By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

Welcome to Week 6 of Term 3

This week, the College has welcomed Tanya Cavanagh from NotEvenOnce to work with students, staff and families. Tanya is no stranger to our community, having presented since 2023.

Vaping is a real issue for our young people in our community. While we did see a decline in instances of young people accessing and using vapes around 2024 when the federal government announced they were banning vapes, this has been short-lived. In fact, vapes that contain nicotine were banned; however, vapes are now sold under the guise of not containing nicotine. Research and investigation suggest otherwise.

NotEvenOnce Projects Australia (NEO) focuses on bringing the latest scientific and medical evidence of Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) use and delivery devices (Vapes) and their impact on the Developing Brain of young people and resulting Physical, Mental & Relational harms to the individual, families and communities. They lean on their professional experience of working with those with an active life-controlling addiction through the residential rehabilitation centres of Teen Challenge in Australia. With this experience, we not only explore the ‘How’ and ‘What’ of substance use but also the underlying ‘Why’ causation issues.

Families who would like to learn more about the program are encouraged to visit the NotEvenOnce website.

Australian Teacher Aide / Teacher Assistant (TA) Appreciation Week

Australian Teacher Aide Teacher Assistant (TA) Appreciation Week has been celebrated this week in recognition of the hard work, patience, and daily support that teacher aides and assistants provide to students and teachers. Please refer to our social media post.

Congratulations

Year 10 student Vishvi Gunarathna has been awarded a Tsuzuki Scholarship. Vishvi is invited to transfer to Fukuoka Dai'ichi High School as soon as possible to begin her exchange and may remain until the end of the year.

The Tsuzuki International Scholarship will provide successful Year 10 students in 2026 the opportunity to undertake an extended academic and cultural immersion experience in Japan during 2026.

Dr Debra Sayce appointed Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania

Archbishop of Hobart, the Most Reverend Anthony J Ireland, has announced the appointment of Dr Debra Sayce as the new Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania.

Dr Sayce, one of Australia's most experienced Catholic education leaders, will take up the position in January 2027.

"Debra brings to this new role extensive executive leadership experience, a deep personal commitment to Catholic education and a strong understanding of its mission and communities," Archbishop Ireland said.

"She is already well known to many within Catholic education and has served the Church with distinction in senior leadership positions in Western Australia and at the national level.”

"I am delighted that she has accepted this important responsibility in Tasmania. Catholic education is one of the great works of the Church in this State, and Debra brings considerable experience, energy and commitment to its continuing mission."

Dr Sayce served as Executive Director of Catholic Education, Western Australia, from 2017 to 2023 and is currently Chief of Mission Enhancement and Outreach in the Archdiocese of Perth.

Her extensive career in Catholic education has included service as Director of Religious Education for Catholic Education Western Australia, as well as leadership roles as a principal and assistant principal.

At the national level, Dr Sayce has been a long-serving member of the National Catholic Education Commission and has contributed to its Resource Standing Committee, Finance and Risk Committee, and Religious Education and Formation Committee.

97th Devonport Dance Eisteddfod

Our Years 8 and 9/10 Dance classes have competed at the Devonport competitions today. Competition will be held at the Town Hall Theatre, paranaple Arts Centre.

NSATIS Representatives

We wish the following students every success who have been selected in the NSATIS representative teams to play SSATIS in Launceston tomorrow.

Soccer
Tyson Crawford Year 12
Tahlia Crawford Year 10
EJ Sullivan Year 11

Basketball
Luke McCoy Year 12
Brydee McPherson Year 10

Important Upcoming Dates

Week 8
Friday 18 September | College Trivia Night

Week 9
Thursday 24 September | Footy Colours Day
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

This week, we celebrate Teacher Assistants Appreciation Week – a chance to pause and say a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated teacher aides who work alongside our staff and students every single day.

Teacher assistants are often the quiet heroes of our classrooms. They offer patient, one-on-one support to students who need it most, help bring lessons to life, and provide the kind of steady encouragement that helps a student believe in themselves. Their impact reaches far beyond the classroom – in the relationships they build, the confidence they nurture, and the sense of belonging they help create for every young person they support.

At St Brendan-Shaw College, our teacher assistants are an essential part of our college community. Their care, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students do not go unnoticed, and we are enormously grateful for everything they bring to the life of our College.

