By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

As a College community, we have had much to celebrate throughout the term, whether that be on the sporting field, academic success, enriching experiences such as The Rite Journey, camps and excursions, or exciting moments within the classroom where perseverance and patience have allowed students to learn a new skill or knowledge. With all this in mind, I want to acknowledge our outstanding students. Their passion, enthusiasm, and desire to participate actively in their community ensure that we continue to go from strength to strength as a school community.

Enrolment Open Night 2026

Last Thursday evening, our Enrolment Open Night for Year 7, 2026, was a resounding success. We were delighted to welcome new and existing members of our school community. The evening continued to demonstrate that our community is growing and that St Brendan-Shaw College is a school of choice. Our enrolment data shows that we are experiencing growth from schools that have generally not attracted enrolments, which is pleasing.

Our enrolment policy determines the preference for Catholic feeder school students and siblings. I encourage all families with children at the College to complete their enrolment application by 30 April. After this date, enrolments will be on a first come, first-served basis.

In the evening, three lucky door prize recipients received a College school bag to kickstart their St Brendan-Shaw College journey.

Connect

I emailed families with information about Connect this week. Please ensure you received this correspondence, as it contains crucial information for parents.

Firstly, all families will receive a welcome email from CET on Friday, 4 April, with a link to access Connect.

Secondly, you will receive a letter from our Deputy Principal of Teaching and Learning, Mr Gerry Peters, next Tuesday, 8 April. The letter will include instructions for accessing your child's classes, staff feedback, and upcoming parent-teacher interviews.

I would like to thank parents for their patience as we worked towards arriving at this point, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you during this process.

Last Day of Term for Students

This is a reminder that the last day of Term for students is Thursday, 10 April. Our staff will be on staff formation on Friday, 11 April.

Year 8 Camps

Our Year 8 students have returned from camp. On Tuesday evening, I was delighted to visit the group at Sheffield. The students appreciated this critical time away, during which they could develop meaningful House connections, engage in challenging activities, and enjoy each other's company. I thank our House Heads and dedicated staff for ensuring our students can enjoy these essential experiences.

Farewell, Mrs Robyn Arthur

With great sadness, the college will farewell Mrs Robyn Arthur at the end of term. Robyn has been a member of our community for the past 17 years and has significantly impacted the outcomes for her students over these years. She will enjoy long service leave in Term 2 before entering her retirement. I thank Robyn for her service to the College, particularly over the last three years, when I have had the opportunity to work closely with her.

NSATIS Sport

We wish our Senior Second Girls’ Basketball team every success as they play in the NSATIS final today in Launceston against Launceston Christian School.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Luke McCoy, Kirra Munns, and Tom Ryan, who have all been selected for Tasmanian U18 Basketball teams and will represent the state at the 2025 Nationals in Brisbane from 6-13 April.

We also congratulate Eva Wescombe and Ruby Potter, who have both been nominated for the Junior Gymnast of the Year award by Gymnastics Tasmania. To be nominated for this award, both girls had to qualify as one of Tasmania's top three highest-ranking gymnasts out of 100 competitive athletes.

School Effectiveness Survey

All parents have been emailed an invitation to the Insight SRC School Effectiveness Survey. Please complete it; your input is crucial in shaping key college decisions. The survey closes this Friday, 4 April. I would appreciate it if as many families as possible took the time to complete it.

I thank all members of our community for their ongoing support.

Yours sincerely

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.
– Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, poet and civil rights activist whose life was defined by kindness, fairness, generosity, respect and courtesy toward all. Throughout her remarkable career, she broke many barriers, including becoming Hollywood’s first Black female director.

One of her most profound insights reminds us that true happiness is not found in receiving, but in giving. This Lenten season is a perfect time to reflect on how we can give to others, whether through charitable initiatives like Project Compassion, which our College is proudly supporting, or through simple yet meaningful acts like a smile or a few kind words. You never know when a small gesture might lift someone’s spirit – or even your own.

Our Just Act group is doing an incredible job collecting donations for Project Compassion, the annual fundraising campaign run by Caritas Australia. As a not-for-profit Catholic charity, Caritas is dedicated to eradicating poverty by empowering individuals and communities to become financially and socially independent – creating lasting change for future generations.

