I.T @ RVSSC

Just a reminder that students are required to bring their laptop to school each and every day. They are not allowed to bring chargers to school, as laptops should be fully charged each night. If students require their laptop to be charged they can come and see Mr Woods to leave on charge for a session. It is also a requirement that students bring their laptop case everyday. 

Students who do not have their laptop each day, their laptops are not charged consistently or do not have their laptop case will get detentions. Please help us in setting home routines that allow for students to be successful at school.

eSport Update

Two of our teams have competed this term in the Fuse Cup school eSports competition. For our first competitions our teams did extremely well. 

Our "Just Dance" team came second while our "Rocket League" team came third in what was a very stressful and very close competition. 

Thank you Mr Simmons for training these teams. We are so proud of everything our eSports Teams are achieving in such a short time. 

Next Term we will be competing in Mario Kart, please keep your eye out on Daymap for updated Trial information. We will also be running a League of Legends team in the coming term, and further information will be released as it becomes available. 

Angela Waugh

HOD - Digital Technologies  | Pathways |  English | Humanities | IGNITE

NDIS Parent Information Session

  

Thank you to Jules Csanki for coming out and presenting about NDIS and what support our families can access. If you have a student that qualifies for NDIS and are looking for support in submitting an application, contact Jules!

Jules Csanki

Local Area Coordinator Community Development

NDIS LAC PITC Program

Carers Queensland

Level 3, 28 - 30 Thorn Street, Ipswich QLD 4305

National Disability Insurance Scheme Partner delivering Local Area Coordination services

T 07 3454 0510              E jules.csanki@ndis.gov.au

Supporting my child

Have you ever wondered if you should speak up about something that’s happening at school?

When things aren’t going well, you are your child’s voice. Often children struggle to communicate when they need help or aren’t sure how to ask. You can help your child by modelling how to ask for help and encouraging them to do so.

Here are 5 tips to support your child to speak up:

1. Check in with them throughout the week. Ask:
   1. Show me your homework. How do you feel you are going with it?
   2. What are you finding challenging?
   3. Have you asked for help?
   4. Would you like me to help you ask?
2. Check Daymap and read up on their assessment schedule and lessons.
3. Notify the teacher early on if/when you feel they may be struggling with their homework or assessment.
4. Ask as many questions as you need to. This helps you understand what support is offered at school and what your child’s learning needs may be. Come along to Parent/Teacher interviews (Term 2)
5. Keep communicating. Encourage your child to do this too through Daymap. There is an Ask? Button they can use to direct message their teachers (in class or at home).

Here is an example of home-school communication and the importance of this partnership:

https://www.nccd.edu.au/illustrations-practice/sir-joseph-banks-high-school-student-and-parent-school-involvement

 

Personalised Learning Plans

Teachers have been working hard getting to know the students, trialling strategies to support their learning and individual needs. For some students, these strategies are documented in a Personalised Learning Plan. This plan allows all teaching staff to communicate and be consistent with strategies.

All students’ Personalised Learning Plans will be reviewed and updated at the beginning of Term 2.  These will be available for discussion during the Parent/Teacher interviews. Copies of these plans will also be sent home.

Your feedback in these plans are crucial for our teachers to ensure the strategies in place are working for your child. We value your child’s input as well into their plan. As they move through secondary, they will become their own advocate for their learning and support needs. 

Rhiannon Kemp

Head of Inclusion

In the Maths, Science and HPE faculties, Week 8 finds all staff and students very busy as we are working towards the completion of all assessments and preparing for Term 2.

Maths

In mathematics, all students should have now completed their first exam for the year. It was great to see many students had spent time at home to revise and prepare for the exam, as well as, attend homework club and additional tutoring with their teacher. Year 7 students were very excited about being able to use a calculator in high school mathematics exams.

Moving into Term 2, Year 7 students will remain focused on Measurement & Geometry as they prepare for an investigation task that will assess their understanding of area and volume. Year 8 and 9 students will shift their focus to the strand of Statistics & Probability as they also prepare for an investigation task.

Corrective Mathematics

This year all year 8 students have two additional lessons that are dedicated to support them in developing their Numeracy skills, this is called Mathematics Enrichment. In week 9, students will kick off a program called Corrective Mathematics. This program is a highly focused intervention program consisting of strategic modules that offer quick, targeted intervention to build understanding of the key strands in mathematics. All students have completed a pre-test that will help determine the most appropriate starting point in the program for them. We are really excited to start this program and support our students to improve their numeracy skills.

