By Mrs Liisa Hammond, Principal

Newsletter Week 10

Gospel – Luke 15: 1-3. 11-32

Luke’s Gospel this week is one of the most renowned parables, the Parable of the Prodigal Son or the Parable of the Lost Son.

As we finish Term 1, 2025, and enter the final preparations for Easter, Pope Francis has often drawn parallels between this parable and Easter. There is a profound interconnection represented by the themes of forgiveness, redemption and unconditional love.

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Christ. Through His death and resurrection, humanity is redeemed and presented with the promise of eternal life. Just as the father in the parable declares, “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is now found”, Easter celebrates God’s willingness to forgive us, no matter how far we have strayed.

At its heart, this parable encapsulates the Spirit that is Easter. It reminds us that no matter our past mistakes, we are always welcome back. Hope and redemption invite us to experience the transformative power of an encounter with each other when we come to that moment in Truth and Love.

As we look to celebrating Easter with our families and return for Term 2, 2025, let us take the opportunity to reflect on our experiences, learn from any challenges and carry forward the lessons of forgiveness and the promise of a renewed and hope-filled new term.

Farewell to Staff

Greg Convery

Greg is leaving us due to family commitments in Toowoomba. Luckily, he is not leaving Toowoomba Catholic Schools, however, and will be taking a position at St Saviour’s College. We thank Greg for the gift of Term 1, 2025. Not only has Greg been an exceptional teacher of ITD and Mathematics, but he has also helped our Year 12s to learn several dances that they will perform at their formal at the beginning of Term 2. Thank you for sharing your passion for Mathematics, ITD and dance with our community.

Marita Lunney

So, this one is tough.

Marita has been my Personal Assistant for the past two years. Before that, however, I had the privilege of working with Marita at my previous college, Good Samaritan College in Toowoomba. There, Marita effectively served as our Business Manager and Administrator. For seven years, I have worked with Marita and have come to marvel at her capacity to multi-task, her professionalism and her friendship. Recently, Marita became a grandmother, and the call to return to Toowoomba to be with her granddaughter is too great. Not being able to compete with a grandchild, we have to say goodbye to Marita, thanking her for all she has given to our community.

Welcome to New Staff

Kimberley Nelson

With Marita’s departure, we have had the opportunity to welcome Kimberley to the role of Principal's Assistant. Kimberley’s experience as a Business Manager and Administrator officer at other schools positions her as a wonderful addition to our team. We welcome Kimberley most warmly to our ACW community.

Short Review of Term 1, 2025

Term 1 at Assumption College, Warwick, was filled with academic achievements, enriching excursions, and vibrant community activities. From celebrating student successes to engaging in meaningful religious and cultural events, the term showcased the college's commitment to holistic education and a strong sense of community spirit. Here's a brief review of the highlights:

Engaged Students Learning

• Academic Achievements: Presentation of Dux (Nicholas Garvin), Proxime Accessit (Sam Cartwright), and Ordine Tertia (Cooper Morton). 100% of Year 12 students attained a QCE/QCIA.

• Excursions and Incursions: Pride and Prejudice excursion to Toowoomba, Sister Act excursion to QPAC Brisbane, Senior Art Incursion with David Wells, and QACOMA Asia Pacific Art Excursion.

• Academic Activities: Assessment calendars disseminated, Year 12 Academic Coaching Interviews, Academic Pin Ceremony, and Senior Music Performance for IA1.

• Professional Development: Subject Discipline Literacies PD, staff meeting on digital tools and data literacy, and various leadership masterclasses.

• Other Activities: Year 7 Transition Program, NAPLAN for Year 7 and Year 9 students, and Responsible Service of Alcohol and Gambling courses for Years 11 and 12.
Being Distinctively Catholic

• Religious Activities: Installation of Mary Sandstone Statue, Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday Liturgies, Harmony Day activities, and finalising Easter and ANZAC Day Liturgies.

• Sports and Competitions: The Senior Girls’ Basketball team placed 4th in Division 1, the Senior Boys’ Basketball team placed 3rd in Division 3, and participated in Stanthorpe’s National Busking Competition.

