Dear Parents/Carers, 

It has been incredibly encouraging over the past month to witness our student's involvement and success in a range of competitions and events.  From our success at an International and National level in the English Education Perfect competition (6th overall globally, 3rd overall in Australia and 1st in Queensland) to our multiple awards at the recent Ipswich Dance competitions (all teams winning a place) or our ever-increasing sporting success.  Besides these "big" achievements it is equally encouraging to see students demonstrating our college values of perseverance and responsibility as they enter their assessment period and actively look for ways to improve their learning.  This time of year, often has staff and students feeling tired, sick and a little bit weary.  Witnessing the dedication and effort of staff and student's during this stressful time can be difficult but the end results are always worth the effort.  I would encourage you and your children during this time to reach out to teachers and support staff if they are struggling so that we can support them during this period.

Plans are also well under-way in preparation for next year and our first cohort of Year 12's.  Senior jerseys have been ordered, the formal and graduation date and venue set and our new classes and staff have been organised.  Over the next few weeks students will also be asked to nominate and vote on student's leaders for 2024.  This will include our inaugural senior school captains, house captains and Student Representative Council. I look forward to announcing these new positions at our annual awards night next term.  

Our building works continue to progress on schedule for our J block refurbishment and new Performing Arts Centre (PAC).  The J block works are due to be completed by the end of this year while the PAC will be completed around April/May next year.  Once again, I look forward to showcasing these amazing new facilities once they are complete.

As we near the end of Term 3 and the weather starts to warm up again, I encourage you to take time to reflect on all the great that we have accomplished so far this year.  

Yours Sincerely,

Brendan Krueger

Foundation Principal

11 Weeks left of Year 11

On Friday 25^th of August we celebrated our grade 11 students and the fact they only have 11 weeks of Year 11 left before them become the first year 12 students of Ripley Valley State Secondary College.

             

Prior to students being able to eat the amazing cake prepared by Chef Claire they were encouraged to continue to try their hardest and remember they have the unique opportunity of leaving a lasting legacy as the first graduating cohort of Ripley Valley SSC. We are incredibly proud of what the students continue to achieve and look forward to journeying with them next year as the first year 12 cohort of the College.

Student Drivers and Passengers

During the senior years of schooling many of our students become drivers and start driving themselves to school. Whilst this is a significant and exciting time for our young people it is critical that we know who they are. 

Therefore, we request that if you have a student driver that you access the Student Driver Permission form and complete with your student and submit as soon as possible. This is to ensure the safety of your student.

It is also important that as parents/guardians you understand that we have a duty of care for all our students and that your son or daughter does not drive other students in their car without the prior appropriate permissions. Once again this is to protect the wellbeing of all of our students. If your child will be transporting other students, it is important that the Permission to be Transported by a Student Driver form is completed by all passengers and their parents/carers.

We would also like to remind all parents that students are not permitted to leave the school grounds without written permission from parents provided to the administration. It is not acceptable for students to leave the school grounds at any time during the day to get 'things' from their cars.

As a school we appreciate any support and reinforcement of these expectations from parents/guardians. Thank you for your ongoing support in this area.

If you have any questions about students driving, please contact Mr Todd Robson - Deputy Principal.

 

YEAR 11 EXAM BLOCK – Term 4

Early next term our year 11 students will be finishing their Unit 1 and 2 studies and completing their end of year exam block. This exam block is an important aspect of the senior learning phase as it will provide students with an indication of what to expect for their end of year 12 external exams.

The year 11 exam block will be held in the week starting from Monday 23^rd October. The exam timetable will be released early next term to all year 11 students and parents/carers.

To help assist students and ensure that the exam block runs smoothly we ask that parents please take note of the following information.

• Year 11 students are only required to attend school for scheduled exams or VET catch up sessions. Students must arrive at the beginning of the exam session and are to wear correct uniform.
• When required for a scheduled exam session, students must remain in the designated exam room for the entire scheduled session with their teacher.
• Year 11 students at school at any time other than an exam session or lunch break, will be working in the designated study classroom. The study room is a supervised room and a roll will be marked each lesson. Student’s expectations are to work quietly and independently.
• Any VET students with outstanding modules of work will be required to attend VET catch up sessions during the exam block. Students will be required to attend these sessions until all required work is completed.

