St Brendan-Shaw College | St Brendan-Shaw College

By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

This week, the College welcomed our incoming 2025 Year 7 students for their Orientation Day. While the weather was not great, pouring rain for most of the day, it was terrific for the students to connect and be inducted into the school community.

I spoke to the students about the wonderful gift their parents have given them to attend St Brendan-Shaw College — a gift that centres around teaching and learning and acknowledging our students' sound academic performances. This gift also comes as an opportunity that each student will shape on the sporting field, in the Arts, or in one of the many leadership or extension opportunities our students are presented with. Your achievements will be a source of pride and inspiration for us all.

We also know statistically that students who attend our College are more likely to achieve an ATAR or complete their TCE in Year 12.

I spoke to the students about the importance of developing a love of learning, showing respect to self, others, and our environment, and, most importantly, taking opportunities to connect and participate in our community in some way.

I challenged each student to find someone to talk to who they were not at their current school and get to know them. My final challenge was to ask the students to find that individual on the first day of Year 7 and wish them well on their high school journey. I was delighted to see so many connections already forming after one day.

Arts Night

We look forward to welcoming everyone to our Arts evening this evening in the McKillop Courtyard. I am most pleased that this is the inaugural year that our Primary Music Program students will also have the opportunity to perform. Tonight provides a unique opportunity for our students to shine, especially for those who are artistically talented and find this a source of fulfilment. Let's all come together to celebrate their creativity and talent.

Principals of Marist Regional College and Our Lady of Lourdes

This week, it was announced that Mrs Carol Seagar would take a year's leave from our Lady of Lourdes as she has taken up a role with the Archdiocese of Brisbane for 2025. We congratulate Carol on this time of professional growth while also providing more opportunities to be closer to her children.

This week, it was announced that Mr Shayne Kidd would take up the position of Principal at Marist Regional College. Previously, Shayne was Principal at St Thomas More’s Primary School in Launceston and, more recently, worked as a Principal Lead for Catholic Education Tasmania. We welcome Shayne to the coast as he embarks on his new role.

I also take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to Mr Gregg Sharman as he explores new opportunities. We acknowledge his wonderful leadership to Catholic Education on the North West Coast and wish him the best in his future endeavours.

Learning Enhancement

Mrs Leanne Purton will leave her role as Learning Enhancement Coordinator at the end of the year and move to NSW to be closer to her daughters. I want to acknowledge the excellent work Leanne has done in her role and the support she has provided our students and their families.

The College is currently recruiting for the Learning Enhancement Coordinator role, and I am delighted with the depth of talent the role has attracted. The College will look to announce Leanne's replacement to the College community next week.

Touch Football and Netball

I congratulate our Touch Football players who participated in the Grand Finals last week. Unfortunately, both our Years 9/10 and Years 7/8 teams were defeated. However, the students are commended for their commitment, participation, and performance in reaching the Grand Final.

Yesterday afternoon, the Year 7/8 Navy team capped off their successful Spring roster with Devon Netball with a commanding 40-11 Grand Final victory over Reece High School — a special thank you to coach Nicole Boxhall for her invaluable guidance and support.

Uniform

I ask for parents' support to ensure students present in full College uniform. Our Pastoral Care team can help ensure students comply with our Uniform Protocol if they have lost or grown out of items. Parents may be asked to collect their child if they present at school with non-uniform items.

I would like to thank the community for their ongoing support as we look to the many opportunities to celebrate student achievements over the coming two weeks.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

“Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope… It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.”

— Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger), Seek That Which Is Above, 1986.

This year, we are supporting Vinnies Devonport by collecting items for their Christmas appeal. Your generous donations will go directly to those in need, bringing hope and joy the week before Christmas.

We are collecting Christmas food, canned fruit and veggies, Christmas decorations, toiletries, and toys that could be regifted or repurposed. Please place any donations in the beautifully decorated tubs located at the Caritas, Library, and Tuition Admin buildings.

