Instrumental Music Update

As restrictions ease, we are able to increase student engagement in The Arts through our Instrumental Music program.  From the beginning of Term 3, we will continue to offer small group instruction for:

• Brass, Woodwind, Percussion with Mrs Baxter
• Guitar with Mr Thacker
• Piano with Mr Dore
• Vocal training (Yrs 5-12) with Ms Berwick
• Performing Arts with Mrs Garside

Notes will be distributed to all existing Instrumental Music students tomorrow with further details of the adjustments to billing, and the notes will also be available for any students interested in starting the Instrumental Music Program.  All sessions will be 30 minutes long with a guaranteed 8 lessons per term (7 in Term 4) delivered by the teacher/tutor.  Mr Thacker is working on creating more opportunities for students to showcase their talents later in the year.  In particular we are chasing interested students in some specific instruments with Mrs Baxter, getting the Vocal Training back on track with Ms Berwick, and getting Performing Arts up and running.  Mrs Garside will also be taking the Junior Choir on a weekly basis and will be preparing them for a variety of performances through the year.  The cost for this program is very affordable at $195 per term ($175.50 term 4) and the timetable for students will be developed by individual IM teachers/tutors in consultation with class teachers. It is important to note that participation in this program comes with commitment;  commitment to the semester of learning, commitment to practice, commitment to fun and commitment to self-improvement. It also involves the commitment of regular class time to learn some extraordinary skills that children will value and treasure for the rest of their life. If you would like to know more about Instrumental Music at OLSCC please contact Mr Thacker. 

Rebooting School Sport

This week we have received some great news about the rebooting of school sport in Queensland.  Yesterday we received the adjusted state championship calendars and we are eagerly awaiting the Darling Downs reboot calendar as soon as it is released.  From this point on, Mr Lincoln and other staff will be working on mapping out school and Bunya District trials that will align to this. 

Unfortunately there are many sports that will not occur in 2020 as the timelines for state championships have passed during the restrictions due to COVID.  It is also critical to note that although the events may continue, their format will vary considerably and there will be limited to no capacity for spectators as we abide by social gathering restrictions.  It is important to note that although schools are largely exempt from many restrictions, in order to be able to deliver the curriculum in a practical manner, this does not extend to school sport.  For more information, please see Mr Lincoln’s Sport Update and keep an eye out for more details as they come to hand. There are also some discussions in local circles regarding additional options for our students including local school competitions and the restart of Wednesday afternoon sport in Toowoomba.

Camps and Excursions

We are currently considering which camps we will continue planning for and which are no longer feasible for 2020.  Below is a table outlining Year 3- 11 camps for the remainder of the year and their status. Whilst talk of camps has been rather quiet recently, we are looking at providing opportunities for as many classes as possible throughout Term 3 and 4, although availabilities are very hard to come by.  We will be moving forward with our communication in regards to camps over the next fortnight so that families are well informed and can start planning financially for the costs that are involved.  The colour code implies: red is cancelled, orange is unsure or a replacement being planned, green is good to go.  I trust this provides some clarity for our community, and we can’t wait to see the students off on new adventures and learning experiences shortly! Please note that no camp had been organised for Year 8 prior to the implications of COVID.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal