Year 12 Farewell

Sadly, today we farewell our Year 12 cohort of 2023.  What an amazing group of students!

We had an amazing farewell for them Wednesday alongside the College Awards and we wish them all the best for their post school celebrations and their next steps. 

Our final newsletter will have a full wrap of Year 12 celebrations with plenty of photos to share.

College Awards Ceremony

The awards on Wednesday were a great way to celebrate student success across the past 12 months.  It was a warm and muggy morning, though I was very impressed with the resilience shown by the students throughout the ceremony.  Congratulations to all our awards winners!  Your dedication and persistence over numerous years was well rewarded this week.  For those who didn’t receive any awards – now is a great time to start setting goals for personal improvement for next year.  These results may be academic, spiritual, in sports or the arts, and you may or may not receive an award next year, however, it is wise to always aim a little higher and strive for little bits of improvement rather than radical change. 

The book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear is an international bestseller outlining the thinking behind personal improvement and the practical way of approaching it to achieve long lasting results.  It is a great book, podcast (EntreLeadership) or audiobook for senior years students or any adult to have a listen to if there are radical goals you aspire to achieve without making radical lifestyle changes.  It’s all about making a 1% change often and how these miniscule changes can grow into life-altering outcomes.  If you’re unsure where to start – start at Atomic Habits! Mums and Dads, the lessons here can also be interpreted and communicated in child friendly language- make it a family challenge to reflect on over the Christmas Holidays and have some fun with it.

2024 and Beyond

We only have 2 weeks of school left before the beloved Christmas holidays.  We will have one more newsletter prior to the end of the year to ensure that everything that needs communicating gets to our community in a reliable manner so the information can be accessed over the holidays.  We will also have much of our information loaded onto the website so it is easily accessible over the holidays.  This will include College Office opening hours over the holidays, 2024 booklists, laptop procedures, uniform shop opening hours, classlists and much more.  The next newsletter will also include some important dates for next year so be sure not to miss it. 

Have a great last 2 weeks of the school year!

Mr Peter Cuskelly

Principal

Blessed!  We are truly blessed with our College family, a community that supports and encourages each other.  This was on show this week at our College Awards Ceremony.  I am so proud of the resilience of our students, as the day really turned up the heat, and the breezes only blew occasionally, it was extremely hot in the MPC the students, parents and staff really enjoyed a big drink of water at the end.  All in attendance, listened, clapped and supported each other to celebrate the accomplishments of 2023.  We had so many families join us we were bursting at the seams and many joined us via the Facebook live stream to cheer from afar.  Those visiting our College from Toowoomba Catholic Schools and from external organisations were impressed with our students attention for the duration – it always great to hear this from others – it just confirms what we already know, that we are blessed to be a part of the #OLSCCFamily.  

Awards 2023 

The Awards Ceremony can be watched in full on the College Facebook page.  A full list of the recipients has been added to the Awards 2023 tab under the About Us heading.  We will also upload links to our photo galleries on our webpage once all the wonderful photos are downloaded.  The accomplishments of our students never ceases to amaze me, and their hard work was recognised today. A huge thanks to those who support our awards with prizes and awards: 

Dalby Rotary Club 

Australian Defence Force 

Matt Hughes Foundation 

Andrew McGahan family 

Madonna King 

Harvard Club of Australia 

Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools 

TAFE Queensland  

Lions Club Dalby 

Western Downs Regional Council 

Mr Peter Mackie – Mary Barry Bursary  

Year 12 Graduation Mass  

On Friday 17 November Year 12 students will graduate from our College at their Graduation Mass at St Joseph’s Church.  The Mass commences at 10:00am.  Year 10 & Year 11 students will attend this mass in full formal uniform.  They will travel by bus to and from the church for this mass.  Community members are welcome to join us for this mass. 

Mini Vinnies Christmas Hampers 

Christmas can be a tough time financially for many in our community and we would like to help where we can.  Our Year 5 students are currently in the planning stages of the Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal.  The letter outlining the requested donations has been emailed home and uploaded to parent portal.  It outlines the donations we will be collecting to assist our local St Vincent de Paul Chapter.  If you know of a family that are in need of a hamper or assistance I can be contacted through the College office.   

