{"id":6107,"date":"2026-05-29T14:45:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T04:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/olmcburraneer\/?post_type=article&p=6107"},"modified":"2026-05-29T14:45:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T04:45:11","slug":"assistant-principal-karen-shawcross-17","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/olmcburraneer\/article\/assistant-principal-karen-shawcross-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Assistant Principal – Karen Shawcross"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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We have officially reached the business end of the term, with our Stage 5 students currently in the middle of their exam block. We wish them the absolute best of luck; remembering to get plenty of sleep and keep up a steady study routine. The study habits of many of the girls are positive and encouraging with notes being scanned throughout the day, sitting in the library at lunch and discussing the content with their peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, all other year groups have various assessments underway or approaching. Parents, please check in with your daughters to ensure they are keeping track of their due dates and pacing their study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday Open Learning Study Sessions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your daughter is feeling overwhelmed or just needs a quiet, productive space to work, I highly recommend our Wednesday Open Learning Study Sessions.  These are every Wednesday after school until 4:00 pm in the library.   There are a number of teachers who are available to ask questions of and peer tutoring from some of our high achievers of the last year’s HSC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a fantastic resource to help students stay on top of their assessment or homework workloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attendance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maintaining a regular attendance routine is vital for student success, especially during assessment periods. Even missing just one or two days a week can create significant gaps in learning and make it harder for students to catch up.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We want to support every student in being at school every day they are well. However, we also know that winter illness and the weather can have an impact on this.  If your daughter is sick, please ensure you have made an entry into Compass.  If your daughter is in Years 10 -12  and an exam is missed due to illness, a medical certificate is required to ensure they can apply for an illness\/misadventure consideration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Punctuality is also important and all girls should be on time for homeroom each day and for all classes.  The first few minutes of each class is important in order to understand the learning intentions of the lesson.  Homeroom punctuality sets the tone for the day, knowing any changes to daily routines or upcoming events ensures that everybody is on task and not missing out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uniform<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we hit the middle of the term, I want to thank the vast majority of our students who arrive each day looking sharp and representing our school beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we are noticing a few areas where we can improve. A reminder to all that the blazer is to be worn to and from school each day (excluding Years 7 – 10 Thursday sport), and socks are to be the navy blue OLM socks unless in sports uniform (these are the white OLM socks).  There is no need to have long sleeved undergarments on under the school shirt, if cold the College jumper may be worn under the blazer.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A reminder to all parents and students that school bags are to remain free of graffiti, drawings, or writing of any kind. If your daughter’s bag currently has writing on it, please ensure it is removed. Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful and tidy school environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Years 7 – 12 Parent\/Teacher\/Student Interviews<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A reminder that parent\/teacher\/student interviews for\u00a0Years 7 – 12 will be conducted on\u00a0Thursday, 2 July from 9.30am\u00a0– 8.00pm\u00a0and\u00a0Friday, 3 July from 9.00am – 1.00pm. Details on how to book interviews via Compass will be sent to parents shortly. The interviews will take place at the College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Squishies<\/strong>‘<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lately, we have seen a significant increase in students bringing “squishies,” “NeeDoh” balls, and other gel-filled fidget toys to school. While these items are highly popular, there is no scientific evidence to suggest they benefit learning or concentration for the general student population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, they quickly become a major distraction in the classroom. At times, these items (especially gel or foam-filled variations) can split or break, causing a considerable mess.  At OLM sensory and fidget tools are only<\/em> permitted in class for specific students who require them for focus and regulation (such as students with ADHD or diagnosed sensory needs), as outlined in their individual learning support plans.  Unless your daughter has an agreed-upon support plan with our Diverse Learning Team, please ensure all squishies (and other variations) are left at home. If they are brought to school, they will be confiscated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile Phone Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quick reminder that our school operates under a NO<\/strong> mobile phone policy. This policy is from the time your daughter enters the school until they are off site at the end of the day,  students’ phones must be switched off and kept securely out of sight.  If your daughter’s mobile phone is seen it is confiscated for the day and a demerit is recorded. If you need to reach your daughter urgently during the day, please call the front office, and we will get a message to them immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaming Webinar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned in the Compass Newsfeed to all parents there is a free, upcoming webinar in regards to gaming on June 2nd.   The webinar entitled “Beyond the Screen: Understanding and Guiding Your Child\u2019s Gaming Life”<\/strong> offers practical, positive ways to manage screen time without the nightly arguments.  It will cover; <\/p>\n\n\n\n