1 to 1 Laptops in Years 7-12

We are very excited about the roll out of 1 to 1 laptops for students in Years 7 to 12 at the start of 2019.  This aligns with the rollout of Canvas learning management system, improved classroom technology and the full Office 365 licenses being made available to our students.  Any number of these items without the other provides us with technology with which to do what we have always done.  However, the combination of all of these aspects together means that students can begin to master their learning at any time or at any place they choose.  This will enable students access to a high quality device at all times, as well as access to all the information they need through Canvas.  Canvas can not only hold the files that teachers can share with students at present, it can also store all of the notes, drawings, videos and anything else that has been taken during the lesson by the teacher or the students.  This means students will no longer be able to lose their assignments or handouts, as they simply won’t need handouts! There are obviously a few issues around the laptops, so a brief of some organisational matters are below:

• All students in Years 7 to 12 will be issued a Laptop at the start of the 2019 school year, and from 2020, all students starting Years 7 and 10 will be issued new laptops.
• The cost for the laptop will be invoiced quarterly and no concessions are applicable to this cost. 
• Students starting Years 7 and 10 will keep the same laptop for the next 3 years and may then may opt to buy the machine out for a nominal fee.
• All students starting Years 8, 9, 11 and 12 will have their laptops for 1 or 2 years and will not be able to buy the machine at the end of this period. 
• All laptops will have 3 years warranty as well as accidental insurance, though an excess will apply to repairs as a result of an accident.
• The laptops will all be a common model, except for those studying Film, TV and Media in Years 11 and 12.  Specific machines will be supplied for these students at the same cost.  These laptops cannot be bought out.
• The laptops will be owned and administered by the College. Students will not be able to install software.
• What the laptop can access via the internet is determined by the wi-fi network it can access.  At school, it will be governed by our network, unless students deliberately avoid our network by using their phone to hotspot.

Other aspects affiliated with 1 to 1 laptops:

• The biggest concern with laptops is the appropriate use by students.  We will not lock them down so tight so that they are unusable and we will expect students to use them responsibly. They will sign an agreement prior to collecting their laptop to reinforce the expectations regarding responsible use.
• If your home network has no limits, then neither does your child.  We will be sharing further information regarding cybersafety so parents can plan for this over the holidays.
• School fees and levies – to bankroll these projects requires a significant budget.  If you have concerns regarding the payment of your fees, or laptop component, then see the College proactively.  We will be far more vigilant in chasing unpaid fees and progressing long term debts to our debt collector.
• The laptop is the responsibility of your child. Accident insurance does not cover abuse, wilful damage or loss.  In these instances parents will be required to pay the total cost of the laptop so it can be replaced.
• Students will still have books and textbooks.  Technology is not the master, learning is.  The technology will be used appropriately at many times, though students will still need to write, draw and notetake at various times, and textbooks will still be in paper form, though many with online resources for students to access.

The final model of the laptops will be finalised shortly, along with much more information for parents to consider over the holidays.  This is a very exciting time as we move forward to enabling children to function and learn as they will be expected to as they enter university and the workplace.  We fully recognise that this will be a major shift in ways of thinking and working for both the staff and students at our College, and as such will be providing plenty of training and support as we enter the new year. Policies, details and final figures will be released prior to the end of the school year.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

A simple prayer this week as we place our trust in God to help us when we most need it. 

Lord 

Give me strength in my weakness. 

Give me faith in my fear. 

Give me power in my powerlessness. 

I'm trusting you. 

Amen 

ST VINCENT DE PAUL 

Each year, we as a College make every effort to support St Vincent De Paul in their challenge to help the needy in our community.  The focus for St Vincent De Paul this year is "supporting families”, who they feel are most in need at this time.  We are seeking donations of gift cards, day to day items, tinned food, as well as some traditional Christmas treats.  These could be items that are considered treats at Christmas or staples to fill a pantry.  To streamline your donations, we are asking each class to donate item as listed in the letters sent home last week.     

