Wonderful Start to Term 2

After a very difficult end to the last term with considerable COVID-19 impacts as well as the flooding, it was very pleasing to see so many students in class and ready to learn for the start of Term 2!  While we still have some absences due to COVID-19 and other reasons, our attendance of 94% yesterday was a significant change from the norms we experienced last term.  

Over the holidays my thoughts have been with those in our community who were considerably affected by the recent flooding events.  I hope that the holidays have given families time to recoup and clean any mess left by the continual rain, and as always offer the opportunity for families to contact the College for any assistance we may be able to offer. If you find yourself struggling through the additional expenses caused by the water please contact Mrs Sarah Hall, Business Manager, to access the application for fee concession so we can support your family through this time, or just let us know if you need some relief in the form of a meal which will take the pressure off busy Mums and Dads!

Whilst the number of COVID-19 cases seems to have reduced in our community, I continue to encourage all staff and students to stay at home if showing symptoms of COVID-19.  It is no surprise that flu season is upon us, so these symptoms are likely to increase over the coming months.  Our staff will be provided with free flu shots for this season, and the Diocese has recommended extra precaution regarding the flu for this winter season due to the low transmission rates throughout the COVID pandemic.  Again, no matter the reason or the recency of COVID infection, those students that are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will continue to be sent home and encouraged to "stay at home and get tested", as frequently communicated by our state government.

Most importantly, many of our students have missed many days from school due to disruptions in Term 1, and nothing can improve student learning outcomes as much as attendance at school.  I ask all parents to be vigilant in ensuring that all students attend class as much as possible as we progress through the remainder of this year.  Much of the curriculum has been compacted, so every day that a student misses is another chunk of learning that they are not able to make up.  It is simply not possible for our teaching staff to "catch up" students who miss multiple days of school as their focus is to ensure that the students in attendance are learning all elements of the curriculum for their year level.  To minimise gaps in learning, I would strongly encourage all students to maintain attendance of 95%.  

Service Staff Thank You!  

I have received many comments on the great presentation of the College and this is due to the hard work and dedication that our current team of cleaners and grounds staff put into their work on a daily basis.  We are presently working to enhance the level of staff in this area to continue this great work and further enhance the College grounds and facilities.  Thank you to all involved in ensuring that our students have great spaces to learn, play and eat at OLSCC!

New Fridges in Prep-Year 6 Classrooms

Students were excited to see the welcome addition of new fridges in their classrooms this morning.  Our amazing P&F Association kindly donated a significant sum to replace the existing fridges with new improved versions that will see us through the next 10 years.  A huge thanks to the P&F in conjunction with the Saints Race Day committee for bringing this wish into reality for the start of Term 2! The new fridges with freezers look great and have much more room. Please note that these fridges will be reserved for lunch boxes that require refrigeration, and insulated lunch bags/boxes will be kept in the student’s bags.

Have an amazing start to the new term everyone!

Peter Cuskelly

Principal