Todd Robson

Deputy Principal - Year 11 - Pathways & Partnerships

trobs20@eq.edu.au

Excellence Academies:

Our third and final Excellence Trial will take place on Friday 8th September with registrations now open. Please also complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) for enrolment at the same time. If you have any questions, please email: excellence@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au.

Dance Academy:

Our Academy students are prepping for their final Eisteddfod of the year. Next week they will compete at the Lockyer District Dancing Festival. They will perform their Contemporary and Jazz routines all of which have been taught and rehearsed in class time. Dance Academy doesn't require any additional commitment time outside of class other than our four eisteddfod days (two in term two and two in term three). Our program is designed to be delivered in three x 70 minute curriculum lessons per week. Our final trial for this year is on Friday 8th September so if your child is interested in a 2024 Dance Academy position, please ensure you complete the EOI form by clicking this link. https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/499

If you would like any further information then please email Miss Starkey - Head of Department Performing Arts on jxsta12@eq.edu.au 

Football Academy:

Recently we have just finished competing in our inaugural season of the Queensland School Football League (QFSL). In a few weeks we will see our final results tables being published of where our teams finished. The Football Academy Coordinators are extremely pleased with all the efforts our students have provided us this term, whether it be game days or training sessions. We look forward to being a part of this competition in 2024.

In Week 10, we look at members of our Junior Football Academy competing in the Queensland School Futsal (QSF) Cup. Further details will be provided by Mr. Sharma via email. Our final trial for this year is on Friday 8th September so if your child is interested in a 2024 Football Academy position, please ensure you complete the EOI form by clicking this link. https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/499

eSport Academy:

Earlier this month Liam, Riley, and Lucas represented RVSSC in the QLD state finals for Rocket League live at the Ekka and secured an impressive 3rd place overall. Their stellar teamwork and dedication shone brightly in intense matches, showcasing their strategic prowess and exceptional sportsmanship. Liam's precision, Riley's quick reflexes, and Lucas's solid defence were key to their success. The achievement highlights our school's commitment to excellence in esports. Congratulations to our outstanding players for making us proud on the big stage! Our final trial for this year is on Friday 8th September so if your child is interested in a 2024 eSport Academy position please ensure you complete the EOI form by clicking this link. https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/499

Ignite Academy:

Through our connection with the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub, and the Ipswich Historical Society, students were invited to attend the 51st anniversary of the Box Flat Mine Disaster. Our students participated in a guard of honour, and raised photos of the 18 fallen during the rollcall. The student's appreciated the time that Hugh Taylor and other members of the Miners Group took to share their knowledge of Box Flat with them. Photos of the event were shared on our school social media pages in the week following the event. 

As the term wraps up, our students are deeply involved in their projects, where our year 7's are completing the EV3 Mindstorm Mission to Mars Challenge, while our year 8's are finalising their paper rollercoasters. 

Our last trial day for Ignite Academy 2024 is coming up on Friday 8th September (Week 9). This will be your final chance to test for our Ignite Academy program for 2024. The EOI for this process is currently open, so please refer to our school social media for more information. https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/499

Year 9 - UniSQ - Discovery Day:

These days are an opportunity for students to explore a range of hands-on activities to help them discover skills and talents they enjoy and are good at and identify potential satisfying future careers. Discovery Days are created to provide students the opportunity to take an in-depth look at study areas that interest them. The sessions will be led by USQ’s very own Academic professionals, providing an opportunity to meet the people who may be their future university lecturers’.