 
Even the smallest donation will make a huge difference to families doing it tough this Christmas.  Please place your donations under the giving tree in the College Office Foyer or in the box / basket in your child’s classroom by Friday 30 November.  These donations will then be passed on to our local St Vincent de Paul Society at the College Christmas Fair on Sunday 2 December.  

RECONCILIATION 

This week at St Joseph’s Parish, 33 children will take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, of these, 28 are from our College.  We pray that these children we come to know God’s loving forgiveness: Cooper, Max, Emmy, Marli, Lexi, Ava, Lucy, Olivia, Lucinda, Louie, Archie, Charli, Catherine, Amor, Arabella, Charlotte, Archie, Josh, Noah, Toby, Emma, Innes, Matt, Luke, Phoenix, Ella, Myles and Tilly. 

Cate Brennan

Assistant Principal Mission

The Australian Teachers of Media Inc (ATOM) Photography Awards were judged on Wednesday, 14 November and finalist in the Lower Primary category, Phoenix McArthur was announced as the winner of his section.

Phoenix' entry of three images called 'Adventure on the High Sea' was the winner out of students from Prep to Year 3. Over 1000 entries were received from students in both Australia and New Zealand so Phoenix was thrilled to be named as the winner.

Phoenix received this exciting news before the presentations and was invited down to Melbourne to accept his award however he was unable to travel such a long way. Instead, he watched the awards ceremony on live stream and his pre-recorded acceptance speech was played for the crowd who had gathered at the Creative Media Institute in South Melbourne.

The ATOM Awards have been celebrating the best of Australian and New Zealand screen content from the education sector and screen industry professionals and are the second longest running film and media awards in Australia.

Phoenix has won a $500 voucher for Ted's Cameras and says he would like to buy a GoPro with some of this amount.

Junior

Swimming

The Years 1-3 Swimming Carnival is being held next Friday November 30. Programs will be available from the College Office from Wednesday November 28. Buses have been booked to leave the College at 8.50am on Friday and will return at the conclusion of the carnival. There will be no Age Champions for the Under 9 Age Group (Born 2009). The current nine year old students in Year 3 were all invited to the Year 4-6 carnival in February if they wished to swim for age champion and go on to further representative swimming trials.

Sports Most Valuable Player Awards 2018

Primary All Schools Touch Football

Xavier Gibson

Samsung Cup Netball

Abbey Bradley and Maddy Pascoe

Under 12 Sports Dates February 2019

• Years 4-6 Swimming Carnival Thursday 7 February
• Years 4-6 Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival Thursday 14 February (Dalby)
• Bunya District Under 9- Under 12 Swimming Trials Thursday 21 February
• Bunya District Under 12 Basketball Trials Tuesday 26 February 3.30pm

Senior

Rugby Sevens

SWQ Sevens Series Results

Boys Under 14 (current 1^st on the ladder)

Win against TCAPS 21-19

Win against St Mary’s 19-12

Boys Under 16 (currently running in 4^th place)

Win and a Loss against St Joseph’s College

Loss to St Mary’s College

Girls Under 14

Loss to Downlands College  5 - 15

Loss to Mary MacKillop 0 - 15

Finals will be held next week for all divisions.

Confraternity Shield 2019 QISSRL / QISSN

A meeting will be held next Monday evening 26 November from 5.30pm – 6.00pm in Yellow 1-2 to discuss plans for the 2019 Confraternity Shield Carnivals. Any Girls who will be in Years 9-12 next year are eligible to be selected for Netball. Boys must be turning 16 or older in 2019 to be selected for Rugby League.

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. This include Netball Dresses, Touch Football Shirts and Singlets, Rugby Jerseys and Athletics Singlets. 

Touch Football

2018 has been a successful year for the College in Touch Football. The Open Mixed Team has won through to the A grade Preliminary Final of the Dalby Touch Competition, the Under 13 Boys and Under 15 Boys will play this week in the Men’s B and A Grade Elimination Finals and the Under 15 Girls will compete in the Major Semi Final of the Women’s B Grade Competition. Planning has already started for 2019 and any students wishing to be involved in Under 15 Boys, Under 15 Girls or the Open Mixed College Touch Football Teams need to register their interest with Mr Lincoln. We won’t be fielding an Under 13 Boys Team next year. Boys in this age group will be able to play in the Under 15 division like the Girls do. Trials will be held early next year to finalise teams. 

