Welcome back to Term 3!

Celebrating the C!

For a long period in Australian education, there has been a fixation on using a 15-pont scale (A+ - E-) when making judgments on student achievement in Prep to Year 10. The use of this scale has placed more value on an A result instead of highlighting the importance of the C result. The Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) outlines the importance of a C result, stating that “in Queensland, the [Australian Curriculum] achievement standard represents the C standard — a sound level of knowledge and understanding of the content, and application of skills.” The P–10 Australian Curriculum achievement standards describe what students typically are required to demonstrate at the end of each teaching and learning year. Therefore, when a C result appears on a student’s report card this means that the student is progressing towards the standard (Semester 1) or achieving the standard (Semester 2). This is something to be celebrated!

Students who are judged at the A or B standards are demonstrating their knowledge and skills at more discerning, effective, purposeful, and consistent levels beyond the achievement standard.

So, at this stage of the year let’s celebrate the C and use it to set academic goals for the remainder of the year.

Year 12 External Exam Preparation Program

The Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office will be offering the External Exam Preparation Program again this year to students attending Toowoomba Catholic Schools. This program seeks to bring together students from across the diocese in the common pursuit of excellence in academic achievement in their General External Exams. The program takes place in the second week of the September school holidays (from Sunday 26 September – Friday 1 October). The subjects offered this year will be:

English
Mathematics General
Mathematics Methods
Physics
Chemistry
Biology

We encourage all Year 12 students sitting General External Exams in these subjects to ensure that you have sent your expression of interest to Mr Hodge and mark this program in your family diary. It is an exceptional opportunity and one that complements and extends upon the learning covered in class across Unit 4.

Mobile Phones

As we start a new term, I want to take this opportunity to remind parents and students that all communication between parents and students during the school day should go through the office. Students should not be using phones throughout the school day. This can affect their ability to concentrate in class, develop their strategies for resilience and interact socially with their peers in a face-to-face environment. Occasionally, staff may request that student use their phones for learning purposes (to film performances, experiments, etc.), but this would be an exception rather than a common occurrence. Please encourage your child to avoid personal mobile phone use throughout the day.

Year 11 Camp Report

Year 11 Brookfield / Emu Gully Camp was a great experience for us to learn about leadership. We got to participate in many different leadership and teambuilding activities.

On the first day we got to do rock climbing and team problem solving games. These helped us to use our critical thinking skills to solve tough problems together. That night we participated in fun team building games with Mr Hodge, Mr Dunbrack and Mrs Forbes.

We worked with a group called yLead and were able to connect with all the people in our cohort and learn more about each other. We played team building games and did challenging exercises to strengthen our bonds with each other.

On the last night, we were surprised with a visit from a group of African musicians and singers. They played drums and sang with us. It was a great experience that let us feel connect as a group.

On the final day, we woke up at 5:45 and travelled to Emu Gully. Once there, we hopped off the bus and got straight into our activities. We crawled through a series of tunnels, clung to each other as we crossed a small bridge over a body of freezing water and then dived into the mud at the end of the day.

Overall, the camp was an amazing experience and allowed us to bond as a cohort. We got to go outside our comfort zones and learn lots of new things about leadership and about each other that will help us take up the role of leaders in our college community.
(Claudia Hendersen, Anna Lilburne, Jack Wallace McKay Richards  – Year 11 students)

Communication and Pastoral Concerns

Throughout the year, parents are encouraged to communicate with their child’s subject teachers as an initial point of contact for any pastoral or academic matters. For further matters, please contact me through the College Office or by email matthew.hodge@twb.catholic.edu.au

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years