NAPLAN Results

Over the past fortnight, parents of students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 will have received their child’s individual NAPLAN report showing their child’s results from the assessment for 2025. As shared with staff and the College Advisory Council, our results in 2025 in many areas are excellent. On a daily basis, our teachers and school officers strive to support the learning needs of every student at the College. This is a significant challenge as we have a broad range of student capability in every class in every year level. The quality of the work done by the OLSCC staff shines through in our results from NAPLAN, which are classified in 4 areas: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support.

It continues to be the case that data trends positively each year. Compared to state averages, the amount of OLSCC students in “Needs Additional Support” across areas is significantly better, and in many cases, we simply don’t have any students in this category, despite the state means being between 10 and 20% of all students across the state achieving in this bracket. Our OLSCC results showcase the excellent work of teachers in providing excellent support for learners in their classes. At the other end of the scale, we also have considerable gaps over state averages in the volume of students achieving the upper two categories of “Exceeding” and “Strong”. While our target for this is greater than 70% of students, in 10 of the 20 tested year level/ areas, we have achieved over 80%. In one test, Year 3 Writing, the result was 98.3% of students achieving to this standard.

While NAPLAN is not the be all and end all of a student’s educational journey, it does provide students and parents with quality feedback regarding individual performance against the curriculum from the year prior, compared to other students across the state and country. It is the only assessment that is comparable and quality assured to this level. As a College, we use this data to verify and improve our curriculum programs and pedagogical approaches as a means for continual improvement in delivering the best education possible for the students in our care.

I ask all parents to discuss their child’s NAPLAN report with them. Discuss the results, what challenged them in the test, the effort that was expended in undertaking the test, and what areas they will focus on to ensure they are doing their best in creating opportunities for themselves in the future. 

Back at the College, our staff spent all day on the 14 July delving into this data to inform their practice and guide their ongoing work with their classes, and they will continue to do so in the future. A massive heartfelt thanks to our teachers and school officers who put their best foot forward in the education and pastoral care of the students in their classes each and every day at OLSCC!

Hearing Screening for UQ Audiology

This week we have been blessed with Associate Professor Joseph Kei, Associate Professor Wayne Wilson, and postgraduate students from the University of Queensland Centre for Hearing Research complete testing with Prep and Year 1 students as well as other students by invitation. This testing occurs whenever the University and College can gather adequate funding to support the program that both benefits the professional development of Queensland’s newest wave of audiologists, as well as proactively identifying students that require ongoing testing to support their hearing health. This week, 207 students were tested with 32 students (15.5%) failing their hearing screening. This is a higher rate than previous years, possibly aligned with the illnesses that are currently in our community. All students who failed their assessment will receive a report from the team in coming weeks so that this report can be used by families to follow up on the individual child’s hearing health into the future.

Thanks to the wonderful team from UQ, as well our Student Services team for providing this wonderful service to support the hearing health of all our young people at the College. We will continue to work together to deliver these services in the future, as well as applying for significant funding for this service to be permanently based in Dalby for the benefit of our entire community. 

UniSQ visit

It isn’t everyday that the Vice-Chancellor as well as Pro Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Schools, Deans and Executive Directors of a University come to your College to chat about what they can offer our students and enquire about the tertiary education requirements of our community into the future. However, on Wednesday we were extremely grateful for the opportunity to engage in that exact conversation with many of the Executive Leadership Team from UniSQ. We look forward to our ongoing work with UniSQ as a partner school and providing greater opportunities to normalise engagement in higher education for our students in the future. Of particular interest is the UniSQ and University of Queensland partnership in delivering a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway) and Doctor of Medicine right here on the Darling Downs. We have had two students discuss this pathway with the Head of School and Dean of Health and Medical Sciences, Professor Libby Cardell, and we are arranging for an information session at the College later in the year for all students considering a medicine pathway in the future. 

Expectation of Attendance

We provide many opportunities for students to engage in incursions, excursions, sport, culture, and extra-curricular offerings at the College. We do this intentionally and in the best interest of the wholistic development of the students of our College. I recognise and highly value the volume of additional offerings that are available to students at OLSCC. We have heard the voice of the community through feedback such as School Reviews, Principal Reviews, Shaping our Future surveys and consultation through our Strategic Plan development. Accordingly, we have responded to this feedback and our teachers continually go above and beyond to ensure that our students have equal (and often more) opportunities than those in metropolitan schools.

