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- Industrial Design Technologies
- Performing Arts
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- Student Services - Guidance Officer & HOD Diverse Learners Grade 7 - 9
- Student Services - Guidance Officers Grade 10 - 12
- Student Wellbeing - Chaplain and YSC
- Defence News
- Uniform Shop - Copy
- Community Notices
- Upcoming Events
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we start a new school year, I want to extend a warm welcome back to all our new and existing students and families. I hope you had a restful and enjoyable break, and that you are feeling rejuvenated for the exciting year ahead.
This year promises to be full of new opportunities, challenges, and successes. Our commitment to fostering an environment where each student can learn, grow and thrive remains stronger than ever. Together, we will continue to nurture academic excellence, character development, and a sense of community that makes our school a special place.
I encourage you to stay engaged with your child's education, whether through supporting their classroom efforts, participating in school events, or simply fostering a growth mindset at home. Our partnership is key to helping every student reach their full potential and fulfilling our school motto of "Achieving Excellence Together".
Let’s make this year a memorable one, full of achievements, resilience, and progress. Throughout 2025 our college will embark on our biggest building program since 2020 with our Stage 3 building works commencing in Mid-February. For those who would like a sneak peek at the planned works I have included the preliminary plans for your perusal.
Once again, I look forward to leading our college into another great year.
Yours Sincerely,
Brendan Krueger
Foundation Principal
Uniform Expectations
- Hair below shoulder length is to be tied back
- Nails are to be natural colouring and no longer than 5mm
- Bracelets, Bangles, Anklets and Facial Piercings are not permitted
- Earrings must be small studs or sleepers and no more than 2 per ear
Assessment Planner
All students will receive a hard copy of their Assessment Planner during Week 4. The Assessment Planner outlines all assignments and exams that are to be completed during Semester One. A new assessment planner is issued each Semester, when students are completing new elective subjects.
I encourage you to put this on the fridge when it comes home and help your child organise themselves during the busy assessment period at the end of Term. Information about individual assessment tasks is available to parents/carers and students via Daymap.
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to another wonderful year at Ripley Valley State Secondary College! I hope that you all enjoyed a relaxing break and have returned excited and energised for the year ahead. To our new Year 7 students, I hope that your transition to High School has positive, and that you are starting to find your place with the College. Remember to seek help if you need it by asking one of the many friendly staff who are here to support you.
The first week has already involved a myriad of different events and activities to start the year – and several more are on the horizon. Our first day back was marked by our Welcome Parade, where we greeted new staff and students to the College, and distributed Senior Jerseys to our Year 12 students. Thanks to all those parents and special guests who attended and helped to celebrate this important event in our school calendar.
Throughout the first week all students were inducted into the Ripley Way – unpacking our expectations and processes, as well as our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Perseverance.
The end of the week will culminate in House Day, where students will develop their sense of belonging and competitive House spirit by participating in a range of House based events and activities. Students were also introduced to their Year Level Teams, including their Deputy Principal, Heads of Department and Year Level Coordinators. The contact details for these Year Level Teams are provided below for your convenience. Please feel free to reach out to us as you need.
Year 7 Team
Year 8 Team
Upcoming Events in Term 1
- School Photos: On Friday 14th February all students will have their photos taken in the RaptorDome. Please ensure you are familiar with the uniform, jewellery and makeup policy prior to this day. Students should have received their order forms when they got their diaries this week as part of their induction.
- Student Leadership Investiture: On Monday 24th February all student leaders will be inducted into their positions as part of our Investiture Ceremony. This will involve House Captains, Junior School Captains and Vice-Captains, Peer Mentors, and all other members of the Student Representative Council (SRC). Year 7 students will be given the opportunity to apply for SRC positions over the next few weeks, and further information will be sent home regarding this process and event.
- End of Term Rewards Day: On Friday 4th April (last day of Term 1) students will have the opportunity to participate in the Rewards Trip. Information regarding this event will be discussed on parades and will be sent home throughout the Term. In order to qualify students must have maintained the following throughout the Term:
- 95% Attendance
- No Suspensions and no more than 2 Administrative Detentions
- Completed all assessment
Finally, I wish all students an enjoyable and rewarding start to the year and hope that you are able to achieve you goals and New Year resolutions. I look forward to working with you and your child in 2025 and celebrating their successes throughout the year.
