The College Commencement Mass was held in the MPC yesterday and it was a wonderful opportunity to start our school year with prayer and a celebration of Christ and the values we adopt at our College. Our 2020 Senior students entered the MPC hand-in-hand with a new Prep student and, as is the tradition, there were high fives all around as each student marked the start of their first year at school and and the start of their last.

In his homily, Father Jim pointed out that each of us is one of 4 billion people on our planet and it is wrong for us to think we are more important than any one else. He explained how we can all learn something from one another and it is a valuable lesson to recognise that we are not any more important that the next person. It was a humbling thought but an important one.

Father Jim also highlighted the lessons we learn in life, sometimes the hard way. If you steal a bone from a dog long enough, he will eventually bite you. Those moments can sometimes lead to funny stories later on but it is the lesson we learn that is important and, for most of us, there are many.

After the Mass, Mr Cuskelly stepped forward to report on the success of our 2019 Senior grdauates. He highlighted the fact that all students who were accepted to university received their first preference which is an outstanding result. 88% of students who were OP eligible received an OP 1 - 15 and 40% of graduates received a VET qualification.

Claire Gibson, College P & F Treasurer then stepped forward to present a cheque for $200,000 to Mr Cuskelly which will be put towards technology and infrastructure projects including the Middle Years Plaza.

Laura May was then announced as the College Dux for 2019 and she was the recipient of the Western Downs Regional Council Academic Excellence Award with a bursary of $250 as well as the Dalby Friendly Society Dispensary Finacial Bursary of $2000. Rory Ross was the recipient of the Jenny Thornton Bursary of $300 as a student who is entering the field of Science or Mathematics at University. We congratulate both Rory and Laura as the venture forward in the next chapter of their lives.

Commencement Mass and Academic Assembly

Yesterday we gathered as a whole college at our Commencement Mass to celebrate liturgy and recognise the individual and collective achievements of 2019.  A special congratulations to Laura May, our 2019 College Dux, and Rory Ross, the recipient of the Jenny Thornton Bursary.  I would also like to thank those parents that were able to attend considering all of the concerns regarding water levels throughout the day.  One highlight was the donation of $200,000 by the P&F which will go towards the Middle Years Plaza, the recent technology upgrades and other capital projects across the College.  A huge injection of funds such as this allows the College to manage and prioritise larger projects and make them a reality for our students.

Get involved!

In a P&F association, many hands make light work.  At present we have a generous few who are very committed and invest lots of effort to keep the College so well supported.  As communicated last year, we are reimagining the organisation of the P&F so that parents and friends can contribute to the P&F without the need to attend meetings or be given a formal role.  The idea is that we gain insight into areas of interest for individuals, and then engage people in this way.  We know there are some people who would be happy to provide some meals to those in need, or spend some time doing some gardening or yard work, but really aren’t interested in attending meetings or becoming the treasurer.  Accordingly, this week we are sending home the P&F update with further information so that you can express interest in ways you would like to help out.  With the Middle Years Plaza construction coming up next term, we are certainly keen for some people to help out at working bees so we can get the site ready. Please complete the form and return to the office or your child’s teacher as soon as possible.

Better Informed

You will note at the top of every newsletter moving forward that there is a table outlining upcoming events so our community is better informed.  In this calendar we will have the coming fortnight, as well as significant events that may require our parents and carers to make work arrangements to attend.  Please make use of this and contact the College should you require any further details of the event.  This is in response to community feedback and I hope it helps everyone keep on top of all the action at OLSCC.

Enrolments @ OLSCC

We are at the point where we have some year levels that are at capacity for students.  This means that unless a student transfers from another Catholic school due to relocating to Dalby, it is not possible for us to take more enrolments.  At present, both Prep and Year 1 are at capacity, and Years 3, 5, 9 and 10 are nearing capacity.  We are also adjusting our enrolment process for Prep in preparation for 2021, with details coming out in Week 1 of Term 2.  Please keep in touch with this information as our intent is to remain inclusive of our community, whilst not increasing our total enrolment levels to beyond a sustainable number. Please ensure you keep up to date with newsletters and information that is communicated via SZapp and SMS so that your family is not too late for our future enrolment dates.