Event Details: 

• Student's will participate in 3 separate 45-minute taster sessions during the day.  
• Lunch will be provided for all students; however, you will need to bring your own morning tea. 
• Students are to wear full school uniform.
• If students are interested in being involved with this event, there currently is an EOI Microsoft form for only Year 9 students who wish to be involved
• This needs to be completed by Friday 6th October (Week 1, Term 4)

Year 6-7 Tranisiton Day:

Our current scheduled day for the Year 7 Orientation Day is Friday the 1st of December.  This is an opportunity for the Year 6 students transitioning into Year 7 to experience a full day on campus.  All students will be involved in fun curriculum activities from Period 1-3, with Period 4 being our "House Activity" session that will be run by our Year 7 Coordinator, Sports Coordinator, & myself as HoD Junior Secondary.

Invitations will be sent out later this term directly to those families who have been accepted for enrolment and have returned their completed enrolment forms. For your student to be successfully invited it is important you have completed the key information from the below infographic. Please keep an eye on our school's Facebook page for further information, along with information provided to your school's administration. 

Year 7 2024 Transition Presentation:

On Thursday 12th and Friday 13th October some of our current Year 7 students will accompany both myself, Mr. Pym (Deputy Principal Year 7/8) when we visit Ripley Valley State School, Deebing Heights State School, Ripley Central State School and Amberley District State School. These visits are to open up a general Q&A forum to our future students where they can ask our current students questions like:

• What is high school like?
• Do you get to play sport?
• Do we get laptops?
• How long are your lessons?

These are to name a few. We look forward to presenting to our future Year 7 students in the upcoming week. 

Head of Department - Junior Secondary - Year 7A to 7D

jdunn232@eq.edu.au 

2023 Student Resource Scheme (SRS) 

The SRS payment is now overdue, if you have not finalised your SRS invoices (including elective subject fees for years 10 and 11) please make payment via one of the methods below.   

Please note that non payment will result in the students individual laptop being collected.  Your student will need to backup their data onto Onedrive as the laptop will be wiped and returned to the school fleet of computers.  Families with outstanding fees have been notified via email.

Payment Options

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.

Phone payments using Credit/Debit card – Call 1300 631 073 Option 2. You will need your Customer Reference Number (CRN) and Invoice Number from the bottom left corner of your invoice.

In person at the office– The payment window will be open for EFTPOS, cash or cheque payments Monday to Friday 8am – 12pm (other times by appointment).

Individualised payment plans by Direct Debit - Set and forget. 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 date you want the payments to start and how often you would like the payments made e.g. weekly ($27.00 over 25 weeks) or fortnightly ($56.25 over 12 fortnights).

Centrepay Deduction - Payment by Centrepay deduction can also be arranged through Administration.

Michelle Mills

Business Manager

Device "Health Checks"

Commencing in week 10 As part of our Device Maintenance schedule, the technical team at Ripley Valley State Secondary College will be inspecting and completing a health check on all year 9 student devices. The health check will consist of:

• Checking for any damages that have not been reported to have fixed via Warranty (where possible), or through Accidental Damage insurance (Excess costs listed below).
• Checking that students have and are using the required laptop case.
• Checking students have the RVSSC sticker on their laptop, and their laptop is labelled correctly with all required cataloguing stickers still intact.
• Ensuring device is running at optimal levels, and re-imaging where needed.

As per the laptop agreement, if damage is found on the device or students are missing their RVSSC stickers &/or laptop cases, parents will receive notification of this, damage fixed and lost items replaced. An invoice sent to effected families as per the prices listed below:

ITEM / DESCRIPTION COST

• Insurance Excess - 1st damage in 12 months $50
• Insurance Excess - 2nd Damage in 12 months $100
• Insurance Excess - 3rd Damage in 12 months Cost of full repair (Quote will be provided)
• Damage to school bank laptop (Hot Swap) Cost of parts + $50 labour fee
• Laptop Skin $15
• Laptop Case $45
• Replacement Charger $37

The schedule for the device health checks is below.

YEAR LEVEL DROP OFF PICK UP

• Year 9 Tuesday12th September, Wednesday 13th September

Please advise us at tech@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au if you know that your child will not be at school when their year level is completing their health checks so alternate arrangements can be made. Similarly, if you know of issues with your child’s laptop that has not been reported please advise our team so we can ensure issues are rectified.