It is disappointing when these wonderful opportunities are provided and then students do not attend. While I understand there are valid reasons for absence and external commitments that cannot be ignored, there are still many opportunities where considerable numbers of students “opt out”. Opting out without a valid reason creates poor habits and work ethic in our children. It is also detrimental to their wellbeing and is setting them up for failure when they begin work and independent living. Being engaged in the life of the College prepares students to be a great contributor to both society, their further study, and their workplaces in the future. Positively engaging in what is provided to you, taking chances when they arise, and making the most of life is all a part of “growing great people” – something that I am very passionate about. 

As a collective staff, much of the extras we provide are entirely voluntary and outside of what is expected of staff in their role. They engage in camps, sports, musicals, opti-minds, retreats, and numerous other opportunities available due to passion, professionalism, and a personal investment in the students of OLSCC.

These co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities are formational for our students. Please encourage your child to get onboard, get engaged, and “show up” whenever possible. Contrary to common belief, this becomes more important as students grow older and closer to full time working age – in fact, every one of our senior years’ students should be treating their schooling the same way they should be approaching work. This means turning up, getting the job done as well as possible, engaging positively with colleagues (that’s everyone at their “work”), and striving to achieve the best they can in the work they do. This is independent of pathways and the difference between what makes a good employee and a bad employee, and it is remarkably closely linked to our learning dispositions.

Mr Peter Cuskelly

Prep – Year 4 Retreats

Today our Year 11 Students facilitated Retreats on the themes of Faith, Hope or Love with our P-4 classes.  In groups of 1 or 2 students they led the P-4’s through a reflective exercise that involved games, sharing of story, reflection and prayer.  The Year 11 students have worked on planning these retreats in Term 2 in their Praxis time. It is wonderful to see the younger students interact with our older students in this prayerful, reflective way.  I applaud the Year 11’s for their efforts and love that we can build a stronger community of faith, hope and love through these retreats again this year.

NAIDOC Week

Throughout last week we celebrated NAIDOC week throughout our College, culminating on Friday with a presentation and dance at Assembly.  I would like to extend thanks to the young men who shared their cultural dance with us, celebrating and sharing culture and story through dance.  Thanks to Jacob (past student), Ace, Hugo and Lincoln (current students).  We also acknowledged Lincoln Frid being announced a finalist in the Yarning Competition with his artwork Family Foundations.  We wish him well when he travels to Canberra in late August to visit Parliament House as part of his prize.  The artwork is still hanging in our foyer if you would like to see the original piece.

NAPLAN Individual Student Reports

Last week Individual Student Reports of students in Year 3, 5, 7, and 9 were sent home to parents.  These reports show each individual child’s achievement in the NAPLAN assessments alongside national averages.  You can also view a summary of past NAPLAN results in Parent Portal under your student’s profile, the tab NAPLAN.  The Year # (Year) is linked to take you to these results. 

Shaping Our Future Survey

The biennial Shaping our future survey is a cornerstone of our commitment to listening, learning, and growing together as a community. By gathering perspectives from students, staff, parents, and carers, we strengthen our shared mission, enhance leadership, and cultivate a culture of belonging, engagement, and wellbeing.  Staff and Parents will receive a link via email to complete the survey.  Students in Year 5-12 will be given an opportunity to complete this survey during class time over coming weeks. We ask all to take the time to complete this survey so we can use the information gathered to inform our future decision making. You can also use this QR Code to access the survey.

Our Year 12 students have committed to World’s Greatest Shave and even convinced a couple of staff to join in the fun, some shaving, cutting and colouring.  They are holding a number of events in coming weeks and have set a target of $10000 for fundraising.  We are asking for each student to contribute $5 (a fiver) on the pyjama free dress day to help this wonderful cause and student initiative.  All money raised will go directly to the team’s Fundraising efforts. If you would prefer to donate directly via the official page please use this link  World's Greatest Shave - OLSCC2025

Catholic Education Week

Next week we join with Catholic schools throughout Queensland to celebrate Catholic Education Week with the theme Communities of Faith, Hope and Love. Catholic education offers a high-quality, holistic education to one in every five young people Queenslanders.