Christmas Carols Thursday 30 November 6:00pm-8:00pm 

This year after feedback from families we have relocated our Christmas Carols to the Thursday evening in Week 9 of this term. Students will lead our community in an evening of Christmas Carols.  Battery powered candles and drinks will be available to purchase on the evening with funds raised going to Yes Arusha. All are welcome to join us to celebrate the end of the year and the Christmas season.  FACE will be running a pre-order BBQ at the Christmas Carols, so get your family and friends organised to enjoy a night off cooking and place your orders once flexi-schools opens 

College Uniform Requirements for upcoming events 

Students in Year 10/11 will attend the Graduation Mass on Friday 17 November to support the Year 12 students.  Students should attend full formal uniform with ties. 

Christmas Carols – just wear your best Christmas shirt, both students and their families and join in the Christmas Cheer. 

Date Claimer Term 4 

Year 12 Graduation Mass – Friday 17 November 10:00am at St Joseph’s Church  

College Christmas Carols – Thursday 30 November 6:00pm-8:00pm  

Mrs Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

This week we celebrate the Year 12s and all students who have worked hard academically, spiritually, culturally or in sports at Our Lady of the Southern Cross College. Our College Awards allows us to acknowledge the efforts of all people in our school and their journey in faith and knowledge. We are extremely fortunate to be able to be witness to our students living out their lives in the example set by Jesus. With all of this going on, we must remember to be ever grateful and thankful for what God has provided us. I think that here at OLSCC, we definitely know how to show our gratitude by celebrating what we have and who we are as well as giving thanks by giving to others. 

Psalm 95 exclaims: 

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;  
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 

Let us come before him with thanksgiving 
    and extol him with music and song. 

For the Lord is the great God, 
    the great King above all gods. 

A Prayer of Gratitude to God 

Dear Father, I am so grateful for everything that you have given me.  

Thank you so much for the loved ones in my life, For the many ways in which I am cared for and supported.  

Thank you for the many ways I can serve and give to others. Thank you for the rich tapestry of colours in creation, For the beauty which is all around me, For the skies and the ever changing cloud formations, For the breathtaking sunsets and early morning mists.  

My heart is so grateful and brimming with thanks.  

I could write a thousand books about your great goodness, And still have many stories to tell.  

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

I thank you with everything I am.  

All my being cries thank you Lord!  

Amen.  

(a short prayer of gratitude to God from www.lords-prayer-words.com) 

Year 12 Graduation

This week we celebrated the final days with our 2023 Year 12 Graduates. We would hope that all the senior students acknowledge that their time at the College has had a positive impact on their lives and we have given them skills that will assist them in the future. They all have such huge potential to make a difference to our society.

As they completed their journey with us we challenged our Year 12’s to become the best versions of themselves as they enter the next phase of their lives. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

“Year 12, may the road rise up to meet you, may the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm on your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And Year 12, until our paths cross again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."

Last Weeks of Term

As we enter into the final weeks of 2023 it has been a very busy time for our college community. We see a number of our assessments completed and Year 11’s engaging in their Unit 3 work in preparation for their IA’s early next year.

The successes that have occurred this year in academic, sporting and cultural realms have been a true credit to all the students at the college.

Below is the week plan for week 8 and 9. Students are expected to be in attendance during these weeks as we finish 2023 and prepare for 2024.

Mr Rodney Spain

Assistant Principal – Senior Years

Olivia Koehler

As the summer holidays are fastly approaching, we must finish 2023 on a high note and as the best versions of ourselves. On Wednesday 15 November we said goodbye to our year 12s, as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. We wish them the best as they finalise their 13 years of schooling at the graduation mass, alongside their peers, and family as well as the year 10 and 11 students. The mass will take place on Friday 17 November at the St Joseph Parish. On Wednesday, as we sent off the year 12s we also recognised and celebrated students across all sectors for their sport, culture, academic, and spiritualty achievements in 2023. 

In the coming weeks, as a College, we are holding numerous events that include the colour run, the primary school swimming carnival, the movie night and the annual Christmas carols. The colour run will take place on 23 November and is an event that all students have the privilege to participate in. On Friday 24 November, the year 10 and 11 students will finish the school year, while the early years students will participate in the primary school swimming carnival. On this day at 4:30pm, OLSCC will be hosting a movie night for preps to year 6s, to celebrate the end of the year and the student's hard work throughout 2023. We will be showing the Tooth Fairy, a family classic that is appropriate for all ages. Their will be poppers and popcorn available with a gold coin required upon entry. On 30 November from 6pm to 8pm, the annual Christmas carols will take place here at the college. This is an event where OLSCC’s wider community are welcome to come celebrate the end of the year where students’ classes will perform their well rehearsed Christmas song. On 1 December, the school year will finish for our preps to grade 9s.  As we begin to wrap up the school year, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and an enjoyable last 2 or 3 weeks here at school. 

