2024 Edition 32 12-07-2024

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

Welcome to Term 3 (the start of Semester 2)

This term we have welcomed many new staff to our team. Please make them feel welcome as they navigate their new school. We have also farewelled some staff who have left the profession or moved to other schools/positions. 

We have also welcomed new students and their families this week. It has been a pleasure having these students begin their journey to be EPIC Learners and we are excited to see them flourish in our school.

Enrolments for 2024 are still being accepted for in catchment families. 2025 enrolments have also opened for in catchment families. Get in early, help us manage the workload and prepare staffing and facilities for growth. It also helps you to be prepared to get all the information needed to help you child transition to our school. 

We look forward to a successful term ahead. 

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick| Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

We are excited to announce that our school will be fully embracing the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program in 2025! As we reach the halfway point of this year, it's time for parents of students in Year 1 and Year 4 to start preparing for this exciting transition.

What is BYOD?

BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device, a program that allows students to bring their own digital devices to school. In 2025, students in Years 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 will be part of this innovative program.

Why BYOD?

BYOD opens up a world of opportunities for our students. Here are just a few benefits:

- Personalised Learning: Students can learn at their own pace, access a wide range of resources, and engage with interactive educational apps.

- Enhanced Engagement: Digital devices can make learning more exciting and engaging. Students can participate in interactive lessons and collaborate with classmates on projects.

- Real-World Skills: Using technology in the classroom helps students develop important skills such as digital literacy, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

- Flexibility and Convenience: With their own devices, students can continue their learning at home, when they need to take time off school etc.

We understand that choosing the right device and getting everything set up can be a big task. To support you in this process, we will be holding information sessions in Term 3 and Term 4. These sessions will provide all the details you need, including device specifications, purchasing options, and how to ensure your child is ready for the BYOD program.

We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and are here to support you every step of the way. More information can be found on our school website. 

Ms Petra Yager |  Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Mr Pearen

Developing Oral Language Skills – PLD Parent Information

One of our PLD key focus areas is developing Oral Language. There are milestones for oral language for young children.  PLD collaborates with speech pathologists and Occupational Therapists, and the following information is a milestone guide to identify areas of need, and some tips for helping to develop oral language at home.  This is a link that you can also access with useful information as well. 

Now that I am 6 years old...

I should be able to:

Understanding/Listening

• Listen to lengthy picture books.
• Sit and focus in a class-based mat discussion.
• Follow a series of instructions independently.
• Listen to a story without a visual aid.

Speaking

• 6 year olds should be independent communicators with adultlike grammar and a spoken vocabulary of over 2500 words.
• Speak with no articulation or speech sound errors.
• Use language which contains few or no grammatical errors.
• Ask complex questions to find out information.
• Provide detailed answers to questions about the things they have done.
• Explain reasons for things happening.
• Retell a story without the need for someone to prompt them along the way.
• Independently generate ideas and sentences for assigned written tasks.
• Tell detailed news without assistance.

Play and Social Skills

• Keep themselves occupied alone on a task or activity for 20 - 30 minutes.
• Play fairly in complex games with rules.
• Talk easily with familiar people.
• Be able to maintain a conversation with someone about a topic for at least 5 turns in the conversation.
• Use words to explain emotions such as anger, sadness and anxiety rather than physical actions.

Tips for Home

• Encourage your child to retell you in order, a story that is read to them without reading the words, but remembering what happened.
• Ask your child to tell you what they did at school.(two good things that happened, 1 bad)
• Encourage your child to ask you when they don’t know the meaning of a word.
• Talk a lot about events that have happened giving detail and emphasise the sequence of events.

Causes for Concern

• Your child uses very short sentences.
• Your child makes regular grammatical errors such as when talking about the things that have already happened eg. I runned…
• Difficulty expressing themselves so that others understand their story.
• Child’s speech is difficult to understand.
• Does not sit and happily listen to a story.
• Has trouble following instructions and regularly forgets what they were asked to do.

If you have any concerns about your child’s language development, you might like to speak to your family GP.

Mr Craig Pearen |  Deputy Principal

Tour and Talk

Our next Tour and Talk will be held at 4pm on Thursday 18th July. New families or those wishing to enrol are welcome to join our Principal for a tour of our facilities. 

Reporting Student Absences

Please be reminded that the way to report student absences is 
* by phone 3819 5777 (you can do this before office hours and leave a message).
* via QParents (if you have not yet registered for QParents, please contact administration).
* in person at administration (especially if you know a date in advance). 
Please do not email absence notifications. Our school receives a large volume of emails and your message may be missed as we process absences each morning. 

What's happening in the Classroom?

P&C News

Colour Run

Our Colour Explosion Run 4 Fun will take place on Friday 2^nd August (Week 4 of Term3). Students will be covered in non-toxic, biodegradable powder from head to toe!

So far 11 students have registered and started fundraising. With only a few weeks to go, we need your support in order to continue these events so visit www.australianfundraising.com.au to create your profile page. Remember to share your created page with family and friends to spread the word!

Don’t forget if you raise a minimum of $50 you will go into the draw to be one of four students who will get the honour of sliming Mrs Meyrick!

Second Hand Uniform Buy Swap and Sell

The P&C have created a Facebook page to encourage the recycling of school uniforms, to help keep schooling costs down. This page will allow you to connect directly with people who are looking to buy, swap or sell uniforms. You can find the group by clicking the below link. 

Meetings

Our next monthly meeting will take place on Tuesday 23^rd July in classroom 6A commencing at 5pm and concluding by 6pm. All families and community members are welcome so why not come along and make new friends,  be informed but most importantly make a difference by adding your voice to change. 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. 

Defence School Mentor Program

At this time of year, some Defence families nationwide may be receiving posting orders that will likely present a time of uncertainty, decision making and a mix of excitement and anxiety. If your Defence family will be facing any upcoming changes that may impact the social or emotional wellbeing of your RCSS children, please reach out. We would also like to welcome our newest Defence families joining us this term.

The next DMFS Amberley Coffee Connections has been scheduled for Thursday 25th July 9.30am - 11am. These events are child friendly and provide a wonderful opportunity to make social connections in a relaxed and casual environment. Tickets can be found on the Eventbrite website. 

Defence student drop-in sessions are currently available to our Defence students 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. 

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.

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 

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 other information.  

Mrs Kylie Pendergast |  Defence School Mentor 

2025 Enrolments

 2025 enrolments are open now. We will only be accepting in-catchment enrolments as we do not have the capacity to cater for children residing outside of our catchment at this time. You can check your address at EdMap  https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/maps/edmap/

Parents enrolling their child in a state school for the first time (enrolling in prep, moving interstate or moving from private school) please ensure you have a birth certificate ready to complete your child's enrolment. You can apply for a birth certificate https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/certificates/birth/applying-for-a-birth-certificate

Children aged 5 years by 30^th June 2025 are eligible for Prep in 2025. If your child is eligible for prep next year, please enrol early. This assists us with planning and staffing.

You can also start preparing your proof of residency documents. You will need your rates or tenancy agreement. You will also need a utility bill (eg gas, water or electricity).

Visit our website https://ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au/enrolments for enrolment information. 

RVSSC School Tours

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.