Dear Parent/Carer,
Welcome to the start of 2025 and I hope your holiday season was both enjoyable and relaxing. As our College continues to grow we find ourselves each year looking at the path ahead with excitement and enthusiasm.
As we set our sights towards 2025, I want to firstly congratulate our first graduating cohort of 2024. After working with these students for the past 3 years, it was strange walking in to the school and not seeing their familiar faces. As results and data has been released over the holidays, I'd like to take a moment to share some of the highlights for our graduation cohort.
- 100% of students achieved their QCE
- 100% students completed a Cert II or higher
- Of those students who shared their ATAR with us
- 35% received an ATAR of greater than 80 (these students were in the top 20% of the State)
- 13% received an ATAR of greater than 90
- 1 student within the top 3% of the state
- 50% of students applied for Tertiary Study through QTAC with 34% choosing Health related courses
- 91% of students received a QTAC offer in the first round
Whether our students are on an ATAR pathway, undertaking vocational training at school or with an external provider, participating in our Health Academy or participating in school-based apprenticeships or traineeships, they are afforded opportunities to chase their dreams and passions. These diverse and varied pathways aren’t possible without the countless hours of work completed by teachers and support staff to plan and prepare these classes. As such, a huge thank you must go to all the teachers and staff who have been involved in planning and preparing for this phase of our students’ educational journey.
As I met with our year 11 and 12 students this week, I encouraged them to continue to work on being the best version of themselves and to decide what are the "hard" things they are going to tackle this year. In his speech at Rice University, John F Kennedy states "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too". My challenge to our students was to think of the hard things they are going to tackle this year. To think on the habits they want to set, the goals they want to achieve and to then set about making a plan to achieve them. It is easy to put something in the too hard basket, it takes determination, perseverance and courage to work toward achieving our goals.
As we head in to 2024, I look forward to continuing to work with the year 11 and 12 students and their families to help them achieve the hard things throughout their senior journey.
Kind regards,
Todd Robson
Deputy Principal - Year 11 & Year 12 - Pathways & Partnerships
- Hair below shoulder length is to be tied up (no half-up, half-down).
- Nails are to be natural colouring and no longer than 5mm.
- Earrings are restricted to 2 per ear and should be simple sleepers or studs only.
- No facial piercings are permitted. If they have a facial piercing this should be changed to a clear piercing or covered.
- Bracelets, bangles and anklets are not permitted (except medical alert bracelets)
Senior Uniform Specifics
- The Style One Shirt (long tie version) is to be worn tucked in and with a belt. The tie must be worn
- Belts are to be plain black with a standard silver buckle
- Students can choose to wear the House Uniform on Wednesday's. This includes: house shirt, sport shorts (junior uniform), navy socks, black leather shoes.
- Students participating in practical subjects (e.g. HPE) are permitted to change into their sport uniform (junior uniform), but only for the duration of this lesson.
All information about the College's uniform policy can be found on Page 26 - 30 of the student diary and on our College website.
Tess Reeves
For many new parents/carers entering the forever moving world of Ripley, thank you for choosing our College as a place of education for your child.
Excellence Academy Trial Days:
Students who are interesting in applying to participate in one of the Excellence Academies can do so via the link below:
Year 9 PPP:
Year Level Structures:
Every student at the College is a part of a Year Level Structure that helps support the student in many aspects, these covers:
- support student wellbeing
- complex case management
- major, minor behaviour referrals
- suspensions
- monitor student outcomes
- track academic, behaviour, attendance student data
- referral to student support services (SSS) team
Head of Department - Junior Secondary - Year 7A to 7E
2025 Student Resource Scheme (SRS)
Attached are the SRS parent information letters for each year level which outline the inclusions and cost of the 2025 SRS.
Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9
The invoices for the 2025 SRS will be emailed to all families by Friday the 7th February, 2025. These invoices will be for the full amount payable for the year ($690 for Year 7,8 & 9). Payment plans are available and instructions to make payments are outlined in the "Payment Options" section below. Your payment plan can be set up once the invoices have been generated.
If you have elected to pay in 3 instalments, payments of $230 are due as follows
- 1st instalment due Friday the 21st February
- 2nd instalment due Friday the 16th May
- 3rd instalment due Friday the 15th of August
Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12
The invoices for the 2025 SRS will be emailed to all families by Friday the 21st February, 2025. These invoices will be for the SRS base amount of $600. Subject fees will be invoiced separately for each of the elective subjects that the students have selected. These fees are outlined in the SRS Parent Information letters attached below. Payment plans are available and will be able to be set up once the invoices have been generated.
If you have opted to pay the SRS by term instalments, electives are all due by the end of term 1 then instalments of $300 will be due on:
- Electives due by Friday 4th April 2025
- 2nd Instalment ($300) due by Friday 16th May
- 3rd Instalment ($300) due by Friday 15th August
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 PaymentPlan@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 ($27.60 over 25 weeks) or fortnightly ($57.50 over 12 fortnights).
Centrepay Deduction - Payment by Centrepay deduction can also be arranged through Administration.
Michelle Mills
Business Manager
It is with great excitement that I introduce myself as the Acting Head of Teaching and Learning at Ripley Valley State Secondary College. This is my fourth year as part of this vibrant and forward-thinking school community, and I am delighted to be in a role that allows me to champion teaching and learning as the cornerstone of all we do.
As we begin this new year, it has been wonderful to welcome a significant number of enthusiastic beginning teachers to our school. These educators have already demonstrated their passion for learning and their commitment to fostering positive relationships with the young people in their classes. Their dedication is evident as they engage in extensive professional development sessions, equipping them with the tools and strategies necessary for a successful start to their teaching journey. The energy and fresh perspectives that our beginning teachers bring will undoubtedly enrich our learning community and inspire our students to achieve their best.
In addition to the exciting work happening in our classrooms, we are also preparing for our year 7 and 9 students to participate in NAPLAN this term (mid-March). Teachers and students are working together to build confidence and readiness, ensuring a positive and productive experience. More information will be communicated to parents / carers in the coming weeks.
The year ahead promises to be filled with growth, engagement and success. I look forward to working alongside our talented teaching team and engaging with our wonderful students and families to continue building on Ripley Valley’s strong foundation of excellence.
Thank you for the warm welcome, and I look forward to an inspiring and productive year ahead.
Head of Department - Teaching and Learning
Jocelyn McLeod
The English faculty extends a ‘very warm’ (pun intended on this sweltering first week back) welcome to our college community.
After a long break, we are all ready to meet our new classes and get straight to work. We have a number of new units to teach across the junior school as we continue our implementation of version 9 of the Australian Curriculum.
As our college continues to grow, so are the subjects our faculty is offering this year. 2025 sees the addition of Literature for our Year 11 cohort.
With this growth, we also welcome a number of new staff to our very talented and dedicated team; Mrs Petersen, Ms Rook, Mr Doherty and Ms Jones.
Mrs Petersen
I am an experienced senior teacher and I pride myself on my honest approach to teaching. I am a seasoned traveller and have taught in London. I enjoy engaging students with stories from my travels, while educating them on the wonderful world in which we all share. I am a proud mom of two amazing, tiny, humans who I am only *slightly* obsessed with. I am grateful to be a part of the Ripley Valley State Secondary College community and I am looking forward to a wonderful year.
Ms Rook
My name is Maddy Rook and I am part of the Turn to Teaching program, this means I am finishing my last year of my Masters of Teaching whilst teaching at the same time. At Ripley I am teaching English, which I am super excited about. Prior to ‘turning to teach’ I studied psychology and justice at QUT and worked in IT.
The year is already off to a busy start in the English faculty, with our Year 12 students diving straight into their first assessment tasks. Across all year levels, students are engaging with texts, developing their writing skills, and exploring ideas that will challenge and inspire them.
We look forward to working together to support every student in their learning journey this year. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Ms Jasmine Diesing
Head Of Department | English | Year 10A to 10C
Welcome to 2025 school year!
