On November 10th, RVSSC observed Remembrance Day with a whole school commemoration. 

Invited guests including members of the Ipswich Council, RAAF Base Amberley Co-ordinating Chaplain, Wayne Ross, Piper Adam Regnart, ADF Cadets, College captains, the college choir, Defence students, college staff and families, all participated in our service. Behind the scenes, our teacher aides, librarian, fascilites staff and parents all played an integral part in bringing together a beautiful service that was respectful and meaningful.

On Remembrance Day, we not only remember the end of World War 1. We also remember the hefty price that has been paid by members of the Armed Forces around the world, across all conflicts, and we honour those that have fought and died so we could be free to live our lives.

A YEAR IN REVIEW

As we near the completion of term 4, and begin the countdown to Christmas festivities, it is a good time to reflect on the year that was.

The ADF has had a year that has seen ongoing operations both here in Australia and overseas. 

In June, we lost four servicemen during Exercise Talisman Sabre. This was a devasting loss for the ADF community and it is a stark reminder of the sometimes dangerous work our service personnel carry out on a day to day basis.

Many of our Defence students have had parents deploy overseas, post away to locations out of state or have participated in the many exercises through the course of the past 12 months, resulting in significant periods of time away from their families. These interruptions have the potential to significantly impact students' education.

The Defence School Mentor program at RVSSC has endeavoured to support our students with a number of activities throughout the year. 

A highlight was Defence Week in term 3, where a military style obstacle course saw students pitted against college staff.  This activity proved very popular with many students keen to give the course a go.  Those who didn't participate were happy to sit on the sidelines to encourage competitors. In the days to follow, there were a couple of sore bods among the staff, myself included, but it was a small price to pay for the fun that was had.

Other activities included weekly access to the Defence Hub (pretty sure students come for the biscuits), student drop-ins at the DSM office, formal student check-ins, information made available to staff relating to challenges ADF students face and how they might be managed, and the ADF parent Coffee & Chat catch up once a term.

Last week, we rounded out the year with The DSMs Defence Student Christmas Lunch. Defence students and their friends filled the Defence Hub with hungry abandon.  The Christmas treats were rapidly consumed, happy snaps were taken, and even our Principal and Deputy Principal popped in to say gidday.  Most importantly, I got to chat with Defence students I ordinarily don't see through the year, along with my regulars. 

I would like to convey on behalf of myself and the college, a very big thank you to Coles Ripley, for their generous donation to the Christmas lunch, without which, the students would have had to make do with crackers.

The food, the laughter, the Christmas tunes, and even the roaring (digital) fireplace was a lovely way to end a very busy year.

INCOMING DEFENCE FAMILIES

If you are a Defence Family (Regular full-time Service or Full -time Reservist) that is or will be enrolled at the college, you can formally identify yourselves as a Defence family with the college Enrolment Officer, or you can email me, and I can organise that for you.

The role of the Defence School Mentor Program is to support students who are impacted by the postings and deployments of their enlisted ADF parent/s resulting in extended parental absences or changes of school.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I would like to wish all the families of Ripley Valley State Secondary college a safe, memorable Christmas, and I look forward to seeing our ADF students, old and new, in 2024.

ABSENCE SUPPORT

If you are deploying or posting, please let me or your student’s teacher know so we can best support them during this potentially challenging time.