Reminder to Year 10 Parents and Carers, that the first round for ordering calculators closes on 5 November 2023.

The College was fortunate enough to receive a grant as part of the Go for Gold Fund Program which allowed us to purchase soccer goals. These have been placed on Brothers Oval and Main Oval for student use. It was great to see students using these at lunch time!

Restorative Conversations

Restorative conversations are a process that focuses on identifying the root cause of harm, repairing this harm, building relationships, fostering a sense of community, and providing students with a framework that they can use themselves to resolve minor issues. This approach has been successfully implemented at our College for some time now, but it is not unique to just our setting. The process is often utilised in other schools, workplaces, mediation, and even in criminal justice systems. The power of restorative conversations lies in several key elements:

• Empowerment and inclusion
  They emphasise active participation from all parties involved. This inclusion fosters a sense of empowerment and allows individuals to have a voice in the resolution process they are taking part in.
  
  
• Focus on relationships
  Unlike traditional approaches that may have only possessed punitive measures, restorative conversations prioritise the rebuilding of relationships or simply establishing a non-social, working relationship and boundaries with the parties involved. This is crucial in resolving conflicts and addressing the hurt that may have been caused, as it acknowledges the interconnectedness of individuals within the community.
  
  
• Responsibility and accountability  
  This process encourages individuals to take ownership and responsibility for their actions. By acknowledging the impact of their behavioural choices on others, the responsible parties can work towards making amends, rebuilding trust, and not unwittingly repeating the action in the future.
  
  
• Understanding and empathy
  The restorative conversation process creates the space and time for open communication and the expressions of thoughts and impacts. This fosters a deeper understanding of each person’s perspective and promotes empathy, which is essential for resolving conflicts and preventing future harm.
  
  
• Collaborative problem-solving
  This approach focuses on problem-solving in a collaborative manner to seek solutions that satisfy all parties. Working together on student-driven solutions results in agreements that are more likely to be acceptable for all and ones that are more realistic in practice.
  
  
• Learning and growth
  Conflict is a part of life and developing skills aimed at conflict resolution is an important part of the learning process. All students will be exposed to conflict, whether it be at school, in the family home, in the workplace, or in teams and club environments. Instead of solely focusing on punishment, individuals actively participate in restorative conversations and are encouraged to reflect on their actions, understand the root causes of the conflict, and develop strategies for positive change.
  
  
• Community building
  This process contributes to the development of a strong sense of community. By addressing conflicts, no matter how small, openly and collaboratively, individuals within the community can work towards creating a supportive and inclusive environment. It helps to dispel rumour and speculation and focuses more on the facts associated with the scenario.

Restorative practices can easily be adapted to be culturally sensitive as they recognise the diverse perspectives and values within our College community. This adaptability enhances the effectiveness of restorative conversations and ensures that their impact extends beyond the immediate conflict resolution. By promoting a positive and collaborative approach to addressing issues, the long-term wellbeing of individuals and community is enhanced. They empower the individual, build and repair fractures in relationships, promote accountability, encourage empathy, and work towards social harmony within the College community.  

Leadership Passport Update 

I am once again pleased to report that more students have graduated from Level 1 of the Leadership Passport and now further their leadership development by focusing on the tasks in Level 2. Congratulations to all students who have made this transition but especially Molly Gibson (Year 8) and Coleen Dimal (Year 6) who have recently made this leap forward. Well done, ladies.

In total, we now have 127 students across Year 3 to Year 11 participating in this student leadership development model with quite a few now graduating from Level 1. Below is a breakdown of the total student involvement:

If your child in interested in beginning their journey in leadership skill development, please have them touch base with me at the College. It is never too late to start, and the process has no pre-determined timelines for completion. This means students work at their own comfortable pace, developing their skill set as they go. As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second-best time is today. It takes courage to volunteer for this process. Well done to everyone who has taken that first step already.  

Mr Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal – Middle Years

It’s reporting time!

