21 October - 12 November - Year 12 External Exams

25 October - Day for Daniel (TBC)

25 October - Parish Deb Ball

25 October - World Teachers Day

25 October - DD Aquathlon Trials

28 October - Shooting Stars (Prep)

28 October - SW Rugby 7's U13 Boys

29 October - Year 10 Ag Excursion UQ Gatton

29 October - Shooting Stars (Prep)

30 October - Year 7 Prayer Celebration

31 October - Shooting Stars (Prep)

31 October - 2025 Class Lists Released

3 - 9 November - Year 10 South Passage Experience

4 November - Shooting Stars (Prep)

4 November - SW Rugby 7's U13 Boys

5 November - Shooting Stars Uniform Try On Day

5 November - Shooting Stars (Prep)

5 November - QCIS Sports AGM

6 November - Prep Information Evening

6 November - Year 11 Day of Hope

7 November - Shooting Stars (Prep)

7 November - Inner Downs Sports AGM

8 November - QCIS Touch Football Carnival Downlands College

Year 12 External Assessments are Underway!

Monday saw the beginning of 17 days where all Year 12 External Assessments take place. Assessments for English, Visual Art, Study of Religion and English & Literature Extension have already been completed. I have heard very positive reports regarding preparedness for this exam period, and many students are very confident in their achievement. We look forward to many successes coming from the External Assessments, and strongly encourage our students to put their best foot forward in these precious last few weeks of their secondary education.

Best of luck Year 12 – though more than luck – may you enjoy the rewards of the efforts you have invested in your education over the past 13 years!

Leadership Forum

Next week I will be attending the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Term 4 Leadership Forum with all diocesan principals as well as staff from Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. It is a great week where we explore our common ground, celebrate achievements from our previous collective work and also align our practices and understandings of Diocesan initiatives prior to the start of 2025. I anticipate a great week of learning and planning strategically for the next year. I look forward to seeing everyone on my return in Week 6, and then at the College Awards of Excellence on Wednesday 13 November, and our Year 12 parents and students at the Graduation Mass and Valedictory Lunch Friday 15 November. 

2-minute Parking Zone

In front of Prep on Nicholson Street, the last few parks before the crossing, is a 2 minute parking zone. These parks are the ones between two signs like the signs shown in this article. 

The intent of these zones is to create a safe environment for children, and to keep traffic moving. They are only intended for people that are willing and able to drop off or collect their children within 2 minutes. Unfortunately, and frustratingly for many of our parents and carers in the community, we have people who continue to park in this zone and then get out of their car and have a chat, walk their children into school, or park for half an hour before the bell is rung at the end of the school day. Luckily, we have plenty of space and parks for those that need to do these things, however it is not acceptable practice in the 2 minute zone.

How they work:

When using a drop-off and pick-up area you:

• Must use the area like a quick moving taxi rank
• May get out of your vehicle to quickly help your child get in and out safely – however you must not walk away from your vehicle.
• Are only allowed 2 minutes in the park. If you run out of time, you must leave, drive around the block and return again once your child is ready.

These zones were installed to keep traffic moving at drop-off and pick-up times. They work very effectively when used correctly. 

Unfortunately, they are being used inappropriately by a few, which impacts others. If you need more than 2 minutes for your drop-off and/or pick-up, please use the appropriate parks and not the 2 minute zone.

It is important to note that Council Parking Officers have been requested to check that this area is being used appropriately. Their focus is education on the correct use of the area. After this education period in the next few weeks, fines will be issued to those who continue to impact others by misusing this well-intentioned zone

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

Last Friday I had the pleasure in spending time with the young men and women of our College who will graduate on 15 October.  Many of these students I have known since Prep, and most are now taller than me.  We explored the book “Oh The Place You’ll Go!” and used Dr Suess’ words of wisdom and their own knowledge they developed some of their own.  So, from our Year 12 2024 students to you here is their school advice:

• Be Brave
• Don’t stop before you start
• Resilience can bring about positive self-growth
• Don’t give up
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
• God’s timing is perfect timing
• Don’t be like everyone, be different, be yourself
• There will be times where you might lose your way but it’s the journey not the destination that matters
• Smaller the circle – better the people
• Always be prepared for anything that comes to you
• Follow your goals, not people
• Take things on, one at a time
• Learn to be independent and resilient
• You’ll be as successful as you make yourself
• You will come across many choices in life and some you will choose not to accomplish
• You gotta take life as it comes
• Stop sooking and just get on with it
• Believe in yourself even when no one else will, you will always have yourself
• Life is life – learn to adapt to what is happening within and around you
• Pick others up as they will do the same for you

COLLEGE HOUSE LEADERS 2025

On Friday we announced our College House Leaders for 2025.

 Congratulations to these wonderful young students who step into this role from now until term 4 2025.

 SACRAMENTS AT ST JOSEPH’S PARISH – RECONCILIATION

Our local parish, St Joseph’s runs the Sacrament Program for local children.  As a strong member of the Parish, our College supports this program where we can, and we encourage students who are baptised Catholic to take part in these as they reach these milestones (year level based).  Reconciliation is usually conducted in November each year and is open to children in Year 2 or above who have already received the Sacrament of Baptism.  Communion and Confirmation follows then in the next year, usually in May celebrated in the same week, with the Bishop presiding at Confirmation and Fr Jim presiding at Communion.  These sacraments are open to students who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  If your child is ready to receive the Sacraments contact St Joseph’s Parish so they can be added to the list.  Communication about the programs and all that they entails comes from the wonderful staff at the Parish. 

World Teacher’s Day

This Friday we celebrate World Teacher’s Day with our staff.  We are blessed with the amazing staff we have at our College both teaching and support staff.  Our teachers are invested in our students and work to ensure all have a place and feel at home at our College.  I thank our teachers for their dedication and hard work, I truly appreciate all that they do for our College both inside and outside the classroom.

REPEATED ARTICLES – From Week 2

Reminder - SAFETY OF STUDENTS AT PICK UP

As the summer storm season begins, we have commenced a new process at the College to ensure the safety of our staff and students at pick up time at the end of the school day.  We enacted this process on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  We all know by ‘murphy’s law’ that these rain events and storms seem to always hit right at 3:10pm, at pick up time, when we are trying to depart our 650 (approx.) students.  To ensure the safety of all when departing the school day on occasions when BOM issues a ‘severe thunderstorm warning’ – involving lightning, storms and wild weather – we will send a text message to all families and staff notifying them that we will not be using Cooper Street as a pickup location.  Please note this is to ensure the safety of our students and staff, who would need to cross this open area with large metal structures.  We will direct students to the area for pick up in front of the Prep classrooms.  On these occasions we do not need parents to contact students or the office to confirm these plans, we will communicate this process directly with our students.  We will maintain supervision until all students are collected to ensure there is adequate time for adjustments to be made by parents for pickup.  We will not stop students who are travelling on foot or by bike from leaving the college but be aware that in the event of extreme storm activity, we will delay students leaving the campus or classrooms until it is safe. Parents should talk to their children (of all ages) about sensible behaviour in storms to ensure personal safety and what alternate arrangements are in place for your family in the event of storms and rains at school departure time.   

CLASS LISTS

Class allocations for the year ahead will be communicated to the students in advance of ‘Up Day’ each year.  They will be released in next week via Parent Portal and displayed at the College for students.  Class lists are final on publication to students and parents. There will be no changes to the Year 9-11 class lists from 2024.  This decision has been made as Year 9 lists were changed mid-year due to timetable restructure and as students move into Year 11 and Year 12 their core class is only used for a Year Level Connect lesson each week. 

‘Up Day’ will be held on Wednesday 4 December for Year 1-10 2025 students.  This is the day where all students enrolled for the following year spend time in their future classes. 

