COVID Positive Cases

At the moment we are continuing to have multiple positive cases of COVID-19 each day within the student population.  The College will no longer be sending out daily notices to communicate the positive cases that have presented in the student population.  Instead, weekly updates will be made in this regard.  It has become very apparent that COVID-19 is ever-present in our community and we must continue to focus on effective hygiene practices to reduce the spread of COVID.

This increase of cases at OLSCC comes at the same time as the announcement of easing restrictions from next Friday 4^th March.  The infographic outlining the changes is shown below.  Please note that the College will continue to enforce mask wearing until this point, and will continue with effective hygiene measures across the College.

Leadership Forum

On Wednesday, Dr Pat Coughlan, Executive Director of Toowoomba Catholic Schools, hosted an online Leadership Forum for all Principals in the Diocese.  Dr Pat’s theme -

"Our work this year is “Staying on Mission” and emphasises the importance of all schools in aligning their work to their mission, and continue focussing on continual improvement to enhance the learning and development of the students in our care.  We also analysed the Diocesan ATAR and QCE data for our graduates of 2021, and we have discovered many learnings that will be of great advantage for our future graduates."

During the forum, there was also great support for the innovation of OLSCC and St Joseph’s Stanthorpe in the mutual delivery of senior subjects.  This allows students at OLSCC to study Modern History and students at St Joseph’s Stanthorpe to study Legal Studies.  We have submitted a proposal for improved resources for this delivery, and trust that TCS will support our request.  This will further enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of this project, which is likely to expand throughout the Diocese in future years. 

Year 11/12 QCE Presentations

On Monday afternoon, Mr Spain and I will be talking to all Year 11/12 ATAR eligible students regarding the facts behind subjects, scaling and ATARs, whilst Mrs Baxter will be talking to all students on an employment pathway regarding QCE and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.  We have learnt so much over recent years in the new QCE system, and we are ensuring that our students have a solid grasp of the impact of their results on the options they have available after school.

Next week I will be announcing a time for both Year 11/12 Parent ATAR sessions, Year 9/10 ATAR and SBA Sessions, and a Parent Information Session for 9/10 Parents.  We will also record these sessions for those who are not able to attend on the evening.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal