Assumption College Warwick
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6 Locke Street
Warwick QLD 4370
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Email: acwarwick@twb.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 07 4660 4000
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Assumption College Newsletter - 1 May 2020

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Assumption College Newsletter - 1 May 2020

By Mr Simon Fleming - Principal

We have now completed two weeks of remote learning. It appears from the data we have that most students and families have been engaged with on-line or remote learning. Students are uploading or submitting evidence of learning from which teachers are able to provide feedback and make informed judgements about the success of the learning in order to adjust future lessons.

I would like to congratulate parents/caregivers for the support you are providing your children. It is necessary for students to engage in the learning process. Recent news items and research coming out of universities does indicate the potential for students to become further disengaged from learning and school, if they are not committed to the remote learning environment. This is certainly what we want to avoid.

By now you should have had a contact from school to check in on how families are coping. It is evident that in our community families have been hit hard economically by COVID 19 on top of the drought. If you are experiencing difficulties with the learning process or financially please contact me at school to see what we can do. Some families have reached out and we have been able to provide solutions. We understand that this is a stressful period and we don’t want to see families suffer due to schooling.

You may have seen the Assumption enrolment signs around town. This is a reminder that in order to determine future needs for our school we need to confirm enrolments. This impacts on staffing and subject offerings. If you haven’t picked up an enrolment package or you know of a family considering enrolment could you contact the office and ask to speak to Sharon Newley.

Due to the disruption caused by COVID 19 we are looking at rescheduling events. We are currently considering the reporting timeline and senior exam blocks. We are also considering a new format for reporting and using Sentral so that parents receive a digital copy of the report. Once there is agreement on a format we will seek feedback from parent bodies. We will also distribute a copy of the report features. Our intention is to provide an academic report for all students by the end of term or early next term.

This year our Middle Leaders - which includes our Curriculum Leaders and Pastoral Leaders will be undergoing a summative appraisal. The purpose of this is to gather evidence of performance and to help direct future learning as a leader. We also will be evaluating the Middle Leader structure at school to ensure we have a structure that is best serving the needs of our students and community into the future. Schools need to be continually looking to improve and we need structures that are relevant today and future centred. This means that what has served us well in the past may not be what we require into the future. I will keep our community informed of the progress.

Please keep safe and in times of doubt remember that prayer is a powerful tool.

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Have a lovely week.

Simon

 

Public Holiday - Labour Day - Monday 4th May 2020

By Mrs Anna Hardy, Acting Deputy Principal

First, a thank-you to all of the parents, carers and guardians in our community for their efforts in the new world of on-line learning.  We acknowledge that it is a difficult and very unknown world that we are currently living in; however, with your continued support and effort of your child’s education we will all make it through the other side of this.

Teachers have been monitoring the engagement of all their students in their respective classes.  We are certainly aware that there are some students who will find this type of learning challenging and hence may become disengaged from their studies.  The pastoral team have put in place some support networks to monitor these students.

As a courtesy over the next few weeks each family will receive a phone call from the College checking in with the student’s online learning progress.  The purpose of this call is to ensure that Canvas and all technology is working as it should.  We encourage parents to raise concerns if they have any during this conversation.  These phone calls will continue throughout the period of on-line learning. 

For students who have not engaged with any of their course content, their Pastoral Leader will be making contact home to discuss this lack of progress and devise a plan moving forward.  Again, this process will continue each week while we are on-line. 

Uniform

A reminder that students have moved into their winter uniform.  This means blazers for Year 11 and 12 students and winter skirts and tights for all girls. 

By Mrs Carol Sharp, APRE

The Online RE Classroom

Well, we are two weeks into our on-line learning and hopefully our students are all getting used to the systems being used and the expectations around completion of work. Just a couple of things to point out that may help when working with your student in on-line learning:

  • RE students will have approximately 2 ½ hours work per week in years 7 – 10 and 3 ½ hours in years 11 & 12.
  • If your student has finished all their RE work by Monday, that’s fine. It means they should have completed the equivalent of three lesson in one big block and now have time to focus on their other subjects.
  • Please encourage your student to engage with the reading and audio-visual materials supplied. The feedback from some teachers is that students are going straight to the task at the end and not taking the time to engage with the lesson.
  • And finally, remember, they are in secondary school and need to take responsibility for their learning. If they struggle with the learning, its great that they have you there but don’t feel you have to replace the teacher. Please encourage your student to problem solve for themselves. They can always get in touch with their teacher through email or, in many cases, through online video chats.

