Last Wednesday, our College community joined together to celebrate the success of students throughout the year as well as celebrating the final assembly for our Year 12 cohort. Special guests, staff, students and families filled the MPC while others were able to be part of the proceedings via our Facebook livestream. 

The Middle Years and Early Years choirs, led by Music teacher Miss Harriet Nicholson, joined together to perform for the Year 12 students as they entered the MPC hand in hand with a student from the Prep classes. They sang 'A Million Dreams' from the movie soundtrack The Greatest Showman, in honour of the achievements of all students and the many possibilities ahead.

Mr Hodge addressed the Year 12 students wishing them every success as they graduate and begin the next chapter of their journey. Mr Cuskelly then gave an insight into the amazing achievements of all students from the four core areas of our College; Academia, Spirituality, Sport and Culture. There has been some significant improvements in many areas of learning and students in sporting teams, Optiminds, STEMPunks teams and at Eisteddfods and in the public arena have achieved at the highest levels.  

The PDF below includes all the award winners for 2022. Congratulations to those students on their achievements.

Awards Ceremony Website 2021

Awards Ceremony Website 2021 163.33 KB

At the conclusion of the awards presentations, the College Leaders for 2022 were announced including College Captains, Prefects, House Captains and Student Representative Council. We congratulate these students and wish them well as they look towards next year and leading our students to further success in all areas of College life.

College Captains and Prefects

Captains - Jaiken Crothers and Claudia Child

Prefects - Clare Griffiths, Charlotte Wood, Hayden Doherty and Charlotte Kelly

House Captains

MacKillop Jnr House Captains	Miles Gilliland and Gemma Sullivan
MacKillop Snr House Captain	Hannah Pattison
McAuley Jnr House Captains	Matthew Brennan and Indianna Wilson
McAuley Snr House Captains	Toby Harms and Dakota Wilson
Nolan Junior House Captains	Charlotte Colquhoun and Ethan Koehler
Nolan Senior House Captains	Brayden Falvey and Violet Wilkie-Boulus
Rice Junior House Captains	Innes Dellit and Louie Machin
Rice Senior House Captains	Yolande Gordon and Zahra Manteit

Student Representative Council

Year 5	Milla Barnett and Bobbie Machin
Year 6	Lucinda Conn and Matilda Ryan
Year 7	Madeleine Hemmings and Sophie Jeude
Year 8	Penelope Cartwright and Stella Cleary
Year 9	Tiffinay Ham and Kago Mosako

Friday 26 November - Early Years Swimming Carnival

Friday 26 November - Christmas Carols @ OLSCC

Awards Ceremony 

On Wednesday, we celebrated a wide array of student success at the 2021 Excellence Awards Ceremony.  I would like to offer a heart-felt thanks to everyone who attended and all of those who assisted in the running of such a wonderful celebration. Mrs Brennan co-ordinated an amazing ceremony where we could collectively celebrate an entire year of hard work and dedication that has led the award recipients to this pivotal moment.  

Congratulations to each and every recipient of excellence, honour, distinction, icon and special significant awards.  Everyone has honestly earnt their award and I encourage them to reflect and cherish the moment as a great success.  This is certainly the highlight of our year and the pride I felt of our community simply cannot be expressed in words.

And… if you want to watch Mr Hodge’s speech all over again – you can! Simply locate the excellence awards on our college Facebook page, cast to your large screen, sit back, relax and enjoy! (please also see the photo gallery in this newsletter to get a glimpse into the amazing achievements of our students throughout 2021.)

Year 12 Graduates

Today we graduate and farewell our cohort of 2021.  This group has astounded me with their leadership and dedication as they have progressed through the past few years, and I look forward to their continued success.  This morning’s Graduation Mass was a humble, scared morning where students and families took time to reflect on the journey in faith and knowledge that they have endured.  Tonight, the class of 2021 will conclude their time at OLSCC at the Valedictory Dinner.  We wish them all the best as they venture into a world unknown, toward their inspired future.

