End of Year Celebrations

We still have much to teach, learn and develop as we travel through the back end of Term 4, 2021.  This week we see many students completing their end-of-year exams, and we enjoy seeing the excellence in progress achieved by many students from Prep to Year 12.  As we progress, there will be much to finalise and celebrate. I ask everyone to be very mindful of communications from the College to ensure that they are able to celebrate the success of students through the various events planned for the end of the year.  We still have COVID limitations regarding the capacity of venues for events, and we simply cannot squeeze additional people in "on the day" if these communications are missed.  Mrs Brennan is the master of much of this communication, so please ensure your contact details are up to date so you do not miss out. I look forward to sharing these successes with parents, carers, students, and staff and trust that everyone can keep active in reading the communication as it comes to hand.   

2022 College Fees 

Over recent years we have strived to enhance the standard of education, as well as increase the quality of facilities for our OLSCC community.  We have integrated standards of teaching, learning, and technology for learning that are the envy of most schools across the state.  We implement specialised programs that make a substantial impact on the learning and wellbeing of students, and our student learning data has demonstrated these teaching standards are making significant impact.  In addition, we are delivering a significant agenda in regards to enhanced facilities for our students, including technology for learning, enhanced learning and playing spaces, and the College coach, which allows our students to access a wide variety of learning experiences for a significantly reduced cost. 

Accordingly, College fees will increase over the next three years at a rate slightly higher than in the past. Whilst our fees are still significantly less than many other schools and colleges across the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools, I am very confident that parents and carers will agree that the slight increase in fees is resulting in better learning environments for all students at the College.  

Whilst some families choose to pay their fees on a termly basis, in the Cuskelly household we spread our payments over the year using the Direct Debit system (DDR Form).  This not only makes the contributions less significant and easier to manage, it also lessens the impact of the increase on our household budget.  This means that the increase only adds an additional cost for your eldest child of $2.52 per week in Early Years, $3.06 per week in Middle Years, and $3.50 per week in Senior Years.  Whilst these increases in tuition and capital fees are minuscule in relation to the investments we have made at the College in recent years, they create a sustainable model where I can continue to enhance the College for better learning, staffing, and facilities at OLSCC for all students. For my two boys, the $5 invested in the College fee increase per week is easily compensated by the wonderful learning environment that is provided for them on a daily basis.

College Fees 2022

2022 Booklists

To commence the 2022 Academic year, we are transitioning to a Booklist model for all year levels at the College.  This means that we will no longer offer the "Book Package" that we have persevered with over recent years.  This will allow our parents the opportunity to access the OLSCC Booklist for each respective grade through our local supplier Warrego Office Choice, utilising an effective and efficient online ordering system.  Alternatively, parents and carers may choose to purchase the items themselves from other suppliers, given that the quality of the materials provided meet the demands of the classroom.  When the booklists are released over the coming weeks, please note that they contain specific information, such as brands and qantities that students need to be successful in their learning.  It is very important that the items listed in the booklist are purchased in the intent they are listed.  Whilst alternate options are available, having high-quality materials for learning is crucial, as cheaper alternatives are often not sustainable and therefore make learning for students very difficult.  When ordering or purchasing items for your child, it is pertinent that you are vigilant in purchasing the specific instruments that are listed, and not default to cheap alternatives.  I trust this transition will allow students to have their learning tools available for covering and naming much earlier than through the Book Package model.  

College Fees in Arrears

Over the coming weeks, our new Business Manager Mrs Sarah Hall will be following up with parents who are in arrears regarding their College fees. The reality is that we budget our expenditure based on all parents paying their fair contribution in regard to fees.  We have a significant majority that are up to date with payments, though we still have some families who are in arrears.  As we transition into 2022 we will be making tough decisions on the continued enrolment of families that refuse to either discuss their circumstances or pay their fees.  The reality is that parents are paying for a service, and for the service to continue the bills must be paid.  If you are experiencing difficult times, please contact the Business Manager to discuss your options.  If you are in significant arrears, you will be contacted to make a financial commitment to correct your debt so that the education of your children at OLSCC may continue.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal 

Friday 26 November - Early Years Swimming Carnival

Friday 26 November - Christmas Carols @ OLSCC

As we get closer to the season of Advent and Christmas, we are often asked to donate items, money and sometimes even our own time. As Christians, the Bible is clear throughout its pages that we’re called to give generously. In Exodus 35, we see the Israelites all generously giving the materials and time to build the tabernacle. If any of those people decided to withhold the materials they owned or the skills they had, the tabernacle wouldn’t have come together. In Malachi 3, giving is the one thing God tells us to test him in. In the New Testament God himself gave us his only son because he loves us so much, and that Son died on a cross for us. It sets a model that generosity in God’s people should be sacrificial.  

Why should we give generously?  

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Hebrews 13 tells us - And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  

God, we do not want to live selfishly and ignore the needs of others.

Lord, teach us to share without expecting something in return.

We open our hearts to your compassion so we can help other people who need our help the most.  

We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

LEAVING AT THE END OF 2021  

If your child is finishing schooling with us at the end of 2021, please be aware that your access to Parent Portal will also conclude at the end of Term 4 2021.  It is important that you download any report cards or documents saved on the portal that you may need for future reference. 

END OF YEAR EVENT ATTENDANCE OF COMMUNITY 

Awards Ceremony – 17 November 9:15am in the MPC.  This event will be attended by all students in Prep – Year 12.  This will be a ticketed event.  Limited tickets will be available to families of Year 12 students and award recipients only.  We will live stream this event due to our limited capacity.  Details on how to book tickets have been sent to relevant families via email.  The live stream will be via Facebook.  No walk-up seating will be available on the day of the event.  Thanks for your understanding. 

Yr 12 Graduation Mass – 19 November 9:15am at St Joseph’s Church.  This event will be attended by Year 11 and Year 12 students.  One pew will be designated seating for each of the Year 12 student’s families.  Other limited seating will be available at the back of the Church for the extended community.  Community members attending the event external to our Year 12 families will be required to sign in and be assigned seating on arrival. 

Christmas Carols – Friday 26 November, 6:00-8:00pm on the OLSCC Main Oval.  This event is open to all students and their extended families and friends.  There is no capacity limits at this event and those in attendance just need to register on arrival using our Qld Government QR Code.   

Early Years Christmas Play – Thursday 2 December at 12:30pm in the MPC.  This will be a ticketed event to increase our audience capacity in the MPC.  Details on how to book tickets will be available in upcoming newsletters.  

STUDENT UNIFORM AWARDS CEREMONY 

Our College Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday 17 November is a formal event for all students at the College, Prep to Year 12.  All students must wear full formal uniform on this day, including ties for Year 5-12 students.  Students may swap their sports uniform to the Tuesday or Thursday on this week to assist families. 

MINI VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL  

For most of us, Christmas is a time of celebration with family and friends; the joy of exchanging gifts, making precious memories together and enjoying delicious Christmas treats to eat. However, for many Australians, including families and children living below the poverty line, Christmas can be a time when meeting their most basic needs, like putting food on the table or a place to call home, is a real struggle. 2021 has been a year like no other, with even more people needing support to bring joy back into their Christmas celebrations.  

Each year, we as a College make every effort to support St Vincent de Paul in their challenge to help the needy in our community. We are again inviting you to join them in making this Christmas, one filled with joy and happiness for families across Queensland. We invite you to donate goods which can be made into hampers. These could be items that are considered treats at Christmas or staples to fill a pantry. Any donation is appreciated but to streamline your donations, we are asking each class to donate items in the following categories: 

Please send your donations to the College with your child by Wednesday 24 November. These donations will then be passed on to our local St Vincent de Paul Society at the College Christmas Carols on Friday 26 November. 

There is much happening behind the scenes across the College as we prepare for the best possible transition for our students to complete the 2021 year successfully and be well set up for 2022. Class lists will be released very shortly and with that will come conversations with your children about the excitement of change, the developing of new classroom relationships and settings. All of this will be consolidated on our Up Day on Wednesday 1 December 2021.

In order to best prepare your child at home for success, I ask you to re-familiarise yourself with the College Uniform Guidelines and in particular, the reference to shoes and jewellery. To quote directly from the guidelines for Sports Uniform:

• College sport socks or white sport socks (crew socks)
• Black joggers with black, white or red trim

Please note the reference to black, white or red trim – this means that joggers with any other colour on them are not acceptable as they do not meet the uniform guidelines. In order to save difficult conversations or extra expense of having to replace incorrect joggers, I implore you to choose correctly when you purchase new shoes. This is particularly pertinent as many families begin preparing in advance for the next school year.