• Community and Charity: Pink Stump Day raised $ 1,500 for the McGrath Foundation, the launch of Donovan House Charity, and various pastoral care liturgies.
Using Resources Wisely

• Leadership and Development: Attendance at leadership forums and conferences, re-imagining of staff workspace, and continued development of the Wellbeing Centre.

• Events and Activities: Open Day with over 200 attendees, University Showcase, and Southern Downs Regional Careers Expo.

• Infrastructure: Announcement of the opening of a new building on August 15, and discussions on naming the new building and Wellbeing Centre.
Valuing Our People

• Professional Development: Sessions with professional coaches, leadership follow-ups, and strategic visioning workshops.

• Staff Changes: Farewell to Marita Lunney and Greg Convery, welcome to Kimberley Nelson, Andre Boon, and Aaron Buchanan.

• Student Leadership: Student Representative Council and Southern Downs Youth Council meetings, as well as the Year 12 Parent/Guardian Information Session.

• Community Engagement: Dance practice for Year 12 Formal, P&F Meeting AGM, and participation in local events like the Warwick Showgirl competition.

May our Mother Mary grant her blessings upon our College Community. 

By Mrs Anna Hardy, Assistant Principal Curriculum 

Interim Reports

Just a reminder, there will be no Term 1 Interim Reports issued. As mentioned in previous newsletters all feedback and results will be available through canvas for parents/guardians to access. If you need assistance with this, please attend our information sessions that will be occurring on the same day as Parent/Teacher/Student conferences for parents and guardians. These will occur every 20 minutes, and the same information will be given in each session. They are designed for parents and guardians to drop in before, during or after their conferences with teachers.

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences are being held on Tuesday 29 April 2025 in Assumption Hall. Students are encouraged to come along to these interviews and discuss their progress with their teachers. We believe that students are an important stakeholder in their learning journey and need to have a voice in these meetings.

Assessment Policy 

At Assumption College we value the learning inherent in the assessment pieces completed by the students. If a student fails to complete either a draft or a final, there will be sanctions put in place to ensure that this learning/assessment is completed. This is to ensure, not only an aspirational culture, but that students are accessing all of their mandated curriculum.

If your child does not complete a draft by the due date, their teacher will set a lunchtime detention to ensure that some drafting work is completed and submitted. If there is no final submitted, this draft will be marked.

If your child does not complete a final assessment piece by the due date, an academic detention (after school) will then be issued. The student will complete the assessment to a satisfactory standard during this time. If the assessment piece has already been submitted, the detention still stands and students will complete a written reflection during this time.

All assessment pieces have a due date and this must be adhered to. If a student is unwell they can apply for an extension. These extension forms are available at the college office. For Years 7 - 10, documentation from home to support the extension is required. For Years 11 - 12, the QCAA states that a medical certificate must be produced to support any extra time. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances that may require an extension of time, please discuss this with us and we will support your child to complete the process.

AARAs - Assessment Access Arrangements & Reasonable Adjustments (Year 11/12 students)

It is a system wide expectation that teacher planning is for all students. Teacher planning must incorporate the differentiation required for all students to access the curriculum. This planning for personalised learning ensures that students achieve their entitlement to "rigorous, relevant and engaging learning programs drawn from a challenging curriculum that addresses their individual, learning needs", as described by the Australian Curriculum and QCAA Senior Syllabuses.

Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) are processes put in place by the College and/or the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), to make assessment accessible for all students. AARAs enable students to demonstrate the assessed knowledge and skills, irrespective of any short, or long term, impairment, condition or illness.

AARAs are applied to the assessment conditions only and do not exempt a student from completing the assessment instrument. Nor do they change the criteria against which the student response is assessed. AARAs are provided to minimise, as much as possible, barriers for a student whose disability, impairment, medical condition or other circumstance affect their ability to read, respond to, or participate in the assessment.

The QCAA uses broad application categories for AARA eligibility:
• cognitive
• physical
• sensory
• social/emotional.

