This year marks the celebration of 200 years of Catholic education – acknowledging that Catholic schools have educated millions of Australian students. Catholic Education is marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.  Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.

Almighty and all-loving God,

with gratitude for the endeavours of Catholic education in the past,

with confidence in our Catholic pre-schools, schools and universities today,

and with faith in their continuing contribution in the future,

we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in this Great South Land.

As our Heavenly Father,

we thank you for your providential care for your children in this land in inspiring priests,

religious and lay people to found and staff our schools in ages past.

Through them the Good News of your Son was brought to the young even in colonial times – and ever since.

 As Christ the Teacher,

you grace the staff and leaders of Catholic education today.

As they build on the achievements of their predecessors

direct them in their present efforts to ensure that every young Australian

has the opportunity for an excellent education and formation in faith.

As our Inspiring Spirit,

you lead us into the future.

In the century ahead grant those teaching and learning in our schools,

those planning and leading,

and the families and community that entrust their young people to us,

a love of learning and a willingness to be the face of Christ in the world of tomorrow.

Pour out your abundant blessings upon all involved in the ministry of Catholic education.

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. 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.

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.

Keyboard skills are critical for NAPLAN online writing assessment. I encourage families to allow students time to type up stories/work on the computer.  Spend time with your child editing their work on the screen.  Discuss this process with your child and articulate your thinking. 

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