Welcome to Week 8 of Term 2
By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal
Last Friday, Catholic School Parents Australia visited the college after being selected as one of 46 schools across Australia. This was part of a research project to hear the voices of parents and school staff about how to build and maintain effective school-parent communication. St Brendan-Shaw College was the last school to be interviewed for the research project, and the findings will be shared with all schools involved toward the end of 2024.
This survey will provide examples of how all schools can build and maintain effective school-parent communication.
Senior Exams
Yesterday, our senior students began their mid-year exams, which will run until Wednesday, June 26th. During this time, students may start showing signs of stress, with some becoming anxious about being prepared and doing their best.
This stress can also flow into the home environment. Students often think that everything hinges on the result of one exam. First, seeing the mid-year exams from a different perspective is essential. Teachers and students need to gauge how well students progress through the course. As such, exams often provide good insight into where both strengths and gaps lie, and this is invariably articulated by the teacher in the mid-year report. However, exams offer just one set of marks on several criteria. Teachers use many assessment tools throughout the year to arrive at the final end-of-the-year result.
For pre-tertiary subjects, mid-year exams can form only part of the internal component submitted to TASC at the end of the year. That being said, mid-year exams are an excellent learning experience for students in Grades 11 and 12 to prepare for final exams, including preparing for the stress they inevitably bring.
Sports
Our senior football team has achieved a remarkable feat, qualifying for the Second XVIII State Final. This is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the spirit of St Brendan-Shaw College. We are all proud of their achievement, especially as this is our first year back fielding a team above 9/10 in several years. Let's all support them on Wednesday, July 3rd, at the TCA ground in Hobart.
Our Junior Soccer teams completed their last game of the season on Monday afternoon. Our 7/8 Green squad finished with a win defeating Leighland Christian School, while 7/8 Navy defeated Marist Regional College in a close game, winning 4-3. I would like to thank Mr Sam O’Keeffe, Mrs Crista Christie and Miss Sophie Lansley for their management and organisation of the teams. Senior Student Sophie Abraham is congratulated for coaching the St Brendan-Shaw College green team.
Subject Information Night
This is a reminder that our Subject Information Evening for students in Years 8-12 in 2025 is being held on Wednesday, 3 July. Current Years 7-9 students are encouraged to attend between 3:30 - 5:00pm. Students in Years 10 and 11 (Years 11 and 12, 2025) are encouraged to attend 5:00 - 6:30pm. Mr Gerry Peters will give families a presentation on TASC at 5:00pm in the Genesis Centre.
Year 7 Enrolments for 2025
Round one enrolment for Year 7 in 2025 students will close on Friday, 28 June. Over the last month, we have interviewed a significant number of students. These interviews will continue this Saturday, 22 June, with a Principals tour at 10:30am. Please email PrincipalsEA@sbsc.tas.edu.au to register your attendance on this tour.
Chess Tournament
On Tuesday, our Chess club students attended the Interschool Chess tournament. Logan Page was our top-scoring player for the day.
Cross Country
On Thursday 13 June, our Representative students attended the All Schools Cross Country at Symmons Plains. 28 students represented the College.
The Rite Journey
This Friday, 21 June, our Rite Journey (Year 9) male students will be fortunate to meet Mr David Foster OAM, former world champion wood chopper. David will come and share his life experiences with our young men, focusing on what it means to be a man and how important it is to demonstrate respect to females.
On Thursday, 4 July, Mr Scott Darlow will visit all of our Year 9 students. I have known Scott for over 18 years, and we are very fortunate to have him work with our students. Scott is a passionate Indigenous educator who regularly speaks in 100+ schools globally annually in Australia, the UK, and Asia. He uses his music and speaking skills to entertain and educate audiences Australia-wide about First Nations culture, Australian history, racial tolerance, harmony, and critical social matters. His keyword "FLUTE" (Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance, and Empathy) forms part of his work with the students on the day.
Scott's Visit coincides with Naidoc week, the first week of the school holidays, 7 -14 July.
Strategic Plan
Our Strategic Plan is well embedded in our planning now and into the future. Our strategic priorities;
- Student Wellbeing and Leadership
- Catholic Identity and Mission
- Teaching and Learning
I am pleased to report to our community that, six months into our strategic plan, some key success statements are coming to fruition.
Student Wellbeing & Leadership
Broad Goal: To enhance the opportunities for students to be more engaged, self-managing and responsible members of the community. To provide opportunities for students to grow in an environment where Christ-centred servant leadership is demonstrated and celebrated.
Key Outcomes for Success
- Establishment of a wellbeing framework.
- Continual improvement in student and staff wellbeing data.
- Defined and effective leadership structures to support the College in implementing its strategic imperatives.
- Implementation of a positive behaviour framework.
- Effective use of restorative practice.
- Implementation of external programs.
Catholic Identity & Mission
Broad Goal: To strengthen the College as a community that actively integrates faith practice and seeks to empower all members of the community, particularly those at the margins.
Key Outcomes for Success
- Engaged relationship with Parish communities and local service providers.
- Masses and liturgical celebrations.
- Retreats, immersion and service experiences which reflect the Mission of the College.
- Recognised leader for reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous Australians.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are integrated into the College’s curricular and co-curricular programs.
Teaching & Learning
Broad Goal: Creating a learning community promoting educational excellence where opportunities exist for all students to be inspired and engaged in learning through the experience of a relevant, innovative curriculum infused with Catholic values.
Key Outcomes for Success
- A College co-curricular program that challenges and provides opportunities for all students in cultural, sporting and service-based activities.
- School-wide Curriculum documentation and scope and sequences that deliver exceptional learning for all.
- Evident Learning and Teaching best practices.
- A learning management system that tracks students' academic progress.
- Learning Enhancement programs that demonstrate the College's commitment and expertise to delivering Inclusive Catholic education.
- ICT systems and networks that deliver enhanced teaching and learning.
Congratulations
The College congratulates Year 10 student Miller Young on being selected in the Tasmanian Devils U16 squad. Miller will head to the Gold Coast on July 8 to play in a two-game series against the Brisbane Lions and Swans U16 academy teams.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal
