Exciting Times Ahead

We are nearly 2 weeks through our remote learning and shortly we will kick into gear with the whole College shifting to a predominantly online model of learning using Canvas, Teams, Zoom and a variety of educational software that supports student learning and supports effective feedback for both students and teachers.  I have been fortunate enough to drop in on many online classes, CASE meetings and assemblies this week and see the capabilities of the platforms we are using. 

Currently, the greatest challenge for many students is that it is really hard to get up, eat breakfast and get motivated to learn for the day.  The routine of school and the collegiality of peers throughout the school day may seem like a tyranny in normal times, though now are the things that the students miss the most. At the moment we are all going through change fatigue where everything we normally do, we now start to question.  Over the next few weeks we must continue to keep a routine, make a schedule and make this new way of working the new normal.  For families (and staff alike!!), this means having a daily and weekly timetable clearly visible on the wall.  It doesn’t mean it won’t change, though when it does, make the changes with your children so they understand.  Step 1 in becoming an effective teacher is ensuring that your classroom routine, expectations, reactions and consequences (positive and corrective) are easily predictable for the students in your care.  I strongly suggest that parents focus on this as their primary concern for the next week, as well as keeping up to date with emails, setting up home devices and looking after their own wellbeing. 

In our house, my wife Jo has bookmarked, logged into and saved login passwords for all of the sites that Jack’s teacher sent in Term 2.  This way Jack can simply click on the bookmarks and log in without needing to know or type the passwords he needs.  I will create a little “how to guide” for everyone over the next couple of days so you can set up various profiles in Chrome for your family over the weekend. This will save all the issues of logging in and logging out each time a different student needs to access the same device.

Our College Staff

I am simply amazed by the mindset our staff have engaged over the past 6 weeks or so.  There have been some significant challenges lately and I must say that everyone has focussed their energy on buckling down and getting the hard work done.  Not all schools and colleges are blessed with such an amazing team of teachers, school officers, administration staff, support services, groundsmen, cleaners and leaders.  Can I also say that these staff must have pretty supportive partners, husbands and wives at home that get them through all the challenges.  Thanks to each and everyone of our amazing team, and their families, for your efforts leading up to this week. 

Relief Staff Training Days

We are supporting our relief staff with training in our new platforms over the next few weeks so that they are ready to hit the ground running during Remote Learning, and when the College reopens for business.  It won’t be business as usual though, as the shifts we have made in teaching will mean that we will do things differently in the future.  Thanks to our relief staff who are always very committed to our College and such great role models for our children! 

Safety in the Bus Circuit

It is really important that we continue to be safe during this time, especially for those students still attending campus.  We had quite a few issues today with the bus circuit/staff car park being used as a drop off zone by parents dropping students to school.  Please continue to use Nicholson Street to drop students at school.  We will continue to use the circuit for resource drop off and pick up, and the majority of school buses are still running and need a clear run through this space to get students to all of the schools on time. I acknowledge our carparking and drop off zones are not ideal at present, though for the time being we must simply be patient in the interest of safety.

STEMPunks

This morning, all students and staff of OLSCC will have received an email outlining the details of their login for the STEMPunks Learn from Home Platform (https://www.stempunks.com/). Every student and staff member has a login so that the online lessons may be included in teacher planning to engage students in Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM), or families can explore the site and engage in weekly lessons or specialist lessons. The specialist teachers employed by STEMPunks are all about inspiring and upskilling tomorrows innovators and motivating students to explore the opportunities that exist with design thinking, the Internet Of Things (IOT), coding, robotics and much more. I would like to thank Michael and the team from STEMPunks for making this opportunity for our students, and I look forward to us continuing our partnership with STEMPunks in the future.

Technology Review

As always, we are focussed on ensuring that what we deliver as a College is effective for our staff, students and families.  There has been great success in the implementation of our technology platform over the past 18 months, although it is now time to review the program and fine tune it for even greater success in the future.  Over the coming fortnight all families, staff and students from Years 7-12 will receive a survey regarding their current devices, whilst families and students in years 4/5/6 will receive a separate survey regarding their digital literacy to allow us to plan for an improved platform in 2021.  Please be honest with your feedback as we need this to ensure we make the best decisions for the future.

Uniform Shop

Weareco (our uniform company) are a small business that produces our uniform and then manages the uniform shop at the College.  Like many other businesses, the impact of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on their workshop in China and sales in Australia.  They also employ Maureen, who not only works in the uniform shop, though also volunteers much of her time to the tuckshop and supporting the College in general.  The only way we can keep the Uniform Shop open and Maureen being paid at present is continuing to sell items of the uniform.  If you require any items as we head into winter, can I suggest you consider buying them in the near term rather than waiting until school recommences?  We won’t be in lockdown forever, and everyone needs a few bits and bobs now and then, so please drop by the tuckshop and grab your tie, new (very cool!) reversible bucket hat, replacement old bucket hat, vests, pullovers, tracksuits or anything else that you need.  Every little bit counts, and this keeps the shop ticking over until better times. Presently the Uniform Shop’s Opening Times are: Tuesday 8:00-9:30am, Thursday 3:00-5:30pm. You can also call 46724193 and talk to Maureen during these times.  In addition the order form is on the website so you can simply collect from the Office.

Supporting Our Local Businesses

Further in the newsletter you will find a list of local businesses who are offering take away and food delivery services throughout this time.  Many of these businesses continually support us with functions, culture and sports throughout the year and it is now our turn to give them a hand back. 

Urban Paddock Tuckshop Option

For students at home and those attending the College, Urban Paddock has developed a tuckshop service for any parents that wish for their children to have lunch delivered.  They can deliver morning tea or lunch any time between 9 & 2. The menu looks great, too!  Check it out by searching for “Urban Paddock Café” on Facebook.

Pete Cuskelly

Principal