Welcome to Week 4 of Term 4
By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal
Last week was a wonderful celebration for our Year 12 Graduates, and while this was a time for celebration, our 11 and 12 students' attention now quickly turns to exams. TASC practical exams for Drama and Dance took place over the last two weeks, while oral exams for Languages were held this week.
It has been pleasing to see so many students on campus seeking help from staff to prepare for exams during SWOTVAC week.
We wish our students every success as exams start on Monday. The following prayer is on the wall of our senior study room, and students will walk past this as they enter their exams.
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 and loving providence,
and together with St Mary,
we ask that you keep our seniors in your care.
Free them from anxiety,
and inspire them to perform at their best
during exams.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Jump Rope for Heart
Tomorrow, our Year 7 students will participate in Jump Rope for Heart. I thank Mr Steve Ryan, our Head of Physical Education, for his organisation of the event, and Mrs Jo Aherne for her work with our students in Year 9 who are looking to become sports leaders in 2026, who will help run the event with our Year 7 students.
High School Basketball Championships
We wish all teams competing at the High School Basketball Championships every success. Enjoy representing your College, embrace the spirit of competition, and above all, have fun with your peers.
Memorial Mass
On Tuesday morning, the College held its annual Memorial Mass in memory of St Brendan-Shaw College students who passed during their time here. This Mass coincides with All Souls' Day in our Church calendar. As reflected in our memorial garden, these young men and women will forever be remembered. Families gathered and placed a candle on the wall of remembrance during this service.
We remember the following:
Amy Batt, Katie Becker, Dylan Burgess, Georgia Lewtas, Rhys Tobin, Robert Garland, Grant McConnon, David Campbell, Gerard Derlagen and Ethan Maine.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~
Social Media Age Restrictions
The Government has recently released information for schools, parents and students regarding the Social Media Age Restrictions Laws, which begin on 10 December.
The changes aim to protect under-16s from the pressures and risks they can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts.
I encourage all parents to start preparing for this change by reading the Parent FAQ.
Important Dates for Year 10 Students
Friday 21 November: Year 10 Celebration Dinner
Monday 1 December - Wednesday 3 December: Year 10 Camp
Monday 8 December - Friday 12 December: Year 10 Transition Week
Remembrance Day
This coming Tuesday is Remembrance Day, and our students will come together to pay their respects. On 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. With their armies retreating and on the verge of collapse, German leaders signed an Armistice, ending the First World War. As a mark of respect to those who have died and suffered, Australians are encouraged to pause at 11:00 am to observe one minute’s silence and remember those who died or suffered for Australia's cause in all wars and armed conflicts.
Red poppies are often worn on this day. The tradition originates in a poem written in 1915 by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a doctor in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps. Lieutenant Colonel McCrae noticed that, despite the devastation caused by the war to towns, farms and forests, thousands of tiny red poppies began growing everywhere in Spring. This inspired his poem, In Flanders Fields.
Stanza I: In Flanders Fields (1915) – John McCrae
In Flanders fields, the poppies blow.
Between the crosses, row on row
That marks our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
The Ode (from For the Fallen, 1914) – Laurence Binyon
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Congratulations to Year 10 students Oakley Vernon and Will Potter
Congratulations to Year 10 student, Oakley Vernon, who made the podium at the Tasmanian All School Athletics Competition over the long weekend, placing 3rd in the U18 Mens 200 metres. Will Potter, Year 10, won the U18 Mens 3km.
I thank all families for their ongoing support.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal
