Welcome to Term 3 2020 at OLSCC. We are by no means back to normal just yet, but we’re getting closer every week.  We are continuing our planning for camps and excursions across the College and will be communicating with parents regarding these experience over coming weeks as we confirm arrangements considering COVID-19 requirements.  We are also seeing the start of some events at the College and in the sport domain, and look forward to trialing in these endeavors in a safe and well managed way that looks after the wellbeing of our community.  It is very important to note that our current focus is on providing opportunities for students to reengage, and later in the term, we will shift that focus, if appropriate, to reengaging the wider community back into the College.  The following list is an example of some of the areas we are working on:

• All camps that have been planned for Terms 3 and 4 as per previous newsletters, including Year 6 Canberra Tour
• Shooting Stars
• Playgroup
• Community gatherings / assemblies / liturgies
• School Athletics Carnivals (Primary and Secondary)
• Senior Netball Carnival participation
• Year 5/6 Netball Carnival participation
• Girls Rugby 7s (15s and Opens in term 3)
• Darling Downs League (13/15/Open) Wed afternoons from week 3
• School Touch Carnivals (to be confirmed)
• Club Touch (where some school teams are involved) begins next week
• Year 5/6 Volleyball Carnival participation

Once we become fluent in managing COVID safe strategies across our events greater opportunities will become available again. 

Senior Years Timetable and Subjects

In addition to getting back to “normal”, we are planning for next year with our draft Senior timetable complete.  I can confirm that we will offer 32 Year 11 and 12 subjects in 2021, in addition to school supported School-Based Apprenticeships (SBAs), School-Based Traineeships (SBTs) and Vocational training such as Certificate III and IV courses.  The timetable development has focused on ensuring we have expert teachers on the subjects we offer, and our methodology of how we offer the subjects means there is far greater flexibility for students so they can get the right combination for their pathway.  Parents of Year 10 students are asked to pay close attention to newsletters and emails over the coming weeks as there will be much information regarding subject selection, SET planning and preparing to enter Year 11.

Middle Years Timetable

In the Middle Years, we are currently determining exactly the mode of timetabling that we will employ to ensure we are providing the best education to our Year 5-8 students.  We have some exciting options on the table and Mr Cullen will be working with his staff over coming weeks to work collaboratively in developing this model so that we are best prepared for 2021.

External Examination Preparation Program (EEPP)

The secondary Principals in the Diocese have worked together to provide the opportunity for our Year 12 Students in specific subjects to attend the EEPP in the September holidays to support the students in achieving the best result possible in their external assessment at the end of this year.  This external assessment has a significant impact on their final result (ATAR) and as such we want every student to have every opportunity to do their best.  Greater information will be shared with Year 12 students on Monday.

Report Cards

Next week, report cards for Prep-Year 11 will be going home.  There are a few changes as to how we report which have been explained in previous newsletters by Mrs Brennan, as well as some significant changes to Year 11 reporting.  Year 11 reports will be accompanied by a letter which will support parents in understanding the revised reporting in Year 11.

Our reports for Years 7-10 look quite different as we have transitioned to a new system which we use to report.  In addition, all students receive marks for Overall Achievement, Application to Learning and Attitude to Learning.  Overall Achievement keeps the old A/B/C/D/E scale, while Application and Attitude are simply Above Standard, At Standard and Below Standard. Definitions of these are given on the inside cover for clarity.

In Prep-6, all students receive marks for Overall Achievement (A-E) and Effort (Above Standard, At Standard and Below Standard) as well as general comments, as they have in the past.

You will also notice that the reports are much shorter than in previous years.  This is because we have removed the course descriptors (what has been done in the course) from the report.  The feedback I have received is that parents would like the report to be about what their child has achieved, so we are now focusing on this with reference to the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standard.

Enrolment Season

All applications for enrolment in 2021 are due by Monday, 3 August 2020.  This is our first round of enrolment where we consider all applications and begin filling classes in preparation for 2021.  We have a few classes where we have few vacancies, and some that are full, though this date is particularly important if families don’t want to miss out on a spot for 2021.  Based on our current numbers, it is likely that Prep will be full as of the 3 August, so I strongly encourage all potential Prep enrolments to meet this deadline as there are no guarantees that people on the waiting list will get a spot.  This includes families that already have students at the College. It is also critical that students that are currently in Year 10 that are interested in enrolling for 2021 do so now.  This is so we can SET plan and ensure that we have the student on the best pathway for their successful future.

Have a wonderful weekend start to Term 3,

Peter Cuskelly

Principal