2024 Edition 24/25 (09-03-2024 / 8-3-24)

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

Recently we held our assembly to introduce our 2024 Student Leaders to our school community. It was a pleasure to see these students complete the application and endorsement stages, then have presentations to their peers and finally be voted as the elected representatives. Congratulations to our 2024 Student Leaders. We look forward to working with you this year.

Introducing our 2024 P&C Executive Committee – it is also with great pleasure I introduce the 2024 elected committee for our P&C.

President – Suzie Potts 

Vice President –Sam Sweeny

Secretary –Rebecca Ganzer

Treasurer -(vacant position) 

We look forward to working with our P&C this year. You can learn more about our P&C by visiting our website https://ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au/our-community/pandc We hope to see you at their next meeting, on Tuesday 26^th March at 5pm (concludes by 6pm). 

On Thursday the 28^th of March we will be hosting our Passion Project Fair and Easter Hat parade.

12:30pm - Passion Project Fair. Enjoy and learn about our students passions as they show off and teach you all about their projects this term.

1:15pm – Picnic lunch. We invite you to stay for a picnic lunch with your child/ren during second break.

2:00pm – Easter Hat Parade - Families will gather at the hall at 1:45pm and get ready to watch our annual Easter Hat Parade. Students will be creating their hat in class.

We look forward to sharing one EPIC filled day with our students and families!  

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick| Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

We are thrilled to share the remarkable success of our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative. With an impressive 99% participation rate in Years 2, 3 and 5, our students have truly embraced the digital age, showing significant improvements in academic rigor, engagement, and empowerment. This initiative has allowed our learners to transcend traditional classroom boundaries, fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment.

The impact of BYOD at Ripley Central has been profound. Students are more engaged and invested in their learning journey, utilising technology to explore, create, and expand their knowledge.

As we celebrate this success, we kindly remind parents to have conversations with their children about the importance of safely transitioning their devices between home and school. Ensuring that these valuable learning tools are securely packed in their bags is crucial for maintaining the continuity of learning and safeguarding the devices.

We encourage parents to delve into the digital world alongside their children. Ask about the educational programs they are accessing, such as Mathific, Prodigy, and ReadTheory. These platforms offer fun and interactive ways for students to enhance their skills in math and reading.

Our Year 5 students have taken their learning a step further by actively engaging with our community. They've been conducting interviews with staff and community members via email as part of their English research projects. This initiative not only enriches their learning experience but also strengthens our community bonds.

Your support and involvement in our BYOD program are invaluable. By engaging with your children about their learning and the digital tools at their disposal, you are playing a crucial role in shaping their educational journey. Let's continue to collaborate and celebrate the successes of our digital natives as they prepare for a bright and promising future.

Ms Petra Yager |  Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Mrs Ward

Watch it Grow!

Students in 2A have been engaging in investigations comparing the growth of mini beasts researching the life cycle of mini beasts. Students have been exploring the growth of the minibeasts and unpacking the lifecycle. They have had choice in what mini beast they will research and have been using their iPads to find out as much information as they can. Students are then using this information to teach others of their findings. 

Mrs Tammy Ward |  Deputy Principal

Business Manager's Message - Mrs Van Der Zee

QPARENTS        

The QParents App is an innovative tool designed to enhance your connection with your child’s education journey.  This app provides a convenient way to access all of your child’s information in one place, ensuring you stay informed and involved in their schooling experience.

With the QParents App, you can easily view your child’s report cards, report absences and pay invoices, all from the convenience of your smartphone or computer.  This streamlined approach to managing your child’s school information saves you time and ensures you have the information you need at your fingertips.

Signing up for the App is quick and simple.  We encourage all parents and carers to take advantage of this valuable tool to stay informed and engaged in your child’s education.

Please see the below flyer and fact sheet for instructions on how to sign up.  If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.

Mrs Van Der Zee |  Business Manager 

Breakfast Club

We are currently seeking more volunteers to assist with our Breakfast Club between 8:00-8:45am throughout the week. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to volunteers@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au and we will provide more details about Breakfast Club opening days and how you can get involved. At this stage, breakfast club will be running on Monday and Friday mornings.

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, and for a good reason. It provides necessary fuel to kick-start our bodies and minds, setting the tone for an EPIC day ahead. For our students, breakfast is even more critical, as it supports their growth, development and academic performance.  

We are dedicated to ensure that every child has the opportunity to start their day with a healthy meal, setting them up for an EPIC day at school. Together, we can ensure that every child at Ripley Central starts their day on the right foot.

