Welcome back to Term 3!

As we find ourselves past the midway point of the year, it's time to reflect on the accomplishments of our students and recommit ensuring our focus is on education. The past few months have been filled with hard work, dedication, and countless moments of growth.

Congratulations to the QISSRL and QISSN teams who represented the College as great young representatives of our college over the mid-year break. Thank you also to the staff who so generously gave up some of their holidays to accompany the teams. It was a pleasure to watch you engage with each other, compete, and improve over the week.

Resetting Expectations for Term 3

As a staff, we have spoken to classes about how important Term 3 is for all students learning and educational journey, in particular the Year 12 and Year 10 students. We have been explicit on resetting our expectations and supporting our students to meet these. Resetting expectations at the start of a new term is crucial as it provides a fresh opportunity for alignment and clarity. For staff, it allows for a clear understanding of goals, responsibilities, and performance expectations, fostering a productive and collaborative environment. For students, it establishes a framework for academic success, helping them understand the standards, learning objectives, and behavioural norms, ultimately enhancing their educational experience.

Wearing the Uniform: Pride in Our School, Pride in Ourselves

The school uniform is more than just a dress code; it symbolizes our shared identity and values as a school community. When you wear the uniform, you become part of a larger collective that upholds respect, integrity, and a commitment to learning. The uniform fosters a sense of belonging and equality, reminding us that we are all on this journey together, regardless of our backgrounds or differences.

Wearing the uniform is not just an obligation; it's an opportunity to express pride in who we are and the educational institution we represent. Students are reminded to wear our uniform with confidence, knowing that we all are part of a community that supports and uplifts one another.

Students and parents are reminded that the uniform policy is on our College website and in the student's diary. If a student is not in the current uniform staff will work with the student and parents to ensure this is rectified. A partnership with parents is important in ensuring that students can meet expectations here at the College that mirror the expectations of the future workplaces our students are moving into.

Celebrating the Success of Our Students: Achievements Worth Commemorating

We take great pride in the accomplishments of our students, from outstanding academic performances to exceptional achievements in extracurricular activities, each student's progress contributes to the vibrant tapestry of our school.

At the end of Semester 1, 53% of all students in the Senior Years attained at least 1 “A” grade in their subjects, with 35% of students across all years 9 to 12 obtaining either straight “A”s or “A”s with either 1 or 2 “B”s across their subjects. This is an increase on this time last year with students celebrating their success in their class.

As a school community, we celebrate not only the high achievers but also those who have shown tremendous growth, perseverance, and improvement. Every step forward, no matter how big or small, deserves recognition and applause.

Year 10 School Education and Training (SET) Planning

To ensure our commitment to our students, their learning and future pathways, the College will be conducting SET Plan Interviews with each Year 10 student in Week 4, Term 3.

As students work to complete Year 10, students begin to discuss learning options leading to a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). To make the most of this opportunity, students need a plan.

 The Senior Education and Training Plan more commonly referred to as the SET Plan maps a student’s transition into, and through the Senior Phase of Learning. It serves the purpose of building on strengths and works towards identifying pathway opportunities. The self-reflection and career exploration involved in creating such a plan will also assist them to make well informed choices about higher education courses should their career aspirations necessitate completion of a university degree.

A collaborative partnership between the College, parents and students are key to success in the Senior Years.

Year 12 Term 3

As we enter Term 3, Year 12 students are stepping into one of the most important phases of their schooling journey. This term is often the turning point—where coursework peaks, mock exams begin, and final assessments draw near. The marks achieved now play a vital role in shaping ATAR outcomes, university offers, and future opportunities. More than just academic results, Term 3 is a chance for students to demonstrate their dedication, resilience, and readiness for life beyond school.

Strong performance during this term builds confidence and sets the tone for final exams. It’s also a time when consistent effort and support from teachers, families, and peers can make a real difference. By staying focused and making the most of every learning opportunity, students can take control of their future and finish the year with pride.

Toowoomba Catholic Schools External Examination Preparation Program (EEPP)

During October Year 12 students around the state sit External Examinations which are their final assessment pieces. Each exam is held at the same time and on the same day and so External Examinations can be daunting, especially for those students sitting an examination that contributes 50% of the marks to their result. They can also be very rewarding.

Toowoomba Catholic Schools, through a strong collaborative process, have a proud record of supporting students to achieve their best possible results in these External Examinations. To further consolidate this excellent preparation Toowoomba Catholic Schools and their Principals have developed an External Examination Preparation Program (EEPP).

EEPP brings students from across nine Catholic schools to a central location to refine their knowledge and understanding of content, providing an opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers, and offering suggestions about managing exam conditions. At EEPP students will have the opportunity to be guided in their preparation by an expert mentor. Each mentor possesses expertise in their subject area and, most importantly, experience with the external examination process They are well equipped to pass on the nuanced skills that can make all the difference in a student's results.

EEPP is being conducted over five days in the second week of the September school holidays, from Monday, 29 September through to Friday, 3 October. The venue for the event is the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office in Toowoomba (opposite St Saviour's College).

Further information regarding this excellent program is attached, as well as a link to a registration form to enrol.

If you require further information, please contact Mr Paul Herbert (paul.herbert@twb.catholic.edu.au) from Toowoomba Catholic Schools or myself.

Please use the link below to register, once committed all costs will be invoiced to your college account. Please be aware If a student chooses not to attend once registration closes, costs will still apply to families from Toowoomba Catholic Schools.

2025 External Examination Preparation Program Registration (EEPP) Form

Please refer here for the latest published QCAA External Examination timetable. It is important to keep checking this link as the timetable can be updated regularly.

QCAA external assessment timetable 2025

The external assessment timetable is designed to:

• minimise clashes for students across the examination period. Where there is a clash within a morning or afternoon session, students will be allocated to the alternative session on the same day
• ensure most students sit no more than two external assessments on one day
• provide sufficient breaks between external assessments for popular courses and frequently combined courses
• enable all external assessments to be marked in time for students to receive their final Year 12 results.

Whole College Student Leadership

Nominations have opened for our Year 11 students to apply for College Captains and Prefect roles. Timelines for students to apply are listed below. Students currently in Year 10 and 11 will be able to apply for House Leaders roles in Term 4.

As the term progresses, we encourage our students and parents to engage with our staff to ensure students in all year levels are working towards being the best versions of themselves.

Parent Webinar - AI & Digital Generation 11 AUG 2025

Catholic Network Australia (CNA) will be hosting a webinar on Monday 11 August as per details below and attached:

Please see the attached information for the CNA funded Parent Webinar, please share broadly across your dioceses and schools, it will max at 1,000 live participants, though the registration will handle beyond this for on-demand access to the webinar for 21 days post session.

Links:

• Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uC81ASY6Rj-QrQ5fzdcLUQ#/registration
• Bitly: bit.ly/AICSP25

Assistant Principal Senior Years