2023 Edition 20 (01-12-2023)

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

Our recent school review report demonstrates the EPIC year we have all had together. I would like to thank our students, staff, families and community for their support to bring our school motto 'Passion & Purpose' to life. 
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our EPIC values and demonstrating that as an adult community we are also Empowered, Polite, Inclusive and Careful. 
Our office closes at 3.15pm on Friday 8th December and re-opens at 12 noon on Tuesday 16th January. Enrolled students are invited to join us on Friday 19th January between 1pm-2pm to check the class lists, visit classrooms, meet their teacher and drop off their books. 

Enrolments can still be sent to our enrolment email over the break. This will help us prepare staffing and arrangements for the new school year. You may not receive a reply until our office re-opens, however at least you are higher on the list to attend to. 

Have a happy and safe holiday and we will see you for the first day of school Monday 22nd January. 

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick| Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

On Monday 4^th December, commencing at 6.15pm we will host our first annual Night of EPIC Learners . This is an invitation only special event, that will celebrate the students receiving Academic Awards and EPIC Star Awards.  

We will be presenting our highest achieving academic students in Prep to Year 6 for each learning area an award (example - the highest achieving student in English in Prep, Maths in Prep, Science in Prep and so on). We will also present our Dux Award to the overall highest achieving Year 6 student.

Our EPIC Star Awards are by year level. There will be 4 students in each year level recognised for their commitment to our school values of Empowered, Polite, Inclusive and Careful. Nominations from all of our school staff have been accepted and are now under review.

Not every child is able to walk across the stage and that is ok. This event is for our highest achieving students and for us to celebrate their successful year with their families. Throughout the year, all students, regardless of their academic levels, are eligible to receive EPIC Post cards, EPIC Certificates and Koala Dollars. It has been exciting for them to shine in these areas this year and we look forward to celebrating and recognising our students this way again next year. 

Into the future as our school grows, we will also add our Night of EPIC Sports Stars and Night of EPIC Artists to our calendar. 

Ms Petra Yager |  Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Mrs Ward

We are excited to share with you the EPIC experience our Prep students had during their recent excursion to Lime Light Cinemas Ipswich. It was an event filled with creativity, laughter and empowered learners.

In English this term, our Prep students have been empowered to become ‘Poet Detectives,’ giving them the tools to explore and decode the world of rhyme and poetry.

Our Prep students celebrated their incredible talent for crafting rhymes on the big screen. Their ‘Disgusting, Dangerous and Dazzling’ rhymes were showcased with enthusiasm and flair, seeing our youngest learners confidently taking the big screen.

After the special screen of their ‘Disgusting, Dangerous and Dazzling’ rhymes, our Prep students and their families had the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy one of the latest blockbuster movies.

We would like to express our gratitude to all of our families who joined us on the day and our team of staff working behind the scenes to ensure our Prep students would shine on the big screen.

Mrs Tammy Ward |  Deputy Principal

Business Manager's Message - Mrs Van Der Zee

Finalisation of school accounts

As we head to the end of the year it is important your child’s financial account is all finalised. If you still have money owing on your child’s account, please visit our office on Tuesday or Thursday, or pay via BPoint on the invoice. All accounts should be finalised before the end of the school year.

Thank you to all of our families that have paid their accounts by due dates this year. 

Mrs Van Der Zee |  Business Manager 

2024 Prep Enrolments

Prep 2024 Enrolments are now open!

Finalise your enrolment, including birth certificate sighting and residential documents this week. Our school office closes on Friday 8th December. 

Student Medication Pick up

As we head into the last week of school, we would like to remind you, all student medication will need to be collected by a parent or carer from administration by Friday 8th December 2023.

If collected before Friday, it will be fine to leave the amount of medication needed to see your child through to the last day. Any uncollected medication will be delivered to the local chemist for disposal. 

If you have any questions, please contact administration on 3819 5777.

Have you got your uniforms ready for 2024?

Pop onto our website for information about our Student Dress Code, including school bag, hat, plain black shoes and white socks.