2022 Student Leaders

Over the past term, students have engaged in the student leadership process in order to determine our student leadership group for 2022. At Wednesday's Excellence Awards Ceremony, we announced and congratulated our 2022 student leaders. Our 2022 Student Leaders have been listed in the article at the top of this Newsletter along with photos from Wednesday.

Congratulations to all our student leaders for 2022.  The standard of leadership skills continue to increase every year and you should all be very proud of yourself.

Weeks 8 & 9 2021 + Family Calendar 2022

The last 2 weeks will be a wonderful time of transition for our students as we both finish 2021, and ensure we are best prepared for 2022.  Please be sure to read through all events listed in this newsletter, and keep on top of communication from the college via email.  By doing so, you will receive any updates to events and timings, as well as some friendly reminder of what is coming up.  Please also refer to the 2022 Family Calendar so you are aware of all key dates, also attached to this newsletter.

Extra-Curricular Participation in 2022

Our College relies on timely fee payment to ensure that we can continue to provide the level of curriculum expertise and extra-curricular opportunities that our student deserve.  In order for students to make the most of this opportunity, I also expect that students attend the College consistently.  Accordingly, in 2022, there will be some significant changes across all areas of the College regarding payment of college fees, student attendance, and the ability of students to participate in additional activities that are provided by the College in order to provide an outstanding education to our students. 

College fees: From the start of 2022, all payments made by parents will be credited to the oldest outstanding invoice.  This means that if a family is behind on fees, any payments that are made to the College will be credited to the oldest outstanding debt.  If a family is behind on fees, they will be unable to pay for camps, extra-curricular activities or additional items until their pre-existing debts are paid for first. Parent who have accounts that are over 90 days in arrears will also be contacted in coming weeks in order to create a plan to have their debts finalised over the next 6 months.  I am sure everyone agrees that this is only fair to the vast majority of our community who pays their fees, so that I can deliver all of the amazing opportunities that we offer at OLSCC.  Of course, and as always, if you are experiencing difficult times, and wish to be considered for a concession on your fees, please contact the Business Manager via the College Office to discuss your situation so we may support your family. 

Student Attendance: Students must maintain attendance of over 93% in order for their learning to continue without disruption.  From the start of 2022, only students with attendance over   85% (for at least 1 term prior) will be permitted to represent the College in extra-curricular pursuits.  This includes Instrumental Music programs, cultural performances, sport and any other additional commitments.  It’s important to note that these activities are "Extra- Curricular" and accordingly the curriculum comes first.

Behaviour Standards: Students that intend to represent the College must be worthy of representing the values and ethos of the College.  Students with significant non-compliance, refusal to follow instructions, refusal to wear the correct College uniform or refusal to follow the College expectations (Learn and allow others to learn, be safe, be responsible, be respectful), will not be a worthy representative of the College and will not be nominated to do so in any format.  

While I understand that some parent, carers and students may find these restrictions difficult, we are a school first, so schooling comes first.  We expect everyone to make a fair contribution, show up on a daily basis, and behave in an appropriate manner.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

What an amazing year it has been. It was so great to celebrate this on Wednesday at our Awards of Excellence ceremony.  We were joined by official guests, parents and extended families to celebrate student achievement this year and to farewell our graduating class. We honoured all that encompasses College life at the Our Lady of the Southern Cross.  We acknowledged the excellence of our students across all four domains - Academia, Spirituality, Sport and Culture.  Our Year 12’s sang the College song for the last time and had the privilege of ringing out their schooling on the Journey Bell.  A new edition to our farewell this year was the Whole College Guard of Honour.  We led the Year 12’s out on a path to their next adventure, out to the community, to be the great people we have taught them to be.  If you missed the ceremony it can be viewed on our College’s Facebook page under videos.   

Today we celebrated the Year 12 Graduation Mass at St Joseph’s Church.  The link between our parish and our College is strong and today we joined together to hold these Year 12 students in our hearts and prayers.  

Thank you to all who supported these occasions, through your work behind the scenes, prepping students, assisting with set up and pack down and practicing with the choir, the team of OLSCC really shone this week.  I am grateful for the amazing community that surrounds me. 

CHRISTMAS CAROLS 

On Friday night 26 November we will celebrate our annual Christmas Carols from 6:00pm-8:00pm on the main oval.  Class teachers will communicate ‘dress’ requirements for students singing on the night.  A BBQ will be available via our pre-order flexischools system (same system as tuckshop) – look for the event named Christmas Carols.  Please order for your extended family who won’t have access to this site as no extras will be available on the night.  Bring a blanket or a chair and celebrate this season with us.  Battery powered candles will be for sale $2.00 each (cash only).  Enjoy an evening of Christmas carols, friendship and good fun. 

END OF YEAR EVENT ATTENDANCE 

Christmas Carols – Friday 26 November, 6:00-8:00pm on the OLSCC Main Oval.  This event is open to all students and their extended families and friends.  There is no capacity limits at this event and those in attendance just need to register on arrival using our Qld Government QR Code.   

Early Years Christmas Play – Thursday 2 December at 12:30pm in the MPC.  This will be a ticketed event to increase our audience capacity in the MPC.  We will use trybooking to ticket this event.  Tickets will be free.  A link will be emailed home to Early Year families next week to book tickets.   

MINI VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL 

Last call for Mini Vinnies donations.  Please ensure you have dropped in your donations by Wednesday 24 November, your support of this initiative is appreciated.  

LEAVING AT THE END OF 2021  

If your child is finishing schooling with us at the end of 2021, please be aware that your access to Parent Portal will also conclude at the end of Term 4 2021.  It is important that you download any report cards or documents saved on the portal that you may need for future reference. 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

Exam time is a stressful time for many. But still, you should not worry. There are two reasons why you should not worry; the Bible says, “Cast your burdens on him” and secondly, “you don’t achieve anything by worrying”. As exams and assessments draw to a close, we must remember that God has a plan for us. This time gives us a chance to look back and reflect on our relationship with God and how we have used our faith to allow us to reach our full potential. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 

Lord God, 
Thank you for this opportunity to learn new skills and stretch my understanding. 
Thank you for guiding me through this time of study into the final exams. 
I lay before you all the hopes and fears I have about the outcome. 
May you place a peace within me now as I rest and await the results. 
Thank you that I am safely held in your love. 
Thank you that whatever happens in the future.  

I will live in your goodness and walk with you always. 

Amen 

It seems hard to believe that by the time the newsletter is published our Class of 2021 would have graduated. Graduation week is one of the best weeks of the year as we get to celebrate the excellence and achievements of our community. I wish our Year 12s all the best as they move on to what awaits them in their next chapters.

Assessment
Congratulations to all Senior Years students for their persistence to complete their final assessments for the year. There has been some positive academic growth for our students across the year and will be reflected in the report cards that will be sent home in Week 9. It is through targeting our College learning dispositions, especially resilience and independence, where students gain the necessary traction to support their learning. Looking ahead, students should use their success and progress from this year to set more aspirational learning goals when they return in 2022.

Week 8
Please note the following for Week 8.

Year 9 – Normal timetable on Monday -Thursday. Careers Intensive Day on Friday.

Year 10 – Students will attend their 2022 classes on an alternate timetable on Monday-Thursday. Activities Day on Friday.

Year 11 – Normal timetable on Monday -Thursday. Activities Day on Friday.

I ask that parents and students continue to check their emails for further communication regarding the happenings in the Senior Years across the final two weeks of the term.

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. With only 11 days to go, it is not too late to support our team of Mo Bros.

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

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

Thankyou to all our Early Years students who participated so respectfully in the Annual Awards Assembly last week. I was extremely proud of ALL students, and I thank parents for assisting by sending your child to school well groomed and well prepared for this occasion.

We still have several exciting events between now and the end of the school year, including excursions for some class groups. We are particularly excited about the 8 and Under swimming carnival next Friday, which will see our Preps participate for the first time this year, followed by Carols on Friday evening.

The last week of school will see us finally be able to present The Early Years Christmas musical to an audience! The details include:

Name: “The Inn-Spectors” by Nikki Lewis

Performance Date: Thursday 2 December (Second last day of school)

Time: 12.30pm

Venue: OLSCC Multi-purpose Centre

Students may wear their clothes for the play to school on Thursday in lieu of their uniform, as far as this is practical. If your child’s costume requirements are not practical to be in for a half day prior to the performance, (eg cotton wool shirts or donkey costumes!) you may send them along to school in a named zip lock bag and we can facilitate them changing into these at school.

