Today, our students took part in the Junior Cross Country Carnival and for our Prep students, it was their first opportunity to compete for their House and come dressed in the red, blue, yellow and green.

Check out some of the images from today. Results will be listed in the Newsletter next Term.

Uniform

I must say that the personal presentation of students has improved drastically this term and the sense of College pride has likewise increased.  As mentioned previously, the start of Term 2 marks the end of the transition period between the old uniform policy and the current.  The current uniform policy is attached.  There are a few items to note to ensure that everyone is adequately prepared for the start of the term:

• Winter uniform is to be worn in Term 2 and 3.  This includes ties for both boys and girls in the Middle and Senior Years.
• Joggers are to be mostly black, with black, white or red trim only. 
• Jackets are only to be worn with sports uniform unless it is extremely cold where they can be worn over the College pullover. 
• Confro jackets can only be worn in place of the sports jacket, not in place of the College pullover. 
• A cotton/polyester blend College pullover will be available in June.  If students cannot wear the wool pullover due to medial reasons, it is a parental responsibility to ensure this is up to date in parent portal in the medical tab.

Our uniform policy will be followed through in full from the start of Term 2.

Thank You

I would like to thank all of our students, staff and community for a wonderful start to 2019.  While it is evident that everyone is in need of a holiday to rest and refresh, it is due to the considerable effort given by all.  Foremost, I would like to acknowledge our amazing staff who have gone above and beyond this term.  Transforming to a digital platform and pedagogy for students in Years 7-12 is a significant achievement in such a short period.  Compared to our progress this term, there are other colleges and whole education systems that have not been able to shift as quickly and effectively over many years.  The rigour of the curriculum is ever increasing at our College as we heighten our standards and expectations of the academic, social, cultural, behavioural, spiritual and sporting domains.  I encourage students and the community to take a minute and let a staff member know the value of their work.  A parent reported this morning that this was the best term they have ever had, and it sure was appreciated by one staff member who has given their all this term. 

Similarly I would like to thank the parents and community members who continue to support their children and our College.  Raising children sure doesn’t get any easier as time goes by (trust me – I have a 3 year old…), and the ease with which the parents have adapted to the Digital Enhancement of the Curriculum with student laptops in Years 7-12 has been excellent.  We look forward to rolling out parental capabilities in Canvas throughout the year so that parents will also have access to many of the learning materials as well as academic calendars. Beyond this, the happy faces and smiles we see in and around our College every day are a result of the work you do in raising well-rounded, caring and compassionate families.  Thank you also for entrusting your children to us every day.  We really value this, and due to this, do our best to educate your child the best we can every day.

Of course, our students have adapted to much this Term, and we couldn’t be more proud.  From uniforms to laptops to higher academic and assessment rigour, they have risen to the task and are taking on the learning.  It is hard, and at times there will be failures, though failures are what make a good person.  Last week’s gospel, the prodigal son (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32), reminds us that sin can present itself in many forms, either through the haste and recklessness of the younger son, or through the resentment, condemnation, belittling and judgement of the older brother.  The father though, embraces the failures of his young son, embraces him, and celebrates his return.  In education circles, we refer to this as demonstrating a growth mindset.  That is the ability to recognise failure as learning and to get back up and continue to succeed.  Literally, we are nothing without our amazing students, and we trust you are enjoying the challenge as much as everyone else.  Enjoy your break, everyone!