This year we are also excited to welcome a number of new staff to our team - Mr Eli Hyde, Mr Joe Skerman, Mr David Lin, Ms Tommii Keating, Ms Maria Pacis and Mr Joshua Smith.
The Mathematics department has high expectations from all students to come prepared to every lesson. Students will require the following equipment in Mathematics:
- All students MUST have their own scientific calculator. This is so they can become familiar with how to accurately use their specific device ahead of assessments.
- Notebooks and general stationary will be required every lesson. The nature of writing mathematical formulae mean that laptops are not as suitable as a good old notebook and pen and these will be required every lesson.
- Year 7 Math Enrichment - all Year 7 students must have an additional notebook that they use during Math Enrichment lessons.
- Charged laptops - please support your child/ren to ensure they establish routines for charging their laptop overnight.
Homework Policy
All students in years 7 - 12 will be receiving weekly homework tasks through Maths Online. Every student will be receiving a login and password for the Maths Online platform. Parents/carers are encouraged to check their child's MOL account every week to track their progress in Mathematics. Students have the ability to extend themselves or review previous years content to fill in any gaps in learning.
Maths Tutoring
Maths tutoring will be available for all students on Tuesdays (first break) and Thursdays (second break) in C01 from weeks 3-9 each term. Senior students are encouraged to come along and tutor juniors.
I encourage all students to actively engage in classroom activities and ask questions. Wishing everyone another successful year!
Haranoop Singh Goraya
Head of Department - Mathematics - Year 10A to 10D
The Science faculty are so excited to be beginning the 2025 school year! We are all looking forward to getting to know the students in our classes this week.
Our Year 7 students will be diving straight in and studying Chemistry. They will be learning about all the different types of equipment we use in secondary school laboratories and use these to separate mixtures of solutions. They’ve been excited to use Bunsen Burners in their first week!
Year 8 students will be exploring Earth Science and exploring Rocks and Tectonic Plate movements. They are first off with assessments this year, with a short exam in Week 4.
Year 9 students will start the year with Physics and learn about how energy transfers through different mediums. They will be the first complete to complete a dissection this year, with bovine eyeballs helping students investigate light waves and lenses. Shout out to the science teachers for wrangling a dissection into a Physics unit!
Each year level will have an assignment and further details on these tasks will be published on Daymap shortly.
In Year 10, Applied Science students will be exploring Chemistry focussing on Rates of Reaction in practical contexts. Biology students are diving deep into understanding cells and function while Chemistry students will be exploring the chemical and physical properties of the elements on the Periodic Table, Physics students will be looking at Newton's Laws and Forces while Psychology are focussing on Ethics.
This week all classes will cover a safety induction in the laboratory and teachers will address the classroom rules that we follow in order to prevent accidents or injury when conducting experiment. Students will be asked to wear aprons and safety googles, tie their hair up and be respectful and listening while at work benches.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your student's classroom teacher or myself.
Kevin Campbell
Head of Department - Science & Year 10 D,E,F
JAPANESE
Hosting a Japanese student in your home through an Australian homestay program offers a unique opportunity for both your family and the visiting student to experience new cultures, build lifelong friendships, and enhance global understanding. It provides teenagers with the chance to practice language skills, gain international perspectives, and develop a deeper appreciation for diversity. For parents, it's a chance to enrich your home environment while helping to shape the future of young global citizens. Join this exciting cultural exchange and open the doors to new experiences for your family in Term 3 of 2025!
Georgina Wellwood Emmalene Stevens
Japanese Teacher Japanese Teacher
Welcome to an Exciting Year in Design Technologies!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to another exciting year in Design Technologies! We are thrilled to embark on a journey of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning with our students. This year, our faculty is committed to delivering engaging learning experiences that align with the Australian Curriculum while fostering essential design and technology skills.
Our junior students will have the opportunity to explore a range of exciting projects, including:
- Wooden Toys & Sheet Metal Tool boxes – Developing an understanding of materials, sustainability, and traditional craftsmanship.