As everyone’s ‘favourite’ time of year rolls around, it is pertinent to take a moment to consider Report Cards. Reports can be an anxious time for children – and adults!

Firstly, why do we have them? Every school is mandated to report on student achievement twice yearly in a written format, using a 5-point scale. For those schools in the Toowoomba Diocese, this looks like an A-E rating for every subject your child undertakes at school. The purpose is to keep parents informed about their child’s academic progress, their attitude towards learning through the learning dispositions, and how they apply themselves in the classroom. This allows for a collaborative effort between the child, their family and College staff to support a child’s learning journey. The inside page of your report card provides valuable information to assist you in interpreting what those individual letters and ratings mean – please take the time to read this so that you know you are interpreting the messages conveyed in the report accurately! For example, you will find that a ‘C’ grade achievement means:

When we take the time to read and understand this, we can see that a C is something to be celebrated! It indicates that the student is ‘on track’, and that they have worked hard to meet the standard expected for their year level!

Other tips for unpacking your report card with your child include:

Progress and Growth – Rather than focusing on the ‘letters’, highlight areas where there has been noticeable improvement. Your child is assessed not only on knowledge and skills, but on how they have responded to the learning opportunities and challenges they have faced in the context of the classroom and the College.

How to discuss with your child – Approach the conversation with an open and supportive attitude. Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings about the report, and to identify what they need to do next to further their learning journey. Broaden the focus to include the learning dispositions and learning pit – how do they feel about embracing challenge? Are they comfortable to use the learning dispositions to take on managed risks with their learning?

Celebrate – celebrate achievements, even small ones. Remember that the goal of discussing the report is not just to look at grades, but to foster a positive attitude and growth mindset towards learning and life. Encouraging your child to reflect on their progress, set goals, embrace challenge, and take ownership of their learning will contribute to satisfaction and long term success.

NATIVITY PLAY UPDATE

Performance details are:

“Superstar” Early Years Nativity Play 

Day: Thursday 30 November

Time: 9:30am (note: earlier performance time this year)

Venue: MPC

Who: All classes P-4

All family and friends are welcome to join us for the performance.

A reminder of costume requirements is included here:

Year level roles and costume requirements are listed below:

Please note that the intention is for costuming to remain as simple as possible for families to access. There is no need to purchase specific costume items for the musical with most pieces able to be gathered at home.

The students are super excited to share this with you! We look forward to seeing you there!

Mrs Katrina Walton
Assistant Principal Early Years

Year 9 Careers Afternoon

On Monday 27 November, Week 9, the Year 9 students will spend the afternoon preparing for the needs of QCAA and future lifetime studies. The year 9 students will be provided with their Learner Unique Identifier (LUI) supplied by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). This LUI will be used by the students to set up their QCAA student portal. This portal will allow students to access their subjects that they are enrolled in for year 11 and 12 which will also allow them to supervise their QCE points earned from year 10 to 12. The students will also be required to apply for a Unique Student Identifier (USI) number. This USI number is a private identifier which will be used by each student across their working life for when they enrol into courses for future study. Other activities planned for the day include an introduction into work experience in year 10, school-based apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities and micro-skill opportunities in year 10, 2024.

In preparation for these activities, the year 9 students will be required to provide the following on the day planned:

1. A current Medicare Card (other forms of Identification can be used such as a current Australian passport, Australian Birth Certificate or Learners Drivers Licence).
2. A personal email address (not a college email)
3. Mobile phone (if the student has one).

School Based Apprenticeship

Congratulations to Year 10 student, Francea Lobosta who was signed up for a school-based apprenticeship in a Cert III in commercial cooking with Urban Paddock in Dalby.

Thank you to Urban Paddock for the opportunity for Francea to follow her passion in cooking.

Important Dates: Up and Coming Events – Save the Date

27 November – Year 9 Careers Afternoon

Apprenticeship Opportunities

An Electrical Apprenticeship is also available for a graduating Year 12 student to commence in 2024 with CEC (Condamine Electric Company) in Dalby. Please see the flyer for more information.

A Trainee Accountant & Administration Trainee positions are available at BMO Business Centre in Dalby. Please see flyer for more information.

A Fitter & Turner/Machinist apprenticeship position is available with White Industries. Please see flyer for more information.

An Boilermaking apprenticeship position is available through Golden West Apprenticeship. Please see flyer for more information or alternatively, please click on the link below.

Golden West Apprenticeships - Recruitment Portal

Mr Dean Garside

Career Development Practitioner

SW Rugby Sevens Competition

Under 15 Girls Final Round

Loss to St Ursula’s         5-28

Loss to Downlands         5-19

A huge thanks to Mrs Morriss for coaching the team in this competition.

Early Years Swimming Carnival (Under 5- Under 8)

The Early Years Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 24 November at the Dalby Aquatic Centre. Students will travel on the College Coach leaving at 8.50am. Students will be back at school at 12.00pm. Swim shirts are optional for all races. Students may wear their house colours on the day. Nominations have now closed. Further information will be emailed to all families next week.

2024 Interhouse Swimming Carnival

In 2024 we will be merging the U9-12 and U13-18 Swimming Carnivals into one event. This carnival will be held on Friday 2 February (Term 1, Week 2). This new event will provide greater school and house spirit along with interactions amongst a broader range of students. It will allow for a more efficient schedule and increase the excitement and overall quality of the day. The 2024 House Captains and Prefects have begun planning for this carnival.

Primary All Schools Touch

Congratulations to all students who competed at the QLD All Schools Carnival at Cleveland. Thanks to Miss McDuff and Miss Fry for their assistance in coaching our teams and to William and Joshua Barwick for refereeing on behalf of the College.

Boys Team (3^rd in Pool 14)

Loss to MacGregor SS               3-11

Win vs Moggil SS                      4-3

Loss to Gilston SS                     3-10

This placed the team 48^th out of 78 Teams and into the Plate Final 16

Round of 16 Game

Loss to Graceville SS                 0-13 (Graceville went on to win the Plate Final)

Mixed Team (2^nd in Pool 5)

Win vs St Catherines                  8-1

Win vs Mary MacKillop B            10-2

Loss to Scarborough SS             2-6

This placed the team 22^nd out of 52 Teams and into the Cup Final 16

Round of 16 Game

Win vs St Martin’s                      5-2

Quarter Final

Win vs Ormiston SS                   3-2 (In a Drop Off)

Semi Final

Loss to Southport SS                 2-6

Return of Sporting Uniforms

As the end of the year is fast approaching, I am making an urgent request for the return of any sporting uniforms that may be still outstanding. Please return them ASAP. Replacement bills will be issued to students with uniforms not returned by Friday 24 November. This includes Volleyball Shirts, Rugby Sevens Jerseys, Netball Dresses and Athletics Singlets.

Sports Dates February 2024

QCIS Sports 2024

Next year Mary MacKillop Highfields will join the QCIS Sports Group to make six-member schools

(OLSCC, Downlands, TAS, Scots Warwick, Concordia). Dates for the carnivals are listed below.

Gold Coast/ Brisbane Sporting Events in 2024

Please use the dates below as guide for the following carnivals in 2024. Accommodation prices have increased greatly in the past two years. It may be beneficial, if you think your child will be attending any of the events listed below to look at booking accommodation early (especially if you can get a full refund, closer to the event).

QLD Beach Schools Cup Volleyball at Coolangatta, 3-4 March

QLD Intermediate Schools Cup Volleyball Year 9/10 at the Gold Coast, 31 May 31- 2 June

QLD Senior Schools Cup Volleyball Year 11/12 at the Gold Coast, 9-11 August

QLD Secondary All Schools Touch Football at Runaway Bay, 3-6 October

QLD Junior Schools Cup Volleyball Year 7/8 at the Gold Coast, 18-20 October

QLD Primary All Schools Touch Football at Cleveland, 1-3 November

Mr Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Colour Run 23 November 12:10pm – 3:10pm

OLSCC’s school colour run is almost here! Please find below the approximate timetable of each year group. Please ensure that students come to school wearing white. They are likely to get wet so can bring a pair of dry clothes to change into. We would love for you to come along and run with students or view from the sidelines. Feel free to be bring some water guns to squirt students as they are running past. School colour run is all about embracing play, so please release your inner child with us.

Possible concerns

Colour can stain fair hair – if you have concerns, please ensure your child wears their hat during the run.

If students are nervous about certain obstacles, they can walk around it. Students can walk or run the course.

Here is the link of last year’s colour run for your reference.

https://youtu.be/LlvKQgsKZ68?si=fPz_YBMG1kJyC7sg

Katrina Ballantyne

School Guidance Counsellor