Year 12 External Assessments are Underway!

Monday saw the beginning of 17 days where all Year 12 External Assessments take place. Assessments for English, Visual Art, Study of Religion and English & Literature Extension have already been completed. I have heard very positive reports regarding preparedness for this exam period, and many students are very confident in their achievement. We look forward to many successes coming from the External Assessments, and strongly encourage our students to put their best foot forward in these precious last few weeks of their secondary education.

Best of luck Year 12 – though more than luck – may you enjoy the rewards of the efforts you have invested in your education over the past 13 years!

Leadership Forum

Next week I will be attending the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Term 4 Leadership Forum with all diocesan principals as well as staff from Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. It is a great week where we explore our common ground, celebrate achievements from our previous collective work and also align our practices and understandings of Diocesan initiatives prior to the start of 2025. I anticipate a great week of learning and planning strategically for the next year. I look forward to seeing everyone on my return in Week 6, and then at the College Awards of Excellence on Wednesday 13 November, and our Year 12 parents and students at the Graduation Mass and Valedictory Lunch Friday 15 November. 

2-minute Parking Zone

In front of Prep on Nicholson Street, the last few parks before the crossing, is a 2 minute parking zone. These parks are the ones between two signs like the signs shown in this article. 

The intent of these zones is to create a safe environment for children, and to keep traffic moving. They are only intended for people that are willing and able to drop off or collect their children within 2 minutes. Unfortunately, and frustratingly for many of our parents and carers in the community, we have people who continue to park in this zone and then get out of their car and have a chat, walk their children into school, or park for half an hour before the bell is rung at the end of the school day. Luckily, we have plenty of space and parks for those that need to do these things, however it is not acceptable practice in the 2 minute zone.

How they work:

When using a drop-off and pick-up area you:

• Must use the area like a quick moving taxi rank
• May get out of your vehicle to quickly help your child get in and out safely – however you must not walk away from your vehicle.
• Are only allowed 2 minutes in the park. If you run out of time, you must leave, drive around the block and return again once your child is ready.

These zones were installed to keep traffic moving at drop-off and pick-up times. They work very effectively when used correctly. 

Unfortunately, they are being used inappropriately by a few, which impacts others. If you need more than 2 minutes for your drop-off and/or pick-up, please use the appropriate parks and not the 2 minute zone.

It is important to note that Council Parking Officers have been requested to check that this area is being used appropriately. Their focus is education on the correct use of the area. After this education period in the next few weeks, fines will be issued to those who continue to impact others by misusing this well-intentioned zone

Peter Cuskelly

Principal