Our students are exposed to a diverse range of learning experiences to give them a holistic educational experience and opportunities to explore where their passions and skills may lie. We have weekly sessions of Visual Arts, Performing Arts (music dance and drama), Physical Education and LOTE (Japanese) to enhance their learning. 

Physical Education at Ripponlea Primary School

Physical Education at Ripponlea Primary School is designed to be fun, and inclusive, and provide students with the necessary foundation to lead healthy and active lifestyles, both now and in the future.

Curriculum Overview:

Students from Foundation through to Year 6 attend weekly one-hour Physical Education sessions. These sessions focus on teaching Fundamental Motor Skills, concepts of movement, coordination, cooperation, game sense, and healthy lifestyles aligned with the Victorian Curriculum.

Sports Program:

Our sports program caters to all students from Foundation to Year 6. It includes:

• Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) in Foundation
• Minor Games in Years 1 and 2
• SEPEP (Sports Education in Physical Education Program) in Years 3 and 4
• Inter-school Sport in Years 5 and 6

SEPEP:

SEPEP stands for Sports Education in Physical Education Program. It is constructed around a student-centred approach to physical education, allowing students to take responsibility for their learning and develop leadership skills through various roles and responsibilities. SEPEP covers vital skills such as teamwork, organization, problem-solving, and communication.

Fundamental Motor Skills:

Foundation students are introduced to fundamental skills such as running, jumping, skipping, throwing, catching, kicking, and bouncing. These skills progress through Year 1 and 2 and are applied to modified games in Year 3 and Year 4. Students in Years 5 and 6 further apply these skills with tactics and game strategies, often representing the school in the Inter-school Sports Program.

Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) in Foundation: The PMP Program runs for the year and aims to develop a child's perceptions and understandings of themselves and their world through movement and motor experiences. Multi-sensory activities promoted through the program are designed to develop each child's Gross Motor skills, fine motor skills, short-term memory, eye tracking, and language skills in a fun way. It gives the child experiences in seeing, hearing, touching, processing, making perceptual judgments, and reacting. This is achieved using a variety of equipment during carefully sequenced activities which include running, hopping, skipping, jumping, balancing, crawling, climbing, throwing, catching, bowling, and sliding. Year 5/6 buddies support the program weekly.

Additional Activities:

• Students participate in units focusing on movement, including fitness and long-distance running, leading up to events like House Cross Country and House Athletics.
• All students from Foundation to Year 2 undertake 2 weeks of intensive swimming lessons each year.
• Students in Year 5/6 participate in the OWL – Open Water Learning Course and Surfing/Sailing lessons.
• Ripponlea Primary School seeks Sporting in-School grants to provide unique opportunities for our students. This has included weekly gymnastics, taekwondo lessons, surfing, skateboarding and ten-pin bowling
• We actively engage with the local sports community and participate in sports clinics run by state sporting bodies like Tennis Victoria, Athletics Victoria, Melbourne Victory, and AFL Primary Play.

Partnerships and Participation:

Ripponlea Primary School maintains strong relationships with local sporting clubs and participates in the Balaclava District through School Sport Victoria. This provides our students with opportunities to represent the school in weekly sports, swimming, cross country, athletics, and various Round Robin Days throughout the year.

Physical Education at Ripponlea Primary School offers students more than just physical skills; it fosters teamwork, sportsmanship, cooperation, communication, and fair play.

Celebrating Creativity: The Vibrant Performing Arts Program at Ripponlea Primary School

At Ripponlea Primary School, the stage isn't just a platform; it's a canvas where young talents flourish, creativity thrives, and dreams take centre stage. Nestled in the heart of our educational ethos is a robust Performing Arts Program that ignites the imagination, fosters confidence, and instils a lifelong love for the arts among our students.

Our program isn't just about learning lines or mastering dance steps; it's a holistic journey that encompasses dramatisation, dance, musical performance, and the joy of artistic expression. From learning to strum a guitar to belting out melodies in the school choir, every child at Ripponlea is encouraged to explore their unique talents and embrace the magic of performance art.

One of the hallmarks of our program is the biennial School Production, a grand spectacle that showcases the collective brilliance of our students. Every child, from the smallest Foundation to the seasoned Year 6 student, plays a pivotal role in bringing our original scripts and melodies to life. It's not just about the final performance; it's about the countless hours of dedication, collaboration, and sheer passion that go into making each production a resounding success.

What sets our School Production apart is its authenticity. From the script to the music, every element is crafted with care and creativity by our talented staff, parent community and students. It's a testament to our commitment to nurturing originality and encouraging young minds to explore the boundless possibilities of artistic expression.

