The challenges presented by COVID-19 certainly have not abated since school returned for Term 2 but it is pleasing that we are now able to look towards the return of some more students to face-to-face learning from next Monday.

QCEC advocated strongly with the State Government for Prep, and Years 1, 11 and 12 to be among the first students to be able to return to the classroom.

Both our seniors and our youngest learners are at significant points in their learning journey that are best managed in the school environment and we look forward to seeing most of these students back in Catholic schools next week.

As we continue to negotiate our way back to full school-based learning for all students there will be many issues to deal with, a reminder of just how complex schools are as organisations.

QCEC is involved in daily stakeholder briefings with all sectors and we are participating in a wide range of forums to ensure the sector has a voice in all decisions being taken regarding schools.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all our Catholic School Authorities (CSAs), principals, teachers and school staff for the wonderful way in which they have embraced the challenges and found creative and innovative ways to solve problems and steer a new course in a very short space of time.

There are significant decision points coming up for governments, including this Friday when the National Cabinet will decide whether some restrictions can be relaxed nationally and 15 May when the Queensland Government will assess its state-wide response to easing restrictions.

QCEC will be keeping CSAs updated daily as further changes affecting schools are announced.

The scheduled NCCD cross-school moderation sessions have moved to an online platform.

NCCD Moderation is an essential activity that quality assures that students with disability are in the right category of disability and level of adjustment.

This information is collected for the Australian Government August census. The NCCD is used to calculate Australian Government funding for students with disability.

Participants can register for a session that best suits their own schedules.

Registrations are open for April and May via Eventbrite.

The Queensland College of Teachers will be hosting webinars throughout May to support learning at home arrangements.

Webinar topics range from student and teacher wellbeing to cyber security.

Click here to register.

The nomination period for the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards has been extended until Friday 26 June.

The awards recognise individuals delivering innovative teaching or pastoral care work within Catholic school communities.

It would be wonderful to see some of the innovative work being done to manage teaching and learning during the pandemic nominated for the awards.

You can submit your nominations here with the awards to be presented during Term 4.

Congratulations to All Hallows’ School student, Lily Megaw, who is the Queensland winner of the 2020 Simpson Prize.

The Simpson Prize is a competition designed for Year 9 and Year 10 students focusing on the Australian experience of the First World War.

One prize is awarded in each state and territory.

Lily’s essay explored the ways in which Australians continued to suffer after their return home from war.

You can read Lily’s essay here.

Photo source: All Hallows’ School Facebook page.

A reminder that applications for this semester’s student travel rebate close on 31 May 2020. 

Schools may wish to promote this on their school website and in their school newsletter.

The Bus Fare Assistance Program is only available for travel to schools outside the Brisbane City Council boundary.

Missed a Circular? Below is a list of Circulars that have been issued recently. Use your login to access them.  

2020 Circulars

033   Queensland Planning Reference Committee

034   Nominee for Industry Sector Standing Committee

035   Queensland Catholic Schools’ Response to Reporting of Year 12 Outcomes

036   QCEC Face to Face Meetings Cancelled

037   Student Background Data Collection – Propose Change of Timeframe Update

038   National Architecture for Schooling in Australia

039   NAPLAN 2020

040   Reporting Timetable 2^nd Quarter 2020 Update

041   NCCD Cross-School Moderation – Online Sessions Available

042   Teacher Suspensions and Cancellations

043   Student Attendance (STATS) Collection 2020

044   CEW 2020 Updated Arrangements

045   QCT Professional Experience in the COVID-19 Pandemic

046   QCEC 2019 Annual Report

047   Queensland School Sport Management Group

048   Annual Fee Concession Data

049   Australian Government Recurrent Funding