This week the College Leadership Team took the time to reflect on the challenges of the year thus far, and also to plan so we can ensure that, as a College we progress and achieve what we aspired to by the end of 2020.  It was great to see that the COVID-19 pandemic actually helped us achieve many of our goals, such as improved use of Canvas across the College.  It wasn’t quite what we expected, though we certainly have achieved a lot greater than anticipated!  Over the coming term, we will be working hard to deliver on the strategic direction intended for 2020 whilst also being very mindful of allowing teachers to align their creativity and focus on the teaching of the children in their care.  While the work of all staff has been phenomenal and they have taken on the complex and difficult challenges since March, teachers are made for using great pedagogy to cause learning in each and every one of their students. 

Early in Term 3, we expect to release updated subject selection lines for our students in the Senior years. We are currently working with an external provider to increase our subject capacity in the Senior years by offering “Flexible Learning Arrangements” so students can complete Senior subjects via an online model.  As we are leading this project with a number of TCS rural and remote colleges, this is adding greater value to the opportunities we can provide for our students.  Mr Hodge, Mrs Brennan and I will be making decisions and completing draft 2021 timetables before releasing this to ensure it is both sustainable and in the best interest of student pathways. The most exciting aspect of this is that it begins to deepen the combinations of subjects that students can choose from.  I am well aware that, in the past, many students have left the College to study particular subjects that can only offered at larger schools and this usually results in shifting to Dalby State High School or to a boarding school.  I am excited to release the lines and combinations, and work with students through their SET planning to ensure that they are best prepared for their future pathways whether it be university, employment or further training. Please note that Year 11 students will not be required to make subject choices due to these changes as there would potentially be an impact on their ability to maintain their current QCE plan.

Starting on Wednesday this week, the Year 10 class have been involved in a Careers Intensive Program focusing on being best prepared to determine their future career pathway.  It is quite remarkable the disparity between what the workplace looks like, and what the students expect from a workplace in the future.  Mrs Baxter, along with all of her guest presenters, is doing an excellent job guiding all students through some of the most challenging thinking they will need to do before graduating from OLSCC.  It sure is a wonderful program that I wish was available to me during Year 10, and I would like to acknowledge Mrs Baxter for all of the thought, planning, organisation and the quality of the program that is being delivered this week.

As the realisation of term’s end comes, despite seeming an impossible date for so long, our students are finding it challenging to maintain their usual exemplary behaviours both at the College and in public.  There have been many selfish behaviours where our students are not considering the impact that their actions have on others.  Accordingly, it is very important at this time for families to sit down and discuss the values that they uphold, as our staff did together last week. We reflected on the values of Compassion, Forgiveness, Peace, Love, Justice and Mercy and considered how we “walk the talk” of these values through our actions. It was a very rewarding reflection and one that families can also work through together. While I understand it has been a tough year, we also have over half the year left, so we must empower both ourselves and our families to refocus on what is important and continue on our journey.

Have a wonderful last week before holidays.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal 

In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us of 'the need to pray continually and never to lose heart' (Luke 18:1), as it is in prayer that we find peace, comfort and God’s mercy. Friday 19 June is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In biblical language, 'heart' indicates the centre of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell. In the Heart of the Redeemer we adore God's love for humanity, his infinite mercy.  Mary, was a pure example of God’s love and we try to model our lives by her example.   

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, mother of Jesus and mother of all who believe in him, hear our prayer for guidance. You were specially favoured and by the power of the Holy Spirit God’s Son was conceived in you. Jesus loves us so much that he placed us in your care. So we come to you, good mother, seeking your intercession with your Son so that he will empower us to live with our humanity and its limitations and frailties. 

May we, like you, listen to your Son’s word and witness to it in our lives. May we act gently when upset, kindly when hurt, patiently when annoyed, compassionately with the oppressed, and lovingly with all your people. May we bring peace and joy to all we live with and meet. May we never doubt God’s love for us, but live by faith and await his return in glory. 

Amen. 

“More than all else, keep watch over your heart, since here are the wellsprings of life.”  Prov 4:23 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religous Education

The weeks have seemed to pass quickly this term following the return from remote learning. There has been a significant focus on the finalisation of assessment and ensuring that all work that needed to be completed in the current units has been finished.