School Laptop Expectations - Being prepared for learning

We are seeing an increased number of students coming to school with laptops that have not been charged. Please ensure you have a system at home to help remind your child to put their laptops on charge each night so that they are prepared for learning each day.

Chargers are NOT allowed at school as they are a safety hazard. Student laptop batteries are made to last all day - and if they are not lasting a school day, they need to visit Tech Support.

Students are also required to bring their laptop case to school each day, and have the Ripley Valley sticker on their laptops at all times as it provides extra protection for their device. Cases are $35 to replace, and stickers are $10 to replace. If you have any questions please email:

tech@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au 

Todd Robson

Deputy Principal - Year 11 - Pathways & Partnerships

trobs20@eq.edu.au

As we approach the end of Term 3, I would like to commend the effort and perseverance of staff, students and parents/ carers throughout the term but especially during the assessment period. Majority of the students have now completed the assessment for this term with the exception of year 11 general maths and maths methods students who will be doing their unit 2 exam on Monday of week 10.

I want to acknowledge the effort and professionalism of staff in teaching the content, preparing students for assessments and supporting students through lunch time tutoring.

Students have been amazing too by actively engaging in the classroom activities and taking onboard the feedback provided by teachers in order to improve their academic outcomes. Teaching and learning will continue up until the last day of the term, so students are expected to attend and engage in classroom activities.

General Notices:

• Mathematics tutoring is available every week. Tuesday at 1st break and Thursday at 2nd break in CG01. All students are welcome. 
• All students should be prepared for class, every lesson by bringing a scientific calculator, notebook, stationary and a charged laptop. Please support your students to be prepared for learning to ensure we can maximise our teaching & learning time. 

Haranoop Singh Goraya

Acting Head of Department - Mathematics - Year 9A to 9D

hsgor0@eq.edu.au 

Ellen Grant

Head of Department - Science - Year 8F to 8I 

egran55@eq.edu.au

Humanities

Term Three has been, and always will be the biggest term in the school calendar, and 2023 did not disappoint! We have had excursions, extra-curricular activities and memorials to attend, as well as our normal core business of learning! Here are just two of the exciting activities that have taken place this term. 

Box Flat Memorial

Earlier this term, the Ignite and Humanities students were given an opportunity to help commemorate the Box Flat Mining disaster. Coal mining has been an important part of Ipswich's history for many years. The Box Flat mining disaster on 31 July 1972 claimed 17 lives, with an 18^th man passing away in 1974 due to the injuries he received that day. This accident impacted many families throughout the Ipswich region. Our students joined the community to commemorate those lives lost 51 years ago.

During the ceremony, students raised banners in memory of the miners and later spent time with their colleagues and families, gaining a deeper understanding of both the incident itself and how the impacts were felt by families and the community. It was an honour to share in such an important occasion. It was also lovely to see the students interact with those who survived.

Archaeology Club

Has been running again weekly at lunch times. Students have been learning the basic skills of excavating, one of the core requirements for an archaeologist. Once they have these skills mastered, they will be moving onto a real project-based excavation. Students are enjoying this lunch time activity, as they engage in hands-on activities, and learn the valuable skills of historical understanding and significance.

As Term 3 draws to a close, we need to remember that there are only just over 10 weeks of school left until we greet 2024, I wish everyone a safe, healthy and well-earned holiday break.

Cecilia Hall

Head of Department - Humanities and Languages - Year 9E to 9G

chall213@eq.edu.au

Japanese - いそがしい　です！

Year 7 and 8 classes have been extra busy (いそがしい) with filming in the green screen room, creating role plays and cooking obento meals. The students cherished the experience of planning, and then cooking in the school kitchen with Ms Montel. The increased popularity of bento and its term can be traced back to the 12^th Century when cooked and dried rice was transported to be carried to work. To follow on with their assessments of obento traditions, Year 8 shared their presentations in 日本語. Additionally, some groups will enter their role plays in the short film competition in September which is promoted by the Japan Foundation: https://jpf.org.au/language/for-learners/contests/video-matsuri/

Year 7 students also contributed to celebrate National Tree Day by planting a number of native Australian trees to provide future shade and habitat for native wildlife and to make our gardens aesthetically beautiful and relaxing for their emotional and mental wellbeing.

On the 9^th August, the Year 9 Japanese class attended Movie World’s Tourism – Today and Tomorrow lecture, and they learnt that at Australian theme parks, 96 staff speak two or more languages. Sea World and Movie World are the bigger parks for Japanese and international tourists. The students were encouraged to know that they are at an advantage for interviews in jobs because they are learning a second language. Other attributes taught to the students are that a big smile and a guest service focus, punctuality and reliability are also key requirements for all positions. The Year 9s have completed terrific assessments and if you would like to compete in a sugoroku game, they are keen to compete!

Congratulations to the 100 participants in several languages including Japanese who entered the recent Education Perfect Languages Competition from August 7^th – 11^th. There were 17 awards given to our students during Junior Assembly on 28^th August. Special congratulations to Athish (Year 7) Emerald, Shaylee (Year 7) Gold, and Ella (Year 8) Silver! Well done to everyone who participated!

The trip to Japan in April 2025 is organised to include stops in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima and will include a homestay. We will be expecting deposits in March next year, for families who would like their child to travel. We will keep you posted with more details soon!

Georgina Wellwood

Japanese Teacher

gawel0@eq.edu.au

Create for a day is back at SAE!

Back by popular demand, SAE is hosting another full day workshop, open to all high school students.

CREATE FOR A DAY

When: Saturday September 9, 2023

Time: 10am - 4pm

Due to the success of our April workshops, SAE is opening its doors once again this September for Create for a day, a one-day program to expand your skills and get you working on inspiring creative projects in the fields of Animation, Audio, Design, Film, Games, and Music.

Are you creatively inclined and thinking about studying creative media?

Then don’t miss out on the chance to experience life as an SAE student and discover what it means to be a creative professional in state-of-the-art facilities, with industry experts by your side.

On the day, attendees will learn valuable practical and collaborative skills as they work towards building a creative piece of work. They will also receive a certificate of participation to acknowledge the creative project they have undertaken.

Due to the tertiary level of the workshop content, this event is open to anyone aged 15 yrs and above (Year 10 and over).

All workshop types run at the same time, therefore only one workshop type can be attended by an individual.

Create for a Day is running at all SAE’s campuses so be sure to select the right one when purchasing your ticket!

Cost: $25 per person

*Tickets are limited, don’t miss out!

GET YOUR TICKETS!

https://sae.edu.au/event/create-for-a-day-at-sae/

 

Lorinda Stiles

Head of Department - Creative Industries and Food Studies - Year 8A to 8E
lstil21@eq.edu.au

DANCE

Dance Academy

Our Academy students are prepping for their final Eisteddfod of the year. Next week they will compete at the Lockyer District Dancing Festival. They will perform their Contemporary and Jazz routines all of which have been taught and rehearsed in class time. Dance Academy doesn't require any additional commitment time outside of class other than our four eisteddfod days (two in term two and two in term three). Our program is designed to be delivered in three x 70 minute curriculum lessons per week. Our final trial for this year is on Friday 8th September so if your child is interested in a 2024 Dance Academy position please ensure you complete the EOI form by clicking this link. https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/499

If you would like any further information then please email Miss Starkey - Head of Department Performing Arts on jxsta12@eq.edu.au

7 Dance

Students have been busy learning technical and expressive skills for their upcoming performance task! With their assessment coming up early term 4, students have gradually started performing in front of their peers.

With remarkable courage, they have been taking to the stage to showcase their talents, inspiring and captivating their peers in the process. The impact of these performances extends beyond the applause and cheers that follow. As these young students captivate their audience, they ignite a spark of inspiration among their peers. Witnessing fellow Year 7 students command the stage fosters a sense of unity, encouragement, and shared enthusiasm. The performances serve as a reminder that the journey through high school is not just about academic growth but also about developing one's passions and nurturing a well-rounded personality.

