Next week is Catholic Education Week.  On Tuesday 16 August 2022 Mass for Catholic schools in the Nort West and West will be celebrated by the Archbishop at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Devonport.  Later that day, Catholic Education Commission Tasmania Awards will be presented at a small gathering at our College.  Similar events will take place in Launceston and Hobart.  The week gives us the opportunity to recognise the contribution that Catholic Education makes to Tasmania (and Australia).

The 2021 NCEC report indicatied that Australia’s 1,755 Catholic schools now educate more than 785,000 or one in five Australian students.  Catholic schools are a significant partner alongside the government in educating Australia’s children.  Our schools give families the choice of holistic, balanced and affordable education.  Sharing our Catholic faith, lifting educational standards, and supporting the diverse needs and wellbeing of students are at the heart of our mission.  Catholic schools are inclusive welcoming students from all backgrounds and with growing numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students with disability.  Almost 40 per cent of Catholic schools are outside major metropolitan areas.  In 2021, Catholic schools employed more than 102,000 teaching and non-teaching staff.  Tasmania's 38 Catholic schools educate over 15,000 students and employ just under 2,500 staff.

The Road Safety Advisory Council (RSAC) seeks input on possible changes to the Tasmanian motorcyclist graduated licensing system (GLS).  This is partly a response to the disproportionate number of young riders involved in severe and fatal accidents, especially when they are such a small percentage of road users.  To learn more about this, or to make a submission, visit this page of the RSAC website.  Submissions close 21 September 2022.

Stay safe, keep happy and I will keep us in my prayers.

Frank Pisano

Looking to get out of the house or enjoy a new environment? St Brendan-Shaw College Playgroup is open Wednesday and Thursday during this Term for children aged birth - 5 years!

The playgroup is hosted by Senior VET Childcare and Education students and College staff. No need to register; just turn up. Please bring a drink bottle and snacks if you wish, there will be some snacks provided.

Year 9 Student, Jasmine Walker competed at the Australian National Championship at Zone Moonah Bowling Ally from 25 July - 30 July. The first week saw Jasmine compete in the Australian Junior President Shield Team. This was her first year in this tournament; she averaged 180 for her 13 games with eight wins, and her highest game was 233.

Jasmine competed in the Australian Adult Walter Rachuig tournament in the second week. Until this year, no junior has competed in this tournament with new rules saw juniors invited into this tournament. Jasmine was invited to bowl in a team, the Hobart Capitals. The Hobart Capitals won the women's division and took first place in the combined team division.

Tasmania has never won the combined team division nor the women's division in the entire tournament history, which has been running since 1963.

Jasmine averaged 188 for ten games with five wins and her highest game of 245 for the Australian Adult Walter Rachuig tournament.

Jasmine also competed in the Women's Australian Classic Cup. This tournament was eight games, with Jasmine's highest game of 236 and her averaging 194.375 for the tournament.

Jasmine won the Women's Australian Classic Cup, entering into the history books as the youngest ever at 15 years old to win this tournament. 

Jasmine heads off next weekend to compete at the South Australian Junior Cup.

NSATIS Soccer played two games this week. Their first game was the NW Catholic school derby against Marist in Burnie. This was a hard-fought game for the Saints who came out winners 4-3. 

In their second game of the week, they hosted Launceston Church Grammar. This game could have gone either way. LCGS were able to get an early lead and for 65 minutes the game was 1-0. In the final 10 minutes, LSCG were able to capitalize on the counter-attack scoring 2 more goals to seal the win 3-0.

Soccer play at home again next Wednesday 17th of August hosting Scotch Oakburn College.

The NSATIS netball also had two games this week. With both 1st and seconds on the court, it is great to see so many girls committed to playing NSATIS netball. In a tough week, the girls 1st lost to MRC 47-8 with the 2nds losing 52-14.

In their second game of the week, the girls played LCGS in another tough game. The lady Saints showed great pride and played hard for all four quarters in each game. 1st went down 58-6 and 2nds lost 51-7.

Netball play at home again next Wednesday 17th of August hosting Scotch Oakburn College.

Next week sign-ups for the North West High Schools Basketball Championships will be open. Students from grades 7-10 will have an opportunity to put their names down for a team. Students will not be able to make their own teams but the sign-up sheet will be located in the gym during recess and lunch for next week only.

If you have any questions about the NW champs please contact me at sokeeffe@sbsc.tas.edu.au or phone the College

Our Trivia Night sponsoring Warrawee Women's Shelter is fast approaching. We would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have donated goods so far. These items will be used as prizes for the evening. If you or your business would like to donate toward the evening no matter how big or small, please get in touch with the College. 

Your generosity is always appreciated!

A reminder that the Year 10 Dinner is quickly approaching. Students have until Friday 19 August to RSVP. 

𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 & 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗦𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦

An invitation to the Tasmanian Junior State Trials for the 2023 Australian Futsal Association January National Club Futsal Championships to be held in Sydney.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 - Click here to register

𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗧
𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦 𝗨𝟭𝟬 - 𝗨𝟭𝟲
Date: Sunday 14th August 22
Under 10 - 12 start 10am
Under 13 - 16 start 11am

𝗕𝗢𝗬𝗦 𝗨𝟴 - 𝗨𝟭𝟲
Date: Tuesday 16th August 22
Under 13 - 16 start 4.15pm
Date: Thursday 18th August 22
Under 8 - 12 start 4.15pm

Venue: East Devonport Recreation & Function Centre, 67 Caroline St, East Devonport

𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡
𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦 & 𝗕𝗢𝗬𝗦 𝗨𝟴 - 𝗨𝟭𝟲
Date: Sunday 21st August 22
Under 12 - 13 start 11am
Under 14 - 16 start 12.15pm
Under 8 - 11 start 1.15pm

Venue: St Patrick's College gym 282 Westbury Road, Prospect.

For more information contact Romeo romeo@australianfutsal.com 0438 735 562

Click here to read this week's Mersey Leven Parish Newsletter