The definition of ‘disability’ used in the DDA is broad. It includes physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory, neurological and learning disabilities. It also includes physical disfigurement, and the presence in the body of disease-causing organisms. Students may also be eligible for AARAs where illness and misadventure (i.e. unforeseen circumstances) or other situations may prevent students from demonstrating their learning, knowledge and skill in internal and/or external summative assessment.

The QCAA will also consider applications for certain cultural obligations or personal circumstances.

Ineligible reasons for a change to assessment conditions

Students are not eligible for an extension or rescheduling of an examination on the following grounds:
• matters of the student’s or parent’s/carer’s own choosing (e.g. family holidays)
• sporting representation (other than State or National Representative positions in certain circumstances)
• cultural activities
• teacher absence or other teacher-related difficulties
• matters that the student could have avoided (e.g. misreading an examination timetable, misreading instructions in examinations)

An AARA application is individualised and is based on the functional impact of the condition in which the AARA is sought. The application process must be consultative with teachers, students and parents to ensure accuracy.

These guidelines are intentionally non-prescriptive to ensure that each case is addressed on a case-by-case basis. While the AARA team may support an application, there is no guarantee that QCAA approved AARA will be obtained.

If you believe your child requires an AARA, please contact the College AARA team, Ann Carmichael, Natalie Bennett and/or Anna Hardy.

Date Claimers:

Year 11      Unit 2 begins Week 6, Term 2
Year 12      Unit 3 Reports issued Week 7, Term 2
Year 12      Academic Interviews - Week 6, Term 2

Wishing you all a happy and holy Easter, and a wonderful break with family.

By Mrs Julie Collins, Assistant Principal Pastoral and Wellbeing

Resilience

I have written often about resilience and the importance of teaching your children how to build resilience. The most effective way of teaching resilience is letting them make mistakes.

If you jump in and rescue your child every time they make a mistake or forget something, you are robbing them of the opportunity to grow. They need little setbacks regularly so they can cope with bigger problems later in life. This will also allow them to develop their independence, something they are going to need to survive in the game of life!

If your child forgets their lunch, let them build systems to learn to cope, they won’t go hungry, they will either miss a meal or find a way to get some food.

If they forget their sports gear or their permission note that was to be handed in, they may miss out and they will learn to put a process in place that will help them remember next time.

As hard as it is for a parent to let their child make mistakes and teachers to let a student fail, it is the most important lesson in building resilience which creates opportunities for growth.

The attached Open Parachute information sheet on resilience, may help those of you with younger children or those who need some practice in allowing your children to grow in to wonderful independent members of society.

By Mr Patrick Donnely, Assistant Principal Mission and Identity 

Lent, Holy Week and Easter

This year, we continue Lent into the holidays and end the two weeks with the start of Easter. I will hold off on talking about Easter until then.

As we know, Lent is a time when we are in the desert with Jesus, and Holy Week is the moment when we start to see the foreshadowing, from the Old Testament, come to a reality. During this time, we are challenged with the story and truth of what happened to Jesus. Society turns on him, his disciples forgetting the path and the message, and Jesus shows us all his human qualities with the struggles of seeing what was said come to fruition. we journey with Jesus through His final hours, witnessing His profound love and sacrifice. This path of sorrow and pain ultimately leads to the triumph of the resurrection, reminding us of the hope and new life that Easter brings.

As we consider the theme of Jesus leaving the desert, we recall His time of temptation and preparation. After forty days in the wilderness, Jesus emerged ready to fulfill His mission. This period of testing and reflection strengthened Him for the trials ahead, culminating in His passion and resurrection.

In our own lives, we, too, experience deserts—times of struggle and preparation. These moments, though challenging, can deepen our faith and prepare us for the joy of Easter. As we walk with Jesus through the Stations of the Cross, let us remember that our own crosses, when carried with faith, lead us to the promise of new life and resurrection.

Cornerstones

This week's reflection was on the topic of the Examen, a style of prayer brought in by St Ignatius of Loyola, and using art in prayer. The group meet once a fortnight and this fortnight was a fun-filled session. Below are snippets of a different staff member from their fortnight’s reflection.

‘Jesus on the Tube’

The artwork highlights the idea that Jesus is present in our daily lives, even in the most mundane settings. It challenges viewers to recognise and acknowledge the sacred in the ordinary moments of life.

