St Brendan-Shaw College | St Brendan-Shaw College

By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

Good afternoon,

It is with a heavy heart that I pen this newsletter. We hold our coastal friends, the Marist Regional College community, close to our hearts as they have had to deal with the loss of a student this week. Our ongoing thoughts, prayers and love are again extended.

As a College community, we have supported our Marist Regional College colleagues and students through the assignment of staff, who have picked up classes, and our College counsellor, Mrs Lynda Beaven, travelled to support both students and staff on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Many students and staff here at St Brendan-Shaw College have also been affected by the loss.

As a College, we have created supportive and prayerful spaces for our students who need a space to grieve and mourn. Families whose child has needed to have extra support throughout the day have been contacted, and we will continue to support families.

Should you feel your child needs ongoing support, I encourage you to contact your child's House Coordinator or our College Social Worker, Mrs Lynda Beavan.

This week's Sunday Gospel is Matthew 18:15-20. May our students and the Marist Regional College community feel the work of the Holy Spirit among them at this time.

“For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.

Deputy Principal Pastoral Care

I wish to inform the College community that at the end of the 2023 school year, Deputy Principal of Pastoral Care, Ms Kim Walters, will be taking up a new role in New South Wales.

Kim has served our College community for eight years, and after a 13-year adventure across three states, she will be returning to her home state. We are most grateful for Kim's contributions to St Brendan-Shaw College, most notably in the area of Pastoral Care.

We wish Kim well in this next chapter.

NSATIS Sports Finals

This week, our Senior Firsts Soccer team played Launceston Church Grammar in the NSATIS semi-final and held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but unfortunately lost 5-1 in very windy conditions. I would like to congratulate the team on the way they represented our College. I was extremely proud of them on Wednesday, as I have been all season.

Our Swimming team represented the College on Tuesday at the NSATIS Swimming Carnival in Launceston. Students were accompanied by Mr Sam O’Keeffe, Mr Brady Butcher and Mrs Karen Chugg. The team will head to Hobart next Wednesday to compete in the SATIS Swimming Carnival.

Trivia Night Fundraiser

We look forward to tomorrow night's SRC Trivia Night Fundraiser, held from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in the Genesis Centre. It will be a fun evening where friends, family and students of the College can test their knowledge, win prizes, and support a great cause – with all proceeds going to Warrawee Women's Shelter.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

Loving God,

Help us to build a vibrant Catholic community in all that we say, think and do.

Our Founders used a boundless generosity of their human spirit to help all whom they encountered.

Build our generosity of spirit to do our best in all that we do in this place and to support and encourage others to do the same.

Make us mindful of keeping our community mentally safe, emotionally safe and physically safe.

Open our minds to the richness that diversity of people and practice brings.

Help us to be a community of action, to be a community of Faith and Deed.

Open our eyes to the beauty of our world, our College and our people.

We ask this through our Founders,

St Mary MacKillop, Blessed Edmund Rice, and Father Julian Tenison Woods.

Amen

Jet and Felicity teamed up with Nathan and Lee at the SeaFM and 7AD studios earlier this week to promote tomorrow's highly-anticipated SRC Trivia Night Fundraiser. Thank you to all those who registered a table and will be joining us to support Warrawee Women's Shelter. Warraee provides a vital service to support women and children in our community.

But what can attendees anticipate from this SRC-led event? This is no ordinary trivia. Spanning 8 riveting rounds, each containing 10 questions, it promises to be an engaging brain teaser. Alongside the trivia, there are of games and activities, accompanied by a host of great prizes generously donated by local businesses and community members.

Key Details to Remember for Those Registered to Attend

When? Friday, 8 September, 6:00pm-9:00pm.
Where? Genesis Centre, St Brendan-Shaw College, 127 James Street, Devonport.
Refreshments? Attendees are encouraged to bring along their preferred snacks and drinks. Popular choices include pizza, delightful platters, and refreshing soft drinks.

Last Friday was a night to remember for our Year 10 students, who boarded the train at Don Junction to arrive in style at the Two Tracks Function Centre.

Their mode of transport was as unique as the night that awaited them, with the historic Don River Railway set the tone for the evening.

The gathering at Two Tracks was not just a celebration but an affirmation of the close-knit bonds these students have developed. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and pride, a reflection of the mutual support and affection that has become synonymous with this remarkable group of young men and women.

Ensuring that the evening was a feast for the senses, DJ Dan filled the venue with a selection of favourite tunes, while What The Fork for their delicious fare.

Many people contributed to creating this unforgettable evening. A heartfelt 'thank you' to Ms Kim Walters, Mrs Sharon Deane and Mrs Denise Bourke, the efforts of the Year 10 Celebration Committee and our dedicated staff.

Thank you to the Two Tracks Function Centre and the Don River Railway for adding a touch of vintage glamour.

In summing up the evening, it was more than just a celebration – it was an embodiment of the spirit of our Year 10 students and our College community.