Culminating Term for 2023

It was remarkably refreshing to hit the ground running yesterday and see students and staff both positive and engaged in rigorous teaching and learning from day 1.  We know that Term 4 is such a crucial term in the school calendar as we realise the fruits of our labour in the success and development of our students. It is critically important that students do not receive the message that they are nearly done and can cruise along throughout this last term, no matter how old they are. Teachers and students need to finish strong and finish well in order to perform to their potential. 

As I walked among the students on Tuesday morning, checking in with students and staff, I couldn’t help thinking to myself how fortunate our children are.  There were stories of adventure, exploration and exotic holidays, as well as happy, healthy children who loved being back amongst their College community.  As I mentioned to 2P with Mrs Martin just before 3:10 on Tuesday, we must exercise gratitude for the wonderful opportunities that we are given, and then ensure that we use the learnings from our experiences to make life better for others around us.  And this consolidates the importance of “finishing strong” in Term 4. 

This was well exemplified in the Broncos vs Panthers grand final.  The Broncos started the game adequately, made some silly errors, and held their ground until half time.  For the first 20 minutes of the second half, they dominated.  Their lead was considered by many as unsurpassable.  The Panthers were beaten and downtrodden – down on their luck, missing key players, drained, and out of energy.  In my household I was telling my boys how critical it was that the Broncos were communicating about how to get to 50 points.  When Harry asked “Why?” I explained that when you think you are going to win, you often lose – especially against a team like the Panthers.  The Broncos went from a whisker away from becoming grand final heroes, premiers, the victors from Queensland – to the team that lost.  The Panthers on the other hand, accepted the position they were in without blaming anyone, lifted their heads up, and got on with the job.  They focussed on quality set completion, minimal errors, strong defence, and making the most of every opportunity that presented itself.  And when they couldn’t get any good luck, they made their own through grit and determination. Despite being so far behind with little time to go, their finish was excellent, they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and will always be remembered for a heroic finish.

Funnily enough, we are at the 60 minute mark of our school year.  It’s the perfect time to hit your straps and drive strongly towards the finish.  If you find yourself in a great position, its time to knuckle down and do everything you can, put in every ounce of effort to ensure that there is no doubt you will succeed.  If you haven’t started well and find yourself behind on the scoreboard - NOW is the best time for you to stand up and do your best.  You can’t change your start, but you surely can change where you finish! 

Let’s make the collective effort to finish strong and be the best version of ourselves as we progress through Term 4 at Our Lady of the Southern Cross College.

EdLead

I was privileged to spend the first 3 days of the holidays with Kaitlyn Harms, Mia Marchant and 50 other Year 11 leaders from Edmund Rice Education Australia schools at EdLead24.  This is a formational opportunity for the best leaders in EREA schools to engage with other leaders and develop skills and attitudes that will inspire success into the future. There was a significant focus on the EREA Touchstones which include:

• Liberating Education
• Gospel Spirituality
• Inclusive Community
• Justice and Solidarity

In the next newsletter, Mia and Kaity will share their reflection on their experience at EdLead24, though I would like to thank Brother Damien Price and the rest of the committee of EdLead24, including Mrs Brennan, for this amazing opportunity for student leadership development.  Additionally, I would like to thank our hosts at Nudgee College for sharing their campus, boarding houses, resources and history with the group over the 3 days. I look forward to seeing the next staff member and student leaders experiencing EdLead25 next year.

Year 12 Success

The end of Year 12 can be a stressful time for our senior students as they engage in rigorous assessment as well as the process of transitioning from schooling into further education, training, or the workforce.  In recognition of this, Mr Spain and I provided the opportunity for every year 12 student to meet with us to share information with each individual about their current trajectory, and set some goals so they can strive to finish Year 12 in the best possible position.  This has been done for many years now at OLSCC, and I am very impressed with the current trajectory of our Year 12 co-hort.  Whether they are aiming for a QCE, a targeted ATAR for university entrance, or an aspirational QCE to gain entry into high demand fields, our students are well informed and well prepared for the end of the year.  In addition to this, many Year 12 students engaged in the External Examination Preparation Program (EEPP) which engages students in learning with experts teachers in focus subjects to support even greater success in external examinations.  This program was developed by secondary principals and curriculum leaders with the introduction of the new QCE system and is the envy of many dioceses. Please keep your eye on the Facebook page as we continue to celebrate successes of our students towards the end of the year, and into the future.  We already have half of our University -bound Year 12 students with early offers, and the vast majority of our students ready to go into the workforce with apprenticeships, traineeships or jobs already secured.  Well done Year 12!

Mr Peter Cuskelly

Principal