Year 12 External Assessment Period

We wish all our Year 12 students the results that they deserve in their external assessments which begin today.  Some students have already completed all their assessment and have commenced working in our local businesses.  Monday sees most remaining students engaged in the English Exam, and then other subjects are spaced over the next 3 weeks.  We look forward to seeing students place their best foot forward and strive for excellence to finish out their final weeks of school.  All the best!

Staffing Update

At the moment we are advertising 3 teaching positions which include 2 middle leader positions.  We are recruiting teachers for Senior Years English and Study of Religion, Mathematics and Art.  These jobs all close soon on Seek, so if you are aware of anyone looking for a future in teaching at OLSCC, please encourage them to apply.

These vacancies come as a result of the departure of some key staff at the College as they move on to new pastures.  Mr Dunbrack is moving to be closer to his home, Mr Grayson is pursuing work in and around Toowoomba, Ms Deepwater is relocating to Townsville, and Mrs Appleton is beginning her transition into retirement. We wish all these loving, caring, and dedicated staff all the best for their new adventures next year!

On Monday, we have Mrs Sarah Hall beginning as our new Business Manager.  Mrs Hall is a long term Dalby local, St Columba’s Primary School past student, and comes to us from senior financial roles in Toowoomba Regional Council.  Please be sure to welcome Sarah should you see her around the College.

Yesterday I announced to staff that Mr Rodney Spain has been appointed as our new Assistant Principal Senior Years from the start of 2022.  Mr Spain was acting in the role earlier in the year and brings with him great experience in senior schooling, specialising in pastoral programs for secondary students.  He is also a passionate digital technologies teacher.  Mr Spain will be visiting the College later this term to introduce himself to the students and complete a handover with Mr Hodge.

Mr Anthony Pope will be commencing in the role of Groundsperson on Monday November 8, replacing Mr Peterson after he took on another role in Murgon. Mr Pope has worked at Simplicity Coatings for the past 12 years and we look forward to having him onboard!

Facilities

Our Middle Years Plaza and Fire Hydrant upgrade has been progressing very well until the rain started disrupting the work schedule.  Much of the hard work has now been completed and over the next 4 weeks we will begin to see areas beginning to restore, and the new buildings and gardens will start coming to life. Keep an eye out as you drive past!

COVID implications

As the premier of Queensland has been emphasising recently, COVID is coming to Queensland over the coming months, and we need to be best prepared to ensure our students and staff are kept as healthy as possible.  At the College we have numerous staff and students who are immunity deficient or have a compromised immune system, and they will not handle COVID well.  I ask all of our community members to seriously read the science behind vaccinations, and consider what they can do to protect the community against this virus.  While there is much debate about COVID vaccines, much of it is not based on scientific evidence. This is simply another vaccine that allows our children to grow into healthy adults, just like all the vaccines they were required to have before enrolling in school.  While we currently live the pleasure of a COVID free environment, this will change over coming months and I would personally like everyone in our community to stay healthy throughout this pandemic.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal