Our liturgical theme this year invites us to “Think Big, Act Boldly, Serve Others”.  Our College has a long and rich history of educating the youth of Dalby and on Monday we celebrated this with our Commencement Mass and the Strategic Plan Launch.  We welcome 106 new students who join our story this year, we are excited to have you and your families join the OLSCC Family. At the Mass our Prep students were welcomed into our College by our Year 12 Seniors.  The Year 12 students presented the Prep students with a special Prep journey pin and our Preps presented our Year 12’s with their senior badges.  The Prep badge was a new tradition introduced in 2023.  This special badge is only given to students enrolled in our current prep class at the commencement of the school year.  As new members of our College community these badges represent the commencement of their journey in faith and knowledge at the College. 

NAPLAN Year 3, 5, 7, 9 

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.  The test window for NAPLAN is 13-25 March 2024.  

Students and parents may familiarise themselves with NAPLAN by visiting the public demonstration site on the NAP website. Some past NAPLAN papers are also available.  

We will conduct practice tests in preparation for NAPLAN in their class groups to ensure students are familiar with our systems.  Pencils and headphones will be provided by the College for NAPLAN. 

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.  

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR 

Volunteers in our College  

Volunteers are welcome to assist in the classroom, on excursions and at our tuckshop upon completion of Volunteer Induction Module and return Declaration form. Volunteer Induction must be completed annually at the beginning of the new school year.  Declaration forms must be submitted before your day of volunteering to ensure approval is granted. 

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/ 

Bike Racks 

Bike racks for storing student bikes have been relocated at the College as redevelopments have occurred.  The bike racks are now located at the side of the MPC between the MPC and Senior Years.  Students who ride bikes or scooters to school should store their bikes at the location on the racks provided and use personal security devices to ensure they are secured during the school day.  No students should be in the bike rack area during the school day.   

ROAD SAFETY AROUND THE COLLEGE 

As you can appreciate we have over 600 students who arrive at and depart from the College each day, varying from age 5 through to 18.  It is important that all drivers around are College are considerate of each other and our students whilst obeying the ‘School Zone’ and parking rules of our area.  Thank you for ensuring you are familiar with the information included in this section both from our College and the Department of Transport and Main Roads to ensure the safe travel of all. 

Parking and Pick up 

Before and after school we supervise a number of areas around the College to ensure safe arrival and departure of the students.  The front footpath is supervised at 8:30-8:50am and from 3:10-3:30pm and the Cooper Street fence line from 3:10-3:30pm.  Parking around the College can be congested at peak times and parents are encouraged to make regular arrangement with their children to save confusion at home time.   

Loading Zone Passengers – 2min max 

In front of Prep we have a designated loading area that allows 2 min drop and go between 7am-9am and 2pm-4pm.  Parents should not disembark and move away from the vehicle from the car in this zone.  Police regularly patrol our school zone to ensure the safety of our students and the compliance of drivers, we encourage this support from the police and we thank parents for following all the road rules. 

Line markings  

Double Lines - As per the road rules You must not cross a double continuous centre line except to safely pass a bicycle rider. 

Yellow Line on edge of road – The yellow edge line indicated no stopping or parking is allowed in this area.  We have a no stopping sign/area before our College driveway. 

Front Car Park & Bus Zone 

It is important that parents and extended family who do pick up and drop off are aware that the bus zone and front car park are not suitable places for drop off and pick up.  Our staff park in this front car park and this is the location of 3 disabled car park which parents can access based on individual needs.  All other student drop off and pick up activity should avoid this area.   

Mrs Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education