9 Dance

Our year 9 Dance students have finalised their theory assessment task! Students were required to write a blog piece which responded to the musical theatre routine "Revolting Children" from the stage show "Matilda." In this task students were taught the skills of analysis and evaluation which can be easily transferred to their other subjects. Moving forwards, they will be working on their performance piece. A musical theatre routine to Sparkling Diamonds from Moulin Rouge.

10 Dance

Year 10 students have recently embarked on their 2nd choreography task for the year.  Students are required to portray their chosen social issue in their piece with the use of a costume and prop. Most students were brave and opted to do this task as a solo! The creativity behind their ideas and communication in their planning sheet were both innovate and thought provoking. I can't wait to see their pieces come to life over the next few weeks.

11 Dance

Year 11 Dance students have been working very hard on their Dance Film Clip project. This project saw students choreographing their own Hip Hop dance routines, teaching this to a group of selected students, filming on locations, editing and presenting this as a multimodal presentation with choreographic intent and an analysis of choreographic problems. Once this task is complete, students will be moving into evaluation of contemporary performance.

Junior and Senior Dance Squad

Dance Squad are off to their final eisteddfod for the year at Gatton Shire Hall on the 8th of September. A big congratulations to all the dancers and their teachers for their remarkable achievements thus far! It is sad to see the competitive year coming to a close.

 As the cheers from the Eisteddfod still echo in the air, our Dance Squad is already setting their sights on the next exciting endeavour – the upcoming showcase event! Mark your calendars for 13th of October as our dancers take the stage once again to present a mesmerising performance that promises to be an enchanting blend of artistry and passion.

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the showcase date. We can't wait to see you there, supporting and celebrating the incredible journey of our Dance Squad members. Let's continue to show our unwavering support for these dedicated young performers!

DRAMA

8 Drama

Well done to Year 8 Drama students, who created realistic and dynamic characters in their Indigenous Theatre performances of the play "Honey Spot". Now, they tackle a new challenge – critical reflection. Students will analyse and evaluate their own performances, considering how the Elements of Drama were used to communicate a key message for the audience. These reflections will help the students improve their acting skills in preparation for Term Four!

9 Drama

Congratulations to our Year 9 Drama students who have completed Part A of their melodrama unit. Exploring the conventions of this theatre style, students successfully devised and created a performance which engaged an audience of their peers. They have now moved on to Part B of their assessment, which requires students to analyse a melodramatic work and successfully answer relevant questions.

11 Drama

After creating their own directorial vision of 'Jasper Jones' to engage audiences in deeper meaning about our society, our Year 11 Drama students are moving into a practical component. Drama students will create a polished performance of one of their directorial visions, bringing their dynamic ideas to life. Genuine emotion and three-dimensional characters will collide with supernatural and gothic elements in this hybrid performance. Drama-in-Practice students will be bringing their unique visions to life by directing their peers in presenting their excerpt in the most impactful way. The end of this term will be an exciting one with directorial prowess and engaging acting taking over our Drama room!

Drama Troupe

Our Drama Troupe members have been enjoying the wacky world of Commedia Dell' Arte! Students have their ensemble groups and they have chosen their favourite characters in preparation for our Showcase improvisation performances. Playing with exaggeration and quirky characterisation with these larger-than-life roles has led to a laughter-filled rehearsal room! Now that students are familiar with their characters, they will begin mastering one of the most challenging components of this style – mask skills. Just as exaggerated as the roles, these masks are funny and even sometimes grotesque, bringing these extraordinary characters to life!

MUSIC

7 Music

In Year 7 Music, students are continuing to work hard and rehearse their pieces before their task is due! Students have engaged with a wide variety of music genres and instruments, and have been also busy learning about the elements of music and reflecting on how musical artists manipulate the elements of music to create meaning.

This week will be filled with rehearsals, and Mr Coles and Mr Turner are very excited to hear the progress of our students in their finals next week!

