Monday 12 - Friday 16 June - Year 10 Work experience

Wednesday 21 - Athletics Carnival Prep - U11

Wednesday 21 - Enrolments Round 1 Close

Thurday 22 & Friday 23 - Athletics Carnival U12 - U18

Saturday 24 to Friday 30 - Confraternity QISSN & QISSRL

Monday 10 July - Pupil Free Day (Professional Development for Staff Day)

Monday 10 to Friday 14 July - NAIDOC Week

Friday 21 July - Dalby Careers Expo - Years 10 to 12 Students

The Term 2 calendar of events is now available via the link below. You can print this out and have it at home so you know everything that is happening at our College.

…keep fervent in your love for one another…

                …Be hospitable to one another without complaint.                                
(1 Peter 4: 8-9)

As I write this newsletter, I have joined with diocesan Principals and senior leaders in Charleville at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Term 2 Leadership Forum. I am very much looking forward to catching up with the Year 6 students this evening on their outback adventure.

My time at OLSCC is quickly drawing to a close, and I am saddened by the thought that I will be moving on from a community that has warmly accepted me and made me feel welcome across my 6-week tenure.

As a part of my work here, I have begun the strategic planning process moving into 2024, collating data from staff and sitting with groups of students, hearing their voices around where they see the future of OLSCC. This has proven most insightful. Some common threads that weave through all those I have encountered, is that Our Lady is a place of great welcome, all feel known, and quality staff provide an excellent learning experience for learners. Both staff and students are proud of their school and see the great benefits of a P-12 community. This has been my experience also.

My prayer for this community as I do make my way back to St Saviour’s is to never lose sight of what a special community this is. The staff are so dedicated to the success of their learners, and their work is carried out with a deep love for their learners and the OLSCC community. In addition, the students are polite and warm, and funny and full of life and love. All these things have bolstered my experience and given me a reason and purpose to turn up every day.

Thanks, in particular, to the Senior Leadership Team, Cate, Rod, Craig, Katrina, Sarah and Nicole who have been such great supports and wonderful companions. I can genuinely say that there is quality leadership from the top; dedicated educators who are committed to the success of their learners and OLSCC as a whole.

It will be wonderful for you to welcome back Pete Cuskelly to the community and learn of his adventures and time on the Camino, which I am sure was a time of great blessing.

May OLSCC always be blessed and may Our Lady of the Southern Cross, continue always, to be our guide.

Blessings for the times ahead.

Ms Sharon Collins

Acting Principal

It is my pleasure this week to be heading ‘outback’ with Year 6 and I write to you all from Longreach.  What an amazing opportunity for our Year 6 students (and myself).  This is my first time in Longreach and I have been both amazed and in awe of the landscape and the history in this part of the world.  It has also been a great trip connecting with community.  We support and shop local where ever we can and it is great to eat so well from local restaurants and cafes.  I have also been able to connect with past pupils and past teachers of our College along the way.  I have been at our College on staff for 22 years so lots of people have been on this journey along side me, both as students and staff.  It is great to hear people make connections and tell stories about people they know from our little part of the world and reconnect with our alumni of the College.   

BIBLICAL GARDEN UPDATE 

Plants for the Biblical Garden 

Within weeks we will add more garden soil to our Biblical Garden space. This space has been marked out behind the College Chapel. Plans are evolving for the plant life that will fill this space. It is our aim to grow plants and trees predominantly found in the stories of the Bible or that are significant to our local area or connected to our traditions. The plantings in this space will connect to the environment which this garden will create.  There will be places that represent the desert landscape of some biblical stories and other places that reflect the gardens in the bible. Over coming weeks we will include plans for all to see. 

How can you help? 

As we go through the phases of construction and planting, assistance will be called for.  It may in the shape of resources – like our call for help this week to source rocks to use as garden edging – see our notice in the newsletter after reminder for Term 2 fees.

Ignite Conference 23 

Ignite Conference, is for everyone, from leaders to first time believers.  This is the Church gathered and alive on Mission.  This is God’s people united with one heart. 

Brisbane 21-24 September 2023 – St Laurence’s College South Brisbane 

For more information: www.igniteconference.com.au 

DATE CLAIMERS FOR LYF 

2 June – 9:00am - Ecumenical Service  

Mrs Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

As we approach the midpoint of the term, it has been great to see the growth in our students thus far. From strong academic performances to accomplishments in extracurricular activities, our students are truly excelling.

However, we understand that this success doesn't come without its challenges. With assessment due dates upon us, it is essential to ensure students are giving themselves every chance to succeed. We encourage all our students to adopt healthy coping mechanisms and self-care practices to ensure they are looking after themselves. Balancing academics with self-care activities like exercise, mindfulness, and maintaining a proper sleep schedule can significantly contribute to your overall well-being and performance. Remember, your mental and emotional well-being are as important as your grades.

As part of this journey of excellence in our College, we strive to empower our students by fostering a sense of 'Student Agency'. This term reflects where we empower students to take ownership of their learning and actively participate in decision-making processes. Students are not just passive recipients of knowledge but valuable contributors to their educational journey through their attendance and engagement at our College. Through student-led projects, personalized learning pathways, and general discussions, we aim to cultivate their critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making capacities. Through 'Student Agency', we are preparing our students to become lifelong learners and confident, responsible individuals ready to navigate the complexities of the world beyond.

To further develop our community awareness and engagement, I encourage you to read the first of many student articles we are introducing into our newsletter. At OLSCC we have a strong and valued student voice which fosters a sense of community within our school. This week Zahra Manteit and Joshua Nimmo, our College Captains, have written about the goings on for them so far, as their time at OLSCC is quickly disappearing.

Next Friday our Year 12 students celebrate their Formal, for the first time as a stand-alone event. I look forward to celebrating and engaging with our whole community as the excitement builds over what will be a wonderful celebration of our 2023 Year 12 cohort.

As always, we continue to encourage our parents to communicate with us where students are struggling but also those who are having success. We welcome proactive communication from our parents to ensure we can support and celebrate your child’s educational journey. Parents are encouraged to make contact with their student’s teachers or Mrs Forbes – Middle Leader Senior Years and/or Mr Fraser – Middle Leader Student Engagement who are always willing to be proactive and support our students through positive communication with parents.

In recent weeks, the Senior Years has been buzzing with excitement. All you will hear in the Senior Plaza is, what flavour 2-minute-noodles everyone has for lunch, the quiet fuss of what exam is on tomorrow or, what assignment is due next week, and, of course, the forbidden F-word… Formal. Our Seniors have put behind them a busy few weeks and it is not slowing down anytime soon with exam block peaking and formal preparations looming.

Our Student Leadership Team has also been hard at work organizing events throughout the school community including Friday Fun Games, which kicked off back in Term 1. This been a hit for the Early Year’s students – and I think it’s safe to say that we have just as much fun as they do! Every Friday, Senior Years students have been spending their lunch times with students from Prep to Year 4 in a wide range of games and activities. While it is clear that the younger years love chatting to us about how 1+1=2, we Senior students also enjoy being in the company of these amazing kids, especially with graduation creeping up on us. This opportunity gives us a chance to look back on our younger years and reminisce.

On top of Friday Fun Games, just recently our Breakfast Club Program has also hit the ground running. Commencing on Pyjama Day, the breakfast club program has gifted many students with a full stomach and bright smiles on their Nutella-stained faces of a Monday morning. Student Leadership Team and both the College and wider community has encouraged the continuation of this program which we, as the Student Leadership Team, are unimaginably grateful for. We hope the impact that this program has on the College remains vivid long after we have said our goodbyes.

From way out west, to sitting the final exams for the term, these last two weeks have caused a lot of stress to students across the College. Predominantly, this pressure begins to build when least expected, and for many students, it can be extremely difficult to deal with in a healthy manner. Throughout this time, one may ask, "why does God incorporate this into our lives? Why, if God wants what’s best for us, does He bring anxiety, stress, or worries, when pressure is already taking its toll on our young lives?" Some let this hard time get the better of them and begin to question their faith, however, only through faith and optimism, can the light be seen at the end of the tunnel. God reminds us that hard times are needed to draw us closer to Him. So, the next time you are faced with life’s unwelcome pressure, remember;

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God” – Philippians 4:6.

Zahra Manteit & Joshua Nimmo

Our Year 7 students were able to participate in a workshop to assist with developing our Parks & Recreation and Placemaking strategies.  WDRC believe that the children in our towns are a critical stakeholder and are a group that bring creative imaginations and value to the development process. WDRC were happy to undertake a one hour session with the students at the College, facilitated by Brooke Williams from Four Fold Studio.  

The students were asked questions what is Dalby's Identity, and to idenitfy places that they frequent on a map. 

The students had a wonderful time, engaging in this workshop.

Thank you to WDRC, Talia Parsons, Mitchell Pogan, and Brooke Williams, for facilitating the workshop with our students.

Enrolment season is upon us! 

Next week, we have the second of our opportunities for families who are not already part of the College community, to come in and have a look at what it is like to be a student here at OLSCC. This will take place on Tuesday 23 May, and includes:

• Preppie for a morning, 9:00am-10:30am, parent remains with child.
• Come and Try Day Yrs 1-10, student attends for the day (or part thereof) without parent

If you know any families outside of our current community who may be interested in this, please encourage them to attend by phoning the College office.

Applications close for Enrolment Round 1 very soon, on Wednesday 21 June. Enrolment interviews for 2024 places will occur in the last week of this term, 19-23 June. Following this, successful applicants will receive letters of offer for 2024.

We will once again be offering our Pre-Prep Transition Program, Shooting Stars, to successful Prep 2024 applicants. This program has been amazingly successful and has resulted in an increased number of families wanting to access our College which, in turn, has hindered our room availability for Shooting Stars. As such, there will be changes in the way the transition program will operate for 2024. This year, Shooting Stars will continue to run from mid term 3-mid term 4, culminating in the College ‘Up Day’ towards the end of term 4. There will be two sessions available:

• Friday morning session – 9:00am-11:00am
• Friday afternoon session – 12:45pm-2:45pm

Shooting Stars will continue to be free and will continue to be staffed with outstanding early years educators, with Mrs Nikki Morrison once again running the program. We have seen outstanding value in setting future OLSCC students up for success by participating in the program, and successful applicants will be able to attend their current kindy or early learning centre program pre or post the Shooting Stars session they are booked into. Bookings for places in each session will occur once successful applicants return the official Acceptance of Offer letter following the enrolment interview process.

As this newsletter goes to print, we will be participating in the culminating activities of our College celebration of Under 8’s week. Our Prep-Year 2 students were offered a range of activities every lunch time, including footy, netball, dance, art and paper plane building. The week finishes in style with a wonderful festival of fun on Friday, facilitated by Praxis classes from the Senior Years. It is a terrific experience for our oldest and youngest alike, with cross sector input that builds relationships throughout the College. We are grateful to leaders in our College community who stepped up to facilitate the lunchtime activities, including the Confraternity Rugby League team, the QISSN netball team and House Leaders and members.

Critical and Creative Thinking Club is back for 2023!

Critical and creative thinking club is an extra curricular activity aimed at building student skills  to think, create, and communicate through  problem-solving responses to certain challenges. We are hoping that the experience gained through this club will assist students to think more curiously and creatively in the classroom, and to feel confident enough in these skills to consider representing the College in the annual Optiminds Teams Challenge that occurs in Term 3.

Critical and Creative Thinking club will take place

• for a 4 week block
• during Thursday lunchbreak beginning next week, Thursday 25 May.
• In Blue 6
• Students from Years 3-8 are welcome to bring along their lunch and attend.

Following this, nominations will be called for at the end of Term 2 for those interested in participating in Optiminds, with teams finalised at the beginning of Term 3.

What is Optiminds?

Optiminds is a creative sustainability challenge which empowers participants to think, create and communicate through a problem-solving event for teams of 4-7 students. There are a variety of divisions for teams (determined by the year level of the oldest group member) who choose to solve open-ended challenges from one of the following categories:

• Language Literature
• Science Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Media Communication

When is it and what is my time commitment?

• Challenges open 17 July
• Teams have 6 weeks to prepare
• Challenge Day – Sunday 27 August, Toowoomba
• Teams present their solution in a 10-minute presentation to a panel of judges
• Teams also participate in a spontaneous challenge
• Facilitators commit to meeting with their team on a weekly basis for this period at a time mutually suitable to participants and facilitator

At OLSCC, students from Years 3-8 are invited to participate in the Optiminds challenge.

Year 9 Career Industry Dinner 2023

On the evening of 10 May, 20 Year 9 students from the College attended the Dalby BEST Group initiative with the aim of connecting students with local employers to discuss careers and future opportunities in the workforce. During the evening, the Year 9 students engaged with employers, business owners and other professionals discussing pathways into careers that the students are interested in pursuing post school education. The evening also provided a question-and-answer session where students and parents could ask questions of the guest panel from an array of careers and experiences in the workforce. The students gained some valuable insights into pathways and opportunities available for those who gain employment in trades, professions, and higher education. Congratulations to the Dalby BEST Group for holding such an informative and engaging opportunity for our Year 9 students.

QTAC Year 10 and 12 Parents and Students

QTAC and Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office are holding online information sessions for Year 10 and 12 students and parents via Microsoft Teams.

We encourage students and families to watch these online (via Microsoft Teams) information sessions provided by QTAC in regarding to QTAC application process, ATAR and responding to offers and how students order their course preferences.

Year 12 Monday 12 June 6pm-6.45pm

Yr 12 QTAC Information Evening - Join online

Yr 10 QTAC Information Evening - Join online

Important Dates: Up and Coming Events – Save the Date

• Thursday 18May Year 9 & 10 technology students industry visits with Mr Coman
• Wednesday 31 May Year 10 to 12 students interested in construction, tour of the refurbished Dalby Police Precinct, hosted by McNab Builders,   1pm-3pm.

• Monday 12 - Friday 17 June – Year 10 Work Experience
• Monday 12 June Yr 12 QTAC Information Evening - Join online
• Tuesday 13 June Yr 10 QTAC Information Evening - Join online
• Friday 21 July 2023 Dalby Careers Expo – Years 10-12 Students

UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS 2023

Griffith University

Creative Arts Open Day                  
Sunday 21 May                                 10am – 2pm
South Bank Campus

Gold Coast & Nathan Campuses    
Sunday 13 August                             9am -2pm

Griffith University Open Days

QUT Open Day

Gardens Point & Kelvin Grove Campuses     
Sunday 30 July 2023                         9am-3pm                   

2023 QUT Open Day

University of the Sunshine Coast Australia

Sunshine Coast Campus     
Sunday 16 July 2023                          9am – 2pm

Moreton Bay Campus                
Sunday 23 July 2023                          9am – 2pm

USC Open Day 2023

UQ Open Day 2023

St Lucia Campus                                          
Sunday 6 August                                9am – 3pm

Gatton Campus                                 
TBC

2023 UQ Open Day

UniSQ Open Days

Springfield & Ipswich Campus          
Sunday 13 August 2023

Toowoomba Campus                        
Sunday 20 August 2023

2023 UniSQ Open Days

JCU Virtual Open Day

Tuesday 12 September 2023             3pm – 7 pm Register online

2023 JCU Virtual Open Day 

Southern Cross University

Gold Coast                                         
Sunday 6 August 2023

Southern Cross University Open Day

 Apprenticeship Opportunities

Golden West are offering an apprenticeship in Cabinet making in Dalby please see the link Golden West Apprenticeships - Current School-based Opportunities (mailchi.mp)

Plumbing – A local plumbing business is offering an SBA in plumbing for a student who is interested in this rewarding trade and career. Driver’s licences in preferred. Please see Mr. Garside for further details.

Refrigeration Mechanic – opportunity for a year 11 student to apply for a local SBA in the electrical trades as a refrigeration mechanic with a local business. Please see Mr. Garside for further details.

 Work Experience Opportunities

Ergon Energy and Energex are offering work experience opportunities for current year 10, 11 and 12 students to attend work experience this year in the areas of electrician, communication technician, linesperson, underground cable joiner, or diesel fitting (Cairns only). If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please contact Ergon at workexperience@energyq.com.au

Mr Dean Garside

Career Development Practitioner

QCIS Cross Country

Congratulations to all students who competed at the QCIS Cross Country. The College finished third in the overall points and second in the percentage points (based on school size). This was a great effort with only a small team of runners on the day. Unfortunately, many students chose not to attend, and we were short on competitors in most age groups. This was disappointing, as we won this event in 2022, however we were unable to repeat the feat with the volume of athletes we had compete on the day. The highlights of the day were the U12 Boys winning their age group and Carla Nobbs winning the Under 15 Girls Race by over one minute. Race results are listed below.

Under 10 Girls (5^th)

Paityn Darr 6^th, Lucy Scott 9^th, Jean Timms 10^th

Under 10 Boys (4^th)

Ace Utz 4^th, Harry Felsch 5^th, William Bryant 7^th

Under 11 Girls (5^th)

Lexie Forbes 12^th, Lily Ryan 15^th

Under 11 Boys (3^rd)

Archie Stephens 6^th, Cody Hart 7^th, Felix Twidale 12^th, VJ Borck 13^th

Under 12 Girls (4^th)

Chloe Cassidy 11^th, Sophie Donaldson 12^th, Charlotte Colquhoun 15^th

Under 12 Boys (1^st)

Khoen Darr 2^nd, Harrison Peach 8^th, Will Hemmings 10^th, Khayden Hall 12^th, Cody Bryant 13^th

Under 13 Girls (2^nd)

Molly Gibson 6^th, Lucinda Conn 9^th, Laney Werth 10^th, Ella Hart 12^th

Under 13 Boys (5^th)

William Barwick 2^nd, Joshua Barwick 5^th

Under 14 Girls (3^rd)

Lana O’Callaghan 6^th, Chelsey Cave 9^th, Keira Bryant 11^th

Under 14 Boys (5^th)

Dylan Peach 12^th, Talon Burton 13^th, Innes Dellit 14^th

Under 15 Girls (2^nd)

Carla Nobbs 1^st, Chloe Manteit 9^th, Monique Smith 11^th

Under 15 Boys (4^th)

Charlie Johansen 5^th, Jack Gibson 6^th

Under 16 Girls (3^rd)

Taylor Marshall 4^th, Tiffany Ham 9^th, Karlie Falvey 13^th, Arabella Donaldson 17^th

Under 16 Boys (2^nd)

Cobie Wedrat 7^th, Jack Cave 10^th, Bronson Barnett 11^th

Open Girls (4^th)

Yolande Gordon 8^th, Abby Marshall 10^th

Open Boys (2^nd)

Bailey Brennan 4^th, Lachlan Hart 6^th,

Bunya District Cross Country

Congratulations to all students who competed at the Bunya District Cross Country. The College had a fantastic day winning both the overall points and percentage points (based on school size) trophies. Age Group Results are listed below.