NAPLAN

It is almost time for NAPLAN again! Between Tuesday, 14and Thursday, 16 May, all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will complete an array of assessment in reading, literacy conventions, writing and numeracy.  While social media circles tend to publicise any deficit they can regarding NAPLAN, much of the time they miss the point entirely and make assumtions about what NAPLAN is really used for in schools.  It is NOT a measuring stick, a report card, a way to compare children;  it is simply a consistent measure we can apply across the nation to determine what is working well and not so well in the learning of literacy and numeracy.  This allows us to focus on improving particular aspects of the what, how and when we teach specific skills to ensure we are creating the best learners we can.  Especially important is that it is not a test of Mathematics or English.  It is regarding Numeracy and Literacy, which are part of the general capabilities of the curriculum, meaning that they are both taught in every subject. We are working with staff in ensuring we are developing the skills of children to best demonstrate their knowledge and skills by being assessment capable.  I look forward to seeing our progress in NAPLAN results this year and encourage all to be involved and show everyone how well they can do. If you would like some more information, please check out the website at https://www.nap.edu.au/home or arrange a time to come and have a chat with one of the leadership team.

Farewell

We also say farewell to our two Japanese exchange students, Yosuke Inagaki and Sarina Kakegawa who have been attending the College for most of Term 1. Both students have enjoyed their time here and we are pleased to report their English has vastly improved. We wish them a safe journey home to their families.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

This week, Staff head to the Bunya Mountains for retreat to reflect on the work we are doing in the College for our LYF program.  We pray together that we can do the work of God here on Earth with our students: 

Christ has no body but yours, 
No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 
Yours are the eyes with which he looks 
Compassion on this world, 
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, 
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. 
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, 
Yours are the eyes, you are his body. 
Christ has no body now but yours, 
No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 
Yours are the eyes with which he looks 
compassion on this world. 
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.  

Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)  

Intergenerational/Intercultural Wisdom needed 

OLSCC are seeking interested persons to be a part of a PRAXIS initiative with Year 9 students, running from Term 2 until the end of the year. The project will involve developing relationships with students, sharing stories, interests and wisdom. Participants will then be interviewed over a series of sessions in order to create films about their life which they will be gifted at the end of the project. Sessions will take place at OLSCC on Wednesdays from 12:30pm – 1:30pm. We hope this project will assist students to learn from other members of the community who have experienced different generations and cultures and strengthen the bonds of our St Joseph’s Parish/OLSCC community. If interested, please contact Cate Brennan (Cate.Brennan@twb.catholic.edu.au) or Nicholas Blauw (Nicholas.Blauw@twb.catholic.edu.au) or call 0746724111 for more information.    

Sewing help needed 

Are you a sewer who would be able to hem squares of material for our prayer tables?  Material and thread provided.  If you are able to assist could you please contact Cate Brennan via email Cate.Brennan@twb.catholic.edu.au or the College office. 

Easter Egg Raffle 

This afternoon we announced the 81 winners of the Easter Egg Raffle.  Thanks to everyone who donated the eggs for our 81 packs.  A huge thanks to everyone who purchased tickets in the raffle we raised $1000 for our local chapter of St Vincent de Paul.  Well done to our community for supporting this Mini Vinnies activity. 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

Term 1 – Done & Dusted

By the time this edition of the newsletter is released, Term 1 will be done and dusted. The term has seen many new beginnings including:

• Our Year 9s beginning their time in the Senior Years
• Our Year 10s beginning to come to terms with the increased academic rigour required in the Senior Years
• Our Year 11s beginning their new subjects in the SATE system
• Our Year 12s beginning their final year of school

Like with any new beginning, it takes time to find your way. I thank the students for their perseverance throughout the term. There have been some adjustments required due to lifted expectations, and I am pleased with how the majority of students are approaching this task.

A busy start to Term 2

Next term the busyness continues with a number of significant events in the first few weeks. Here are the events for Weeks 1 and 2:

Tuesday 23 April – Year 11 RYDA Programme

Wednesday 24 April – College ANZAC Day Liturgy

Thursday 25 April – ANZAC Dawn Service & Commemorative March

Friday 25 April – Year 12 QCS Practice Test

Monday 29 April – Year 11 Parent/Student Information Night

Thursday 2 May – Parent/Teacher Interviews

You can find a copy of the College calendar via our SZapp or the College website.