9 Music

The room is noisy and the students are happy – Its Prac time in Grade 9 music! Students have been learning about the fundamentals of their chosen instrument and what it means to learn music from scratch to a fluent and cohesive performance. From Slow is smooth and smooth is fast - to inspiring quotes, students are understanding the work ethic, dedication and 21^st century skills required to play an instrument.  A quote and philosophy we have taken to heart this term is the stonecutters progress. Sometimes we don't always see the progress we are making however with consistent effort we know one day we will achieve our goals.

For the remainder of the term students will begin working on their performance task with first check in draft in week 10, with final submission due week 2 term 4.

11 Music

Senior General music is considering the social, political and cultural identities and how they can be represented in music! All students are dutifully completing their largest assessment to date and the work coming out of the classroom has been outstanding. It is fantastic seeing all the aspects of the project coming together and we look forward to seeing all the presentations next week.

Music in practice is also examining identity however taking a more intrinsic approach. Students are examining who they are as a person and how music can be selected, learned and customised to represent who they are and who they want to be as a performer. There are lots of great performance progress all around the room and seeing students deeply consider aspects of their performance craft has been exceptional to see. In Practice students will be performing start of week 10.

Instrumental

It’s the final countdown and all steam ahead for instrumental music. Showcase is the 13^th of October and instrumental performances have reached a new level of difficulty and complexity than all years prior. Our students have had outstanding dedication towards their performances and both Mr Ezzy and Mr Johnstone as appreciative of their efforts. Most students in the program will be performing upwards of 7 different pieces in showcase and we ask parents and carers for their support just in case you hear the same song numerous times at home in the lead up to showcase. A lot of the pieces in 2023 are tricky to put together and often will be unachievable if students are not confident in their individual parts before rehearsal. In the coming week extra rehearsals may be called to finalise and polish the performances. These will be communicated well in advance with families through email.

Certificate III Community Dance Theatre and Events

In 2024 we will be introducing the Certificate III Community Dance, Theatre and events. It is a flexible arts subject that covers a broad range of jobs and skills in the creative industries. Despite the title, any Performing Arts skill may be focussed on as the course is tailored to the individual. This certificate covers Dance, Music and Drama at an industry level. Students may dance, sing, act, compose music, play an instrument, write scripts, design lighting, sound or sets, choreograph, direct or a unique combination of many skills.

Students will hone their chosen craft, while working together on performance events. Students will be responsible for the creation, ticketing and marketing of their annual event. This may be a showcase of their combined skills, a play, a charity fundraising performance or a musical. From the budgeting and costuming to the food and venue, the possibilities for their events are endless. Each cohort of students makes these choices with the guidance of their teacher and through experiences with outside industry professionals.

Through this course, students grow as individual entrepreneurial artists while learning to work collaboratively on events. The skills gained in their own craft, knowledge of event management and networking make this certificate a great choice for any student looking to turn their passion for performance into transferable and employable skills.

For more information about this new subject, please email Miss O'Neill at
krone0@eq.edu.au

Vocal Ensemble

The RVSSC Vocal Ensemble is gearing up for their spectacular finale of the year, as they prepare to take the stage for four more remarkable performances. Throughout the year, their hard work and dedication have lead to a remarkable growth in both their singing technique and confidence.

From the beginning of their journey, the ensemble has embraced challenges with unwavering enthusiasm, resulting in a refined and harmonious sound that showcases their commitment to excellence.

As the final performances draw near, the ensemble is set to leave their mark. From the Annual Showcase to the Jacaranda Festival, Awards Night to the Remembrance Day ceremony, their harmonious melodies will resonate with audiences across various settings.

The RVSSC Vocal Ensemble's yearlong journey is a testament to the transformative power of music, celebrating growth, dedication, and the joy of creating art together. As they approach the end of this chapter, their story of musical triumphs have made our college proud.

Showcase

This event is a fantastic way for our whole community to come together. In particular our staff are very excited. Here's a sneak peek of what we've been working on in the background....