‘Homeless Jesus’ 

This bronze sculpture portrays Jesus as a homeless person sleeping on a park bench. His face and hands are obscured under a blanket, but the crucifixion wounds on his feet reveal his identity. The sculpture is life-sized, providing enough room for someone to sit on the bench beside the figure.

This artwork serves as a powerful reminder of the Christian call to care for the marginalised and vulnerable in society. It visually translates the Gospel of Matthew passage where Jesus says, "as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me." The artwork is intended to provoke thought and challenge viewers to see Jesus in the faces of the homeless and needy.

Written by Scott Clegg - Business Manager

Federal Budget

The Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, recently delivered the Federal Budget for 2025-26 and I include below a summary of the budget and a few highlights that pertain to our education industry.

Federal Budget Highlights

The recent Federal Budget reveals a shift from a $15.8 billion surplus to a $27.6 billion deficit in 2024-25 and $42.1 billion in 2025-26. Key focuses include cost of living, Medicare, housing, education, and economic productivity. Notable points are modest tax cuts, increased healthcare spending, and support for renewable energy projects; however, there is limited support for small businesses and uncertainty around the instant asset write-off status.

Investments in Early Education

The Government is investing $5 billion in early childhood education, including $3.6 billion to lift wages and $1 billion to increase the supply of high-quality places. The new 3 Day Guarantee will ensure families are eligible for at least 3 days of subsidised early education.

Permanent Free TAFE

The Government will make 100,000 Free TAFE places permanent from January 2027. This initiative aims to ease cost-of-living pressures for students and support training in priority sectors.

Support for Universities, Students, and Graduates

The Government is providing an additional $2.5 billion for a new higher education funding system and cutting student debts by 20% from June 2025, wiping $16 billion from outstanding student loans.

Assumption College Fees

We have previously issued the statements for our college fees via email. We kindly ask that you review these statements and arrange for payment by the due date. For those feepayers who have an existing Direct Debit or an approved payment plan with our College, please consider this notice as a friendly reminder and feel free to disregard if your payments are already scheduled accordingly.

We understand that managing finances can sometimes present challenges, especially in the current climate. If you encounter any difficulties with accessing your emailed statement, have not received it, or have any queries related to your college fees account, we urge you to contact our Finance Team. We are available to assist you via phone on 0746 604 000 or email at Finance@acwarwick.catholic.edu.au; ensuring you have all the necessary information at your disposal.

We recognise that unforeseen circumstances can affect one's ability to settle accounts on time. If you find yourself in a situation of financial hardship or if there are any concerns about meeting the payment deadline, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our Principal and I are available to discuss any matters confidentially and to explore supportive measures that can be put in place. Our aim is to ensure that financial concerns do not impede our students' education and wellbeing. Please contact our College Office via phone on 0746 604 000 to make a mutually convenient appointment.

Your cooperation and prompt attention to these matters are greatly appreciated. We are committed to supporting every family within our community and believe that open communication is key to overcoming any challenges that may arise.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in fostering an enriching educational environment for our students.

Written by Alison Porter - Career Development Practitioner 

RSA & RGS Course

This week Senior students had the opportunity to participate in the Responsible
Service of Alcohol and Responsible Gambling Service courses held at the College, which were run by Aurora Training Institute. Well done to all the students who participated!

White Card Construction Course

Early next term there are a number of courses available to senior students such as the ‘White Card’ Construction course, the Senior First Aid Skillset course, and the Senior Espresso Barista course.

Year 10 Work Experience

The Year 10 Work Experience block is fast approaching, Week 9 of Term 2. Year 10 students have had work experience packs distributed to them and students are encouraged to approach businesses over the school holidays to initiate their placement. If students require assistance in having these discussions with employers, please see Mrs Porter or Mrs Meerdink.

Date Claimers

Coming Soon: Warwick Careers Expo

By Mr Tom Duggan, Sports Co-Ordinator

Cross Country

Unfortunately due to weather conditions, the ACW Cross Country has been postponed. A new date will be advised early Term 2.

