The 12 resident OLSCC hens have settled in very well to our amazing new Chook Shed which was completed recently with the assistance The Dalby Men's Shed and the very generous time and effort from two amazing local businesses in Boundy Constructions and Wild River Concrete. Mark Boundy and Clayton Colman generously donated their time and materials to complete the foundations of the chook shed which will ensure the safety of the residents from any unwanted invasions by dogs or foxes. We give a special shout out 'thank you' to Mark and Clayton for their effort. We also must thank Melita Dellit and her class from last year who initiated this project via their application to JJ Richards for the recycling grant. We are now seeing recycling at its finest as our Tuckshop scraps go straight over to the chooks and not into the general waste with the added bonus of daily fresh eggs.

Most of the students from the Junior classes have visited the chooks and we are looking forward to enjoying fresh eggs in the tuckshop and Home Ec classes. Mrs Fraser, who is working with the Ag Students to manage the chooks as part of their Ag studies, is currently in the process of running a naming competition where all students from each year level have been invited to submit a name. 

Last Friday was a sea of yellow for those students in Nolan House as they celebrated their day with dressing up and activities at lunch. Check out some of the photos from the celebrations.

Bullying – No Way!

OLSCC has seen a vast shift in behaviour culture over the past 12 months and we continue our best efforts to make the College a safe and enjoyable space for all students.  As such we are raising awareness of bullying through our Bullying. No Way! Day tomorrow. Students will indulge in a social eating of pizza as a special treat (remember your gold coin donation) as we continue to encourage students to speak up and act when they see unacceptable behaviour, especially bullying.  We also teach that an argument between two people isn’t bullying, neither is an action as a response to another over a social situation, neither is a single comment made in isolation. We remind all students that “bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.” 

Get Active!

Kids must be active for at least 60 minutes every day in order to keep their bodies healthy enough to function both socially and academically.  That’s 60 minutes of exercise where kids are running, jumping, climbing, chasing, leaping, diving, swimming, walking, jogging, playing, huffing and puffing.  It builds core strength in a variety of muscles, increases blood flow, creates curiosity and challenge, provides many social experiences, builds strong bones and helps the brain develop new ways of thinking and working.  And it’s fun.  But its something that many people take for granted, and something that others simply don’t get the time to think about due to other commitments.  Though for children it is a must and the habits learnt in childhood will be those they keep for life.  But what can I do to keep them active? Here’s some ideas.

1. Dog – if you have one, it needs to be exercised – make it a 2 for 1 deal and the whole family can knock out 30 minutes in a quick walk around the block. 
2. Make some family play time – start with an hour a week where everyone in the family has active play.  It can be at the local park, down by the creek, at Lake Broadwater, anywhere.  Make sure you aren’t tempted to take the phone and bury your head in it while the kids play though – they learnt more from what you do then what you tell them to do.   
3. Join a team sport – We are spoilt with team sport options here in Dalby, and they happen at all different times.  If you find these sports too expensive you can always apply for a Get Started Voucher to help your child participate.  For example if you are eligible for a Get Started Voucher, joining the Dalby Devils Rugby League Club for the season would only cost the family an additional $10.  Check out the website for more details.
4. Stuck for ideas?  Have a look at the Queensland Government Getting Active Webpage: https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/health/get-active/kids-teenagers I have linked the kids and teenagers page, though there are plenty of other ideas.  The ideas in the link provide ideas for all ages and stages.

In a time of digital dependence and 24/7, its hard for physical activity to complete in some children’s lives.  There’s only one way to change that and it involves getting out of the house, having a run and having some fun.  The habits children develop now will be the ones they continue for the rest of their life!

