A New Era for Year 12

Today we saw the last formal day of education for the Senior students of 2020 at OLSCC.  While they still have many opportunities for learning around the exams for the next 3 weeks, their regular timetable has now concluded and they will start Monday with an English exam! This is a whole new way for our Seniors moving forward, and we are delighted with the positive mindset that our 2020 Seniors have adopted this period.  I look forward to seeing their success in the External Assessment period over the coming few weeks, and then coming together and celebrating their graduation in Week 7. All the best Year 12’s!

Visible Learning Open Day

On Wednesday we were fortunate to have 15 visitors from other catholic schools, as well as TCS staff, visit to gain insight into the Visible Learning Journey at OLSCC.  We shared the highlights, the challenges and our future trajectory in Visible Learning, as well as some considerable reflecting on the journey the College has undertaken in the last 3 years.  Our teachers were a shining example, as always, of what can be done when a faculty of teachers work together.  The evidence of visible learning high impact strategies were in every lesson by every teacher.  Most importantly, it’s the consistency of these strategies across classes, year levels, subjects and sectors that makes the learning visible to students.  This is where the magic happens in Visible Learning – its not about teachers teaching in the way most comfortable for them, its about teaching in ways that make the learning most visible, achievable and transparent as possible for the students. Thank you to all of staff who have jumped on the journey in faith and knowledge of visible learning over the past few years, and for many years to come.  The change over 3 years has been exemplary!

Digital Enhancement of the Curriculum

In 2021 we will be progressing our digital enhancement of the curriculum by moving to dedicated classroom laptops for students in Years 5 & 6,  along with charging stations in each classroom. We will also be updating and changing the structure of laptops trolleys for Years P-4 to make them more reliable, higher specification, and more readily available than they have been in the past.  In addition, we are investing in AB tutor which allows better monitoring of student devices at the College, though again must reinforce to parents that the laptop capabilities in your home are entirely up to the controls you have in place over your network.  If you are unsure of what these are, then it is likely that your child can access the majority of content on the internet.

Our work with STEMPunks and the Digital Technologies curriculum has enabled a wider perspective of how to use technology in the classroom, and the position of Middle Leader Digital Pedagogy will be an even greater asset in this element of the College. It is important to note that students in Years 5 and 6 will incur a $25 per term technology levy from the start of the 2021 school year, in exchange for a very high spec student specific laptop for their use at the College. 

Events Update

Peter Cuskelly

Principal 

October is dedicated to the Month of the Rosary in the Catholic Church because we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary on 7 October.  The rosary is an invitation to experience the grace of Mary as she leads us to her Son, Jesus.  The Holy Rosary is our prayer through Mary to Jesus.  It has a long history beginning long before AD1200 when St Dominic began fervently to promote it.  By the late 1400s, the now familiar format of praying the ‘decades’, consisting of the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and the Glory Be, had been established. 

Year 12’s 

We wish our Year 12 students well in their final weeks of schooling as they embark on their External Examinations from Monday.  We pray they may have confidence that all their preparation will hold them in good stead throughout this time. 

We look forward to gathering with them on Wednesday of Week 7 for their final College Assembly.  This will be a students only event which we hope to live stream for all families. 

End of Year events 

We are in initial stages of planning of end of year events.  With COVID guidelines we the format of many of these will change.  As more details become available we will update families. 

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal – a detailed letter will be emailed home about this next week 

Awards Ceremony – Wednesday 18 November – students only 

Graduation Mass – Friday 20 November – Yr 12 students and their families only 

Christmas Carols – Friday 27 November 6:00pm-8:00pm College families 

Parent Portal – change of use 

Our use of current Parent Portal will end at the end of 2020 as we move to our new system Sentral.  In preparation for this change, you may like to download your digital copies of student report cards before your access is removed.  Report cards from before 2020 will not be uploaded to the ‘new’ parent portal.  2020 Report Cards will be uploaded and be available in 2021 but will not be uploaded this year.   

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

External Examinations

Next week will see our Year 12 students reach the final stage in the completion of their general subjects as part of their Queensland Certificate of Education. The external examinations are a new addition to this system and our teachers have worked hard at ensuring that our students are as familiar as possible with what they are facing.

The College’s approach to the external examination block is founded in a continuation of support for our students. Throughout the seventeen days, classes will continue to be offered, along with additional opportunities such as extended tutorials, online sessions, and supported study time. Our Year 12s have had the opportunity to negotiate their attendance in accordance to their needs across the block. Some of our students have only one exam, while others have up to 9!

We are confident that our students will do well across with their external examinations. I am sure that you join me in keeping these students in your thoughts and prayers.

Year 11 Examination Blocks

Starting in Week 4, our Year 11 students will sit their final examinations as part of their Unit 2 studies. This cohort will then transition onto their Unit 3 and 4 studies in preparation for their first assessment period in early 2021. We also wish these students all the very best for these exams.

The examination timetable for students in Years 9-11 can be found on the College website at the following link: https://www.dalby.catholic.edu.au/assessment

If you have any questions regarding your child’s assessment, both written and examinations, please contact their teacher.

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

This year the Middle Years ran two separate Book Week Competitions, and it was fantastic to see students embracing both with such gusto. The first competition was the traditional search for the best dressed student, with the only real criteria being their character needing to have featured on published pages. The second competition was a new offering for the more creative students in the sector - the Book Face competition.

Congratulations to all students who entered the competitions. It was great to see such high participation rates. Below are some photos of our Book Week characters and then the entrants for the Book Face Competition. Winners of both competitions will be announced at the Sector Assembly on Monday, 26 October.

Well done to the following people (in no particular order): Joshua Barwick, Harry Burton, Kai Rush, Molly Gibson, William Barwick, Hayden Koehler, Archie Martin, Mrs Twidale, Mrs Brennan for entering the competition. Can you guess who is who? Who do you think Disgusting McGrossface is?

Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal Middle Years

Entrepreneur Craig Dempsey is quoted as saying:

“Some people will lead and others will follow, but like in life, optimism and leadership are not something that you are born with or receive, it is, in fact, something you create, foster and grow from within”

This week on Early Years Assembly we explored one of our targeted College learning dispositions – Optimism, a disposition that can, in fact, be LEARNED, increased and developed at any age. 

An optimistic person is one who is hopeful, looks on the bright side, a glass half full type of person. They see the “good” in people, situations and the world around them.

There is much we can do, as parents and teachers, to encourage and develop optimism in our kids and ourselves. Exercises and practices which increase and maintain optimism include expressing gratitude, using more positive language, the physical act of smiling, and focusing on sharing happiness.  Accepting uncertainty is a useful way of diminishing anxiety and becoming more optimistic.

I have written before of a terrific book that is available in our College library (parents are welcome to borrow it) called “The Optimistic Child” by Martin Seligman. I highly recommend this book to parents as a great ‘self-help’ guide for families. In another of his books, Seligman writes:

― Martin E.P. Seligman, Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life

Congratulations to the recipients of our Early Years Excellence Awards presented on assembly on Monday, and to Year 3HB who led the assembly for us. All the students who received these awards this week were striving to be the best learners they could be by embedding the College learning dispositions in their daily life and learning. 

Romans 15:13  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

If you haven't already completed the survey, please click here for the link to the Feedback form for Parent Student Teacher

Katrina Walton

Assistant Principal Early Years

Check out all the colour and fun from the 2020 Book Week parade. It wasn't quite the same without all the parents attending but the students had a wonderful day dressed up as their favourite book character. Mrs Jenkinson put in a huge effort to highlight the meaning of Book Week and had some great books to read from the projector screens with some cool music to add to the atmosphere.

Even our amazing teacher aides got together to plan their Book Week characters, straight from the book "The Day the Crayons Quit".

Aquathlon

Best of luck to all students competing in the Darling Downs Aquathlon Trials at the Dalby Aquatic Centre this week. The Aquathlon involves a 1km run, 200m swim, followed by another 1km run.

Triathlon

Any Boys or Girls wishing to be a part of the Darling Downs Triathlon Team for 2021 please see Mr Lincoln for more information. This can involve any student turning 13 or older in 2021. Students must compete at the Oakey Triathlon on Sunday 8 November to be eligible for selection.

Primary Touch Football

Congratulations to all students selected to represent the College at the SWQ Primary All Schools Carnival in Dalby next Sunday. Due to Covid 19 restrictions this event will be spectator free. A draw for the carnival has been passed onto students. Thanks to Mrs Tresillian and Miss McDuff for giving our students this opportunity.

QISSN Netball / QISSRL Rugby League 2021

The 2021 QISSRL and QISSN Carnivals will be held in Brisbane in the first week of the June/ July holidays. The Rugby League Carnival is open to any boys turning 16 or older in 2021. The Netball Carnival in open to any girls in Years 9-12 in 2021. The Netball Squad will begin training next Wednesday morning (October 28) for five weeks at the PCYC from 7.00am – 8.00am. There will be a parent and student information meeting for both teams at 5.30pm on Monday 26 October in the MPC. Students have been emailed information about this meeting.

Secondary Touch Football

Results from the Qld All Schools Touch Football Carnival held last weekend are listed below. Thanks to Sandy Gleeson, Kaysey Wilkins, Steve Gillespie and Lorelle Sankey for their assistance in coaching our teams. Across twenty games the College had 10 Wins, 1 Draw and 9 Losses.

The Under 15 Boys team had a great carnival finishing second in their pool and qualifying for the Finals 16 on Saturday for the first time since 2014. Three boys only came into the team during the holidays which makes the results even more remarkable. This was a very even pool with most games closely contested. It was fantastic the boys managed to win most of these tight games.

Win vs Sienna College                                       7-0

Draw with Wavell SHS                                       6-6

Loss to St Laurence’s                                         3-4

Win vs Clairvaux MacKillop                                 4-2

Win vs Centenary Heights SHS                           6-5

Win vs Southport SHS                                        6-5

Final Round 16 Game

Loss to Shalom Bundaberg                                 1-6

The Under 15 Girls had a sound carnival finishing sixth in their pool recording two wins. A major improvement from past years is that the girls except for the All Hallows game were competitive in each match.

Win vs Trinity Beenleigh                                     3-2

Loss to Gladstone SHS                                      1-2

Loss to Ormeau Woods SHS                              0-3

Loss to Marsden SHS (Quarter Finalists)            0-4

Loss to All Hallows                                             0-8

Loss to Varsity Lakes SHS                                 2-5

Win vs Mansfield SHS 2                                     2-1

The Under 18 Mixed Team had a solid carnival finishing third in their pool and highest ranked third team overall but with only Quarter Finals (not a Round of 16 Finals) this year, this wasn’t enough to make finals on Sunday.  Thanks to Year 12 students who have now finished their All Schools carnivals for the College.

Win vs Harristown SHS                                      6-1

Win vs Kenmore SHS                                        8-0

Loss to Helensvale SHS (Semi Finalists)            0-9

Win vs Matthews Flinders                                   5-0

Loss to St Michael’s Carrara                               7-8

Win vs Ferny Grove SHS                                    6-1

2021 QLD All Schools Touch Football Carnival

The Under 15 Girls Teams will compete from Wednesday October 6 until Saturday October 9 (Finals). The Under 18 Mixed will compete from Friday October 8 until Sunday October 10 (Finals). Trials will be held in February next year to select teams. It is unlikely we will have an Under 15 Boys Team in 2021.

Rugby Sevens

SWQ Rugby Sevens Results

Under 15 Boys (currently 3^rd on the ladder)

Round 1

Draw with St Mary’s College 17-17

Win vs TAS 29-0

Round 2

Loss to St Mary’s 17-31

Win vs Faith Lutheran 24-0

Under 18 Boys (currently 4^th on the ladder)

Round 1

Loss to TAS 10-27

Win vs St Joseph’s 46-0

Round 2

Win vs Concordia 33-0

Loss to St Mary’s 10-29

Under 15 Girls Division 1 (currently 4^th on the ladder)

Round 1

Draw with Scots Warwick 7-7

Loss to Glennie 10-36

Round 2

Loss to Downlands 10-31

Loss to Fairholme 12-36

Week 4

Tuesday 27 October

Thursday 29 October

Week 5

Tuesday 3 November  

 Thursday 5 November  

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Congratulations to Jack Henningsen on his sign up at Downs Sheet Metal on 28 September, Jack has commenced a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding).

Jack is pictured here with with Mick Pearson of Downs Sheet Metal.

The College would also like to say a huge thank you to all the local employers who accpeted our Year 10 students for Work Experience at the end of Term 3. We had students taking on a range of positions, all of which were beneficial not just as a taste of a working week but also as a great confidence builder and an opportunity to take a snapshop of a week in a certain industry. Lykhan King Togia went to the Dalby Coutrhouse while Zac Connors worked at the College with Mr Thacker and Mrs Walton and the Early Years students.

Libby Baxter

Careers Development Practitioner

During Term 3, Year 5 students studied the establishment of penal settlements in Australia and in particular, those in the Moreton Bay area. On Friday, 9 October, 49 Year 5 students woke early and travelled by College coach to Manly in Brisbane where they then travelled by ferry to St Helena Island. Here they experienced the life and times of prisoners, government officials and free settlers on this small island originally inhabited by aborigines and then used as a quarantine station for arrivals from England. Students were regaled with several sometimes sad, but often funny stories of what happened back in the mid-1800s on St Helena. Students and staff covered 9km of the island on foot and finally returned to the mainland where they travelled back to Dalby, tired yet very informed and still quite excited. Some students have shared with you their highlights of the day. 

“I really liked how they had strict rules such as; you were not allowed to run on St Helena Island or you would be shot. There was a sugar mill and a lime kiln. Lots of prisoners tried to escape. We saw all the prisoner graves and they had kit numbers. It was amazing.” Madeleine Hemmings 

“It was really funny how Prisoner 78 was (pretending to) cut cane and he chopped his finger off. It was great fun going to St Helena Island for the day. You have to go.” Joshua Barwick 

“I enjoyed the ride to St Helena Island on the ferry and enjoyed viewing the punishments, the old buildings and when Chelsea got married and had 14 kids (as part of the show).” Abby Garvey 

“I liked that they told us more about the olden days, like how women lied about their age and about how Prisoner 1545 committed suicide.” Jacinda Smith 

“I liked watching the guard and Prisoner 78 acting. I also liked learning about how the prison worked.” Harry Burton 

Early Years students took up the challenge to follow their curiosity and explore the world of camouflage.  Students have observed, researched, designed and constructed some very clever displays showcasing their knowledge of their chosen animal and it’s habitat and adaptations that help it to survive by blending into its environment. These amazing projects have been the centre of attention on display in our College library this term. We hope you enjoy these photos of projects along with a special video presentation from Ben Barwick about his project!

Kristen Joyce

Year 2 Teacher

This afternoon, the group of artists created a tissue paper mosaic resulting in an abstract background. They added a tonal drawing of an animal through the use of smudged oil pastel in a range of light and dark colours. The end results are certainly bright and beautiful!

Well done to all artists! Having fun and learning lots!

Bronwyn McArthur

Visual Art Teacher

Medication Collection

Any medications that are kept at the College Office for your child's use at school must be collected and signed for by a parent after 3.00pm on Friday, 4 December.

2021 Medications

Any students who require medication to be administered whilst at school will need to bring their child's medication, administration for medication forms and 2021 Medical Action Plans (e.g. Asthma, Anaphylaxis, and Diabetes) in to the College Office by Monday, 18 January 2021.

If you have any queries regarding this, please contact Tracey Boland at the Office on 4672 4111.