All items should be submitted by Friday 13 December. Let’s work together to make a difference and support our community!

We invite our college community—students, staff, and families—to gather for Mass with Fr Chathura Silva every Friday morning.

When: Fridays during the school term
Time: 8:15am start (concludes before homeroom)
Where: College Chapel

Start your Friday with reflection and connection. All are welcome!

Get Ready for 2025 – Book Your Uniform Fitting Early!

Beat the back-to-school rush by booking your uniform fitting early. The Midford team is here to help you with sizing and advice, ensuring a smooth experience. Use the link code below to book your fitting appointment today.

Holiday Closure

The Uniform Shop will close for the school holidays on Tuesday, 17 December 2024, at 4:00 pm and will reopen on Monday, 20 January 2025, at 9:00 am.

Late Night Trading

Thursday, 12 December 2024: Open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Extended Term 1 Trading Hours 2025

Monday, 20 January – Friday, 24 January: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesday, 28 January – Friday, 31 January: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

(Closed Monday, 27 January for the public holiday)

Monday, 3 February – Friday, 7 February: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Monday, 10 February: 8:00 am to 11:00 am

Regular Trading Hours Resume

From Tuesday, 11 February 2025, the Uniform Shop will return to regular trading hours:

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Fitting Appointments

Please use the link provided to book your fitting appointment.

Book an Appointment: https://sbsc.me/3YR3l7U

Please Note: Midford, the uniform shop at the College, is located near the College Canteen. All Midford customers who are visitors to the College are to sign in at Caritas Reception during school hours (8:45am – 3:00pm).

Recently, our Year 9 students participated in the transformative Rite Journey Solo Camp experience at Quercus Park. This unique camp is a key milestone in The Rite Journey program, designed to help students transition from adolescence to adulthood through reflection, connection with nature, and time spent in solitude.

The Solo experience began with students sharing time with their Rite Journey groups and staff, setting intentions for the 24-hour period. Following this, each student selected their own special spot in the surrounding area to camp overnight.

Guided by their Solo journals, students engaged in activities such as writing letters of gratitude to their parents or carers, creating friendship bracelets, and penning a letter to their future Year 12 selves. These tasks encouraged students to reflect on their relationships, personal growth, and goals for the future.

Throughout the experience, the students explored mindfulness and self-awareness, immersing themselves in their setting and observing its beauty in silence and stillness. Staff members supported students from a distance, providing the space to fully embrace the opportunity.

One student described their Solo time as ‘a chance to reset, away from all the noise, to think about what really matters’. Others shared how the experience helped them appreciate their families and set meaningful goals for their future.

After their overnight camp, students reunited with their Rite Journey groups to reflect on their experiences and share insights.

The Rite Journey Solo Experience is an empowering step in our students’ personal development, and we are proud to provide this opportunity for them.

Please enjoy the gallery of images below, capturing moments from the camp and the students’ shared experiences with their groups.

We thank all staff involved for their dedication to creating a safe and meaningful environment for our students, and we commend the Year 9s for their courage, openness, and commitment to this important journey.

By Mr Sam O'Keeffe, Sports Coordinator

The SATIS Cricket team recently competed in the annual SATIS T20 Carnival on November 28-29. Despite a rainy start washing out the first day, the team made a late journey to Launceston, ready to showcase their skills on Friday. Thanks to the hard work of host schools and ground staff, the fields were in top condition for a full day of cricket action.

The Saints opened their campaign with a match against Guilford Young College. The team, led by Captain Jonah Evans and Vice-Captain Charlie Casey, opted to bat first after winning the toss. Jonah and Judd set the tone with a solid 54-run opening partnership. After Jonah's dismissal, Jade (34 not out) stepped in, contributing significantly alongside Judd, who was eventually out for 44. The team posted a strong total of 165 from their 20 overs.

Defending a big target, the bowlers stepped up, each taking a wicket. Despite some early fielding lapses, Aiden (2-18 off 4 overs) and Judd (1-15 off 3 overs) applied pressure, limiting GYC to 7-139 and securing a well-earned victory.

