As we draw to a close on the 2023 academic school year, I began to reflect on the wonderful experiences our students have been lucky to be a part of this year. I am very proud of the students in the Middle Years and their growth this year and I very much look forward to working closely with students again in 2024, especially as I am excited to once again be teaching in the Middle Years.

Here are some of the highlights from the year that was ….

January
- 52 students transitioned into high school for the first time, a number of these students were also new to the College.
- We also welcomed new students to all other year levels in the Middle Years and new staff to the College also.

February
- Commencement Mass to formally kick off our year. We welcome new staff and students.
- PATR testing for new students (Year 7 & 8)
- Rice House wins the U9-12 Swimming Carnival … Woo Hoo! Go Rice!  
- Rice House wins the U13 to 18 swimming carnival …. Yeah! Go Rice!

March
- College undergoes Toowoomba Catholic Schools Quadrennial School Review process. 
- Headspace visit the College to work with students on personal wellbeing.
- Write that Essay presenters deliver Go For Gold writing improvement session for students in Year 3, 5, 7, & 9.  
- Life Changer Presenters working with Year 8 students on personal wellbeing.
- Year 8 Camp to Camp Coobie to challenge themselves and grow personally.
- NAPLAN testing for Year 5 and Year 7
- Harmony Day celebrated on March 24
- Nolan Day March 31

April
- Mr Cuskelly begins his journey on the Camino. Mrs Collins steps in as Acting Principal.
- ANZAC Day service.
- Darling Downs Rugby League competition begins.
- College Musical: The Little Mermaid

May
- Launch of the Leadership Passport. A new student leadership skill development model
- Street Science visits the College (Year 5/6)
- Edmund Rice Feast Day May 5
- Mental Health Week: student activities
- Step into Stories (Year 5 & 6)
- Year 6 Outback Camp
- Year 6 Origin Solar Buddies Program
- Western Downs Regional Council visit Year 5 students for town feedback
- CECP Showcase
- Life Changer visits  (Year 7 & 8) for personal wellbeing sessions
 
June
- Dalby eisteddfod piano and vocal
- School Officer Day
- Kindness Week
- Rice wins the junior and senior Athletics Carnival. Awesome work Rice House!

July
- Career Intensive Days (Year 6, 7, & 8)
- Year 8 Retreat
- Life Changer sessions (Year 5, 6) for student wellbeing
- Dalby Careers Expo (Year 8)
- Catholic Schools Netball and Touch carnivals (Year 5 & 6)

August
- Justin Coulson: FACE Parent evening.
- Mary MacKillop Feast Day
- Year 5 & 6 Rugby League Gala Day – Toowoomba.
- ICAS Tests: Writing, English, Maths, Science, Spelling
- Dalby Eisteddfod Speech and Drama, Instrumental
- Year 7 Camp: Fraser Coast
- Book Week celebration and parade
- QAMT Maths Competition (Chinchilla)
- Shake’n’Stir performances (Year 6, 7, & 8)

September
- Year 5 & 6 Volleyball Tournament
- Day for Daniel September 8
- Leadership Passport students support Beck Street Kindy
- U13 Boys successful win the Darling Downs Rugby League competition
- SRC Prep to Year 6 Dance
- RUOK? Day September 14
- Grandparents Day September 15

October
- Year 5 Camp: Brisbane, St Helena Island
- CECP Performing Arts Musical
- Catherine McAuley Day October 18
- Year 8 Parliament House HASS Excursion
- World Teachers Day
- 100^th Student volunteers for the Leadership Passport

November
- CECP Showcase
- Remembrance Day
- College Awards celebration
- PATM Testing (Year 7 & 8)
- PATR Testing (Year 7 & 8)
- College Colour Run
- Year 5 Eureka Excursion
- Year 8 Day of Celebration November 27
- UP Day November 29

What a wonderful year. I’m sure next year will be no different! In January, we will say hello and welcome to the new students, including the current Year 4s who will join us as our brand-new Year 5 cohort. Right now, we say congratulations to the Year 8s who have finished their time in the Middle Years and move on to begin their time in the Senior Years Sector. Best of luck to the departing Year 8s. While you will no longer be in the Middle Years, please don’t be strangers. Come and say hi anytime.

Looking Forward - Camps in 2024

Planning ahead is critical, especially when it comes to camps at school. So to help out with the calendar, here is some information about the camps we will be offering in 2024:

Year 5 Dates: October 9 – 11, 2024 Basic Details: Students travel to Brisbane for a three-day, two-night camp. They will visit St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens & St Helena Island.  Curriculum: Religion, Science, HASS Approximate Cost: ~$400 per student

Year 6 Dates: May 12 – 17, 2024 Basic Details: Students head towards Outback Queensland visiting a number of townships, including Blackall, Tambo, Charleville, Barcaldine, Longreach and Winton. The camp departs on the Sunday morning and the students return Friday afternoon. Students need to organise and bring a swag from home for this camp. It is a great Christmas or birthday present if you are stuck for ideas.  Students will visit: The Stockman’s Hall of Fame, QANTAS Museum, Age of Dinosaurs Museum, Waltzing Matilda Museum, WWII Base, Cosmos Centre, Bilby Centre, Blackall Woolscour and more.  Curriculum: Science & HASS Approximate Cost: ~$650

Year 7 Dates: July 29 – August 2, 2024 Basic Details: Students travel up to the Fraser Coast to experience all things Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Fraser Island (K’gari). On this five-day, four-night experience they get a chance to have a close encounter with humpback whales, visit Round Island and Fraser Island, go on a 4x4 tour to some amazing sites like the SS Maheno wreck, Eli Creek, Lake Mckenzie, Central Station. Students will also have an indigenous experience on Round Island with elders of the Butchella people and visit the Military Museum in Maryborough.     Curriculum: HASS, Indigenous perspectives Approximate Cost: ~$900

Year 8 Dates: August 26 – 29, 2024 Basic Details: This is a new camp offering. Students will this year travel towards the Bunya Mountains as they learn more about its history, significance to indigenous culture and about the men and women who have forged lives in this special part of the world. Curriculum: HASS, Indigenous perspectives. Approximate Cost: ~$500

Final Message
I would like to wish all the students and their families a very merry Christmas and I hope you all have a great break. I look forward to working with you all again in the new year as we welcome old faces back and plenty of new faces into the Middle Years. Be happy, laugh lots and have a safe break.

Mr Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal – Middle Years