Information on how to book tickets will be emailed to all Early Years Families early next week. This will be facilitated via the Trybooking site to ensure maximum capacity.

We are very excited that the Orange and Pink blocks (classrooms for Years 1-4) will be getting new carpet over the holiday break. To facilitate this, we will be having some major movement of furniture on the last day of school as we clear our rooms out and store our desks and chairs away to allow free access to the carpet layers. Students will be assisting in this process. We look forward to a fresh start with our brand-new carpet in these rooms in 2022!

Katrina Walton

Assistant Principal Early Years

SW Rugby Sevens Competition Results 

13 Boys  

Loss to Mary MacKillop  

Loss to Toowoomba Grammar Green   

13 Girls  

Win vs Mary MacKillop  

Win vs Wilsonton SHS  

15 Girls Semi Final  

Win vs Harristown SHS 17-12 

Grand Final  

Win vs Mary MacKillop 19-5 

Early Years Swimming Carnival  

The Early Years Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 26 November at the Dalby Aquatic Centre. This is the first time five-year-old students have attended the carnival. Students will travel on the College Coach leaving at 8.50am. Students will be back at school around 12.00pm. Swim shirts are optional for all races. Students may wear their house colours on the day. Programs will be available from the College Office on Thursday. More information will be sent home to parents early next week. 

Return of Sporting Uniforms 

As the end of the year is fast approaching, I am making an urgent request for the return of any sporting uniforms that may be still outstanding. Please return them ASAP. Replacement bills will be issued to students with uniforms not returned by Friday 26 November. This includes Under 15 Girls Touch Football Singlets, Under 15 Boys Touch Football Shirts and Boys and Girls Rugby Sevens Jerseys. 

Volleyball  

Congratulations to the Year 8 Girls Volleyball Team who competed at the Darling Downs Schools Cup Competition yesterday in Toowoomba. The team competed in the Year 10 /11 Girl’s competition to ensure they receive a higher standard of match practice before the Australian Schools Volleyball Cup in the first week of the holidays. Game results are listed below. 

Loss to Harristown SHS Year 10 Team  35-27 

Win vs St Joseph’s College  35-15 

This placed the Girls 2nd in Pool B  

Crossover Game  

2nd in Pool B vs 3rd in Pool A 

Win vs Highfields SSC  35-17 

Semi Final  

Win vs Harristown SHS Year 11 Team  35-31 

Grand Final  

Win vs Fairholme College  35-18 

Chloe Manteit was named Player of the Tournament 

Touch Football 

Congratulations to all students who competed at the QLD All Schools Carnival at Cleveland. Thanks to Miss McDuff, Mrs Bennie, Miss Price and Year 11 student Claudia Child for their efforts in preparing our teams for this competition.  

Boys Results  

Win vs Our Lady of the Rosary  7-1 

Win vs St Edwards B  11-0 

Loss to Eagleby SS  6-0 

This placed the Team into the Cup Division for Sunday  

Round 16 Game  

Loss to Dalby South SS  5-2 

Girls Results  

Loss to St Andrews Lutheran  10-0 

Loss to Coomera Rivers SS  5-2 

Loss to Mt Warren Park SS 4-0  

This placed the Girls in the Bowl Division  

Quarter Final Game  

Loss to Narangba SS 3-2 (in a drop off) 

Sports Dates February 2022 

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Catholic Social Teachings at work

Did you know that millions of people in our world lack their basic human needs? Over the last term the grade 8 cohort have been learning about world poverty. They have covered topics such as what poverty is, who is affected by it, and what people all around the world, including us can do to help the people impacted by poverty.  

We found out that “the poor,” are mentioned more than 2100 times in the Bible. As students at a Catholic School, we often have the opportunity to participate in the Mass and Prayer Gatherings. These times are important opportunities for us to learn and understand how we can live out Christ’s values every day. Through our Prayer Gathering we hope to communicate our understanding of how a young person living in Dalby can have empathy for those less fortunate in our global community. We hope to make others aware of the injustice of poverty in a world which is so rich in resources.

