What a fantastic night on Wednesday in the MPC. The College P-12 Art Show was a tremendously successful event and one that we can all be very proud of. A huge thanks must go to Mrs McArthur for her continued tireless efforts, to not only set up the show but for her ongoing endeavour in promoting the Arts in our College.

In the words of our wonderful judge this year, Maree Cameron, Art is certainly a gift and a challenge! 

Student artworks will continue to be on sale until the end of Term. Pieces can be paid for and collected from the College Office.

For Those Affected by Bushfires

Our thoughts this week are with those who have suffered the impacts of bushfires recently.  Many have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their treasures and memories, not to mention the flora and fauna that has been decimated by the fires raging through areas abundant with fuel.  We also pray for those who chose to cause these fires as a way of appeasing their own ego.  We pray that through consequence or through reflection they will learn to develop ways of thinking that gain them humility, strength and empathy as they progress in life. 

We pray mostly for the Australian community – that it can stand up and support those in greatest need to rebuild these areas of devastation to places of renewed energy and enthusiasm.  In addition we pray that our government begins to learn the great diversity of our country, especially outside of capital cities, and begin to implement practices that enable greater care of our landscapes so that land can be best managed by those that are responsible for it without fear of persecution.  In this way our country can be both resourceful, sustainable and free from environmental disasters like those we have been witnessing this last week.     

Vocal Performance and One Act Shows PLUS the Art Show

Last night I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the 2019 Vocal Performance and One Act Plays in the PAC, and what an evening it was!!  The standard of performance across all aspects was excellent! A huge thanks to Mrs Hetherington and Mr Blauw for the preparation for the One Act Plays and the wonderful Miss Jessica Berwick for her amazing coaching of our vocalists. The work of these staff and students exemplified everything that we are

On Wednesday night the Art Show was brilliant!  So many students, parents, uncles, aunties and grandparents exploring the variety of Art on display in the MPC.  We saw some outstanding pieces and many of these were recognised with prizes from our Judge, Maree Cameron. A huge thanks to Mrs Bronwyn McArthur and her band of helpers who presented the show as a hallmark of events for our College!

I am very excited for the future of Culture at OLSCC and everything that is going into bringing it back into prominence.  I see events such as these as just the beginning.  We are looking forward to next year when we are composing a week of performance and engagement in the Arts and Culture space.  We will also be creating greater opportunities to experience Culture for staff and students alike through excursions to The Empire Theatre, USQ ArtWorks, and the wide variety of options for engagement in Brisbane.  A huge thank you to Mrs Baxter who is getting the ball rolling with some magnificent work as Middle Leader Culture this year, as well as all of those who have contributed to making these amazing opportunities for our students and community a reality.

Rugby 7s at Scots Warwick Tomorrow – All the Best

We have 4 teams travelling to Warwick for the annual Scot’s Rugby 7s Carnival.  Under 14 Girls, Under 16 Girls, Under 16 Boys and under 18 Boys will all be in an intense timetable to play their way into the finals for tomorrow afternoon.  Keep an eye on Facebook as we will be posting updates throughout the day.  Thanks to Mr Petersen for taking the time to get us there in the coach, as well as Mr Garside, Mr Lincoln and Mr Routley who will coach the girls and boys.

Online Subject Offerings

Monday sees Mr Hodge and I travel to Assumption College Warwick where we are taking the initial steps in the journey of creating Diocesan online senior subjects.  This would mean that students could access a wider array of subjects across the Diocese without every College having to offer every senior subject – currently a remarkable expense for small Colleges.  We are working in collaboration with Assumption College Warwick, St Joseph’s Stanthorpe, Mary Mackillop Catholic College Highfields and are very excited by the future opportunities we are creating for our students despite the “disadvantage” of rural education.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

PRAYER FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD 

It is when we are still that we know. 

It is when we listen that we hear. 

It is when we remember that we see your light, O God. 

From your Stillness we come. 

With your sound all life quivers with being. 

From you the light of this moment shines. 

Grant us to remember you at the heart of each moment. 

Grant us to remember. 
 
 

APRE RETREAT 

I have spent the last three days joined with other APREs from our diocese for our annual formation retreat.  This year's theme was Art, Spirituality and Care for the Common home, a great opportunity to renew and explore Pope Francis’ Laudato Si Encyclical.

