Commencement Mass

There is something remarkable about the beginning of our annual commencement mass to see our prep students and senior students enter together down the centre aisle and then exchange prep pins and senior badges. This representation of the start and end, or alpha and omega, of the journey in faith and knowledge is one of the amazing benefits we have as a P-12 College. It is also humbling to gather as community and share our first full mass together.  It was heartfelt to have so many parents and community members there with us this year, especially considering the conditions in the MPC.  Thank you to everyone who attended to support the formal commencement of the 2024 OLSCC academic year.

Strategic Plan Launch

On Monday we launched the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan at both the commencement mass, and at a formal gathering in the PAC.  Both of these events underpin the importance of having a carefully considered strategic plan to guide the College over the next 4 years.  Our focus on Living Our Faith, Learners of Influence and Impact, Staff Empowered to Inspire, Our Distinct Identity, and Equipping Our Future are guided with purposeful strategies which we will enact to deliver an ever improving holistic education for all students at our College. 

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and support the College at the commencement mass or the official launch.  A huge thank you to our students, families and staff who were involved in the events, Fr Jim Cronin for being an advocate as always, Mayor Paul McVeigh as an exemplary builder of community, and Dr Pat Coughlan for his ongoing guidance and support.  Thanks also to Mrs Cate Brennan, Mrs Nicole Bryers and our wonderful grounds and IT crews – your effort and determination are highly valued to make the cogs turn at the College.  

College Spirit Alive and Well

Last week’s swimming carnival was an absolute blast!  There was cheering, chanting, and an opportunity for every student to participate in an event.  The competitive races saw everyone give their best and there were some great battles in the pool. This was the first year of bringing all students 9 years to open together for the one carnival and Mr Lincoln and his crew of workers should be very proud of the great success of the day. Well done to our house leaders and senior students who set a wonderful tone for future carnivals to come.

OSHC

Mrs Hall and I met again with Toowoomba Catholic Kindergartens and Care (TCKC) on Tuesday as we start to finalise the arrangements for our OSHS.  We are currently seeking applicants for various roles within the OSHC, including Coordinator – Outside School Hours Care and Children Services Educator  Outside School Hours Care. For further inquiries or assistance in applying, contact Donna Stahlhut, Senior Leader (Kindergartens and Care), at Donna.Stahlhut@tckc.qld.edu.au or phone 0429 449 772.

Our intent is to have the OSHC open in the next few weeks, register your child/children here to ensure you are ready to go! This is an exciting time for our College and creates an exciting opportunity for our community. 

Sue Chandler – Transformative Schools 

Last year we established a relationship with Sue Chandler from Transformative Schools.  Sue is an expert in developing school capability to further enhance the culture of the school and in turn, student wellbeing.  Ms Chandler spent Monday and Tuesday this week at our College talking to staff and students to develop a rich understanding of our context and the opportunities that exist for improvement here.  I encourage you to assist Sue and the College by completing the parent survey (that was sent to all parents) by the end of next week. Sue will continue to work at OLSCC over coming years as we develop and implement our wellbeing philosophy and understandings so that we may progress in this domain. Welcome Sue!

Bold Architects

On Monday we will welcome Stewart Bagley from BOLD Architecture, our newly appointed OLSCC Architects.  We will be meeting with target groups and assessing College resources against current funding requirements to determine the next step forward for the ongoing growth and improvement of facilities at the College.  Throughout this year we will be developing a renewed OLSCC Master Plan for the next 10 years and creating timelines for project completion along with funding opportunities.  We are also confident in our Go For Gold application from 2023 to develop a new sports facility to replace the old basketball courts, which will hopefully take shape as our next project after June this year.  Bold is based in Mackay and last year Mrs Hall and I were inspired by his alignment to our College’s ideology of what matters in learning spaces.  Our focus for the masterplan is to be based on educational research that’s evidence-based, functional, practical and affordable.  We have much to do in the next 10 years and it is the intent of this Master Plan to leave a legacy to the next generation of students, without a large debt!

Mr Peter Cuskelly

Principal