1%ers make all the difference!
As we entered the final weeks of the term, there has been a focus on the small expectations that students need to meet at the College. Students who have recently enrolled would remember the discussion in their interview that the College has high expectations and standards, and that we make no apologies for setting the bar high. Often, it is the small things- the 1%ers- that fall away first. In our context, the 1%ers are how we wear our uniform, how we arrive at class on time and be prepared for learning, bringing a charged laptop to school and showing respect to others. These are all actions that students control themselves. As we move to the final week of term and the start of Term 3, students are asked to focus on the smaller things that make the difference to the culture of our College and the Senior Years. There are 180 students and 16 staff members in the Senior Years and if we all aim to make a 1% improvement, it will have a significant impact on our community.

Lockers
Of late, it has been disappointing that a number of students continue to not lock their lockers at the end of the school day. At the end of each day, we often find laptops and expensive textbooks unsecured in student lockers. Combination locks are available at the College Office and are available for purchase. I encourage all parents to have a conversation with their child regarding the level of responsibility needed to be shown to ensure that their locker is locked at the end of the day. Lost or damaged laptops and textbooks are replaced at parent’s expense. Therefore, parent support on this matter is very much appreciated. From Monday, a locker that is found to be unlocked at the end of the day will have a temporary lock placed on it for 24 hours.

Careers Intensive Days
Our Year 10 students are participating in three days of intensive careers education in order to assist with their pathways planning and employability skills. The days have been expertly organised by our Careers Development Practitioner, Mr Libby Baxter, and there has been plenty of positive feedback for this new initiative. More insights from the days will be shared in a future edition of the newsletter. We thank Mrs Baxter for her organisation.

Gardens in the Senior Years
We have had a number of groups undertake gardening projects around our Senior Years buildings. The hard work that students have demonstrated with these projects is very noticeable. Our Tuckshop staff have even jumped on board by planting crops in our Science garden beds! Thank you to the students who have made a positive difference to our Senior Years environment.

Academic Success Meetings
In Week 10 we have a number of Academic Success Meetings running to support some of our students in their important stages of their learning.

Year 10: On Tuesday 23 June, all Year 10 students will have a short Academic Success Meeting with Mr Cuskelly, Mrs Brennan or myself. The purpose of these meetings is to determine the level of support students require with the finalisation of their subject selections in preparation for the start of their QCE studies. Parents are not required at these meetings. Following these meetings, a number of students will be encouraged to meet with either Mrs Baxter of myself in early Term 3.

Year 11: In Week 10, all Year 11 students will have their first Academic Success Meeting as part of their studies towards their QCE. These meetings focus on progress, organisation and possible subject changes.

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

From Wednesday to Friday this week, Year 10 students have been attending their Careers Intensive Week which has been organised by our College Careers Practitioner, Mrs Baxter. The students have been exposed to a wide variety of information sessions around careers, career pathways, the workplace and personal character strengths. On Wednesday, the students were given the chance to participate in the 'Myer Briggs Personality Test' and the 'My Future Career Inventory Test', both of which gave the students an invaluable insight into what careers might suit them. Many students came away with some interesting 'results' and lots to think about. Students also enjoyed a Zoom presentation from University of Southern Queensland's Student Liaison Officers, Anita and Fraser who gave the students loads of information about USQ as a uni option. During the presentation, the students particited in some Kahoot quizzes on USQ facts and figures.

On Thursday, the students welcomed staff from Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office, Karen Coulston and Karen White to talk about School Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships and then were presented to by Elaine Wallace from TAFE Queensland.  

Mr Cuskelly will be presenting to the students on how to write a resume on Friday as well as Mrs Baxter and Mr Hodge on QCE abd subject selection plus Jodie Brookes from Griffith University will be doing another Zoom session on Future Proofing. The feedback from the students has been that this Careers Intensive Program has been really interesting and inforamtive so far and we hope to include this format for careers into the future for both Year 9 and Year 10 students.

Inter House Athletics Carnival

The Physical Education staff members and Administration team are currently working through plans to reschedule the College Athletics Carnival in Term 3. The Carnival may not run in the same format as in previous years.

Darling Downs Athletics Carnival

There will be no Darling Downs Athletics Carnival this year in either the Under 9-12 or Under 13-19 years age groups. This also means there will be no Catholic Schools / Bunya District / Inner Downs and QCIS Carnivals in 2020.

Catholic Schools Netball / Touch Football Carnival

Unfortunately, the Year 5/6 Catholic Schools Netball and Touch Football Carnivals has been cancelled for 2020. 

Primary Schools Cup Netball

The QLD Primary Schools Cup Netball Carnival will be held at Ipswich on September 12-13. The College has played at this carnival in past years when it has been held at the Sunshine Coast. Any Year 5/6 girls interested in playing this year need to register their interest with Miss Crow. Trials will be held after the holidays to select either one or two teams to attend.

Secondary Rugby League

The Darling Downs Rugby League Competitions will be rescheduled to Term 3. This will involve Under 13, Under 15 and Under 18 Teams with games being played in a round robin format. A draw for the season should be available before the end of term with games likely to be held on Wednesday afternoons.

Secondary Touch Football

The Dalby Touch Association Fixtures will be resuming in Week 2 of next term. The Under 15 girls and open mixed team will be competing in the respective mixed and ladies divisions. No decision has been made yet about the involvement of an Under 15 boys team.

Representative School Sport

There will be a reboot of school sport in Term 3. More information will be available early next term. Some Darling Downs teams that have already been selected will attend the following State Championships; 10-19 Golf, 11-19 Squash, 13-15 & 16-19 Netball, 13-15 & 16-19 Volleyball, 13-19 G&B Hockey. Trials to select Darling Downs Teams to attend State Championships in Terms 3 and Term 4 will include the following Sports; U12 Softball, Under 12/15 Cricket, Under 12 Netball, U12/15 Basketball, 13-19 Triathlon and the Under 12 Aquathlon.

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

This week, we bring you another video on what is happening in The Arts and Culture around our College. We hear from Vocal and Instrumental students and we see how students in Year 2 and Prep are bringing Culture into their classroom learning. We even see Mr Cuskelly joining in for a boogie. We also bring you information on what is available for your child through our Instrumental Program and how to enrol.

Currently, forms are available at the College Office for students who would like to join the Instrumental Music Program or you can access one via the link below. 

in Term 3 we will offer small group instruction for: 

• Brass, Woodwind, Percussion with Mrs Baxter  
• Guitar with Mr Thacker 
• Piano with Mr Dore 
• Vocal training (Years 5-12) with Ms Berwick
• Performing Arts with Mrs Garside (Prep – Year 4) 

If you would like to know more about our Instrumental Program, please email me at neill.thacker@twb.catholic.edu.au

Neill Thacker

Middle Leader The Arts and Culture 

Most of our Year 7 students have recently carried out the necessary training during Science classes so they could receive their Bunsen burner licences. Being able to safely light and use the Bunsen burner is an important skill for students as they look forward to a possible five more years in the Science Laboratory. Each student had to learn the parts of the Bunsen burner, the safety aspects of using a Bunsen burner such as where the firefighting equipment is and how to shut off the gas valve in case of an emergency and how to safely light and turn off the Bunsen burner. There were some nervous scientists however, by the end of the training, each student was competent with the skill and demonstrated safe practices.

STEMPunks is holding online 'camps' over the June/July break. Check out the details below.

Give your child the edge with 21st Century skills. Award winning classes led by our team of leading STEM Educators & Innovators. Fun and interactive online classes developed and delivered by teachers.

Now open for enrolment with Early-Bird Pricing.

20% discount for our College students using promo code 'OURLADY'

Limited spots, book now

Click here for all the details and check out the YouTube clip below for a sneak preview.

Tuckshop News

Please be reminded that orders for Flexischools must be in by the cut off time of 8:30am each morning.

Please see the attached flyer on assistance for NBN access for low income families and possible rebates on NBN connection for school aged children who use internet for remote learning during the COVID-19.