As per Mr Cuskelly’s article in the Principal’s Pen section of this newsletter, you will see that the Early Years will join the rest of the College with the move to a booklist rather than the book scheme package. I reinforce his comments regarding the need to purchase exactly what is on the list, including brands and item numbers, as these have been found to be the most cost effective, long term learning tools for classroom use. Purchasing the correct items initially will also save you any extra expense of having to replace inappropriate items. The advice given to us by our local suppliers is that prices for these regular classroom tools drop significantly once wholesalers begin the ‘Back to School’ rollout. This generally begins 1 December, so it would be wise to wait until after this date to complete your purchase.

The Early Years Christmas musical preparations continue. The details include:

Name: “The Inn-Spectors” by Nikki Lewis

Performance Date: Thursday 2 December

Time: 12.30pm

Venue: OLSCC Multi-purpose Centre

Don’t forget to refer back to emails to ensure you have the correct information for costume requirements for your child. We are looking forward to sharing our performance with parents. Further information about how to secure a seat will be available soon.

Katrina Walton

Assistant Principal Early Years

Headspace Visit

This week we were very fortunate to have Riki from Headspace present to our Year 6, Year 7 and Year 8 students. The session with Year 6 students focused on the common feelings associated with transitioning from primary schooling to secondary schooling. Although some of the anxiety around this transition is avoided at the College, due to our P – 12 structure and our graduated transition to high school, there are still a range of natural emotions that can impact our young students at this time. Speaking to some of the students following the session they reported that it was comforting to have a better understand of their emotions.

The session for Year 7 and Year 8 revolved around starting to have conversations about their mental health continuum. The insights offered in the session highlighted some easy ways for students to improve their wellbeing. The tips were as follows:

Get enough Sleep
Sleeping well is great for your brain and body. It helps you to feel energises, stay focused and to protect your mental health.

Eat Well
A healthy diet can improve your mood, energy levels and boost your wellbeing. By filling up on nutritious food and drinking plenty of water, your brain will have all the food it needs to tackle the day ahead.

Get into life
Keep doing the stuff you love to do. Have an outlet. It can help to keep the fun in your life, give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose, boost your confidence and help you to connect with others.

Stay active
Remaining active can help you to sleep better, manage stress and boost your mood. Make time to take a break from the serious parts of life and be active outside.

Connect
Spending time with family, friends, your pets or other people in your community can help to strengthen your mental health and wellbeing. Try to get involved in clubs, sports, volunteer work or start a new hobby.

Just like physical fitness, mental fitness takes regular effort. Taking some time to think about how you are handling the tough times in life is really important. If the problem feels like its too big to deal with by yourself, it is important to speak up and get support from friends, family and staff.

Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal Middle Years

The final term of the year seems to always be jammed packed which means that time flies. This year is no different. We have now reached the busiest weeks of the term and students are balancing assessment and end of year commitments.

Assessment
Over the next two weeks, all Senior Years students will complete their final assessment for the year. For our Year 11s, this means that they transition into the start of their Units 3 & 4 (official start of Year 12 curriculum). This transition requires students to keep persisting with their learning for the entire term to ensure that they maximise this head start to their final year of studies. For our Year 9 and 10 students, exams have commenced, and final assignments are being completed. Students are encouraged to organise their time well, to ensure that all deadlines are met, and submissions reflect each student’s best effort. I also extend an early thank you to our Senior Years teachers for their efforts with marking, moderating, and reporting over the coming weeks.

ATAR Study Skills Day

In Week 4, our Year 11 students who are working towards an ATAR score, participated in a study skills day at St. Mary’s College in Toowoomba. Over 140 students from across the Toowoomba Catholic Schools participated in the day, which focused on a wide range of skills. These study skills included writing practice questions, organising home study spaces, taking notes, and using visual diagrams for retrieval practice. It was an excellent day and we look forward to seeing our ATAR students implement a number of these skills into their practice.

Year 10 Camp (Mr Tyron Fraser)

"Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their bar." - Orrin Woodward. 

The focus of Senior Years Camps has very much centred around building better people and future leaders as part of each student’s development. This process requires students to be taken out of their comfort zone. Year 10 students were faced with the challenge of an expedition as they paddled and camped around Bribie Island. 

It was disappointing to have our trip cut short by severe weather; however, the time spent on camp yielded some very positive experiences. These experiences included learning how to navigate through island channels, to watching students band together to prepare meals and set up camp. The trip will also have lasting memories of miraculous fish jumping into kayaks and the barking symphony orchestra put on by a group of girls as it rained through the night. 

I would like to thank Miss Nicholson and Mr Milford for joining me and for giving up their time to take students on the expeditions and to the 38 brave souls who endeavoured to venture out of their comfort zones to make memories together. 

Movember – OLSCC Mo Bros

This year, we have set up a team for staff and community members who may like to join together to participate in Movember. The initiative's focus is to support innovative projects across prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

We are aiming to raise $2000, hopefully, more.

If you would like to donate to the Team page, please use the following link: https://au.movember.com/team/2399126?utm_medium=app&utm_source=ios&utm_campaign=share-team

Communication and Pastoral Concerns

Parents are encouraged to communicate with their child's subject teachers as an initial point of contact for any pastoral or academic matters throughout the year. For further matters, don't hesitate to get in touch with me through the College Office or by email matthew.hodge@twb.catholic.edu.au

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

On Thursday, 28 October, our College had two teams compete in the State Finals of the QAMT Mathematics competition. Our 5/6 team (Lucy Cusack, Zane Stirling and Lochie McNaughton) were the first to take the quiz and amongst some tough competition and difficult questions, finished 9th in the state with Rockhampton Grammar coming first. The 7/8 team (Chloe Manteit, Bridie Rush and Jack Gibson) competed in the high school round and were against equally tough teams and challenging questions. They finished 9th in the state behind winners Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (QASMT). The State finals were conducted via Zoom and included schools from all over Queensland. This was the third round for each team after progressing through the local and then regional rounds. A big congratulations to the students that participated in the QAMT Maths competition and a great result for our small school from Dalby.

Miss Crow, Mrs Twidale and Mrs Biggar

On Wednesday, 27 October, the Year 10 students who are working towards a Certificate II in Horticulture harvested cabbage, broccoli and beetroot from the College agriculture plot on Cooper Street. The students supported the growth of these plants from germination to harvest. Congratulations to those students involved and their hard work.

Last week, the Year 9 Food and Textiles class prepared multicultural cuisine restaurants for their assessment.

Gemma Coman, Kaity Harms, Darcie Seng, Lexie Kimpton and Emma Donaldson prepared a 3-course meal for their guests of parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents. The ladies had to work both individually and as a team to prepare their meals, plate their food attractively, set up their restaurant, organise a menu and serve their meals. It was wonderful to see them all in action and it was equally wonderful to have guests from outside the College back on the College grounds witnessing the skills and commitment of these young ladies.

WOT IF Day

On Wednesday 20 October, the College ran the inaugural WOT IF Day for students in Years 6,7, and 8. WOT IF stands for What’s OUT There…Inspired Futures and we  hope that this day will provide our students in the Middle Years the opportunity to start thinking about career options by considering what they like, whether are they are good with their hands, do they like being outdoors etc. It was a very busy day for our students, and I was able to see some interesting paddle pop bridges and coffee / hot chocolate making taking place. We were very blessed to have some fabulous presenters.

We welcomed Kilcoy Global Meats and during their session (thank you Mr Price, Miss Price’s Dad for travelling up to see us for the day) students produced some interesting marketing ideas and learnt about the parts of the beast. Mr Price also went through all the incredible employment opportunities there are in this sector of the Agricultural Industry.

USQ once again presented some fantastic career opportunities to our students. These included aviation, engineering, and health. We will welcome them back again later in the term when they will be completing career rotations with our Year 9 students.

Another huge shout out must go to Mel Harms from Urban Paddock Cafe. Mel brought in a coffee machine for the students to see and use on the day. Not only did she supply the machine, the coffee, and the milk she sent the wonderful Lizette MacDonald to work with our students showng them how to operate the machine and what a coffee barista is required to do. This amazing lady did not stop all day and I know from the feedback from students, this was one of their favourite activities. Thank you so so much Lizette.

Thank you also to TAFE Southwest for giving up their time to present to the students. Lastly a great big thank you to Miss Jacinta Willocks who ran our Virtual Reality (VR) Equipment through out the day. Using the VR equipment, students were able to experience coffee making in the visual reality world before moving to Lizette to experience it for real. This fabulous equipment was donated to the College by the Endeavour Foundation and Arrow Energy and will become an integral part o,f not only Careers Education at the College, but other areas of the curriculum as well. During our lunch break, the official media launch for the VR rquipment was held and our students were able to show off their talents.

All in all this was a brilliant day that we will grow even bigger next year. 

Congratulations to Hayden Taylor from Year 10 who is undertaking a Certificate III in Agriculture with employer TG & FL Reed. We thank the Reeds for providing Hayden with this opportunity and look forward to his success in the agricultural field.

