Helpful Information for Parents and Carers
Enrolments Update
We currently interviewing all students who have returned their enrollment forms. If you have a sibling or family member that is intending to attend Year 7 in 2023, enrolments are closing soon. For 2022, we have some limited space in our current 7-12 cohorts.
Please contact our Enrolment Officer Mrs Amanda Howard on (02) 6772 1666 or email occadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au for an enrolment pack.
Employment Opportunities
School TV
SPECIAL REPORT: Sextortion
‘Sextortion’ has been an issue for over a decade, with many adults falling victim to this type of online crime. It is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share intimate images of you unless you give in to their demands. Organised criminal gangs across Eastern Europe, Russia, and Africa connect to their victims via social media, chat apps, instant messaging platforms and online games. More recently though there has been a higher rate of adolescent males falling victim, that is not to say that young females are not also targeted.
Since the beginning of 2022, there has been a 400% increase in this type of crime being reported to police in Australia alone. However, these figures are being replicated in most western countries. Having an understanding of how your young person can fall victim to such an offender may help to protect them from engaging or conceding to their demands. It is vitally important for parents and carers to be aware of this serious issue and to start having an age-appropriate conversation as early as possible. Be aware that even with an online account set to private, random people can still message your child. Emphasise to your young person the importance of only engaging online with people they actually know, not someone they think they might know.
Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open between you and your child. Young people who fall victim to these offenders will feel distressed and blame themselves. Let them know that no matter what, they can come to you and ask for help, and that there is nothing so bad that they cannot come to you. Managing devices can be difficult especially with older teens, but it is important to weigh up the risks and the dangers. Sadly, even good kids who never make a poor decision elsewhere in their life, can and do make poor choices online. The information presented in this report is intended to alert and not alarm parents and caregivers of this potential issue.
Further information and resources relating to this topic can be accessed via the following websites:
Helping Kids Thrive Online
This Term 2 webinar offers tips about how to support young people to socialise, learn and have fun online safely. It explains how to access information, use technology safely and navigate new online platforms.
It will cover:
- how to talk to young people about online risks on different social media platforms and games
- how to help young people develop skills to protect themselves when they are online
- where to go for help if things go wrong and how to access mental health support and information through eSafety.
Cyberbullying and online drama
Suitable for parents and carers of young people aged 11 to 18 years old.
Tuesday September 20, 7.30pm-8.30pm
Popular apps
Suitable for parents and carers of young people aged 13 to 18 years old.
Wednesday October 26, 7.30pm-8.30pm
Homework Centre
Homework Centre is on Monday to Wednesdays in the College Library. The Centre runs from 3.20pm to 4.30pm and there are staff to assist students. All welcome. Easy pickup from the designated visitor pickup between the office and library entrances.
FEE SCHEDULE FOR 2022
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 licensing and copyright etc. As a systemic school in the Armidale Diocese, the College is required to make regular payments to the Armidale Catholic Schools Office. Tuition Fees are also required to cover the normal running costs of the College. Unless a prior arrangement has been made with either the Principal or the College Finance 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.
Resource Fee
The Resource Fee is included as part of the Tuition Fees. The 2022 Fees are:
Junior Secondary Years 7 -10 $1026 per Term x 3 Terms ($3078 p.a.)
Senior Secondary Years 11-12 $1172 per Term x 3 Terms ($3516 p.a.)
Method of Payment
Payment of Fees and other charges may be made in cash, by Compass Pay, cheque, EFTPOS or by Credit Card (Bankcard, Visa, Mastercard). Direct Debits may also be arranged with the bursar. The preferred method is Compass Pay.
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.
Building Levy
The facilities at O’Connor are maintained through the contribution of families to the BuildingLevy. 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 $414.00 per annum per family building levy is charged and $138 will be invoiced with the Tuition Fees each Term. It can be expected that this levy will increase in future years.
Elective Fees: TBA, Electives are still being decided. Refer to our website for more information.
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.
CWC - Catholic Women Connecting Armidale
Armidale CWC (Catholic Women Connecting) invite all interested women to our winter gathering on Saturday 30th July. We would like to gather together at 6pm Mass, followed by "Soup and Sharing" time in the Parish Centre. Over our table meal, we will briefly share one of our favourite saints and explain why they are important to us. Please let us know if you'd like to bring bread or soup to share.
RSVP to Tina in the parish Office 67722218 or email amidalecwc@gmail.com
Armidale CWC is for all Catholic Women who wish to share their faith, family and friendship in our Cathedral Parish and it is affiliated with the CWL. New ladies to our Parish are most welcome to join us. Leave your details at the Parish Office to hear about all upcoming events.
Sporting Clubs
Canteen Menu
We are fortunate at O'Connor Catholic College to have such a range of healthy options at our student cafe. The daily specials are always popular and this Term a mini graze box has been added to the morning tea menu.
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 2022
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.
VIDEO: A quick snapshot of O'Connor Catholic College including our current College Captains.
Uniform Shop
The College clothing pool can be accessed by making an appointment with Vicki Cooper during the following days. Vicki can be contacted via email on vcooper@arm.catholic.edu.au or a booking can be made by calling the school office on 02 67 72 1666.
Clothing Pool hours are:
Monday - 8am to 12 noon
Wednesday - 12 to 4pm
Thursday - 10am to 4pm
To make an appointment, please contact Mrs Vickie Cooper through the College office, 6772 1666 or via email: vcooper@arm.catholic.edu.au For the remainder of term, the Uniform Shop will be open on Mondays-8am to 12noon, Wednesdays-12noon to 4pm and Thursday-10am to 4pm.
Uniform Shop Hours (by appointment).
Monday: 8am - 12pm
Wednesday: 12pm - 4pm
Thursday: 10am - 4pm (note change of day for 2021)
Prices can be found on our College website.