Good afternoon to our College community,

Firstly I would like to wish everyone in our community a happy International Women’s Day for yesterday, Wednesday, 8 March.

The International Women's Day 2023 campaign theme is #EmbraceEquity

Equity isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have, and a focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA, and it's critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.

Yesterday at our College assembly, I explained the difference between the two to our students. Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

The theme of International Women’s Day gave me the opportunity to further unpack what this sense of belonging truly means and how important it is in our ability to build and participate in the community.

At the start of the year, I outlined to the students of my expectation of:

· Respect for self
· Respect for others and
· Respect for the environment

I am most pleased to see this in action on a daily basis. We also know that when educating adolescents, we will need to continually reinforce these expectations and teach at teachable moments.

I expressed to the students that my hope and vision go beyond that for us as a school community. Respect is merely one of the pillars we look to. I have highlighted the other two I believe are important in any educational setting. Furthermore, we should explicitly teach what these look like in specific settings.

· Being a learner
· Participating in our community
· Showing respect

I asked the students to reflect on the following:

· What does being a learner mean to you?
· Where are you on this journey?
· What does participating in our community truly mean to you?
· Are there opportunities you are missing?

Last week our College volunteered and ran the Bells Parade parkrun. It was great to see so many of our staff and students participating in this event together. For my children, this was their first parkrun experience and one they now look forward to having the opportunity to do again. Thank you to Ms Kim Walters for facilitating our involvement which enabled us to promote our College and have a greater community connection.

I would like to wish our Rowing team well for the State All Schools Regatta this weekend and look forward to seeing our students in action when I attend the Head of the River the week after.

On Monday, I had the opportunity to attend the Yr 9/10 Sport for Boys excursion to Lake Barrington, where our students had the opportunity to engage in water skiing. This was a particularly rewarding experience for our students to potentially learn and succeed in a new skill, stepping out of their comfort zone in a controlled environment. These are opportunities that I value and believe are integral to the development of well-rounded young adults.

Congratulations to our Sport Captains who were presented their leadership badges at yesterday's assembly:

· Tennis: Baxter Tu and Annabelle Radcliff
· Basketball: Claire Martin and Luke McCoy
· Rowing: Sarah Ellis

I would like to invite all Year 7 parents to our Welcome BBQ on Thursday, the 23rd of March. This is an opportunity to meet the College Leadership Team, your child’s House Coordinator, and their Homeroom teacher.

A reminder that our enrolments for Year 7, 2024, are now open, and our Information Evening is on Thursday 30th, March.

I wish everyone a safe long weekend.

Kind regards,

We invite all 2023 new families and students who have joined our College community this year to a Welcome BBQ hosted by St Brendan-Shaw College Thursday, 23 March at 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm.

The evening is a fantastic opportunity to meet the College Leadership Team, your child’s House Coordinator, and their Homeroom teacher. We would love to see each of you there and ask that you please RSVP by completing the Google form emailed to you or by calling our office on 6424 7622.

Thank you.

Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 15 and 27 March 2023.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

This is the first year NAPLAN will be held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year, so they can be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN. Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.

Our Testing Dates

• Wednesday March 15 Writing Test
• Friday March 17 Reading Test
• Tuesday March 21 Conventions of Language Test
• Wednesday March 22 Numeracy Test

Note: On non-test days Catch Up tests are compulsory for students who miss a test.

Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child:

NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

As per our mobile phone policy, students in years 7-10 are not to have phones with them or to use them during the school day. Our expectation is that phones are off & in their (locked) lockers throughout the day.

An increasing number of students are requesting to pay at the canteen using their phones, and some are not reacting well when canteen staff are refusing service, as they have been instructed to do.

As of next week, no junior students will be permitted to pay by phone under any circumstance. Cash or card is required.

Any student who does not have lunch should see their house coordinator for assistance.

Yesterday during our whole school assembly, we were fortunate enough to hear College Alumnus Bec Wells ('16) speak on the importance of mental health and the fantastic range of services Headspace offers to young people (12-25-year-olds). 

L-R: Lynda Beaven (College Social Worker), Bec Wells (Headspace Community Awareness Officer), Stuart Ralph (College Principal)

Headspace Devonport offers free support to young people aged 12 to 25, as well as to their families and friends. The services we have include the following:

Mental health services

· We offer counselling services with our mental health clinicians to support you when you’re not feeling yourself

Doctor (GP) services

· Our GP Dr Abby is currently available every second Monday to provide help with any physical health concerns, sexual health concerns, or mental support that you might need.

Work and Study support

· The work and study team can assist you in building a career in an area that you enjoy, all while being supported with your mental health.

· Whether you’re looking to start work, preparing for a job interview, exploring your study options, or working out how to balance your mental health and well-being with work or study, the team is here to help.

· Who is eligible? If you’re aged between 12 and 25 and currently receiving or seeking support for your mental health through our service, we can help you!

Youth Reference Group

· The youth reference group is a group of young people that are passionate about mental health and are wanting to make a difference within their community.

· This group informs the work of headspace Devonport, ensuring the service is suitable for and engages directly with young people in the local community.

· Contact Community Awareness Officer Bec on 0488 353 040 or email rwells@csys.com.au to find out more

Alcohol and drug services

· Our workers, either on-site or linked to the centre can assist you with any alcohol or other drug concern

Housing Support

· Support and assistance in finding accommodation or related support services

To make a referral, book a GP appointment, or simply find out more about our services, call us on 6424 2144 or visit our website at headspace.org.au/devonport

Year 7 students have been busy, beginning the week with Activity Day yesterday. With a full day of activities and games on the agenda, students had a wonderful opportunity to create new friendships and bond with their cohort.

Today, Year 7 students participated in Cultural Day. The day is designed to cover various indigenous topics, with students engaging in multiple workshops throughout the day. Students heard personal experiences from Aunty Dawn and Uncle Hank, who we greatly appreciate for joining us and sharing their stories.

Senior Secondary students enjoyed a presentation this afternoon held by Elevate Education. Guest speaker, Lawson Pegler, discussed techniques for revision and ways students can amplify their preparation for future exams. Lawson also touched on common areas that focus tends to lack while giving students tools to enhance their study habits.

Thank you, Elevate Education, for joining us at the College today and for the wonderful advice given to our senior students!

Mrs Christie would like to invite all students who are passionate about poultry (or think they could be!) to join our new club relating to all things poultry! Our first unofficial meeting will be held when we establish numbers and a time that suits members. No experience or equipment is needed 

It will be a fun, hands-on club that will engage in everything from poultry health to breeding and showing. We will cover all types of birds, chickens, quail, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeons, and more!

please email Mrs Christie if you would like to join: cchristie@sbsc.tas.edu.au

In the third week of Lent, our next Project Compassion story is of Priscilla, who lives with her husband, Charles, and two of their grandchildren in Zimbabwe. Climate change continues to bring unprecedented challenges for people living in Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable and remote communities.

During times of intense drought and food shortages, Priscilla had to commute to the town centre and wait in long queues to collect food. 

With the support of Caritas Hwange, Priscilla learnt conservation farming skills to grow drought-resistant crops. Priscilla produced a bumper harvest in her first year of practising conservation farming. She used the funds from her harvest to start poultry farming, which enabled her to sell eggs to pay for her grandchildren’s school fees, books and stationery. Poultry farming provides a safety net for Priscilla and her family during times of hardship, like the current drought.

While the situation in Zimbabwe and across eastern Africa remains dire, the work of Caritas Hwange means that Priscilla can learn the techniques, tools and resources she needs to build resilience and support her family during this current food crisis.

▶️ Watch Priscilla’s story here:

www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/priscilla-story-video

�� Support Project Compassion today:

www.caritas.org.au/project-com...

Applications for the Year 7 2023 SRC are now open. For those students interested in applying, please fill in the application form emailed to you by Miss Sussman; and note that applications close this Friday, 10th March at 3pm. 

The first all schools rowing regatta of the year kicked off last weekend, and our students finished strong with outstanding results across all ages. We had six students qualify in the top 32 to secure a spot in the All Schools State Championships in two weeks; well done to Olivia Yeates and Sarah Ellis (Year 12), Sarah Welch (Year 11), Matilda Spaulding (Year 9), Lars Brown and Moleigh Clemens (Year 8).

Moleigh and Leeyah Clemens, who competed in the SG Y8 2X event, and Matilda Spaulding, Moleigh Clemens, Leeyah Clemens, Eloise Fieldwick, and Sarah Ellis (cox), who competed in the SG Y9 4X+ event, both qualified with the second fastest overall time.

Our Year 7 students did an outstanding job competing in their first regatta with the College. Kate Fieldwick, Addison Phipps, Imogen Charlesworth, Ivy Amos, and Stella Vassiadis. We look forward to seeing your progression in rowing over the next few years. 

Congratulations to all rowers!

Swimming Champions
Front row L - R: Braydee DiNunzio, George MacMillan, Xavier Bailey, Taryn Lowe
Back row L - R: Peter Chugg, Joss Littler, Hunter Cross, Lucy Aherne, Ellie Ryan

Track Champions
Front row L -R: Kirra Munns, William Howden, Brydee McPherson, Oakley Vernon, Mackenzie Duraj
Back row L - R: Lachlan Triffitt, Charlie Menzies, Lucy Aherne, Beau Nash, Emily Smith

Field Champions
Front row L - R: Uday Sandhu, Brydee McPherson, Monty Manion, Aimee Duguid
Back row L -R: Mackenzie Duraj, Lucy Aherne, Joel Porteous, Caleb Dennis, Lachlan Triffit.

Tennis Captains
Annabelle Radcliffe & Baxter Tu

Rowing Captain
Sarah Ellis

Basketball Captains
Luke McCoy & Claire Martin (absent)

For boys in Years 7 - 10 interested in playing in the High School football roster in term two, please fill out this google form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUMq_KaUygGbSzcm2SY6yXzrUnG_ZH77FqqofuCsm1ditBzw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Marist defeated our Girls Firsts team 64 to 56.

Our Boys Seconds team defeated Marist 89 to 41.

Year 11 student Trent Steven returned home this week after travelling to Alice Springs to participate in the National Cricket Indigenous Championships. The team made it through to the Grand Final, taking on New South Wales, but unfortunately, NSW proved too strong.

Year 9 student Chloe Casey has also recently returned from her trip away to Canberra, representing Tasmania in the Under 16 women's cricket team.

Well done to both students on their accomplishments!

The rowing State Club Championships hosted at Lake Barrington in late February saw several current and past students of the College compete, representing their club and coming away with excellent results!

Year 12 students Olivia Yeates and Sarah Ellis joined forces with alumna and College Captain from 2022 Meg Castles and past student Lilly Barker to represent the Mersey Rowing Club. The team won the Women's U/19 4X State Championship. Olivia and Meg also snagged the win for the Women's U/10 2X. 2022 Alumnae Catherine Greenhill and Ella Spaulding won the Women's U/21 event. 

Matilda Spaulding (Year 9), Milly Phyland (Year 11), Moleigh Clemens (Year 8), Eloise Fieldwick (Year 9), and Sarah Ellis (Year 12) took out second place for the Women's U/17 4X+ event. 

Sarah Welch (Year 11) and Luka Mansell (Year 12), who represented the Kentish Rowing Club, had a fantastic season. Sarah came away with third in the Women's U/19 2X event.

Congratulations to Year 10 student Lucah Conkie on being selected for the Tasmanian Devils Talent League Girls Squad. We wish you all the best!