All the preparations have been made and the cast and crew of the College Musical, The Wiz, have smashed out their full dress rehearsal yesterday with some great reviews from the invited audience including residents and clients of Ningana, Blue Care, Karingal and Waminda. The show is only on for two nights, tonight and tomorrow so don't miss out. The culmination of all the hard work and hours of rehearsal comes together on stage this weekend and we hope that our College and wider community are there to enjoy it and support our amazing students. 

Tickets area available at the link below to Trybooking or at the door on the night.

https://www.trybooking.com/BCRCO

Here's a few photos from our rehearsals for a sneak peek!

I am very excited to report that our College is one of the schools invited to participate in the newly formed Darling Downs Super Schools Cup, a four-team competition played out of school hours, over six weeks across three age divisions. Our participation in this competition will draw around $7,000 a year into the College from the Australian Rugby Foundation to fund equipment, bus travel, training, coaching and referee education.

This new competition and associated funds will allow our students new opportunities to develop and demonstrate skills previously only accommodated by colleges many times our size. To realise these opportunities, we need to raise three committed teams of at least 20 players in each of under 13 (turn 12 or 13 this year), under 15 (turn 14 or 15 this year) and open (turn 16 or older this year).

This will be a significant challenge and many students will need to have a crack at a less familiar code of football. Fortunately, this is something our College has always excelled at. Our College Captain, Lytana King-Togia has played as much Rugby League as he has Rugby Union and the skills and confidence he developed in one code have served him just as well in the other.

Training will be held at 2:10 to 3:10pm on Friday afternoons at the College as well as Monday afternoons at 3:30 to 4:30pm at the Rugby Club grounds for the next six weeks. Your student has been asked to bring a mouthguard, a training jersey and cleats to all training sessions. The teams will travel by bus to the four away games leaving College at 3:30 pm on a Wednesday. Our two home rounds will be played at the Rugby Club starting at 5:00pm on a Friday night.

The home rounds in August will be a great opportunity for the College community to gather, socialise and show support. A decision regarding the final dates of these games will be in next week's Newsletter. There will be food and beverages available and the three grades will play from 5:00 to 8:00pm. We hope to see you there.

Click on the link to read the Media Release from Darling Downs Super Cup

Stephen Routley

Rugby Union Coordinator

Dear God 

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life. 

Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots that hold me back. 

Erase the will nots may nots and might nots 

 that may find a home in my heart. 

Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life. 

And most of all  I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life 

All of the “Am nots” I have allowed to hold me back- 

Especially the thought that “I am not good enough”!   

Because you and I both know  

I AM. 

Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum  

Throughout Term 3, our  College  will be implementing the  Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum with students in Prep- Year 9. The curriculum is based on principles of best practice in child safety education and centres around three key messages: Recognise, React and Report. Through a series of lessons, students will learn how to recognise, react and report when they are unsafe or find themselves in situations that can have a significant detrimental effect on their physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing.   

Information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum will be published each week in the newsletter and can be found at www.education.qld.gov.au/child-safety-curriculum or see your child’s class teacher.  

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

A huge term for Year 12!

Our Year 12 students have entered their busiest period of their two-year senior journey. Later in the term, ten of our students will be sitting the Queensland Core Skills Test. The results of this test are used in the calculation of a student’s OP. It is a momentous occasion as our students will be the last group to sit the QCS. The group participated in another QCS preparation session this week with Mr Matt Rigby from Go Grammar Consulting. In addition to the QCS Test, all Year 12 students will have their major assessment pieces due by the end of the term for their final units. Our thoughts are with this group as they enter this important academic period.

Subject Selection in 2020

As we start to look ahead to 2020, it has come time to start to think about subject selections. After conducting a review of our subject offerings, there are a number of changes to our subject offerings next year. These changes will require students entering Years 9, 10 and 11 in 2020 to select subjects. To keep parents and students informed, we will be holding a Subject Selection Evening on Wednesday 7 August in the Performing Arts Centre. Subject selection forms will be distributed on the evening. The following is schedule for the evening:

A letter will be sent home to all students with additional details.

Subject selections are an important component of a student’s journey through the Senior Years. I look forward to seeing many students and their parents at these sessions. 

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

Communicating a means to an end.

Just before I start talking about the power of effective communication, I would like to acknowledge the hard work, persistence and dedication of the staff, students and parents working towards the Musical performance of “The Wiz” this Friday and Saturday nights. The efforts of the Middle Schoolers has been terrific, it is a big commitment at such a young age. Enjoy what will be something you will remember for a lifetime.