To all our teacher assistants – thank you. You make a difference, every single day.

TASC develops the timetable to best suit this year’s students and their course enrolments, and spreads out exams as much as possible over the nine-day period. However, clashes can sometimes occur.

TASC will identify students who are eligible to apply for an optional written exam schedule change.

Ms Gamble will be included in emails to students to support the process.

Only students identified by TASC are eligible to apply for a schedule change. Be aware that students with two back-to-back (consecutive) exams on the same day are not eligible for a schedule change unless they have a previously approved Reasonable Adjustment for extra time for both exams.

Eligible circumstances for an exam schedule change:
Students with an exam clash (exams scheduled for exactly the same time)

• TASC will directly contact the small number of affected students (with their TLO copied into the email) to resolve these issues.
• TASC will email students and provide their revised exam schedule using the email address nominated in their student declaration.

Students with three (3) back-to-back exams

• TASC will email eligible students (with their TLO copied into the email) using the email address nominated in their student declaration. Students can apply for a revised exam schedule using the application web form in the email.

If students do not reply to an email regarding a clash, the change will not occur. If families have any questions regarding these exams, please contact Ms Gamble or Miss Lansley.

Below is a link to the TASC exam timetable for 2026:

➔ 2026 TASC Exam Timetable

In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding children to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As students aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.

It's essential for students to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.

Additionally, how students approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your child's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer children, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.

Here is the link to this topic http://sbsc.tas.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-healthy-study-habits-au

This week, students across Years 7–12 recently participated in three sessions with Tanya Cavanagh from NotEvenOnce, exploring alcohol and other drugs, brain health, personal safety and the importance of seeking support.

The sessions combined evidence-informed education with open conversation, encouraging students to understand the reasons behind choices, recognise risk and know where to turn when something is not right.

The Years 9/10 session focused on how alcohol and other substances can affect the developing brain, including areas involved in memory, learning, judgement, coordination and decision-making. Students also explored practical ways to support brain health and wellbeing through sleep, nutrition, exercise, healthy relationships and positive coping strategies.

Rather than simply telling students what they should or shouldn’t do, Tanya encouraged them to understand the ‘why’ behind choices.

“Because we can understand the ‘why’, or the reasoning behind our choices, then maybe we make some better ones for ourselves,” she told students.

Drawing on evidence and her own lived experience, Tanya spoke about recognising unhealthy ways of coping and the importance of talking to someone when life becomes difficult.

Students were encouraged to participate throughout the sessions, contributing their own ideas and asking the questions that mattered to them. Tanya later reflected on the meaningful conversations she had with students during her visit and the privilege of young people trusting adults with their experiences.

That connection is an important part of prevention. Knowledge is most powerful when young people also feel heard, supported and connected to trusted adults.

The day also included an evening session for parents, providing an opportunity to continue the conversation at home and support families in understanding the issues young people may encounter.

The broader NotEvenOnce approach combines education with evidence-based community support and a holistic, long-term focus on connection, mentoring and opportunities for young people.

It also reinforces an important message for our students and families: St Brendan-Shaw College is a safe place to seek help. Students can approach a teacher or another trusted adult if they are worried about themselves, concerned about a friend or simply need someone to listen.

Understanding risk matters. Recognising when something is not right matters. Knowing you do not have to navigate it alone matters too.

By Mrs Crista Christie, Teacher

Our Year 9 and 10 Agriculture students were fortunate to visit a robotic dairy last month. Students were fortunate to be given a guided tour of the Dell Family's robotic dairy based in Riana.

Darren guided our students through a site walk, calving pen and processes, the milking shed, and of course, the complexity of the robotics that makes both his life and the life of his beloved cows better.

We talked with Darren about the costs and benefits of technology in an animal-based profession, weighing the pros and cons as we went. Students were interested to find out that technology hasn't just helped achieve higher profitability, it has also improved the cows' quality of life and health, such as less stress, reduced injuries to a minimum and ongoing improved health and nutrition. The robotics measure all kinds of health analytics and adjust feed and processes to each animal - for that reason, illness and injury is detected early and minimised. Cows reporting any anomaly are automatically segregated from the herd for human inspection and decision-making, improving biosecurity and risk management. It was impressive to see cows wander in, calm, relaxed and wander out with nonchalant, routined confidence.

