By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

MacKillop Feast Day

This week, we honour Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, who is remembered each year on 8 August. The date marks the anniversary of her death in 1909 and is observed in Catholic schools, parishes, and communities across Australia.

  • Feast Day: 8 August
  • Full name: Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop
  • Born: Fitzroy, Victoria, 1842
  • Founded: Sisters of Saint Joseph (with Fr Julian Tenison Woods), 1866
  • Canonised: 2010, becoming Australia’s first saint

Why is Mary MacKillop's Feast Day Celebrated?

We celebrate Mary's Feast Day because of what she stood for. At the age of 24, she opened a school so children living in poverty could get an education, at a time when many were denied that chance. Every 8 August, we remember her courage and carry forward her mission.

Australia's First Saint Was Also Its First Education Activist

Saint Mary MacKillop was born in Victoria to Scottish immigrant parents. The eldest of eight children, she spent her early years working to support her family - learning early that dignity and determination are inseparable.

At the age of 24, she dedicated her life to God and took the name Mary of the Cross. Alongside Fr Julian Tenison Woods, she opened a school in a disused stable in Penola, South Australia - a deliberate, courageous act to ensure children denied access to education could learn. Other women joined her, and together Mary and Fr Julian founded Australia's first religious order: the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

The Sisters committed themselves to walking with people living in poverty, going wherever the need was greatest, in towns and rural communities across Australia. They didn't wait to be asked; they just went.

Mary faced fierce opposition throughout her life. At one point, she was temporarily excommunicated. In the face of injustice, she modelled extraordinary grace - refusing to speak ill of those who wronged her, while remaining absolutely resolute in her convictions. She was one of the boldest women of 19th-century Australia, and her determination laid the foundations of Catholic education in this country. Her legacy lives on. And every August, we carry it forward.

Our College community is deeply connected to Mary Mackillop. The Sisters of St Joseph were responsible for establishing Shaw College in 1969. Their presence also continued once St Brendan-Shaw College was established in 1980, with both Sister Josaphine Brady and Sister Sue McInnes appointed as Principals at various stages.

As part of Celebrating the life of Mary McKillop, Catholic Education Tasmania aligns Catholic Education Week with her feast day, anchoring school and community celebrations for Catholic Education and honouring her pioneering work to make education accessible to poor, rural, and remote children.

On Tuesday 11 August, several St Brendan-Shaw College classes will travel to Ulverstone to join the Catholic Education Week Mass, celebrating the shared mission and ministry of Catholic education across Tasmania.

Later that day, three members of our College community will be recognised for an extraordinary milestone, each celebrating 25 years of dedicated service to Catholic education:

  • Mrs Di Saltmarsh
  • Mr Wayne Roberts
  • Mr Stuart Ralph

Government Schools Year 7 Taster Day – Monday 10 August

Next Monday, we look forward to welcoming more than 30 Year 7 students to St Brendan-Shaw College for our Government Schools Year 7 Taster Day.

Students from 16 government schools across our region will spend the day experiencing life at the College as part of their transition to secondary school. The program provides an opportunity to explore our campus, participate in engaging learning activities, meet staff and students, and gain a sense of what life at St Brendan-Shaw College is all about.

We look forward to sharing the day with our visiting students and hope it gives them an exciting introduction to our College community.

Subject Selection

The student Subject Selection Portal opened on Friday 31 July at 3:30 pm. Students received an email with instructions to access the portal. By completing subject selection, students are indicating their intent to return to the College in 2027.

Congratulations

We congratulate Year 12 student Lily Farr, who has been selected as one of four Tasmanian basketball referees to represent the state at the U14 Footlocker Nationals Championships in Perth, WA. This is a great honour and recognition for her dedication to training as an official.

Lily will head to Perth on 25 September until the end of Term 3.

Sports

It is wonderful to see so many students representing St Brendan-Shaw College in sport again this term.