Middle Years Plaza

I have been working extensively on the delivery of the Middle Years Plaza after our disaster in cost estimation at the end of last year.  We have received the plans and cost estimation that allows us to develop detailed plans for the tender process.  This will take place over the next few weeks, and once complete we will go to tender. It is my intention to have this project delivered during this school year, and am comfortable this can be readily attained.  

New College Hats

Our new hats are in production after overwhelming support of the change late last year.  They look fantastic, the samples are in the office and we look forward to having these for sale as soon as they land on our doorstep.  Availability will be advertised via the College Facebook page.

Communication Reminder

The best way to keep informed of the happenings of the College is the use of the SZapp, as well as subscribing to the newsletter via email.  In addition many photos, celebrations, videos and other items are communicated via Facebook, though we understand that not everyone is engaged in this platform.  Please download the SZapp, subscribe to relevant sector groups  and link with OLSCC to keep informed. Please feel free to provide feedback regarding college communication via Dalby@twb.catholic.edu.au. Whilst we can’t cater to every individual need, or continue wasting paper by printing every communication, collective feedback is certainly useful to us to ensure we are getting the message across to our community.  

Pete Cuskelly

Principal

Yesterday we celebrated our Commencement Mass and Academic Assembly.  The Student Leaders and Senior students were blessed by Fr Jim in their leadership roles this year with the following prayer.   

Lord, today you raise up leaders from within our community. 

We give thanks for those who have accepted the specific role of leader and we undertake today to give them our support. 

Guide them and bless them in their leadership. 

We give thanks, too, for all those others who show leadership in our community without the title of School Leader, especially our Year 12 students of 2020. 

Guide them, encourage them and bless them in their leadership. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord, 

Amen 

UPCOMING COURSE FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON’S EUCHARIST: SACRED MEAL, SACRIFICE, REAL PRESENCE.  

Christ is alive and fully present in the Eucharist. Join us as we delve into the “source and summit” of our Faith with Bishop Barron’s DVD-based program: Eucharist:  Sacred Meal, Sacrifice and Real Presence. This spiritual study will give you a deeper understanding of the precious gift of Christ’s body, blood, soul and divinity that you can receive at each and every Mass. On Sunday, 23 February from 5 to 6.30pm, our parish will begin this six session Eucharist program. Stay tuned for details of how to register! 

Naplan Online 

This week, Mr Cuskelly and I attended further training in the implementation of NAPLAN online.  We will conduct practice tests for students in Year 3, 5,7, 9 in Week 9 and 10 of this term.  I encourage all parents of children in these year levels to familiarise yourself with the test platform via https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site.  Laptops will be set up before and after school next Thursday on the walkway outside the PAC (opposite Prep entry) for parents to take a look and ask questions.   

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education

Below are the latest results from the Middle Years Paper, Scissors, Rock competition Round 3. There will be one more round this week which is being issued today and after that round, all remaining competitors will face off at the Sector Assembly final next week. Word is, Mr Cuskelly is gunning to win so all those MY students still in the round, go get him!

Arabella Donaldson 7B defeated Toby Petersen 8B 

Pain Brennan 7B defeated Tiffany Ham 7B

Damika Wilson 7B defeated Karli Barrows 6C

Isabel Johnston 6KT defeated Mariska Van Zelst 6KT

Samuel Luck 8A defeated Bailey Brennan 8B

Jack Gibson 6C defeated Callum Bundy 6KT

Noah Cook 5T defeated Hayden Koehler 6KT

Lana O'Callaghan 6C defeated Charli Coleman 6KT

Heidi Reed 6C defeated Cooper Bracken 6KT

Mr Cuskelly defeated Thomas Calver 6C

Liberty Jackson 7B defeated Brooke Kienne 6KT

Kai Rush 5T defeated Penny Cartwright 6KT

John Greenaway 5T defeated Sophie Jeude 5C

Junior

Inter House Swimming Carnival

Points

Rice 532

Nolan 417

MacKillop 406

McAuley 360

Age Champions will be presented at the next Whole School Assembly.

Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival

Dalby was scheduled to host the Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival on Wednesday. Due to the wet weather and flooding in the area this carnival as moved to Toowoomba at late notice, hence the College didn’t participate. The carnival will be back in Dalby for 2021.