This practice means that:

• Students will experience a day in their future class, with future teacher/s;
• Students will engage in transitional activities that include orientation of new features, structures, areas and facilities;
• Students begin to build relationships with their teacher/s for following year;
• Students will know which other students will be in their class; and
• Parents and carers will have time to talk positively to their children about the class experiences they may have the following year.

Our process for allocating and releasing class lists is explained on our College Website – Enrolment & Back to School – Class Allocation.

COLLEGE AWARDS – what are they?

If you are new to our College family in 2024 you may not be aware of a big occasion we have in Term 4, our College Awards of Excellence Ceremony. Held during the Year 12’s last days here at the College, it celebrates and acknowledges excellence in all four domains of our College; Academia, Spirituality, Sport and Arts. Awards are presented to students in all year levels as we celebrate our rich College life. As part of the Awards Ceremony, we farewell our Year 12 students as a P-12 community and they exit and ring the journey bell. This ceremony will be on 13 November beginning at 9:15am. Parents have been notified via Parent Portal at the commencement of Term 4 if your child is receiving an award. If your child is listed in an Activity called Awards of Excellence 2024 this means they are receiving an award at this ceremony. 

Details for each of these awards can be found on our College Website – About Us – College Awards of Excellence.

DATE CLAIMERS – Term 4

25 October – World Teacher’s Day

13 November – College Awards of Excellence Ceremony

15 November – Year 12 Graduation Mass

22 November – Year 11 and Year 10 final day of school

2 December – College Christmas Carols (twilight)

5 December – Early Years Nativity Play (during school day)

6 December – last day of Term 4 (10-week term)

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

Today we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. This year the theme is “Empowering Educators: Strengthening Resilience, Building Sustainability.” In these recent years, teachers have emerged as beacons of resilience, adapting and innovating for their students. We are grateful for the valuable contributions our teachers have made. We thank them for engaging in online learning, in supporting vulnerable students, for working tirelessly to reinvent education and for showing ongoing resilience and creativity in their approach to learning and teaching. We pray for all our teachers who help us to learn and grow in mind, body and spirit, and we ask God to specially bless them.

We all have special gifts which help us to be unique and wonderful. Teachers help us to discover our gifts and encourage us to develop them and make them grow. Even though our teachers may be teaching us online, they can still teach us to be responsible for our own work, to try hard to focus on our work, and help us to learn new skills. Teachers help us to understand and accept our differences, and to appreciate and encourage our own and others’ gifts. Teachers make a difference in our lives by helping us see how we can make a difference in others’ lives. Teachers try to put into action the words of St. Paul. They help us understand that we don’t have to be good at everything, but we all have gifts and talents that are unique to each one of us.

Carey Twidale

Middle Leader Living Your Faith

Daniel Morcombe Day

Today, students and staff were encouraged to wear red in clothing and/or accessories to recognise Daniel Morcombe Day and the message behind the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety curriculum. Designed to educate children on how to stay safe and protect themselves from harm, the curriculum and message at the College emphasises three key actions: Recognise, React, and Report.

The curriculum teaches students to identify unsafe situations and to better understand their own body signals when they feel unsafe. Providing strategies to respond effectively to these feelings, such as seeking help and removing oneself from the situation, are also key lessons. Finally, a significant aspect of the curriculum is the responsibility to report any inappropriate or unsafe situations.  

This final message is one we have been reminding our students of this term. Students can play a crucial role in shaping and driving the culture within the College. Here are some ways in which they can be key drivers:

• Leadership Roles
  
  
  1. Peer Mentoring
     Older students can mentor younger ones, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. We currently have our Year 6 students working with younger students in the Early Years sector and our Year 8 students have been buddied up with Year 11 students for this very reason.
     
     
  2. Leadership Passport
     Participation in leadership teams allows students to voice their opinions and influence school activities. The Leadership Passport scheme promotes student initiative, service of others, and the creation of leadership teams. One such team comprises of a wonderful group of Middle Years students who are completing some volunteer work cleaning the old convent – Iona.
     
