2024 Edition 33 26.07.2024

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

Our school is growing quickly as the property development in our area is booming. We now have 391 students enrolled and attending across our 16 classes. Welcome to all of our new families! We look forward to seeing you grow as EPIC Learners who are Empowered, Polite, Inclusive and Careful.

2025 enrolments are open and I ask all current families who have a child joining our school next year in prep to please enrol now (even if you don’t yet have a copy of the birth certificate sorted). This assists us with facilities and staffing planning. It also ensures you get info about our upcoming Koala Joeys program (prep transition).

Our school has been a hype of activity as students commence their new Term 3 units. I am excited to see what is unfolding in English this term across our classes. Keep an eye in our newsletter and on our Facebook page where we showcase this. If you don’t have Facebook, you can still view it on the homepage of our website.

Join us for the P&C Colour Fun Run from 1.15pm Friday 2nd August. Meet us on the oval, Gate 7 will be open for easy access from Binnies Road carpark.

✅White shirt can be worn all day

✅We suggest students don't wear school uniform bottoms and wear shorts/skirt that is ok to get very dirty (can be worn all day)

✅Black school shoes are best

✅Parents can run with students, be dressed appropriately to get colour stained if you would like to participate 

✅Bring a towel for car trip home to avoid seat stains

✅If you wish for your child to not participate, and just watch, please email administration

A huge thank you to our P&C who are continuing to support our school, provide fundraising opportunities and also work with our school community. If you are interested in joining our P&C but don’t know how, please contact them on the below email.

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick| Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

As we continue our journey of fostering a rich, engaging, and supportive learning environment at our school, I want to take a moment to highlight the incredible impact that volunteers have on our students and our school community. Your involvement helps make learning meaningful and enables our students to build valuable connections with the broader community.

Volunteers play a vital role in various aspects of school life. They provide additional support that enriches our programs and helps our students thrive. We have several exciting opportunities for you to get involved and make a difference:

• Breakfast Club: Join Mr. Kelly from 8:15 - 8:45 AM to help serve breakfast to our students. A good start to the day is essential for effective learning, and your assistance can make this possible for our students.
• The Secret Garden Project: Assist our 6A students in gardening activities and help care for our chickens when they arrive. This hands-on experience teaches students about responsibility, nature, and sustainability.
• Esports: Share your passion for gaming by teaching our students the mechanics of popular games such as Rocket League and Mario Kart. This program is not only fun but also enhances strategic thinking and teamwork.
• Rock Band: If you play an instrument like guitar, bass, drums, or keyboard, come along and jam with our students. Your participation can inspire and nurture the musical talents of our young rock stars.
• Dancing: For parents who love to dance, support the coaching of our younger dancers in Prep - 2 in Sports Aerobic (FISAF). Your enthusiasm and skills can help our students develop confidence and a love for movement.
• Curiosity Centre: If you enjoy covering and contacting books, we need your help to prepare materials that will spark our students' love for reading and learning.
• Human Museum: We are seeking parents and community members to share their sporting adventures with our Year 4 students. You don't need to be a professional athlete to inspire our kids; sharing your experiences and passion for sports is what counts. Additionally, we welcome you to share your cultural and traditional stories with our Year 2 students, enriching their understanding of the world and its diverse cultures.

By volunteering, you contribute to creating a vibrant and inclusive school community. Your time, skills, and stories are invaluable to us, and we warmly invite you to join us in making a positive impact on our students' lives.

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact the school office or email us at volunteers@ripleycentalss.eq.edu.au 

Ms Petra Yager |  Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal's Message - Mr Pearen

100 Days of GLOWing

On Friday 12 July, we reached a significant milestone in our 2024 academic journey - the 100th day of learning at Ripley Central State School for 2024!

To celebrate this milestone students were involved in a range of activities relating to 100 days of learning and games that children may have played 100 years ago.

To make this experience authentic for the students, staff and students were encouraged to dress in period clothing (clothing from 100 years ago), dress to look they are 100 years old, or clothing to celebrate being 100 days brighter.

The staff and students had a fantastic day engaging in the activities and games and supporting each other to GLOW.

Mr Craig Pearen |  Deputy Principal

Public Holiday Reminder

Just a reminder to families that we do not have the Ekka public holiday as we are in the Ipswich City Council. We had our show holiday earlier in the year. 

Friday 30th August is a Student Free Day and our school will be closed for the day. Please make alternative care arrangements for your children on that day. 

EPIC Routines Focus Lessons

Book Week Parade

On Monday 19th August, students are invited to dress as their favourite book character to celebrate Book Week. We will have a parade starting at 9.05am in the hall. Families are invited to attend.

We will have a range of Book Week activities happening during the week in our classrooms, in the Curiosity Centre and at lunch breaks. 

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?

FISAF ALLSTARS team make Nationals

A HUGE congratulations to our amazing ALLSTARS! They were thrilled to place 3rd and have now qualified to represent our school at the National Championships against schools from all across Australia! A monster thank you to our EPIC coaches who have given up their time to make this happen for our students!

HPE News

Gross Motor

Preps has started incorporating a Gross Motor program into their daily routine. Gross motor skills are those which require whole body movement and involve the large (core stabilising) muscles of the body to perform everyday functions like standing and walking, running and jumping and sitting upright at the table. Outside in the sunrise playground an obstacle course is set up for them to complete. It involves jumping, hopping, skipping and climbing, helping to build strength in those core muscles.

AFL visit

On Tuesday, year 3 – 6 received a visit from 2 players from the Brisbane Lions Womens AFL team. The students were introduced to AFL, taught some basic skills and interacted with the players. The students were very excited to receive signatures from the players. The women will be back again to offer some more sessions with the students in weeks 5 and 7. We have some fantastic opportunities coming up with the AFL so stay tuned for further updates.

Gala Day

This term our school will be participating in GALA Sport days for students in year 4 - 6. These days are held on 3 consecutive Fridays where they will play against other school in the area. This term the sports include Touch Football and AFL. This begins on Friday 9^th August and continues on Friday 16^th August and Friday 23^rd August. Payment for this excursion is due on Tuesday 6^th August.

District Athletics

Good luck to those students who were selected to compete at the District Athletics trials this week.

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 colour powder from head to toe.

The day will be a free dress day at school and we strongly encourage all students to wear a WHITE shirt. Please ensure your child wears enclosed shoes. Remember this colour powder can stain clothes and hair so please consider this when dressing your child for the event. Every student who participates will receive free sunglasses and a rainbow headband.

With only a week to go, we need your support so visit the below link to Australian Fundraising 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!

P&C Membership / Volunteering

Looking to connect with your school community? 

Why not join the Ripley Central State School Parents and Citizens Association. The P&C works closely with the principal and school staff on behalf of the student families to foster an interest amongst parents in educational matters as well as fundraising to provide additional resources to the school.

If you don’t have the availability to join the P&C you can contact us to volunteer at our upcoming events. Your participation, no matter how big or small, will help us to achieve the best outcomes for our students. 

So why not come along to one of our P&C monthly meetings or volunteer at an event to make new friends, learn new skills, be informed but most importantly make a difference by adding your voice to change.

Stay up to date with P&C messages, celebrations and reminders, by liking our Facebook page by clicking the below link.

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 notice of posting orders.  This 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. 

The next DMFS Amberley Coffee Connections has been scheduled for Thursday 15^th August 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. 

Amberley ADF Coffee Connections Tickets, Thu, Aug 15, 2024 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite

This week we had a Defence student get together to connect and have some fun. It was encouraging to see the building of relationships over some fun games, activities and conversation.

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 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 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.