Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Dalby
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2 Nicholson Street
Dalby QLD 4405, Australia
Subscribe: https://oloscdalby.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: dalby@twb.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 07 4672 4111
Fax: 07 4672 4112

Principal's Pen

Welcome Back!

It was such an amazing time on Monday morning to welcome back all of our students at OLSCC for 2022! It was clearly evident that most students were itching to get back to school and learn, or maybe hang out with their mates, and some of our parents were ready to head home for a little lie down it seemed! Hearing the stories of holidays, travels, new pets, new little sisters, pets and much more, certainly was a timely reminder why those in schools choose to work with children – the smiles, enthusiasm and excitement this week has been a little more intense than usual for me, though there sure have been some laughs in the last few days.  I would especially like to thank Year 3B and 3C for using me in their “High 5 of a Sentence” lessons on Thursday – it seems as though Year 3 students can make up some funny sentences when the principal is the subject in their sentence!!  I’ll let you guess what they wrote about, though I’m certainly not sharing it here!

I am particularly impressed by the manner that the students have begun their academic year, particularly the Senior Years children.  Throughout this first week I have noticed the increased maturity of many students and the way that they are approaching their behaviour and learning in 2022.  I look forward to seeing this continue throughout the year, especially for the Year 12 cohort who have the opportunity to excel in their successes across all domains this year.

Middle Years Plaza

Our Middle Years students arrived to the welcome site of the Middle Years Plaza ready to rumble on day 1, and to say it is well appreciated would be a massive understatement.  They finally have a space to call their own, room to breathe and talk and play, plenty of space in the sun and in the shade, and a locker area that is the envy of the Senior Years students. There are still a few areas that require tidying up and finishing off as we head towards practical completion, though I must say that the project has been a massive challenge, and a huge success. An announcement will be made in coming weeks regarding the official opening and blessing of the area by Bishop Robert McGuckin once the date has been confirmed.

Student Protection Contacts @ OLSCC

At OLSCC, we are always focussed on ensuring every child is well educated, and well looked after.  We have a large staff who all work with our amazing students all day, every day.  When children are at their most vulnerable, however, they may not be sure who they can talk to.  Please refer to the poster below and talk to your child about who they can see if they are ever concerned for their safety, or if something has happened that they are scared to share.  Your child may list off many trusted adults in the College community, though some may be unsure.  Please reiterate with your children that they can always talk to the staff members at the College about issues that effect them, though they can always speak to our Student Protection Contacts if there is anything they are really worried about.  This conversation is very important for students of all ages at OLSCC, from 4 year olds to 18 year olds – the problems may be very different, but the need is just the same. 

Our Student Protection Contacts at OLSCC are:

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Extra-Curricular Activity and Camp Eligibility

Providing additional opportunities for our students is something we have always done to ensure that we are growing great people at OLSCC. This is something that the vast majority of our students and families are appreciative of, and accordingly, we will continue to offer these opportunities for the students at OLSCC.  In fact, we have mapped out a matrix of all the additional camps, excursions, incursions, retreats and extra-curricular activities that we intend on providing this year, which will be distributed to families in the near future. 

However, in 2022, we need to ensure that our students and families are making a fair commitment to the ongoing success of the College prior to being eligible to engage in such opportunities.  Essentially, this is about student attendance, student behaviour, and the payment of College fees. I ask you to ensure that you are aware of your child’s current position by maintaining contact with the College regarding these three areas. Students in Middle and Senior Years can track their own attendance through Sentral, and this is also available through the Parent Portal. If your College fees are in arrears I would encourage you to bring this to current. Please talk to your child regarding their eligibility for events this year and make a plan to ensure that every OLSCC student can engage in every program and event we have to offer.

Have a Great Start!

This year, we have the same work to cover, the same number of events taking place, and 2 weeks less to do it all in.  I encourage students of all ages and stages to start strong and hit their learning with a robust pace to begin 2022.  Many Year 11 and 12 students are currently completing their first Internal Assessments, and their final exams are now less than 30 school weeks away!  I am very pleased with the teaching and learning that is happening across all sectors of the College already this year, as we continue to see standards increase across many learning areas. I am looking forward to an ever better year in 2022 at Our Lady of the Southern Cross College.   

Peter Cuskelly

Principal