Did you know that in the five Catholic Diocese in Queensland there are 313 schools, with around 22 000 staff working in these schools and 163 000 students who attend these schools? Over 222000 people work in Catholic organisations across Australia. We will celebrate Catholic Education Week with a P-12 Prayer Celebration on Wednesday in the MPC at 12:10pm – all are welcome to join us for this occasion.

BIG Events And College Tradition – information from past newsletters

Schools are places of ritual and traditions.  Throughout the year there are special moments and events at our College that build the culture and life of our College.  Some of these date back many years whilst others have been introduced more recently.  As we approach our 150-year celebrations in 2027 I will include information that I know about College events and traditions.  If you have stories of your own that link you to our history, feel free to share these via email as I love to hearing from past pupils and staff about your time at the College. Today I will outline two big events of Term 3.

OLSC Day – With the change of name to unify and become one school P-12 our feast day changed to 1 September.  On this day we have always celebrated Mass as a community sharing our connection to our parish through our Eucharistic celebration.  We have marked this day in several different ways over the years with all day house events, talent contests and then the transformation since 2020 of the inclusion of our whole College Athletics relays and P-4 Ballgames. In the past four years we have also announced our new College Leaders on this day. This year the format of the day will again be transformed to include House based games in the morning session for House Cup Points, Mass in the middle session of the day and P-4 Ballgames and fun House based relays in the afternoon session. College Prefects will be announced at the OLSC Day Mass and then House Leader applications open the next day. OLSC Day is a great day of celebration to highlight the P-12ness of College with all students and staff getting involved. 

Grandparents Day – This is a special day in our College calendar each year as we invite in our grandparents to a special prayer celebration and classroom visit.  Grandparents are such a great support to our families, and we love being able to welcome them into our College and celebrate them on this day.  This is also a P-12 event.  The morning begins with a welcome cuppa and chat with fellow grandparents and a prayer celebration before grandparents are invited to join their grandchildren in their classrooms.  This truly is one of my favourite days in our College calendar as the joy on the faces of both our students and their grandparents at being able to share this time together is priceless.  This year Grandparent’s Day will be held on the last Friday of Term 3, 19 September.

Pupil Free Days This Term

There are three student free days this term.  One was held on Monday 14 July. The two remaining are on: Friday 1 August and Friday 5 September.  On these days only staff are required to attend for professional learning.  Next Friday all staff will travel to St Mary’s College Toowoomba for our professional learning day to spend time with other Catholic school staff from throughout the Darling Downs. 

Mrs Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Mission and Identity

At the Home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10: 38 – 42)

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Reflect
In a world that never stops spinning, we live in a culture obsessed with busyness. We measure success by productivity, value our output and worth by how much we can juggle at once. It’s no wonder many of us feel like Martha – always doing, always rushing, always anxious about the next thing.
 
But then there’s Mary. Sitting. Listening. Present.
 
In Luke 10: 38 - 42, Jesus gently reminds Martha – and us – that while the hustle may seem urgent, the heart of life is found in presence. Mary chose “what is better,” not because work is bad, but because worship is essential. She prioritised connection over chaos. Being with Jesus over doing for him.
 
This isn’t a call to abandon responsibilities, but to reorder our priorities. To ask:

• What if the most radical thing we could do in our fast-paced lives is slow down?
• What is being present, truly present – with God, with ourselves, with others – is the secret to the peace we’re all chasing?

Here's the challenge: This week, carve out intentional times just to be. Not to check something off a list, but to sit, breathe, and listen. Maybe it’s five minutes in silence. Maybe it’s a walk without your phone. Maybe it’s reading Scripture without rushing to apply it. Whatever it looks like for you – choose the better part.
 
And here’s the good news: Jesus isn’t scolding Martha. He’s inviting her – and us – into a life that isn’t ruled by anxiety but anchored in love.

Let’s not just do more. Let’s be more. Start today.
 