As the College community we aim to continually move forward striving to be the best we can be. With many initiatives and agendas being undertaken within education, the relevance and need for quality communication can not be overstated. In a world dominated by technological advancement the avenues for communication are many and varied. Have you checked emails, texts, what’s new on Facebook, must not forget that Skype meeting this afternoon or Instagram and snapchat to be looked at? We have more mediums and modes of communication than at any time in human history.

In the past week we celebrated one of the great engineering and scientific moments of the modern era, the Moon Landing 50 years ago. Communication was a lot simpler then, we talked face to face or through simple telecommunications like the phone. Or we sat down and wrote a letter that we hoped conveyed clearly, the message we wanted to present. These options are with us still. Let’s take time to use every opportunity to communicate to our advantage.

Donna Pendergast in her text Teaching Middle Years says “Communicating … is active, personal, culturally appropriate and multidimensional.” She goes on to say that it is a two-way exchange between families and schools that involves not only an exchange of information, but also opportunities for schools and families to learn from each other.” (Pendergast 2017  p296) This is the goal of quality meaningful interactions between us aimed at producing meaningful outcomes and positive futures.

As we know there is a difference between idealism and realism. Not all communication is positive, and breakdowns occur. The big 'BUT' here though is do we actively pursue the benefits of positive communication looking at taking ownership accountability and responsibility for our words creating solutions-based outcomes that benefit not only ourselves but all those involved? Take the time to listen to the people around you, it is much easier to fall into the spiral of blame, excuse and denial which feeds unrest and conflict.

In my role I am finding that good communication is vitally important for moving forward, however poor skills in this area unfortunately can create conflict. Leah Davies in her short article Effective Communication says, “Communication not only conveys information, but it encourages effort, modifies attitudes, and stimulates thinking. Without it, stereotypes develop, messages become distorted, and learning is stifled.” Her words acknowledge both sides of the coin. My experience sits with Davies’ thoughts, when I am proactive, on time and solutions focused the outcomes are dynamic and positive. When my communication falls down people are put under pressure, problems grow, and the road back can be long and hard.

The lines of communication are open within our College community, we have conducted Parent Teacher Student interviews this week. There are a number of information evenings coming up including a night to look at the movement from Year 6 to Year 7 next week on 30 July in the PAC. We are having another “Come and Try” day on 9 August for students from the community to see what we have to offer. Electronic communication is accessible by all, combined with an open-door policy for face to face discussions encouraged.

I hold the belief that open, honest communication that is solutions based and aimed at positive outcomes, should continue to be actively promoted within the community. Enjoy the musical this week and next week we celebrate the wonderful aspects of being a faith-based College in the Catholic Tradition through Catholic Education Week 2019.

Steve Gillespie

Assistant Principal Middle Years

It is only Week 2, but learning is in full swing across the Early Years. You may have heard the term 'Learning Dispositions' come up in discussion with your children or their teachers. What exactly does the term 'Learning Disposition' mean? In the context of our school, we refer to this as a habit or a character trait that is essential to becoming the best lifelong learner we can be – child or adult! As a College community we have identified the following learning dispositions to focus on. 

I am: 

• Persistent 
• Resilient 
• Optimistic
• Independent 
• Curious 
• Creative 
• Motivated 

The best way for any learning to occur is when it is done both at home and at school. Previous newsletters and assemblies have addressed the dispositions of resilience and persistence. Keep your eyes and ears out as we unpack more of the dispositions throughout the year. On that note, our next Early Years Assembly will be led by Year 3B and will occur in WEEK 4 in the Performing Arts Centre. You are always welcome to join us at these assemblies as we love having parents along to hear what is happening around our school. 

This term we welcome a new friend to Year 2, Sophia Connellan. It is terrific to have another happy face joining the OLSCC family! Sophia has settled in well to class and reports that her favourite part of school so far has been that she has heaps of friends to play with and everyone is nice, and that learning things is lots of fun!  

The Prep classes have been counting up how many days they have been attending school and finally, they have reached the magical 100 day mark.

Katrina Walton

Assistant Principal Early Years

Junior

Year 5/6 Netball and Touch Football Parents

There has been some miscommunication in the College community about the selection processes for Primary School Netball and Touch Football Teams for the upcoming QLD All Schools Carnivals. Please see the information below on how each of the teams will be selected. College staff members will be organising all teams. If parents are needed to assist in any way you will be directly approached at a later date.

