We have calculated the points from the Junior Carnival today and they are as follows;

Rice - 570

MacKillop - 513

McAuley - 494

Nolan - 472

Check out some of the photos from today!

1 to 1 laptop update including Webinar tonight

We have our Family Zone webinar this evening at 7:30pm as per the details sent home to all students in Years 7-12.  There will be many opportunities to ask questions and also get to know more about the package.  It is critical for parents to note that this is a complete cybersafety community package that the school is providing for our College at considerable cost, and your engagement can be nothing but advantageous to your child’s safety when living in a digital world.  As the 1-1 laptops rollout it is also critical to note that to manage student hotspotting and avoiding the College firewall when at College (again, developing responsible users of technology), students who choose to bring their mobile phones to school must have the Mobile Zone app installed.  By doing so, we can allow students to use both their laptops and mobile phones in a manner that is safe, responsible, and without inappropriate content and opportunities for cyberbullying to occur. We are still awaiting our cases and skins for the new devices, though will be sending home the required agreements and documentation tomorrow afternoon.

As communicated with students last week, to collect the laptops the student must bring a case with them, or purchase one of the cases available from the office.  Cases are $35 each (retail $70) and are very good.  If you would prefer to supply your own they must be strong (not just a felt slip) and include space for a charger to be carried. Please also note that no payment is required for the laptop as the levy will be applied to all Year 7-12 students’ fees at $65 per term.  Obviously the case will be an additional to this and may be paid upfront or also added to the invoice for Term 1. Please note that further information regarding laptop collection will be forthcoming via email early next week.  If you did not receive an email regarding the Family Zone seminar this evening, please use the parent portal to correct your contact details. 

Want to get involved?

Our College has many opportunities for parents to get involved and engaged in both their child’s education, and the College itself.  In the past few weeks I have had many enquiries as to how parents can support the College by being involved and we are all very keen to have as much involvement as possible. Below is a list of some ways you can get involved and who the best contact person is for you.  Of course, to contribute to the general College such as volunteering time to working bees or through your area of expertise, you can always let the front office staff know how you are able to help out and we will keep a register.  Obviously, we also have the P&F who will communicate whenever they are intending on hosting an event, function or working bee. We would love to engage more with our community this year and welcome all offers of support to the College.

Student numbers

We start our year with 554 students at OLSCC, with 3 more enrolment enquiries this week.  This is extremely close to our predicted enrolment of 555, and as such do not anticipate any shifts in staffing after the day 8 deadline, which is always a great relief.  Currently we have 216 students in the Early Years, 201 students in the Middle Years and 137 students in the Senior Years.  As we continue through the year I encourage you to read our newlsetters (on Schoolzine, website, SZapp or facebook), share our facebook posts and share with your friends all the things that make our College great. In doing so we can continue to build our College to sustainable enrolment numbers that will ensure subject viability and stable staffing structures across all year levels.  It is our College goal to build towards and stabilise at 700 students over the next 5 years to make the teaching, learning and business operations of the College function optimally.

Swimming Carnival

The 9-12 Years Swimming Carnival was an absolute blast with the highlight being the Belly Flop and Bomb Dive events!  What a great bunch and well done to all who participated, especially those that gave their best effort and those that excelled!

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

This week, I have had the pleasure in attending meetings with other staff from across our Diocese in similar roles to mine.  This has been a great opportunity for me to expand my ideas and learn from others, exactly what we ask our students to do each day. 

We pray together: 

As we go about our day God; 

As we strive to walk with Jesus as people of commitment,  

open our eyes to our capacity to make a difference. 

Open our eyes to the needs of those around us. 

May your grace, mercy and peace, bless us, keep us 

and transform us all, this day, now and forever. 

Amen 

LYF @ OLSCC 

The introduction of our new LYF Program is in full swing. Staff are working hard to link the four components together for all students to experience God in their lives.  Below is a table of the four components and the time allocation for each component.  These times differ for different grades in our College but all classes are working towards all four goals. 

The goals of each component will be explored in future newsletters.  If you would like to discuss any of these in more detail or you have ideas you would like to contribute contact any of our teachers or myself cate.brennan@twb.catholic.edu.au .  

Commencement Mass & Academic Assembly 

DATE CLAIMER: next Wednesday – Week 3 – 13 February at 12:20pm in the Multi-purpose Centre. 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Mission

College graduate of 2018, Claudia Nothdurft has just received the exciting news that she has been awarded The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship to attend Griffith University where she has been accepted to study Criminology and Criminal Justice this year.

To apply for the scholarship, Claudia had to have received an OP of between 1 and 10 and having received a 6, this meant she was eligible to begin the application process. In her application, Claudia provided five referees along with an essay addressing the criteria of her achievements and personal background. In Claudia's time at the College, her achievements in academia as well as sport and extra activities such as the McGrath Foundation fundraising were outstanding and we are very proud to learn that she has been successful with her application.

The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship provides up to $22,500 over three years which can be put towards accommodation and living expenses for students. This funding will help Claudia reach her full potential with her studies without the worry of paying for living expenses and accommodation.