NAPLAN Online – Community engagement with NAPLAN Online resources 

There are several resources readily available online for teachers, students and parents to access in preparation for NAPLAN Online.  Those with specific focus for parents will regularly be promoted in in our College Newsletter. Some essential sites for parents to begin exploring are listed below. 

NAPLAN Online Parent information: 

https://NAPLANonline.qld.edu.au/getting-ready/parent-information 

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment 

Public demonstration site with demonstration tests:

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

Queensland Core Skills Test (QCS)

Congratulations to the nine students who sat the final ever QCS test. The students should be very proud for their approach toward the test and it was obvious that all students tried their hardest. These students and the remainder of the Year 12 cohort are now finalising their Term 3 assignments and exams. We continue to wish them well in the completion of these tasks.

Time Management

Each student will have at least one assessment item for each of their classes. This means that students must plan their time in order to stay on top of their assessment load. Students need to contact their teacher early on if they are struggling or getting behind. In the Senior Years, this means that students need to speak to their teachers directly or send them an email. Additionally, students are provided with class time for each of their assignments. The use of this class time is essential with remaining on top of their assessment program.

Any student who is struggling with their time management is welcome to see me and I will happily take them through various strategies to get back on track.

Assessment Conditions

A number of students have been asking their teachers for extensions on the day that their assessment tasks are due. Please note that no extensions will be provided due to poor time management. The following are extracts from the Senior Years Assessment Guidelines:

• Students must submit their assignment to their subject teacher at any time before the due date, but no later than 3.30 pm on the day it is due.
• Late submission of student assessment in Years 9, 10, 11 or 12: The College Assessment Guidelines and the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) makes it clear that student assessment can only be judged on the evidence submitted on or before the due date, unless there is a verified case for Special Provisions.
• The student must hand in the assignment by the due time and date. Failure to do this for any reason (including computer/printer breakdown) means the draft will be graded and this grade will be recorded.

These guidelines ensure that there is equity for all students with the amount of time that they have to complete an assignment task. I encourage all students to speak to their teachers or myself if they have any questions or require some support.

Achievements

Our Year 9-12 students participate in a wide variety of College and community events and activities. I would love to recognise those students who achieve success in their various endeavours . Please email me at matthew.hodge@twb.catholic.edu.au if you have some news to share.

The Week Ahead

Next week is a busy week for our students.

• Year 9 students will have normal classes this week.
• Year 10 students are participating in Work Experience Week. I am sure that these students will be great ambassadors for our College.
• Year 11 students will be attending their camp at Emu Gully on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Year 12 students will be attending a Police Seminar regarding positive choices on Wednesday and assisting at Under 8's Day on Thursday.

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years

Junior

Netball

Best of luck to the two Year 5/6 Netball Teams who will attend the QLD Schools Cup Competition at Maroochydore this weekend. Thanks to Miss Crow and Mrs Wilkins for taking our teams to this event.

Aquathlon

Any Boys or Girls turning 11 or 12 in 2020 (Born 2008 or 2009) who would like to participate in the Darling Downs Aquathlon Trials please see Mr Lincoln for more information. An Aquathlon consists of a 1km run, 200m swim, followed by another 1km run. These trials will be held at the Dalby Aquatic Centre on Friday, 25 October (this is the day after the Year 6 Canberra Tour returns).

Senior

DD Futsal

Any Boys or Girls turning 13 this year (Born 2006) who would like to attend Darling Downs Futsal trials next Term please see Mr Lincoln for more information.

Volleyball

Training has commenced on Monday mornings from 7.00am – 8.30am for any students in Years 7-12 who would like to attend the Darling Downs Schools Cup Competition in Toowoomba next Term.

Return of Sporting Uniforms

As the end of the Term 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 Term. This includes Netball dresses and Athletics singlets.

Girls Rugby Sevens

Last Friday afternoon, two teams of girls travelled to Highfields for some match practice against St Ursula’s College and Mary MacKillop Highfields for the upcoming Rugby Sevens season. Five games were played across the afternoon resulting in three wins, one draw and one loss. The girls are to be commended on the spirit in which they played the games, and for the outstanding way they wore their Sports Uniform to and from the games. Thanks to Mr Garside and Mrs Wilkins for attending with our teams. Most girls will now play at the Scots College Carnival this Saturday.

