School Size
Ripponlea Primary School is a small school with a current enrolment of approximately 270. Our size enables children to easily form relationships with students and teachers across the school which creates a beautiful sense of connection.  Everyone knows each other's names at Ripponlea, something that really fosters our sense of belonging and community. We are also able to offer small class sizes.  We may be small in size but we are well resourced and offer our students exceptional learning and extra curricular opportunities.

Multi-age learning
Ripponlea Primary School operates multi-age classes for Year 1 to Year 6. Foundation operates as a single year level. This structure enables us to maximise and enhance curriculum delivery, team planning, student welfare and school space.  The learning is tailored to the child’s needs rather than to their age or grade level.

This intentional approach creates a wonderful dynamic year to year - offering opportunities to make new friends in the years above and below - and strengthening the spirit of cooperation, tolerance and community that we pride ourselves on at Ripponlea.

Multi-age classes provide a range of benefits including student independence, responsibility and study habits. They also mean younger children can learn from and emulate older children in their work, and the older children can benefit from mentoring and leadership roles.

Within the class, students are intentionally grouped for learning and rotate between the younger and older age groups within the class.

Flexible Learning Spaces
An important feature of our approach to learning at Ripponlea Primary School is the way we have designed our flexible learning spaces as vibrant, welcoming and supportive classrooms. Flexible learning spaces support the team approach to teaching, making it easier for teachers to collaborate and students to work together, and to experience a variety of teaching styles.

Our learning spaces can be rearranged in a variety of ways to best suit the range of activities and experiences. For example, a quiet listening space, an active learning space, or a group collaboration and discussion space. This versatility also supports easier rotation between activities and groups, and allows teachers to move freely to support students in their learning.

Inclusive Classrooms

Inclusive classrooms, especially in a multi-age setting, are designed to meet the diverse needs of all students, recognizing that each child has unique learning styles, abilities, and experiences. Here’s how an inclusive multi-age classroom might look:

1. Differentiated Instruction: Teachers use a variety of teaching methods to cater to the different levels and needs of students. For example, students in different year levels might be working on the same topic but at different depths, with more challenging tasks for advanced learners and additional support for others.

2. Flexible Grouping: Students are often grouped based on their learning needs, not just their age or year level. These groups can change depending on the activity or the subject, allowing for peer-to-peer learning, where older or more advanced students can help younger or less experienced students.

3. Collaborative Learning: Multi-age classrooms encourage students to work together on projects, discussions, and activities. Older students often act as mentors or "buddies" to younger students, helping to foster leadership skills and a sense of responsibility, while also reinforcing their own learning.

4. Personalized Learning Goals: Each student has individualized goals based on their learning needs. These goals are regularly reviewed and adjusted, allowing students to progress at their own pace. For instance, a student might work on improving their reading comprehension while another focuses on mastering mathematical operations.

5. Accessible Learning Resources: Inclusive classrooms ensure that learning resources are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. This might include physical adaptations (like seating arrangements) or the use of technology, such as audio books or assistive devices for students with visual or hearing impairments.

6. Social and Emotional Support: There is a strong emphasis on building a positive, supportive classroom culture. Teachers focus on fostering a sense of community, teaching students to respect and support each other's differences, and using restorative practices to resolve conflicts.

7. Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Teachers apply UDL principles, which include offering multiple ways for students to access content, engage with it, and demonstrate their understanding. This might involve visual, auditory, and hands-on activities to ensure all students can learn in the way that suits them best.

8. Flexible Timetabling: In multi-age classrooms, students may not be bound by rigid schedules, allowing them to spend more time on areas where they need extra support or can explore deeper knowledge in areas of interest.

9. Assessment for Learning: Assessment is ongoing and dynamic, focusing on the student’s progress rather than just summative results. Teachers use formative assessments to tailor their teaching strategies to individual student needs, with regular feedback to guide students in their learning journey.

In essence, an inclusive multi-age classroom focuses on creating an environment where students of varying ages and abilities can learn from each other and thrive according to their own developmental stages. It is about creating a flexible, supportive space that encourages diversity, collaboration, and respect for each learner’s unique path.