All Students to Return to Qld Schools 25 May

The announcement we have all been waiting for was made this morning, all students would return to Queensland school from Monday 25 May.  This is great news for all parties concerned and we cannot wait to have everyone back.  Next week will function in the same manner as this week and more details regarding items such as carparking and drop offs will be communicated early next week.

Importantly we must remember that just because students are back at school, it doesn’t mean that things will return to “normal”.  We will still need to limit the amount of non-essential people on the College site, alter lunch and break times for students to reduce concentrated areas, and much much more.   

We trust everyone will have a great last week of Remote Learning, and will enjoy getting back to classroom learning next Monday 25 May. I must say that seeing the formal end to Remote Learning @OLSCC is quite a sad experience, given the amount of effort and energy invested in Remote Learning by our staff, students, parents and wider community.  I continue to be amazed by the standard of work being done by both staff and students in this domain.  It’s amazing what can be achieved when we have such an amazing group of people dedicated to education the students of OLSCC.

Welcome Back!

This week we welcomed back a few staff members, the majority of Preppies, Year 1, Year 11 and Year 12 students.  We averaged around 250 students per day including 70-80 students in Years 2-10 completing their Remote Learning at school. It has been energising to welcome the children in the morning and see them off in the afternoon, as well as just seeing the buzz that is happening in classrooms. 

Moving Forward Post-Covid

As a College, we are beginning to plan our way forward as limits are eased on travel, sport and social distancing.  Accordingly this will be a hot topic at the meeting of the Board on Monday evening.  In next week’s newsletter I will provide greater details regarding our intentions in this regard.  It might not yet be appropriate to get the College Coach up and moving, though we are continuing our Year 6 Canberra Trip preparation, as well as exploring some sporting options so that our kids don’t completely miss out in 2020.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

Laudato Si’ Week 2020 

We are living through history-shaping events. Laudato Si’ teaches us how to build a better world–together. 

People everywhere are crying out for hope, and our faith is urgently needed to light the way. For Laudato Si’ Week, 16-24 May, Catholics are uniting in solidarity for a more just and sustainable future. 

Stand united with our brothers and sisters in faith as we grow through the crisis of this moment to build a better tomorrow.  Laudato Si’ Week honours the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home. The theme of the week is “everything is connected.” 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

It was great to hear the sound of excited voices and to see the sense of joy on the faces of our Year 11 and 12 students on Monday morning as they returned to school. Many spoke of how much they had missed being with their friends and teachers in person during these past weeks. Most students appreciated the dedicated work of their teachers in preparing online lessons and resources, but their preference was clearly for the face-to-face experience of being together in class and at school.

We look forward to welcoming our Year 9 and 10 students back to the College in the near future.

Examination Week

It is hard to believe that we have already reached the point in the term where we need to start to think about examinations. The majority of our senior exams will be held in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) to allow for more space. Students need to ensure that they are completing regular revision and review of their learning.

I encourage students to write down their exam times in their diaries.

https://www.dalby.catholic.edu.au/assessment

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

On Monday 25 May, all Middle Years students will be back on-site and completing classroom based learning for the first time in eight weeks. Our staff are very excited to have their classes back on site. Things will still be a little different though, as social distancing restrictions will still exist but it is the first step towards things returning to “normal”.  

Before everyone returns, I would like to remind families of some College expectations regarding uniforms, personal appearance, jewellery and mobile phones. These are explained in full in the student diary and some of the more pertinent points are highlighted below:

Uniform

The College uniform is a compulsory component associated with the enrolment of all students. It is a sign of unity and belonging for students and should always be worn with pride. Students are expected to present in a complete uniform, being neat and well-groomed in their appearance and exhibiting exemplary behaviour at all times.

In extreme cold, students are encouraged to layer using appropriate thermal undershirts in addition to the College pullover. As the cooler weather is fast approaching, please check the status of your child’s pullover now. If they have grown out of it or it is in a state of disrepair, please visit the College Uniform Shop or our online uniform partner Wearitto (http://www.wearitto.com.au/schools/our-lady-of-the-southern-cross) to replace the item before the cold weather has set in.

Shoes

• shoes should not show any colour other than black in their appearance, including the logo and foam support.
• shoes should also have a sturdy upper, be it leather, vinyl, suede or similar material.
• canvas shoes, such as Dunlop Volleys and Converse All Stars and any shoe with an open section are unsuitable.

Personal Appearance

• hair should be well groomed, brushed and sensible/conservative in nature (e.g. natural hair colours)
• boys hair must not be longer than their collar, not tied back and not hanging over the face.
• girls hair must not hang over the face and shoulder length hair must be tied back with a black, red and/or white ribbon or scrunchie.
• only clear nail polish is to be worn and makeup must be neutral.
• boys must have their formal socks pulled up and their shirts tucked in.

Jewellery

Jewellery is to be limited to:

• one watch
• one discrete necklace or chain (a plain crucifix or other Christian religious symbol on a chain)
• girls can wear sleepers or studs (one per lobe only)

Note: Any student who chooses to get piercings should ensure the piercing can be removed during school hours, or suitably covered or inserted with a clear stud. Students will be directed to remove non-compliant and/or unsafe jewellery.  

