By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

Yesterday we gathered as a College community to celebrate Mass as we do not have the opportunity to come together as we normally do today for Holy Thursday. Our senior students, Years 10-12, had today off for study while their teachers engage in state-wide moderation of TASC subjects.

Today, Holy Thursday, is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. At Mass on Holy Thursday, the Priest will wash the feet of twelve parishioners, the same as Jesus did to the twelve Apostles, our first bishops and priests. At the 6:00pm Mass of the Lord's Supper at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, our SRC Executive students will have their feet washed by Father Jaison as part of this symbolic ritual.

Holy Thursday marks the end of Lent and the beginning of the sacred ‘Triduum’, or three, of Holy Week. These days are the three holiest days in the Catholic Church. Triduum runs from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. These three days are distributed as follows:
1. The last part of Holy Thursday
2. Good Friday
3. Holy Saturday
4. The first part of Easter Sunday

I would like to congratulate the SRC Executive for the running of the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Wednesday afternoon. The College was a place of much excitement!

I wish everyone a restful Easter break and hope that the coming days will provide all students with the opportunity to reflect on the importance and message of Easter. One of Jesus' last statements on the Calvary Cross was, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23/24). The forgiveness of every person who harms us is one of the great saving lessons of Good Friday.

A reminder to parents that Years 7 and 8 camps are running in the last week of Term.

We look forward to students returning on Wednesday 3rd of April.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

By Miss Sophie Lansley, Director of Faith and Mission

In the common mind, Easter has never “taken off” like Christmas. And yet Christmas means little without Easter. We spend months preparing for Christmas, and yet none of that preparation precedes Easter. We make sure family members receive eggs, enjoy a hot-cross bun, and look forward to a few days' break.

Very few sit down to work out what it is really all about. We need to reflect on the Easter event. It contains the core meaning of our existence as humans. It is about love.

This is most clearly seen in the depiction of the Sacred Heart. This is a significant idea in Catholicism, art, symbology, and even seen in our own local schools. But what does it relate to? Quite simply, love.

The whole Gospel of John comes to a climax with the piercing of Christ’s side, with blood and water gushing forth. This was seen by the early church founders as a symbol of the birth of the Church. “They shall look on him whom they have pierced.” (John 19:37)

“The opening of the Heart is the handing over of what is most intimate and personal for the use of all,” wrote the modern theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar. Christ has kept back nothing of himself. He has taken the risk of love.

God’s answer to the suffering of the world was to enter it. Pierro della Francesca shows this the best for me in his artwork, The Resurrection, from 1463. Jesus did not die on the cross passively, any more than he had lived his whole life passively. He is stepping forward in his death and resurrection in this painting; his side split and his heart exposed. His whole life has been a conscious expression of love of God and love of others. This is the core message of Easter; do not live passively, live it to the fullness of your heart and live it in love.

From Mr Gerry Peters, Deputy Principal: Teaching & Learning

Interim Academic Reports for students are now accessible via SEQTA Engage for parents/guardians who may access our Learning Management System.

Parent/Student Teacher Interviews

Parent/Student Teacher interviews are available between 3:30pm – 7:20pm on Wednesday, 3 April 2024 in Westcourt.

Bookings can be made online using the Parent Teacher Online system until Wednesday, 3 April, at 9:00 am. An email was sent on Thursday 27 March regarding interim reports and their PTO login details. Parents are encouraged to make their bookings early, as the appointment schedule will be more convenient the earlier they go online.

It is recommended that parents book an interview with teachers, as this is a wonderful way to initiate contact with them and develop a positive working relationship. Students are encouraged to attend appointments with their parents/guardians. Teachers can specifically request an interview via the Interim Report.

If you require assistance in making a booking or experience technical issues, please contact the College on (03) 6424 7622.

From Mrs Debra Bonde, Deputy Principal: Wellbeing & Administration

Cultural diversity encompasses the variety of cultures, beliefs, and traditions present globally, contributing to a rich tapestry of human experiences and perspectives. By valuing every child's cultural background, we enable them to excel in all facets of life. Nurturing an environment of curiosity, open-mindedness, and respect for all cultures, will to only promote unity but a deeper appreciation of the nuances that distinguish us.

Inclusion is about more than just words; it's about fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for every child, regardless of their cultural background. When children and adolescents feel seen and valued for who they are, they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Valuing and understanding cultural diversity, helps our communities benefit from a wealth of perspectives and experiences, enhancing our collective capacity for empathy and innovation.

As parents and adult carers, instilling an appreciation for cultural diversity is vital to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Through leading by example and showing that kindness and understanding knows no boundaries, we can encourage them to embrace multiculturalism. This will not only prepare young people for personal success, but also for contributing to a world that views diversity as a strength. Through collective efforts, we can help pave the way for a more accepting and vibrant future.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how best to embrace and celebrate cultural diversity with your children. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school wellbeing team for further information or seek medical or professional help.

By Mrs Crista Christie, Teacher

On Tuesday, 26 March, students from St Brendan-Shaw College enrolled in our Year 10 Agriculture course visited a property in Wesley Vale owned by Ellis and Lorna Dick. The Dick family has farmed and lived in Wesley Vale for almost 150 years. Ellis has lived and worked on the property his entire life. Ellis and Lorna are also lifelong Poultry Club members and continue to support the club and serve as a home base.

Students were treated to a guided tour of the property and the history of farming through the Ellis family's eyes. Students examined a vast antique farming collection; artefacts ranged from the earliest form of dairy equipment to the development of butter churning, shears and engines/parts. It was a poignant example of how far technology has come in Agriculture. Also, it highlighted that farming has left many families' backyards and commercialised a lot in the last 50 years. Farming used to happen in most homes as a form of self-sufficiency, and not all that long ago.

