Ripley Valley State Secondary College eNewsletter

Defence News

As the new year gets underway, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Defence families, as they join our college's ADF community.

Many of you have students transitioning from primary to seconday school, while others come to us from interstate locations. I have no doubt this is a time big changes for your students, but I am sure that in no time, our new students will feel familiar and comfortable in their new school.

RVSSC currently has over 70 Defence families of serving and transitioning Defence members attending the college, so our new students are in good company.

In the coming weeks, there will be a Welcome Coffee & Chat event for ADF parents, new and existing, to attend.

As part of my role as the college's Defence School Mentor (DSM) I hold the Coffee & Chat group once a term. These catch ups offer ADF parents a chance to connect with other ADF families of the school, the Education Liaison Officer and the DSM in an effort to create a supportive school environment for their students, as they cope with the unique challenges that the Defence lifestyle presents.

Details of the Welcome Coffee & Chat will be announced in the coming days.

INCOMING DEFENCE FAMILIES

If you are a Defence Family (Regular full-time Service or Full time Continuous Service Reservist) that is enrolled at RVSSC, and you would like to formally identify yourselves as a Defence family, you can do so by contacting the college Enrolment Officer.

The purpose of the Defence School Mentor Program is to support Defence students who are impacted by postings and deployments, resulting in extended parental absences or frequent changes of school.

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.

THE DEFENCE MEMBER AND FAMILY HOTLINE

1800 624 608

This is the first point of call for Defence families seeking support, information or connection with their community.

The Helpline can provide assessment, assistance, advice or referral depending on the family's needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

DMFS SUPPORT

Defence Member and Family Support is a sector of the Australian Defence Force that provides Defence families with numerous programs and activities with an aim to support them as they face the unique challenges of being a Defence family.

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families

To contact the Defence School Mentor: Tracey Cooper

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 0800 - 1430hrs

Email: tcoop203@eq.edu.au

Phone : 3819 5333

Tracey Cooper

Defence School Mentor

Ripley Valley State Secondary College

Defence Member and Family Support

https://defence.gov.au/members-families/

Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608