By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

This week I have had the privilege of attending our Rite Journey ceremonies. I could not be more proud of our staff and students as they entered into our ceremonies with families to provide a formal rite of initiation for our young people at the beginning of their adult journey.

Our young men and women of Year 9 were ‘called’ to celebrate their childhood with the support of their loved ones and then formally recognise it was complete. Then, with the love and support of their families, our young men and women were invited to take those first symbolic steps on their journey.

During the ceremony, they were told, “The way you see yourself, the way you see each other, the way others see you, changes today.”

I would particularly like to thank our Rite Journey staff, Mrs Maria Windsor, the Rite Journey Coordinator at St Brendan-Shaw College, and Mr Luke McCormack, who led our ceremonies. Luke and I have worked together for over 20 years and have spent over a decade leading The Rite Journey. As a College, we are fortunate to have his experience and involvement.

Rowing
We had some wonderful achievements at the State Rowing Championships over the weekend, most notably Moleigh and Leeyah Clemens, who were able to win the doubles again to make it back-to-back State Championships. Eloise Fieldwick and Matilda Spaulding came third in the Year 10 Girls Double, and Lars Brown came second in the Year 10 Boys Double.

I congratulate all our rowers on their commitment and the exceptional way they represent their College. I look forward to seeing them again at Lake Barrington at the SATIS Head of the River this weekend.

Enrolments
Over the last week, the College has visited our four Catholic feeder schools in preparation for next Thursday evening’s Enrolment Information Evening, which will commence at 5:30pm in the Nazareth Centre. I encourage all families with prospective students to attend. The College will again offer Scholarships in 2025 in Academics, The Arts, Sports, and Leadership.

NSATIS Sport
I wish to congratulate our Tennis and Basketball teams. Both of our Basketball teams remain undefeated after again defeating Marist Regional College on Wednesday. Our SATIS Athletics team heads to Hobart next Thursday afternoon for the carnival on Friday. We wish them well and hope this will be an enriching experience.

Uniform
A reminder to all families that the new hoodies and soft shell jackets will be available in the Midford Uniform Shop at the end of term. Communication will occur on their arrival. Our students' attire in competition, in the community and arriving at school each day must be commended. Having all students in Years 7-11 with the College school bag has us really stand out in the community. I thank the parents and guardians for their ongoing support as we work together to have our students continue to have pride in how they present themselves and engage as members of our school community.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. – Helen Keller

Helen Keller was a remarkable American author, lecturer, and activist who was born in 1880. She became deaf and blind due to an illness at the age of 19 months. Keller learned to communicate through the efforts of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Keller went on to graduate from college, became a prolific writer, and advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. Her life story has inspired millions worldwide.

By Mrs Cheryl Gamble, Teaching and Learning Leader - English

Last week, Round 1 of the Senior Debating Competition began between the two St Brendan-Shaw College teams. The topic ‘that politicians' private lives are public business’ challenged our students to consider how the private lives of people in the public sphere are more highly scrutinised and can impact their careers and professional lives. Students highlighted the importance of publicising illegal and highly immoral actions, but the real debate came from drawing the line between social and moral issues and when minor discretions are used by reporters as clickbait distractions that draw attention from important issues the public needs to be informed about.

An opportunity for Year 7 and 8 students to be part of a school debating team exists. Students wishing to be part of this opportunity need to contact Ms Gamble before Monday 25 March.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt is on again this year and we are asking families and staff to make a donation of Easter treats for the hunt. These may be a bag of small eggs or a donation of a larger egg to delight the students lucky enough to find them!

Donations will be collected in Homeroom.

This year St Brendan-Shaw College continues to support Caritas Australia in its annual Project Compassion campaign. This campaign runs for the entirety of the Lenten period and brings together supporters from across Australia to address the challenges of poverty today, and drive lasting change for a better tomorrow. Together with your support, we can create lasting change today, and For All Future Generations.

For 2024, the College has its own fundraising website to assist with direct donations. Please click on the button below to donate today!

By Mrs Crista Christie, Teacher

The Year 10 Agriculture class were honoured to welcome guests from Delta Therapy Dogs today. Billie, the golden retriever, and her owner, Emily Penfold, shared their role in supporting people by providing comfort and affection to people at risk.