- F1 Cars – Using CAD software to design, test, and refine aerodynamics in a dynamic engineering project.
- Laser Cutting – Learning precision manufacturing techniques through hands-on projects that build practical skills.
These experiences provide a strong foundation for students to develop essential design thinking, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities. They also serve as stepping stones into our senior pathways, where students can engage in General and Applied Syllabus subjects leading to careers in design, engineering, and trade industries.
Beyond technical skills, our program emphasises real-world experiences, helping students understand industry practices and career opportunities. By combining creativity with hands-on learning, we aim to inspire the next generation of designers, engineers, and tradespeople.
We look forward to an exciting year of innovation and learning. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Parent Permission
At Ripley Valley State Secondary College, we take the safety and wellbeing of our students seriously. To ensure students can participate safely in Design and Technology activities, we require parent/guardian consent before they can use certain equipment, this permission form also includes access to online Safety Training Program Onguard, which we use for all students safety induction.
Please access this link for to sign the electronic consent form:
https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/886
We appreciate your support in ensuring a safe and engaging learning environment for all student's. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
New Staff Introduction
Ms. Nicole Heard
Visual Arts and Design is a passion of mine since as long as I can remember. I have worked in the creative industry as graphic designer, marketing coordinator, multimedia developer, animator and illustrator for over 20+ years, while still maintaining a personal passion in the Visual Arts with drawing, paintings, sculptures, with a focus on various printmaking techniques (etching, lino, cooper mezzotint, wood lithography, screen printing and traditional Japanese Mockahunga) exhibiting locally in Gladstone, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Toowoomba. I love travelling and have lived in London for a few years in my youth and on weekends I enjoy gardening growing native plants and keeping native bees, photography and sailing (plus other activities). I look forward to working at Ripley Valley SSC in 2025 and getting to know each of you and the school community. Wishing you all a wonderful and safe holiday.
EOI Go Kart Extra- Curriculum Program
Calling all senior students - if you are interested in building and racing a Go Kart this year we invite you to complete the expression of interest form below. https://ripleyvalleyssc.schoolzineplus.com/form/891
If you have any questions, please see Mr Clarke or Mr Philips
Head of Department - Design Technologies - Year 8F to 8J
Welcome to Performing Arts in 2025!
As we enter a new schooling year, I would like to take the opportunity to re-introduce our team to the community.
Jason Coles - Music
Tina Dixon - Dance and Drama
Damika Doorley - Dance Academy Coordinator and Dance
Dale Ezzy - Instrumental Music Coordinator & Classroom Music
Tommii Keating - Cheer Coach
Jocelyn McLeod - Drama
Kiera-lee O'Neil: Drama and Dance
Jenna Park: Strings
Dave Turner: Music and Drama
I have the pleasure of leading this team in the Head of Department Performing Arts role. My main teaching area is Dance but I have a passion for all of the performing arts subjects and I am particularly passionate about productions that span across the 3 subject's areas.
With the Performing Arts Centre now in its second year, we’re ready to build on the excitement and success of 2024 to create even more opportunities for creativity, connection, and celebration.
This year, we are thrilled to announce our school’s first-ever musical production, Legally Blonde, coming to the PAC stage in October 2025! Our talented students and staff are already buzzing with ideas, and we can’t wait to showcase the energy, humour, and heart of this iconic show. We have a packed audition schedule that kicks off next week. Please see times below.
DANCE auditions
Tuesday Week 2 - 4th February
7am in the PAC
All Dance positions - featured and massed
Please note that these auditions are combined with our Dance Squad auditions
LEAD roles
Thursday Week 2 - 6th February
3pm - 5pm in the PAC
Please access audition packs from student SharePoint
LEAD roles
Thursday Week 3 - 13th February
3pm - 5pm in the PAC
Please access audition packs from student SharePoint
VOCAL auditions
Friday Week 2 - 7th February
7.30am in the PAC
Chorus positions
Please note that these auditions are combined with our Vocal Ensemble auditions
Beyond the musical, 2025 will feature a packed calendar of performances, workshops, and showcases across dance, drama, and music. From student-led performances to community collaborations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We’re particularly excited to expand opportunities for families to engage with the arts, so keep an eye out for our new family workshops and special events.
