The article referred to a drop in numbers of students opting to sit for the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test. Firstly, I wish to confirm that Good Shepherd Catholic College had 17 students sit for the QCS and not 14 as was reported.

This equates to 32 per cent of our Year 12 students who participated in the test.

Secondly, your readers would be interested to know that there are record numbers of Queensland school-leavers being offered university entry without an OP score.

In recent years we have had a number of students from our College who have been accepted into university through alternative pathways. Schools and universities recognise that students have diverse needs and work hard to ensure our senior students have many options available to them to reach their career aspirations.

Schools are much more effective in being able to work with students and parents in tailoring the most suitable pathway for each child. Mount Isa has some exceptional young men and women.

Over the last two years, Good Shepherd Catholic College proudly notes that 100 per cent of our students who applied for university received an offer of acceptance.

Over 80 per cent of our students sitting for an OP score achieve an OP between 1-15.

Sir, I thank you for the opportunity to shed light on this issue and bring some deserved recognition to the wonderful work that is being done in all the schools and colleges in Mount Isa.

Wayne Wood

Principal, Good Shepherd Catholic College, Mount Isa

I wonder whether Brent Finlay, president of the National Farmers Federation, is a traitor, a blithering idiot, or both? 

“Free trade” means that Australia has free access to China’s markets and China has free access to Australia’s markets. 

When China has free access to Australia’s markets, but Australia only gets tariff reduction and improved access to China’s markets, that’s an unfair trade agreement.  Certainly not “free”. 

I’d love it if Australia put a tariff on all resource exports to anywhere.  “Make foreigners pay dearly” should be our motto. 

I’d also love it if we gave China limited access to our markets and hefty tariffs on imports. Their manufactured goods are substandard and processed food is suspect.

I don’t buy the food, but am forced to buy their manufactured junk because that’s all there is. 

Frank Brown

Wetherby Station, Richmond

Did you know that nearly half of Australians expect to gain up to two kilos during winter? Now is the perfect time to get back in shape. Here are our top five tips:

One, plan ahead. Get organised in the kitchen and pre-make delicious and nutritious meals that freeze and reheat well. 

Two, maintain and train. Regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy body weight, improves energy levels and feelings of wellbeing and reduces risks of chronic disease. 

Three, avoid alcohol. It’s no secret that alcohol adds extra kilojoules to your daily energy intake. Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas.

Four, portion your plate. As a general rule, salads and veggies should make up most of your plate – aim for at least five serves of vegetables every day. Fill a quarter of your plate with complex carbohydrates like wholegrain bread, sweet potato or quinoa, and the final quarter should be a source of protein.

Five, get seasonal with vegetables. 

Katie Clift

Cancer Council Queensland