Catholic Mission Liturgy

This morning the College was buzzing as we welcomed Bishop Ken Howell, Father Jim Cronin, Dr Pat Coughlan (Executive Director:Catholic Schools), Ange Travers (Senior Leader: Mission and Identity), Lee-Ann Weekes (Education Officer: Formation and Identity) and Martin Lewis (Province Director – Queensland Catholic Mission) to the College to celebrate liturgy and reflect on the very important work of Catholic Mission. 

While we live a life of privilege in Australia with boundless opportunities around every corner, today reminds us that this is not the case for all.  Many live without basic needs of food, clean drinking water, shelter, clothing and love every day, not to mention health care and education. Today is a great day for us to consider how we can balance the scales in our lives by supporting Catholic Mission, especially in their work in Zambia this year.  If you would like to know more about Catholic Mission, please check out their website: www.catholicmission.org.au.  Here you can financially support Food Security in Zambia, Maternal Health in Zambia, Emergency Aid in Ukraine, Seminarians in Timor-Leste, or supplying fresh water in Myanmar.

Engagement in Learning and College Life in Term 4

At OLSCC we are blessed to have so many opportunities that our staff go above and beyond to provide for our students.  Looking at Term 4’s calendar which is published in this newsletter, it is evident there is plenty on offer again in Term 4.  I encourage students to continue to engage in these wonderful opportunities such as QCIS events, whilst also balancing their study to finish well at the end of 2026.  In order to do so, we need to challenge what is often an unhealthy culture of finishing the school year poorly.

Many times in education we get to the end of the term and/or year and the standards and expectations of students lessen.   People make excuses and reason that misbehaviour is because of the end of the term, or they couldn’t engage because it was the end of the day, or that it is nearing the end of the year in the back half of Term 4.  These excuses are lacklustre at best and encourage our students to make excuses or cast blame on poor decisions. It should be noted, that those who perform to their capability, those who perform their best, they strive to peak at the end of the year and frequently do so.  

I struggle to find any aspect of life where making excuses for poor performance or

disengagement has resulted in a positive result. The lead in a musical, the halfback in the grand final, the aspirant for a job interview, the end of financial year, the day of a big event being organised, the last review before being signed off as a tradesperson, the final professional placement for a teacher.  There is simply no real-life connection between poor performance at the pinnacle of the event, and success.

This is a mindset that requires support and coaching for our students – just like leading up to the big finale, or the grand final.  The end is where we should expect our students to do their absolute best, to peak in their performance before they earn a rest in the holiday.  It is our role as both parents and a College to grow great people who are ready to engage in independent study or the workforce when they leave school.  Accordingly, let’s all reinforce that every school day is a day where commitment, effort and dedication are required – especially at the end of the year when it matters the most.

Student Leaders 2025 and 2026

Over the past few weeks we have seen the installation of our 2026 College Captains and Prefects as our 2025 student leaders concentrate on their studies and preparations for the External Assessment period. 

I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the 2025 College Captains and Prefects.  It has been an absolute privilege to have the six of you lead our students over the past 12 months.  I have enjoyed the disposition and attitude that has always been present, the fresh ideas that you have not only brought to the table – though also brought to life and realised.  I have loved the videos on assemblies, the humiliating video recordings, the threat and reality of getting my head shaved, and mostly the general conversation between us in our respective roles.  You have all made a wonderful contribution to your College and I thank you for your service to our great community.

To our 2026 College Captains, Prefects and soon to be announced House Leaders.  Well done firstly on securing a position of Leadership for 2026.  The competition continues to improve each and every year as our leaders learn from those before them.  An exciting 12 months lies before you with the tricky balancing act between your academic, extra-curricular and leadership pursuits all coming before you. You have started strongly, and I look forward to seeing what legacy you leave for our College community in the future.

2026 Staff Announcements

While I anticipate there will be plenty of staffing announcements over the next few weeks at the College, I would like to say a special welcome to a new teacher in the Early Years for 2026. 

I am very excited to announce the relocation of Miss Samanatha Jaeger to our College from St Joseph’s Chinchilla.  Miss Jaeger has recently relocated to Dalby and is eagerly looking forward to teaching at OLSCC. 

She has excellent curriculum knowledge and teaching practice and is currently both the Middle Leader: Teaching and Learning and the Assistant Principal Religious Education at St Joseph’s. 

We look forward to welcoming Miss Jaeger to the Early Years at OLSCC and meeting her 2026 class at Up Day on 3 December.   

Important Events

Please keep an eye upon the calendar for upcoming events this term.  I am sure your calendars are just as full as mine as we enter the festive season! 

Some key dates – not to be missed are listed below:

• 19 Nov – College Excellence Awards
• 21 Nov – Year 12 Graduation Mass and Valedictory Lunch
• 26 Nov – Colour Run
• 1 Dec – Christmas Carols
• 3 Dec – Up Day (all students in next year’s classes for a day)
• 4 Dec - Early Years Nativity Play
• 5 Dec – Final Day 2025 Academic Year

End of Year and Preparation for 2026

A lot of the work at College from this point on is preparing for 2026.  There will be lots on information in newsletters and emails over the next two months, and I kindly remind all in our community to keep an eye on these modes of communication, as well as FaceBook, to ensure that no important information or events are being missed.  As always, if you have any questions please reach out and someone will be able to pass on the information that you require.

Mr Peter Cuskelly