Netball

Three netball teams are attending the Catholic Schools Carnival in Toowoomba on Thursday 1 August. From this carnival two teams will be selected to attend the QLD Primary Schools Cup at Maroochydore on 14-15 September. The number one team will play in Division 1 at the QLD Primary Schools Cup and the second team will play Division 2. Girls from Year 5 or Year 6 may be selected in either team. There are a few girls who are unavailable to attend the Catholic Schools Carnival next week, but will still be available for selection for QLD Primary Schools Cup as they have been training with the teams in the lead up to the carnival. All girls selected to attend the QLD Primary Schools cup will be notified in Week 4.

Touch Football

Teams to attend the SWQ All Schools Carnival in Dalby on Sunday 20 October and the QLD All Schools Carnival at Redlands on 9-10 November have not yet been selected. Students who are playing in the Dalby Junior Touch Competition on Wednesday afternoons have not been pre-selected in College All Schools Touch Football Terms as the College has had zero input into the selection of teams for the Wednesday afternoon Club Competition. Students do not have to play Junior Club Touch Football to be eligible for selection for either of the All Schools Carnivals. Depending on numbers either Boys, Girls and/or Mixed Teams may be selected. Trials to select teams to attend both carnivals will be held in August. This is ample time to prepare for both competitions.

Girls Rugby League

Congratulations to the following girls who were selected to represent Bunya District at the Darling Downs Rugby League trials in Toowoomba yesterday; Bella Buckley, Summer Buckley, Chloe Wilkins, Tiffany Ham, Maddy Gater, Kago Mosako, Isabel Johnston, Maleah Pattison, Charli Coleman, Monique Smith, Loretta Carpenter, Emily Clapperton, Ava Bruce.

Cross Country

Congratulations to Carla Nobbs who competed at the State Cross Country Championships in Toowoomba last weekend. Carla finished 23^rd in the Under 11 Girls Race out of 59 competitors.

Senior

Rugby Union

On Monday night Hugh Clarke, Mitch Portbury, Bailey Cleary, Declan Crothers, Brayden Hughes, Lachlan Wilkins and Sam Gillespie were part of a combined Dalby Barbarians team that played a touring England Schoolboys team at the Dalby Wheatmen Grounds. This was a fantastic opportunity for our boys to compete against an international touring team.

Darling Downs Super 4 Rugby Union Competition

The College has gained a place in the Inaugural Darling Downs Super 4 Schools Rugby Competition involving Scots Warwick, Faith Lutheran Plainlands and a combined Toowoomba Barbarians Team (Mary MacKillop, St Josephs, Toowoomba Anglican). Away games will be played on Wednesday nights in Toowoomba with home games on Friday nights in Dalby over the next six weeks. Round 1 games begin next Wednesday night in Toowoomba against Scots College Warwick in the Under 13, Under 15 and Open Age Groups. Any boys wanting to play need to see Mr Routley.

Rugby League

Yesterday the College played Rugby League games against St John’s Roma. After a tight first half in the Under 13 game Roma ran out winners 14-4. The Under 15 boys game was the second stage of the Statewide GIO Cup Competition as St John’s Roma / Wallumbilla won the South West QLD Competition and OLSCC won the Darling Downs Competition last term. After conceding the opening try Roma dominated the remainder of the first half to lead 24-4 at halftime. In true College spirit our boys lifted in the second half and narrowed the score to 34-30 with 3 minutes remaining, with Roma scoring on the siren to win the game by ten points. Our boys were happy with their second half efforts but understood a poor first half cost them any chance of victory. A huge thanks to Derek Brady for coaching the Under 15 Boys this season and to Debbie Welsh for providing first aid. Thanks to Ryan Welsh, Lachlan Sankey and Josh Hart for officiating in all home games.

Under 13

St John’s Roma 14 defeated OLSCC 4

Try – Luke Wallen

Under 15

St John’s Roma / Wallumbilla defeated OLSCC 40-30

Tries –Lyhkan King Togia 4, Bailey Skinner, Wil Brady

Conversions – Will Herbert 3

Tennis

Last Wednesday afternoon the Secondary College Tennis Championships were held. This event also doubled as a trial to select a boys team to attend the Darling Downs Schools Championships in Toowoomba on Monday 19 August. Congratulations to Ben Forbes, Pat Kelly, Hugh Faggotter and Jonty MacDougall who were selected to represent the College at this event.

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

The College four yearly review is coming up and information has been distributed via SZapp and email today regarding your opportunity to be involved in this process. Please see the information sheet below and contact the College Office if you would like to participate.