Bunya District Swimming Trials

The Bunya District Under 9-12 Years Swimming Trials will be held on Tuesday 25 February at the Dalby Aquatic Centre. Students who meet qualifying times to attend this carnival have been notified.

Secondary

Darling Downs Swimming Trials

The Darling Downs 13-18 Years Swimming Trials will be held in Gatton on Tuesday 3 March. Students who wish to attend these trials are to see Mr Lincoln for more information.

Touch Football

Season 1 of the Dalby Touch Football Competition starts on Monday 17 February for the Open Mixed Team (Stingers) and Wednesday 19 February for the Under 15 Girls Team (Vipers). Students interested in playing in these teams at the SWQ and QLD All Schools Carnivals need to sign on via the Sports Notice Board and are invited to play in the first two rounds of the Dalby Touch Competition. If required trials maybe held to finalise teams after these two rounds. The draw for the games will appear on the Dalby Touch Football website. Please note an Under 15 Boys Team will still be attending the school carnivals later in the year but the team will only play in Season 2 of the Dalby Touch Football Competition due to the majority of the boys having many other football commitments in Semester 1. Trials to select this team will be held later in the term. Any queries please see Mr Lincoln.

Netball

The Laura Geitz Netball Competition will be held in Toowoomba on Sunday 23 February. This is for Girls in Year 7-9. The College will be sending one team to attend this carnival. With the wet weather about it has been very difficult to find a suitable time to select this team, however it will be finalized in the next few days.

Cricket

The College will again participate in the DDSWQ 20/20 Cricket Competition. Games are scheduled to start in Week 5 and will be played weekly. A draw will be out shortly, and trials will be held to select a team.  

Inner Downs Cluster 2 Trials

Inner Downs Cluster 2 Trials will be held on Wednesday 26 February in Highfields. Sports involved will be U15 and U18 Rugby League, Soccer, Netball and Basketball. More information will be available next week.

Darling Downs Trials

Students will directly nominate to Darling Downs Trials on Tuesday 10 March for Under 14 Boys and Girls AFL, Golf, Hockey and Girls Under 16 Rugby Sevens. More information will be available next week.

Tim Lincoln

Middle Leader Sport

Sometimes our child’s transition to school starts off well, but after a few weeks the “glitter and glamour” of starting school can begin to wear off, and before we know it, parents are stuck with the pleading and coercing from their child to let them stay home.  It’s not unusual for children to feel a little anxious about going back to school. It usually starts on a Monday morning in the lead up to going to school or may even start the night before.

Children can complain of having a stomach-ache or headache and can be teary.  Anxiety can affect the body and will often present itself as physical symptoms in our children. Although it is normal to have worries, it is essential that you encourage your child to attend school.  Avoidance only increases fear and makes it more difficult to attend school in the long-term.  Here are some strategies to deal with back to school worries:

• Keep a predictable routine and ensure your child is sleeping and eating well. Use an alarm clock to make sure your child wakes up on time
• Be organised to reduce any rush in the morning – plan school lunches, pack school bag the night before, lay out school clothes.
• Make a regular time to talk with your child. Encourage your child to problem solve through any fears they have and develop and rehearse a plan.
• Teach and practice coping skills to use when they are nervous – deep breathing, positive self-talk (e.g. ‘You’ve got this’)
• If the behaviour continues, connect with your child’s teacher and request additional support to help your child settle at school.

For more information:   

Web links:

Separation anxiety in children (Raisingchildren.net.au)

Books:

Joanne Garfi– Overcoming School Refusal: A practical guide for teachers, counsellors, caseworkers and parents

Ronald Rapee – Helping Your Anxious Child Second Edition: A Step-by-step  Guide for Parents

The Brave Program – Online Anxiety Program for Children and Teens (www.brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au)

Luke Holmes

College Counsellor

On Sunday 23 February, Dalby Trisports Club will host the Annual Dalby Triathlon. Please visit the website at https://www.dalbytrisports.com/ for all the details. In 2019, we had a fabulous representation of students from our College, and we are hoping to see even more of our students out competing on the day. Mrs Walton will be manning the microphone and will be on the lookout for OLSCC students to interview on the run! The staff of our College are also currently refining who will get to participate in the Business House Challenge and we am sure they would appreciate any support on the day! 

It's on again. Check out the flyer below for the details of how you can enter.