Lunchbox Items

At school some items are not safe for lunch boxes. This includes any style of knife. If food requires cutting or peeling, please prepare it at home. Knifes (of any kind) are an item that students should not bring to school please.

Vitamins, medications of any kind (perscription or over the counter) cannot be in student lunch boxes. If you have any questions about medications, please talk with administration. 

EPIC Postcards

Each Friday, Mrs Meyrick will post EPIC Postcards that have been written by staff for students who are displaying EPIC Values in our school. Keep an eye on your mail boxes. If your child receives one of these, be sure to celebrate their success. 

We have now pposted two batches of these and have seen excitied students tell us about them at school. Keep up the great work to all of our EPIC Learners. 

🎮 Calling All Adventurous Builders! Join Our Minecraft Club! 🎮

Are you ready to embark on epic adventures, construct magnificent structures, and mine for precious resources? Look no further! Ripley Central State School is thrilled to announce the launch of our Minecraft Club!

What’s the Buzz?

When: Every Tuesday morning at first break.

Where: The Gaming Lab > The Curiosity Centre.

Who: Open to all students who love gaming, creativity, and teamwork.

What: Dive into the blocky world of Minecraft, learn coding skills, and collaborate with fellow miners.

Why Join?

1. Empowered Creativity Unleashed: Design your dream castle, build roller coasters, or create pixel art—it’s all up to you!
2. Polite Play: In Minecraft Education, we follow agreed-upon rules and treat each other with kindness.
3. Inclusive Teamwork Wins: Collaborate with friends on exciting projects and learn from each other.
4. Careful Coding Challenges: Sharpen your coding skills through fun challenges and mini-games.

How to Get Started?

1. Sign Up: Visit the Curiosity Centre to register.
2. Bring Your Imagination: Pack your creativity, enthusiasm, and a pinch of pixie dust.
3. Meet Fellow Miners: Make new friends who share your passion for blocks and adventures.

Important Notes:

You do not need to bring your school iPad to Minecraft Club. We promise—no real lava pits in our Minecraft world! So, grab your pickaxe, don your diamond armour, and let’s dig into the fun!

See you at the Minecraft Club every Tuesday morning!

Choir

Choir - Open to students in Years 4-6 via audition

Students will learn to sing in harmony as they explore a range of classic and modern songs. Students will perform throughout the year both in school and in local competitions once they are performance ready. Follow the link to express your interest for your child to audition for the choir

School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)

To ensure all students have equal opportunities for online learning, the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is providing free internet access for eligible families with school-aged children and no current internet access.

To find out more, call the National Referral Centre (Monday to Friday) 1800 954 610 or head to 🔗 

Disability Parking Spaces

Disability Parking Spaces within our school carparks are for cars that display a disability permit sticker/tag. Please ensure you only use the carpark spaces reserved for those with a disability if you have this permit. You can talk with your GP (doctor) if you believe you may be eligible. This will assist you in our carpark, but also in other public or private carparks in the community.

5A News

 5A have enjoyed participating in activities for writing a procedure ‘How to make 2-minute noodles’. Students watched their classroom teacher make 2 minute noodles and wrote simple steps for the method. The students were then given the opportunity to make their own 2-minute noodles and to eat them together as a class. Students will continue next week to rewrite their procedure text using structure and language features.

Today, as part of our learning about procedural texts, we followed instructions for ‘How to use chopsticks’. We learnt that instructions need to be to the sharp, need to be specific and need to have topic relevant language. As a class, we then got to practice using chopsticks to see if the instructions were clear and accurate. Here are some students demonstrating holding the chopsticks correctly and being able to pick up a mentos.

I may have to send the photos in separate emails. I have attached the 2 minute noodle ones here, and the how to use chopsticks on the next email.

2024 School Calendar

HPE News

What are we learning in HPE this term?

Health

Prep – Students in Prep are delivered a 30 min Health lesson once a week. This term they are learning to identify and describe different feelings and emotions like happy, sad, excited, tired, angry, scared and confused. They will use appropriate language to make connections between feelings, body reactions and body language. Students will also learn how to self-regulate when their emotions are heightened.

Years 1, 2 and 3 – This term students have been learning about online safety. In particular we have focussed on some important messages for young children to remember when they are using technology such as the internet. One of the most important concepts your child has been learning about, is that if something happens when they are online that worries or upsets them (such as coming across images they weren’t expecting, or when they are asked for their personal information), they should seek help from a trusted adult. Talking with them about these messages can help build positive communication about the online environment.