Question

• Where in your life are you more like Martha – busy, distracted, and overwhelmed – and what might it look like to intentionally shift toward Mary’s posture of presence and stillness?
  (Challenge: Identify one habit or activity that keeps you constantly in motion and consider replacing it, even temporarily, with a moment of intentional rest or reflection.)
• What are you afraid might happen if you slow down or stop “doing”? 
  (Challenge: Be honest – does your sense of work come more from your performance than your presence? How can you begin to redefine value based on being rather than achieving?)
• How can you cultivate “Mary moments” in the middle of a “Martha world”?
  (Challenge: As a group or personally, brainstorm practical ways to create space in your daily life to simply sit at the feet of Jesus – whether in quiet time, prayer, or stillness – and commit to trying one this week.)

Act
Stop. Unplug. Be still. If Jesus walked into your home today, would he find you too busy to notice him? This week, silence the noise. Cancel something that doesn’t feed your soul. Say no to the urgent, and yes to what’s eternal. Sit at his feet – not someday, but now. The world can wait. Your soul can’t. Choose the better part.

Lord, help me to choose the better part, like Mary, sitting at Your feet and soaking in Your presence. Teach me to let go of distractions that pull my heart away from You. May my service be rooted in love, not anxiety, and always guided by Your voice. In every moment, remind me that true fulfillment comes from communion with You. Amen

Mrs Carey Twidale

100 Days of Prep

Mrs Kristen Bennie

Assistant Principal Early Years

Welcome back to Term 3!

As we find ourselves past the midway point of the year, it's time to reflect on the accomplishments of our students and recommit ensuring our focus is on education. The past few months have been filled with hard work, dedication, and countless moments of growth.

Congratulations to the QISSRL and QISSN teams who represented the College as great young representatives of our college over the mid-year break. Thank you also to the staff who so generously gave up some of their holidays to accompany the teams. It was a pleasure to watch you engage with each other, compete, and improve over the week.

Resetting Expectations for Term 3

As a staff, we have spoken to classes about how important Term 3 is for all students learning and educational journey, in particular the Year 12 and Year 10 students. We have been explicit on resetting our expectations and supporting our students to meet these. Resetting expectations at the start of a new term is crucial as it provides a fresh opportunity for alignment and clarity. For staff, it allows for a clear understanding of goals, responsibilities, and performance expectations, fostering a productive and collaborative environment. For students, it establishes a framework for academic success, helping them understand the standards, learning objectives, and behavioural norms, ultimately enhancing their educational experience.

Wearing the Uniform: Pride in Our School, Pride in Ourselves

The school uniform is more than just a dress code; it symbolizes our shared identity and values as a school community. When you wear the uniform, you become part of a larger collective that upholds respect, integrity, and a commitment to learning. The uniform fosters a sense of belonging and equality, reminding us that we are all on this journey together, regardless of our backgrounds or differences.

Wearing the uniform is not just an obligation; it's an opportunity to express pride in who we are and the educational institution we represent. Students are reminded to wear our uniform with confidence, knowing that we all are part of a community that supports and uplifts one another.

Students and parents are reminded that the uniform policy is on our College website and in the student's diary. If a student is not in the current uniform staff will work with the student and parents to ensure this is rectified. A partnership with parents is important in ensuring that students can meet expectations here at the College that mirror the expectations of the future workplaces our students are moving into.

Celebrating the Success of Our Students: Achievements Worth Commemorating

We take great pride in the accomplishments of our students, from outstanding academic performances to exceptional achievements in extracurricular activities, each student's progress contributes to the vibrant tapestry of our school.

At the end of Semester 1, 53% of all students in the Senior Years attained at least 1 “A” grade in their subjects, with 35% of students across all years 9 to 12 obtaining either straight “A”s or “A”s with either 1 or 2 “B”s across their subjects. This is an increase on this time last year with students celebrating their success in their class.

As a school community, we celebrate not only the high achievers but also those who have shown tremendous growth, perseverance, and improvement. Every step forward, no matter how big or small, deserves recognition and applause.

Year 10 School Education and Training (SET) Planning

To ensure our commitment to our students, their learning and future pathways, the College will be conducting SET Plan Interviews with each Year 10 student in Week 4, Term 3.

As students work to complete Year 10, students begin to discuss learning options leading to a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). To make the most of this opportunity, students need a plan.

