As we enter the second week of Lent may we take time for prayer and reflection.  Lent culminates in Holy Week and the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. Lent is a time to reflect on our relationship with God and when we are encouraged to take up practices that help us to become aware of and to be responsive to the needs of others. The three traditional practices of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These allow us to re-focus, leading to a greater awareness of God and a conversion of the heart. 

Each of us is invited during Lent into a dedicated and focused time when we commit to resting in God’s love, to simply be with God in prayer and do something for others. 

How will you be God’s hope, his treasure, and his glory in our community? 

God of mystery, you lead us on life’s journey to places of sacred encounter.   

Here your presence transforms our lives to see the wonders of your glory. 

Open our ears that we might hear your voice calling us to follow Jesus our way, our truth and our life.   

Amen 

St Joseph’s  

Our links with St Joseph’s Parish are an important part of College Life.  Classes attend Mass and visit the Church throughout the year.  This year the parish celebrates 100 years since our current Church’s opening.  This milestone is being marked in several ways, with the collection of historical information, a 2021 calendar including historical photos from the past 100 years and future events.  We look forward to supporting this celebration wherever possible this year.  I encourage families of the College to follow the St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dalby Facebook page to keep in touch with parish life.  Sacramental programs, Reconciliation (November- Year 2 students), Confirmation and Communion (following year to Reconciliation – March/April/May) are coordinator through the parish.  Information in regards to the current Confirmation and Communion Program intake are included later in this newsletter.  Each month we assist as a College with the Youth-led Mass at Saturday 6pm Mass – if you would like to know more about this please contact me directly through the College. 

LYF @ OLSCC – RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STRATEGY 

Last week staff set goals for their own professional development in the Religious Education Strategy.  These were focused around our teaching of Scripture with our classes.  To continue and further our work in this area as a College, next week 4 teachers will be trained as RES coaches.  These coaches will work on their own ability to deliver effective RE Curriculum that engages our students and develops their religious literacy. 

NAPLAN  

In 2021 we will conduct NAPLAN Online with our students in Year 3, 5, 7 & 9.  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 term 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. 

The best way to get your child ready for NAPLAN is to continue to develop literacy and numeracy skills.  A flyer has been emailed home to parents of students in Year 3, 5, 7 & 9 with information regarding NAPLAN and the online version.  Teachers will, through their curriculum delivery, ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the test, skills needed and will provide appropriate support and guidance.   

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.   

STUDENT PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES 

In 2020 we adjusted the format of our traditional Parent Teacher Interviews towards student-led conferences.  This positive work will be continued this year.  All our work at the College focuses on student progress and the purpose of these meetings is to discuss this progress. As drivers of their learning, students will lead these conferences, with support from their teachers.  They will discuss what they are learning and the steps they need to take in order to progress.  The focus of these conferences is not reporting overall grades, levels or achievement.  One of the outcomes from these conferences should be students feeling empowered about their next steps in learning and the partnership of home and the College being strengthened.  These formal conferences will be allocated for Prep to Year 4 in Week 9 of this term and Year 5-12 in Week 1 of Term 2.  More details on times of conferences, how and when to book these interviews will be emailed home to parents in coming weeks.  Also, a reminder, parents can arrange appointments to meet with their child’s teacher at any stage throughout the year and we encourage you to do so if you have any pressing concerns or updates for your teacher.  These are best coordinated directly with the teacher or through the College office.   

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education