Well done to all students who are applying all of their knowledge and skills gained this year to complete their current assessment items.  This is a busy time for students and staff but a rewarding one when both groups get to see the progress and success of the year.

Once all assessments are submitted, teachers then have the fun job of marking and reporting these results for our end of year report cards.  These will be published for parents in the last week of Term 4. 

Term 4 events

Please spread the word with fellow family members and friends for these upcoming events

Wednesday 16 November – College Awards of Excellence 9:15am – MPC

Friday 18 November – Year 12 Graduation Mass 10:00am St Joseph’s

Friday 25 November – OLSCC Christmas Carols 6:00pm-8:00pm

Monday 28 November – College Fun Run

Wednesday 30 November – Up Day

Thursday 1 December – Early Years Christmas Play

NAPLAN

In 2023, NAPLAN has been moved to March rather than the traditional May test period.  We will again conduct NAPLAN Online with our students in Year 3, 5, 7 & 9 at this time.  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.  Classroom teachers work on digital literacy with our students which assist in their preparation for NAPLAN.

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.

2023 Preparations – subject choices, class lists, Up Day and so much more….

In preparation for 2023 we continue to work with students, staff and parents to ensure smooth transition for all students into their new year level.  Part of this transition is what we phrase as “Up Day”, where students get to move up into their new class and experience what it will be like in January when they return to school.  It is important that as parents we talk positively about the move into the next year level to prepare our young people and reduce any nerves they may have.  Up Day is held on Wednesday 30 November. 

Students in Year 8, 9 and 10 have been working on their pathway understanding as they consider their subject choices for 2023.  It is important that students match their subject selection to their projected pathway to strive for success and goal attainment.  Pathways look different for each student and so does success, it is our goal that through the subject offerings in our Senior Years students will be ready to tackle the challenges and triumphs of the ‘real world’ after school.  Information regarding subject choices will be disseminated by Rodney Spain.

Class lists will be released to parents and students on Monday via the Parent Portal and displayed around the College for students to view.  2023 Prep class allocation will be sent via email to new families.  This is an exciting time for both staff and students as we look to the new year with anticipation.  It is important that at the beginning of the new school year families and class teachers establish strong communication links, this will ensure your child’s needs can be met.  We build our community through relationships we build as teachers with students and their families.  Parents play a significant role by being positive and encouraging to their children through this time of change and ‘newness’. 

So much forward planning goes into the functioning of our College each year and whilst at times it can be challenging it is rewarding to see our students thriving in their learning.  We often speak to our students about our learning dispositions as life skills and about the importance of being life long learners.  Term 4 is an exciting time in the College where, as a leadership team, we get to flex, develop and grow our own ability in these learning dispositions. 

Seating at College Events

This year is the first in the last few that we have no restrictions on seating allocation due to COVID.  Below outlines important seating information for Week 7 events:

COLLEGE AWARDS – A section of seating will be available for families and guests to join us at the College Award Ceremony on Wednesday 16 November at 9:15am in the MPC.  Parents of students receiving awards have been notified by email.  The seating in this section will not be assigned or allocated and we encourage families to arrive with plenty of time to find a seat. 

GRADUATION MASS – The Year 12 Graduation Mass will held at St Joseph’s Parish on Friday 18 November at 10:00am.  Year 11 students will attend with College Staff and will be seated in the choir loft.  Pews in the church will be left for family and guest seating.  No seats are assigned or reserved at this Mass and we encourage families to arrive with plenty of time to find a seat.  We have 42 graduates this year so it will be wonderful to fill the church to celebrate their graduation. 

College Christmas Carols

On Friday evening 25 November all families, extended families, and friends are invited to join us for a relaxing evening under the stars to celebrate the end of the year and the upcoming Christmas season, with the College Christmas Carols. Students in Prep – Year 6 will all perform a song with their class groups so please notify your child’s teacher if your family will not be there.  Other groups from Year 7-11 will also perform throughout the evening.  It begins at 6pm and concludes by 8pm. Families are encouraged to bring along some chairs or a picnic rug and snacks, to sit back, relax and sing along with our performers.  Some bench seating will be available around the oval.    Battery-powered candles will also be for sale for $2 each (cash only).  A cash bar will be running on the evening with funds raised going to Yes Arusha.  All monies raised at this event support the Year 8 support of Yes Arusha and we encourage you to bring along some spare change to pop in our donation boxes. So, dress in your fabulous Christmas outfits and come along and enjoy catching up with our community.

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education