This week, our boys’ and girls’ football teams, along with the Senior Firsts and Senior Seconds netball teams, travelled to Burnie on Wednesday afternoon to take on Marist Regional College. We thank all students for their commitment, sportsmanship and willingness to represent the College, and we acknowledge the staff, coaches, managers and families whose support makes these opportunities possible.

We wish all of our sporting teams every success throughout the remainder of the term.

Important Upcoming Dates

Week 3
Tuesday 11 August, 11:00 am | Catholic Education Week Mass (Ulverstone)
Friday 14 August | College Assembly – Principal’s Study Awards

Week 4
Wednesday 19 August, 9.15am | Principal’s Discovery Tour
Friday 21 August | Year 8 Cultural Day

Week 5
Monday 24 August | Book Week

Week 8
Friday 18 September | College Trivia Night

Week 9
Friday 25 September | Student Free Day and Year 10 Celebration Dinner

Week 10
Friday 2 October | Term 3 Concludes

I thank all families for their ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

By Miss Sophie Lansley, Deputy Principal: Teaching & Learning

Year 11 & 12 reports will be released to families on Tuesday 18 August. There will also be parent-teacher interviews to follow these reports on Tuesday 1 September. Further information will be sent to families at the end of next week.

The subject selection process for 2027 is currently underway. Students have been emailed instructions on how to complete this selection. For all Year 8-11 students, this is due by next Friday 14 August. For Year 7 students, this is due by 28 August. A reminder that this form needs to be printed off, signed by a parent/guardian and handed to Mrs Saltmarsh in the Wellbeing Centre.

Devonport City Council reminds parents and guardians about the meningococcal ACWY vaccination clinic to be held at the College on Thursday 17 September 2026. 

All parents and guardians of Year 10 students are requested to complete the online consent form, regardless of whether they choose to consent to vaccination or not. Parents of Year 11 students requiring a catch-up immunisation may also complete the form.

The School Immunisation Program uses the Vitavo online portal. This system replaces paper consent cards and allows parents and guardians to complete consent forms electronically.

To get started, please click the link below and select the relevant year level:
https://devonport.book.vitavo.com.au/school/StBrendan-ShawCollege-PaAOfJ

If you have any questions about the School Immunisation Program, please contact Devonport City Council's immunisation team at (03) 6424 0511.

A group of year 12 students travelled to Hobart for the night to explore various UTAS faculties and accommodation options. Some of the highlights were the brand new Forest Building, the Hedberg and exploring accommodation offerings. A big thank you to UTAS and Jane College for hosting us and showing us around what could be our home next year.

A big thank you to Kavi from Monash University who visited the College this week to hold an information session with our senior students. She focused on topics such as entry pathways, accommodation and course options.

This week, our Japanese students enjoyed a special visit from Asuka Sensei, who worked alongside our Japanese teachers to support learning across Year 7 to 12.

One of the highlights of the visit for all students was the opportunity for students to engage in question-and-answer sessions conducted in Japanese. These conversations gave students the chance to apply their language skills in a real-world context, building confidence in speaking and listening while learning more about everyday life, customs and culture in Japan.

Our middle school students also immersed themselves in Japanese culture through hands-on activities. Asuka Sensei introduced students to kendama, a traditional Japanese skill game that challenges coordination, concentration and perseverance. Students also explored the art of origami, transforming simple sheets of paper into intricate creations while learning about one of Japan’s best-known cultural traditions.

Experiences like these enrich classroom learning by connecting language with culture. We thank Asuka Sensei for generously sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm and culture with our students and for helping bring Japanese language learning to life.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental condition that affects how children regulate attention, impulses and activity levels. While many children can appear restless, distracted or forgetful at times, ADHD involves ongoing patterns that may impact learning, behaviour, organisation and relationships. These challenges can sometimes lead to frustration at home and school, particularly when a child is trying hard but struggling to meet expectations.

For families, understanding ADHD means recognising that these behaviours are not simply a matter of effort or discipline. ADHD is influenced by a combination of neurological, biological and environmental factors that affect how a child’s brain processes information and manages self-control. With the right support, structure and strategies, children with ADHD can develop the skills they need to succeed and thrive.