Years 3 to 6 - This term students will learn how to recognise, assess and report risky situations in online contexts. They will identify preventative strategies for safety in online contexts, identify help-seeking strategies including how to access support services in school, local and community and online, about online issues and you will practise responding to risky online situations including bullying and harassment.

PE:

Prep – 2: Students are exploring how to move and play safely during physical activity. They are developing the fundamental movement skills of running, jumping, hopping and galloping.

Year 1 -2: Students are learning fundamental movement skills such as rolling, balancing and jumping in sequences and situations. Students will perform gymnastic skills as a continuous movement sequence that incorporates the elements of movement: body awareness, effort (flow) and space awareness.

Year 3: Students are learning skipping skills and tricks to complete skipping sequences. They will also describe the benefits of being healthy and physically active and how they relate to skipping.

Year 4- 6:  Students are exploring the health-related fitness components of a range of physical activities and the importance of physical activity participation to health and wellbeing. They will apply these elements of movement to compose and perform a fitness activity station that develops a health-related fitness component.

If you have any question regarding the above, please contact Madonna Tolhurst at mmars183@eq.edu.au

Facility Hire

There are some areas of our school suitable for facilities hire by business and organisations that support our wider community.

Expression of Interest is now open to apply for 2024 hire arrangements. Please see our website for details.

P&C News

Election Day BBQ

The P&C will be running a community sausage sizzle at the school on Saturday the 16^th March during the election. If you are interested in volunteering for this event please sign up using the online form by clicking this link Ripley Central State School P&C Volunteer Register or contact us directly by email at pandc@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au.

Please spread the word amongst family, friends and the community, and stop by to purchase a sausage to show your support whilst also fulfilling your voting obligations

Easter Raffle

The P&C will be running a free Easter raffle where every child will have the chance to win.

We are calling for voluntary donations of any Easter Products big or small to help support this event. Donated items can be dropped into the basket at the admin building from Friday 8^th March. All donated items are greatly appreciated. The raffle will be drawn at the end of term.

Meetings

The P&C currently has a vacant position on the executive committee for Treasurer.  If this is a role you are interested in please feel free to contact the P&C via email or come along to our next meeting.

Our next monthly meeting will take place on Tuesday 26^th March in classroom 6A 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. Parking will be available in the Gazania Street carpark.

Stay up to date with P&C messages, celebrations and reminders, by liking our 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

We look forward to hearing from you and meeting many more of you throughout the year.

Mission Australia - Baby Playtime

Baby Playtime is unable to run on the following dates this term –

Monday 18^th March

Monday 25^th March

These are the last 2 weeks of the term & Baby Playtime will return in week 2 of term 2 (22^nd April)

DSM News (Defence School Mentor)

If you are a Defence family (full-time service or full-time continuous service reservist) enrolled at RCSS that has not been identified as such at the time of enrolment, please contact DSM@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au to register your interest in the Defence School Mentor Program.

Defence student drop-in session is currently available to our Defence students requiring more individual support each Monday and Wednesday during first break playtime (11.15am-11.45am). Defence students wishing to attend are welcome to drop into the DSM office space at anytime during this timeframe. Donations of any unwanted games and craft supplies are always welcome and appreciated. 

The Defence Member and Family Helpline is available 24/7 and is the first point of call for Defence families seeking support, information or connection with their community. Contact can be made by calling 1800 624 608. 

A range of services and support for ADF members and their families can also be accessed at https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services

I am available each Monday and Wednesday between 9am-1pm. Emails are sent regularly to our Defence community, please see your DSM emails to keep up to date with upcoming events and information

Mrs Kylie Pendergast

Community News

Ripley Valley State Secondary CollegeCollege Strategic Plan Feedback Survey

This year Ripley Valley State Secondary College is undertaking a whole school review process and we would value your feedback and input.
As part of this process, you are invited to complete the survey via the link 
below, to provide us with your feedback as to what our college is doing well, what we can do better and what you would like us to be like in the future. This anonymous survey will help shape our whole school Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2029.

Children and Bats

Even though bats are super important for our environment, some of them may carry bacteria and viruses like Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) that can potentially harm us. 

Now, when it comes to kids, we know they're naturally curious and caring. They might want to check out or rescue fallen bats. That's why it's crucial to educate them on how to be safe around these fascinating creatures.

To make things easier, we've put together five key messages that you can use when talking to your children about bats. 

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.