Senior Sports Dates February 2019

• Years 7-12 Swimming Carnival Friday 8 February
• Darling Downs Cluster 1 Trials Tuesday 19 February (Toowoomba) – Sports Include; Tennis, Touch Football, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball

Tim Lincoln

Sports Coordinator

Lunchtime Fun

Owen & Jack demonstrate you are never too old to enjoy some Lego. Here they are with their latest masterpiece, built during their breaks.

Reader of the Week

Are you our Reader of the Week? You were spotted reading a book made by the talented students in 2A. Please see Mrs Jenkinson for your reward. Well done & keep reading!

Preparing for High School Webinar Vouchers are available to all parents of students at the College and we encourage you to utilise this informative and valuable tool accessible via the Parenting Ideas Website as many students take the big leap from Junior School into High School.

The Webinar is being held online via the parenting Ideas Website on Tuesday, 27 November from 7.30 to 8.30pm and the voucher for parents entitles access to the webinar for free (normal cost $37). The Webinar in being hosted by Dr Jodi Richardson and guest presenter Sharon Witt. Jodi is a Parenting Ideas Expert in mental health and well-being wile Sharon specialises in parenting adolescents and resilience.

Here's how you can access the voucher to attend the Webinar next Tuesday

1.  Click this link https://www.parentingideas.com.au/product/webinar-preparing-for-high-school/  
2. Click ‘Add to cart’
3. Click ‘View cart’
4. Enter the voucher code TRANSITION and click ‘Apply’. Your discount of $37 will be applied to the order. This voucher is valid until 27 December 2018.
5. Click ‘Proceed to checkout’
6. Fill in your account details. These are the details you will use to login to your account and access your parenting material

Click ‘Place Order’

In 2019, students from the College will have the opportunity to participate in the Kokoda Challenge which will take place on the weekend of 1 - 2 June. The Kokoda Challenge is an annual team endurance event located throughout the beautiful D'Aguilar National Park with students making up teams and competing over 15, 30 or 48 kilometres. Students are encouraged to start thinking about the Kokoda Challenge now as teams will be made up and registered early in 2019.

The College P & F Association are running the Barbecue on the evening of the Christmas Fair and they are seeking helpers for setting up as well as cooking and serving in the evening. Set up will commence at 2pm and finish about 4pm. Cooking and serving will commence at 4pm and continue until the conclusion of the Fair at around 7.30pm. If you are able to assist with either setting up or cooking/serving, please contact the College Office where there is a roster being prepared. Even if you are only able to assist for half an hour, any time volunteered would be most appreciated.

Children’s Liturgy and Christmas Break-up

Children’s Liturgy will be held on Sunday, 25 November. This will be the last Children’s Liturgy for the year.

The children will be making decorations for the parish tree that will be included in the Baptist Church’s Christmas Tree Festival.  The theme this year is “The Heart of Christmas”.

The Children’s Liturgy Group will host a morning tea following the Mass. Families are invited to bring a plate to share.

Festival of Small Halls

The Festival of Small Halls will be visiting our area again and will be at the Cooranga North Memorial Hall on Saturday, 1 December at 6pm. This year's Festival features Old Man Luedecke from Canada and Lucy Wise from Australia as part of the entertainment line up. Tickets are available from Active Physio, Pips and Cherries at Bell, Jampack'd at Jandowae or online using the link below. Adults are $25, Children $5 and kids under 5 are free.

TUCKSHOP ROSTER

Online ordering cut off time is 8.50am. If you miss ordering before the cut off time, you can phone the tuckshop to place an order no later than 9.15am.

Tuckshop Volunteers Welcome from 9am until 12 pm on any day. Please contact the College Office if you can assist.

Price change for Frozen Yoghurt - $2.50