YES Arusha, an organisation that falls very close to home in the OLSCC community and is one of the many organisations that helps people affected by poverty. YES, Arusha helps the children in Arusha, Tanzania, get a quality education that they would often go without. OLSCC has been involved in the organisation for a number of years, sponsoring kids, raising money and awareness and allowing them to go to school. Baraka and Kelvin are two boys who have attended Haradali school thanks to the kindness and generosity of the students of OLSCC. They are almost at the end of their schooling career with bright futures ahead.

We are hoping to continue the legacy of year 8 classes over recent years. In the next week we will hold a class auction, where we bring in an item that we no longer have a use for. This item represents the wonderful life we have in a country like Australia. This activity will be great fun and raise funds for Kelvin and Baraka. We will also collect an offering at our Prayer Gathering on the 30^th of November. It is fantastic that our efforts can impact so significantly on young people living on the other side of the world.

Bridie Rush

Year 8

OUR COMMUNITY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Teaching and Learning in Year 8 English and Religious Education has focussed on the global problem of poverty. The Term 4 unit has introduced students to the extent of suffering in our world and the ongoing fight for the development of human dignity for all people.  It’s about opening their minds and hearts to the reality of poverty which affects 2 billion people across the globe.

The following extract is from the YES Arusha website and captures the essence of the organisation:

“YES Arusha Limited is a small not-for-profit organisation based in Brisbane, Australia. We support young people in Tanzania with access to education. In particular, we work in the Arusha region of northern Tanzania. We are partnered with Haradali Primary and Secondary Schools; a well-established educational institution, which is founded and operated by local Tanzanians.”

Lachlan Miller founder of YES Arusha as recently gained a position with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – DFAT. It has been a long educational journey for Lachie juggling work, studies and his commitment to YES Arusha

How is Our Lady of the Southern Cross involved?

Over 10 years ago a cohort of Year 8 students decided to sponsor 2 brothers so they could access education through the organisation. When Lachlan first met Kelvin and Baraka they were walking 3 hours through the Tanzanian bush to receive a handful of rice, with a hope of an education and then walking home. The moneys coming into the “orphanage” appeared to be being spent in other places and not on the children. It was at this time Lachlan started YES Arusha and visited our Year 8’s

I encourage you to watch the attached video of Kelvin and Baraka discussing the gift of education they have been given by the OLSCC community.

We will continue our connection with YES Arusha and the boys as the current Year 8’s complete their RE and English units.

Steve Gillespie

Chairman of Directors YES Arusha

Day 1: 

Excitedly, we left OLSCC at 7:30am on Wednesday to head to Brisbane for our first ever school camp. After 3 hours, we arrived at the botanical gardens for morning tea and a play. We walked through the streets of Brisbane to get to St Stephen’s Cathedral for Mass. While we were there, we looked at the chapel, the organ, the baptismal font. 

Once we finished at St Stephen’s Cathedral, we boarded the bus and headed to our accommodation at QCCC Brookfield and got assigned to our cabins. We were very busy making our beds and had the opportunity to participate in a range of activities. 

Lasagne, salad and garlic bread really hit the spot after a long day. We also had a sneaky treat of jelly and ice-cream. It was delicious!! 

To end off the day, we headed to the common room for a prayerful reflection time which centred around the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. At 9pm, it was lights out for a well-deserved sleep (well some of us did!!) 