If you have any concerns please contact your student’s classroom teacher or you can send me an email at Carol.Sharp@twb.catholic.edu.au.

ANZAC Day Ceremony

Last Friday the staff and students present, gathered to have a brief reflection for ANZAC Day. While it couldn’t be as big a celebration as we would normally have it was still a beautiful moment to stop and remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. A big thank you to all who participated but especially to Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Johnson for all their hard work behind the scenes.

Prayer – Reflection

Liminal space is an inner state and sometimes an outer situation where we can begin to think and act in new ways. It is where we are betwixt and between, having left one room or stage of life but not yet entered the next. We usually enter liminal space when our former way of being is challenged or changed—perhaps when we lose a job or a loved one, during illness, at the birth of a child, or a major relocation. It is a graced time, but often does not feel “graced” in any way. In such space, we are not certain or in control. This global pandemic we now face is an example of an immense, collective liminal space. ….

Click Here to continue reading this reflection.

By Ms Eliza Harris - Assistant Principal - Curriculum 

Welcome back to Term Two!

Our first few weeks of remote learning have been challenging and exciting. It has been inspiring to see College staff, students and parents work together in an unprecedented capacity to ensure continuity of high-quality educational experiences.

We have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the creative and constructive ways parents and students have been engaging with remote learning – it is refreshing to see the many ways this situation has allowed us to reconnect within our family and community groups.

Alternatively, I would like to remind all parents and students that the College has arranged specific support structures to assist families through this time. The College is critically aware of the extent to which many community members have been impacted by COVID-19 and we are well positioned to offer support through a variety of avenues.

Our school officers have been actively contacting all families to ensure parents and students are aware of and have adequate support when engaging with remote learning from home.

All students are reminded to regularly check their Outlook Email, Canvas Pages and Microsoft Teams to ensure they are not missing any critical information. Any queries about weekly learning experiences, submission of work and progressive feedback on student engagement and performance should be directed to the subject teacher. Parents are readily encouraged to phone or email their student’s teachers at any point with questions or concerns.

Updated information pertaining to assessment and curriculum delivery in Grades 11 and 12 will be communicated to students and parents this week – stay tuned!

Key Support Contacts:

IT/Technical Support: Abraham Fern Abraham.Fern@twb.catholic.edu.au

Learning Enrichment: Marg Grew Margaret.Grew@twb.catholic.edu.au & Karyn Morrison Karyn.Morrison@twb.catholic.edu.au

Assistant Principal Curriculum: Eliza Harris Eliza.Harris@twb.cathoilc.edu.au

Alternatively, call the College office at any time on 4660 4000

Happy Learning!

By Miss Rebecca Bastion and Mrs Mary-Anne Driver 

Even though it is very quiet in the library at lunch times, there are still opportunities to work on skills and concentration. 

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Don’t forget we are still running our weekly activities via Canvas on the Information and Learning Centre page.  Mrs Gillespie showed us how to make an ANZAC poppy last week and there are videos on how to make an origami popper this week (makes a noise like a whip crack).  Students can send us a video of the finished product and there will be a prize for the loudest pop!

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Next week, Mrs Gillespie is going to show us how to make some gifts for Mother’s Day so make sure you tune in.   We also have some brain break/down time activities, English and Maths extension games, mediation and keeping active modules.

Also on Canvas we have a plethora of ‘how to’ tutorials to help students with accessing on-line resources.  Please encourage your child to check it out!  Equally, if there is anything your student needs, either physical resources or help with any on-line access we are here to help, get in touch via email: Assumptionlib@twb.catholic.edu.au.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fantastic News! You can still have access to your favourite authors. The Southern Downs library have started a home delivery service.  Follow the link below for details.  They have eBooks and audio books available as well.

https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/alerts-news-notices/2020-news/2020-april/library-home-delivery-service-ready-to-roll

We hope you are keeping well and safe and we look forward to having students once again filling the library.

By Mr Scott Clegg - Business Manager 

P & F Levy

With the COVID-19 crisis having such a wide-ranging effect, and to assist our local community, our College P&F have decided to refund the P&F Levy for Term 1, 2020 and also not to charge the P&F Levy for Term 2, 2020.

We thank the P&F for this generous donation.

Computers for Sale

Assumption College is moving on some desktop computer systems from our computer lab. With there being an increased requirement on technology at home in the current circumstances, we are making them available to the community before moving them on to recycling.