Of course, this year we will also be offering a variety of Extra-curricular opportunities for your children. These include:
DANCE
Dance Squad
Cheer
DRAMA
Drama Troupe
MUSIC
Vocal ensemble
Stage Band
Concert Band
Drumline
Percussion Ensemble
If your child is interested in getting involved in one of our extra-curricular programs then please ensure they listen out to student notices in week one to find out how they can join one of these groups. Some of our representative teams use an audition-based process to select students while other groups are an open invitation.
Drama Troupe Auditions
Thursday and Friday week 2 Feb 6th and Feb 7th
Second break in the PAC.
Performing Arts is all about storytelling, self-expression, and connection—and your involvement plays a huge role in creating a vibrant arts community. Whether you’re cheering from the audience, volunteering your time, or encouraging your child to take the stage, we deeply value your support.
Here’s to a year filled with creativity, passion, and memories that will last a lifetime. Let’s make 2025 the best year yet for the Performing Arts at RVSSC!
Jessica Starkey
Head of Department - Performing Arts - Year 8E - 8H
Sam Watt
Head of Department - Health - Year 9F to 9I
Welcome to the 2025 Sporting year, my name is Ben Sharma and I will be taking over the Sports Co-ordinator role from Justin Clifford in 2025. I have been at the school since its inception in 2020 and spent the past three years developing and running the Football Academy.
Please see below for information regarding sporting opportunities across term 1, 2025. All the information here will also appear on Daymap. Please make sure your students read it and nominate for events before the cut-off dates to avoid the disappointed of missing out on sports. We are also bound by cut-off dates from various sporting bodies and have no flexibility ourselves.
Yagera Sport – Summer Season
Yagera is our inter-school sports district and involves 8 other schools from the local area participating in one Gala Day per sport. This year students can choose to trial from a long list of team sports for the summer season. If there is a sport that doesn’t appear on the current list, it will likely occur during the winter season. Yagera sports are open to all students, not just those involved with academy programs.
If you would like to put your name down to trial for a sport, or find out more information, please click on the link here https://forms.office.com/r/ytTKbARVfT (the link will close at midnight on Friday, 31 January)
Below you can see the upcoming tournament dates. The bus departs from the college at 7:15am for each of these events. Remember we have a strict uniform policy. Crocs or sandals will not be allowed to be worn off school grounds.
12th February – Volleyball – Nissan Arena (590 Mains Rd, Nathan QLD 4111)
14th February –Futsal – Nissan Arena (590 Mains Rd, Nathan QLD 4111)
24th February – Touch Football (Girls) – Woodcrest State College (38 Nev Smith Drive Springfield)
27th February – Touch Football (Boys) – Woodcrest State College (38 Nev Smith Drive Springfield)
28th February – Basketball – Ripley Valley SSC – Raptor Dome
7th March – Rugby League – Souths Acacia Ridge (174 Mortimer Rd, Acacia Ridge)
Ripely Athlete Development (RAD)
In 2025, RVSSC will again be offering our Ripley Athlete Development Program (RAD). This will involve a variety of activities across the week.
· Running Club and Cross-Country preparation – Mr Clay Dawson
- Runners looking to prepare for long distance events and increase endurance
· Group Fitness – Mr Clifford, Mr Millerick and Mr Watt
- Fun general fitness-based activities involving both gym and outdoor sessions.
· Strength and Conditioning – Mr Gibson and Ms Pollard
- Gym sessions designed to complement competitive sports outside of school.
A timetable will be published on Daymap at the beginning of Week 1 for RAD to begin in Week 3 this term.
Central Comets Swimming Nominations
Since RVSSC does not currently run a swimming carnival due to not having a swimming pool within a reasonable distance, students wishing to participate in the Central Comets swimming carnival will need to submit the following information via a return email. These nominations need to be to me no later than 3pm on Wednesday, 5 February.
· Students Name:
· Date of Birth:
· Event:
· Time:
· Coach/Club Validation:
Major Carnivals – Date Claimers!
