Chaplain News

I personally can't believe that we are close to the end of Term 2, it feels like only yesterday that we started Term 2 and were enjoying all the public holidays this term had to offer.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been checking in with as many Year 10's as I can as they head into their first ever exam block. These times can be stressful but as a Chaplain I am here to support your child through these stressful periods. I do this by simply listening to their concerns and making sure they are looking after themselves and doing things they enjoy as well as studying. As a parent it is important that your child has oppurtunities to disconnect from study for periods of time so they can look after their own wellbeing.

If you want me to check in with your child in relation to stress around school work or anything else that is happening in their lives, please email me at katki121@eq.edu.au. I will be more than happy to check in with your child.

Chappy Week

On the 22nd to the 29th of May School Chaplains all across Queensland celebrated Chappy Week. The purpose of Chappy Week is to spread awareness of the work Chaplains do in schools. I want to thank everyone for their support during that week and I also want to thank you for allowing me to be your child's chaplain. I honeslty love what I do and I love helping the school community of Ripley Valley State Secondary College.

I also want to congratulate Gracelyn for winning the dad joke competition I held during the week.

Love Bites

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

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club, one of the extra-curricular programs is still operating 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. I also want to take this time to thank Andrew Waddell the youth pastor at City Hope Church for coming in nearly every week to help and serve food. I also want to thank all the students who also help make this happen.

As we are moving into the cooler months, starting next week hot milo will be served!

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.

Spiritual Support

One of my roles as Chaplain is to provide spiritual support. One of the ways I do this is to connect students to a local youth group. If you feel as a parent that this is something your child needs, please contact me and I will find local youth groups that are around where you reside.

SU Camps

Scripture Union Australia, the organisation that employs the chaplains here in Ripley Valley and in hundreds of schools across Australia is also a camping organisation. If you are looking for something for your child to do over the holidays, please follow the link. https://sucamps.org.au/?season=winter 

Take care and enjoy the winter holidays