As we embark on the commencement of a new school year, it is with great joy and excitement that we extend a warm welcome to every member of the OLSCC community. The start of Term 1 brings a sense of renewal, opportunity, and the promise of countless possibilities. Starting back at school can be daunting, but I know that our community will welcome all our present and new students and staff with enthusiasm and empathy. It is wonderful to be back on site with our students in classrooms engaged in learning. It also fantastic to see students socialising and being active during break times and reconnecting with peers and staff.

I would like to say thank you to all parents for your support over the first 2 weeks in managing all the needs of your child’s return to school. You are very much welcome here at our College and the support you have given your child this week has translated to a great start to their education in 2025.

We also welcome some new teachers to the Senior Years team. The students have provided great feedback on the quality of their teachers this week and we have been heartened by the positive feedback received about the lessons and support that they are providing in the classroom. I am very much excited by the quality teaching and learning that will occur across the Senior Years this year.

Senior Years students have made a commendable start to the new year, ensuring that their commitment to our dress standards has been adhered to. I thank all parents for your assistance in having your child presented in such a manner.

The College always receives delightful feedback from visitors and community members on how respectfully our students uphold the appearance of their uniform.

A key to success at OLSCC is partnership - partnerships between the students, their teachers and you, the parents. Please remember that we are only an email or a phone call away if you have any queries or concerns. Staff email addresses are as follows: Firstname.Surname@twb.catholic.edu.au e.g. Rodney.Spain@twb.catholic.edu.au

Throughout the year, parents are encouraged to communicate with their child’s subject teachers as an initial point of contact for any pastoral or academic matters. Parents should have received an email of introduction from your student’s classroom teacher.

Please do not hesitate to make contact should you feel there are other topics that may need addressing throughout the school year as we work to help our young people navigate their journey.

A very important element in helping the students to achieve is what we expect of them. Expectations exert a tremendous influence on what each student can achieve. Research urges teachers and students to set their sights high – and mean it.  The result will be improved student learning.

Having high expectations is not all that is needed for students to succeed. Teaching and learning is very complex. But high expectations, from the adults in the students lives, are the launching pad, the base from which students can aim for the stars and, using their own abilities and efforts, achieve their learning goals.

School Attendance

Our goal at OLSCC is for students to experience success by achieving and maintaining a 93% attendance rate.

Classes and learning begin at 8.50am with students required to be at school ready to learn at this time. Students who arrive at 8.50am or later will be late to class which contributes to their absences. 10 minutes late each day roughly equates to 6 and a half days of learning lost in a year.

According to a report by the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation, school attendance is a crucial factor that affects students’ academic performance and long-term outcomes. Students who report positive attendance behaviours in Year 7 are on average 3 months ahead in their learning by Year 9, compared with students who have poor attendance behaviours.

Assessment Calendars

Teachers are currently planning assessments for Semesters 1 and 2.  All students and parents & carers will have access to the Semester 1 Assessment Calendar for 2025 via the College website and the Parent Portal App.  Currently, Semester 1 is in draft form and will be finalised in the next week.

If you have any questions about assessment, please contact your child's classroom teacher or the relevant Middle Leader Curriculum.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross is responsible for gathering evidence of student achievement on or before the due date for internal assessment instruments.

All students have electronic access to their assessment, and it is their responsibility to adhere to these due dates.

Students are responsible for planning and managing their time to meet the due dates.

Students and parents can contact teachers and Curriculum Leaders via phone or email. Teachers are not able to grant extensions directly with students and parents/carers.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross College is required to adhere to QCAA policies about due dates accepting assignments only on or before the due date unless an extension through AARA processes has been approved.  For example, a student who is absent due to family holidays will not be granted an extension for an assignment as this doesn’t meet the AARA guidelines set by QCAA.

Senior Tie Presentation

Congratulations to our Year 12 students on receiving their Senior Ties last Friday! This significant milestone marks the beginning of an exciting and challenging year ahead. As our students don their senior ties with pride, we look forward to supporting the year 12’s with the high expectations they have set for themselves. The dedication, hard work, and perseverance they will need to apply will undoubtedly turn their aspirations and goals into reality. We look forward to celebrating theirs and all students’ achievements and successes throughout the year.

 Mr Rodney Spain

Assistant Principal Senior Years