Mobile Phones

The College takes no responsibility for mobile phones and other electronic devices brought to school. It is our preference that these items be left at home. If it is necessary for the student to bring such a device to school then the following guidelines apply:

1. Accessing the College network falls under the Student Network Access Agreement
2. The device should be only used under the direction of the classroom teacher
3. When not being used under teacher direction, the College expects that the device will be switched off and secured, with their belongings, in the student’s locker or at the College office.
4. A student needing to leave the College because of sickness or emergency must report to the College office or in sick bay, and parents will be contacted by the office staff.
5. Parents who need to contact their child during the course of the school day should do so through the College Office.

Students found not following these guidelines will have their mobile phones immediately confiscated to be collected from the College office at the end of the school day. Continued disregard for these guidelines will result in parent meetings.

Please discuss all of the points above with your child and ensure they are ready to return before Monday, 25 May.

Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal Middle Years

How wonderful was it to have our Prep and Year One students return this week! Thankyou to all families for embracing the changed conditions for drop off and pick up. The children have adjusted really well to the new routine and are very settled in their classrooms. There is a buzz of excitement in each of these rooms and face to face learning is back in full swing!

The flow of traffic along Nicholson Street has allowed parks to be consistently available. All students have managed to clear the school zone within 8-10 minutes. For this first week back, Prep and Year 1 classes were coming out to the footpath a little earlier than the official 3:10 finish time. Next week they will NOT come to the footpath until after the final bell at 3:10pm as the pickup routine is now established. We ask that if you arrive before 3:10pm that you comply with our request to remain at your car to avoid gatherings on the footpath, which not only contravenes the social distancing recommendations, it also slows down the movement of students.

It can be difficult to see inside cars, especially those with tinted windows and as such, having  your family surname on your windscreen at pick up time makes identification much easier.

Please continue to be mindful of general safety and traffic rules. Parents should refrain from parking on the verges as this blocks the vision for other cars.

To ease congestion further, families with older children (particularly once Yrs 2-10 return) should consider arranging to meet your child at Cooper Street (opposite PCYC) for pick up. There is currently a teacher on duty there and those who have taken up this option have found it remarkably smooth, with minimal traffic.

Here are some snapshots of our Preps and Year One’s enjoying their time back together again!

Katrina Walton

Assistant Principal Early Years

Next week is National Careers Week (18 – 22 May) and the College will be celebrating this week with a number of events being held. Students in Year 11 and 12 will be issued with a timetable on Monday for the week and parents can use the links provided to also participate.

Year 8 to 10 students at home will also be able to find the links to the webinars etc on the home page of the Pathways and Careers page on Canvas. They can also use the links provided below. The College Facebook page will also have links posted at various stage throughout the week.

Year 11 and 12 Presentation https://youtu.be/pyjtmpUe8I8  

On Line Chat with Griffith University Wednesday, 20 May https://www.griffith.edu.au/engage/schools-recruitment-and-engagement/chat-with-us-online  

USQ Academics have recently developed educational workshops covering a number of topics to support students, parents and teachers through online learning. USQ will be continually adding to these workshops and they are completely free for the community

https://www.usq.edu.au/study/faculty-events/2020/04/online-learning-for-students-parents  

You can also check out the Careers Week Website at - 

Libby Baxter

Careers Practitioner

During this Term, Mrs Crump and Mrs Chalmers have been busy cooking up new and exciting items to add to our Tuckshop Menu. Some of the old favourites and some new options have been added to a new section on Flexishchools called Daily Specials. Two options will be available each day with something different for each day of the week. There will be a special spot in Flexischools where you can order the Daily Special. Staff have had the lucky job of taste testing the new options and are excited to see what will make the final cut. Some of the tried suggestions have included loaded wedges, Turkish toastie with chicken, cheese and sweet chilli, mac'n'cheese, Caesar wraps, fish and wedges, meatball subs and then there's some old favourites such as hamburgers, works burgers and chicken and gravy rolls. The Daily Special will hopefully be rolled out this term so please keep an eye out on Flexischools. Also, we'd like to remind all students and staff that the methods for ordering Tuckshop will remain the same as at the end of Term 1 and will continue this way until further notice. Please see the Tuckshop Menu via the link below for all the details on how to order. There will be a new menu out soon with all our exciting new changes.

We are currently advertising a Teacher Aide position for Week 6 to 10 (inclusive) of this Term. For more information, please see the document below or click on the link to take you to our website.

The P & F AGM is coming up on 26 May at 6pm in the PAC and with all positions being declared vacant, we are encouraging members of our College community to attend. The P & F plays an integral part in the direction of our College. Those who wish to be involved in their child's school and education will find involvement with the P & F rewarding as well as demonstrating to your children the value you place in their school. Please see the two attached documents for more information about the Roles and Responsibilities of the P & F.