The final term of the year seems to always be jammed packed which means that time flies. This year is no different. We have now reached the busiest weeks of the term and students are balancing assessment and end of year commitments.

Assessment
Over the next two weeks, all Senior Years students will complete their final assessment for the year. For our Year 11s, this means that they transition into the start of their Units 3 & 4 (official start of Year 12 curriculum). This transition requires students to keep persisting with their learning for the entire term to ensure that they maximise this head start to their final year of studies. For our Year 9 and 10 students, exams have commenced, and final assignments are being completed. Students are encouraged to organise their time well, to ensure that all deadlines are met, and submissions reflect each student’s best effort. I also extend an early thank you to our Senior Years teachers for their efforts with marking, moderating, and reporting over the coming weeks.

ATAR Study Skills Day

In Week 4, our Year 11 students who are working towards an ATAR score, participated in a study skills day at St. Mary’s College in Toowoomba. Over 140 students from across the Toowoomba Catholic Schools participated in the day, which focused on a wide range of skills. These study skills included writing practice questions, organising home study spaces, taking notes, and using visual diagrams for retrieval practice. It was an excellent day and we look forward to seeing our ATAR students implement a number of these skills into their practice.

Year 10 Camp (Mr Tyron Fraser)

"Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their bar." - Orrin Woodward. 

The focus of Senior Years Camps has very much centred around building better people and future leaders as part of each student’s development. This process requires students to be taken out of their comfort zone. Year 10 students were faced with the challenge of an expedition as they paddled and camped around Bribie Island. 

It was disappointing to have our trip cut short by severe weather; however, the time spent on camp yielded some very positive experiences. These experiences included learning how to navigate through island channels, to watching students band together to prepare meals and set up camp. The trip will also have lasting memories of miraculous fish jumping into kayaks and the barking symphony orchestra put on by a group of girls as it rained through the night. 

I would like to thank Miss Nicholson and Mr Milford for joining me and for giving up their time to take students on the expeditions and to the 38 brave souls who endeavoured to venture out of their comfort zones to make memories together. 

Movember – OLSCC Mo Bros

This year, we have set up a team for staff and community members who may like to join together to participate in Movember. The initiative's focus is to support innovative projects across prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

We are aiming to raise $2000, hopefully, more.

If you would like to donate to the Team page, please use the following link: https://au.movember.com/team/2399126?utm_medium=app&utm_source=ios&utm_campaign=share-team

Communication and Pastoral Concerns

Parents are encouraged to communicate with their child's subject teachers as an initial point of contact for any pastoral or academic matters throughout the year. For further matters, don't hesitate to get in touch with me through the College Office or by email matthew.hodge@twb.catholic.edu.au

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years