Scots College Warwick Rugby Sevens

This Saturday an Under 14 and Under 16 Girls, and Under 16 and Under 18 Boys teams, will attend the Scots College Sevens Carnival in Warwick. The Under 14 boys team was withdrawn due to lack of numbers. The bus will be leaving at 6.00am.

SWQ Rugby Sevens Series

Six College Teams will compete in the SWQ Sevens Series in Term 4 in Toowoomba. Girls will play on Tuesday afternoons starting 15 October and Boys will play on Thursday afternoons from 17 October. Age groups for this competition are Under 13, Under 15 and Open.

Touch Football

The first week of next Term will be the QLD All Schools Touch Football Carnival at Whites Hill in Brisbane. The Under 15 teams will be playing from Wednesday 9 October to Friday 11 October with finals on the Saturday. The Open Mixed Team play from Friday 11 October to Sunday 13 October. Draws have been passed onto students. The current draw is at version 3, but this has no changes for College teams from version 2. Any late draw changes or last minute information will be placed on the QLD All Schools website www.qldallschools.com.au  and sent out via the Schoolzine app over the holidays.

2020 Confraternity Shield Rugby League and Netball Carnivals

The 2020 QISSRL and QISSN Carnivals will be held in Brisbane in the first week of the June/ July holidays. The Rugby League Carnival is open to any boys turning 16 or older in 2020. The Netball Carnival is open to any girls in Years 9-12 in 2020. An initial meeting about these carnivals will be held on Monday October 14 (Week 2, Term 4) in the PAC at 6.00pm. Morning training for both of these teams will also begin in Week 2, as it is anticipated that playing numbers for both teams will be high next year.

Cricket

Any boys interested in trialling for the Inner Downs Under 14 Cricket Trials on Thursday 19 September need to see Mr Lincoln for more information. Boys must be born in 2006, 2005 or after September 1 2004.

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Over the last two days students from our College assisted with the Annual Beck Street Kindergarten Athletics Carnival. The students had a fantastic time running the activities, and awarding medals and certificates to the participants. Our students were even lucky enough to participate in some of the events.

Discovering Beauty in our World

In Year 2 we have been taking time to notice the beauty in the world around us this year. Our discoveries in Science when learning about water, lead us to study the intricacies of snowflakes. Georgie brought us some snow back from the snowfields as we were intrigued by all the different patterns we could see using the microscopes. We had a go at making some snowflakes of our own.

‘Snowflakes are unique like each of us!’  - Lucy

‘Snowflakes are cold but soft’ – Georgie

‘Lying under the snowflakes is really cool and fun because it’s interesting to see all the different patterns’ – Felix & Sam

‘Snowflakes are beautiful and have patterns’ – Milla

‘Snowflakes are tricky to make’ – Hugo

‘Snowflakes are a type of precipitation’ – Flynn

Year 2 & 3 students have been spending their lunchtimes growing vegetables and fruit since last year. Dr Verhoef, on behalf of the P & F Association, gave these students a Bunnings voucher to assist in their gardening endeavours. They are very excited to have some more child sized gardening equipment along with more seeds, and support for climbing plants.

“Thankyou to the P & F for supporting our lunchtime garden club. We love spending our time in the gardens!”

This year, the Prep area has been fortunate enough to have picnic tables and stools for the children to eat at. This has been a wonderful addition to our resources. It has been very disappointing therefore, to see children walking across the tops of the tables before and after school. The Prep parents currently work on a volunteer roster to keep the tables clean for hygienic eating, and it is incredible how many times they are wiping footprints (large and small!) off the tables. Please assist us by adhering to the following:

• The only children allowed in the Prep area before school are those who are Prep students who are supervised by parents, or siblings supervising Prep students. Please do not allow your child to walk across the tables.

NO STUDENTS OF ANY YEAR LEVEL SHOULD BE WALKING ACROSS THE TABLES AT ANY TIME. PLEASE DISCUSS THIS SIMPLE MATTER OF ETIQUETTE AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF RESOURCES WITH YOUR CHILDREN.

Congratulations to the lucky winners of the Saint’s Race Day Raffle –

• Student Pack                        Melissa Hart
• Spring Home Décor             Jake Griffiths
• Pampers & Champers         Bill Goodlett
• Mens Pack                             Bec Martin
• Wine & Dine                          Julie Nimmo
• Tupperware Pack                 Bree Barnett
• Ladies Package                     Melissa Irwin
• Family Pack                           Tammlynn Kimpton