By Stuart Ralph, Principal

Good afternoon,

Teaching and Learning

This week has provided us with much to celebrate as a learning community, most notably through an email I received from Catholic Education Tasmania affirming the practice of our staff involved in the Insight program for 2023. I was not only proud of our staff but excited about the teaching and learning outcomes this has for our students.

While NAPLAN is only one test on one day of the year, it is a National benchmark and can provide communities with important information about where they are heading and where they would like to get to. I was pleased overall with our College results, however, the spelling for our Year 9s does need to be further acknowledged.

Over the last two years, our students in Years 7 and 8 have engaged in Spelling Mastery and Rage Reading, which incorporates a program called Accelerator Reading. This year, our Year 9 students scored above the national average for spelling, and as a community, we celebrate this achievement.

We aspire for excellence in all aspects of teaching and learning, and when we see sprouts of achievement, we should celebrate it.

Year 8 Civics Trade Show

This week, our Year 8 students welcomed Mayor Jarman at the College as they presented their civics projects, most importantly sharing their ideas and realising the potential that they have as change agents in the broader community.

Senior Scholarships

Recipients of Years 10-12 scholarships have been notified of their success today. Congratulations to all our successful applicants.

Our College Values

During 2023, all staff and students have had the opportunity to unpack the four domains of the Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Schools. These domains are:
– Catholic Identity
– Learning
– Leadership
– Mission

As part of this process, students have looked at our College Mission Statement, which includes the values of Justice, Hope and Truth.

When we explore Justice, it sits neatly under the domain of Mission. Hope and Truth (faith) are both Theological Virtues that align with our Catholic Identity as a College.

Both staff and students have unpacked values that relate to Learning and Leadership, as we believe it to be important that we have a College value that aligns with these important aspects of our community.

We would like parents to help us establish which value best aligns with A) Leadership and B) Learning.

The suggested values are the most common suggestions from staff and students. To access the survey, please use the following link. https://sbsc.me/48qaxfr

Year 7 2024 Taster Days

This week, our non-Catholic feeder schools had their taster day, with the Grade 6 students spending the day with us at the College. These students came from 12 schools! What amazed me was the connections and friendships formed in just one day together.

We thank Mr Brady Butcher, our Transition Coordinator, for the work he does in providing support for students and families in this important milestone in the lives of our young people.

College Camps & Excursions in 2024

Next year, we have 28 students travelling to France. Shortly, expressions of interest will be shared with senior students with regard to the 2024 Mt Hotham ski trip, and our First Nations students, along with our boys and girls footballers, will travel to Melbourne for the Dreamtime at the MCG and play representative games while on tour. This is in addition to all year groups having a camp experience next year!

Senior Subjects 2024

Our senior subject offerings were released for 2024 following student subject selection. Our students have access to 75 subjects in Years 11 and 12. A reminder to students who would like to change subjects to contact Mr Gavin Hicks or Mr Michael Stocks.

I would like to wish all students and staff a well-deserved holiday period. A reminder to parents that the first Monday back is a student-free day, mandated across the state by CET. However, pre-tertiary subjects will still run due to the closeness of exams and staff wanting to support our students during this important time.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

We have to get rid of the idea that the soul is a dot of energy in some hidden core of our body. In fact, the body is in the soul. There is no part of my body which is not immersed in my soul. It is my whole person, bodysoul, which needs to be saved. As Thomas Aquinas says: ‘If only my soul is saved, I am not saved.’

– Reverend Professor Michael Tate, AO

Reverend Professor Michael Tate AO is a distinguished figure, renowned for his contributions to both politics and the Catholic Church. His recent address to Year 12 students, The Poem You Have to Write, resonated deeply with its powerful messages of courage and purpose.

During his talk, Father Tate drew upon two impactful references. Early quoted a paragraph from Laudato Si', referencing the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world. He reminded us that we are all crafted from the same earthly elements, sharing a miraculous existence that prompts introspection about our divine purpose.

In his words: "The universe took 14 billion years to create you for a specific purpose; what might that be? You have been loved into existence for a unique and irreplaceable role in the unfolding of the universe."

Father Tate further delved into the theme of life's unpredictable currents. He eloquently spoke about times when it might feel as though the tide is carrying us in unexpected directions, challenging us to make choices that define our lives. He posed the poignant question: "Will you have the courage to take the tide, or will you choose a mediocre life?"