Interim Reports

A reminder that Term 1 Reports will be sent home with your student on Thursday. The first report card is a progress report indicating how your student is progressing academically, behaviourally and their work ethic across her subjects. Progress results include all formative and summative assessment, including class work. If you have any questions, please contact your student's teacher.

Year 11 Parent/Student Information Night

There will be an Information Night for our Year 11 students and their parents on Monday 29 April at 6pm. Some of the topics that will be discussed will be the new QCE system, subject requirements, and how to achieve success in the new system. The venue will be the Performing Arts Centre.

QCS Practice Exams

As the adage goes, ‘Practice Makes Perfect', and this will be especially the case for our OP-eligible Year 12 students as they prepare for this year’s QCS Test. The students will have two practice testing days to continue their familiarisation of the test and to remove any anxiety of the unknown. The following will be QCS practice days:

Friday 26^th April [Writing Task and SR Exam]

Friday 19^th July [Writing Task and SR Exam]

Students will undertake some practice multiple choice question in their Year Level connect lessons.

I wish you all a holy and reflective Easter. It is a time to remember that one of the central messages of Easter is love. Jesus loved the world so much that He laid down His life for us. 

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

Ancient History students from Year 11 and 12 took part in an archaeological 'dig' as part of their concluding studies for Term 1. This Term, the students have been studying archaeology and the techniques used by archaeologists who discover the secrets of our ancient past from underground. 

In our activity, the students were able to consolidate their learning around stratigraphy discovering three different strata (layers) from their dig out on the College oval. We discovered that there were various different deposits of material and we discussed how these possibly came about.

Students photographed, tagged and bagged finds which included a screw and they were then able to apply their knowledge from Science to determine that the soil is not acidic as the screw was not rusty.

The students gained a hands on and practical experience from this 'dig' which enabled them to apply their knowledge from the classroom to an activity in the field. Even though the dig was a one metre by one metre area and only a few centimetres deep, there were definitely results and observations of interest that made the activity worthwhile.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller

Most parents and guardians of Early Years students have met with teachers over the last two weeks to discuss their child’s learning journey during Term 1. Thanks must go to both teachers and parents who have prioritised time in busy schedules to do this. This opportunity to communicate with each other cannot be underestimated. Successful education is not accomplished in isolation – so much more can be achieved by having the student, the teacher and the parents all on the same page. Parent engagement in their child’s schooling life leads to greater satisfaction and sense of worth for students, who see that their parents value their education. ,Thanks to the parents who have been able to join us for school events such as assembly and cross country. It has been terrific to see you there. 

What a busy term it has been, full of intensity and focused effort! Now is the time for us to acknowledge the importance of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation during the upcoming holiday period. The term breaks should be a time for us to reset and revitalise, ready for the rigours of the term ahead. 

We welcomed Miss Jade Manteit to our staff this week – Miss Manteit is definitely looking forward to resting and revitalising over the next two weeks as she takes over the reigns of Year 2C, currently being “re-branded” as Year 2M! Jade brings previous experience in a Year 2 setting and has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to relocate to Dalby to further her teaching career.  

Katrina Walton

Assistant Principal Early Years

Junior

Bunya District U12 Soccer Trials

Any Boys or Girls who wish to attend Bunya District Soccer Trials please sign on via the Sports Notice Board. Trials will be held on Wednesday 24 April. Depending on numbers a school trial may need to be held before the Bunya Trials.

Bunya District Cross Country

The Bunya District Under 10-12 Cross Country will be held on Friday 3 May at Dalby State School. Students will be notified early next term if they have been selected to attend.

Rugby League

The ARL Development Cup Competition will be held again in Term 2 for schools in our region. Games will be played on Wednesday afternoons from Weeks 5-9. This is for boys and girls turning 11 or 12 this year in Grades 5/6. More information about this competition will be available next term.

