In 2016, I was humbled by the welcoming address to delegates of a combined, Australian and New Zealand Catholic Secondary Principals conference in Queenstown, NZ.  Without translation nor explanation, it was given in Māori … and this was no 10-second sound bite, but an address that went on for several minutes.  I came away with an appreciation of the level of regard that is accorded the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand and a vision of where Reconciliation can lead us.

My Sacramental understanding of Reconciliation involves:

• Confession - telling the story of the wrongdoing;
• Contrition - genuine and authentic sorrow for the pain it caused; and
• A commitment to ‘make things right’

Only after this has been done can we wait upon the person who was wronged to complete the healing - to forgive.

Our vision is “to be a vibrant Catholic community with a generosity of the human spirit.”  This generosity of spirit incorporates being:

• magnanimous people - generous and forgiving, especially towards a rival or a less powerful person;
• high-minded, fair, noble, ‘big’ and worthy people; and
• people of honesty and integrity.

My prayer is that all Australians delve into their generosity of human spirit to come to a place where we can stand united, forgiving and forgiven.

As our seniors work through their exams, I have asked staff to join me in praying this prayer (that hangs in the senior secondary study spaced) at least once per day.  I invite others to join us.

Ever generous God,

You inspired St Mary MacKillop to live a life that brought constant hope and encouragement to those whom she encountered.

With confidence in your generous providence, and together with St Mary, we ask you to keep our seniors in your care.

Free them from anxiety and inspire them to perform at their best during their exams.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen

Frank Pisano
Principal

With the impending festive season and end of school celebrations, some teenagers may be feeling ready to party, wanting to put the disruptions, frustrations and disappointments of this past year, behind them.

To ensure our young people stay safe during this time, parents and carers are encouraged to have the alcohol discussion - no matter how difficult or overwhelming it may be. It is important to outline the rules and boundaries around age-appropriate alcohol consumption and what the legal implications may be.Young people are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm than adults because their brains continue to develop until their mid-twenties. The safest level of alcohol consumption for teenagers, is no alcohol at all, but this may be difficult to enforce and may not prevent them from experimenting. However, parents and carers can influence sensible drinking habits and help minimise the risks.

In this Special Report, a series of discussion points are offered to help make the conversation about alcohol consumption a little easier. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://sbsc.tas.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-having-alcohol-discussion-au  

Kim Walters
Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.   Due to Covid19, NAIDOC Week for 2020 was postponed to 8th - 15th November.

Always Was, Always Will Be. recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years with the very first footprints on this continent were those belonging to First Nations peoples.  

Always Was, Always Will Be. acknowledges that through indigenous land management systems like fire stick farming, the lands of Australia were transformed from being the harshest habitable continent into a land of bounty.

To celebrate NAIDOC week the college as a whole, walked around the perimeter of the school, to symbolise the Rainbow Serpent Dreamtime Story of creation.

Always Was, Always Will Be.

Due to Covid restrictions we have made the decision that in lieu of our Presentation Evening, Honorary Awards for Years 7-11 will be presented at a whole school assembly. The lovely thing about this is that studnets will receive their awards in front of their peers - a nice way of giving all students something to aspire to.

This assembly will take place on Monday 7 December - so students in Years 10 & 11 who are members of the 2021 SRC Exec or who are receiving an award will be required to attend school that morning even though they will not have lessons.

Kim Walters
Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care

Students in Year 9 Maths Extended completed exciting mathematical investigations for the Maths Talent Quest. Topics varied from nerf bullet trajectories, IQ comparisons, the bambi effect and student pathways. Two entries were so strong that they were entered the Victorian/Tasmanian Statewide Maths Talent Quest and achieved High Distinctions against incredible competition. In addition, Clara Ruffels was awarded the  La Trobe University Young Women in Mathematics  award for her Mathematical Murder Mystery and Felicity Purton achieved the highest result across the two states for her investigation into the Mode of Disease Transmission, winning entry into the National Competition. Congratulations on exceptional work!

Sandra Farr
Teacher / LMS Integrator

Cows Create Careers Winners!

The Year 9/10 Ag-Science class placed 1st and 3rd in the Tasmanian Senior School category for the Cows Create Careers program run by Dairy Australia. St Brendan-Shaw College also won best overall Secondary School so a big congratulations to all those involved!