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- Principal's Report
- Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning
- Deputy Principal - Culture and Development
- Business Manager
- Technology @ RVSSC
- Head of Inclusion
- Mathematics, Science. Health and Physical Education
- English, Humanities & Languages
- Creative Industries
- Pathways
- Guidance Officer
- Chaplain
- Defence News
- House Co-ordinators
- Uniform Shop
- Community Notices
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we enter winter and pass the half way mark of 2021 I am amazed at how far our staff and students have come in such a short time. It was less than 6 months ago I welcomed over 150 new year 7 students and already they have grown, not only in height, but more importantly in maturity and promoting our positive school culture. We all have a part to play in the development of our College and enacting our school motto of "Achieving Excellence Together". Our staff want your children to succeed and they work hard at providing lessons that are both engaging and challenging. We encourage our students to do their best, ask for feedback and seek assistance when needed. l encourage parents/carers to contact the college if you have any concerns and work with us to ensure that your child is best supported throughout their schooling. Education is a team effort and I am proud to lead our college as we make a positive difference in our students lives and wider community.
As the term draws to a close we farewell a number of staff who will not be with us in Semester 2 and wish them all the best as they take up new roles and responsibilities. Our Guidance Officer, Ms Lisa Henderson will be taking maternity leave for 12 months and will be replaced during this time by Ms Janet Ingram. Ms Carolyn Easdale is moving to Victoria due to family commitments and we wish her all the best in her new adventure. Both Ms Bree Sippel and Ms Mel Mons Wolff will be leaving us for 6 months and will return in 2022 as they commence an acting Head of Department role and take family leave for 6 months respectively. We also farewell Josh Woods our resident IT technician and wish him all the best for the future as well. Needless to say, with all these staff changes we will be welcoming a number of new and additional faces in Semester 2. Over the past several weeks we have been actively recruiting around these planned staff departures and I look forward to announcing our new staff early next term.
For those who enjoy all things fashion, our new senior uniform samples have arrived this Thursday and will be presented to the P & C at our next meeting on the 17th June for comment and feedback. Students will also be shown the new uniform and we will post various photos on our social media and website for community feedback. We look forward to finalising the senior uniform in the near future as we prepare for our first senior cohort of year 10's in 2022.
As our college continues to grow, both in student numbers, buildings and staff it is important that we remain focused on what makes our college so special. It is the staff, students and parents that make our school great and I thank you for partnering with us as we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Yours sincerely,
Brendan Krueger
Foundation Principal
Assessment
All students are currently completing assessment that will contribute towards their Semester One Report Cards.
If your child has experienced extenuating circumstances leading into assessment and is having difficulties managing their time, they can apply for an extension via the online forms (links below).
Before due date form: https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/72
After due date form: https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/73
Completion of these forms sends a notification to the relevant House Head of Department, who will process the application and advise the student, parent/carer and relevant teachers of the outcome of the application.
Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions about the Semester 1 Report Card.
Emily Prenzler
Year 7 and 8 Semester Two Elective Rotations
Year 7 and 8 students will complete a total of four compulsory Electives this year. The Year 7 Electives are Dance, Design and Technology, Digital Technologies and Music. The Year 8 Electives are Visual Art, Media, Drama and Food Studies. Students complete two of these electives in semester 1 and the remaining two electives in semester 2. Next Semester, year 7 and 8 students will change classes to complete their remaining two Electives. The Electives provide students with an opportunity to trial different Subjects and to begin forming areas of specialisation.
Year 9 Students 2022
We are currently in the process of planning our 2022 Year 9 Curriculum. Year 9 students in 2022 will complete the following core subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, HPE, History/Geography and Economics/Business. In addition to the core subjects, students will be required to select four Electives to complete during the year.
Earlier this Term our current Year 8 students completed a Subject Preference Survey to provide information towards our curriculum plan for year 9 students in 2022. This year, students in Year 9 chose from the following Electives, Food Studies, Design Manufacturing Technologies, Design Engineering Technologies, Dance, Drama, Health, Sport and Exercise Science, Visual Art and Music. In 2022, student will also be able to study Digital Technologies, Media Art and eSports.
Current Year 8 students will complete their official Year 9 Subject Selections for 2022 early next Term.
The Junior Secondary Curriculum Handbook is available on our College Website under the Curriculum tab. It provides an overview and additional information about the Electives on offer. Please have a conversation with your child to discuss their areas of interest. It is important that students select subjects that align with their areas of interest and career aspirations.
Invoices Issued.
The following activities have been invoiced, please contact the office if you have not received your invoice.
SkyZone (end of Term rewards day) 23/6/2021
Year 9 Camp 22/11 to 25/11/2021
Thank you to all families that have already made payments.
Student Resource Scheme (SRS).
If you are paying by instalments, the final due date for the last remaining instalment of $225.00 is Friday 30 July. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to check your balance or if you need any payment records.
Individualised payment plans by Direct Debit - are still available. If you would like to set up a direct debit payment using your bank account or credit card, email bsm@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au with the $ amount you would like to pay, the date you want the payments to start and how often you would like the payments made eg weekly/fortnightly.
How to pay
BPOINT – Use the link in the box at the bottom left corner of your invoice, this will take you directly to the payment screen to enter your details. Paying in instalments? No problem, just enter the amount you are paying and then continue.
Phone payments using Credit/Debit card – You will need your Customer Reference Number (CRN) and Invoice Number from the bottom left corner of your invoice. Call 1300 631 073
In person at the office– The payment window will be open for EFTPOS, cash or cheque payments Monday to Friday 8am – 9:30am and 2pm – 3pm (other times by appointment).
Centrepay Deduction - Payment by Centrepay deduction can also be arranged through the office.
Michelle Mills
Business Manager
LAPTOP CASES & RVSSC STICKERS
Just a reminder that it is a requirement that all students come to school each morning with a fully charged laptop. They are also required to carry their laptops in their laptop cases, and not have their laptop loose in their school bag. The cases will help minimise any laptop damage. Please ensure your child's laptop has a RVSSC Sticker on it. These also help prevent damage. Any student that has taken this sticker off will have it replaced and an invoice will be sent to you for $10.
TERM 3 - YEARLY DEVICE CHECK
Next term we will be conducting our yearly device audit. Each student will be required to hand in their device, and any unreported damage will be fixed (either via insurance or warranty). During this time, all devices will be wiped to factory default settings. Further details about this will be sent out next term.
HOD - Technologies | Pathways & Partnerships | IGNITE
Our coding squadron pilots at Ripley Valley State Secondary College have completed the designing aspect of their video games and mobile apps. They have designed the game interface for the maze games, snakes and ladders, Bull’s eye, and other applications with a great deal of precision. Our squadron club members are now keen to apply their algorithms and Python and AS3 codes to see their game working. They are enthusiastic about testing their games and functional Android apps designed around the themes of cyber-safety, eSports, and digital footprints. Detecting syntactical and logical errors in making their games and apps will be their next greatest challenge. But that’s what they do in Coding Squadron Club….Solve problems and provide digital solutions.!!.
Scaling the rocket sizes to scaling the planets and animal sizes our students have come up with unique educational app ideas and they cannot wait to see their codes making wonders when developing functional Android Apps. These games offer entertainment and educate the intended audience to learn to make appropriate choices in the digital world. Students are also gaining firsthand experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) based decision making techniques when designing their Quizzes based on cyber safety and digital footprints. New students have joined the club recently hiking our Squadron club numbers. An incursion is planned for the coding squadron pilots at the end of this term where they will showcase their games and apps to each other and obtain feedback to improve them. With boosted enthusiasm our coding squadron pilots are keen to upload their game and apps at the National level Australian STEM Game competition and State level Queensland Premiers Coding Challenge 2021. After the submission of our Games and Apps for the competitions our Squadron Pilots will then begin to fly drones and control the robots applying their Python coding skills. While there are several students who have joined the RVSSC - Coding Squadron Club are proud of their achievements in Python coding there is still room for many to join. Our coding pilots at RVSSC are certainly flying high with confidence in term 2 with their coding skills and are ready for newer coding adventures.
TEACHER - Digital Technologies
Massive shout out to the awesome students that have represented RVSSC in esports. We have had some amazing achievements over the past semester. The Just Dance squad bringing home the silver medal, the Rocket League team placing third and the Mario Kart team having a blast of a day with one student placing third. Congratulations to all these students. We are looking forward to the future of esports here at Ripley.
Angela Waugh
Email: awaug24@eq.edu.au
Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) provide a record of the strategies being implemented in class to support students to reach their goals. Not all students have a PLP. Students that do have been identified as needing additional support. These have now all been sent home.
Your feedback in these plans is 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.
Please respond via Forms: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xccAZrUWr0uekzI72MAdugqYLdXclitPolxdFq1wAX9UMTVOTzhWUUg0MlcwNkQwQ0YzVlJUMEdUWS4u
- Being an advocate for your learning starts with you.
- Being successful begins with effort.
- Being a learner requires positive self-talk.
I CAN ONLINE
Our Autistic-led online mentoring programs offer safe, supportive spaces where Autistic young people can connect with I CAN Mentors and peers to share interests and common experiences. To express your interest please complete our ‘Expressions of Interest’ via the button below, download our flyer or contact us at online@icannetwork.com.au
“WE DO FUN ACTIVITIES AND JUST SUPPORT EACH OTHER. IT’S LIKE ANOTHER FAMILY.”
Rhiannon Kemp
Head of Inclusion
Rhiannon Kemp
Phone: 3819 5319
Email: rxtoo0@eq.edu.au
Maths, Science & HPE
I stumbled across a quote this week that read, “perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other”. I couldn’t have stumbled across this quote at a more important time for all of our teachers and students. As we approach the end of Week 8, we know that all of our staff and students are putting in long hours as they prepare for exams or work towards the completion of tasks. Your children at this time of term are going to be challenged to persevere in the face of many due dates and exams. What I liked about this quote was that it reminded me that our long-term goals (eg. passing all of my subjects) can be broken up into short term goals that make that success feel more achievable.
Over the next week, students will be sitting Maths exams, completing Science assignments and completing HPE assignments. I encourage you to talk with you child about the small steps they can take along their journey to make sure they find success. Asking a child who is already overwhelmed to study for 30minutes could be overwhelming – instead, I encourage you to try “tell me about what you are studying” or “can you teach me how to add fractions”. Alternatively by breaking up their revision into small chunks may help them focus for longer and not feel so overwhelmed.
General notices:
- Mathematics & Science tutoring is available to all students on Thursday at 1st break in CG01.
- We are so excited to be hosting Athletics Carnival on Friday 25th June (Week 10). We encourage students to show up, have a great day and support them teams but cheering from the sidelines or getting involved in the sport.
SPORT UPDATE
The socks that need to be purchased for the Futsal teams during Yagera Day in Term 3, will be available for purchase from Wednesday next week. The price that was originally quoted for these was also incorrect and these socks actually cost $10. We apologise for this error and any inconveniences this means.
If you ever have any questions around what is happening within your child's Maths, Science or HPE, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me.
Tess Reeves
HoD Maths, Science & HPE
Welcome to week 8!
FAREWELL MRS EASDALE!
This newsletter is bitter sweet as the English and Humanities Faculties prepare to say goodbye to Mrs Carolyn Easdale. Mrs Easdale, is a foundation staff member who has been instrumental in establishing much of the English and Humanities curriculum. Her knowledge of the school, students and curriculum will be sadly missed. On behalf of the English and Humanities faculties, I would like to wish Mrs Easdale all the very best with her new adventure.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Over the next two weeks, English, Humanities and Languages assessments are all due for submission. Teachers and support staff are working super hard to help students maximise class time to ensure their success. As parents and caregivers, you can support your child by reinforcing the importance of engaging in lessons, asking for assistance where necessary, attending homework club and most importantly, acting on feedback provided by teachers. The drafting and feedback process should be an active process where students return to their work multiple times and make improvements each time. Parents and caregivers will be able to see draft feedback via Daymap.
READERS CUP
On Thursday 27th May 2021, our Year 7 team competed in the Qld Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia’s 2021 Readers Cup Challenge at St Mary’s, Woodend. The team have been reading their set of books over the last three weeks, meeting at lunch times to practice answering questions.
Readers Cup is a state-wide competition for young readers. Teams of four to five students together read a set of books, and then compete with other teams to answer quiz questions from the books. Winners from regional competitions then compete in a state final. Our students performed very well, competing against predominantly Year 8 students from around the region to place 12th out of 22 teams.
Readers Cup competitions challenge students to read widely, work collaboratively in a team and continue developing a love of reading. It allows readers to compete at a regional and state level similar to sporting competitions and to meet other students with an equal passion for books.
We are very proud of our Year 7 team and can’t wait to see them come back next year and try to better their result.
A big thanks to Mrs Easdale for her organisation, support and encouragement - without staff to volunteer, events like these would not be possible!
Next term, our Year 9 team will compete - we wish them well with their preparation.
GET INVOLVED!
