It has been of interest to note the heightened level of conversation and discussion relating to the continuing use of technology in schools. We have learned during the COVID-19 lockdown that some elements of virtual learning and communication are too valuable to let go. 

The continuing use of platforms to allow students the opportunity to access content before and after scheduled lesson times or school days is a ‘gamechanger’ in that it has overturned how we approach teaching and learning. 

The schooling model that has been in place for more than a century has served most people well and we need to preserve the valued characteristics such as the professional and personal relationship between student and teacher. However, change is in the wind and I believe that the rest of this year will be used to establish the balance between the new and the old; for the betterment of learning as applied to our young people in the 21st Century.

Some examples of changed practice have already emerged. I am excited that feedback via Zoom for parents and guardians will occur in the Junior College beginning next week. We used to call these Parent-Teacher Interviews, and then they became Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences, and now the model allows for all parents and caregivers the opportunity to access such a discussion - and include their children depending upon their age and circumstances. 

Follow up face-to-face meetings may re-emerge when ‘visitors’ are allowed on site, but I suspect that the number of such meetings will be reduced if the virtual option gains acceptance. Time and observation will tell!

Teaching staff will have an opportunity to access a virtual global education conference in October. This replaces the annual Australian College of Educational Leaders (ACEL) conference that has become the outstanding platform for educational input on the national education calendar. 

What are the advantages of this conference being online? It is free, has attracted key speakers from all over the world, and has opportunities that will allow sustained professional and international sharing as opposed to the 'just in time' experience that is often the way interactions occur on a conference floor. Again, it will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Kindest regards and blessings

Mr Adrian Wiles
Head of College

Message below from the Department on the resumption of school sport from 10 July:

Click here to view the Interim 2020 Queensland Schools Sport State Event Calendar.

As you will see from the listed state championship events, some Darling Downs (DD) regional trials have already been held and some will have to be rescheduled in Term 3 to select teams. A 2020 Reboot DD Calendar is currently been finalised and will be out soon.

• There will be no QSS State Track & Field Championships for 2020.
• The DD Region is considering running a modified Track & Field regional event for both 10-12 years and 13-19 years age groups.

These events will only proceed if the restrictions on numbers are increased and it is safe to do so. More information will be circulated to all schools/zones to determine if this achievable.

We are hoping it will provide an opportunity to all students especially our Senior students in Track and Field in 2020.

The last couple of months can only be described as the strangest of times and has required us all to extend our growth mindset, make challenging decisions and change the way we do things. Amidst these strange times, we have uncovered many "COVID Blessings" at the Junior College.

Word on the Street is that all students at WSC will be participating in a Science and STEM Extravaganza next Thursday as a celebration to the end of our learning for Term 2. Stay tuned for photos next week!

The WSC Student Council Pyjama Day was a huge success and raised over $300 for the homeless. There was also an abundance of donations of non-perishable food items, blankets and warm clothing. Thank you to all students who donated to this worthy cause and to our Student Council for organising. Students and teachers enjoyed coming to school for the day in their pyjamas. Our Student Council Chairperson, Bruce, was so intrigued about Ugg Boots, that he went out and purchased himself a pair!

“… confident, informed and equipped to make a difference in an ever-changing world…” CLC Philosophy.

In 2018, our Philosophy, Purpose and Values statements were all given considerable attention resulting in a range of statements that have been guiding our thinking and decision-making processes ever since. If you have not read them recently, I would like to invite you to take a moment to revisit them. 

We are conscious that these are bold statements and we never want them to fade into the background, regardless of the season we find ourselves in. I believe that our values focused on learning, compassion, courage, service, excellence and respect, within the context of a Christian community that is seeking to be authentic in our approach to education, are tangible and do shape who we are. 

As I look over the past semester, consider the virtual learning done via Teams, as I take a virtual walk through the LOVE CLC tab on the College website and see the contributions of staff and students, it is quite amazing. In my mind, this has been such a visible example of confident, informed and equipped educators and students working together to rapidly adapt to the “ever-changing” world that we experienced first hand. 

As we head into the final week of the semester, it will be one of finalising assessments for students and marking and reporting for teachers. Our reports this semester will look quite different. 

As you know, all of a student's assessment, including the task-specific results and feedback can be viewed via Student Café or Parent Lounge. As a result, the end of semester reports will no longer have the large comment section but will rather be a summary of the academic, behaviour and effort that each student has achieved. If you need assistance in accessing Parent Lounge, please contact the CLC Helpdesk. Reports will be available to be viewed from Friday 26 June. 

Finally, Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews. We are working towards being able to host these interviews face-to-face on Monday 13 July. Information regarding timing and how to book these interviews will accompany the end of semester reports.

I hope that you have a great weekend.

Mr Jason Smith
Director of Campus

From 15 June, the Virtual Futures Expo will go live through MS Teams. All students from Years 9 to 12 will be added to the Team next Monday afternoon. All students in Years 9 to 12 received an email with the Virtual Futures Expo Guide attached. This document will assist in the navigation of the virtual platform.

If your child is in another year level and you would like to be involved, please email Jo-Ann Tessmer to be added to the MS Teams group.