Principal’s Message | Dr Michael Carroll
Dear Members of the Terrace Family,
Last week was a significant one for the College’s Music program with over 700 Terrace students performing in the Queensland Catholic Schools’ Music Festival. The Terrace musicians performed spectacularly with 9 Gold, 14 Silver and 6 Bronze medals awarded. Congratulations to all performers, the staff and music tutors and Terrace Performing Arts for their ongoing support of the Music program at Terrace.
We are now very much at the business end of the term with assignments due and Term 3 exams just around the corner. Good planning over the coming weeks will be essential as our students juggle assignments, study, co-curricular commitments, and family life.
The Year 10 students complete their exams this week and begin their Immersion Program next week. The Immersion Program is an important part of the journey at Terrace and I wish all Year 10 students and staff the very best as they participate in activities in Brisbane, Maroon, Northern Australia, Fiji, East Timor, and India. I am sure that over the coming weeks many photos of the various immersions will be circulated. Good luck to all Year 10 students.
Next week is also important for our Year 12 students who will sit the QCS test on Tuesday and Wednesday. Year 12 students across the State will sit the four exams that comprise the QCS test. Our Seniors have been working extremely hard throughout the year, including during public holidays and weekends, in preparation for the QCS test. They are well prepared and on behalf of all members of the Terrace Family I wish them all the best on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tonight, the Year 9 2018 Subject Selection Evening will be held. This is an important time for the students and their families as they prepare for their first subject selections in their educational journey. My thanks to the staff who guide and advise the students through this process.
As part of the communications strategy for the OP to ATAR process scheduled for 2020, QTAC is holding a series of information sessions for current Year 9 parents to summarise ATAR and how it works. They will be held at the QTAC offices at Level 4, 154 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane and are extending a series of invites to schools in the Brisbane area to see if their Year 9 parents would be interested in attending. The ’Parents' Power Hour’ sessions cover off on a range of topics relevant to the ATAR conversion in 2020 including eligibility, pathways, inter-subject scaling, subject choices and MTPATH – the new QTAC tool which assists students and schools in study planning. Year 9 parents can register for the session of their choice. There are four sessions and the dates and links to register can be accessed through the College App. Refreshments will be provided and the Power Hour is complimentary, however bookings are essential and each session will be limited to 50 attendees. A range of information and resources is also available of the QTAC website (qtac.edu.au) for parents who are unable to attend.
This weekend we travel to Brisbane Grammar School for Rugby and Basketball. I wish all teams the very best and remind all players that it is important to play with passion and competitiveness but it is even more important to compete with the highest level of sportsmanship. Good luck to all players.
Finally, this week I remind the Terrace Family that I am taking some Sabbatical Leave from the College commencing Friday 1 September 2017. During my four-week absence, Mr Chris Ryan will be the Acting Principal and Mr Damien Fall will assume the role of Acting College Dean. I know that both gentlemen will fulfil these roles admirably. I am looking forward to my time away which includes spending time with Edmund Rice International in Geneva and visiting the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
Have a great week.
God Bless,
Dr Michael Carroll
College Principal