2024 Edition 39 01.11.2024

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

Last fortnight, Mr V, our School Supervisor, visited with two local principals from Amberly District State School and Deebing Heights State School. It was a chance for us to showcase our tremendous work in English, and also our learning of our EPIC Values and Expectations and the EPIC Routines that support them. They visited 5A, 6A, Prep B and Prep C and talked to staff and students and looked at our learning walls. They looked through the windows of our other classrooms and saw quality teaching and learning across our school. They took photos of our learning walls and our EPIC posters to share with their staff. Both principals have great ideas to take back to their own schools and thanked us for their visit.

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick| Principal and P-2 Deputy Principal 

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

 As our school is rapidly growing, we elect our student leaders at the start of each year. Early next year, students on year 4-6 have the opportunity to apply for House Captains, Vice Captains and School Captains (with some roles specific to year levels). 

Students wishing to apply should be demonstrating our EPIC Values and Expectations and the EPIC Routines that support them.

Parents and carers are invited to email any requests for considerations for class arrangements and structures for 2025.

These requests may include the type of teacher you feel your child would shine with, friendship groups that help your child's learning and friendship groups that may disrupt learning. 

These requests will be considered, however may not always be possible. 

Please email dp@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au

Ms Petra Yager |  Deputy Principal Year 3-6

HOD Curriculum - Mrs Ward

I am excited to share that each year level’s English Big Idea is taking shape in classrooms, sparking curiosity and thoughtful discussions among our students. It’s been inspiring to witness how these ideas are brought to life through engaging lessons, creativity, and teamwork.

Have you asked your child what they are learning about in English? Hearing them explain these big ideas in their own words can be a great way to connect with their learning journey and see the passion behind their progress.

Speaking of passion – our students are also beginning their Passion projects! These projects give each student the opportunity to dive into a topic they’re excited about and explore it in-depth. Whether it’s sports, animals, art, science, or something entirely unique, this is their chance to take the reins on a topic they love. We encourage you to support them as they develop their ideas and think about what they’d like to discover and achieve.

Let’s keep nurturing curiosity and the love of learning together!

Tammy Ward | HOD Curriculum

Head of Inclusion - Ms Walas

We are now halfway into what is a very busy term at school, our classrooms are thriving with the bustle of learning and consolidating what has already been taught so far. It is also at this time of the year where our children become tired more quickly, their emotional regulation skills are tested, and they become excited or worried about the change that comes at the end of a year at school.

At school our students strive to be EPIC, and as their parents and caregivers, you want the best for your child or children. Teachers and support staff, at Ripley Central are daily teaching, modelling and practicing skills to ensure students toolboxes for regulation are full of ideas to practice. The great thing is there are many universal strategies that you too can use at home, to support their growth, resilience, and happiness.

Here are some ways you can support your child in their journey:

   Encourage Open Communication

Creating a time and place where your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Encourage them to share their experiences and listen actively. This helps build trust and strengthens your relationship.

   Promote Independence

Encouraging independence is essential for building self-esteem and decision-making skills. Allowing your child to take on age-appropriate responsibilities and make choices. Support them in learning from both successes and bumps in the road they may face.

   Establish Routines

Routines provide a sense of security and help children develop time management skills. Establishing daily schedules for their Passion Projects, chores, and family time can create a balance and reduce their worry.

   Encourage Social Connections

Healthy relationships with peers are vital for emotional development. Support your child in forming friendships by facilitating playdates, encouraging teamwork, model how to be a team player, you could even do this simply by playing a card game or boardgame. Social interactions help build empathy and communication skills.

Supporting your child is a continuous journey that involves understanding, patience, and love. Remember, the most important gift you can give is your time and attention.

Ms Kylie Walas |  Head of Inclusion

Remembrance Day 11th November

We invite all parents and carers to attend our school Remembrance Day Service on Monday the 11^th of November, we ask that you arrive at 10:30am for a 10:40am start. There will be limited seating available during the service, so we ask you to either sit on the tiered concrete seating behind the flag poles or stand behind the assembled classes. Please park in the Binnies Road Carpark and enter via Gate 7. 

On Friday the 8/11, from 2:30-3:00pm and again on Monday 11/11 from 8:20- 8:40am, our student leaders will be selling poppies for 50cents and badges for $5.00. 

We are also supporting the RSL Draw to Remember, and will have some students working on concrete chalk artwork on Monday middle session. 

EPIC Lessons this week

It’s wonderful to see so many of our students choosing active transportation options like biking and scootering to school each day. Not only are these eco-friendly and great for health, but they also add an element of fun to the daily commute. However, we want to take this opportunity to remind our Ripley Central community that EPIC learners are CAREFUL and make careful and considered choices to always wear a helmet when riding to and from school. Let’s work together to make every ride a safe one!

HPE News

SAVE THE DATE!

Years 3 – 6 Swimming carnival

Friday 6^th December

On Friday 6^th December we will be holding our 3 – 6 swimming carnival. The carnival will be held at Bundamba Swim Centre from 10am – 2pm. More information will be sent home next week regarding this carnival.

The Arts

Music

Prep-2: We have been investigating where and why we have music by looking at different themes and songs from different celebrations and cultures. We have used the songs to practice making patterns and follow the beat and change the tempo and dynamics.

Year 3-4: We have been investigating the similarities and differences between songs and discussing their preferences.

Year 5-6: We have been looking at how music can represent different times, places and cultures.

