Today we welcomed 48 new Prep students and 37 Early, Middle and Senior Years students for our UP Day as well as two new teachers, Miss Amy Parker and Miss Leah McDuff. Miss Parker will be teaching in Senior Years and Miss Duff will be teaching Year 6. All students, both new and existing, settled in well to their new class groups with their new teachers and everyone is now looking forward to a great start in 2020.

Up, Up and Away!

We are enjoying an amazing day at OLSCC for UP Day today, as our students are experiencing a day in the life of next year.  They are meeting their teachers, learning routines, transitions and expectations, as well as engaging in the curriculum of their 2020 classes.  I saw some Senior Years students loaning their texts for next year so they can get a head start in the new QCE system, and we were very blessed to have special visits from Miss McDuff (Year 6M) and Miss Parker (Year 9/10 Maths/Science/STEM and HPE) who have begun their work with their classes.  Although this is quite a logistical nightmare for the College and demands that we have our class lists and timetables organised considerably earlier than other Colleges, the rewards of the day are well and truly worth it.

There have been dozens of new students enjoying the day with their new classmates and they have all been welcomed warmly into the College community.  After speaking to many of the new and existing students, it is surely appreciated that they can get a thorough understanding of their teachers, expectations and just all the ins and outs of what life in 2020 will look like.

Thanks to all the staff who have made today such a success for our students.

Carols Tomorrow

It is exciting to see all the preparations being finalised for the Christmas Carols evening.  This exciting event will be an excellent opportunity for our community to come together and share dinner, a drink and the Christmas Carols as presented by the students and staff at OLSCC.  A huge thanks to all of the teachers, especially the music teachers, who have been working tirelessly to get the student performances up to scratch, as well as the support and grounds staff who are making the magic happen to ensure everything is ready to go. Although I can’t be here for the evening, I can’t wait to hear of its success.

Farewell Year 11

Tomorrow we farewell the Year 10 and 11 students as they finish their academic year.  Congratulations to all Year 11 students who have now officially made it through the first year of the new QCE system in Queensland.  The Prefect group has already begun planning a session for 2020 Year 11 students and their families to share some insight into the challenges and tricks of the trade for achieving success in Year 11. As many of these students already have their texts for 2020, I guess one of the tricks is to be well prepared.

Peter Cuskelly

Principal

Today we had an exciting day with students moving UP a class in preparation for 2020.  We were joined by many new faces who we look forward to officially welcoming in 2020 to our College community.  As our year concludes we look to the joy of Christmas and the opportunities that next year holds for each of us. 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8  

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal 

Thank you so much for your generosity to the Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal.  The amount of hamper goods that have filled our foyer have been tremendous.  The hope of the Christmas season was truly celebrated in your donations.  Thanks for making Christmas a joy-filled time for those who need our support. 

Immaculata Mission School 2020 - To Know God, To Love God, To Make God Known 

"My experience at the Immaculata Mission School allowed me to meet new people from all over the country and to journey deeper in the faith with them all". Year 10 student who attended in 2019  

What is it: A ten-day live-in formation school for young people, with talks on the faith from awesome speakers, daily Mass & prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, praise & worship, fun & fellowship & lots more! 

When: 1-10 January, 2020 

Where: The Glennie School, Toowoomba QLD 

Who: 15-35 year olds 

Special guest speaker: Dr Ralph Martin (USA), Professor of Sacred Theology, international speaker on evangelisation and the spiritual life.  Dr Martin is a consulter to the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation and has spoken in over 30 countries. 

Other guest speakers: Archbishop Julian Porteous, Vince Fitzwilliams, James Parker, Jess Leach, Paul Elarde, Sisters of the Immaculata & more. 

How much: $390 (cost includes all accommodation, food, speakers and activities) before 18 Nov, $450 after 18 Nov  Funding support available from St Joseph’s Parish see Mrs Brennan or Fr Jim for details. 

For more info or to register: www.sistersoftheimmaculata.org.au/ims or 0406 372 608 

Christmas Carols  

We look forward to family and community members joining us tomorrow for our Christmas Carols.  We have changed the format from previous years to focus the evening on a simple gathering to sing and enjoy each others company.  It will run from 6:00pm-8:00pm on the main oval near the basketball courts. Battery powered candles will be available for sale on the night for $2 each.  Don’t forget to bring a chair or picnic blanket to sit on.  A BBQ and Bar will be operating to ensure the family is well fed.  We look forward to you joining us for this occasion as we prepare for Christmas.   

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

Junior

Swimming

The Years 1-3 (Under 6- Under 8) Swimming Carnival is being held on Friday 29 November. Carnival programs are available at the College Office. Buses have been booked to leave the College at 8.50am and will return at the conclusion of the carnival. The order of events on the day will be; 100m Freestyle, 12.5m Kickboard, 12.5m Freestyle, 25m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, 12.5m Breaststroke, 25m Breaststroke, 50m Breaststroke, Little Pool Activities, 12.5m Backstroke, 25m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke, 12.5m Butterfly, 25m Butterfly, 50m Butterfly.

Under 12 Sports Dates February 2020 v3

• Under 9- Under 12 Swimming Carnival Friday 7 February
• Primary Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival Wednesday 12 February (Dalby)
• Bunya District Swimming Trials Tuesday 25 February 9.00am – 11.30am
• Bunya District Under 12 Basketball Trials Tuesday 25 February 3.30pm-4.30pm

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.

Senior

QCIS Sport 2020

In 2020 Our Lady of the Southern Cross College will be joining the Queensland Combined Independent Schools Sports Group (QCIS). This will be a fantastic opportunity for the students at the College to compete against quality opposition on a regular basis throughout the year. Three major carnivals will be held next year for students from Under 10- through to the Under 18 Age Group for both boys and girls.

