The School Day At Ripponlea Primary School

At Ripponlea Primary School, we believe that a consistent, structured, and student-centred daily routine supports wellbeing, independence, and a strong foundation for learning. Below is an outline of our daily schedule and routines that help every student feel Ripper Ready for the day ahead.

Soft Start to the Day – 8:45am

In Term 1 and Term 4, we offer a soft start to the school day from 8:45am. This gentle transition into learning allows students to settle into the classroom environment calmly and positively.

Students are required to take their school bags up to their classrooms as part of their morning routine. They may then return outside for supervised play, with a staff member on duty to oversee this time.

At 8:57am, the music begins to play, signalling to students that it is time to return to class and prepare for Session 1, which begins promptly at 9:00am.

Teachers establish age-appropriate soft start routines that may include:

Morning check-ins
Mindfulness activities
Independent reading
Light tasks to organise learning materials
Journaling or silent reflection

To support student independence and organisational development, we have introduced two school-wide routines:

Ripper Ready: Students are supported to build self-management skills as they prepare for the day with calm, structured steps.
Ripper Class Routines: These are tailored to each year level to help students take responsibility for setting up their workspace and materials, and to be ready to learn.

Daily Schedule

Time	Session	Details
8:45am - 9:00am		Before School Supervision
9:00am – 10:00am	Session 1	Focus on core learning such as Literacy or Numeracy.
10:00am – 11:00am	Session 2	Continuation of morning learning.
11:00am – 11:30am	Recess	Outdoor playtime to recharge and connect with peers.
11:30am – 12:30pm	Session 3	Mid-morning learning resumes.
12:30pm – 1:20pm	Session 4	Additional classroom learning.
1:20pm – 1:30pm	Lunch Eating Time	All students eat lunch indoors. A special bell signals the start of eating time. Younger students begin slightly earlier to ensure ample time. Parents/Carer should notify the school if their child requires an adjustment to take their lunchboxes outdoors for additional eating time.
1:30pm – 2:30pm	Lunch Break	Supervised outdoor play across the school grounds.
2:30pm – 3:30pm	Session 5	Final learning block of the day.
3:30pm	Dismissal	Students are supervised by their teachers from their classrooms and meet families at their designated lining up and dismissal areas
3:30pm - 3:45pm		After School Supervision

We thank families for supporting routines that help every student feel settled, confident, and ready for a successful day at Ripponlea. If your child requires adjustments to their routine, please contact the school so we can best support them.

Yard Supervision at Ripponlea Primary School

At Ripponlea Primary School, student safety is our highest priority. We have established clear supervision procedures to ensure all students are supported and safe during school hours.

Before and After School Supervision

Morning supervision begins at 8:45am.
Afternoon supervision concludes at 3:45pm.

Teachers on duty wear high-visibility vests and are stationed in designated areas of the school yard.

Families are strongly advised not to drop students off before 8:45am, as there is no teacher supervision available. Entry to school grounds before this time is not recommended.

We operate a Before School Care service, and staff from this service do not hold duty of care for students unless they are formally enrolled and signed in.

If students arrive before 8:45am without a parent/carer, they may be directed to Before School Care, and families will incur a charge for this service.

To avoid this, please remain with your child until a teacher in a hi-vis vest appears for supervision at 8:45am.

During the School Day

Teachers hold the highest level of legal duty of care for students during all school hours. Supervision is provided at every outdoor break time, including:

Morning Recess
Lunch Eating and Outdoor Play
Transition times between classrooms and specialist sessions

Supervising staff are easily identifiable in high-visibility vests and roam regularly to ensure coverage, visibility, and student safety.

We have three designated supervision zones:

Oval
Basketball Court and Senior Playground
Junior Playground and Mid-Zone to the Japanese Garden

In addition to teacher supervision, Education Support Staff assist in monitoring students and responding to individual needs.

Extra Support During Breaks

To enrich and support the playground experience, we also offer:

Structured Play Sessions (indoors during inclement weather or by student choice)
Library access for quiet reading and exploration
First Aid station staffed throughout breaks for any medical needs
Playground Pals – trained student mediators who assist peers with social challenges, model positive behaviour, and help others feel included

We encourage all families to refer to the Yard Supervision Map below to familiarise themselves with the supervision zones as well as our Yard Duty & Supervsion Policy.

By working together, we ensure all students at Ripponlea Primary feel safe, supported, and cared for throughout their school day. If you have questions regarding supervision or Before and After School Care, please contact our school office.