Term 1 Sport

Term 1 was filled with several sporting opportunities. Regional trials, District Trials, Rugby League Competitions, Basketball Competitions, Netball Competitions, Swimming, and more. Well done to all of our student athletes that have excelled in the sporting arena, so far this year.

Mercy Shield Rugby League and Netball

As we approach Term 2, we particularly look forward to the Mercy Shield Carnival in Roma for our Open Boys Rugby League Team and our Open Girls Netball team. These teams travel to Roma on Friday 2 May 2025 and compete for 3 days. We wish these teams best of luck for this carnival.

Written by Donna Williams - Hospitality Teacher

Year 12 Hospitality Class Explores Casual Dining

Year 10 Hospitality Students Delight Year 8 Spanish Class with Tapas

Written by Mrs Amanda McCosker - College Chaplain

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club continues each morning, offering the students who join us for breakfast a healthy start to their day and often a lively chat around the table. Quite often, I get to see the excitement of a student who manages to score the last remaining cup of juice for the day. A huge “thank you” to the wonderful seniors who continue to help set up and supervise Breakfast Club each morning.

Churches of Christ

Each week, during Wellbeing, I have the privilege to take a small group of students to visit the local Churches of Christ Nursing Home. Each week, the students get to spend an hour doing activities such as talking to the residents, playing games and doing craft activities. Both the students and residents have gained so much from this fantastic opportunity, and lovely friendships have been formed, with the students looking forward to catching up with their favourite resident each week. If anyone else is interested in joining the program, please come and see me or collect a permission form from the college office.

A little thought about happiness

As we come into the Easter break, weary and looking forward to relaxing after a hard term’s work, I wanted to share the following little story. Just something for us to keep in mind as we tackle each day (some harder than others) - A teacher gave a balloon to every student and asked them to inflate it, write their name on it and throw it in the hallway. The teacher then mixed up all of the balloons. The students were given five minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hectic search, nobody was able to find their own balloon.

The teacher then told the students to pick up the first balloon they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within five minutes, everyone had their own balloon.

The teacher said to the students, “These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other’s happiness, we’ll find ours too.”

Have a fabulous holiday and enjoy the time with your families!

By Mrs Carmel Wooding, Teacher Librarian 

Library News

It was a busy term as usual for IT with the deployment of equipment to all new students, workshops, and the deployment of new touch cases to all existing students. As was expected, IT have observed and greatly appreciated the plummeting number of breakages now that we once again have a permanent case for our devices. Hooray!

If for any reason you find your young person is missing a case, please encourage them to re-attach it if it has been taken off. If it has gone missing, please encourage them to come to IT so we can fit a replacement. Replacement cases will come at a cost of $50 and be charged to school accounts should they ever need replacing due to loss or damage.

The March Charge

Assumption College is gearing up for the Cancer Council's annual March Charge to support those battling cancer. Year 12 Donovan House Leaders, Hannah and Amy, have led the initiative to enter our College to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

During the Cross Country Carnival, all students are encouraged to complete laps to contribute to the 86-kilometre goal by walking, running, or dancing.

We aim to raise both funds and awareness to support as many people as possible.

To donate please click on the link below:

Written by Dimity Gardner - Year 10 Pastoral Leader

Southern Downs Youth Council

On Thursday the 27 March 2025 three students were officially named as members of the Southern Downs Regional Youth Council. Year 10 Students April Nelson, Ella Winfield and Samuel Black, have achieved the honour of representing Assumption College in the wider community. They were privileged to be joined by not only youth councillors from other schools, but also currently serving Councillors including Southern Downs Mayor, Melissa Hamilton.

This year’s Youth Council is working to create a pitch connecting students from all schools to work together to address four issues affecting the youth of the Southern Downs community. In four groups, the Southern Downs Council Youth members will present their pitch to members of the Southern Downs Regional Council.

The Southern Downs Youth Council asks for feedback from the Assumption College Warwick community regarding any issues that could be addressed in these meetings.
Contacts are as follows:

ACWNelsonA@acwarwick.catholic.edu.au
ACWWinfieE@acwarwick.catholic.edu.au
ACWBlackS@acwarwick.catholic.edu.au