Deputy Principal - Culture and Engagement
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to another eventful Term at Ripley Valley SSC! I hope all were able to enjoy the Easter break and have returned with renewed energy for the Term ahead. Already we have hit the ground running with several key events on the horizon. These include: our ANZAC Service, the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey, Parent Teacher Interviews, and Year 7 and 10 Immunisations.
College ANZAC Service
On Thursday the 18th April the College will hold our annual ANZAC Service in the Raptor Dome from 8:30am. This is an important event our school calendar, and an opportunity for our community to gather to pay our respects and commemorate those who have given so much for our Nation. As always, we are pleased to be able to share this service with a range of special invited guests, including: Political representatives, Council members, personnel from the Australian Defence Force, as well as our parents, carers and friends of the College.
As part of this Service, the school will unveil a new commemorative statue created by our very own Digital Technologies teacher and ex-Defence member, Mr Clarke. In the coming days this statue will be added to other statues featured in ANZAC Place.
As in the past, there will also be a dawn service at ANZAC Place at the front of the College at 5am on the 25th April. All community members are welcome to attend this special event.
Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey
In keeping with our continued focus on student wellbeing, all students will be invited to complete the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey over the first few weeks of Term 2. The purpose of this survey is to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement so that we can meet their needs and support them in the best way possible.
The survey measures many aspects of students’ wellbeing, engagement, and experience at school. These aspects include: resilience, school climate, relationships, sense of belonging, motivation and perseverance, academic self-concept, personal social capabilities, future outlook and aspirations, general life satisfaction and general health.
The information collected through the survey will be kept confidential. No personal information will be shared with anyone outside of the Queensland Department of Education. The Queensland Department of Education will store the data according to strict guidelines. Student’s answers will be de-identified. They will only be reported back to the school as part of their year levels’ results. No one at your child’s school will be able to see their individual responses.
Participation in the survey is voluntary. Choosing not to participate will not affect your child’s education in any way. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the QEW Survey, please contact the school.
On the day, teachers will arrange for students to take part in the Survey online during class time. It will take about 30 minutes to complete. If your child requires additional assistance, teachers and/or support people are able to help them.
More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website: https://qed.qld.gov.au/publications/reports/statistics/schooling/students/queensland-engagement-wellbeing-survey
You can also contact the QEW Survey team by email: QEWSurvey@qed.qld.gov.au
School Immunisation Program (SIP):
Information has recently been sent home to all students in Years 7 and 10 regarding the Queensland School Immunisation Program. The first Clinic visit to the school is planned for Thursday 30th May.
Your child should have already received a consent pack that contains an information sheet with details about the disease, benefits of immunisation and any common side effects and a vaccination consent form. This consent form is due by the 15th May. Only students with a completed and signed consent form on the day of the school immunisation clinic will be vaccinated. If you do not return a consent form or the form is incomplete, you may be contacted by the immunisation provider to check if you consent to have your child vaccinated.
Further information around this program can be found at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/adolescents#sip
I wish all students an enjoyable Term ahead, and look forward to celebrating their successes as they meet the challenges before them.