Jo Cox, Delta's Northwest Coordinator, also visited with our students to explain her role and how she became involved. Dogs with outstanding personalities and temperaments visit schools, retirement homes, rehabilitation facilities, workplaces and youth services to bring cheer, play, love and affection.

The Year 10 Agriculture class covers a range of topics over the course of the year; from agricultural technology and business types to bee-keeping, poultry and paddock to plate. We tap into Rural Alive and Well (RAW) resources alongside these core topics. The Delta program is an example of support available to anyone in any sector. However, we do know that depression and anxiety present higher in some fields of Agriculture, so it's important we connect with these services regularly to build awareness of the variety of ways to foster positive mental health.

Emily is a St Brendan-Shaw College alumnus ('20). We thank her for her commitment to community initiatives and for bringing Billie to the College in her own time.

By Mrs Whitney Banfield, Careers

An information session about the Australian National University (ANU) was held on Friday 8 March and was open to interested students in Years 10-12. Christian from ANU covered the various degree combinations on offer, campus information, and the application process, including scholarships and accommodation.

Thank you to those students who attended this informative session.

Work Experience Forms 

Work experience information sessions were held on Monday 26 and Thursday 29 February, for interested Year 10-12 students. Work experience is run during the school holidays and is predominantly organised by the student but facilitated by the school. 

Work experience forms are due back to Mrs Banfield by Friday 22 March.

UTAS Information Session

A UTAS information session will be held at lunchtime on Thursday 21 March in the Library.

Tasmanian Police Career Development Program

Applications are currently open for the Tasmanian Police Career Development Program. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Please see Mrs Banfield for an application form and assistance with the process.

Flyer Link: Tas Police Career Development Program

UTAS Rural Clinical School Information Session

UTAS Rural Clinical School will be holding an  information session on Tuesday 26 March for the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine. 

Flyer Link: Study Medicine at the University of Tasmania

Australian Defence Force Information Session

The Australian Defence Force recruitment team will hold an information session on Thursday 11 April. Further details will follow.

Should you have any questions regarding the above sessions or any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Careers Advisor, Whitney Banfield by email at wbanfield@sbsc.tas.edu.au

By Mr Sam O'Keeffe, Sports Coordinator

Rowing

This month, school rowing has been in full swing, with the College rowing team supported by the Mersey Rowing Club and Kentish Rowing Club competing in the Tasmanian All Schools Championships. Our College was represented well across all grades with some very close finishes.

Congratulations to the following crews that placed in their divisions:
Eloise Fieldwick - 3rd place Div 2 Year 10 School Girls Single Scull
Lars Brown - 2nd place Div 2 Year 9 School boys Double Scull (composite crew with Roelf De Boer, Latrobe High School)
Matilda Spaulding and Eloise Fieldwick - 2nd place in Div 1 Year 10 School Girls Double Scull
Moleigh and Leeyah Clemens - State Champions Div 1 Year 9 School Girls Double Scull

Well done to Baltimore Heald and Ivy Amos, who represented the College for the first time in school rowing when they took to the water with Moleigh and Leeyah in the Year 9 School Girls Coxed Quad.

This weekend, the rowing team will have its final school regatta of the season when it heads back to Lake Barrington for the SATIS Head of the River.

Basketball

Girls 1sts Round 7 - SBSC 121 def LCGS 41

Boys 2nds Round 7 - SBSC 68 lt Leighlands 73

Tennis

Boys 2nds Round 4 - SBSC 4 def Leighlands 2

Tasmanian All Schools Mountain Bike Championships

Students who want to participate in the Tasmanian All Schools Mountain Bike Championships held in Hobart in Term 2, please complete the expression of interest form using the button below. 

The Devonport Poultry Club invites any young person 16 or under to participate in a FREE workshop event to learn how to present a bird for show. A person involved in this hobby is referred to as Poultry Fancier. Mrs Christie, the SBSC Poultry Club organiser, is one of the organisers for the workshop and invites any interested SBSC Poultry Club members to come along.

Mrs Christie explains, “Participants don’t need a bird, equipment or knowledge to come along. That’s the point - we are there to help you learn. Enthusiasm is all you need. Check with your parents if you are allowed to go and complete the google form to apply.”

Save the Date: Our Lady of Lourdes High Tea, Sunday 21st April, Parish Hall in Stewart Street Devonport. More info will be coming.

St Patrick’s Day Mini Market: Sunday 17th March, 10am-2pm in St Patrick’s Church grounds, Latrobe.