As a Catholic school, we proudly support Project Compassion each year. This year, funds can be contributed through Easter Raffle ticket sales or by adding loose change to the donation boxes in Homerooms. Every contribution, big or small, helps make a real difference.

House points are also on offer – 1st = 100 points, 2nd = 75 points, 3rd = 50 points, 4th = 25 points. Currently Lyons is in first place, followed closely by MacKillop! Griffin & Dillon you still have time to change the score!

Every donation makes a difference – not just for your house but for people around the world.

By Fr Sunil De Silva, Mersey Leven Parish

The Sacramental Programme in the Mersey Leven Parish will begin in May 2025. The Application Form is available here and in ALL the Mass Centres and in ALL the Catholic Schools.

Applications should be handed over to the Parish Office OR to the School Office BEFORE 10th April 2025.

1. Who can apply ? - Students from Grade 3 & above

2. Sacramental Programme will be handled by a Team of Teachers & Helpers.

Receiving the sacraments is a special time in our journey of faith, and it is the means by which, baptised children can complete their journey into full membership of the Catholic Church. They are community events, which remind us of the role of the community in our faith life.

Baptism is the first of three Sacraments of Initiation and one you have chosen for your child. Our sacramental programme offers parents a convenient process to enable the reception of further sacraments for their child.

The gift of God's Holy Spirit which the children received in Baptism is strengthened in the Sacrament of Confirmation, and the children complete their initiation with the reception of first Holy Communion - a public declaration that they are now fully a part of this community, this "Communion" of God's family. The programme itself strives to help them grow into a church community, and feel a real sense of belonging to the wider Family of God.

Archbishop Julian Porteous will preside at the Sacrament of Confirmation Service on Sunday 17th August 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes, Devonport. We work as a Team to prepare the children to receive the Sacraments.

Our Team

Fr Sunil, Fr Ashan, Catherine Dunn, Elizabeth Cox, Katherine Crouch, Tess Locket, Sophie Lansley, Laine Davis, Sam Schodel, Tony Portugal & Heidi Portugal.

We will begin the preparation classes for the children on Thursday 1st May, 3.00 pm – 4.00pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Devonport. We will give you the full programme very shortly. Children need to attend all the preparation sessions to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Contact

Fr Sunil - 0484 337 478 or frsunildesilva@gmail.com

Fr Ashan - 0476 231 685 

Catherine Dunn - 0400 766 311 

Tess - 03 6426 1626 

Or any one of our team members

Young people today are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology is part of their everyday lives –– for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the digital world offers enormous benefits, it also comes with serious risks. From cyberbullying and online predators to inappropriate content and screen time concerns, navigating the online environment can be challenging for young people and their families.

Cybersafety is not just about blocking access –– it's about empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to use technology responsibly and safely. This includes understanding privacy settings, recognising scams, and developing healthy digital habits. At the same time, it's important for parents and caregivers to stay informed, have open and judgement-free conversations with their children, and lead by example through positive online behaviour.

In today's digital age, safeguarding a child's wellbeing must also include protecting their online life. This edition of SchoolTV will help you better understand the digital landscape your child is navigating and offer practical strategies to help them stay safe, confident and in control online.

Here is the link to your Edition https://sbsc.tas.schooltv.me/newsletter/cybersafety-au

By Ms Jo-Anne Hoare, Teaching and Learning Leader - The Arts

On Wednesday 26th of March our Year 7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students travelled to Narawntapu National Park for the day. It was an opportunity to get to know one another, build community, learn about contemporary plus traditional cultural practice, have a yarn, share knowledge and be on ‘Country’.

Uncle Hank Horton joined us for the day, sharing his knowledge as a Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder, plus his vast experience as a Parks and Wildlife Ranger. Students were engaged in ‘yarning’ about the ‘old peoples’ traditional uses of the geographical nature of Narawntapu National Park, the wildlife, flora and fauna and how we are all custodians of the environments we inhabit. Furthermore, the importance of creating a sustainable environment for ourselves and others to enjoy today and into the future.

Students explored the walking tracks, bird habitats, learnt about bush tucker, and had the opportunity to try a range of indigenous food staples found in the area. Uncle Hank discussed with students the importance of ensuring that these foods are only picked by the experienced knowledge sharer for students' safety.

It was a magic sunny day. While we saw numerous types of wildlife, we did not encounter any snakes, although the students were keen to see one from a distance. Overall, everyone had a great day. We set a goal with the aim to return at the same time, same place in Year 12.