     
• Positive Behaviour
  
  
  1. Role models - the students who demonstrate positive behaviour and respect towards others set a standard for their peers.
     
     
  2. Peer support – Encouraging and supporting classmates, especially those who might feel marginalised, helps create a caring community.
     
     
  3. Being an Upstander – This is someone who takes action to support and defend others who are being treated unfairly. Unlike a bystander, who might witness an incident but do nothing, an upstander has a strong moral compass and actively reports behaviour that does not align with our values. Examples of upstander behaviour include
     1. Direct intervention: Telling a peer that we do not have that behaviour here at the College and to stop.
     2. Seek help: Informing a trusted adult about the situation.
     3. Provide support: Comforting the person being treated unfairly and letting them know they are not alone.

An important component of being an upstander is that it empowers others and builds community among peer groups, promoting a culture of kindness, respect, and safety.

• Parental Involvement
  
  
  1. Regular and open communication between the school and parents builds trust and supports student success. Working towards common goals helps unify the community and build positive school culture. If parents have concerns, they are encouraged to reach out to their child’s classroom teacher to share information. 

There are a number of supports available to parents in supporting their young people with issues, even those external to the College. Here are some starting points:

Happy Families https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/olotscc  Password: happyolotscc

Headspace        https://headspace.org.au/

Daniel Morcombe Foundation   https://danielmorcombe.com.au/

eSafety Commissioner     https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Safe on Social   https://www.safeonsocial.com/

The Carly Ryan Foundation   https://www.carlyryanfoundation.com/

ICAS Testing

ICAS Assessments is a team of dedicated educational assessment professionals committed to applying their expertise to help students, teachers and parents. They have over 40 years of experience developing assessments for schools, governments and businesses. In August, the College has a number of students participating in ICAS assessments for a range of different subjects including; Mathematics, Science, Spelling Bee, Writing, and Digital Technologies.

I am very pleased to report the outstanding effort of one of our Middle Years students. Charlie Sullivan (6B) performed very well in his testing and received the following acknowledgement:

Congratulations to Charlie! He will also be acknowledged at the next College assembly.

Volunteer Group - Friends of Iona 

It was lovely to see the group expand by adding three more students to the clean up crew this week at the Iona Convent. While cleaning and tidying upstairs at the convent isn't glamourous work, it is certainly making a difference.

If your child would like to join the team with Mrs Harwood and myself, please have them reach out about our Thursday afternoon activity. The activity aligns well to the Leadership Passport as an Above and Beyond Task for Level 1 and Level 2 students or as part of the Community Service component for the Level 3 students.

We hope to see more there next week.    

Kind regards, 

Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal Middle Years

As Year 12 External Exams continue, here is a reminder from the previous newsletter.

Brief overview of some key Term 4 events:

• Assessments for all students and in particular Yr 12 students sitting their External Exams for their General subjects
• Graduation
• Awards Ceremony. All are welcome and invited.
• Term 4 is the beginning of Unit 3 for many of our Year 11 students. This means that for General subjects, student assessment is now summative and contributes to ATAR calculations (if the student is ATAR eligible).

Term 4 is certainly shaping to be another full and exciting term, with many opportunities.

Prepare your 2025 approach to study

While Term 4 may seem like the perfect time to wind down or to coast through to the end. It is actually the perfect time to trial new approaches and experiment with your study techniques.

So, by getting these good habits started in Term 4, you are building your knowledge and skills to avoid Christmas holiday learning loss and reduce the stress of starting in Term 1.

One of the best things you can start exploring is how to create effective study notes for some of your subjects.

Study notes help you create a strong foundation in your knowledge! From many years of teaching, I’ve noticed that students with effective study notes are more confident and capable. 

Here are some helpful websites for tips and tricks on developing good study notes. 