In contemplating life's crossroads, Father Tate evoked the timeless verses of Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken. He encouraged the students to consider those pivotal moments when they must choose between the well-trodden path and the road less travelled, "The finger is pointing at you. You might say to yourself, surely someone else can do it, but no, it has to be you. Keep alert, watch for the tide, don't wallow in the shallows, take the road!"

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood …

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.
– Robert Frost

His message emphasised the importance of breaking free from societal expectations, and he urged the students to muster the courage to follow their own unique paths: "Break out of other people's expectations. Have the guts and the courage to follow through."

Father Tate left the students with a call to action: "Take the tide. Write the poem. Have the guts."

Reverend Professor Michael Tate AO's life journey, marked by dedication to the Catholic Church and Australian politics, serves as a powerful example. His words inspire the Class of 2023 to make bold choices, embrace courage, and embark on meaningful and impactful life journeys.

The changeover to summer uniform occurs at the beginning of Term 4. Now is a great time to check summer uniform garments for fit and condition.

Please note that St Brendan-Shaw College Uniform Shop will close for the term break on Thursday 28 September 4.00pm and will be open at the following times:

Term Break Opening Hours

Thursday 12 October – 9.00am to 3.00pm

** Now Closed Monday 16 October ** 

The Uniform Shop will return to normal opening hours on Tuesday 17 October.

Regular Trading Hours

Throughout the school term, our regular opening hours are:

Tuesday 8.00am – 4.00pm

Thursday 8.00am – 4.00pm

Uniform Shop Online

You are welcome to purchase from the online uniform shop at your convenience and your order will be filled when the store is next open. Log onto www.midford.com.au using passphrase SBSC505.

Mrs Crista Christie, Teacher

The Trade Show was an assessment task for the unit of learning Civics and Citizenship covered in Year 8 History. Students spent a lot of time learning and understanding how democracy works, the importance of multiple levels of government and how change comes about, locally and nationally.

On Wednesday, students courageously presented their ideas to improve Devonport, Tasmania or even Australia to our very own Mayor Jarman. It was amazing to see the myriad of ideas students had come up with, especially for their age. It was a valuable learning experience for the students to see that they do have the power to make change and that they do have the right to express their voices in the community. Mayor Jarmin was very complimentary of our students' ideas on the day.

Congratulations to our students who were awarded recognition certificates on the day for innovative ideas, and congratulations to all Year 8s for their participation.

By Mr Steven Ryan, Teaching and Learning Leader - Health & PE

The Schools Triathlon Challenge will be conducted on Thursday 23 November at the Bluff precinct and is open for all students from Years 7-12.  The event is about challenging yourself.  It's not about winning, but getting in and having a go. You can enter as an individual, get a team together and do a leg each, or do both the team and individual events.   

Anyone entering from the College must collect an entry form from Mr O'Keeffe, or enter by using the sign up form below. Payment is to be made to the Caritas Front Office by Friday 20 October (Week 1 of Term 1).  Should you have any questions or require further information, please read the sign-up process below or please contact Mr O'Keeffe. Further information can be found at the event website:https://schoolstriathlonchallenge.com

Triathalon Sign-Up Process

Below is a sign-up form for the School Sports Tasmania Triathlon Challenge held on Thursday 23 November. Students who wish to enter into this event either as part of a team, individual or both need to fill this form out using their school email. 

The cost of this event is $25. For further information or to sign up, please access the Google Form by clicking the button below.

Windeward Bound Sailing Adventures is proud to announce the viewing of our very inspirational documentary, Turning The Tide. Bring along family and friends and enjoy the night.

A group of teenagers from ex-refugee and Aussie backgrounds embark on a life-changing 10-day voyage at sea.

Over a 10-day voyage on the ship Windeward Bound, a group of culturally diverse young people led by Captain Sarah Parry are thrust together into the very hands-on reality of sailing a tall ship in southern lutruwita/Tasmania.

Taken out of their comfort zone(without a smartphone in sight), challenged daily, discovering qualities they didn't know they had, all the kids find themselves becoming part of a new interdependent community where everyone plays a vital role in sailing the ship.

Following the film, Captain Sarah will be available to answer questions from the audience.

Where: Town Hall Theatre - paranaple arts centre - Devonport
When: Friday 29 September 2023, 7:00pm
Run time: 86 minutes.

Adult: $18.00
Concession: $10.00
Child U16: $10.00

Use the link below to book your ticket. 

https://www.paranapleartscentr...