Cross-country
· Thursday, 3 April – whole school (week 10, term 1)
Athletics Carnival
· Day 1 - Thursday, 26 June – nominations ONLY (week 10, term 2)
· Day 2 - Friday, 27 June – whole school (week 10, term 2)
Further information about each carnival will be released closer the event.
- White Card Training 31st March & 1st April
- Year 10 Work Experience (Spark Students) 31st March - 4th April
- UniSQ Experience Day (Year 11 & 12 students only) 4th April
- UniSQ Discovery Day (Year 9 & 10 students only) 1st May
- Try a Trade Day 2nd May
- Brisbane Truck Weeks Careers Day 15th May
- RVSSC Careers Expo 9th June
- Brisbane Careers Expo 13th June
- Year 10 Work Experience & Industry Days 16th June - 27th June
- Year 11 QCE Reviews 18th June
- Year 10 SETP into Year 11 Meetings 6th August
- Year 12 Next Step Strategy Meetings 11th August - 29th August
- Fresh Futures Market 3rd September
- BKSB Testing for 2026 WesTEC Students - 10th October
A reminder that all students across Years 10-12 are able to access up to 30 days of work experience per year. If any student is wishing to trial work in different industries, please contact pathways@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au or students can speak with Mrs Marney George in our Careers Centre.
Should you or your student have any enquiries about TAFE, university studies, work experience, traineeships or apprenticeships, please don't hesitate to reach out and seek assistance.
I look forward to working with our senior school in 2025 and our wider RVSSC community.
James Gerchow
Head of Department - Senior Schooling - Year 12
Emily Leschke
Guidance Officer - Years 7, 8, 9
In term 1, Year 10 students will be provided information on sexual consent using resources from the Federal government campaign “Consent can’t wait”. The intent of the campaign is to reduce sexual violence and assist future generations in navigating a difficult topic. We encourage parents to look at the resources and engage in conversations with their child about consent.
Australians experience sexual violence at an alarming rate.
- 1 in 5 women (22 per cent) and 1 in 16 men (6.1 per cent) have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.1
- 1 in 2 women (53 per cent) and 1 in 4 men (25 per cent) have experienced sexual harassment during their lifetime.2
- For female victims of sexual assault, the most common age for sexual violence to occur is between 15 and 19 years old.3
- Young men aged 15-19 have the highest offender rates of sexual violence.4
- 1 in 3 teenagers aged 18-19 had experienced at least one form of intimate partner violence in the last 12 months. 1 in 12 had experienced sexual abuse by someone they were dating. Sexual abuse is more prevalent among females.5
Image based abuse is an increasing issue among young Australians:
- 24 per cent of young women aged 18- 24 have had a sexual image posted online or sent without their consent.6
- 82.7 per cent of young people aged 14-18 have reported receiving a sexually explicit nude or nearly nude photo or video of someone else, while 58.5 per cent reported having sent a sexually explicit nude or nearly nude photo or video of themselves.
Young people continue to hold problematic attitudes on consent and equality in relationships
- 20 per cent of young people believed that a lot of times women who say they were raped had led the man on and later had regrets.
- 29 per cent of young people agreed with the statement, “when a man is very sexually aroused, he may not even realise that the woman doesn’t want to have sex”.
Janet Ingram
Guidance Officer - Years 10, 11, 12
Welcome back to a new school year It was great to see many new faces and to see for the first time a full school of year 7 to 12 students at the Welcome parade on Monday. We are looking forward to getting to know each new student throughout the year.
For those who don't know us, our names are Alicia Pickerill, Jacob Millerick, Kristian Atkins & Taylah Adsett, and we the school chaplains and youth workers here at the school. We are available throughout the week for appointments so make sure you check your SharePoint to see which days we are here.
Wellbeing Appointments
As a wellbeing team we are here to support the students in any way we can. One of the ways that we provide support is with one-on-one appointment with us. If you would like us to provide support for your child, please get in contact with us via email: studentservices@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club, one of the extra-curricular programs of the school will start up again on Monday the 3rd of February. Breakfast Club runs every day from 8:15-8:45 am. This is an excellent way for the students to engage with one another over food or milo and doesn't cost them anything. If you want to volunteer for this, please feel free to email me. If your child wants to help out, they can do that by filling out the form that is in the school notices in Daymap.