• A Simple Guide to Study Notes - Oxford Learning
• 20 eye-catching ideas for your study notes | Canva

Apps for creating study notes: 

• Quizlet: Online flashcard maker and flashcard app | Quizlet
• Scribzee: SCRIBZEE, the free app that revolutionizes your handwritten notes

Consolidate Your Learning Gaps

The first thing here is to get out your assessment results for every subject you’ll be continuing in some form into next year — subjects like Religion, English, Maths, and Science. 

Any mistakes you’ve made in these assessments and exams are a clear indication of the gaps and weak areas you currently have. Unless you try to fix them, they’re only going to get a lot worse and cause you difficulty in the years to come. 

Allocate one afternoon per week after school for one subject. For example:

• Monday = Maths
• Tuesday = English
• Wednesday = Science

Spend 1 hour working on reviewing these mistakes and finding similar questions you can work on until you’re confident you’re getting them correct consistently. This will build your confidence in remembering the content!

Mr Rodney Spain

Assistant Principal Senior Years

Year 12 School-Based Apprentice and Trainee Employer Thankyou Luncheon

The current year 12 School-Based Apprentices and Trainees attended a thank you to employer luncheon on the November 17 in Dalby. This was an opportunity for the students at the College to thank the employers for providing them with the opportunity to participate in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. The event was also attended by Karen Coulston (School Based Apprenticeships Manager), Karen White (School Based Apprenticeships Assistant Manager), Dr. Pat Coughlan (Executive Director Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office) and Mr. Peter Cuskelly (Principal). The luncheon was an opportunity to celebrate our year 12 students and their success in their chosen area of employment. The event was also an opportunity to celebrate the twenty-year, Toowoomba Catholic Schools, School Based Apprenticeship program that has been successfully developed and implemented by both Karen Coulston and Karen White. We would like to congratulate the following year 12 students and wish them all the best in their future career.

Gaby Anderton                                             D & S Jones Farming

Breanna Burrows                                         Brumby’s Dalby

Patrick Forbes                                               McDonalds Dalby

Nadine Garside                                            Western Downs Regional Council

Kaitlyn Harms                                                Dalby Day Care Centre

Ethan Horrigan                                              Urban Paddock Café

Jack Langton                                                  McDonalds Dalby

Amelia McNaughton                                   Jess’s Town and Country Barnyard

Isaiah Tia                                                         McDonalds Dalby

Cooper Wedrat                                             Golding Air Conditioning and Heating

Brett Young                                                    New State Builders

University Early Offer

Last week, we congratulated students on attaining an early offer to university. Malcolm Sacramento and Charlie Schrag have also received an early offer at university. Congratulations Malcolm and Charlie!

Key Dates for 2024

26 November    Yr 9   QCAA Portal and USI number applications.

27 November    Yr 9   Orientation of Work Experience and Micro-Skills 2025

Available Apprenticeships

After School & Holiday Work

A local Hairdresser is seeking a student to work after school and on holidays. If you are interested, please contact Mrs Boland or Mr Garside for details.

Plumbing Apprenticeship 2025

A local plumber is offering a year 12 school leaver a full-time apprenticeship in plumbing. If you are interested in this position, please contact Mrs Boland or Mr Garside for details.

Dalby General Steel

This work would suit people that want to gain skills in a retail environment and would like to build a career in Sales, Warehousing and Purchasing. Or for people that want to enter the workforce directly after finishing year 12.  

• Sales and Retail – Tasks include serving customers across multiple industries both over the counter and via the phone and email sales. There is a wide range of product to learn that can transfer across industries. Our salespeople have built careers where they earn $80 – $100k per year with Dalby General Steel. Other long-term former employees have gone onto become purchasing managers for large manufacturers or to procurement roles in mining and gas earning $100k – $150k.
• Warehousing – Opportunity to learn skills of warehousing and gain licences such as forklift, HR truck and Cert 3 in Supply Chain Operations. Our experienced warehouse people earn approx. $80k per annum.
• Stock Control and Purchasing – As an addition to the sales and retail role we also train our people in Purchasing, Procurement and Stock Control. Building relationships with suppliers and shopping around the best value for products and services.