Claudia was very excited to hear she was successful and is pleased and relieved that the scholarship will mean she won't have to struggle to pay for all the expense of living away from home while she is concentrating on her Uni degree.

Over the break, Claudia has been working at WDRC in the Occupational Development Department and is looking forward to working there in the holidays when she is home. We were lucky to have Claudia drop in to the Junior Swimming Carnival today along with fellow graduates Georgia Ryan and Jaylee Alexander and this provided a great opportunity to congratulate her on her sucess. 

Unis starts on the 18 February for Claudia so we wish her well with her studies and the big move to University life in Brisbane.

Well done Claudia! 

“A mind, when stretched by new ideas, never regains its original dimensions” Anon

Welcome to the Early Years! I am privileged and excited to walk the journey of this new sector of our College with our youngest students and their families. My role as Assistant Principal – Early Years is one of new discoveries and challenges encompassing the Prep – Year 4 cohorts. I am assisted in this position by Middle Leader – Early Years, Kathy Morgan, and a knowledgeable and talented team of Early Years teachers. Together, we strive for excellence in every aspect of your child’s experience at out College.

Congratulations to the Early Years students for settling in to new routines so quickly.  Teaching and learning has begun in earnest, with a strong emphasis on essential skills in English and Mathematics, taught within the context of a Catholic school.  As we focus on excellence, we turn our attention to the learning dispositions that enable this to happen – not only in our classrooms, but in many other facets of our lives. Learning dispositions can be defined as ‘relatively enduring habits of mind and action’. Effective, lifelong learners are those who develop positive dispositions early and continue to refine and develop these throughout their schooling years and beyond.

This week we take a look at the disposition of PERSISTENCE. This refers to the capacity to stick at a task, even when it becomes difficult. These are the children in our classroom who continue to try again and again without giving up easily. They are the children who struggle to put their shoes on in Prep but continue to try until they can master it. They are the children in Year One who find it hard to keep their writing on the lines, but don’t give up. They are the children in Year Two, or Three or Four who find getting through their new reader challenging but persist with decoding the text until it makes sense to them. They are persistent, and they will carry that skill with them into the Middle and Senior Years. Excellent parenting and teaching means not stepping in and doing things for your child every time the going gets tough; it is about encouraging them to be persistent.

Ava is in Prep. Managing how to hang your painting out to dry can be tricky in Prep! Ava needed to remember to hold the paper flat, slide it onto the rack like a pizza, and put pegs on it so it didn’t blow away. Ava showed PERSISTENCE – she kept on trying even though it was difficult.

Ava’s hard work wasn’t over! Next she had to hang up her paint apron correctly. The first time Ava tried, the apron fell off. But she didn’t give up. Ava showed PERSISTENCE – she kept on trying even though it was difficult. After a couple of attempts, the apron stayed in place. Next time, Ava will find it easier!

Katrina Walton

Assistant Principal Early Years

I must pass on to parents how impressed I am with the way your children have embraced the changes that have been asked of them in the first two weeks of term. Reports from teachers are backing up this idea of a smooth start to the year. The efforts of both students and teachers to get straight into work will give us the best possible chance to achieve the outcomes we are striving for.

It is important also to not become complacent and it is crucial that we continue to develop the communication pathways between home and the College. If you have any questions or your child is struggling with some aspect of their life at school, please make contact so we can work together to find solutions.

As we move further into the year, the College will be developing ways to have greater community involvement within the day to day activities that we undertake. Community members including parents, grandparents and friends of the College are great resources that can be utilised effectively in the school setting. We will be working on creating the avenues for effective community and College interactions as this year moves forward.

The uniform transition, for the most part, seems to be progressing well. The message from the College is that we hope to have all students in correct clothing by the beginning of Term 2. If your child comes home and insists, they must have one item, or another please make contact with their class teacher or the College to clarify. I will reaffirm here that we are using this term as a transition period.

Thank you for your continued support of the Middle Years of Learning at Our Lady of the Southern Cross College.

Steve Gillespie

Acting Assistant Principal Middle Years

It has been another great week in the Senior Years. It has been pleasing to witness students work hard at being organised for class, take pride in their appearance and establishing relationships with their peers. I am positive that the positive start to the year has laid a firm foundation for the year ahead.

Assessment Schedules
Our Term 1 assessment schedules have been released and are available on the College website. I would encourage all parents to go through the schedule with their student and map out the term ahead. All assessment dates should be written in each student’s diary as this is the best method to stay organised.

Additional information regarding the submission of assessment, absence from exams and plagiarism is included at the bottom of each schedule.

Please note that there will be no exam blocks in Term 1.

Careers Guidance
We with start of the new QCE system and the changes that will flow on throughout Year 9 -12 we are re-imagining our careers guidance that is provided to our students. As this change process occurs, I encourage all students who have questions about their educational pathways to come and speak to me. Additionally, students can continue to speak with Mrs Baxter. Appointments to see both of us can be made through the College office.  

Uniforms
As mentioned, it has been excellent to see all students work hard at ensuring their appearance is of the best quality throughout the day. Just a reminder that boys in Years 9-12 must wear a black leather belt with their formal uniform.