By Mr Ross Hubble, House Head – Dillon

We set off for Stanley and were welcomed with blue skies and perfect weather for all three days. The trip was packed with highlights, including The Nut walk, a town tour of Lyons House and the Stanley Museum, fishing off the wharf, and exploring Trowutta Arch, The Big Tree, and Dip Falls. 

A huge thanks to the amazing staff for making this such a memorable and rewarding experience.

We were delighted to welcome Mr Frank Rice back to the College during his recent visit to Tasmania. As a former Principal of St Brendan-Shaw College, serving as head of the school for 10 years, Mr Rice played a significant role in shaping the school community.

It is always special to reconnect with those who have contributed so much to our school’s journey, and we sincerely appreciate the time he took to visit.

Today's Outdoor Education class went on an adventure to the Don River, where students undertook a leisurely paddle while honing their skills. The focus was on perfecting the forward stroke technique, practicing "rafting up," and using paddle signals to communicate effectively on the water.

By Mrs Whitney Banfield, Teacher and Careers Advisor

Recently, our senior students had the opportunity to participate in the UTAS Health and Medical Taster Day at the University of Tasmania’s Burnie Campus. This experience allowed Year 11 and 12 students to explore a variety of health and medical fields through hands-on activities and expert-led sessions.

Throughout the day, students engaged with professionals across multiple disciplines, gaining valuable insights into potential career pathways. The interactive sessions covered key areas such as pharmacy, occupational therapy, psychology, and nursing.

It was an inspiring and informative day, leaving many students excited about the possibilities ahead!

By Mr Sam O'Keeffe, Sports Coordinator

Over the past two weeks, our school athletics team has showcased their dedication and determination at the NSATIS and SATIS Athletics carnivals. Perfect weather greeted our competitors on both days, setting the stage for what was a highly successful campaign for the College. With more than 80 students involved, the NSATIS carnival saw our largest team in recent years, further highlighting the commitment of our students.

The selection for our athletics team is based on the outstanding performances during our College Athletics carnival, with students earning the opportunity to test themselves against some of the top track and field talent from across the state. Competing against their peers from other schools, they demonstrated not just skill but also the spirit of sportsmanship that defines our College.

Despite early starts and long days of intense competition, our students and staff represented the College with distinction. There were standout performances throughout both carnivals, but two moments particularly captured the excitement of those watching: Brydee McPherson’s victory in her 400m heat and the Year 9 boys’ thrilling win in the relay, where they claimed first place.

These achievements, along with the many personal bests and efforts across all age groups, reflect the hard work and perseverance of each athlete who participated. We are incredibly proud of the sportsmanship and team spirit displayed by everyone.

A huge thank you to Mr Butcher, Mrs Brown, and Mrs Farr for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout the two carnivals. Their commitment ensured our students had everything they needed to perform at their best.

We are thrilled to congratulate St Brendan-Shaw students Luke, Kirra, and Tom, who have been selected to represent Tasmania at the 2025 U18 Basketball National Championships in Brisbane!

The trio will fly out tomorrow, with games taking place from 6-13 April. Last Friday night they received their official state singlets – an incredible moment that marks the culmination of their dedication and hard work.

We are so proud to see them wearing Tasmania’s colours and competing at this level. Best of luck, Luke, Kirra, and Tom – we’ll be cheering you on from home!

Slipstream's school holiday programs are coming up and many of the Youth Week programs are FREE (most are in the first week of the school holidays).

They are running a day of school holiday programs on Wednesday, 23 April. $20 per class.

Enrolments are also now open for Term 2.

Reclaim, Devonport’s signature youth week event, returns for 2025. This year, they have an action-packed lineup of creative events and activities for young people and their families. 

From music, games and painting to drama, culture and dance, Reclaim 2025 has something for everyone. Explore the full list of events below and book your place as spaces are limited.

Reclaim 2025 is delivered in partnership by RANT Arts, Devonport City Council, Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE

Reclaim 2025 Welcome

Official Reclaim 2025 Launch Event

Youth Dance Workshop with Jaikira Grundy

Family Pokémon Go! Raid day

Tabletop Games Afternoon

Warhammer Miniature model painting workshop

Explore collage + paint with Mackenzy and Kate

BEATS. MUSIC. JAM.