These machines have been upgraded with a 256GB SSD a couple of years back so they are quite zippy. They are a 2014 model machine, but still quite effective for doing the daily tasks. If you are interested, we will be moving them on for $100 per system.

The system includes:

1x HP Small Form Factor Desktop PC with:

- Gen 4 Intel i5-4570 @ 3.2GHz

- 8GB RAM

- 256GB Kingston UV500 SSD

- Windows 10 Home

1x 24” HP LCD Screen

1x Keyboard

1x Mouse

1x VGA Cable

1x Power Cable

Please keep in mind that they don’t have Wifi ‘baked in’ like laptops and some of the newer desktop PCs, so if you want wireless connectivity to the network you will need to source ‘USB Wifi dongle’.

They are available as a ‘first come, first served’ basis and in limited numbers so please call the College and reserve a unit if you wish to secure one. This is a cash sale item to be paid for at pick-up and cannot be put onto school fees.

If you would like to purchase one, please email  Mr Fern on itdepartment@acwarwick.catholic.edu.au.

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Courtyard 2

Building works in Courtyard 2 have been completed this week.  The extra shade and new plants have been installed, and the surfaces have been upgraded.  Tuckshop patrons can now queue in comfort, and extra seating and tables have been added.

We look forward to seeing students enjoying them for many years to come.

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NSSAS

Applications are now open for Non-State Schools transport Assistance Scheme for Semester 1 2020.

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Enrolments

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Tuckshop

To support our families during these unprecedented times, the tuckshop is adding dinner options to our current menu. Families can phone in orders with pickup and delivery options.

Please click below for more details:

Week 3 Menu

Students attending school can still order as per normal.

Family Tuckshop Menu 2020.

QFCC Survey 2020

Growing Up in Queensland gives children and young people from across the state the opportunity to share their experiences on growing up in 2020. Through surveys, postcards and art activities, the project seeks to gather insights about what is important to children and young people, what their communities are like and their hopes and dreams.

A key element of the project has been face-to-face focus groups conducted in schools and youth groups. However, due to COVID-19 and in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of Queensland’s teachers and students, we had to cancel the focus groups this year.

We know that in times of difficulty, the voices of children and young people can often be the least heard. While adults are keeping our community safe, it is important that we make sure our children and young people are heard. That is why we have adjusted our approach by developing new ways of hearing the views of children and young people.

Click Here for children and young people to access the following:

  • Youth survey, available online for young people aged 13–18 years
  • Junior survey for children aged 8 – 12 (coming soon)
  • Artwork activity, available online for children aged 4–7 years
  • Postcard questions, available online for children aged 8–12 years.

Children and young people’s comments help bring issues to life. Their stories and experiences demonstrate how issues impact our youngest citizens. Just as we did in 2018 when we published the This Place I Call Home: The views of children and young people on growing up in Queensland report, the insights gathered will be shared to inspire changes to the way decisions are made.

Should you have any questions about the Growing up in Queensland 2020 project, please contact Mr Hamish Bessant, Director, Queensland Family and Child Commission, on telephone 0408 076 036 or via email Hamish.bessant@qfcc.qld.gov.au

Lifeline Personal Resilience Course

This free 4 week course aims to help you develop a mindset that builds a high level of resilience. The program will focus on assisting you to experience positive emotions and constructive thoughts through a number of resilience building strategies. Not only will you examine strategies to build your own personal resilience, but you will develop your very own Wellbeing Plan.

A further benefit of this online program is that it enables you to interact with other participants, share experiences, stories and what has worked for you. You will feel connected to the other participants and experience the program as a shared learning experience.

The course comprises:

•Six modules which cover the core content around the key TLC Pillars of Resilience Framework.

•An online facilitator leads participants on a journey of self-awareness, personal insight and growth with a focus on developing practical strategies for immediate use. A convenient and safe platform to maintain important connections as we socially distance.

•Flexible approach requiring only 10 hours to complete over the 4 weeks.

Online Personal Resilience Training Course

Please note: This course runs on a monthly basis and numbers for this round of training are limited. Participants are accepted based on the eligibility and participation criteria. For more information or to enrol in the next available course please contact Community Connections at connect@lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au or 1300 991 443

SDRC Agency & Community Support Guide

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Southern Downs Regional Council’s Community & Cultural Services team have collated an SDRC COVID-19 Agency and Community Support Guide. It covers a range of support on a large range of topics.

To view the guide please Click Here