Libby Baxter

Careers Development Practitioner

SW Rugby Sevens Competition Results

Open Girls Week 4

Loss to TAS 33-15

Loss to Glennie 40-7

Open Girls Week 5

Loss to Glennie 32-7

Win vs St Joseph’s 21-15

Under 15 Girls Week 4

Win vs Harristown SHS 20-10

Win vs Mary MacKillop 17-0

Under 15 Girls Week 5

Win vs Glennie 33-19

Win vs TAS 32-7

Under 13 Girls Week 4

Win vs Mary MacKillop 36-10 

Under 13 Girls Week 5

Loss to Downlands 20-12

Loss to Concordia 31-19

Under 13 Boys Week 4

Loss to St Mary’s Blue 44-5

Loss to St Joseph’s 33-0

Under 13 Boys Week 5

Loss to TGS Green 26-10

Loss to Mary MacKillop 15-14

Aquathlon

Congratulations to Gemma Sullivan, Charlotte Colquhoun, Innes Dellit and Myles Gilliland who competed in the Darling Downs Aquathlon Trials in Dalby on Friday. Results are listed below. Gemma Sullivan was selected in the Darling Downs Team to attend the State Championships in February 2022.

Boys Race – 49 Competitors

Innes Dellit 17^th

Myles Gilliland 19^th

Girls Race – 42 Competitors

Gemma Sullivan 7^th

Charlotte Colquhoun 19^th

QISSN Netball / QISSRL Rugby League 2022

The 2022 QISSRL and QISSN Carnivals will be held in Mackay in the first week of the June/ July holidays. The Rugby League Carnival is open to any boys turning 16 or older in 2022. The Netball Carnival in open to any girls in Years 9-12 in 2022. The Netball Squad are training on a Tuesday morning at the PCYC from 7.00am – 8.10am. The Rugby League Squad are training on a Thursday morning on Brothers Oval from 7.00am – 8.10am. All players interested in being part of these teams in 2022 need to attend training.

Volleyball

Congratulations to all girls who competed at the QLD Schools Cup Volleyball Competition last weekend. Many early morning and after school trainings have occurred in the past few months in preparation for this event. Most girls were competing in their first ever volleyball competition. All teams had a few wins and will benefit from this experience in future years. The highlight of the weekend was the performance of the Year 8 Girls Division 1 team, who won the Silver Medal and will now attend the Australian Schools Volleyball Cup in the first week of the holidays. A big thanks to Mrs Lincoln, Mrs Wilkins, Mrs Biggar, Miss McEwan and Mr Milford for coaching our teams.

Year 7 Girls Division 2

Win vs Nambour SHS                3-0

Loss to St Monica’s                    2-1

Loss to Rochedale SHS              3-0

Win vs QASMT                          2-1

Win vs Holland Park                   2-1

This ranked the Girls 4^th in Pool B

7^th Place Playoff

Loss to Woodridge SHS 2-0

Year 8 Girls Division 2

Win vs The Gap SHS                 2-1

Loss to Rochedale SHS             3-0

Win vs Roma State College        3-0

Loss to Mountain Creek SHS      3-0

This ranked the Girls 3^rd in Pool A

Cross Over Game vs 2^nd Place in Pool B

Loss to St Monicas                     2-0

5^th Place Playoff

Loss to Glennie                         2-0

Year 8 Girls Division 1

Loss to Redbank Plains              2-1

Win vs Mansfield SHS                2-1

Win vs Holland Park SHS           2-1

Win vs The Gap SHS                 2-1

Loss to Canterbury College        2-0

This ranked the Girls 2^nd in Pool A and into the Semi Finals

Semi Final

Win vs Woodridge SHS              2-1

Gold Medal Match

Loss to Redbank Plains SHS      2-0

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

It is time to dust off the clubs, don your hat and slap on some sunscreen ready to hit the golf course for the OLSCC Golf Day. See the flyer below for all the details.

The front seat is not a treat. The following information comes to us from the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Workplace Health and Safety team and is an important message for parents with young passengers.

Medical professionals and road safety experts recommend that children remain sitting in the back seat until they're at least 12 years of age. This is because the injury risk to children under 12 is nearly double in the front seat compared to the back seat, regardless of the type of restraint. 145cm or taller is the suggested minimum height to use an adult lap-sash seatbelt so, anyone smaller than that, is safest in the back seat. 

SOLD OUT  

• Sports shorts size 10

ARRIVALS

• Sports Polos   size 14 & XS     
• OLSCC socks back in stock in all sizes $8.95.