Schools involed in the QCIS Group are:

• Toowoomba Anglican College (TAS)
• Toowoomba Christian College (TCC)
• Concordia College
• Downlands College
• Scots PGC College Warwick
• Our Lady of the Southern Cross College

2020 Carnival Dates

Swimming

• Monday 16 March at Milne Bay Pool Toowoomba

Cross Country

• Friday 15 May at Scots PGC Warwick

Track and Field

• Friday 7 August at Downlands College

Senior School Sports Dates February 2020 v3

• Thursday 6 February Inner Downs Cluster 1 Trials (Dalby - Tennis, Touch Football, Cricket)
• Thursday 13 February Darling Downs Cluster 1 Sports Trials (Tennis, Touch Football, Cricket)
• Friday 14 February Under 13 – Open Swimming Carnival
• Wednesday 26 February Inner Downs Cluster 2 Trials (Highfields) Sports Include; Rugby League, Netball, Soccer, Basketball

Touch Football

2019 has been a successful year for the College in Touch Football. The Under 15 Boys team made it through the Preliminary Final of the Mens’s A Grade Competition, the Under 15 Girls team narrowly missed a spot in the Women’s A Grade Final Series and the Under 18 Mixed Team just lost the A Grade Mixed Grand Final. Planning has already started for 2020 and any students wishing to be involved in Under 15 Boys, Under 15 Girls or the Under 18 Mixed College Touch Football Teams need to register their interest with Mr Lincoln. Trials will be held early next year to finalise all teams who will compete in Season 1 of the Dalby Touch Association fixtures which will begin in the early February.

2020 Confraternity Shield Rugby League and Netball

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 in open to any girls in Years 9-12 in 2020. Morning training for both teams will recommence in Week 2 of Term 1 next year (Monday 3 February 7.00am). Currently there as 16 girls in the Netball Squad before a final team of 10 players is selected along with 27 boys trialing in the Rugby League Squad before a final team of 20 is selected.  Final team selections will be announced during mid Term 1 next year.

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Expression of Interest

Our Lady of the Southern Cross College is pleased to be able to once again, offer lessons in our Instrumental Program to students in Year 4 to 11. Mrs Baxter will be offering tuition in Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion and Mr Dore will have some vacancies in Piano. These vacancies are filliing very fast so if your child is interested in Instrumental or Piano lessons, please return the Expression of Interest forms to the College Office as sson as possible.

Once accepted into the Program, students will be placed into a group lesson for 40 minutes each week, depending on the type of instrument. Groups will have 4 – 8 students. 

Fees will be charged and collected by the College. Tutor books will be loaned to students through the College library. Students will also require a display book for copies of extra music that they will be given. The hire of instruments, where applicable, will be facilitated by the College and this will cost $25 per term to allow for servicing of the instrument. Lessons will cost $15 per lesson and this will be charged to parents through the school fees by the College office. Mr Dore's Piano lessons have a different pricing structure so please see the College Office for more details.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, please sign the attached form and return it to the College as soon as possible. Copies are also available at the College Office for collection. Please contact Mrs Baxter  (libby.baxter@twb.catholic.edu.au) if you have any queries.

Libby Baxter

Instrumental Music Teacher

Usually it is the students who get to have all the fun on a dress up day for their House, Sports or a charity day but last Friday, it was for staff only and some students were left wondering what was going on. A majority of staff got in on the fun donning their most colourful crazy shirt and in one case, a whole suit. Yes, Mr Aislabie dug to the very back of his wardrobe to uncover a fashion statement from the 70s and he proudly wore it for the entire day. There was no reason for the crazy shirt day other than for staff to have a bit of fun and it certainly gave many a smile including students who were very impressed with the effort everyone made. 

This month, Triple P Online will be getting exciting new features, like more personalised tips and tools, more downloadable resources, and new videos.

It’s FREE for families, thanks to Queensland Government funding – for more information and to get started, go to

Book your next appointment with me online!

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/OLSCCCounsellingService@twb.catholic.edu.au/bookings/

Luke Holmes

Counsellor

In 2020, students from Years 7-12 will continue their learning using the 1 to 1 Laptop programme. At OLSCC we want our students to be able to work digitally in order to achieve mastery learning in academic pursuits. This initiative is a part of the integration with CANVAS and classroom technology which are important elements in the learning journey of students at the College.

The Laptops used in the programme are high quality devices that ensure that students can access all curriculum requirements developed by teachers. The programme is backed up by technical expertise within the College. The supply of the laptop is through a lease agreement over 3 years. The family contribution to the cost of the laptop is approximately 50% of the total cost of the device. After the 3-year period students have the opportunity to by the laptop for $100.00.

A package of information will be distributed to Year 6 students transitioning to Year 7 at OLSCC early next week. New enrolments to the College in Years 7-12 will also receive relevant documentation.  A cover letter will accompany this information which will explain in greater depth the 1 to 1 Laptop programme.

It is important, that as an organization preparing young people for a digital world, that we use 21^st Century technology.

College Piano teacher, Mr Damian Dore has written a Musical titled 'The Flute, The Lantern and The Spell' and it will be staged in the Empire Theatre Studio in Toowoomba from Wednesday, 11 December to Friday, 13 December.

This Musical will be performed by a cast of Year 10 to 12 and some University students from the Toowoomba area and has been workshoped throughout 2019 to be presented for the very first time next month.

The show is family friendly suitable for ages 10+. If you would like to know more about this performance or to purchase a ticket, please go to

https://www.empiretheatre.com.au/event/774/the-flute-the-lantern-the-spell

We wish Mr Dore all the best for the debut performance of his Musical. 

College Staff

• Melissa Irwin
• Peter Cuskelly
• Luke Holmes

TCS Staff

• Peter Simpson
• Barbara Woods