Well that’s a wrap!  2023 has really flown by with so many memorable moments for our OLSCC family.  I would like to thank each family for entrusting us with their young people this year and wish everyone a blessed Christmas season, enjoy the family time and spread the joy of Christmas, Jesus’ birth.  

CHRISTMAS MASS 

We are super excited to host this year’s Christmas Mass at OLSCC in the MPC this year.  Christmas Mass in Dalby for St Joseph’s will be on Sunday 24 December at 7:00pm.  We would love members of our community and the wider Catholic community to join us for this Mass and be involved.  It will be a family friendly mass with space available at the front for children to sit.  Young people are encouraged to get involved in the Mass and I would love some volunteers to take part in the mass as readers, actors for the gospel and a few other roles.  If your family will be joining us and you have young people or yourself who can assist please let me know via email cate.brennan@twb.catholic.edu.au .  We will have a short rehearsal at 10:30am on Christmas Eve in the MPC. 

REPORT CARDS 

Semester 2 Report Cards have been distributed via Parent Portal and in hard copy this week.  Any uncollected hard copies will be posted to families on Monday. We are always trying to improve and next week we will send a survey asking for feedback on the layout and purpose of our report cards to help inform their structure in 2024.  A lot of time and effort goes into writing and delivering report cards and we want to ensure they continue to meet the purpose for both our College and our families.  

NAPLAN 2024 

NAPLAN will again be in March rather than the traditional May test period.  We will conduct NAPLAN Online with our students in Year 3, 5, 7 & 9 at this time.  NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum.  NAPLAN is not a test that children can prepare for in the same way they might prepare for an end of unit test. NAPLAN tests skills that develop and improve over time. These are skills that should be continuously developed throughout the year and not just in the lead-up to NAPLAN. 

I encourage Parents to learn more and see the types of questions and related functionalities available in the NAPLAN Online assessment at www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site.  The College provides all necessary equipment, pencils, erasers and headphones for these tests to occur. 

LEAVING AT THE END OF 2023  

If your child is finishing schooling with us at the end of 2023, please be aware that your access to Parent Portal will also conclude at the end of Term 4 2023.  It is important that you download any report cards saved on the portal that you may need for future reference. 

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal Support  

Thank you so much for your generosity for the Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal.  We are helping our local St Vincent de Paul Chapter to reach out and help so many in our community to spread Christmas joy.  If you know of a family in the community that could have the support of a hamper delivered please contact cate.brennan@twb.catholic.edu.au or via the College office. 

CHRISTMAS IN OUR REGION 

Christmas Mass times

Catholic Church Mass times:

• Christmas Eve 5pm – Bell - Our Lady Help of Christians  
• Christmas Eve 7pm – Dalby – Our Lady of the Southern Cross MPC (main hall) 
• Christmas Day 7am – Jandowae – Immaculate Conception 

Dalby Presbyterian Church’s service times are:

• Christmas Eve (Sunday) at 5pm & 7pm with a sausage sizzle dinner at 6pm.
• Christmas Day (Monday) at 7.3.0am.
• New Year’s Eve (Sunday) at 9am

Anglican Church service times:

Dalby

• Christmas Eve
  • 5pm - Family Carols
  • 7pm - Communion
  • 11:30pm - Midnight Mass
• Christmas Day
  • 8:00am Communion

Cecil Plains - Christmas Eve 5pm

Bell - Sunday 17 December 6pm Carols

Durong - Saturday 23 December 9am Communion

Jandowae - Saturday 23 December 6pm Communion

Warra - Saturday 23 December 5pm Communion

Dalby Baptist Church service times:

• Christmas Eve
  • Regular Service 9:30am
  • Family Carols 6pm
• Christmas Day
  • 8:00am 

Salvation Army service times:

Christmas Eve 6pm followed by supper

Mrs Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education