Great Leadership Learning

Earlier this week, all the College Leadership Team members spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday working with Ken Avenell (Director – Formation and Identity) on quality leadership, one of our College’s strategic agendas.  Our focus was on Team Synergistics – how our team can best function to enhance our individual capacities and create the best leadership for our College. Although extremely challenging and even confrontational, we know how others in the Leadership Team function, and have created clear expectations, ways of working and essential guidelines regarding our behaviour as a leadership team to ensure we make the greatest impact on the improvement of the College.  We were surprised to be taken far away from our families and friends for the 3 days, though it was explained that this was necessary due to both the hours of work required, and the absolute commitment to the program, meaning no chance to visit home or be distracted.  It was also a pleasure to work alongside the staff from another great school in our Diocese, Mater Dei Primary School.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

Extract from MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS  
FOR LENT 2019 

 “For the creation waits with eager longing  
for the revealing of the children of God” (Rm 8: 19)  

Dear friends, Lent is the favourable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbour. The Lord, who overcame the deceptions of the Tempter during the forty days in the desert, shows us the path we must take. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God's word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need. I encourage all the faithful to express this spiritual renewal also by sharing in the Lenten Campaigns promoted by many Church organizations in different parts of the world, and thus to favour the culture of encounter in our one human family. Let us pray for one another so that, by sharing in the victory of Christ, we may open our doors to the weak and poor. Then we will be able to experience and share to the full the joy of Easter 

LYF @ OLSCC - is it just about Social Justice? 

One of the fundamental principles to LYF is that the actions I take are not isolated and the relationships I build through my actions grow me closer to experience God in my every day life.  So consider as we head deeper into lent the conversations you have with your children to encourage a sense of Social Justice and reinforce the hard work happening at the College in this area, as we can not create change and culture shift alone, we must work together to bring out the best in your sons and daughters. 

Fr Jim Cronin shared a great article in the parish news last weekend titled How is Social Justice different from Charity?  It is a great read and can be found in full at its publication location https://www.australiancatholics.com.au/article/a-prophet-of-justice  

YOUTH MASS – ST JOSEPH’S PARISH 

Readers, Singers, Welcomers NEEDED 

On the Saturday 6 April St Joseph’s Parish will celebrate a Youth Mass at the 6pm Mass.  This Mass will be prepared with our Youth in mind, to engage our youth through their participation as leaders of the Mass parts and through the music chosen.  The success of this Mass is reliant on participation of our young people.  If you would like to be involved or you would like your young person to be involved please contact Cate Brennan via email cate.brennan@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

Tackle this Assessment Period with 5 Game-Changing Study Tips 

As intensity lifts in the Senior Years due to assessment due dates and exams, it is an opportune time to consider how students can best prepare themselves.

Your brain is a muscle—and it’s about to get worked. Prepare for your most successful term by mentally suiting up like a pro-athlete. Consider these five tips as a playbook for the conditioning, team building, and commitment required to achieve your academic goals.

1. Start with a Game Plan

Procrastination is the sprained ankle before the big game, taking you out before you even step on the field. Avoid a false start by creating a plan for the term.

Start by using a calendar to highlight dates of major assignments and tests. Anticipate busy periods, block off study times, and work backwards—giving yourself enough time to prepare for key deliverables.

2. Change up the playing field

It was once believed that finding a quiet and consistent place to study led to better learning. But that’s an old play. Current research suggests that students who change up the places they study—moving from a quiet library to a busy coffee shop, for example—actually train their brain to focus on the consistent concept, not the varied setting.

3. Cross-train your brain

Research has shown that studying a range of subjects in one sitting actually leads to higher retention than focusing on one area of study. Think of it as a total body workout for the mind. You’ll have better results by mixing it up.  

4. Build a team

Not only will you gain the benefit of your classmates’ know-how, team learning also creates more individual accountability (after all, you don’t want to let the group down). It also helps refine your communication and critical thinking skills—powerful moves that will serve you well beyond the classroom. Also, don’t forget to create your support team… that’s Mum and Dad, your teachers, your friends and your study partners.

5. Maintain your physical conditioning

Take care of yourself this exam period by sleeping, eating well, and exercising. Don’t think you have the time to squeeze in self-care? Try cutting back on hours lost to social media distractions. By doing so, you’ll have more focus and endurance when it comes to game day ... er, exam day.

Adapted from Harvard University https://www.summer.harvard.edu/inside-summer/tackle-semester-5-game-changing-study-tips

Best of luck to all students for the assessment and exams.

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

Junior

Touch Football

Congratulations to the following students selected in the Bunya District Touch Football Teams to attend the Darling Downs Trials on March 18.

