Well what a busy two weeks it has been since our last newsletter.  We have been navigating this latest peak in COVID cases extremely well as a College and I thank staff, students and parents for your patience, consideration and hard work during this time.  We have rescheduled multiple College events, worked from home, covered classes, completed work online via Canvas, navigated the Qld Government COVID rules, many have resumed the wearing of masks when indoors and looked after our health and the health of our families.  We talk about our College Learning Dispositions a lot and over these two weeks I have definitely seen creativity, motivation, persistence, resilience, independence and optimism in action both at the College and in our community.   

A special thanks to Toowoomba Catholic Schools staff who rescheduled their time to be available to teach in our College we have loved having these nine staff work with us to continue to provide quality teaching in our classrooms.    

 

NAPLAN Online 

Next week students in Year 3, 5, 7 & 9 will complete practice tests for NAPLAN Online which will be conducted in May.  The aim of these sessions is for students to interact with the NAP Browser online platform and experience the types of questions that will be asked.  This was postponed from Week 9 due to number of absences in these year levels, if numbers are still low in Week 10 we will conduct these in Week 1 of Term 2. 

To assist Parents to have the same experience I encourage you to check out the NAPLAN website, in particular the NAPLAN Online page https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment. 

There is a great short video (only 2m 11s) called Understanding NAPLAN Online that outlines the move to the online platform.  The other place I would highlight on this website is the Public Demonstration Site – here you can click on your child’s year level and explore what the online platform looks like, sounds like and how they can interact with it.  Perhaps dedicate some time with your child to explore this together – let them show you around.  If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online not answered by this site I am always happy to meet with parents to discuss it further. 

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.  

STUDENT LEADERS RETREAT 

Our College Student Leaders Retreat will be held next Wednesday 30 March from 1:40-5:30pm.  We will gather all prefect, house leaders and SRC members to develop their leadership skills.  A letter was sent via email to student leaders in regards to this retreat on Wednesday 30 March.  Students need to wear sports uniform to school on this day to ensure they are dressed appropriately for the activities they will take part in. We will end the session with prayer in the chapel.  Parents are invited to meet us at the Chapel at 5:15pm to join us in prayer when picking up.   

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.  All volunteers must be fully vaccinated, and proof must be provided with the Declaration form.  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/ 

EASTER PRAYER CELEBRATIONS 

On the last weekend, of the holidays we celebrate Easter Weekend.  Our local parish holds a number of prayer celebrations from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday.  Please see details later in our newsletter and on St Joseph’s Catholic Church Dalby’s Facebook page for days and times.  We will join as a College in prayer as we prepare for Easter on Thursday 31 March at 12:50pm in the MPC.  Parents are welcome to join us for this prayer celebration.   

Re-Creation 

Each Wednesday afternoon students in Year 9-12 are involved in Re-Creation.  Re-Creation allows students an opportunity to energise their spiritual potential through using their passions, gifts and talents for the betterment of the community.  This week the College rung out with the sounds of our Rock Band group rehearsing during this time.  Their passion and interest in music was evident and it was great to hear their talents at work. 

Spotted this week – Middle Years student, Kash, making the most of the wonderful shade, green grass and amazing space in our the Middle Years Plaza! 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education