Under 10 Boys

Ace Utz 3^rd, Charlie Sullivan 5^th, Harry Felsch 9^th, William Bryant 10^th

Under 11 Boys

Benjamin Barwick 3^rd, Cody Hart 5^th, Archie Stephens 14^th, VJ Borck 16^th, Felix Twidale 20^th

Under 12 Boys

Khoen Darr 3^rd, Harrison Peach 7^th, Khayden Hall 11^th, Will Hemmings 14^th

Under 10 Girls

Lucy Scott 3^rd, Kate Jeude 5^th, Harriet Manley 5^th

Under 11 Girls

Bella Cusack 1^st, Isabelle Manley 2^nd, Lexie Forbes 8^th, Lily Ryan 10^th, Ella Ramage 11^th

Under 12 Girls

Charlotte Colquhoun 1^st, Mackenzie Meacle Lylee 3^rd, Chloe Cassidy 5^th

Tennis

Congratulations to Lexie Forbes who has been selected in the Bunya District Tennis Team to attend the Darling Downs Trials on 22 May.

Darling Downs Schools Cup Volleyball

Congratulations to the three teams who competed at the Darling Downs Intermediate Schools Cup Competition in Toowoomba last week. A successful day was had with the Boys’ Team and Girls Number 2 Team finishing in fourth place and the Girls Number 1 Team winning the competition. Game results are listed below. Congratulations to Emma Cusack, Chloe Manteit and Hugh Walker who were named in the All-Star Teams at the conclusion of the carnival. Hugh was also named Player of the Carnival. Thanks to Mrs Lincoln and Mrs Sullivan for coaching our girls teams and to Taylor Mashall who coached and refereed the boys games.

Boys

Loss to Toowoomba SHS A

Win vs Lockyer District SHS

Win vs St Mary’s

Bronze Medal Match

Loss to Harristown SHS B

 Girls Team 2

Loss to Harristown SHS B          35-21

Win vs Fairholme College           35-15

Loss to Harristown SHS A          35-21

Win vs Inglewood SS                 35-30

Bronze Medal Match

Loss to Harristown SHS B          35-25

 Girls Team 1

Win vs Harristown SHS B           35-16

Win vs Inglewood SS                 35-16

Win vs Toowoomba SHS            35-4

Win vs Fairholme College           35-8

Gold Medal Match

Win vs Harristown SHS A           35-25

Rugby League

Darling Downs Competition Results

Round 3

Under 13

OLSCC defeated Lockyer District SHS 32-10

Under 18

OLSCC defeated Lockyer District SHS 16-6

 Upcoming Games

Monday 22 May

U18 OLSCC vs Dalby SHS 4pm

 Wednesday 24 May

Dalby Leagues Club

U13 OLSCC vs St Joseph’s College 5pm

U18 OLSCC vs St Joseph’s College 6pm

Athletics Carnival

1500m Races Under 12- Open Age Groups

Wednesday 31 May 1.50pm

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Our CECP students have been working hard during their weekly lessons to prepare for their first concert for the year! Students learning violin, guitar and piano will be performing on Thursday 25 May at 4:30pm in the PAC. We would love a supportive audience of family and friends to come along and see our wonderful work!

Tamara Creeley

Middle Leader Culture

We now have the All Weather Jacket in stock.  The uniform shop has all sizes except 3XS.

Fleecy jackets have also arrived.  All sizes 2 to 16 are in stock

Reminder that Term 2 fees are due on 25/05/2023.

Please contact the College Business Manager, Sarah Hall, if there are any concerns over meeting this payment deadline.

(07) 4672 4111 or sarah.hall@twb.catholic.edu.au 

College families we are requiring some rocks for the garden edging in our Biblical Gardens.
If you have/know of any rocks that we may be able to use, please email Nathan Pretorius.
Johan.Pretorius@twb.catholic.edu.au

These are some photo's of what we are looking for:

 Vaccinations for all Year 7 and 10 students will be held at the College on Wednesday, 31 May 2023. A team of authorised registered nurses will conduct these vaccinations. Students will receive the following vaccinations:

Year 7:            Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (1 dose)

                        Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (dTpa) (1 booster dose)

Year 10:          Meningococcal ACWY (1 dose)

Year 7 students will now not receive a second HPV six months later. Please advise Sandy at the College Office if your child is unwell on this day.

If you have any queries regarding the immunisations, please contact Sandy Brookes at the College Office (07) 4672 4111 or via email Sandra.Brookes@twb.catholic.edu.au