By Mrs Liisa Hammond, Principal

Gospel – Mark 14:1 - 15:47 The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Easter Liturgy – 2024

The March Charge  

Cross Country – 2024

Farewell and Goodluck

Mr Patrick Donnelly – Mr Donnelly joined us in 2021 and has held several co-curricular roles and middle leadership positions since then, from netball to debating across all Year levels, the introduction of Economics and, most recently, the position of Senior Pastoral Leader. The organisation of games, teams, camps, retreats, formals, year-level meetings, senior leader lunches … the list is endless. It is with sadness that we farewell Pat as he moves closer to home with a role at Stuarthome, but it is with happiness that we send him on his journey to continue to pursue a passion for education and teaching.

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

By Mrs Anna Hardy, Assistant Principal Curriculum 

End of Term 1 Interim Report

Term 1 Interim Reports will be issued via the Sentral portal this week. This report is designed to give parents some indication of how their child is progressing in their studies. A letter has been sent to all families about our parent/teacher/student conferences. 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 to hand in. If there is no final submitted, this draft work will be marked.
If your child does not complete a final assessment piece by the due date, an academic detention (afterschool) 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 students, documentation from home to support the extension is required. For Years 11-12 students, the QCAA states that a medical certificate must be produced to support any extra time. Of course, if 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.
AARA’s - 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. AARA 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 Discrimmination Disability Act 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 AARA 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 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.

Years 9-10 Electives

Students will reselect electives for Semester 2 during Term 2. There are no subject changes to occur during the semester.

Years 11-12 Subject Changes

These are only to occur at the end of a unit. These are not term by term and should be discussed in detail with your child’s academic coach, PL, DP or Principal.

Date Claimers

Year 11 Unit 2 begins Week 6, Term 2
Year 12 Unit 1 Reports – issued Week 5, Term 2
Year 12 Academic Interviews - Week 6, Term 2

Wishing you all a happy and holy Easter.

By Mrs Julie Collins, Assistant Principal Pastoral and Wellbeing

Term 1 Conclusion

At the conclusion of Term 1, I sincerely appreciate and acknowledge the support provided by families and community members to our College in helping your children become their best. School life is demanding, students settling into new routines, recalibrating their standards and expectations while engaging in the many opportunities our College offers.

Winter Uniform

During Terms 2 and 3, students will move into the College winter uniform. Details below are included in our uniform policy.

‘Sloppy Joe’s’ and brushed cotton jumpers are no longer part of our College uniform. These pullovers were phased out in 2023 and the correct winter jumper is now the woolen knitted jumper or the green and gold spray jacket.
Ladies are to wear stockings with their skirts, ‘knee highs’ and socks are not part of the female winter uniform.

Uniforms are one of those little things we can get right!

Shout out to our quiet achievers!!

By Mr Scott Clegg, Business Manager 

Tuckshop Re-Opening

As part of our commitment to keeping our community informed, we are pleased to announce that our Tuckshop will be reopening on Tuesday 16 April 2024, coinciding with the start of Term 2.

While operating on a limited menu basis initially, we assure you that ongoing reviews will enhance the offerings. We understand the convenience the Tuckshop provides to our community and appreciate your understanding during its temporary closure.

For updates on the menu and other announcements, please visit our website Assumption College Warwick and follow us on our social channels.

Thank you for your continued support as we shape the future of Assumption College Warwick, and as we anticipate the benefits and opportunities that our new building will provide our community.

Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the College office on 07 4660 4000.

College Fees

We have previously issued the statements for our College fees for Term 1, 2024 via email. We kindly ask that you review these statements and arrange for payment by the due date. For those 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 07 4660 4000 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 07 4660 4000. 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 at Assumption College Warwick.

By Mr Thomas Duggan, Sports Coordinator 

Cross Country

The Assumption College Cross Country was held on Thursday 21 March at Queens Park Warwick. This was a new course for us this year, which meant that new records would be set for each race. It was far from an ideal day for Cross Country running with severe winds, however, we were all able to persist and have a successful day. A big congratulations to the following Age Champions (also new record holders for this course) and Runners Up for their efforts running the course. I would also like to congratulate Rice House who were our champion Cross Country House for 2024. Congratulations to Donovan House also who were awarded the Lee Gundermann House Spirit award.

