Overview:

Term 1 is almost complete and the Easter Holidays are soon upon us! As we near this milestone it is perhaps a good time to reflect on all the events that have occurred this Term, and consider the progress that has been made on set goals. Highlights for me have been: watching our new Year 7s find their place in the College as they transition to life at high school; overseeing the investiture of our school leaders and the Leadership Development Program that was offered to our Year 11s; and marvelling at the efforts of our staff and students who participated in the World’s Greatest Shave. 

It is also a good time to look forward to the events ahead. These include:

School Immunisation Program (SIP):

Information will soon be sent home to all students in Years 7 and 10 regarding the Queensland School Immunisation Program. Clinic visits to the school are planned for Thursday 4^th May, 2023 and Thursday 26^th October. 

Before the school visit, your child will be given a consent pack that contains an information sheet with details about the disease, benefits of immunisation and any common side effects and a vaccination consent form. Please read the information sheet, sign the consent form indicating whether you wish your child to be vaccinated, and return it to the school. Only students with a completed and signed consent form on the day of the school immunisation clinic will be vaccinated.

If you do not return a consent form or the form is incomplete, you may be contacted by the immunisation provider to check if you consent to have your child vaccinated.

Year 7 students are offered vaccination against:

• Human papillomavirus(HPV): 1 dose
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough): 1 dose.

This age group requires these vaccinations because:

• they need a booster dose for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough).
• some immunisations need to be given in early adolescence (human papillomavirus) because the immune response is better at this age for this vaccine.

Year 10 students are offered vaccination against meningococcal ACWY strains: 1 dose.

This age group requires this vaccination because:

• some of the highest rates of meningococcal occur among 15 to 19 years of age and this group can transmit the meningococcal bacteria to people who are at increased risk of infection, including young children
• the vaccine protects young people and reduces risks for the community as a whole by decreasing the proportion of people carrying the bacteria in their nose and throat.

Further information around this program can be found at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/adolescents#sip

End of Term Rewards Trip:

Invitations have now been sent to those students who qualify for the End of Term Reward Day Trip on the 31^st of March (last day of Term 1). Students will have the opportunity to participate in the Rewards Trip to Orion, Springfield. In order to qualify students must have maintained:

• 95% Attendance
• No Suspensions and no more than 2 Administrative Detentions
• Completed all assessment

If you have any questions or concerns around this excursion, or your child’s eligibility, please contact the Year 7 Coordinator, Jason Coles on 3819 5333.

ANZAC Day Service:

Our annual school ANZAC Day Service will be held on Thursday 20^th April in the Raptor Dome from 8:30am – 9:30am. We welcome all parents, carers and friends of the College to attend this service, which will be followed by a morning tea. If you are interested in attending please complete the following Schoolzine link: https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/_admin/cms/form/edit/441

Building a Growth Mindset:

Recently on assemblies, and as part of PBL lessons, students have been reflecting on the importance of maintaining a Growth Mindset. This way of thinking views intelligence and talent as qualities that can be developed over time with the right attitude. It also recognises that setbacks are a necessary part of the learning process and allows people to ‘bounce back’ by increasing motivational effort. At Ripley Valley SSC we encourage all of our students to approach life with this philosophy to ensure that they can embrace any challenges before them in a positive and productive way.

Last Chance for Year 10 Camp!

The Year 10 Camp is being run at Kokoda Park later this year. Kokoda Park provides first class outdoor activities such as rock-climbing wall, high ropes and other outdoor adventure activities. By providing exposure to thrilling, challenging and thoughtful activities, Kokoda Park camps allow students to grow and develop skills through situations they wouldn’t find in a classroom. 

There's still time and places are limited. If your child is keen to learn and grow from amazing experiences you can find more information on the link below: 

https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/394