Boys – Xavier Gibson, Riley Paterson

Girls – Carla Nobbs, Chloe Wilkins, Summer Buckley, Baillie Cook

Swimming

Congratulations to all students who competed at the Darling Downs Swimming Trials in Gatton last week. Results are listed below.

Alex Boland – 9^th 50m Butterfly, 10^th 50m Freestyle

Carla Nobbs – 14^th 100m Freestyle, 18^th 50m Butterfly, 22^nd 50m Freestyle, 23^rd 50m Breaststroke

Heidi Reed – 26^th 50m Freestyle, 27^th 50m Backstroke

Thomas Calver – 23^rd 50m Freestyle, 32^nd 50m Backstroke

Hayden Koehler – 14^th 50m Breaststroke

Isobel Johnston – 22^nd 50m Breaststroke

Noah Cook – 9^th 50m Freestyle

Lucas Galligan – 17^th 50m Freestyle

Lachlan Fraser – 14^th 50m Freestyle

Mac Stirling – 19^th 50m Freestyle

Archie Smart – 23^rd 50m Freestyle

Cross Country

Bunya District U12 Cross Country Trials

This year the Junior School Cross Country (Under 6-Under 11) is scheduled for Thursday 4 April. The Senior School Cross Country (Under 12-Under 18) is scheduled for Wednesday 8 May which is after the Bunya District Cross Country. Any students in the Under 12 Age Group only (Born 2007) who wish to compete for the College at the Bunya District Cross Country on Friday 3 May must attend a school Cross Country trial on Tuesday 2 April at 3.20pm. Students will run the Under 12 Cross Country Course. From this event students will be selected to attend the Bunya District Cross Country. Please see Mr Lincoln if you need more information.

Senior

Darling Downs Cluster 2 Trials

Congratulations to the following students selected in Darling Downs Teams this week.

U15 AFL

Tim Mauch, Michael MacDonald, Clancy Biggar, Blake Jacobson (Shadow Player)

U18 Rugby League

Lytana King Togia, Sam Gillespie

Squash

Isaac Halling, Lachlan Sankey

Swimming

Congratulations to Patrick Boland and Jennifer Nothdurft who have been selected in the Darling Downs Swimming Team for the State Championships in Brisbane from March 28-30. Results from the Darling Downs Carnival are listed below.

Patrick Boland

1^st 200m Breaststroke, 2^nd 50m Breaststroke, 2^nd 50m Freestyle, 3^rd 100m Breaststroke, 4^th 100m Freestyle,

Jennifer Nothdutft

2^nd 50m Butterfly, 2^nd 100m Butterfly, 3^rd 200m Individual Medley, 4^th 50m Freestyle, 4^th 100m Backstroke

Darling Downs Cluster 4 Trials

Trials will be held early next term in Orienteering and U15 Rugby Union. Students interested in attending please see Mr Lincoln for more information.

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sports

DONATIONS

Did you know that the College Parents and Friends Association has recently made a donation to of $200,000 as a contribution towards the classroom technology upgrades that were implemented across the whole College at the beginning of this year. The amazing new interactive whiteboards have enhanced learning in all areas and the teachers and students are enjoying the benefits this technology brings to the classroom. Over the years, the P & F has made donations to the College for a number of projects and proudly sponsors Under 8s' Day.

WORKING BEE

The P & F are holding a Working Bee this weekend to put in some much needed love and attention to the grounds and gardens. They would like to invite all parents and students to spare some time this Saturday from 8am to come along. Any gardening tools that you can bring including wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, hoes, whipper snippers, hedgers, fencing strainers and repair wire would be appreciated. On the list of jobs to be done are weeding, mulching, trimming and hedging and if anyone has some expertise to work on the watering systems, that is a much needed job on the list of things to do on Saturday. 

There will be a very brief volunteer induction and we ask that volunteers wear appropriate clothing such as closed in shoes, gloves and hats as well as sunscreen. Please note also that parents and students are exempt from being asked for a blue card but any other helpers will be asked for a blue card due to the College student protection requirements.  

Parents are asked to bring along a plate to share for morning tea and a BBQ lunch will be provided. This will be our first working bee for some time and we hope to see lots of enthusiastic parents arriving on Saturday morning to join in the activity. We hope to see you there.

