Pleasing 2018 OP Results

After we proudly showcased our 2018 OP1-5 students at last week’s Commencement and Academic Assembly, in the Courier Mail on Sunday the OP results across the state were compared based on the percentage of students receiving an OP score, and then the percentage of OP eligible students receiving OP 1-5.  The data was obviously the same as presented at the Academic Assembly last week, including that 74.36% of our 2018 Year 12 cohort received an OP Score, while 20.69% of those eligible, received an OP Score between 1 and 5. According to the algorithm applied by the Courier Mail, we are ranked at 126 out of the 378 Queensland high schools who have 10 or more OP eligible students.  This is a great result, and ranks us as the second highest secondary school in the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba, only behind Downlands College with a ranking of 96. A great achievement by students, staff and families alike!

Faith Development @ OLSCC

In Years 7-12, students all study Religious Education (Years 7-10), Religious Education and Ethics (Years 11/12) and Study of Religion (Yr 12) at the same time.  This morning I took the opportunity to walk through many of these classrooms and it was inspiring to see the engagement of students and staff alike in the Religious domain.  It really brings home the importance of our faith at the College, and the Implementation of the LYF (Living Your Faith) program is certainly bringing our faith, and its impact on us as wonderful people, as we travel through this life together.

Ricoh Case Study

Ricoh, the suppliers of our interactive panels in classrooms, visited with all of their company partners to develop the foundation of their case study, and see the interaction between technology and teaching and learning last Tuesday.  They are currently developing a written case study and will be back in coming months to create a video regarding the successful and entrepreneurial introduction to our Digital Enhancement of the Curriculum platform.  I look forward to sharing this with the community as soon as it is complete.

Leadership Forum

Next week I will be attending the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Leadership Forum in Toowoomba focussed on aligning the direction of the College with that of the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools in the best interests of the students.  Key aspects of the week include: strategic planning of all aspects of the Diocese (Teaching and Learning, Office of the Executive Director, Formation and Identity, Information Technology, Human Resources, Staffing, Facilities and Finance); the TCS Numeracy Strategy, Assessment and reporting practices; Anti-discrimination processes; Performance and development; Principal capability development and much more.  I will have plenty to report back on my return, and value this outstanding learning opportunity provided to all Diocesan principals to enhance the collective capabilities of our Colleges.

I ask everyone to continue thinking of our fellow Australians suffering the impact of flood, fire and drought. Thanks also to all of those who selflessly donated to get those in north west Queensland back on their feet.  Continue your prayers for them as they continue through the clean-up, and into moving on beyond the devastation into the future.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal