Leadership Forum Learnings

At the recent Leadership Forum in Warwick, Dr Pat Coughlan (Executive Director) shared with principals the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Strategic Plan 2022-2024.  This document focuses on:

• Our Values of Dignity, Potential and Life
• Our Vision – Enabling full and flourishing lives
• Our Mission – Inspired by the life and message of Jesus Christ, students learn and engage critically and creatively with their world and discover how to participate in its transformation.
• Our Priorities
• Engaged students learning
• Being distinctively Catholic
• Using resources wisely
• Valuing our people

With great alignment we continue to live our vocation of teaching in the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools.  Dr Pat's strategic direction in this new plan is excellent, and is closely connected to the research behind what works best in Catholic Education. 

One topic which also came to light in the Leadership Forum was the opportunities that the Diocese provides for those that wish to become Catholic.  For everyone’s awareness, it is never too late to become a Catholic and there is structured support in the Diocese to support parents, community members, staff and students in making the transition.  If you are interested in this leap of faith, please feel free to contact the office or the Parish of St Joseph’s.

Year 12 Internal Assessments

Year 12 students are in the midst of their second round of internal assessments at the moment, though I am most excited by the confirmed results we have started receiving from QCAA for the first internal assessments.  It is very evident that the students are taking their approach to their learning very seriously this year and we have many instances where students have perfect scores in difficult subjects such as Maths Methods and English.  While we were expecting to have Internal Assessment 1 confirmed results in today, some issues at QCAA means that these results will take a little longer for them to upload results into the QCAA Portal for all students in Queensland.

Position Vacant: P&F President

We are eager to source a parent to come onboard as our P&F president for the remainder of the year.  This year we are approaching things a little differently and will only have a few more meetings, while most of the engagement in the P&F will come from working parties such as those that organise Saints Race Day. If you would like to put your hand up and engage in this role, please give me a call.  It is important to note that without a President, the P&F cannot function as an association.

Voting Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning from 8:00am we will be hosting the AEC for voting purposes in the PAC.  What’s more – the P&F are cooking a sausage sizzle all day!  When you make your vote, please do so at OLSCC and take the chance to say g’day to the wonderful volunteers raising funds for the P&F.  The same P&F that has replaced all the fridges in P-6 classrooms, is buying coffee machines for the senior Years students to complete barista qualifications, supplied the speaker system throughout the College, supports Under 8’s Day every year, contributes significate funds to the procurement of the Middle Years Plaza, Classroom Technology Upgrade, College Coach and much much more.

College Expectations

At assembly this morning I clearly explained the importance of following the College Expectations for all students.  Our expectations are short, simple, realistic and very easy to achieve.  They are:

• Learn and allow others to learn
• Be Safe
• Be Responsible
• Be Respectful

I also explained that these are non-negotiable at OLSCC and are expected to be followed at all times.  A critical skill that all students must have in their repertoire to achieve these expectations is very simple: “follow instructions first time, every time.” This allows staff to put their best foot forward in delivering the learning for all students in every class.  Please be mindful of these expectations and use similar language in the home to provide clarity in the message between home and school.

Pete Cuskelly

Principal