2025 Edition 42 14.02.2025

Principal's Message - Mrs Meyrick

What a fantastic start to 2025 we are making! 

We have a special date this term that you may like to put in your family calendar. We would love to see you on the last day of term, 4th April from 12.30pm for our Passion Project Fair, followed by lunch time fun and games for Easter, then our annual Easter hat parade in the hall at 2pm. We hope you can make it. Please note that Easter hats are made in class at school.

Year 2 families, I will now be your children's Deputy Principal. Mr Geeling will support Prep and Year 1, I will do year 2, Ms Yager will support Year 3-6. The best way to contact our Deputy Principal's is via DP@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au 

Schools are busy places. Your child's class teacher is your first point of contact regarding your child, unless you are undertaking administration tasks such as updating details, making payments, advising of absences etc. Your child's teacher will always endeavour to reply to any email sent within 48hours. 

Last week, I met with the management team of Camp Australia, our OSHC provider. We discussed school, parent and community concerns, but also worked together on some resolutions, plans to strengthen the program, recruitment initiatives and further strengthened our partnership. We have developed a term goal and weekly check-in points to share successes. I look forward to our continued work together to grow and strengthen the program for our students and their families. 

Mrs Wuanita Meyrick| Principal 

Deputy Principal's Message - Ms Yager

 The new school year is off to an incredible start, with students in Years 3 to 6 diving into engaging and hands-on learning experiences! Across all year levels, we are seeing students actively participate, collaborate, and innovate as they develop key literacy skills.

Year 3 students have been busy in Koala Kitchen, where they’ve been mastering the art of following a recipe. Over the past two weeks, they’ve explored the importance of procedures before taking on the challenge of creating their very own innovative recipes. We can’t wait to see (and maybe even taste!) their creative culinary ideas!

In Year 4, collaboration is key as students work across all three classes in Promotive Literacy Development (PLD). This approach encourages teamwork and shared learning, helping students strengthen their literacy skills in a supportive and engaging environment.

Year 5 students are taking their learning to the next level by designing multimodal procedures. Their task? To create informative guides that help their peers, the school community, or even an online audience better understand school procedures. With a mix of text, images, and digital elements, their work is shaping up to be both creative and informative.

Meanwhile, Year 6 students have been diving into the world of journalism, analysing news articles from both the past and present to understand how events are reported to the community. Their learning walls have come to life with a foreboding Yowie looming in the background as they explore historical news clippings from Yahoo Creek about the infamous ‘Big Foot.’ This fascinating study is sparking curiosity and critical thinking as students examine the role of media in shaping public perception.

With so much hands-on and meaningful learning happening in every year level, we are excited to see our students continue to grow as empowered learners in 2025!

Ms Petra Yager |  Deputy Principal Year 3-6

Deputy Principal's Message - Mr Geeling

We would like to congratulate all our students on a fantastic first three weeks back at school. It has been wonderful to see them demonstrating our EPIC values—being Empowered in their learning, Polite in their interactions, Inclusive in their friendships, and Careful in their choices. Their enthusiasm and dedication to their learning has set a positive tone for the term ahead.

At our school, we value a strong and connected learning community, and we appreciate the support of our families in making this possible. We are always looking for volunteers to assist in various ways, whether it be in classrooms, at events, or through sharing expertise in particular areas. If you have a skill set or experience you would like to contribute, we would love to hear from you. Please email volunteers@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au for more information on how you can get involved.

A special celebration for our 1E students, who have been applying their learning in a practical and engaging way! As part of their English unit on procedures, they practiced brushing their teeth, first explaining the steps to their teacher before working in pairs to complete the process. This hands-on approach to learning showcased their ability to be Empowered learners and Careful in following instructions, while also having fun together. Well done, 1E!

We look forward to an exciting few weeks ahead and appreciate your ongoing support in making our school an EPIC place to learn and grow.

Mr Alex Geeling |  Deputy Principal Year P-2

HOD Curriculum - Mrs Ward

Igniting Curiosity and Bringing English to Life!

This term, our classrooms are bursting with excitement as our learners dive into their English learning with hands-on, engaging experiences that bring our English Big Ideas to life. Our teaching teams have collaborated to design meaningful, real-world learning opportunities that spark curiosity and deepen understanding.

Prep students will bring storytelling to life by painting a giant flowerpot, adding petals that represent key parts of their assessment as they learn to retell events in stories.

Year 1 is flipping their learning into action by writing procedures on how to make pancakes, leading up to an EPIC community afternoon tea – YUM!

Year 2 are going to transform into expert zoologists, guiding families on an animal safari, showcasing their research and information reports on fascinating creatures.

Year 3 will celebrate cultural diversity by following procedures to cook up a storm, putting a unique twist on cultural dishes in celebration of Harmony Week.

Year 4  will step into history, curating a virtual museum where they’ll share portraits and voice-over presentations about significant Australians.

Year 5 will bring fun and learning together at a Year 5 and 6 carnival day, presenting games they’ve created alongside explanations of how to play (and win!).

Year 6 will become news anchors, investigating and presenting a breaking news bulletin about something exciting happening right here at Ripley.

We can’t wait to share more details as our English Big Ideas unfold and come to life. Be sure to ask your child what they are learning in English this term.

Together, let’s continue to unleash the potential of our learners, nurture their curiosity and foster a love of learning.

Mrs Tammy Ward | HOD Curriculum

Head of Inclusion - Ms Walas

At RCSS, inclusion is a part of our everyday practice, be it from the classroom environment, to specialist lessons, to the playground, all students are able to access and fully participate in all aspects of school life, and are supported by reasonable adjustments and teaching strategies tailored to meet their individual needs.

In order to support your child/ren, to develop and implement appropriate reasonable adjustments and other supports, we do require diagnosis documentation. If your child has a diagnosed disability, and you have not provided the school with the most recent up to date reports or assessments from your paediatrician, psychologist or psychiatrist, we kindly ask that you send a copy of the necessary documentation to admin@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au alternatively drop a copy to the office. We appreciate your partnership in creating the best possible learning environment for your child.

Ms Kylie Walas |  Head of Inclusion

Business Manager - Ms Mitchell

SRS INFORMATION

Thank you to our families who have paid or have organised to pay through a payment plan, their Student Resource Scheme.

This scheme assists us to allocate resources to each year level for their EPIC learning.

If you would like to set up a payment plan or a centrepay plan please do not hesitate to contact admin@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au for information on how to do this.

The SRS is an optional user-charging scheme operated by schools to provide parents/carers a convenient and cost-effective alternative to access: • student learning resources • educational programs. The SRS enables a parent/carer to enter into an agreement with the school to provide the resources required for their child to engage with the curriculum for a specified annual participation fee.

Refund Policy:

Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 state schools can charge fees for some services to enhance students’ educational experiences. A school fee for each service is calculated on a cost recovery only basis.  When exiting the school parent may require a refund of their SRS.  Refunds are calculated on a term by term basis.  Parent/caregivers may choose to fill in a Refund Request Form, this can be obtained by visiting admin or by email request to admin@ripleycentralss.eq.edu.au.  Refund requests will be only be processed in the 9^th week of each term.

Ms Karen Mitchell | Business Manager

HOD Student Engagement - Mrs Ashby

Year 5 & 6 Camp – Expression of Interest

We are excited to announce our Year 5 & 6 camp at CYC Cricklewood, Numinbah Valley! This will be an unforgettable adventure filled with outdoor activities, teamwork, and fun. This camp will take place from Wednesday 25^th June-Friday 27^th June.

To help with planning, we are seeking Expressions of Interest from families. If your child would like to attend, please complete the EOI form and return it to administration by Wednesday 19^th of February.

Adopt-A-Cop

This year we welcome Sergeant Jesse to our school community as our Adopt-a-Cop. He enjoyed our first assembly of the year and is looking forward to supporting our school community. Welcome Sergeant Jesse, we look forward to you joining us for our special events!

Every Day Counts!

Regular attendance is key to your child’s success at school. Every day of learning builds important skills, knowledge, and friendships. Help your child develop good habits by ensuring they arrive on time and attend every day unless they are unwell.

If your child is absent, please notify the school as soon as possible.

You can do this by

- phoning 3819 5777 

- using QParents (set up your account for access)

 Let’s work together to support every student’s learning journey!

ThinkUKnow Presentations

We are excited to welcome Queensland Police Service School Support Officers to Ripley Central State School on Wednesday 26^th February for a special presentation for our students in years 2-6 on online safety called ThinkUKnow! Students will learn how make informed decisions to keep themselves safe online, how they can overcome challenges through help seeking behaviour and navigate the digital world with confidence. This engaging session will empower our students with the knowledge and skills to be safe and careful online. Please find below the learning outcomes and goals for the session. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the ThinkUKnow presentation please email your child’s classroom teacher by Monday 24^th February.

