By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

TASC written exams conclude today, and we congratulate all of our senior students on their commitment and dedication to their learning. Our students will now wait for the results to be released on Wednesday, 17 December.

All Schools Triathlon

This week, we have had students participating on Thursday and officiating on Thursday and Friday. Additionally, we had our students help event organisers set up the venue on Wednesday. It is wonderful to see our students out representing their College, but more importantly, developing an understanding of how they can positively contribute to their community.

I would like to thank Mrs Jo Aherne, Mr Brady Butcher, Mr Steve Ryan, Mr Kurt Byard and Miss Renee Sushames for their organisation and support of our students.

2026 Senior Subjects

Senior students have received their subjects for 2026. It is pleasing to see our senior campus continue to grow, with Year 11 numbers high. We expect to have around 90 Year 11 students next year. The College will again have students from Leighland Christian School, Marist Regional College and Geneva access our extensive Vocational Education and Training program one day per week next year.

I encourage students to speak to Mr Gerry Peters, Mrs Cheryl Gamble, or to visit Mrs Di Saltmarsh, Assistant to the Deputy Principals, for support with subject choices.

Coloured Sand Recall

On Friday, November 14 2025, Catholic Education Tasmania received advice of a recall of coloured sand products by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The coloured sand products were recalled due to traces of asbestos. However, testing in other states so far has not found any reason for concern. Expert advice is that the health risk is extremely low.

Catholic Education Tasmania is taking the following precautionary measures based on advice from WorkSafe Tasmania:

• Isolating the coloured sand.
• Isolating areas in which the coloured sand has been present.
• Arranging for removal, testing, and cleaning by licensed asbestos professionals.

We appreciate that there may be disruption in schools as a result of these precautions and are working to resolve this as quickly as possible.

Social Media Age Restrictions Reminder

The Government has recently released information for schools, parents and students regarding the Social Media Age Restrictions Laws, which begin on Wednesday, 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.

Additionally, this SchoolTV Special Report explains the reforms in clear, practical terms and offers guidance for parents on how to talk with their children, review technology habits and reinforce healthy online behaviour.

Period of Leave

I will be absent from the College on long service until Wednesday, 26 November.

Mr Gerry Peters will be Acting Principal in my absence.

Year 10 Celebration Dinner

We hope our Year 10 students have a wonderful evening at their celebration dinner on Friday. 

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

I thank all staff who contribute to these wonderful experiences for our students.

Appointment - Deputy Principal: Teaching and Learning

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sophie Lansley as Deputy Principal: Teaching and Learning. Sophie will take up this appointment on a limited-term basis from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Sophie is a dedicated educator with a depth of experience within Catholic Education Tasmania and New South Wales, including:

• Director of Catholic Identity and Mission - St Brendan-Shaw College (2024-2025)
• Religious Education Coordinator - St Brendan-Shaw College, Devonport (2023)
• Transition Coordinator - St Brendan-Shaw College, Devonport (2020 - 2022)
• Humanities and Religious Education Teacher – St Brendan-Shaw College, Devonport (2019 - Present)
• Various Teaching positions in New South Wales (2015 - 2018).

Sophie’s qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Teaching - Australian Catholic University
• Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) – Australian Catholic University
• We congratulate Sophie on her appointment and wish her every success in 2026.

Once again, I thank all families for your ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

Be eager in your desires but humbly patient in their accomplishment. 

– Saint Mary MacKillop

Saint Mary MacKillop was an educator who co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She dedicated her life to educating underprivileged children and was canonised as Australia's first saint in 2010.

By Ms Cheryl Gamble, Senior TASC Coordinator

We are so proud of the effort and commitment of Senior Students who have been studying for, and completing their External Exams over the last two weeks. Before students rush off to enjoy some well-earned rest, we ask that you check the following reminders:

• Cleaned out your locker
• Returned all borrowed textbooks, library books, and resources [e.g. calculators]
• Created a calendar alert - Results will be emailed to students by TASC on 17th Dec.
• Y12s - Notified Ms Gamble if your mailing address is NOT correct on your ‘pink slip’, so that TASC knows where to send your TCE Certificate.
• Y12s - Completed the 2025 Year 12 Contact, Destination & Reference Data Google Form emailed to you on 17/10/2025 about your next steps - employment, study etc. This data is required for data reporting and is also used to assist with the preparation of references.

Finally, although Senior Students have wrapped up for the academic year, we hope that students and families remember they are welcome to attend our community events like the Arts Evening.

By Mrs Josie Lutwyche, Director of Pastoral Care

Week 6 sees the College mark the halfway mark for Term 4. Alongside the learning that is ongoing in our classrooms, teachers continue to implement and utilise our PBS framework to ensure safe, supportive learning environments for students.