Ellis shared with the students stories of his childhood, working the farm with his brother. He recalled washing clothes by hand and ringing them out, milking the cows and storing the milk in large milk cans for collection. Ellis showed the students large antique milk and cream separators and butter churners, all hand-powered and done at home. Students enjoyed shucking using a hand-powered corn sheller as well as a hand-powered mill. Some of us were even inspired to plant some corn and try it ourselves at home!

Next term, students will examine the technology as it is used today in Agriculture, and won't the contrast be enormous! Sincerest thanks to Ellis and Lorna Dick for their time and willingness to host our students.

By Mrs Kylie Reid, Librarian

The St Brendan-Shaw College Library has curated a display in Caritas to commemorate Anzac Day and pay tribute to those who have served our nation. The display brings together diverse resources that shed light on the experiences of our local soldiers and the impact of war on our community. It features war memorabilia that has been kindly loaned to us from the Devonport RSL Club.

Pieces include a World War 1 Australian Army issue housewife (sewing kit) which belonged to Captain Charles Augustus Littler, of Devonport. James Saltmarsh, SBSC's Library Assistant, has also kindly contributed his slouch hat and sailor's cap. SBSC's Yarn Club have handmade beautiful red and purple poppies in crochet.

The physical display is supported by an interactive online Library Guide. You can place a virtual poppy on our wall to pay your respects to those who have served and continue to serve. Our Library Guide showcases a range of Anzac-related books held in our College Library, as well as other resources available via the Australian War Memorial website and TROVE database. Data from the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Project database has been used to generate visually engaging word clouds that highlight the surnames, regiments and addresses of our local soldiers from World War 1. We thank the AIF Project for permitting us to use their data in this way.

Please come in to see our Anzac display in Caritas or visit our ANZAC Day Library Guide online. You can also contact the Devonport RSL Club to arrange an appointment to view the Jack Mason Memorial Museum, located on the lower level of the Devonport RSL Club.

Lest we forget.

By Mr Sam O'Keeffe, Sports Coordinator

SATIS Athletics

On Friday last week, 24 students represented the College at the SATIS Athletics carnival in Hobart. After a long trip to Hobart on Thursday afternoon, students woke early on Friday, ready for an athletics-filled day. There were many fantastic performances over the day, with the highlight being the Year 8 boys' relay. With the team in 5th position coming into the home straight and with lots of ground to make up, William Howden took off like a rat up a drain pipe to bring the team home in 2nd place.

Thank you to Mr Peters, Mr McGechaen and Mrs Farr for travelling with the team and being fantastic encouragers of the students.

NSATIS Girls 1st Basketball

The NSATIS Girls continued their unbeaten run yesterday, securing a home-court win against St Patrick's College. Led by Claire Martin and Mia Aylett, both with 24 points, the Lady Saints went back and forth with St Pats for four quarters in a tight game. Late in the 4th, the Lady Saints put the hammer down, scoring ten unanswered points to win the game. Once again, the Lady Saints have secured the top spot on the NSATIS Basketball ladder and will host Marist Regional College in the NSATIS Grand final on Wednesday 1st of May, where they will be going for back-to-back NSATIS titles.

SBSC 57 def St Patrick's College 49

NSATIS Boys 2nds Basketball

The Saints men cruised to victory after a slow start against Launceston Christian yesterday afternoon in the Nazareth Arena. Launceston Christian scored the first points, and for the first quarter, the Saints men had a battle to contend with. The team found its form in the second quarter and never looked back. With fantastic leadership on the court from Luke McCoy and some great shooting from the team led by Tom Ryan with 21 points, the Saints men kept their foot down for the final three quarters.

Going into this game, the Saints men thought they had secured the 2nd spot on the ladder, needing a big victory to leapfrog the top spot. Mr Ryan, Saints basketball’s Rain Man, knew what needed to be done and made some key changes in the final moments of the game. With time running out, Aiden Reynier takes the court, finds himself open and lands the most important 3 points of the season. The score was important as the team leapfrogged St Patrick's College to first place on the ladder by 0.53.

SBSC 80 def Launceston Christian School 32

This win secures a home semi-final for the Saints men and top spot on the ladder.

Their semi-final will be played next Wednesday, April 3rd, in the Nazareth Centre against St Patrick’s Gold. The tip-off time has yet to be confirmed.

NSATIS Girls 1st Tennis

Last week the Lady Saints tennis team made the trip to Launceston to play their final rostered game of the season. An important game for the team. A win would see them secure their spot in the top 4, making finals, and a loss would see their season end early. Understanding the importance of the game, the Lady Saints made a statement in their doubles matches, with both teams comprehensively beating their opponents in straight sets. This momentum continued into their singles matches, winning three of their four games. The team was especially proud of Remi Williams, who made her Lady Saints Tennis debut and looked impressive in her game. This win secured the girls top 4 finish and a semi-final.

Yesterday, the girls travelled back to Launceston to play in their Semi-Final against Scotch Oakburn. When the two teams met earlier in the year, there were some close games, and this final was no different. The tennis team, regulars in NSATIS finals over the last few years, knew this game would be a challenge, but Scotch proved to be too strong in the end, winning four games to two.

The Tennis team would like to thank Annabelle Radcliff (Captain), who played her final game for the Lady Saints yesterday afternoon. Annabelle, known for her fantastic cooking, brought muffins to every game, something everyone looked forward to each week. She has been a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court, holding the number one spot in the team for three of the six years she played. During her time on the Tennis team, she has been the Captain and part of two NSATIS finals teams, winning in 2019 and two SATIS finals where the team finished runners-up. Mr Gleeson and the team thank Annabelle for her fantastic leadership, cooking and commitment to girl's tennis.