Gap Year Opportunity

There is an opportunity to work in the agricultural sector starting this year as part of a gap year. A local agronomist company is seeking a student who will complete year 12 this year to start at the end of November and work through to the end of April in 2025. You will also receive on the job training and work as a labourer for an agronomist. This job will be for 4 days per week and 11 hrs. per day. You will need a manual driver's license and be physically fit and do not mind working outdoors over the summer months. This position also pays $30/hr. If you are interested, please speak to me or contact Kylie Fuelling form Fuelling Agriculture Company on 0428 716 502. 

Work Experience, School Based Apprentice Opportunity (Chinchilla)

Qube Heavy Lift located in Chinchilla are offering work experience opportunities for students that may potentially lead an apprenticeship in AUR31120 Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology. Please see the contact below.

Name

Anthony Hunt (Manager), Phone 0428 486 330

Email anthony.hunt@qube.com.au

Dean Garside

Careers Development Practitioner

Volleyball

Congratulations to all students who competed at the QLD Junior Schools Cup Volleyball Competition on the Gold Coast. Thanks to Mrs Lincoln, Mrs Sullivan, Mrs Bennie and Mrs Twidale for coaching our teams. The College was fortunate enough to have the following older students assist with the coaching, scoring and refereeing of games. Many other teams commented on how lucky we were to have older students assisting. Thanks to Arabella Donaldson, Charlotte Bennie, Emma Cusack, Lucy Cusack, Ava Bruce, Abby Zillman, Kash Hunt and Maddy Hemmings for their assistance. In a successful weekend three medals were won, and Lucy Bennie was named as Most Valuable Player for the Tournament in the Year 7 Girls Division 2 Competition. Game and set scores for all games are listed below.

Year 7 Girls (Gold Medal)

Division 2 Red

Win vs Beenleigh SHS               3-0

Win vs Gladstone SHS               3-0

Win vs Capalaba SHS                1-1 (win on overall points by 1)

Win vs John Paul College           3-0

Win vs Tin Can Bay                   1-1 (win on overall points by 1)

Win vs Nambour Christian          2-1

Gold Medal Match

Win vs Nambour Christian          2-0

Year 7 Boys (Bronze Medal)

Division 2 Red

Win vs Chinchilla SHS                2-1

Loss to QASMT                         2-0

Loss to John Paul College          2-1

Loss to Tin Can Bay                   3-0

Win vs Cannon Hill SHS             3-0

Win vs Mountain Creek SHS       2-0

Bronze Medal Match

Win vs Chinchilla SHS                2-1

Year 8 Girls (Bronze Medal)

Division 2 Orange

Win vs Gladstone SHS               3-0

Loss to Harristown SHS             2-1

Win vs Beenleigh SHS               3-0

Loss to Springfield SHS             2-0

Loss to Craigslea SHS               2-0

Win vs St Hilda’s                        2-1

Bronze Medal Match

Win vs St Hilda’s                        2-0

Year 8 Boys 7^th

Division 2 Purple

Loss to Bundaberg CC               2-0

Loss to West Moreton                2-0

Loss to Runcorn SHS                 3-0

Loss to Cannon Hill SHS            2-0

Loss to Genesis CC                   3-0

Loss to Bray Park SHS               3-0

Touch Football

Congratulations to the Year 5/6 Mixed Touch Football Team who attended the Swans Primary All Schools Carnival in Toowoomba. Thanks to Miss McDuff for coaching the team and to Joshua and William Barwick for refereeing on the day. Game results are listed below. It was a very even competition with nothing between teams ranked 2-5.