Did you know, the goals of Schoolwide Positive Behaviour support the social, emotional and behavioural needs of all students at the College. Our PBS is in place to provide clear structures for using evidence-based practices that benefit all students. It includes the collation of data to guide decision-making and improve student supports, while helping to upskill staff with evidence-based practice. As educators, we continue to work with students to explicitly teach the positive behaviours that reflect our PBS values, helping them make positive choices.

In recent weeks, we have shared with families our Learning and Respecting values aligned to our PBS framework. The third and final value of our 3 PBS posters focuses on the value, Participating.

This week’s PBS focus is Participating. We encourage you to discuss and take moments to reflect on what participating positively in the classroom looks like for your young person. I have included some questions below that you may like to use to start a conversation at home.

• Tell me about a time this week when you made a positive contribution in class.
• Who did you encourage or support today? How did it help them?
• Did someone encourage you this week? What did they do that made a difference?
• What is one success, big or small, you could celebrate from today?
• Was there something challenging this week that you still had a go at? How did that feel?
• Why do you think participating and contributing to the class community matters?

Thank you to every family who has already contributed to our Vinnies Christmas Appeal. The generosity of our community is heartwarming, with hampers in homerooms steadily filling with pantry staples, festive treats and thoughtful extras that will help make Christmas a little brighter for families in need.

We are now halfway through the collection period, and there is still plenty of time to get involved. Each homeroom is working towards a Christmas hamper with a mix of essentials and a few luxuries, along with an anonymous Christmas card written by students to share messages of hope and kindness.

If you are able to contribute over the coming weeks, some suggested items include:

• Essentials: tinned food, pasta and rice, long-life milk, tea and coffee, hygiene products (new and unopened)
• Luxuries: Christmas desserts and treats, chocolate and biscuit packs, small decorations, toys or children’s books (second-hand is welcome if in good condition)

Homemade food items are also welcome, as long as they include a clear ingredient list.

All donations will be collected by Friday 5 December.

Community members without a current student at the College are warmly invited to drop off donations at the Caritas Office.

Thank you for your continued support of the Vinnies Christmas Appeal and for the care you show to others in our wider community.

Thank you for helping Vinnies support families who need a little extra care this Christmas!

Friday morning Mass is held in the College Chapel, running fortnightly during term time.

Time: 8:20 am-8:40 am (in time for Homeroom)

Who can attend: All staff, students, and families are warmly invited.

You do not need to be a practising Catholic to attend – these Masses offer a peaceful and reflective start to the day and a moment to pause at the end of the week. If there is someone in your life you would like us to pray for, this is a meaningful time to do so.

You’re invited to the Arts Evening at St Brendan-Shaw College. The Visual Arts opening begins at 5:00 pm and performances start at 5:30 pm. Bring a rug or chair, a few nibbles and drinks, and settle in. All welcome.

We extend a special invitation to families from our Catholic primary schools, future students and families, and your extended family and friends. Come and see what our young artists, musicians, actors and dancers are creating across Music, Art, Drama and Dance.

Make the evening easy with a Gran’s Table pre-order

Picnic Box $22
Sandwiches with classic fillings, plus 2 mini quiches, 2 dessert slices, 2 chocolates and 2 strawberries.

Sandwich Wedge $8
Freshly made sandwiches with a selection of chicken, egg, ham, cheese and salad fillings.

How to order

Call 6424 7622 or visit Caritas Reception. Orders close on Tuesday 25 November, so Grans Table can cater accurately. Pick up on the night.

Your purchase supports Gran’s Table. 

Thank you for backing a great community initiative. We look forward to celebrating with you.

Please check at the Caritas Office for any lost property.

We still have items from the 2025 carnivals and camps (including a straw hat and a three-person tent), along with blazers, St Brendan-Shaw College hoodies, drink bottles and lunch containers.

Items not collected by the end of the school year will be cleared in the New Year.

If you think you may have lost something, speak with the Front Office staff at Caritas.

We are pleased to share that the Midford Devonport Uniform Store is now open at 60A Stewart Street, Devonport. Midford has been a valued partner of St Brendan-Shaw College for many years and this new off-campus location makes it even easier for families to access uniforms and fittings.

Regular Opening Hours
• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday to Friday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Christmas Holiday Trading Hours
Midford Devonport Uniform Store will close for the Christmas holidays on Friday 19 December 2025 at 4:00 pm.
The store will reopen on Thursday 8 January 2026.

If your child requires a full new uniform fitting, please book an appointment online to help avoid wait times during the busy holiday period.

Contact
Midford Devonport Uniform Store
Phone: 0461 300 125
Email: devonport@midford.com.au
Address: 60A Stewart Street, Devonport

A new uniform price list is available on our College website. Families are encouraged to refer to the website for any updates to trading hours as we move closer to the end of the year.

We look forward to welcoming you to the new store and continuing to support your family’s uniform needs.