Merry Christmas!

As our 2021 school year comes to a close, the season of advent is just beginning.  Whilst there is much busyness and many social events, as well as the beginning of school holidays, this is mostly a time of preparedness.  Traditionally Advent was a time for preparation for the sacraments, though now it is rather enacted in modern society as a time to prepare to celebrate the tradition of Christmas.  A time of coming together, a time of family, a time of giving more than receiving, and a time for renewal and transition to a new year. Amongst this time, it is often easy to avoid the solemnity, preparation, and gratitude in the preparation of celebrating the birth of Jesus, God's gift to humanity.  

At OLSCC, we focus on the Christian values of Wisdom, Humanity, and Justice as the premise of our work, and emphasise the Catholic Social Teaching of Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Human Dignity, Stewardship of Creation, and Community and the Common Good.  I encourage everyone in our community to remember these and choose one of our values or Catholic Social Teachings to focus on this Advent.  With the current environmental and social issues that plague our society, focussing on one of these simple ideals and playing a small part in improving our world, everyone's small acts of kindness and generosity can culminate to make a big difference.

Thank you

I am sure everyone agrees that 2021 has soared.  It seems only yesterday that we were welcoming our new students and celebrating the newness of another school year, and now the end has come.  I would like to offer a sincere and heartfelt thanks to our staff, community and students who have made the year another of great success and growth at OLSCC.  While this work is never-ending, I am very proud of the position of the College as it continues to flourish for the community of Dalby.  Thanks to everyone, no matter what part you played, for a great year.  At Up Day today, we were all starkly reminded of the growth of our students this year, and the work ahead of us to continue to grow great people throughout 2022. 

Staffing Changes

One of the saddest parts of my year is the farewell of our departing staff, and one of the most enjoyable is welcoming new staff.  Although various changes have been communicated throughout the year, below are listed our farewells and welcomes for the 2021/2022 transition.  We wish everyone departing a bright, successful, and prosperous new year, and welcome our new staff with warmth to our community.

Farewell:

Mr Matt Hodge

Mrs Judith Appleton 

Mr Shamnad Alikutty

Mrs Kylie Clarke

Miss Jade Manteit

Mrs Belinda Griffiths

Mr Wayne Dunbrack

Ms Glisten Deepwater

Mr Harry Milford

Mr Bradley Grayson

Mr Shaun Chen

Mrs Vicki Murphy

Mrs Kaitlyn Machin

Welcome:

Assistant Principal Senior Years – Mr Rodney Spain

Senior Chemistry / Mathematics / RE - Ms Suzana Djakovic

Senior / Middle Years Visual Art – Mr David de Costa Silva

Year 6/7 English / HASS / RE - Miss Caitlyn Fry

Year 7/8 English / HASS / RE - Miss Belinda Daff

Year 9/10 English / HASS / RE - Miss Nicole McKenzie

Transition:

Miss Lucy Price has moved from the Middle Years to Year 2P (replacing Miss Jade Manteit)

Miss Jacinta Willocks has moved from the Middle Years to Senior Years English / SOR (replacing Mrs Judith Appleton)

To be announced over the holidays:

IT System Administrator

IT Technical Officer

Prep Red School Officer

School Officer - Assisting Student Learning

Senior Biology / Mathematics

COVID Update

As we transition into the 2022 school year, we are again reminded of the ongoing influences of the COVID pandemic.  The recent announcement of mandated vaccinations for school staff and visitors, as well as predicted outbreaks as the borders open, means that we do not know what 2022 has in store for us just yet.  Though rest assured, just like in the past, the College will be well prepared to deliver the best learning for our students no matter the circumstances when Tuesday, January 25th rolls around. Over the holidays, the College will communicate emerging issues via email, so please keep on top of this communication.  For your families, I suggest getting organised with uniforms, booklists and everything else you need, well in advance of the January rush if possible.  Included in this newsletter are our opening hours for the uniform shop for your information.  Please also note that there are some additional items coming for Middle Years and Senior Years winter uniform, so if possible, I would refrain from purchasing new winter wear until this is confirmed and announced early in the new year.

Uniform and Student Presentation in 2022

Please be mindful of the uniform requirements at OLSCC, which have also been linked below.  We expect all students to arrive at school in the appropriate uniform, ready to learn, from January 25th.  Traditionally we spend much of the first few weeks debating uniform, though in 2022 students will be required to immediately rectify their presentation or to go home until they are able to comply with the expectations of the College.  This is usually regarding hairstyles for boys (which does not include mullets or hair at the collar or longer), more than one piercing in each ear for ladies, non-natural hair colourings, excessive fake eyelashes, and fake nails.  To avoid disruption to the start of your child's year at OLSCC, please ensure you have these issues addressed with your children prior to the commencement of 2022 at OLSCC. 

Other Basic Standards

As has been communicated in previous newsletters, for students to represent the College in any shape or form from 2022 onwards, student attendance over 85% and up-to-date fees are mandatory.  If you are behind on fees, the Business Manager will be contacting you in due course so you can make a commitment to rectifying this in the near future.  In order for us to provide the service of educating your children, we need our funding to be comparable to that of State Schools, and the payment of school fees bridge this gap.  Whilst we always work with families who are struggling financially in the short term, we simply cannot continue to provide our services to families who refuse to pay for them or refuse to discuss their situation with us. Additionally, from now, all payments made to the College will be credited against the furthest outstanding debt. This includes payment for sports, camps, retreats, instrumental music, and other extra-curricular items.  Now is a great time to call the Business Manager and start your plan to get ahead with your fees!

Pete Cuskelly

Principal