This edition of SchoolTV explores how families can better understand ADHD and support children to build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation and navigate everyday challenges more successfully.

Here is the link to this topic http://sbsc.tas.schooltv.me/newsletter/adhd-au

Work experience is open again for Term 3. An information session will be held on Tuesday 11 August for students to find out the work experience process and obtain forms. Further information will be shared with students in the Morning Notices.

As part of the process, students are to arrange a workplace to attend during the term holidays. All forms need to be completed by a parent, student and employer and returned to Mrs Banfield by Friday 11 September. Late forms cannot be accepted due to insurance purposes.

Any questions, please email Mrs Banfield wbanfield@sbsc.tas.edu.au

By Mrs Kylie Reid, Librarian

Staff and students are invited to take part in Book Week Dress Up Day on Friday 28 August, celebrating this year’s CBCA theme, Symphony of Stories. Costumes can be inspired by a favourite character, author, book or genre, with plenty of room for imagination and low‑cost options. Please ensure costumes are appropriate and comfortable for a normal school day.

Image credit: © Children’s Book Council of Australia. Artwork by Briony Stewart. Used with permission for non‑commercial, educational purposes.

Staff and students are invited to take part in Book Week Dress Up Day on Friday 28 August, celebrating this year’s CBCA theme, Symphony of Stories. Costumes can be inspired by a favourite character, author, book or genre, with plenty of room for imagination and low‑cost options. Please ensure costumes are appropriate and comfortable for a normal school day.

To keep the day inclusive, the library will host a lunchtime photobooth, including a ‘Book Face’ station for students who prefer to participate in school uniform. This ensures everyone can join in, regardless of costume.

As part of our Book Week celebrations, the library is pleased to host a live music performance at lunchtime on Monday 24 August. This event connects with the Symphony of Stories theme, highlighting how music and literature both shape emotion, imagination and shared experience. Throughout Book Week, students can also take part in daily emoji challenges, with house points up for grabs.

This year’s Book Week has a meaningful local connection. Dame Enid Lyons, Australia’s first woman elected to the House of Representatives and the first woman to serve in Federal Cabinet, spent much of her life in North‑West Tasmania at Home Hill, Devonport. She and her husband, Joseph Lyons – former Premier of Tasmania and Prime Minister of Australia – share a direct historical link with our region and with St Brendan‑Shaw College, which honours the Lyons legacy as part of its local heritage.

One of this year’s celebrated titles, A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris, brings this history to life. Shortlisted for the CBCA Eve Pownall Award, the book tells the story of 1943, when Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney became the first women elected to Federal Parliament - only to discover there were no women’s toilets in Parliament House. Through humour and narrative non‑fiction, the book introduces readers to Australian politics, gender equality and representation, offering a powerful link between national storytelling and our local Tasmanian history.

A selection of 2026 CBCA shortlisted books are available to borrow, giving students the chance to explore the stories being celebrated nationally.

We look forward to celebrating the connection that reading brings to our College community.

We’re pleased to announce that applications for the Fairbrother 2027 Apprenticeship Program will open today, and we’d appreciate your support in sharing this opportunity with your students who are considering a career in the building and construction industry.

At Fairbrother, our apprentices gain hands-on experience working alongside skilled tradespeople on award-winning projects while completing a nationally recognised qualification. It's an excellent opportunity for students to earn while they learn and build the foundations for a rewarding long-term career.

We are currently recruiting apprentices for:

  • Certificate III in Carpentry (Devonport, Launceston, Hobart)
  • Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Devonport only)

Please find our 2027 Apprenticeship Program flyer attached. We would be grateful if you could display this on your careers noticeboard, include it in student communications, or share it with any students who may be interested. Further information is also available in our Apprenticeship Program Booklet on our website.

We'll also be contacting students who have completed, or are scheduled to complete, work experience with Fairbrother, as well as those who have expressed interest in apprenticeships through careers expos and other events.

