Welcome Defence families, old and new, to a new year at Ripley Valley State Secondary College. Even though it has just begun, 2021 is already shaping up to be another year of new experiences and challenges for all of us.

I would like to take the opportunity to say a big ‘Welcome’ to all of our new Defence students and their families. I am looking forward to meeting you all and being able to offer information, support and advice as you need it during the course of your time at RVSSC.

If you are an enlisted ADF family, whether that be Regular Force, Reservist, on exchange from a Foreign Force, a Linear enlistment or are transitioning out of the military, your family can access all manner of support through the Defence Community Organisation (www.defence.gov.au/DCO/About/). If you have not already done so, you can register as a Defence family by contacting the school office on 3819 5333.

The Defence School Mentor Program, which is provided by the Defence Community Organisation, aims to provide a point of contact for your family should you need assistance accessing particular support programs. It also offers an extra tier of support for your child as they post in and out of schools and cope with parental absences.

I will be holding a Defence Student Gathering at second break in weeks two, four, six, eight and ten. Defence students can come along if they wish and enjoy air conditioning, (great in these warmer months), music, activities and snacks. Students are also welcome to bring their laptops. It is a great way to meet other students who share a Military background and helps me to develop a supportive relationship with the students.

I am really looking forward to meeting our new Defence families along with our catching up with returning students. It promises to be an eventful year.