager

QParents

This week QParents was launched at Ripley Central State School. QParents is a secure, online portal accessible via a free, user-friendly app or web browser created for Queensland state schools by the Department of Education. QParents enables schools to offer parents secure access to information about their child.

QParents can be used to directly communicate with the school and access the following

• View students information and report cards
• Update student details and information
• Submit reasons for absence
• Pay invoices

Parents should have recieved a letter home that included their child/s EQ ID number and an email inviting them to register for QParents. Parents are required to submit 100 point of ID to the school for approval and access to student details (see below).

If you have any queries or concerns registering for QParents, please do not hesitate to contact our Execustive Services and Marketing Officer, Riley Wilson on 3819 5777 or email admin@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au.

ANZAC Day Service 2023

We would like to extend a special invitation to all our families for our very first ANZAC Day service, which will be held on Monday, 24th April at 9:00 am. This is a momentous occasion for our school community as we come together to pay our respects and commemorate the courage and sacrifice of the servicemen and women who have served our country. Your presence will make this event even more meaningful, so we encourage you to join us.

Please note that seating will be limited, but there will be standing room available. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in making this inaugural event a memorable one for our school community.

'Kiss n Go'

Please be advised that the works to the 'Kiss n Go' will commence on Wednesday 26 April. A section of the footpath along Sunrise Street will be closed from 26 April until the end of June.

See below the traffic management plan for this area. Any families or students who walk along Sunrise Street will need to cross the road and walk on the other side, therefore supervision from an adult may be needed. Please develop a plan as a family for safe travel to school

Know, Glow, Grow interviews

Bookings for the Know, Glow, Grow interviews have now closed. We have over 130 parent teacher interviews scheduled. We look forward to seeing you there!

House Shirt Launch Day

On Wednesday we launched our House Shirts! It was a pleasure to share the moment with Kylie Hill and her family from KJH Artworks. Kylie is the artist behind our amazing designs. Kylie was excited to see students and staff in their shirts. We also welcomed the team from Uniform Management Services who have designed and supplied our uniforms. Our House Captains enjoyed their first official role as leaders and spoke about each of our House birds.Our House Shirts are worn every Wednesday and our Houses will form an integral part of our school culture.

EPIC Air Radio

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new club, EPIC Air Radio! This innovative and engaging initiative offers an exciting opportunity for our students to explore the world of radio broadcasting and hone their communication skills. The club will initially be operated by our talented school leaders, who have recently undergone training in radio station management, and are eager to share their expertise with our enthusiastic young broadcasters

EPIC Air Radio aims to provide a platform for our students to express their creativity, learn about the technical aspects of radio production, and develop their teamwork and leadership abilities. From news reporting and interviews to music shows and storytelling, our students will have the chance to create diverse and captivating content that reflects the vibrant spirit of our school community.
As a lunchtime club, EPIC Air Radio offers a fun and educational break from the classroom. Each week, interested students will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and work closely with the school leaders, who will guide them through the process of radio production.   
Stay tuned for more news and updates from EPIC Air Radio, and prepare to be amazed by the creativity and talent of our Ripley Central students!

Passion Project Fair

At the end of last term, we hosted our inaugural Passion Project Fair. 

We are EPIC Learners and our Passion Projects allowed for our students and staff to show that they are EMPOWERED.

Thank you to our school community for embracing our Homework Policy and supporting our students to own their own learning.  

We will host another Passion Project Fair at the end of this term, on Thursday 22nd June at 2pm. What is your child passionate about learning this term? 

Easter Hat Parade

We were thrilled to share the excitement and joy from our recent Easter Hat Parade held in the last week of Term 1 in our brand-new Sunrise Playground! The event was an egg-straordinary success, and we couldn't have done it without the support of our wonderful families and the entire community.
A big, bunny-filled thank you to everyone who generously donated Easter eggs for the occasion! The P&C team deserves special recognition for organising such an egg-citing raffle that had our students hopping with anticipation! 
The true stars of the show were, of course, our talented students who paraded around in their handmade Easter hats. It was a heart-warming sight to see the creativity and effort put into each unique hat, and it made the event all the more special. The parade was a fantastic way to end the term, bringing smiles and laughter to everyone involved

Public Holidays in Term 2

Anzac Day- 25th April 2023

Labour Day- 1st May 2023

Ipswich Show Holiday- 19th May 2023

Our school will be closed on all three of these public holidays. 

P&C News

We would like to thank the community for their donations towards our Easter Baskets. This was a great way to end term 1 and showcase what we do as a P&C.  

As we start term 2, I would like to introduce the members of the executive team. 

President - Suzie Potts 

Vice president - Samantha Sweeney

Treasurer - Natalie Brewis

Secretary - Maria Mavroudis

In term 2 we have a few activities organised. On Wednesday 10^th May 2023 there will be a Mother’s Day stall featuring local small businesses.

The P&C will also run a small stall with items ranging from $5.00 to $20.00 (CASH ONLY).

Later on in the term we will be running a cookie dough fundraiser with more information to follow. 

Our next P&C meeting is on the 23rd May 2023, all members of the community are welcome to attend.

Social Media Guidelines

As our school community grows, social media becomes a positive way for parents and carers to connect together. There are guidelines about how parent administered facebook groups are to be set up, managed and used. Please see these images for important information that protects the safety and security of our students, staff and families. These apply to the administrators of the page, but also to those who interact and use them. If you have any concerns or questions about social media, please see Mrs Meyrick.

Book Club

This week week catalogues were sent home for parents to peruse. Just a reminder orders are due by 28th April (Friday, Week 2).

Community News

Bremer Expo

Visit "Bremer Expo"  on Wednesday 17th May from 4:00pm to discover all that our school has to offer, including our outstanding excellence programs! At the Bremer Expo, you will get the opportunity to explore our campus, meet our teachers and staff, and learn about our commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to see firsthand what makes Bremer State High School one of the best schools in the area.

Register now 

https;//bit.ly/BremerExpoRegistration and we look forward to seeing you at the Bremer Expo.

Family Fun Day at Ripley Valley State Secondary College

Show your talent at the Ripley Family Fun Day talent contest - May 6th, Ripley Valley State Secondary College 18 Parkway Avenue South Ripley. Complete the entry form via the QR code pictured.

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.