Science

During Week 8, students in year 7 have completed their Biology unit by sitting an exam. Students in year 8 completing their investigation report on the solubility of salt. Year 9 students are completing their report on the effectiveness of a heat shield they have created.

Upon the completion of these, students will start preparing for Term 2. Year 7 students will start Chemistry, in particular, they will look into separating mixtures. Year 8 students will start Geology and Year 9 students will start Biology. Year 7’s students will have their first experience in a high school laboratory during the last 2 weeks of this term, continuing into term 2.  They will work towards safely using a Bunsen burner. We are excited for the Year 7 students to start their science learning's in the laboratory.

HPE

Students in HPE should now have all completed their theory assessments for Term 1. Throughout Week 8 and 9, teachers will be observing their practical skills according to the HPE standards and giving them an achievement for the practical component of their subject. Something that a lot of parents aren’t aware of is that the practical criteria in HPE is not only about how well the students can perform in the sport. Students are required to reflect on their practical performance and how they demonstrated fair play, leadership and cooperation when participating in the sport.

After all of our assessments are complete, students will turn their focus to prepare for Cross Country that is scheduled for Thursday 1^st April (Week 10, Thursday). Students who are wishing to be competitive for Cross Country are encouraged to get outside and complete some training to be prepared.

And for when the holidays arrive, I want to wish you and your families a Happy Easter. I hope the time with families over the holiday break will be valuable and restful.

Tess Reeves

HoD Maths, Science & HPE

tsmur0@eq.edu.au 

Design Technology

Year 9 Design Engineering skills have explored the design process and design thinking skills this term to produce and edge lit light to meet a design brief. They were very excited to light them up this week. 

Year 7 Design Technology have spent the term designing their pinball machine, they will begin working in the workshop this week and continue next term to make a work prototype of their designs. 

Year 8 have been creating some fantastic ephemeral light and ice art work. Ephemeral art is the name given to all artistic expression conceived under a concept of transience in time, of non-permanence as a material and conservable work of art.

Year 9 Art have been experimenting with Oil pastels and Lino printing. Students have focused on Memento Mori, exploring still life and symbolism, while developing art making techniques  connected to drawing, painting and printing processes.

 

Lorinda Stiles

HoD Creative Industries
lstil21@eqeduu.au

Student Programs Update

Blue Edge 

This term, students participated in an 8 week program called the Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower) Program. This program empowers all students to grow and become confident young  adults for the future. It ran every Tuesday and Thursdays from Week 3 to Week 10 after school, and consisted in a large amount of physical activity, as well taking some time to talk about reflecting on common teenage problems. We were all provided with our own Blue EDGE shirts, which we change into after school and train in. This program has helped me, both mentally and physically, to be strong and determined. During the small talk sessions where we wind down, we often talked about friendship issues and how to deal with them as well as recognising our strengths and weaknesses. 

By Erin Boby (year 9)

Traction Workshop

On Friday 12th March we held a one-day bike build workshop with Traction. Select students were invited to partake in the full-day activity to work with mentors to put together and then ride BMX bikes. Participating students engaged with the program and had a great day. 

Schoolwide Wellbeing Events

Mental Fitness Challenge

This term students have been provided information on how to improve mental fitness. This initiative began and will conclude with a presentation by Commonwealth athlete Matt Denning. Students have been provided with resources and activities on gratitude, mindfulness and character strengths, which will assist them in building resilience and improve their overall mindset. 

The Hurting Game

On Friday of Week 9 students are invited to attend a performance called The Hurting Game. This performance explores themes such as bullying, peer pressure and mental health. Tickets are just $7. If you would like your child to attend, please email Lisa Henderson on llodw1@eq.edu.au. If you have already indicated that you would like your child to attend, the invoices were sent out this week. 

If you have any concerns about your child, I encourage you to book in to meet with one of our students support services team. We are here to help. 

Lisa Henderson

Guidance Officer

Defence News

Tracey Cooper

Defence School Mentor

Ripley Valley Cluster Schools

Michelle Mills

Business Manager

Chaplain News  

Dear Parents & Guardians

What an amazing few weeks it has been at RVSSC. Over the past few weeks, I have concentrated on these key areas:

1. Relationship building and pastoral care conversationsw
2. Breakfast Club
3. Helping out with school events such as homework club & the Blue Edge Program
4. Planning for Fundraising events

As a School Chaplain, my role is to provide emotional, spiritual and social support to the students and the wider school community. One of the ways I provide support is with one-on-one pastoral care conversations. If you would like me to provide support for your child, please email me at katki121@eq.edu.au. 

