Last Wednesday, Ripley Valley State Secondary College commemorated Remembrance Day and unveiled our brand new Cenotaph. The design of the monument represents the Eternal Flame and bares the Combined Services emblem on the three sides. The purpose of the Cenotaph is to serve as a beautiful visual reminder, both to the School and the wider community of the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf both in the past and continuing to this present day so that we may live our lives peacefully.

I would like to offer a BIG Thank You to the ADF affiliated students who participated in our service. Jackson Sheen, Lily Goulding and Cameron Harris-Walker represented the Defence Student Community of RVSSC. Our Flag Raiser's were Addison Regnart (Australian Navy Cadet) and Seth Threlfall (Australian Air Force Cadet).  All did an outstanding job at carrying out their responsibilities.  We were very proud of all of our students and the respectful attentive behaviour they displayed on this important occasion. I would also like to thank Wayne Gibben's (Rusty) from the RSL Ipswich Sub Branch for his uplifting speech and to Tony Shumack, the Defence Chaplain who officiated the Commemoration. We are very grateful for your attendance.

The Ripley Valley State Secondary College looks forward to holding future services and sharing these occasions with the wider community.

With the wide up to Christmas very nearly upon us, and tests and assessments almost complete, we can all look forward to celebrating the end of 2020, and Ripley Valley State Secondary College's Foundation year, in a more traditional manner than what we have been afforded for most of this year.

With that in mind, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Have a relaxing time catching up with loved ones (if you are lucky enough), and importantly, take care of yourself. 2020 has taken a lot out of all of us, so take time where you can to recharge your batteries and look forward to a much better 2021.