Leadership Forum

This week, I spent 3 days at the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Leadership Forum, which is a termly event.  We focussed on the strategic direction of both Secondary and Primary Principal Associations, leadership in our communities, and yesterday engaged in learning regarding Religious Education Curriculum and the ways of teaching that result in best learning for our students.  One of the highlights of the week was the discussion regarding the College’s Catholic Worldview.  This strongly aligns with the College’s strategic focus in 2021 on the Religious Education Strategy.

A “worldview” is simply defined as “a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world” (Oxford Languages).  It is important to recognise that everyone has a different worldview based on their upbringing, education, life experiences, religious beliefs, political alignment, and general perspective on life.  Whilst many people have similar worldviews, it is critical to be respectful and considerate of the worldview of others at all times.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to work through the worldview of Toowoomba Catholic Schools in regard to religious formation and education and consider how this flows through to our leadership team, staff, students and wider community. I also took the time to consider our families and reflect on the wide variety of worldviews that are present in our College. 

The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC Framing Paper) outlines that “Religious Education needs to recontextualise so that students can engage in open dialogue between the Catholic tradition and their personal experiences and contemporary culture”.  This means that our teaching of religion is strongly based on teaching the messages of the Bible and connecting these messages to modern day life.  In this manner, students of all ages can understand the message and continue to develop as people aligned to the Christian values that we instil in all our children.  This is respectfully inclusive of students from all belief backgrounds, though taught in the Catholic tradition.  It’s about encountering our faith through discussion, open dialogue, questioning and talking through the difficult issues that students face. 

In our Living Your Faith program and in the Religious Education Strategy work of the College, worldviews are critically important.  They allow us to determine where students are in their formation and use the teachings of the Bible and our Catholic faith to continue growing great people.  In reflecting, we seek to develop the religious literacy of students in light of the Catholic Christian tradition, so that they might participate critically and authentically in contemporary culture. As Pope Francis states “When somebody has an answer for every question, it is a sign that they are not on the right road” (n41. Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate 2018).

Staffing Update

We wish Mrs Karla Knight and her husband, Brendan,  all the best as they prepare to welcome their baby into the world.  Mrs Knight will finish the term with year 4KT, and from Term 2 Mrs Melanie Henry will work with Mrs Tresillian in this class. We warmly thank Mrs Knight for her dedication to learning at OLSCC and look forward to meeting the new bub!

Mrs Melanie Henry’s role in Prep Red will be dearly missed and we are currently sourcing an excellent teacher to fill this role and begin transitioning with Mrs Kathy Morgan. Students in Prep Red will receive a letter via email when this appointment has been confirmed. 

We are continuing to source a suitable replacement for Mrs Maxine Hetherington in the Senior Years.  Mrs Hetherington is working with Mrs Cesari and Mr Peeck to continue the learning for the students until the end of the term.  We are continuing to interview this afternoon and next week to ensure we have the best teacher possible. 

Mr Matt Hodge is acting principal at St Joseph’s Tara for the last 4 weeks of term as both a means of support for our Diocesan schools, and to support his ongoing development.  Early next week we will be finalising Mr Hodge’s replacement and beginning the transition. 

Canberra Tour Cancelled

Considering ongoing uncertainty regarding interstate travel, and the considerable financial loss to families should border closures occur prior to or during camp, I have decided to cancel the Year 7 Canberra Tour 2021.  Mr Cullen and Middle Years teachers will be exploring alternative options to support student learning regarding civics and citizenship within the state.  More details with be made available to Year 7 students and families as arrangements are made.   

Peter Cuskelly

Principal