Central to the success of our Performing Arts Program are the weekly rehearsals, where students immerse themselves in the world of performance under the guidance of dedicated professionals from the community. These rehearsals aren't just about perfecting lines or hitting the right notes; they're a journey of self-discovery, teamwork, and personal growth.

But our Performing Arts Program extends far beyond the stage. We offer a myriad of opportunities for students to explore their musical talents, including participation in our school band. From trumpets to trombones, flutes to clarinets, our band is a harmonious ensemble where students learn the value of rhythm, melody, and collaboration.

In addition to ensemble performances, we provide students with the opportunity to pursue private instrumental lessons in piano, guitar, drums, and every other instrument imaginable. These one-on-one sessions empower students to hone their craft, explore new musical horizons, and develop a deep appreciation for the beauty of instrumental music.

The culmination of our efforts takes centre stage at the prestigious CGS Cripps Theatre, where our students shine like stars under the spotlight. It's a moment of pride for our school community, a celebration of creativity, and a testament to the transformative power of the arts.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to nurturing the artistic talents of our students and fostering a culture where creativity knows no bounds. At Ripponlea Primary School, the stage isn't just a place to perform—it's a platform where dreams take flight, and imagination knows no limits.

Visual Arts 

At Ripponlea Primary School, the Visual Arts program is a vibrant and dynamic part of the curriculum, closely aligned with the Victorian Curriculum F–10: Visual Arts. Our approach moves beyond simple 'art and craft' activities. Instead, students are immersed in authentic artistic practices, learning the key attributes, styles, and techniques of a wide range of artists across time, cultures, and mediums.

The program fosters creative and critical thinking, empowering students to develop their own artistic voice. Students engage deeply with a variety of techniques including drawing, collage, mosaic, textiles, clay, and fine art practices. They are encouraged to experiment, problem-solve, and refine their work, in line with the curriculum’s focus on exploring and expressing ideas and responding and interpreting.

Students are introduced to a wide range of artists and art movements, developing an understanding of how artists use the elements and principles of art to communicate meaning. This knowledge directly informs and enhances their own artistic pieces, giving them the skills to manipulate materials, techniques, and processes with increasing sophistication as they move through the school.

Our program ensures that all students, from Foundation to Year 6, are active participants in the creative process, contributing to a school culture where individuality, exploration, and artistic expression are celebrated.

Current Student Projects:

• Foundation:
  Foundation students have been busy designing their line and shape robots! Over the past few weeks, they explored different lines and shapes, practising how these simple elements can be combined to create unique artworks. Their colourful robots are now complete and showcase their understanding of how design fundamentals can form creative characters.

• Grade 1/2:
  Our Grade 1/2 students are in the middle of creating Indigenous-inspired artworks. After studying the work of artist Rosemary Petyarre, they’ve learned about the cultural significance of plants and leaves in Indigenous art and medicine. Students are now applying these ideas in their own creations, using beautiful patterns and organic shapes inspired by nature.

• Grade 3/4:
  Grades 3/4 have been exploring the world of graffiti and street art. Through discussion and debate, they questioned the differences and similarities between these forms and considered whether both can be recognised as ‘art.’ Using paint pens and mixed media instead of spray cans, they created vibrant works that celebrate creativity in public spaces. They also recently completed Gelli prints, experimenting with layering colours and textures to produce stunning botanical-inspired pieces.

• Grade 5/6:
  Grade 5/6 students are currently completing their weaving projects. After mastering basic weaving techniques, they are now carefully removing their creations from the looms and adding final embellishments. In an exciting twist, students are able to take their looms home to continue weaving independently, extending their learning beyond the classroom.

Languages other than English - Japanese 

At Ripponlea Primary School, we are thrilled to introduce a new chapter in our language program. After years of offering Italian and French, we listened carefully to the feedback from our community regarding language learning. In response to a schoolwide consultation, the unanimous decision was made to bring Japanese into our curriculum.

While Auslan was a popular choice, students expressed equal excitement about exploring the Japanese language. This decision offers an exciting opportunity to connect with a rich cultural heritage, and the enthusiasm among both students and staff is palpable.

The Japanese program will not only focus on language skills but also explore the fascinating culture, traditions, and history of Japan. From Japanese calligraphy and origami to traditional festivals, our students will have the chance to immerse themselves in a wide array of cultural activities. The introduction of Japanese at Ripponlea Primary promises to enhance global awareness and cultural understanding, making it an enriching addition to our already diverse curriculum.

We look forward to seeing our students grow through this exciting new learning journey and are eager to watch them develop both their language skills and a deeper appreciation for Japan’s vibrant culture.