Our Breakfast Club runs before school from 8:20am every morning in our Koala Kitchen! It provides students with a healthy breakfast to start their day. It’s a great opportunity for students to fuel up and be ready for a day of EPIC learning.

Mrs Kirsten Ashby | HOD Student Engagement

HPE News

My name is Madonna Tolhurst and I am one of the HPE teachers at Ripley Central State School. As well as teaching Health and Physical Education, I organise and manage sports outside of the classroom and try to provide as many sporting opportunities to students. This is an outline of different sporting events happening throughout the year but mainly district sports. This has also been emailed to parents with students in years 4 – 6.

District Sports – Central Comets

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. All transport to and from districts will need to be organised by students and carers. To nominate for a district sport please complete the Microsoft form: https://forms.office.com/r/9RLVdkwDhn

Calendar Sporting events

This year at RCSS we will be holding our Cross Country (Term 1) and Athletics Carnival (Term 2). If your child participates in Club swimming and would like to nominate for district swimming, this is done in term 4 as district swimming is held early term 1. Students who are aged 10 - 13 are eligible to compete at the district trials by competing at these events.

Save the date:

Whole School Cross Country – Wednesday 26^th March Week 9, Term 1

Gala Day:

In Term 2 and 3 our students in years 4 -6 have the opportunity to participate in GALA Day. Students will be selected to represent RCSS and play against other schools in the area. This will be run over 3 Fridays per term and there is a cost involved to participate. Term 2 Sports are Soccer and Netball and Term 3 are Basketball, AFL and Touch. This is only offered to students in Years 4 – 6. Expression of interest for term 2 Gala Day will be provided in Week 7 of this term.

Athletics training:

I will be offering athletics training in Term 2 for students aged 10 - 13. More information will be provided at the end of Term 1.

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

The Arts

Week 1, Indigenous week: We looking at how Indigenous Australians respect native animals and studied the movements to represent them in dance. We looked at the movements of kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus, platypuses, frilled neck lizards and snakes to represent them in dance.

Week 2, Māori week: We looked at dancing with a Poi and then the meaning behind the Haka. We looking at Polynesia dancing and how we could represent the culture using props.

Week 3, Italian week: We looked at how a lot of modern art forms have been influenced from the Italians such as sculpting, painting, opera, puppetry including marionettes, and looked at how the Italians invented the piano, violin and cello. We learned some steps from the Tarantella and the students in year 3-6 experimented with space and relationships.

School times and access

Students can arrive from 8.20am, with staff supervision in the canteen undercover area. Please do not drop your children to school before 8.20am unless you have them enrolled in Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC). Gate 7 at Binnies Road Carpark is open early, but only for OSHC access. 

Access to our classroom areas is from 8.40am. Please only enter them earlier than this if you have a pre-arranged appointment with a staff member. 

Students who have classes upstairs in A1 should use the green stairs. Students upstairs in A2 should use the pink stairs. There is a lift available for those who need it. 

At the end of our day, parents are welcome to enter the corridor areas from 2.40pm onwards. Please do not enter earlier than this time as it disrupts teaching and learning and is unsettling for students. 

Our gates close at 3pm, except gate 7 at Binnies Road which remains open for OSHC access. 

Thank you in advance for showing our Value of Empowered and expectation of being a role model. Your support in adhering to these times is appreciated and helps our school smoothly operate in the morning and afternoons. 

Access to upstairs A2 building

Students and families in 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 2D, 3A and 3B please only use the pink stairs (or lift if needed) to access classrooms before and after school. Please do not use the fire safety stairs near the lift. This is to help with pedestrian traffic downstairs who use the corridor.

What is happening in the classroom

In English Year 1 have been learning about procedures. We have been learning to sequence ideas and use topic-specific vocabulary to create short informative texts.

Last Friday 1E practiced giving instructions on how to brush teeth! They gave instructions to Miss Vines to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding before selecting a partner to work with. Students were full of smiles and laughter as they engaged in the learning task supporting one another, demonstrating agency and ownership of their learning. Well done 1E for being empowered with your learning!

Canteen Menu

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.

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. 

Community News

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)