Tennis

Any Under 10-12 students interested in playing in a School Tournament on Wednesday 1 May (Term 2 Week 2) please see Mr Lincoln for more information.

Netball

Congratulations to the following girls selected in Bunya District Under 11 Team to attend Darling Downs Trials next term.

Under 11

Carla Nobbs, Heidi Reed, Monique Smith, Millie Turner

Maleah Pattison and Chloe Manteit were named as shadow players.

Athletics

Bunya District U12 Athletics Trials

This year the Junior School Athletics Carnival (Under 6-Under 11) is scheduled for Friday 17 May. The Senior School Athletics Carnival (Under 12-Under 18) is scheduled for 26-27 June which is after the Bunya District Athletics Carnival. Any students in the Under 12 Age Group only (Born 2007) who wish to compete for the College at the Bunya District Athletics Carnival on Tuesday 4 June must attend school trials on Tuesday 30 April and Tuesday 7 May. From these events students will be selected to attend the Bunya District Athletics Carnival. Please see Mr Lincoln if you need more information.

Senior

Boys AFL

The College has entered an Year 7-9 and Year 10-12 Boys AFL Teams in the Darling Downs Cup Gala Day. This will be held at Highfields on Friday 3 May (Term 2, Week 2). Training will be held on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes. Boys interested in playing need to sign on via the Sports Notice Board.

Girls AFL

Congratulations to Lily Schloss who has been selected in the Darling Downs U15 Girls AFL Team for the State Championships on the Gold Coast in May.

Rugby League

Under 13 and Under 15 Teams have been entered in the Darling Downs Rugby League Competition next term. A draw for the season is listed below. Permission forms will go out after the holidays. Training will be held on Tuesday afternoons for both teams from 3.15pm – 4.15pm.  A few more players will be needed for the Under 13 Team.

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.

Cross Country

The Under 12 – Open Cross Country will be held on Wednesday morning 8 May. A timetable will be available early next term.

Touch Football

Terry McSweeney from SWQ Touch Football will be running a Level 1 Referees Course for some of our students in the U15 and Open Touch Football teams. This will be held on Friday 26 April at the College from 2.00pm – 6.00pm. Students to fill in the registration form which has been emailed to them before schools returns next term.

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Pat Boland and Jennifer Nothdurft attended the State School Swimming Championships in Brisbane last week. Pat scored many personal best times and was also part of the bronze medal winning relay team for the 17 to 19 years medley. Pat was pleased to score a medal and both swimmers did well in their events.

Pat is pictured with his Darling Downs medley team of Daniel Cooke, Matthew Smith and Ben Ambruster.

The Year 7’s have recognised diversifying needs within our College community. We start Praxis each week with individual reflection and the “Lighting” of an online candle. Students are able to express an individual prayer that affects them in some way. The group then splits each week on a rotation basis to help out with numeracy in Year 4C or beautifying areas of the College that Middle Years students use. The students and Mr Lincoln discuss where they see a need and work in co-junction with the groundsmen. The students decide what area they feel needs their attention. In 4C we buddy up to complete games and activities all based on basic numeracy skills. Activities are challenging for all.  By experiencing both activities it allows Year 7 to live different Catholic Social Teachings.

The Show is coming up on 12 and 13 April. Many students across the College have work entered into the Fine Art, Pottery and Photography sections.

In the Fine Art Competition, the following students have entries:

Lyiah King-Togia, Cody Raub, Aleksandr Dzidic, Lucy Scott, Paityn Darr, Pippa Smith, Ella Ramage, Sadie Gibson, Uriah Jocson, William Brannock, Mia Stirling, Olivia Nolan, Bently Hockins, Zia Haylock, Benjamin Barwick, Lexi Garvey, Harry Felsch, Claire Liang, William Bryant, Zeb Hoefler, Jack Cuskelly, Lillianah Conlan, Lexi Bruce, Charlee Walker, Olivia Hiesler, Phoenix McArthur, Sienna Sims, Jack-Jack Bond, Hudson Faulkner, Ethan Koehler, Myles Gilliland, Tilly Ryan, Lucinda Conn, Louie Machin, Jack Twidale, Tom Clarke, Millie Boundy, Lucy Reed, Indi Wilson, Arabella Stirling, Jacinda Smith, Ryan Elder, Noah Cook, Abby Garvey, George Morgan, Lilly McGowan, Jensen Partridge, Orla Lacariatre, Zane Stirling, Archie Martin, Luke Griffiths, Charlotte Caldwell, Luke Elder, Nate Trcka, Fergus Ross, Quinten Child, Marlee Carpenter, Scarlett Woitowitz, Claire Brown, Emelia Turner, Miranda Child, Evalyn Althoff, Lincoln Frid, Bobby Machin, Lainey Geiger, William Lum, Marli Bruce, Georgia Chiverton, Isabelle Langton, Jack Walker, Isabelle Manley, Harriet Martin, Lucy Bennie, Elsie Towers, William Hemmings, Madeline Hemmings, Jake Griffiths, Claire Davidson, Ava Boland, Joab Jacobson, Judd Alderton, Isabel Johnston, Rohan Cartwright, Imogen Mittelstadt, Abby Wilkins, Perry Anne Pacio, Brock Sankey, Gabriella McGrath, Chloe Wilkins, Braithen Crothers, Alex Nothdurft, Emmysen Crothers, Tobin Smart, Gabby Banks, Hayden Doherty, Cooper Woitowitz, Riley Woitowitz, Georgia Bumstead, Spencer Harth, Ty Clapperton, Hugh Clarke, Mackenzie Wedrat, Nicholas Zimmerman, Shawnee King, Hannah Pattison, Toby Harms, Trent Young, Alyssa Ferguson, Claudia Henderson, Clare Griffiths, Mel Rose Bondoc, Chloe Donaldson, Tayla Woodward,Claudia Child, Jorja Ellis, Shawnee King, Lily Schloss, Emmason McIlveen, Beau Radke, Jade Alderton, Charlotte Kelly, Anna Lilburne, Dakota Wilson, Vivi Vadasz, Clare Boland, Ashley Dean, Ellie Stephen, Mikayla Leahy, Emily Griffiths, Nadine Garside, Emma Donaldson, Cobie Wedrat, Ethan Horrigan, Erik Van Zelst, Kaity Harms and Chelsea Butler.

In the Pottery section the following students have entries: Imogen Mittelstadt, Shawnee King, Spencer Harth, Trent Young, Perry Anne Pacio, Clare Boland, Clare Griffiths, Mackenzie Wedrat, Dakota Barnett, Natalia Haager, Abby Wilkins and Phoenix McArthur.

Whilst in the Photography section: Jonty MacDougall, Phoenix McArthur and Charles Boland have numerous entries.

Please support our local show and the wonderful artistic talents our students.

Mrs McArthur

Visual Art Teacher

As the next General Meeting of the College P & F falls in the Easter holidays, the date has been changed to Tuesday, 23 April which is the first day back in Term 2. Please note also that the meeting will be held in the PAC. All welcome.

Parents of Year 11 students are invited to an information night on Monday, 29 April. The presentation will focus on the new QCE and ATAR system, new curriculum expectations and provide an opportunity for parents to ask questions. We encourage all Year 11 students and their parents to attend.

The College Musical Costume department are looking for a number of items to put towards the costume wardrobe for The Wiz. If you have any of the following items, we would love to either borrow or have them:-

• Old hats/ fascinators
• Frilly shirts
• Waistcoats
• Feathers, lace, doilies
• Old brooches, costume jewellery
• Colourful half aprons
• Belts &braces
• Ankle boots/ high boots
• Leather or leather- look fabric

Any items can be dropped off on Wednesday or Friday afternoons during rehearsals to the tuckshop or to the College Office.