Wellbeing Programs
As Chaplains and Youth Workers we provide multiple wellbeing programs throughout the term such as RAP, RAGE, Rock & Water, Bella Girls & a boys group. If any of these programs interest you please get in contact with us.
SU Camps
Scripture Union Australia, the organisation that employs the chaplains here in Ripley Valley and in hundreds of schools across the country 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://su.org.au/events/?category=Camp
Chappy Pantry
Last year we introduced the Chappy pantry here at Ripley Valley State Secondary College. It was designed to provide essential food assistance to students who may come to school without lunch, have insufficient lunch, or experience hunger during the school day.
The Chappy pantry has already made an incredible impact and we are excited to continue to grow this initiative. If you want to help and donate food for this, please get in contact with us. We would love your support.
Chaplaincy Committee
The Local Chaplaincy Committee is the supporting and guiding body behind the Chaplaincy Service helping to shape it to meet the wellbeing of the school community here at the College. If this sounds like something you would like to attend, our next meeting on Thursday the 13th of February. Please get in touch if you'd like additional information.
SU Schoolies
Scripture Union Australia also run drug & alcohol-free schoolies events for all of those in year 12 wanting to celebrate finishing their schooling years. There are a few options such as Sunshine Coast, Hawaii & Vanuatu. If this is something that interests you or your child please follow the link below to get more information.
We hope that you settle in for a great year here are Ripley Valley State Secondary College. We are looking forward to the year ahead.
Kristian Atkins Taylah Adsett
Chaplain Chaplain
Alicia Pickerill Jacob Millerick
YSC YSC
Student Wellbeing - Chaplain and YSC
I would like extend a warm welcome our new Defence students and their families to the Ripley Valley SSC community for 2025. Our Defence students have come from various local primary schools and from interstate to join our student body.
Our interstate travellers have no doubt spent the last few weeks in a state of upheaval while making their move to the sunshine state. That is no easy feat at the best of times, let alone during Christmas holidays. I would like to acknowledge the impact big moves like this can have on Defence families as part of the military lifestyle and I sincerely hope that once you are settled, you will find yourselves involved in a welcoming community.
Ripley Valley SSC Defence School Mentor Program
Defence recognises that the Defence lifestyle has a unique effect on the families (comprising parents, partners, children, etc) whose lives are impacted by their relationship to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) member, despite they themselves not being part of the ADF.
The Defence School Mentor Program, through the in-school work of the DSM, aims to provide practical assistance to Defence families and support the social and emotional wellbeing of Defence students who experience mobility and parental absence.
The Defence School Mentor
- Supports Defence students to access school-based social and emotional supports in line with school policy and procedure
- Provide Defence students with age-appropriate, social and emotional support that enhances existing school supports
- Provide Defence families with information about the school environment and DMFS supports relevant to their student’s development
- Raise awareness and build capacity among school staff to respond to the social and emotional needs of students from Defence families.
2025
As the DSM of the College, I expect that this year will be a busy one, as along with supporting students, I will also be organising events and activities both within the college and in the community.
Of note, this year marks the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. Students and I are working on a special exhibit of poppies that we hope to display for the commemoration.
All students, staff and families are most welcome to crochet poppies to contribute to the Waterfall of Poppies. Your help with this project would be greatly appreciated.
Identifying as a Defence Family at Ripley Valley SSC
If you are a Defence family with students attending RVSSC, but have not yet self-identified with the college and would like to, you can do so by contacting the College on 3819 5333
All Defence families are encouraged to contact Defence Member and Family Support for any information around support offered by Defence for its members families.
Open Arms is also available to Defence personnel. Contact details are
Open Arms 1800 011 046
Email: OpenArms.gov.au
Reporting Defence Related Absences
If you are a Defence member who will be posting away or deploying for a significant time, could you please let me know. This helps me and the college staff provide appropriate support for your child.
Ripley Valley SSC 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
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