Welcome to Term 2 everyone!  Whilst we are very glad that the lockdown of last term has not progressed any further to impact us this term, it is a timely reminder for everyone in our community to remain vigilant with social distancing and effective hygiene practices.  Thanks to you all for understanding that we are at the mercy of the Health directives as they come to hand, as well as the disruption these cause in our day-to-day lives.

ANZAC Day

Please refer to the previous communications and Mrs Brennan’s summary of the arrangements for ANZAC Day ceremonies in Dalby and across the district on Sunday.  Our College will actively participate in both the dawn and morning march/services on Sunday and look forward to maximum participation on the day.  Please read these communications carefully and encourage your children to actively participate in the memory of our past service men and women in preserving those aspects of Australian culture that we hold so dear.  I look forward to seeing many of you there and will be sure to take best care of your children who participate in the marches. Students are also welcome to march with the Year 12 students at the dawn service if they wish.  To do so, please meet at the ANZ Building (cnr Cunningham and Patrick Streets) at 4:00 am for a 4:15 am march in formal uniform (no hat).

Staffing

This week we welcome Mr Anthony (Tony) Walsh to our teaching staff as he replaces Mrs Maxine Hetherington in the senior years teaching English, Social and Community Studies and Religion.  Mr Walsh has already proved himself as a strong educator and we look froward to his ongoing success at OLSCC.

We also thanks Mrs Sandy Jones, who has been an excellent cleaner at OLSCC for over 10 years, and today transitions to retirement.  Every day our children and staff enter clean, safe and secure classrooms thanks to the efforts of our amazing support staff such as Sandy.  Thank you, Sandy, for your care, conversation and dedication to our College.  Your efforts are certainly valued and appreciated and we wish you all the best in your retirement.

At the end of this term, we will also be farewelling Mr Dave Kavney who has been a groundsman here for the past 3 years.  You often see Dave digging, gardening, weeding, mowing and generally working to improve the overall facilities of our College.  We trust Mr Kavney will be back to help out with the coach from time to time and will find it difficult to keep away for too long!

OLSCC also welcomes two preservice teachers who are completing their practicums this term.  Miss Sophia Sloss is working with Year 5 students and Mrs Priebbenow whilst Miss Katherine Henning is teaching across the Senior Years with Miss Purbrick.  We trust that they both have an amazing learning journey in their time here. 

Upcoming Events

As you continue through this newsletter you will note that there are many opportunities for the community to engage in events throughout the term, particularly through sport starting with the College Cross Country and the Rugby League competition.  The cross country details are in Mr Lincoln’s section of the newsletter, and include the renewal of community attendance at College functions.  Likewise, the rugby league for the term starts next week with a home game at Dalby Leagues grounds against Dalby State High School in all 3 grades (u/13, u/15, Opens).   

For the remainder of next week, we ask people to make a donation to the Catbagan Family via the jar in the College Office. These funds will be used for the education of the Catbagan children which is something that was very important to Richard. Next Friday, we will be hosting a 'Day for Richard' with further information coming out about this early next week.

I wish everyone a safe and prosperous Term 2 and encourage all parents to label their student’s winter clothing so we can save lost uniforms throughout the cold period.  See you on Sunday!

Pete Cuskelly

Principal