 The Senior Education and Training Plan more commonly referred to as the SET Plan maps a student’s transition into, and through the Senior Phase of Learning. It serves the purpose of building on strengths and works towards identifying pathway opportunities. The self-reflection and career exploration involved in creating such a plan will also assist them to make well informed choices about higher education courses should their career aspirations necessitate completion of a university degree.

A collaborative partnership between the College, parents and students are key to success in the Senior Years.

Year 12 Term 3

As we enter Term 3, Year 12 students are stepping into one of the most important phases of their schooling journey. This term is often the turning point—where coursework peaks, mock exams begin, and final assessments draw near. The marks achieved now play a vital role in shaping ATAR outcomes, university offers, and future opportunities. More than just academic results, Term 3 is a chance for students to demonstrate their dedication, resilience, and readiness for life beyond school.

Strong performance during this term builds confidence and sets the tone for final exams. It’s also a time when consistent effort and support from teachers, families, and peers can make a real difference. By staying focused and making the most of every learning opportunity, students can take control of their future and finish the year with pride.

Toowoomba Catholic Schools External Examination Preparation Program (EEPP)

During October Year 12 students around the state sit External Examinations which are their final assessment pieces. Each exam is held at the same time and on the same day and so External Examinations can be daunting, especially for those students sitting an examination that contributes 50% of the marks to their result. They can also be very rewarding.

Toowoomba Catholic Schools, through a strong collaborative process, have a proud record of supporting students to achieve their best possible results in these External Examinations. To further consolidate this excellent preparation Toowoomba Catholic Schools and their Principals have developed an External Examination Preparation Program (EEPP).

EEPP brings students from across nine Catholic schools to a central location to refine their knowledge and understanding of content, providing an opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers, and offering suggestions about managing exam conditions. At EEPP students will have the opportunity to be guided in their preparation by an expert mentor. Each mentor possesses expertise in their subject area and, most importantly, experience with the external examination process They are well equipped to pass on the nuanced skills that can make all the difference in a student's results.

EEPP is being conducted over five days in the second week of the September school holidays, from Monday, 29 September through to Friday, 3 October. The venue for the event is the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office in Toowoomba (opposite St Saviour's College).

Further information regarding this excellent program is attached, as well as a link to a registration form to enrol.

If you require further information, please contact Mr Paul Herbert (paul.herbert@twb.catholic.edu.au) from Toowoomba Catholic Schools or myself.

Please use the link below to register, once committed all costs will be invoiced to your college account. Please be aware If a student chooses not to attend once registration closes, costs will still apply to families from Toowoomba Catholic Schools.

2025 External Examination Preparation Program Registration (EEPP) Form

Please refer here for the latest published QCAA External Examination timetable. It is important to keep checking this link as the timetable can be updated regularly.

QCAA external assessment timetable 2025

The external assessment timetable is designed to:

• minimise clashes for students across the examination period. Where there is a clash within a morning or afternoon session, students will be allocated to the alternative session on the same day
• ensure most students sit no more than two external assessments on one day
• provide sufficient breaks between external assessments for popular courses and frequently combined courses
• enable all external assessments to be marked in time for students to receive their final Year 12 results.

Whole College Student Leadership

Nominations have opened for our Year 11 students to apply for College Captains and Prefect roles. Timelines for students to apply are listed below. Students currently in Year 10 and 11 will be able to apply for House Leaders roles in Term 4.

As the term progresses, we encourage our students and parents to engage with our staff to ensure students in all year levels are working towards being the best versions of themselves.

Parent Webinar - AI & Digital Generation 11 AUG 2025

Catholic Network Australia (CNA) will be hosting a webinar on Monday 11 August as per details below and attached:

Please see the attached information for the CNA funded Parent Webinar, please share broadly across your dioceses and schools, it will max at 1,000 live participants, though the registration will handle beyond this for on-demand access to the webinar for 21 days post session.

Links:

• Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uC81ASY6Rj-QrQ5fzdcLUQ#/registration
• Bitly: bit.ly/AICSP25

Assistant Principal Senior Years

Visual Art Virtual Artist in Residence Workshop

Students in Years 9 – 12 are taking part in a vibrant virtual workshop with acclaimed artist Janelle Petterson. Together, they’ll craft whimsical, figurative lamps that blend imagination with hands-on creativity. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn professional techniques, explore artistic expression, and walk away with a stunning, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.