RVSSC has registered to participate in The Premier's Reading Challenge in 2021. The Premier’s Reading Challenge is an annual state-wide initiative for Queensland state and non-state schools and home-educated students from Prep to Year 9, as well as children (aged up to 5 years) enrolled in an early childhood centre. The challenge aims to improve literacy and encourage children to read for pleasure and learning.
The Premier's Reading Challenge is not a competition but a way to encourage students to develop a love of reading for life. Through the challenge children and students are given an opportunity to develop their appreciation of the English language, and additional languages, and are encouraged to explore and enjoy a wide range of literary texts.
Children and students who complete the challenge have their efforts recognised through the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier of Queensland.
Interested students can see Ms Diesing in the upper A Block staffroom or download a copy of the Reading Log from the link on the Student SharePoint page.
Jasmine Diesing
HOD - English | Humanities | Languages
In Food Studies this term, students in Year 8 have been designing and making their very own ‘twisted toppings’ for addition to a traditional Pizza shop. We have experimented with different ways to make pizza dough and trying different fillings to find the perfect flavour combinations.
Students in Year 9 have been looking at diet-related disorders and how the food we eat can affect our health and wellbeing. We looked at how we can more effectively choose healthier food options and then made dishes which could be added to a café or restaurant which promote better food and health choices.
Lorinda Stiles
HoD Creative Industries
lstil21@eqeduu.au
Please see the link below that outlines dates and times for the many upcoming Open Days for tertiary institutions.
2021 Tertiary Studies Expo reminder
The annual Brisbane Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO), Australia's largest tertiary studies expo, offers a unique opportunity for anyone interested in starting, changing or upgrading their career. It will be held at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July 2021 from 10am to 4pm on both days. The Expo will feature many local, interstate and overseas education providers, students' services and support agencies. Don't miss this great opportunity to map out your future, all in the one location!
HOD - Technologies | Pathways & Partnerships | IGNITE
Lisa Henderson
Guidance Officer
Chaplain News
Fundraising
On Friday 28th of May, the chaplaincy service ran in partnership with the school’s P&C our first Colour Run. With the fundraising efforts of the school community and what was raised on the day the total amount came to $2450.
Also, on the 28th of May we participated in a Trivia Night organised by a local church, Springfield Christian Family. This was held at Woodcrest College and raised $400 on the night.
I want to thank everyone involved in the fundraising, organising, promotion and help with the events. Without you, the Colour Run & Trivia Night would not have been a success.
Breakfast Club
As always Breakfast Club will continue to operate on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Over the past few weeks, I have applied for additional support from Ipswich Food Barn so that we can sustain the program in the years to come.
I also want to thank the P&C for applying for the Stockland Grant that has allowed us to get an Industrial Toaster & Microwave which will make things easier at Breakfast Club for the volunteers.
If you want to help out with the Breakfast Club, please don’t hesitate to email me at katki121@eq.edu.au.
Pastoral Care
As a school chaplain, my role is to provide emotional, spiritual and social support to the students and 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.
Rock and Water
Last week I was away for 3 days for a Rock and Water workshop & course training.
Rock and water is a program that decreases bullying and depressive feelings and increases self-esteem, self-regulation and social acceptance. It also builds self-confidence, self-respect and self-reflection.
I am planning to run this program in about mid term 3 with a group of year 8 boys. If you think this is something that your child could benefit from, please email me at katki21@eq.edu.au.
SU Camps
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=winter
Take care
Defence News
It has been a busy Term 2 for our students, and as winter approaches, I know many are looking forward to sleeping in on these cold mornings during the June/July school holidays.
Military Life: A Teenage Perspective
This term, Defence Students were asked to participate in completing a questionnaire, asking what their experiences as an ADF student is like, particularly in times of parental absences and posting in and out of locations and schools. Students have provided some very insightful information of what challenges they face, how they meet those challenges, along with offering advice to other ADF students who are going through similar experiences.
The Defence School Mentor Program is designed to support children of full time serving personnel as well as those students who families are transitioning out of military life into the civilian environment. These students experience frequent mobility due to postings, and parental absences due to deployments and exercises.
The information the ADF students are providing will enhance the delivery of support services by the DSM program by allowing teachers to be better informed in the challenges military life presents to families. Participation in the questionnaire also allows students to share their experiences and to see that they are not alone in the school community and that there are others experiencing similar challenges.
As the ADF student population at RVSSC expands, this information will become invaluable. A BIG thank you to students who are participating.
Coffee and Chat
RVSSC held its first Defence School Mentor Coffee and Chat in the Resource Centre. This terms focus was on Absence Support, and parents were able to access information pertaining to pre-deployment, deployment and post deployment support that the Defence Community Organisation offer Defence families from the Family Liaison Officer (FLO) and the Education Liaison Officer (EDLO). Parents were also able to share their own experiences of when Defence Members were away. Information about the Partner Employment Assistance Programme was also discussed.
All information can be found the Defence Community Organisation Website defence.gov.au/dco/
DCO South Queensland Upcoming Events
ADF members and partners are invited to ‘Amberley Coffee Connections’ for the chance to meet with other ADF families and find out about local services available.
Join the local Family Liaison Officer on Thursday 24 June from 9.30am-11am at Vibe Kitchen Café in Springfield Central. To RSVP, follow the Defence Community Organisation Facebook page or look out for the event on:
www.eventbrite.com.au/o/defence-community-organisation-brisbane-17817370612
ADF Member and Family Transition Seminar Dates
ADF Member and Family Transition Seminars can help ADF members and their family plan and prepare for transition to civilian life. Serving members and their family are welcome to attend at any time during the ADF members' career. At the seminars there will be access to information on:
- Transition support and administration
- Future employment
- ADF Reserves
- Finance and superannuation
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and
- Veteran and family support services.
Seminars are currently held both online and face-to-face. The next online seminar will be held on Wednesday, Thursday 24 June. Current serving members can register for these seminars through CAMPUS, while family members or support persons can register directly at:
www.adftransitionvirtualseminar.com/en/registration
The next face-to-face seminar will be hosted at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 15 July. Current serving ADF members can register for this event through CAMPUS and family members, or support persons can register by emailing the ADF Transition Seminar Team at:
adf.transitionseminar@defence.gov.au
Defence Community Organisation Name Change
On 1 July this year, Defence Community Organisation (DCO) will change their name to Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS). There will be no changes made to the services offered to ADF members and their families. The local area offices around Australia will remain and the Defence Family Helpline is still the first port of call for all hours support. The Defence Family Helpline can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 624 608.
Tracey Cooper
Defence School Mentor
Ripley Valley Cluster Schools
We are approaching the end of the Term and there have been a lot of events that have taken place to further engage our students at the College. In saying that, we do have some more events that will take place right up until the last day of school this Term! These can be seen below:
Rewards Day
At RVSSC Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) culture is at the forefront of our teaching, learning and school community. Rewards for positive behaviours are a big part of our PBL culture and we have several tiers within our rewards system. Stamps are used for daily rewards. Top stamp winners are acknowledged each week at assembly and every term we run a Rewards Day for students who meet set criteria.
This term we will be taking students off site for our end of semester Rewards Day. Invited students will be heading to Skyzone at McGregor for a fun day of trampoline bouncing. The criteria for this terms invitation was based off behaviour and actual days of attendance. Invitations have gone out this week via email. Please ensure that you check your spam folders and contact your students Access Teacher should you have any questions, queries or concerns.
Year 9 Camp
We have solidified our booking and can confirm the students will be going to Emu Gully in Term 4. There will be more information surrounding the school camp in Term 3. Please make your pay when due.
We look forward to our first ever camp with our students!
3 v 3 Interhouse basketball
Over the past four (4) week, we have seen students from each houses battle it out to be deemed the "best basketballing House". We can confirm that in the grand final it was both the Flinders 1 and Flinders 4 team who played in the final. The competition results:
1st - Flinders 4
2nd - Flinders 3
3rd - Goolman 2
Thank you to all students who were involved in this competition! We look forward to having this competition run again next year.
SRC Update
This term the Student Representative Council have been running lunch time activities to help students feel a sense of belonging. They have run activities such as chalk art and karaoke and competitions including “Guess the lollies” and “Guess the baby picture”. Students will review this program and prepare for next term.
Interhouse Track and Field Carnival
The Interhouse Track & Field Carnival is scheduled for the last day of Term - Friday 25th June. Students will be engaging in the following track & field events:
- 100m
- 200m
- 400m
- Shotput
- Long jump
- Teacher v Student Relays
In Week 9, students will have the opportunity to compete in Pre-Carnival Events, these consist of:
- Discus
- Javelin
- Triple Jump
- 800m
-1500m
Look out for the notices for which days these will be running.
*please note the following events will be held during second break: 800m, javelin, discus* - students participating in javelin and discus will need to obtain a permission slip from Mr Dunn closer to the date*
House & Sports Coordinator (Goolman and Perry)
Jessica Starkey
House Coordinator (Blaine and Flinders)
