Welcome Back to Prep, Years 1, 11 &12 on Monday

We are excited to see some normality returning to the College with 4 of our year levels returning to regular classroom learning on Monday 11 May.  We are greatly looking forward to seeing all our students back learning in classrooms, hopefully on the 25 May, though also understand that the new normal will look quite different to the normal we knew before COVID-19.  As we know there is much conjecture regarding the return of students to schools in Queensland.  Schools have been advised that it is safe for them to be open, as well as receiving a myriad of advice regarding what can be done to keep our community safe.  We are increasing cleaning, changing how we group students in many classrooms, reorganising how we do sport and PE, reducing mass gatherings and assemblies, and limiting the number of adults on the College site at any given time.  This last point has been the greatest consideration we have been required to act on, and one that many families may feel uncomfortable about over the coming week as some students resume.

Essentially, we are asking for parents to not come into our campus until further notice unless absolutely necessary.  This is to increase the safety for our entire school community, including the parents.  Whilst we can’t wait to have hundreds of parents back on school grounds socialising and enjoying the community feel, now is not the time for that.  Please take the time to read yesterday’s update (on Facebook, SZapp and Email for parents) and watch Mrs Walton’s video on Facebook for some clarity regarding collection for the Early Years students.  One thing I have learned from my sons (Kindy and Year 2) throughout this period is how much they are capable of when I allow them to do things independently.  As parents this change from Monday will be quite different, though we also have the chance to practice this with our children over the weekend so we can reduce the anxieties of the children.  On Monday morning we will have many staff out the front of the College supporting our families and students, as well as many of our senior staff.  I look forward to seeing you then.

Of critical importance for our students returning to classroom learning (Prep, Year 1, 11 &12), from Monday, you will go straight back to your regular timetable with your regular teachers in your regular classrooms with your regular lunchtimes and your regular specialist lessons.  As you will be well aware, we have 2 modes of teaching and learning at present, Classroom Learning (which is “normal” or “pre-COVID”) and Remote Learning.  Hence, once we go back to classroom learning we get straight back into it and do it properly.  Accordingly, our teachers will be entirely focused on teaching in the classroom, so no remote learning resources will be available to Prep, Year 1, Year 11 and Year 12 students, beyond what is usually available. 

This will remain true given the hopeful result that all students return to classroom learning on 25 May, with the likely exception of staggered lunches for a time to best practice social distancing for our students (same as Week 9, Term 1). 

Reporting for Semester 1

There has been some uncertainty as to what reporting will look like considering the disruption to regular classroom learning in Queensland.  At OLSCC, a semester report will be produced for every student outlining their progress against the achievement standard in all subject areas where we have sufficient evidence to make an accurate judgement.  The report cards may look quite different to what they have in the past as we are transitioning to our new student management system “Sentral”.  For all students in Years 7-12, your reports will be made in our new system, whilst the format and inclusions of the P-6 reports will begin to transition to what will be produced in 2021 for all students across the College.  Our focus is on reporting on the 3A’s: Achievement, Application and Attitude.  We will have further details in coming newsletters, including the timelines for distribution for parents, though please be assured that a report will be produced for each student based on their progress against the achievement standards for Semester 1, 2020.

Pete Cuskelly

Principal