Breakfast Club has continued to grow. I want to say a big thank you to all of my volunteers who come in to serve food and to interact with the students. Without you, Breakfast Club would not operate the way it has.

Next term Breakfast Club will be open for students to come and help serve food. This will enable the students to have a sense of belonging within the RVSSC community but will also enable our adult volunteers to interact more with the students and to create more of a connection within the RVSSC community and the greater Ripley Valley community.

If you want to volunteer for the Breakfast Club program or want to support it in any way, feel free to contact me.

My role as the School Chaplain is funded through generous donations from the community and through fundraising events.

One fundraising event is a colour run. This year we’re holding the School Fun Run’s Crazy Colour Day as a major fundraising event this year!  The event will be held on 28/05/21. We are really hoping to raise $10,000.

Keep your eyes peeled for the sponsorship forms which will be sent home with your child. Once you have the form, you should sign up for a Student Profile Page at schoolfunrun.com.au.

You’ll be able to access online fundraising and can win a $20,000 Ultimate Family Package! Students who raise $10 or more will receive a reward, and the more money you raise the better the reward, and the more you help the school! We’re looking for all students to participate and we’re organising a great day for our community, so we’d love everyone to come down to support the kids.

If you have any questions about the Crazy Colour Day please contact the School Fun Run Office on 1800 FUN RUN. Thanks for supporting the school and we hope to see you at the event.

The Local Chaplaincy Committee (LCC) is the supporting and guiding body behind the Chaplaincy Service helping to shape it to meet the wellbeing of the school community. The LCC meets roughly once a term and oversees the chaplaincy service both here at RVSSC and the primary school. If you would like to attend and be a part of the committee, we have our next meeting on Thursday the 6th of May at 4 pm at Ripley Valley State School.

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

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via email

I hope you have an amazing holiday break and I am looking forward to Term 2

Take care

As we approach the end of Term 1 we reflect on what a successful start to the year we have had. A big congratulations to all of our student leaders who received their badges at the Student Investiture ceremony in week 5. The Student Representative Council are in the process of putting together their vision and purpose for the year while we see our House Captains getting ready for our Cross Country event at the end of this Term. We have teamed up with some external organisations to offer our school leaders some additional training and boost their leadership skills. We look forward to sharing more of these details with you next term.

Our PBL culture is at the forefront of our work as House Coordinators here at the College. We encourage students to demonstrate our three school values: Respect, Responsibility and Perseverance in their daily lives at school and we love rewarding them with our RV stamps when we see these positive behaviours both in class, at extra-curricular activities and also in the playground. When students receive a RV stamp in their diary this equates to one point for them personally but also contributes to their House points. Students can cash in their own points at the Rewards Vault for awesome prizes. The Rewards Vault is out each Monday and Thursday at first break in Foundation Park. At the end of the year our House with most points will win the House shield. Each term we will be holding a Rewards Day to congratulate students on meeting school targets. Our Term 1 Rewards Day will be a “Picnic in the Park” which will be held down at the Providence Splash and Play in lessons 3 & 4 on the last Thursday of school. Students who have reached 95% approved attendance will receive an invitation this week to attend our Rewards Day.

Attendance is another area that we have been focusing on this term. Our school target is 95% approved attendance. Approved attendance means that if a student has to miss a day of school the parents or carers contact the school to provide a reason for absence. If you child is absent from school don’t forget to phone in on our Student Absence line number 3819 5366. Alternatively you can provide a written note when your child returns. We have been sharing attendance data with the students each Monday morning on assembly. Students can also check their attendance percentage on Daymap.

Year 9 camp planning is underway and if your year 9 student is interested in attending this camp, please complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form below and pay a balance deposit of $100 to student services. Once you student has been added to the camp list, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of balance via email. Please check your spam folder as it may also get sent there. 

https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/103 

We are so excited to be going on our first ever camp here at Ripley Valley and we look forward to taking the students to Emu Gully in Term 4.

James Dunn
House & Sports Coordinator (Goolman and Perry)

Jessica Starkey
House Coordinator (Blaine and Flinders)

Uniform Shop