Current Preps - reminder you need a Formal Uniform for Mondays in Year 1.

Our onsite uniform shop is starting to get busy. Our website has details about opening hours, extended Back to School trade and how to order online.

New enrolments to start day 1 - 2024

Moving to the area? Looking to enrol for 2024? Live in our catchment? To ensure you child is guaranteed a day 1 start next year, your enrolment application must be received in full by 17th January 3.15pm. For the enrolment to be completed in full we require;

* enrolment form complete in all sections and signed (in person or digitally)

*proof of residency documents (rates/tenancy agreement AND utilities bill)

*if new to Qld state school (prep enrolment or from interstate/private education) your child's birth certificate will also need to be sighted. 

Enrolments after this date may not be guaranteed a day 1 start, and may start in our next weekly enrolment commencement. 

Please contact enrolments@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au or visit our office as soon as possible if you are seeking an enrolment for 2024. 

We look forward to having you join our school community. 

2024 School Calendar

Passion Project Fair - Term 4

Has your child started their Passion Project for Term 4?

We have emailed home an optional planning sheet you can help your child with if they are having trouble generating ideas for their Passion Project. We have also emailed a copy of a Q&A sheet that they might like to consider to help them be more confident and prepared in talking with others about their Passion Project. 

Connect with your child's class teacher if you need any support or ideas. 

HPE News

Golf sessions

Last fortnight, during our PE lessons, we had a special lesson with John Collins who taught us the basic skills of golf. John is a professional golfer who has played on the Australian circuit and the Gateway Tour in the USA.  The students were highly engaged in the lesson and many were able to hit the targets!

District Trials

What is district sport?

District sport is for those students who want to compete competitively in their chosen sport. They will trial against other schools in the district to make a team who will then compete at the Met West regional trials. Students must be playing the sport at club level for them to be considered. Our district is called Central Comets. Throughout the year there will be trials for each sport and for students aged 10 -13 years. Please keep an eye on my newsletter items for dates for other trials. If you know your child would like to be considered for a sport please email me and I can let you know when the trials are.

Swimming District Trials 2024

If your child is swimming at club level and can provide swimming times for their races, please contact Mrs Tolhurst for further information regarding the Central Comets swimming district trials.

Only students who are 10, 11, 12, or 13 years by 31 December 2024 and are currently enrolled in an affiliated Met West School Sport School (Ripley Central State School) can trial.

District trials are held early Term 1, 2024 and nominations are required ASAP.

Other District nominations due:

Upcoming District Trials 2024

Does your child play at club level for any of these sports?

12 – 15 years Boys Volleyball

12 – 15 years Girls Volleyball

13 – 15 years Girls Football

13 – 15 years Girls Netball

13 – 16 years Boys Football

If your child plays at club level for any of the above sports and would like to be considered for the Central Comets District trials in 2024 please contact Mrs Tolhurst for further information. This is for 2024 and trials will be held early in Term 1.

Only students who are 12, 13 or 14 years by 31 December 2024 and be currently enrolled in an affiliated Met West School Sport School (Ripley Central State School) can trial.

Prior to trialling, students must see Mrs Tolhurst for a district form and hand the completed district forms to the convenor at the trials, including:

• Parent consent form
• Principal approval form
• Student details/medical history form

No Forms = No Participation at the regional trial

Please note: students can only nominate to attend these trials through their school sports coordinator (Mrs Tolhurst). Nominations outside of this process will not be accepted.

Defence School Mentor News

With Christmas just around the corner, we have been undertaking Christmas craft activities in Koala Club this week and will continue our creations this coming week.  Any child can attend our our Koala Club, they do not need to be a child of a Defence family. 

The Defence School Mentor Program will recommence in Term 1, 2024. A welcome to 2024 information and introductory morning tea will be organised for our Defence families during Term 1 and I look forward to inviting all new and existing Defence families to attend. Information and invitations will be sent via email once we have all settled back into our school routines for 2024.

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday break. Please note that support and information remains available during the school holiday period. The Defence Member and Family Helpline is the first point of call for Defence families seeking support, information or connection with their community and can be contacted on 1800 624 608.