Zest is … a word for intellectual curiosity, student interest, and enthusiasm. When we’re interested in what we’re learning, we pay closer attention. We think more carefully, make more connections, and dig below the surface. When we’re curious, we are motivated to work harder and longer. Zest isn’t about entertaining. It’s about leveraging the mind’s natural tendency to attend to and expend energy on that which engages and stimulates.

Lolita Paff, PhD

Zest in Year 6 includes enthusiastic participation in all subjects including Science, Readers Cup, Technology and a Skype session with ‘How to Train Your Dragon” author, Cressida Cowell.

Day 1:

Last Wednesday afternoon saw Bailey Skinner, Lyhkan King Togia, Lily Schloss, Claudia Child, Bailey Rathmell, Cody Wenham, Molly Hartwig, Hannah Pattison, Mr Lincoln and forty other students and staff from Dalby SHS, Chinchilla SHS and Miles SHS depart for the annual Arrow Energy / Brisbane Broncos Emerging Leaders Camp. Day one was an exciting day as we were travelling to many different places and taking part in various activities. The first destination was Mt Coo-tha Lookout, a beautiful location overlooking the city of Brisbane. We were off on the bus again and arrived at the QLD Museum. We were fortunate enough to be able to view the NASA exhibition which was amazing to be apart of, because it was the 50th anniversary of the man first landing on the moon. The exhibit included many different objects that had been to the moon, which was crazy. After we finished at the museum we walked to the State Library for a brief tour. This included learning about the access granted to any library members throughout QLD, the importance of certain areas in the library and all the rare, exceptional and unique information available. After the tour when headed to our hostel to get organised and prepare for the Broncos vs Bulldogs game at Suncorp Stadium. When we arrived at Suncorp Stadium, we took some photos of the player statues, visited the activity stalls outside the ground before we were taken to a special part of the stadium that overviewed the playing field while we ate dinner. A tour of the inner sanctum of Suncorp Stadium followed as we headed to the Media Room where past players Scott Prince and Justin Hodges spoke to the group. We also were able to watch the players warm up inside the dressing sheds before being taken onto the playing field which was the best part of the evening as the players continued their warm up. Mr Cuskelly arrived just in time to attend this part of the night. We were returned to our seats and enjoyed watching the Broncos dominate the Bulldogs to record a 28-6 victory.  

Day 2:

On Friday morning, the group went to the Clive Berghofer Centre, (Broncos Headquarters) at Red Hill. The morning involved listening to the Arrow Energy CEO and Broncos Game Development Manager Paul Dyer talk about leadership. Key messages were the traits of a good leader (perseverance, teamwork, resilience, respect and hard work). All students were encouraged to work on their personal brand, their health and the power of choice they have over their lives. Paul Dyer and Michael Hancock took us out onto the training field where we learnt proper stretching technique. The group was split into two, with one group working on ball skills and the other on modified game play. The morning concluded with a tour through the gymnasium, the Broncos recreation area and the video analysis room. The players had just completed their recovery session and were available to sign autographs and chat to staff and students. Dalby’s Andrew McCullough and young gun Xavier Coates were great to talk with. Lunch followed across the road at the Broncos Leagues Club before we started our journey home. Unfortunately the bus had to be evacuated at Jindalee (more sickness from one of the Miles SHS boys). After the quick stop we were back on the road arriving in Dalby at 5.00pm and sadly that was where our trip ended. One of the best experiences of the camp was making new friends with the students from Chinchilla and Miles. Thanks to the Brisbane Broncos and Arrow Energy for providing this opportunity.

Hannah Pattison & Molly Hartwig

Our lovely little Bee Bot robots are in need of disguises for their STEM Fair Adventure this year. Let your imagination run wild designing the coolest most spectacular disguise you can! Templates for your design can be found at the College Library and attached to the newsletter. Entries need to be dropped into the Library by the end of lunch 12:10pm Friday, 9 August.

After the success of our inaugural Come and Try Day for students in Yrs 1-12 we are offering another opportunity for anyone who would like to see what our College offers. Our next Come and Try Day will be on Friday, August 9. Families are asked to register at the College office so that prospective students can be placed in appropriate year levels for the day. Parents will also have an opportunity to meet with the Leadership and Administration teams to tour the College and answer any questions. Students are welcome to stay for an hour, a session or a day – choose your own adventure! Please circulate this information to anyone you know may be interested in seeing OLSCC for themselves.