P & F AGM

The P & F are holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 26 March at 6pm in The College Boardroom. If you would like to be involved in the P & F, make sure you attend this very important meeting. All are welcome.

Easy Lunch Ideas - event the kids can do it!

Pizza Muffins – makes 12

1 x Packet English Muffins

100g Shaved Ham chopped

2 x Large Tomatoes slices

200g Tasty Cheese grated

100g Mushrooms grated (kids less likely to spot it)

50g Baby Spinach roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  Cut muffins in half and place on an oven tray.  Place one tomato slice on each muffin.  Sprinkle with cheese, ham, spinach, mushroom in that order.  Then sprinkle with a little more cheese.

Bake for 10 mins.  Place in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 3 days or freeze for easy grab lunches. 

Last Monday, the nervous wait was over to learn who had been named in the cast for this year's College Musical, The Wiz and the buzz around the notice board in the Plaza was one of excitement. We are proud to announce our cast for 2019;

Rehearsals have begun and students are straight into learning lines and songs as well as blocking out on stage. It will be a very busy time in Term 2 with so much to learn before our two big nights of shows on 26 and 27 July.

We are also running a Homestyle Bake Pie Drive fundraiser to put towards our costume budget as we want to make sure our characters on stage are something spectacular. If you would like to support our Pie Drive, forms are available at the College office. Orders are due in by Monday, 25 March and the deliveries will be ready for collection on Tuesday, 2 April.

This week, we have had two of our Year 11 students sign up for their School Based Traineeship or Apprenticeship with locals businesses and for these two students we are very proud to report that their employers are both past students and/or parents of the College.

Lachlan Wilkins has commenced his Certificate III in Agriculture with John and Angela Cook who are both very well know to our College community and we thank them for providing this opportunity to Lachlan as he works towards a possible career in the agricultural industry.

Lucy Nearhos has commenced her Certificate III in Hospitality at the Dalby Coffee Club working for John Hall who is a past parent of Blaike and Giordann. Lucy is hoping her Cert III will help her towards a number of options as she looks forward to Year 12 in 2020.

We thank John and Ange Cook and also John Hall for their support of our students.

Any students whose artwork was entered into Bell Art Exhibition will have those artworks also entered into the Dalby Show Junior Fine Art Competition. Any other entries need to be framed and be able to be hung safely with name, address and age on the back.

For the Photography competition please ensure your name, address and section is clearly marked on back of the cardboard. No frames required but needs to be mounted on to cardboard with a maximum of a 2cm border. No dates or writing on photographs. Winning entries from previous years are ineligible. It is 50c per entry, which will be covered by the College.

(Please note: entries may not be accepted or lodged without entry fees provided at the time the artwork, photographs or pottery are submitted)

All entries for the Fine Art and Photography competitions are due to the College Office by Monday 25 March (Week 9).

JUNIOR SECTION – Colour, Black & White & Sepia

8 Years and Under

Class 12001  Any photo 4” x 6”

9 -11 Years (Colour, Black & White, Sepia) 4” x 6”

Class 12002 Animal/Pet

Class 12003  Bird/Insect

Class 12004  People/Person

Class 12005  Flowers, Trees etc.

Class 12006  Any other Photo

12 - 17 Years (Colour, Black & white, Sepia) 4”x 6”

Class 12007  Animal/Pet

Class 12008  Bird/Insect

Class 12009  Sunrise/Sunset

Class 12010  People/person

Class 12012  Flowers, Trees etc.

Class 12012 Aerial Photo

Class 12013  Any Other Photo

The Pottery Section has two categories including Junior School Hand-built piece and Senior School Hand-built piece. There is a 50c entry for each piece into this section, covered by the College. These pieces must be bisque fired and either glazed or sprayed with a clear lacquer. The hand-built pieces will also need to be sturdy and well-constructed. Please see Mrs McArthur if you wish to have your piece entered by Week 8, Friday 22 March for checking that your piece meets these requirements.

Please find below all the dates, times and locations for Whole College and Sector Assemblies for the remainder of Term 1. Parents are invited to come along to these assemblies to celebrate students successes and to keep up to date with activities and news across all Year levels.