Helpful Information for Students, Parents and Carers 

Term 1 2024 CCC Sport Information

Naplan Information 2024

Dear Parents and Carers of Years 7 and 9 2024,

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point-in-time

assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress

through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN

tests in reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and

numeracy.

At O’Connor, we are completing these tests on Wednesday and Friday Week 7 (next week) and Monday and Tuesday Week 8.

ALL TESTS WILL BE IN THE LINKWAY AND BOTH DRAMA ROOMS.

2024

Year 7 students will use their school-supplied Chromebook for these tests.  

Year 9 students will mostly use their own device, as long as they have successfully installed the NAPLAN Lock-Down Browser.  See the email from Mr McFarland for instructions on how to do this.  Some students will use school Chromebooks.

It is recommended that bring a pair of headphones as some text and questions have an “audio available” play icon.

If your child is absent for any of these tests, they need to complete the tests in the catch-up times.  These are period 1 for the final four days of the testing period: From Wednesday, March 20 until Monday, March 25.  No tests can be completed after this last day.  Catch-up tests will happen in room AG1.

Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. Students do not need to be

able to touch type to complete NAPLAN Online as the tests are not about keyboard skills.

Students can use the public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with the functionalities of the online assessment.

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

The Demonstration Questions on this site show the platform and the types of questions they will experience in NAPLAN Online.  There are several ways students can practise these tests.  Education Perfect https://www.educationperfect.com/ has some practice exams. All students should know how to log onto this platform. 

If you would like more information on the NAPLAN tests, feel free to read the National NAPLAN Information for Parents flyer.  The link is below:

https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf

Thanks for your continued support of your child and their education with us.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stephen Chapman

Assistant Principal - Curriculum 

NAPLAN Coordinator

PO Box 635 Armidale NSW 2350 Tel (02) 6772 1666

Email: occadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au

Road Safety is a Back to School Essential Conversation

As students return to school, it is important to keep safety in mind. Talk with your young person about safely getting to and from school.

- Keep your young person safe by expecting that they will always use the door closest to the kerb to enter and exit a car.

- Keep your young person safe by expecting they will take off their headphones while walking.

- Keep your young person safe by expecting that they will be a positive role model for younger students while travelling to and from school on the bus.

- Keep your young person safe by expecting they will wear a properly fitted bike helmet when travelling using wheels - bike, scooter and skateboard

.- Student drivers must follow government rules , school expectations/ procedures and drive safely and responsibly. This includes only approved passengers being transported in the car with a student driver. 

Teach your young person never to sacrifice safety for convenience.

Source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/

School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) 

This is a federal government program that I would like to share with College community. The SSBI is a program to provide free home internet for one year for up to 30,000 unconnected Australian families with school-aged students. 

There is an information sheet from NBN Co that describes the program.

To be eligible, families must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school (up to year 12 including Prep in Qld/Vic/Tas, Kindy in NSW, Reception in SA, Transition in NT/ACT and Pre-Primary in WA).
• Not have an active National Broadband Network (nbn®) Internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.
• Live in a premises that can access the National Broadband Network via a standard connection - this will be checked for families.
• Not have had an active nbn connection during the previous 14 days.

Families can apply to the National Referral Centre via: 

• https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet
• Calling 1800 954 610 (10am – 6pm AEDT Monday to Friday, excluding Victorian Public Holidays)

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the college.

Kind Regards,

Mr Mark Harris

Leader of Learning, Mathematics & IT Manager

School Parking

Fee Schedule for 2024 

Tuition Fees 

The Tuition Fee is an annual charge that is divided into three (3) term payments for convenience. Tuition Fees include a resource fee of $500 per annum for Years 7-10 and $700 per annum for Years 11 and 12 to cover the cost of book-hire, computer software licencing and copyright etc. A Technology fee of $100 per annum for Year 7 & 8 and $150 per annum for Year 10 & 11 to cover the cost of College provided devices. 

General all school excursions including Year 7 to 10 Retreat days are now included into the Tuition Fees amount. 

Years 7, 9 & 11 Camp/Retreat is charged separately, this cost is approximately $430 (exact cost will not be available until closer to the dates planned). 

Fees for external sporting events & other non-compulsory events however will be charged separately if a student wishes to attend. 

Unless a prior arrangement has been made with either the Principal or the College Finance Support Officer, all accounts are expected to be finalised promptly. 

Family Reduction 

A reduction of fees is granted when a family has three or more children attending the College. Where there are three children, the third child will receive a 60% reduction, where there are four or more children, the third will receive a 60% reduction and there is no charge for subsequent children. Consideration will also be given to families with more than two children enrolled at O’Connor Catholic College and the Catholic feeder schools to O’Connor. 

2024 Tuition Fees 

The Resource Fee is included as part of the Tuition Fees. The 2024 Fees are: Junior Secondary Years 7 - 10 Tuition Fee $1,099 per Term x 3 Terms ($3,297 p.a.)

Senior Secondary Years 11 - 12 Tuition Fee $1,255 per Term x 3 Terms ($3,765 p.a.) 

Method of Payment 

Payment of Fees and other charges may be made in cash, by cheque, EFTPOS or by Credit Card (Bankcard, Visa, Mastercard). Whilst BPay option is the preferred method of payment. The Biller Code and your individual reference number can be found on your school fee statement. 

Notification of Withdrawal of Students 

Parents are expected to give one month's notice, in writing, if they are intending to withdraw students from the College. Failure to do so may render them liable for a full term's fees. An Exit Form for this purpose can be obtained from the College office. 

Building Levy 

The facilities at O’Connor are maintained through the contribution of families to the Building Levy. These can be existing parents of students, pensioners, or parishioners with no connection to the College. All parents (past, present and future) have a responsibility to maintain and look after the heritage and buildings they have and will inherit. A $429.00 per annum per family building levy is charged and $143 will be invoiced with the Tuition Fees each Term. It can be expected that this levy will increase in future years. 

Elective Subject Costs Years 11 – 12 

Some subjects charge extra fees for consumables. These have been detailed in Course Information Booklets and are as follows: 

Fees

Fees can be paid through the Compass system. For any information regarding the payment of fees, please call the College Office on 67 72 1666. 

When paying fees online, please use your account number or name as a reference when paying their school fees so we know where the payment has come from.

Canteen Menu

We are fortunate at O'Connor Catholic College to have such a range of healthy options at our student cafe. 

Full time Provisional Psychologist available for students at O'Connor

At O'Connor we  have an onsite full-time provisional psychologist at the College. This will ensure timely and easy access to what is  a very important service for our students.  

Bus Timetables for 2024

Edwards Coaches

All parent, guardian and student inquiries for 2022 can be referred to Edwards Coaches on (02) 6772 3116 or by emailing them at admin@edwardscoaches.com.au or james@edwardscoaches.com.au

TFNSW is now accepting bus applications for 2022. Please go to the Transport NSW page. You can also simply use your browser by searching School Student Transport Scheme. Likewise for you can update your address or school changes.

Uniform Shop

The end of Term 1 is fast approaching and in turn so is the warm weather. Please be aware that from Term 2 full winter uniform is to be worn by students.

If you require new or second hand school uniform items please contact Mrs Vickie Cooper for a fitting appointment through the College office on 6772 1666 or via email: vcooper@arm.catholic.edu.au 

Uniform Shop Hours (by appointment only). 

Monday:          8am - 4pm

Wednesday:   10pm - 4pm

Uniform prices can be found on our College website.