Incredible news from the pool! Aiden Brown, our talented swimmer, has not only excelled at the QLD School Sport State Swimming Championships, but he is now set to compete at the Australian School Sport Nationals in July. Congratulations, Aiden! 

Lockyer 9s Competition

We completed Term 1 with two days of 9-a-side Rugby League Gala Days in Gatton for the annual Lockyer 9-a-Side Competition. Despite the torrential rain which we experienced on both days, we managed to persist and have two full days of footy for our girls and boys. Our u13, u15 and Opens Boys' teams played on the Tuesday of Week 10. Each team experienced a series of wins and losses playing against schools from all over Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba. Well done to our Girls' Open team who played on Wednesday against four other schools from Toowoomba and the Ipswich Region.

By Miss Taylor Quinn, Teacher

Exploring Shakespeare: A Visceral Approach

On Monday 25 March, twelve of our Year 9 and Year 10 students, along with Mr Coe and myself, took part in Grin and Tonic’s Shakespeare Masterclass. The facilitator of this session was Virag, a professional actor, director, and teacher of an independent youth theatre troupe, who is currently working with the Grin and Tonic Theatre Company.
Students participated with enthusiasm as Virag led them outside of their comfort zone through acting and analysis exercises where they were up and moving around to create their own short scenes and responses as a group. These exercises aided students in better understanding Shakespeare, who he was, how his works were written, and why. To align with the upcoming Year 10 assessment and develop their analysis skills, students also had to answer the question, ‘Why is Shakespeare still relevant today?’ while giving and receiving feedback on their own and others’ work.
Through games, improvisation, creating performances, and writing about what they had seen, Virag skillfully guided the students through learning about The Bard, and brought the group together so they could work as one ensemble which was a wonderful sight. We are so grateful to Virag for coming out to work with students and for the students who took charge of their own learning and embraced this wonderful opportunity!

Year 9 Drama Students Tell The Story Of Easter.

Year 9 students, under the direction of Mr Coe, took on the daunting task of portraying The Stations of The Cross through movement, music and expressive tableaux. Performing in a traverse setting, the nine students sensitively and powerfully depicted Jesus’s final hours, including the sentencing by Pontius Pilate, the barbaric treatment from the baying crowds and cruel Roman soldiers, and the tenderness and compassion shown by Simon, Veronica, and Mary. Using different versions of the hymn ‘Were You There’ (beautifully chosen by Mrs Hammond), simple props and costume, the echoing beat of a bass drum and beautifully spoken narration by the Senior Leaders, these brave and talented Year 9 Drama students helped the College community both understand and reflect upon the suffering of Jesus and what this means for all of us as we traverse our own way through our lives.

By Mrs Donna Williams, Teacher

Watch Out Coffee Club, You’ve Got Competition!

We're excited to share the wonderful experiences our Year 11 Hospitality classes have been having this term! As part of their assessments, our students have been busy running pop-up coffee shop cafes. Our brilliant students have been hard at work crafting delicious sweet treats like jam drops, melting moments, choc chip cookies, and monte carlos, which have been devoured by staff and students alike. Additionally, they've been serving up freshly brewed ‘barista-style’ espresso coffee beverages to our eager customers each day.
This hands-on experience has been incredibly valuable for our students, providing them with practical skills and knowledge in hospitality. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the customers who have supported our pop-up coffee shops, making this learning opportunity possible.

By Mr Richard Coe, Curriculm Leader

Internationally Renowned Artist Set To Inspire Assumption College Designers And Makers.

We are all geared up to host Svenja at Assumption College to launch our exciting ‘Wearable Art’ project as part of the Warwick ‘Jumpers and Jazz’ Festival 2024. Svenja, has been a finalist at the World of Wearable Art (WOW) with twelve entries accepted from 2008 to 2019. Svenja’s work has received six awards including in 2014 winning the International Award for Australia and the South Pacific. Svenja is a Brisbane-based textile artist who says her work has more in common with fine arts than most people would think. Her work is regularly included in the TEXTILE Fibre Forum Magazine in which she now has a regular column called ‘Situation Svenja’. She is currently working on her next exhibition, opening at the end of 2024. Although we were hoping to see Svenja before the Easter holidays, this has now been moved to the morning of Friday 26 April. If your son/daughter has an interest in art, design, craft, making, construction, fashion or just generally being creative, then please complete the consent form for the incursion originally planned for Wednesday 27 March. Hard copies of the letter are also available at the College office. This is an amazing opportunity to work with and be inspired by a world-renowned artist, so please encourage your child to sign up.

Incredible Dance Developed By Senior Student

I was privileged this week to be invited by senior student, Mia McArthur, to watch a dance that she had conceptualised and choreorgaphed completely be herself. Mia trains with TDC Warwick and is studying dance as part of her senior studies through the Brisbane School of Distance Education. Mia was charged with devising a solo dance based on the stimulus of ‘a social issue’.
Mia decided to focus on the challenging topic of ‘toxic relationships’ and developed a powerful, moving, and confronting piece in the lyrical style. As Curriculum Leader for Arts, I am working hard with the Leadership Team on how we can offer more opportunities in dance at Assumption College and the amazing work of Mia has given me further inspiration. As a commitment to this, Assumption College will be marking Interational Dance Day for the first time in April, and there will be opprtunities for budding and seasoned dancers to take part in this exciting day of dance.

By Ms Kate Cullen, Teacher

Beauty Is In The ‘Eye’ Of The Beholder

Year 7 Art students have been working on eye drawings this term using pencil and shading techniques. The standard was so good that I created a ‘Gallery of Eyes’ in the staffroom hallway for staff to admire and vote for their favourite. It is safe to say that it was a thankless task and created much discussion amongst the Assumption College teachers and support staff. In the end, the winner was Sarah Owens with Shayla-May Lloyd acknowledged as runner-up.

By Richard Coe, Curriculm Leader

Variety Showcase Stars Put In The Hours

The Variety Showcase is very much taking shape and students (and staff) have been working long hours to ensure that performances are of the highest standard. Miss Wijesooriya, helped by Mr Salter, Ms Dewhurst, Ms Tunstall, and Mr Fern, led the students through an uplifting Saturday rehearsal, culminating in the cast of 2024 learning the finale song – an absolute ‘banger’ as I like to term it AND an Australian classic! Alongside this, students and staff have been working most breaks and after school on drama, music, comedy and dance to thrill, inspire and move our audience.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! There is no upfront charge – simply scan the QR code below to guarantee your seat and then we please ask you make a donation on the night of the performance.

Coming Up

Friday 26 April 2024: Workshop at Assumption College by internationally renowned artist Svenja on ‘Wearable Art’.
Friday 26 April and Saturday 27 April 2024: Assumption College Variety Showcase, Warwick Town Hall
Tuesday 30 April 2024: International Dance Day. Look out for letter promoting a full day workshop with education group Australia
Saturday 11 May 2024: Theatre trip to see ‘Woman in Black’ at QPAC
Wednesday 2 October 2024: Theatre trip to see ‘Wicked’ at QPAC

By Jill Hume, Pastoral Leader Year 10

Southern Downs Regional Youth Council

Year 10 students Eleanor Krueger, Emmaline Newley and Lachlan Corney have been selected to represent Assumption College as our Southern Downs Regional Youth Council members for 2024. In this role, the students will develop a better understanding of the role and function of our local government and be exposed to local issues that impact our youth. They will also have opportunities to contribute a student voice to the Southern Downs Regional Council as they participate in Youth Council meetings.

During Week 8, these three students attended their induction day at the Civic Centre in Stanthorpe, where they were introduced to the functions of being a Youth Council member, and met the other representatives from other schools in our region. Eleanor, Emmaline and Lachlan contributed positively to the activities, and are looking forward to their upcoming Badge Presentation Ceremony in April, where they will be officially welcomed as Southern Downs Regional Youth Council members.

By Mrs Esther Hohenheim, Curriculm Leader

Pi Day

Pi Day is a celebration of the mathematical constant that makes the world go round. This year on Pi Day, the Assumtion College Maths Department put on a range of Pi related activities. We had Pi jewellery making, where students made bracelets by following the digits of Pi to create the colour pattern.

We had also asked students to try their hand at drawing the best free-hand circle, the best circles won homemade Pi cookies.

Finally, students could use Maths to create a perfect circle using string in the hopes of winning a 3D printed Pi pencil cup. Charlotte Beer and Eliza O’Leary were VERY excited to have created a perfect circle and win the cup. With the success of our first Pi Day, the Maths Department are already hatching plans for next year.