We held our College Anzac Service on the 11th November.  The Service was attended by a wide array of community members including Federal and State Members of Parliament and the Ipswich City Council Mayor and Councillors.  Ex Warrant Officer, Mr Wayne Gibbens of the Royal Australian Airforce and Representative of Ipswich RSL Sub-Branch shared a moving speech which highlighted the sacrifices of those who have served and are currently serving in our Australian Defence Forces.  Piper Adam Regnart added to the atmosphere with a rendition of Abide with Me performed amidst a backdrop of poppies.  

Each year the number of students wishing to play a part in the Remembrance Day Service is growing.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Defence Service Mentor Tracey Cooper for the great work that she does with the Defence Club.  The Defence Club students played an active role in this years Service. 

Year 9 Student, Jackson Sheen played a moving rendition of the Last Post on the trombone.  This was a great performance which displayed great courage, particularly given that this is the first time Jackson has played the Last Post at school.

Leading up to Remembrance Day, Defence Services Mentor Tracey Cooper ran a competition where students were invited to write a poem on why Remembrance Day is important.  2022 College Captain Isaac Atabila's poem was selected as the winning entry.  I am sure you will agree the poem displays a level of composition well beyond his years.  Isaac shared his poem as part of the service.  I have included Isaac's poem below.  

Why Remembrance Day is Important – By Isaac Atabila

 “Excuse me, sir, but why do you wear a poppy on your chest?”

 

“The poppies, child, are the flowers of remembrance.

For they carry semblance to the blood-soaked shores of Gallipoli.

Adorning the earthly tombs of the fallen”.

 

“And why do you wear a brown slouch hat?”

 

“For it is a symbol of our nation – a land free and fair.

A symbol I am proud to bear.”

 

The child departed with a bow; his curiosity satiated.

But as the sun set behind its crimson veil, the soldier

Shed a tear. There were tears of fear.

 

“The world is forgetting again.” His departing words

Heavy with grief before he too returned to his earthly

Tomb. But as his spirit moves on, shall his legacy never die,

For it lives on immemorial in our hearts. Lest we forget.

Orientation Day

Students commencing Year 7 in 2022 will join us for an Orientation Day on Friday the 3rd December.  The Orientation Day will provide students with an opportunity to experience a 'day in the life' of a student at RVSSC.  Faculties have some exciting activities planned for students to showcase their departments, including making slime in Science and creating bag tags in Design and Technology. The afternoon will conclude with parents/carers invited to join us for an afternoon tea commencing at 2.00 pm.

In 2022, I commence a new role in Central Office managing the GP in Schools Program.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ripley Valley State Secondary College.  It has been an absolute privilege to be involved with establishing the College over the last couple of years and it has certainly been great working with such an active College Community.  It has been extremely rewarding to see the development of a number of programs and events which have helped forge a strong sense of tradition and positive culture at the College.  I look forward to staying connected to the College through the GP in Schools Program and hearing about the exciting developments at Ripley Valley State Secondary College.  All the best.  I hope you have a happy and safe break.