P&C News

Christmas Raffle

Tis the season to be winning! Tickets are now on sale for the P&Cs very first Christmas Raffle. With over $2000 worth of prizes donated from local businesses and families you have to be in it to win it. 16 amazing prizes are up for grabs with 1^st prize being a 2 night getaway at Rydges Fortitude Valley thanks to Chads Epoxy Flooring. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased by clicking this link Ripley Central State School P&C Christmas Raffle Tickets. Sales close on the 7^th December at 5pm with the draw taking place at 7pm

Thank you from the P&C

The P&C would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the following businesses and school community members who have volunteered their time or donated goods and services to our fundraising events. To those families who donated anonymously we thank you for your kindness and support.

To our school community who participated in any of our fundraising events, whether it be selling cookie dough or dancing the night away at the school disco, we appreciate all of the support you have given the P&C. Without your contributions these events would not be as successful as they have been.

2024 Fundraising Events

Term 1 – Adults Only Trivia Night, Easter Raffle

Term 2 – Mothers' Day Stall, Billy Gs Cookie Dough

Term 3 – Fathers' Day Stall, Colour Run

Term 4 – Halloween Disco, Bunnings BBQ, Christmas Concert.

Next General Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 30^th January 2024, commencing at 5pm and concluding by 6pm.

All families and community members are welcome and new memberships are encouraged.

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

Stay up to date with P&C messages, celebrations and reminders, by liking our newly created Facebook page by clicking this link: Ripley Central State School P&C.

If you require any further information about the P&C please contact us at pandc@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. Enjoy the school holidays. 

Christmas in the Valley

Join us for Christmas in the Valley, a free community event in the Ripley Valley. The afternoon, beginning at 3.30pm, will include food and fun for the whole family, including lawn games, petting zoo, craft activities, sausage sizzle, plenty of food and drinks vendors, Christmas market stallholders. You can enjoy live music all afternoon from the local Ipswich talent. We’ll then host a twilight Christmas Carols from 6.30pm, finishing the evening with fireworks at 7.30pm. For more info follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Secret Santa Needs You!

A message from Jennifer Howard MP

My office is a drop off location for the STAR Community Services 'Becoming a Secret Santa'. STAR Community is looking for gifts for a person over the age of 65 years old.

Christmas is a time that can highlight the loneliness of vulnerable elderly people. The aim is to show them that they are not alone and that someone cares about them. The gifts will be collected by STAR Community Services, made into hampers and given to elderly in our community who are alone at Christmas.  

Make sure to drop off any gifts to my office by 15 December.

Sharks Volleyball

As we quickly approach the end of the term, we were hoping you could help us by sharing our flyer with your school newsletter or social media, for our Volleyball Holiday Program 

If there are any costs involved, please let us know what we need to do in order to proceed. I have attached the flyer as a PDF, JPEG, and PNG file. If possible also include a little blurb. 

The Blurb:

Unleash your volleyball passion this Christmas break at Sharks Volleyball!

Join our exciting holiday program, perfect for all levels—beginners, intermediates, and advanced players.

Led by the Australian Volleyroos, enjoy 12 dynamic sessions over 5 weeks, including 

10x 1.5-hour indoor sessions and 3x 2-hour beach sessions.

Open to Grade 4 to Grade 12 students in 2023. 

Elevate your game with Holiday Pass. Don't miss out, limited spots are available!

Find out more today at: www.sharksvolleyball.com/holiday-pass

YEAH SHARKS!

Caroline's Swim School

On behalf of Caroline’s swim school (coach of Ipswich Community Swim Club), we would love to invite members of your school to attend our school holiday program. 

Does your child start school or Kindy in 2024?

Does your child start school or Kindy in 2024. If school, please enrol now. Visit our office or our website https://ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au/enrolments

If your child starts Kindy, connect with your choice of kindy now. 

Contacting our School

You can call us on 07 3819 5777   if you need to contact us. Please save the number to your mobile so you know if we are calling you. 

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 -  please delete it from your contacts in your phone.