A huge warm thank you to the Dell Family, particularly Darren and Sam, who hosted us on the day and made it possible. Industry visits bring learning to life.

For many years now, the role of fathers has changed and evolved. During the industrial revolution, fathers were often considered detached and distant due to working long hours in factories. However, today things have changed dramatically with many dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on.

Recent studies have shown that children benefit greatly from having fathers who are present and interacting in everyday activities. This has transformed the understanding of how fathers shape children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.

Research also suggests that fathers influence their sons and daughters in different ways, which is especially true during their transition to adolescence. Engaging in regular physical activities can play a key role in influencing children to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks.

In this Special Report, fathers will learn about the positive impact they can have on their child’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also ensuring they indulge in a little self-care.

Here is the link to this topic http://sbsc.tas.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-fathers-day

By Mrs Kylie Reid, Librarian

This year’s Book Week theme, Symphony of Stories, came to life across St Brendan-Shaw College, culminating in a fantastic celebration on Friday for our official dress-up day.

Students and staff embraced the occasion, filling the College with characters drawn from books, film and television. There was plenty of imagination on display, along with some wonderfully thoughtful details that showed just how much care had gone into bringing each character to life.

Among the colourful cast wandering the College were Hercule Poirot, Doc Brown from Back to the Future, the Doctor accompanied by the TARDIS, the Mad Hatter and even the wonderfully gothic Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations.

Book Week is an opportunity to celebrate the stories that capture our imaginations, introduce us to new ideas and characters, and sometimes stay with us long after we have turned the final page.

Thank you to all our staff and students who embraced the week and joined in the fun, and especially to the parents and families who sprinkled in ideas, creativity and a little magic to help bring so many outfits to life.

Thank you for helping us make Symphony of Stories a memorable celebration of reading and storytelling at St Brendan-Shaw College.

Year 9 and 10 students recently explored careers and pathways in Tasmania’s construction industry through a visit from the Hi-Vis Army.

Presenter Tameka Page introduced students to opportunities across civil, residential and commercial construction, including apprenticeships, plant operation, engineering and other specialist roles.

Tameka also shared practical advice about what employers look for in young people entering the workforce, highlighting a willingness to learn, initiative, teamwork and a strong work ethic.

“You’ve got to be prepared to learn. You’ve got to be prepared to listen to what people are saying to you,” Tameka said.

Work experience was another important focus of the session, with students encouraged to use these opportunities to develop skills, explore whether a career is right for them and begin building connections with potential employers.

“You might even end up in front of your future employer doing your work experience,” Tameka said.

Following the presentation, Stuart Schultz took students through activities in the Hi-Vis Army mobile training van, where they had the opportunity to try excavator and front-end loader simulators and experience some of the skills involved in operating heavy machinery.

Tameka also reminded students that career pathways can take unexpected directions. Reflecting on her own journey from fashion design to civil construction, she encouraged students to remain open to new possibilities.

“You just never know where you’re going to end up, so be open to all of it.”

Students and families interested in exploring apprenticeships, VET, work experience or other future pathways are encouraged to speak with Careers Advisor Whitney Banfield or VET Coordinator Natalie Healy about the opportunities available.

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.

The annual SBSC Trivia Night will be held on Friday 18 September from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. 

The SRC are currently seeking prizes that we can use for our 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and our raffle. If you run a local business or know someone who does and would like to donate a prize, please contact me at the email address below. 

Daman Peters (SRC Coordinator) - email: dpeters@sbsc.tas.edu.au

We promote any business that provides a prize on the night. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Looking for a fun way to keep the kids active during Term 4?

Devonport City Strikers are launching a 9-week 5v5 Summer Series at Valley Road, open to boys and girls from U7 through to U14.

Players will enjoy two fast-paced games on the same night each week, with small teams designed to give everyone more touches, more game time and plenty of opportunities to develop their skills.

• Tuesday Nights: U11–12 & U13–14
• Wednesday Nights: U7–8 & U9–10
• $75 per player for the 10-week competition
• Finals Night – Week 10

Players can enter with their friends as a full team or register individually and Devonport City Strikers will do their best to place them into a suitable team.

You don't need to currently play for Devonport City Strikers to get involved.

Scan the QR code on the flyer to register.

More touches. More goals. More fun!