Dear Parents and Carers, 

Welcome back to school after what I trust was a restful and relaxing break for students and parents alike.  I would like to extend a special welcome to a number of new students and their families who have recently joined our college community this term and I hope you settle in quickly and enjoy your experience at our school. 

This term, we look forward to a number of normal school activities resuming as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease across the state.  Inter-school sport (Gala Days) will occur this term along with face to face parent teacher interviews, whole school assemblies and a range of other extra curricula activities and events.   I want to thank you once again for your patience and understanding in what has been a difficult time for all and we all look forward to better days ahead.  

This term I welcome two new staff to our school.  Kristian Atkins has been appointed our new School Chaplain and will be at the College every Tuesday and Tracey Cooper is our new Defence School Mentor (DSM) available every Wednesday.    Both of these new staff members are here to help you and your child should they require additional support, a listening ear or assistance in the weeks and months ahead.  Further information about their role and interests is shared in later sections of the school newsletter.

As we enter the second half of 2020, a number of special and significant events will be taking place. 

On Monday the 27th July, we will hold our first student investiture ceremony whereby our Student Representative Council Members and Sport House captains will be sworn in.  Parents are permitted to attend and additional COVID safe practices will be in place for this event.  Further details will be provided  in this newsletter and closer to the event. 

Later this term, the Student Representative Council and myself will be refurbishing Foundation Park to accommodate the student/family foundation pavers and time capsule that will be unveiled in early Term 4.  Parents and families are encouraged to purchase their Foundation Paver to avoid missing out as the deadline for orders finishes in early August.  An order form and details are available on our school website and on the link https://ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au/our-community/pandc   

All paver purchases are tax deductible and if you or your business would like to purchase a paver and pay by credit card please contact the P & C Association to arrange payment at  pandc@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au

This term also marks the commencement of enrolments for 2021 and over the coming weeks we will be visiting local primary schools to encourage parents to submit enrolment paperwork ASAP.   For those who live in catchment or have a new sibling attending Ripley Valley SSC in 2021 your assistance in submitting this paperwork is appreciated.   A link to our enrolment process and forms can be found here: https://ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au/enrolments

For those parents or future students who may have missed our Community Open Day earlier this year we are planning to hold a school tour on Tuesday the 11th August from 3.30 to 4.30pm.  This will be followed by an Enrolment Information Session commencing at 5pm.  Further information and details will be provided closer to the date and via Facebook. 

As we enter the second half of this year I am looking forward to working with our school community to co-develop our four year Strategic Plan for 2021-2024.  To facilitate this process I will be working with a range of key stakeholders including parents/carers to help plan, shape and determine what we want our College to look like in four years time.  Opening a new school is not without its change and challenges and I am looking forward to mapping out what the next four years may look like.   By working on this Strategic Plan together I am sure we can fulfil our school motto of "Achieving Excellence Together".  

Yours sincerely, 

Brendan Krueger

Foundation Principal