In their final match, the Saints faced a formidable St Virgil’s College. Winning the toss again, they elected to bat but faced early setbacks, losing key wickets, including captain Jonah, leaving them at 3-24. Roland and Lochie steadied the innings with a crucial 60-run partnership. Although quick dismissals followed, Nathan’s explosive 19 off eight balls, including a powerful slog-sweep for four and a big six, energised the team. Tyson also chipped in with a boundary, helping the Saints post a respectable total.

Chasing just over a run per ball, SVC started strong but faced fierce fielding from the Saints. Despite the pressure, SVC’s opener anchored the innings, and with support from his teammates, they reached the target with two overs to spare.

The Saints showed great resilience and teamwork throughout the carnival and extended their gratitude to Mr Kirkwood for his unwavering support.

By Mr Sam O'Keeffe, Sports Coordinator

Regional Finals

Over the weekend of 16-17 November, the SBSC 7/8 Girls and 9/10 Boys teams proudly represented the College at the Basketball Tasmania State Championships. Both teams earned their place at the tournament with outstanding performances in the regional championships — the girls taking the top spot and the boys finishing as runners-up.

The State Championships promised to be fiercely competitive, with the best school teams from across Tasmania battling for the title.

The Lady Saints showcased incredible resilience throughout their campaign, with every game going down to the wire. After defeating MRC 47-42 and MacKillop College 34-31, they advanced to an early Sunday semi-final. In a commanding performance, they overcame Scotch Oakburn College 63-44, earning their place in the championship game.

Grand Finals

Last weekend, the Grand Final proved to be a thriller, with both teams trading baskets in a high-intensity contest. Despite their best efforts, the Lady Saints fell just short, losing to St Mary’s College by a single point in a heart-stopping 58-57 finish.

Congratulations to the Lady Saints and their coaching team, Mrs Brown (Coach) and Mrs Farr (Manager), on a remarkable journey and two outstanding tournaments.

The 9/10 Boys fought valiantly, winning three out of their four games in a tightly contested division. However, with the competition's intensity, only an undefeated record could guarantee a spot in the Grand Final. The Saints opened their campaign against a strong SPC side, falling 69-48 to the eventual champions. Undeterred, they bounced back with three consecutive wins, two by narrow margins of less than three points, showcasing their determination and skill.

A special thanks to Mr Ryan for his invaluable coaching and support throughout the weekend.

Both teams displayed tremendous effort and sportsmanship, making the College proud on the state stage. Well done, Saints!

By Mr Sam O'Keeffe, Sports Coordinator

In a spectacular display of skill, determination, and teamwork, the 7/8 Navy girls’ Netball team capped off their successful Spring roster with a commanding 40-11 Grand Final victory over Reece High School.

The Lady Saints entered the final as clear favourites, having suffered only one loss all season. Yet, RHS presented a strong challenge early, with scores tied at the end of the first quarter. However, the Saints were quick to shift gears in the second quarter, led by the exceptional shooting prowess of Ruby Boxhall. Her precision under pressure kept the scoreboard ticking as the Saints surged ahead, outscoring RHS 16-1 in a dominant quarter.

The defensive effort was just as impressive. Ruby Holland’s relentless pressure and timely interceptions in the centre position disrupted RHS’s rhythm, creating turnovers that fueled fast transitions and scoring opportunities for the Saints. Her defensive brilliance was key to neutralising RHS’s attack and maintaining momentum throughout the match.

By the second half, the Lady Saints' cohesive teamwork and sharp execution were undeniable. Every player contributed to the victory, showcasing their chemistry and commitment to playing as one unit. Their relentless effort and synergy on both ends of the court were a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

A huge congratulations to the Lady Saints on a well-deserved victory, and a special thank you to coach Nicole Boxhall for her invaluable guidance and support. This win marks a fitting conclusion to a standout season, leaving no doubt why the 7/8 Navy girls stand at the pinnacle of their division.

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