OLSCC Finished 4^th with 2 Wins, 1 Draw and 2 Losses

Loss to St Thomas Mores           2-1

Win vs Mater Dei                       7-0

Win vs Glenvale SS                   8-0

Draw with Highfields SS             3-3

Loss to St Saviour’s                   7-4 (Overall Winners)

Loss to Our Lady of Lourdes       2-1

State Athletics

Last week four students attended the State Athletics Championships in Brisbane. This was the final event in a long season for our students and coaches (Mr Coman, Mr Anderton, Mrs Tresillian). Results from the championships are listed below.

Bella Cusack

8^th Overall in the Multi Event

100m 15^th, Long Jump 12^th, Shot Put 6^th, 800m 5^th.

Charlie Sullivan

10^th Overall in the Multi Event

100m 5^th, Long Jump 8^th, Shot Put 11^th, 800m 12^th.

Benjamin Barwick

28^th in Long Jump – 4.05m

Justin Hemmings

23^rd in 800m – 2.44.09m

Hannah Taylor

9^th in Discus – 27.19m

11^th in Shot Put – 9.81m

SW Rugby Sevens Competition

Under U13 Boys Results

Round 1

Loss to TAS                  35-5

Loss to Mary MacKillop  50-0

 Round 2

Loss to Downlands         40-5

Loss to TSHS                25-10   

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Performing Arts Musical

Students who participate in the Performing Arts with Mrs Garside have worked tirelessly all year on their Musical A Hint of Snow White. Wow did it pay off! Last Monday they completed two amazing performances! First for our Early Years students, then again in the evening for their parents. It was funny and creative and just a great showcase of the amazing talent we have at our College. If you enjoyed watching this performance and think “Wow I’d like to do that next year” keep an eye out for 2025 enrolments in the CECP.

College Art Show Awards

Congratulations again to all our award winners who were presented their prizes on assembly last week! It’s truly amazing to see how talented you all are. We can’t wait to watch you grow as artists and see what you submit in the years to come!

Wicked Excursion

Last week we took 51 students to Brisbane to watch a performance of Wicked at QPAC and it was amazing! It was a creative and entertaining story performed by incredible professional artists. Here’s what some of our students had to say about it:

“I loved the musical Wicked because firstly, it was just a great musical and secondly I got to be with my friends and made a lot of memories.” Year 7 Student

“I really enjoyed going to Wicked. It had a great storyline, and the performers were amazing in their roles. The songs have been stuck in my head for days. There were many funny parts that made everyone laugh. Also, at times, there was the occasional plot twist like finally, a villain with a "tragic backstory" got a happy ending. It was awesome to watch.” Year 9 Student

Musical 2025

It’s officially time to start thinking about our College Musical for 2025! How exciting! Participating in the College Musical fosters teamwork, creativity, and self-confidence among students. It enhances communication skills, promotes a sense of belonging, and encourages artistic expression. Students develop discipline through rehearsals and performances, while also forming lasting friendships. Overall, it enriches their school experience and builds essential life skills.

Stay tuned for more details!

As per all the College extra-curricular opportunities, the College Eligibility Criteria applies for students to participate. Since the audition process start in Term 1 of 2025 students will need to meet eligibility requirements at the end of 2024 – particularly they will need to finish 2024 with an attendance of 85% or above to be able to participate in the audition process.

Iceblocks! 

The weather is definitely warming up and we are seeing a lot of loving mums and dads ordering frozen yoghurts for the kids but unfortunately, we aren’t seeing all those little faces coming back at lunch time or even afternoon tea with their bags to claim them. Can you please give them a little nudge if they have a frozen yoghurt being ordered at lunch time as it is their responsibility to collect it. Alternatively, afternoon tea gets sent out with the frozen yoghurt so it's ready for them, or over the counter in both breaks we sell a range of delicious ice blocks starting from $1. 

Next week on Friday the 1 November we will only be offering a lunch menu, but it also leads us to the question of do you or someone in your family have a couple of hours a fortnight to volunteer in the tuckshop with our fantastic team? What better time to start then right now. 

Friday 1 November is also National Tuckshop day, so please give our wonderful ladies a big hello on the day if you see them. 

Toni Campbell

Tuckshop Convenor