Arts

Prep: We have been doing different dances and looking at different fundamental movement skills.

Year 1: We have been doing drama skills by taking on different characters and looking at the way that they move and how we can change the tempo or levels to make more dramatic moves.

Year 2: We have been doing media arts skills of creating and designing our own imperfect pets and looks at the different camera angles and how that can change a picture.

Year 3: We have been using different types of puppets and how we can make the puppets show emotions with the movements.
Year 4-6: We have been looking at different art styles and how different artists have different influences. 

2025 Meet your Teacher

As our school processes a large number of enrolments at the end of the year and start of the year ready for 2025, we are unable to announce classes until just before school returns. We look forward to welcoming you to our Meet the Teacher open classrooms on Friday 24th January from 1.30-2.15pm. This is a designated time to visit our school, look at class lists and walk to classes to drop off books and say hi to your child's new teacher. 

In years to come, when we are managing normal enrolment growth, we look forward to offering alternative plans in the last week of school prior to the children going on holidays. Until then, we look forward to supporting you on the day prior to school commencing. 

Families unable to attend during this time are able to view the board on the morning of the first day of school and walk their child to class. 

Uniform Reminder - Current Prep Families

As our prep students start their final term, a reminder to prep families that your child will need a formal uniform for next year. Year 1-6 students wear their formal uniforms on Mondays. Our onsite uniform shop is open on Mondays 7.30am-9.30am and then again on Wednesdays 2.30pm-5.30pm. Get in early to avoid the back to school rush. 

We offer an onsite, retail store, near our administration building. You can also purchase online. 

Online ordering password has been emailed home to all prep families. Please contact administration if you are unable to locate the code.

Second Hand Uniforms

As children grow, or families move from the area, families have the opportunity to sell their second-hand uniforms via a Facebook page created by our P&C. You can join via Facebook on the below link.

  You are also welcome to donate any uniform items to our school and we support families who are in need.

Instrumental Music Program – Expressions of Interest Now Open!

We are excited to announce that expressions of interest are now open for our 2025 Instrumental Music Program for students in Years 2-5 (Strings Ensemble) and Years 3-5 (Band) this year. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn how to read and play music, with lessons held once a week during class time.

We are thrilled to welcome back Jenna Park, our talented Strings teacher, who will continue with us into 2025. We also warmly welcome Mr. Caleb Hodgkinson, our new Band teacher, who joins the Ripley Central team this term and will remain with us next year as well.

For an EOI form, please see our administration team or email dp@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au.

Let’s make music together!

FISAF

2025 FISAF Dance Tryouts

Get ready for the 2025 FISAF Dance Tryouts! We invite all interested students currently in Prep or Year 1 to join us on Friday, 1st November at 8:20 am for their chance to be part of our 2025 FISAF Dance Group. For current Year 2 students, tryouts will be held on Friday, 8th November for the 2025 Year 3 FISAF Dance group.

If your child is passionate about dancing and improving their fitness in a fun, supportive team environment, be sure to secure their audition spot by filling out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/rxj7p2CqVL

Our Prep-2 FISAF team proudly represented us this year as our first-ever National Representatives! Let’s aim even higher for 2025!

Students starting in Prep in 2025 who are interested in trialling will be given information in the new year and trials will occur early in term 1. 

P&C News

Graduation Signature Koala

Families of Year 6 students now have the opportunity to purchase a Graduation Signature Koala. The Koalas are designed for graduates to write messages to each other - words of encouragement, support and friendship as they mark the end of their primary school journey. These Koalas are available for purchase via the Flexischools App for a cost of $25.

Grant Funding

Our P&C were recently successful in applying for the Brothers Helping Others Community Grant 2024. The grant provides direct funding to support not for profit and charitable organisations in delivering valuable services to our community. 

The funds received from this grant will help us begin to furnish the community hub based within the school grounds benefiting our school and local community groups who wish to utilise the space.

A big thank you to the Brothers Leagues Club Ipswich for their continued support and assistance. 

Disco Volunteers 

The P&C would like to thank our team of amazing volunteers for all of their hard work at our Halloween Disco. The night would not have been possible without each and every one of you. 

We are so pleased to announce that we were able to raise over $1200 at this event and we look forward to working with the school to put these funds to fantastic use for our EPIC learners. 

We hope all of the children had a wonderful night and we look forward to our next disco in 2025! 

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.

Date Claimers

Student Departure

If your family is leaving our school, please email admin@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au with departure date and new destination school. This allows our administration staff to commence processes to support your departure. This includes ensuring books and musical instruments are returned, checking your family’s financial status with the school and also updating your child’s class teacher so they can prepare to send home their books and belongings. While we are sorry to see you go, we also want to help make the process smooth for you.

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. You may then receive a text message that you will need to respond to. 

2025 Enrolments and Prep Koala Joeys

 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.

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 at the below link for Births, deaths, marriages and divorces.

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 school website below for more enrolment information. 

It is time to start being EPIC! Our Prep 2025 enrolled students are invited to attend our Koala Joeys transition program.

Not enrolled yet? It is time to enrol now. We are working on classes and staffing ready to welcome our new preps next year. Visit our administration or website to complete your enrolment now.

Community News

Year 7 2025 enrolments

All year 6 families should be actively involved in enrolling their child for year 7 in 2025 at high school. Important information sessions, enrolment interviews and tours are all taking place at our local high schools, and you don't want your child to be disadvantaged in their transition. 

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.