Defence News
Term three is one of the busiest times for military commemorations outside of ANZAC and Remembrance Day. In the space of one month, commemorations for The Battle of Fromelles, The Korean War Veterans and most recently, Vietnam Veterans Day were held at the Ipswich RSL Sub Branch, and attended by representatives of Ripley Valley SSC.
Vietnam Veterans Day
To support our US allies, the Australia government sent almost 60,000 service personnel to South Vietnam from 1962 to 1975. Conscription forced many of these troops to serve. 521 servicemen died and more than 3000 were wounded.
To commemorate the 51st anniversary of the cessation of hostilities, Jayla Cameron, our RVSSC Year 10 Defence Peer Mentor, supported by the college DSM, laid a wreath, on behalf of RVSSC, to honour, not just the 521 soldiers who died in the conflict, but also the thousands of soldiers who returned home, changed forever by their experiences both in Vietnam, and in Australia in the aftermath of what came to be known as ‘an unwinnable war’
The Poppy Project
In the lead up to ANZAC Day 2025, the Poppy Project aims to create a ‘Waterfall of Poppies’ to be displayed at the college.
Students, staff and parents are encouraged to crochet a poppy or poppies, that will be stitched together to create the artwork. The aim is to collect 500 poppies to make the waterfall.
If you would like to crochet a poppy for the project, please see the details below.
Defence School Mentors (DSM's) - Nurturing the Mental Health of our ADF Students
The role of DSM's is to support students from Defence force families to lessen any negative impacts the military lifestyle may have on education and learning.
Key areas of support are:
- Welcoming
- Integration
- Parental Absence (due to military service)
- Farewells.
If your Defence family is requiring extra support for your child at the college, please contact the DSM, who can help facilitate the appropriate support with the many support staff at school, along with DMFS and its affiliate support organisations such as Open Arms and Kookaburra Kids.
DMFS SUPPORT INFORMATION
Defence Member and Family Hotline - 1800 624 608
DMFS https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services
To contact the Defence School Mentor: Tracey Cooper
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 0800 - 1430hrs
Email: tcoop203@eq.edu.au
Phone : 3819 5333
Tracey Cooper
Defence School Mentor
Ripley Valley State Secondary College