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

Junior

Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival

The Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 14 February at the Dalby Aquatic Centre. Students will be notified shortly after the school carnival if they have been selected to attend.

Bunya District Swimming Trials

The Bunya District Under 9-12 Years Swimming Trials will be held on Thursday 21 February at the Dalby Aquatic Centre. Students who meet qualifying times to attend this carnival will be notified after our school carnival.

AFL

This Monday the Year 5/6 cohort will have a visit from the Brisbane Lions AFL Club as part of their community camps for 2019. All students will be involved in skills and question and answer session.

Senior

Inter House Swimming Carnival

The 13- 18 Years Swimming Carnival will be held Friday 8 February from 9.00am to 2.30pm. Buses will leave the College at 8.50am. Order of Events is 100m Freestyle, 25m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, 25m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke, Boys Belly Flop Competition, Girls Bomb Dive Competition, 200m Individual Medley, 25m Breaststroke, 50m Breaststroke, 25m Butterfly, 50m Butterfly, All Age Relay, House Captains / Staff Relay.

Darling Downs Swimming Trials

The Darling Downs 13-18 Years Swimming Trials will be held in Gatton on Tuesday 5 March. Students who wish to attend these trials are to see Mr Lincoln for more information.

Touch Football

Season 1 of the Dalby Touch Football Competition has started for the Open Mixed Team (Stingers) and for the Under 15 Boys (Makanana’s) and Under 15 Girls Team (Vipers). If required trials maybe held to finalise teams after the first two rounds of the competition. The draw for the games will appear on the Dalby Touch Football website. Any queries please see Mr Lincoln.

Netball

Congratulations to the girls selected to play at the Laura Gietz Netball Carnival in Toowoomba next Sunday. We had 21 interested players but are only able to send the one team. There will be another opportunity in Term 3 to play in the Junior Vicki Wilson Cup Competition where we will be able to nominate two teams.

Inner Downs Cluster 1 Trials

• These Trials will be held on Tuesday 12 February in Dalby
• Sports Involved will be U15 Boys and U15 Girls Touch Football, Open Boys and Open Girls Touch Football, Open Boys and Open Girls Tennis
• Boys interested in attending Open Cricket Trials will possibly go straight through to the Darling Downs Trials
• Inner Downs Teams will be selected to attend the Darling Downs Trials on 19 February
• Students interested in attending need to sign on via the Sports Notice Board.

Darling Downs Cluster 1 Trials

• Students will nominate directly to Darling Downs Trials in Open Girls Softball Boys Baseball and Boys and Girls Volleyball.
• Students interested in attending need to sign on via the Sports Notice Board.
• Travel will be via Private Transport

Inner Downs Rugby League Trials

Under 15 and Open Inner Downs Rugby League Trials will be held on Thursday 21 February in Pittsworth. Players selected in these teams will attend the Darling Downs Gala Day in Toowoomba on Monday 4 March. More information will be available next week on these trials.

Tim Lincoln

Sports Coordinator

Auditions for the College Musical, The Wiz, will be taking place next week during first lunch on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the Senior Music Room and again at the same times in Week 4. Due to the nature of The Wiz and the cast involved, we will be inviting students from Prep all the way to Year 12 to audition. The cast requires characters such as Munchkins which will be perfect roles for little people. It will be very exciting to have younger students on the cast list for the first time ever and we can't wait to see who comes along to audition. 

Students will be required to audition for a part in the Musical however, only students wanting to try for a lead role need to audition as a solo. Younger students will be accepted to try out in groups of no more than 6. The audition song is 'Brand New Day' from the musical, the Wiz, and we have included a YouTube link below so you can have a listen. Sheet music and lyrics will be available from the College Office by this Friday afternoon.

Any interested students will also be able to collect and Expression of Interest and Commitment letter from the College Office on Friday afternoon. Students will need to bring this signed letter to their audition so Mrs Baxter knows that parents are aware of and accept the commitment of their student participating in the production.

If anyone has any questions about what is involved, they are welcome to go along  to the Senior Music Rooms during audition times to talk to Mrs Baxter. The Wiz will be an amazing show and we hope to encourage as many students to audition so it will be another show to remember!!

This is an update for Bell Show Photography as the categories and due date has changed.

Entries and entry forms are now due to the College by Monday 18 February and entry fee is 50c per photo. There is a maximum of 3 entries per entrant in each class. Any person may enter the Open Section. Preferred size is 5” x 7” (13 cm x 18 cm) but 4” x 6” (10cm x 15 cm) is also acceptable. All entries must be securely mounted on black A5 cardboard, use glue that does not buckle your photo. All entries must have name, address, phone number and class number on the back of the cardboard at top left-hand corner. No captions and writing on the front on the photographs.

With a case of Whooping Cough detected at the College, we must ensure all families are aware of the signs and symptoms of this illness and what you should do if detected.

This letter was provided to the College by the Darling Downs Public Health Unit with all the information you need to know about Whooping Cough. If you missed it on SZapp yesterday, here it is again. Make sure you read this important notice today.