COVID-19 Update

Thanks to our families for your support and patience over the past few weeks as we navigate COVID in our community. 

NAPLAN

In 2022 we will again conduct NAPLAN Online with our students in Year 3, 5, 7 & 9.  NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum.  NAPLAN is not a test that children can prepare for in the same way they might prepare for an end of unit test. NAPLAN tests skills that develop and improve over time. These are skills that should be continuously developed throughout the year and not just in the lead-up to NAPLAN.

Keyboard skills are critical for NAPLAN online writing assessment. I encourage families to allow students time to type up stories/work on the computer.  Spend time with your child editing their work on the screen.  Discuss this process with your child and articulate your thinking.  Encourage the use of Write That Essay (WTE) with your students.

I encourage Parents to learn more and see the types of questions and related functionalities available in the NAPLAN Online assessment at www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site.  If you would like to discuss NAPLAN further, please contact your child’s core teacher or myself.  Each fortnight leading to NAPLAN we will include general NAPLAN information in the College Newsletter.  If you would like to discuss your child’s participation in NAPLAN please contact your child’s core teacher, Andrea Gormley or myself.

Student Leaders Retreat

With the restrictions imposed on schools for the first few weeks of the year we had to postpone our planned Student Leaders. At Student Leaders Retreat we gather all prefect, house leaders and SRC members to develop their leadership skills.  A letter will go home to student leaders next week about the new date for this retreat. 

Parent Engagement

Over the past two years, COVID-19 has made it difficult to engage with parents at the College.  Event organization shifted to a high level with capacity and seating rules, QR Codes, vaccine mandates and mask guidelines all adding complications to simple events we have held in the past.  Whilst many of these rules have not gone away we are learning to live with COVID-19, this is an adjustment for us all.  It is a goal of the College in 2022 to embrace these times we live in and work with our families to ensure opportunities for our students are not missed and that parents can join with us as community whenever possible.  I must acknowledge that sometimes we have to prioritise the experience/event for the students based on what is ‘current advice’ and how we can manage the ‘rules’.  But as Queensland restrictions are currently lifting we look to the future and focus on what we can offer.

The following events will occur in the next ten weeks of school and we encourage parents to mark them in their diaries and join us when you can:

Guests will be asked to sign in with the at these events but will not need to show proof of vaccination.

 Volunteers are welcome to assist in the classroom, on excursions and at our tuckshop upon completion of Volunteer Induction Module and return Declaration form.  All volunteers must be fully vaccinated, and proof must be provided with the Declaration form.

Information regarding the Volunteer Induction Module can be found on Parent Portal or via the link: https://www.twb.catholic.edu.au/work-and-learn-with-us/volunteers-and-visiting-service-providers/

Cate Brennan

Deupty Principal Religious Education