The last newsletter of the year is upon us with an abrupt reminder of how quick this year has come and gone. There have been a number of happenings this year in the Health department with new staff members, new units and assessments and a range of new sporting opportunities and excursions available for our students to get involved in.

The biggest addition to the HPE faculty was the establishment of our new school Gym located next to the oval.

The Food Specialisations faculty has now had our first lot of year 11 students studying a Certificate III in Hospitality providing a senior pathway for students who are interested in working in the Hospitality industries after school.

Mrs. McGovern recently had an exciting outing with our Year 9 Food Studies students to OzBushfoods in Ripely, where they embarked on a guided walk through the educational garden. Led by knowledgeable guides, including Doug, a Bundjalung man, the students explored the diverse array of native plants cultivated there. They learned about the traditional and modern uses of key bushfoods such as Tamarind, Saltbush, Strawberry Gum, and Quandong. The visit was enriched by a delightful tasting experience, offering the students a chance to sample up to six different bushfoods. Each tasting provided a unique opportunity to savour the distinct flavours of Australia's Indigenous plants, from the tangy Tamarind to the earthy Saltbush, enhancing their understanding of these remarkable ingredients.

Our final assessments of the year should have been submitted at this point of the term with report cards coming out on Friday of week 10 which is the 6th of December. 

On behalf of the Health Department, I wish all students and their families a happy and safe Christmas and Holidays and we look forward to seeing you back at the start of 2025 for another action-packed year at Ripley Valley State Secondary College.