Chaplain News

Time has flown, I personally can't believe how quickly this term has gone. With all the public holidays I feel like momentum can start. As a Chaplain I am here to support your child throughout the ups and downs of life. One of the ways I provide support is with one-on-one pastoral care conversations. If you would like me to provide support for your child or if you have any questions or concerns yourself, please email me at katki121@eq.edu.au. 

Love Bites

Myself and our Youth Worker Alicia will be delivering the Love Bites program to selected students in Week 9 & 10 of Term 3 and Week 1 & 2 of Term 4.

What is Love Bites?

Love Bites is a highly regarded program that aims to provide young people with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships. The Program takes a strengths-based approach and views young people as active participants who are able to make choices for themselves and their relationships when supported with information and opportunity for skill development. Love Bites education is focused on three critical areas for learning; knowledge (youth-led collaborative learning, attitudes (critical thinking and decision-making) and behaviours (problem solving and communication skills). The overall aim of this program is to equip young people with the knowledge needed to have respectful relationships, encourage and develop their skills in critical thinking and assist them in being able to problem solve and communicate effectively. When equipped in these areas, we believe that young people can make the right choices for themselves and their relationships that are free from violence and abuse.

Alicia and myself will be the facilitators of the sessions and have received specialised training in the Love Bites program. Alicia and I will also be available to provide support and assistance to students before, during and after each session if required.

If you wish for your child to attend these workshops please send an email myself or Alicia (apick125@uq.edu.au). Once we have received your email we will be in touch with further information and a permission form.

Youth Alive

This past week the Youth Alive team came into RVSSC and played some music, games and more importantly cooked pancakes for our students.

Youth Alive is a Christian organisation that runs drug and alcohol free events for high school age students. Their next event is Tonight (20th of May) at 6:30pm at Cityhope Church in Ripley. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club, one of the extra-curricular programs of the school has started up again after COVID restrictions, floods and more. Breakfast Club will operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:15-8:45 am and it is entirely free. This is an excellent way for the students to engage with one another over food or milo and doesn't cost them anything. If you want to volunteer for this, please feel free to email me.

Mentoring Program

A program that the Chaplaincy Service is looking to start up this year is the mentoring program. The mentoring program will include community people who will spend 1 hour a week, 1 on 1 with a student within our community in an open space on the college grounds. The mentor is a life mentor and will undergo child safety training by the College as well as SU. The mentor must be over 21 years of age and have a blue card to participate. 

This is a great way for the wider Ripley Community to be involved with the college and to help support students. If you want to be a mentor or if your child is someone who you think would benefit from this program, please contact me.

Chaplaincy Committee

The Local Chaplaincy Committee is the supporting and guiding body behind the Chaplaincy Service helping shape it to meet the wellbeing of the school community here at RVSSC. If you would like to attend and be a part of the committee, we have our next meeting on Thursday the 11th of August at 4 pm here at the College.

Take care