World Teachers Day

Happy World Teachers Day to all of our amazing teachers at OLSCC!! There is nothing greater than seeing that discovery in a child’s mind when they have learnt a new concept, challenged an idea, created a new understanding or reached a standard above what they ever thought they could.  It’s the laughs, the terrible jokes in the playground, the disastrous art lessons that end up with paint on the ceiling, the new friendships made and the cohesion of our students that makes all the work we do worthwhile.  I know all of our teachers at OLSCC are making a difference in the lives of the children they teach and I would like to thank you all for your continued application to your College and kids, as well as your own family.  The demands of teaching seem to become greater and greater every year, though it is the great dedicated teachers like those we have here that continue to make the difference.  Thanks everyone, and have a great weekend!

Exciting News from the Parents and Friends Association

At last week’s meeting we had a great conversation regarding creating opportunities for more families to be involved with the College.  We acknowledged that one of the hesitations people have when considering the P&F is that they have to attend meetings and will be given a job.  I am very pleased to say that in this newsletter is an outline of new ways we can include our community in our College and our College in the community by thinking outside the square.  

There has been a tonne of research around what truly makes people happy, and you guessed it, it has nothing to do with the material possessions in life.  We hear the failures of those who have won Lotto because they are missing purpose – the reason for their existence.  Jesus teaches us to be selfless and as a servant leader, he exemplifies how we can find true happiness by improving the lives of those around us.  This is the course we provide through Praxis at OLSCC, and through being part of our new P&F structure to make our community an even better place for everyone. Please take the time to have a read and give Lotte or myself a call if you would like to suggest improvements or discuss further!

Staffing Update

As the year rolls on, we are at the end of the year when staff transitions take place and we welcome new staff and continue to recruit new teachers to join our wonderful College. 

At the end of 2019 we will farewell:

Mrs Melissa Irwin – transfer to St John’s Roma

Ms Anne O’Reilly – transfer to Mary Mackillop Catholic College

Mr Aaron Aislabie – return to Stanthorpe area

Mrs Natalie O’Brien – 12 months leave (holiday)

Mr Dean Garside – 12 months leave (holiday) 

In 2020 we welcome:

Miss Joelyn Smith – primary teacher transferring from St Mary’s Charleville

Mrs Maxine Hetherington – continuing from contracts in 2019 to a full-time contract for 2020

Miss Jacinta Willocks – continuing from her permission to teach in 2019

Mrs Andrea Gormley – return from leave

Mr Shane Nott – return from leave

New positions being advertised:

Now that the timetable is remarkably close to finalised, we are advertising a  range of positions that will fill the available roles for 2020.  With an expected enrolment increase of over 60 students for the start of 2020, we are fortunate to be able to create some new teaching roles to best support the learning of our students.  These roles will be advertised on Seek next week. There are also some other positions that will be announced next week including the College Coach Driver and the Assistant Principal Middle Years .

Timetable Update

The final workings of the draft timetable are being finalised and then married with student selections next week.  This is a very complicated logistical exercise trying to find the best combination of teachers, lines, year levels, subjects, rooms and teaching loads to meet the needs of all students across Year 7-12. 

I would like to acknowledge Mrs Brennan and Mr Hodge for the hundreds of hours they have spent implementing the new software and developing our 2020 timetable.  It is certainly no small feat. 

In previous years, we have had significant changes to the structure of the timetable and lines at this period of the year, though for 2020 students will find it similar to 2019.  There will be 40 and 80 minute lessons with subjects receivng the same time allocation. The line structure will remain as it was presented at the information sessions and for subject selection.  One of the more significant changes is that the vast majority of Year 9-12 classes will be in the Senior Years area, making far greater use of Blue and Gold classrooms, which will renamed “Red Block” for next year (to save all the confusion with the other blue block as well as yellow block). In addition to the usual timetabling complexities, this year we have tried to focus staff in either Middle Years or Senior Years in order to align teaching areas and practice to specific students groups. Prior to the release of the timetable, students will be made aware of the elective choices through the posting of Elective Choices in the Senior Years plaza on Tuesday.  The draft timetable will be released in the next week or so, along with the P-8 class lists.

Class Lists

Class lists are being finalised and we are beginning to allocate classes to teachers across Prep – Year 6, as well as finalising the class lists from Years 7-8.  As mentioned previously, we are not having any composite classes in the Early and Middle Years in 2020, with 2 streams of each class for Prep-5 as well as Year 8, and 3 streams for each class from Years 6 and 7.  Our original release date for class lists was 15 November, however we expect to have them complete and available on Schoolzine in the next week or so. 

Reminder Regarding Student Behaviour

I encourage all parents to remind their children of their expectations regarding behaviour for the finalisation of the 2019 year.  It is at this time of year when behaviour standards sometimes slip, and we have already noticed the deterioration of general student behaviour. 

Our 4 College Expectations are very simple to understand and follow.  They are:

1. Learn and allow others to learn
2. Be Safe
3. Be Respectful
4. Be Responsible

Of particular concern for me at present is the willingness of students to be responsible for themselves.  Being responsible for following instructions of staff, being responsible for using only appropriate language, and being responsible enough to follow College standards (chewing gum, mobile phone use, assessment timelines).  Next week we will ensure that all students are aware of the standards and reminding them of the importance of following them. Let’s finish the term well!!

Peter Cuskelly

Principal