A reminder ALL showcase performers are required to attend a rehearsal on the 7^th of September from 3pm – 5pm  (Thursday Wk9) to learn the finale routine. Please meet at the Raptordome at 2:50pm in full sports uniform. Attendance is mandatory. Please contact Miss Doorley, Ms Starkey or Mrs Dixon if you are unable to attend ASAP.

Additional upcoming rehearsals:

ALL performers tech run Thursday October 5^th 3pm- 5pm

ALL performers full show run through Saturday October 7^th 8am – 12pm

Selected performances extra rehearsal Thursday October 12^th 3pm - 5pm

Tickets go on sale – 11^th of September at 10am!

Jessica Starkey

Head of Department - Performing Arts

Head of Year 7E to 7H

jxsta12@eq.edu.au

James Gerchow

Acting Head of Department - VET and Digital Technology - Year 11

jgerc6@eq.du.au

Janet Ingram

Guidance Officer

studentservices@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au 

VIETNAM VETERANS' DAY 50th ANNIVERSARY

2023 marks fifty years since the official withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam in 1973.  

The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in August of 1962 was the beginning of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War.

60,000 Aussie troops served in Vietnam. Of those who served, 3,000 were wounded or fell ill and, sadly, 521 lost their lives.

Two Defence students, Adison Bott and Travis McDougall, laid a wreath on behalf of the Ripley Valley SSC at the Vietnam Veterans' Day commemoration which was held at the Honour Stone at the Ipswich RSL Sub Branch.   

Among the notable dignitaries and guest speakers from the Ipswich Vietnamese community, was the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.  Mr Albanese gave a speech where he issued the formal apology.  He then took some time to speak with Defence students who were attending the service and to pose for a quick photo.

The commemoration was followed by a march through Ipswich.  Veterans were joined by current serving ADF members, students from local Ipswich schools and Defence Cadets.

Vietnam Veterans’ Day is a day that allows us to pay the respects that Vietnam vets were often denied, but always deserved.

Lest we forget.

AVCAT SCHOLARSHIPS

Australian Veterans Children's Assistance Trust (AVCAT) scholarships open from Vietnam Veterans’ Day, 18th August, and close 31st October and are valued between $4000-$6000 per year, up to 3 years for Vietnam Veterans' children and grandchildren. For eligibility and more info, visit

https://avcat.org.au/scholarships/ 

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.

For more information on the Defence School Mentor Program at RVSSC, please contact Tracey Cooper at tcoop203@eq.edu.au or call 3819 5333.

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.

You can find more information on the Defence School Mentor Program at:

https://defence.gov.au/members-families/Family/kids/education.asp

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

Hi Sports Fans, 

Sport has mostly wrapped up for the year, however there are still a few things going on.

Districts

Firstly, congratulations to all athletes who competed at the Met West athletics carnival this week. Results should be published over the weekend. 

CBSQ Senior Boys Basketball 

Our senior boys CBSQ team recently competed in the wildcard competition to get into CBSQ. They fought their way to the finals day, however got knocked out in their final match. The boys should be proud of their efforts and we cant wait to see them compete again next year. A huge thank you to Mr Shaw and Ms Rizvanovic for all their work in coaching these boys. 

RAD

RAD is a general fitness program that we run at the college. RAD continues to run three sessions a week:

• Tuesday morning 7:15am – 8:10am
• Wednesday afternoon 3pm – 4pm
• Thursday afternoon 3pm – 4pm

There is no sign up process for RAD, just show up and start training! It is held in the college gym, located in the rooms closest to the undercover carpark near the oval. Remember to check Daymap for any changes to sessions throughout the week. 

If you have any question about the above please contact Justin Clifford at jclif117@eq.edu.au or contact the front office.

Justin Clifford

Sports Co-ordinator

jcliff117@eq.edu.au 

REMINDER - OUR CANTEEN IS CASHLESS!!!

On-line Ordering System for the Canteen 

The canteen is a cashless facility, with on-line ordering available.

How to:

• Order from the menu on the MSA ordering system (see link below)
• Top up your students card so they purchase at the canteen directly, using their barcode in their diary.