Day 2: 

The next day, we got up and got dressed at about 7:00 am, and headed up for breakfast, which was amazing. Bacon and eggs, cereal, fruit salad; it was a feast, and the room was lit up by all the cups of green cordial! Soon after, we headed for the city and went to the botanical gardens and both classes (5A and 5B) saw 3 snakes all together! Mykel almost touched one before he realised that it was there! After walking for what seemed like forever, we stopped for lunch. Ham and salad rolls with a popper, and piece of fruit was on the menu, yum, yum, and more yum. After strolling and exploring the gardens, we headed to the planetarium. We answered the quiz in our camp booklet using the exhibitions as evidence. The astronomer showed us the solar system and how the different planets work and much more information. The college coach (special thanks to our bus driver Kerry!) took us to the Mt Cootha lookout, and we met a lady who used to go to St Columbus! We headed back to the cabins, enjoyed a nice afternoon tea and participated in a lot of Just Dance and trivia. Dinner and dessert were amazing (chicken schnitzel, chips and salad for dinner, and hot self-saucing chocolate pudding)! Afterwards, we got ready for bed, packed our stuff up for the next day, and whispered well after our bedtime with our cabin mates! It was an awesome day and the whole grade had a blast. 

Day 3: 

Today, was our last day! We got up and had to clean our rooms and then we had breakfast (pancakes, fruit salad, cereal). The bus was packed and we left for the Manly ferries where we boarded the ferry to St Helena Island. It was an extra special day as it was also Lainey’s Birthday. The crew on the ferry were in character as convicts. When we got there, we were given a tour, and at the end there was a show where Lainey got to play a part in an act by our tour guides. They were good actors! After a long day of walking and exploring we went back to the bus and travelled back home. We all had massive bags under our eyes (especially the teachers)! On the way home we watched a movie and some of us fell asleep, as we were very exhausted. We all had an amazing time, and the whole of Year 5 says a very big thank you to the teachers Mr Cross, Mrs Twidale, Mrs Hemmings and Mrs Priebbenow for our excursion and for taking care of us. 

Written by Year 5 students, Lucinda Conn, Tom Clarke and Melody Jackson

Thanks from Catholic Mission to our Year 3’s and those who participated in Socktober 

Dear Friend in Mission, 

On behalf of Catholic Mission and our sisters & brothers in need, we want to say thank you for the way that you and those in your school community have responded, during Socktober, with such enthusiasm. 

Your school has answered the call to 'mission' with compassion, vigour and faithfulness. 

The way that you have embraced Socktober, by bearing witness to stories of people you are supporting through your participation this year has been nothing short of inspiring.  

We add our own thanks for your generous spirit and unwavering support and wish all in your community every blessing for the rest of the term. 

My colleagues and I look forward to walking the Socktober journey again with you in 2022. 

Some final words from Pope Francis…… 

 Blessings to you all, 

Sue Williams 

The College Uniform Shop will be operating for extra opening times in the next couple of weeks. On top of the usual openings on Tuesday and Thursday, the Uniform Shop will be open for the following:-

Monday 29 November 2.30pm – 5.30pm

Wednesday 1 December 2.30pm – 5.30pm

Please see below for important information regarding the Library.

The P&F will be running the barbecue, and to comply with a COVID safe plan, all orders are to be made & paid for online via the Flexi schools app. The following items will be available for order:

Steak Burger (includes steak, onion, coleslaw on a bread roll) $7.00
Steakette Burger (includes steakette, onion, coleslaw on a bread roll) $5.50
Beef Sausage on Bread (with or without onion) $2.00
Pork Sausage on Bread (with or without onion) $2.00
GF Steak Burger (includes steak, onion, coleslaw on a GF bread roll) $8.00
GF Pork Sausage on GF Bread (with or without onion) $2.50

Orders are to be placed by 8.30am Thursday 26 November. No further orders will be taken on the night. Here's how to place an order...

The barbecue will run from approximately 6pm to 8pm & orders can be collected at anytime.

Drinks will be for sale on the night including Soft drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Fanta, Lemonade & Lemon Squash) $2, Water $2, Poppers $1. EFTPOS machine will be operating and is the preferred method of payment for drinks.

The P&F are also looking for volunteers to help with the barbecue. They need volunteers for set up from 4.30 to 6pm, drink sales, cooking the bbq, order collection, food preparation and sauce dispensing. (yes, we need someone solely responsible for squirting sauce on everyone’s food.)

If anyone who is able to lend a hand, whether it’s for half an hour or 3 hours we’ll be ecstatic to have them. Could they either send an email the to the P&F: DalbyPandF@twb.catholic.edu.au or contact the College Office please.