What They’ll Need to Apply

To submit your apprenticeship application, please prepare the following:

  • A resume, including your contact details.
  • School results (this can be a transcript or included in your resume).
  • A cover letter telling us about yourself, why you’re interested in an apprenticeship and why you’d like to join our team.
  • Include a portfolio of projects that showcases your practical skills and interests.

Students can learn more about the program and submit their application from midday today via our Apprenticeship page: https://www.fairbrother.com.au/apprentice

Thank you for your continued support in helping students explore career pathways in the construction industry. If you have any questions about the program, please don't hesitate to contact me directly!

Kind regards

Bree Woods
P&C Training Coordinator

12 Stony Rise Road, Devonport Tas 7310
03 6420 7000 | bwoods@fairbrother.com.au | fairbrother.com.au

Term 3 sport got underway in the opening week of the term, with the Senior Girls 2nds NSATIS Netball team travelling to Launceston to take on SPC.

The Lady Saints started strongly, opening up an early lead and heading into the first break with a three-goal advantage. From there, neither side was able to gain the upper hand, with both teams trading goals throughout the second quarter.

After half-time, SPC lifted their intensity, applying strong defensive pressure and limiting the Saints' scoring opportunities. Despite a determined defensive effort and a strong overall team performance, SPC gradually took control of the contest. A scoring run in the final quarter saw the home side pull away and secure a 55-23 victory.

This week, both Senior NSATIS netball teams were in action, travelling to MRC. As always, MRC proved to be a tough regional rival, testing both teams across all four quarters. While neither side came away with a win, both teams played some quality netball and challenged MRC throughout the game.

Next week, both the 1sts and 2nds will play their first home matches of the season, hosting SPC. The 1sts begin at 3:30pm, followed by the 2nds at 4:30pm.

The Junior Girls NSATIS Football team returned to action this week following the school holidays and a bye last week, travelling to MRC eager to record a win.

In a physical and hard-fought contest, both teams defended strongly, making scoring opportunities difficult to come by. The Saints took a narrow three-point lead into the main break and looked well placed to continue their momentum in the second half.

Stella Dickson, Hayley Woods and Lulu Meech were among the Saints' best performers, working tirelessly throughout the match. However, MRC proved too strong after half-time and, despite a spirited defensive effort, went on to claim a 25-12 win.

The 9/10 Boys produced a strong performance against MRC in what was a highly competitive contest.

After falling to MRC in the NWJFU semi-final earlier this year, the Saints were keen to make amends. Playing an exciting brand of football, they held the lead at every change and looked in control for much of the day.

However, a lapse in discipline and concentration during the final quarter allowed MRC back into the game. As momentum shifted, MRC capitalised on their opportunities and finished strongly to record an 84-52 victory.

Both the Girls and 9/10 Boys football teams will travel to Launceston Church Grammar next Wednesday for their next round of NSATIS competition.

Devon Netball Spring roster - Students interested in playing in the Devon Netball Spring roster on Wednesday afternoons, please complete this form - Devon Netball - Spring Roster

Devonport Rugby Club High School 7s roster - Boys Grades 7-10 interested in playing in the Devonport Rugby Club High School roster, please complete this form - Rugby 7s Roster

2027 Mt Hotham Ski Trip - Students grades 10 and 11 interested in going on the 2027 Mt Hotham Ski trip, please complete this form - 2027 Mt Hotham Ski Trip

Devonport Junior Soccer - Students in grades 7-10, boys and Girls interested in playing in the Devonport Junior Soccer 6-A Side gala day, please complete this form - 6-A side soccer

Mersey Rowing Club - The Mersey Rowing Club will be visiting the College on Friday 14th of August (Girls) and Monday 17th of August (Boys) for the SBSC 500m ERG Challenge. A great way for students to experience rowing, with their coaches there to help with technique and get you started on your rowing journey. There will also be prizes on hand for the 500m challenge. To sign up for this event, please complete this form by Tuesday 11th of August - MRC - SBSC 500m Erg Challenge