St Brendan-Shaw College | St Brendan-Shaw College

The Production Props have been moved into the Devonport Entertainment Centre and this afternoon the three Artistic Directors, Michael Allen, Alexander Doherty and Gerry Peters, will be at the venue setting light sequencing and the like, while the band has an onsite rehearsal for sound level checks. It is all very exciting. If you have not yet bought tickets I would urge you to contact the DEC and see what is available so that you are not disappointed.

There is something fitting about the Production falling during Catholic Education Week (CEW). Catholic education focuses on the formation of the whole person (intellectually, physically, morally, and spiritually) and the endeavours of auditioning and rehearsing for and performing in a musical production contribute to this.

Next week students from Year 7 will join me in representing the College at a CEW week Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Ulverstone. Then we are hosting an awards ceremony at the College for those who are being recognised for meritorious service to Catholic education by the Catholic Education Commission, Tasmania. We congratulate Michelle Wooton and Jane Heatley who both will be recognised at this function.

This year we are celebrating 200 years of Catholic education in Australia. On 23 August I will accompany the two longest-serving staff members at the College to a formal dinner in Hobart to mark this milestone. Catholic schools are committed to being in solidarity with the powerless and the marginalised, to live out Catholic social teaching promoting social justice, stewardship and the common good, providing excellent academic outcomes.

Stay safe, keep happy and I will keep you in my prayers.

Frank Pisano

We are seeing, interstate, the impact of the Delta strain of the Coronavirus and the importance of remaining vigilant and following health guidelines to minimise the spread. We are also seeing it affecting young adults in the most severe manner.

I urge our parents, staff and students not to become complacent because of our State's current absence of diagnosed cases.

It is important to protect our community. Any student, parent or staff member with cold or flu symptoms should not come onsite at the school. It is also highly recommended that a test for Covid is taken. While this means that you are required to isolate until the results are returned (generally well before 48 hours), teachers do place classwork in our learning management system and students can access this at home.

I noted that statistics show that 50% of people in this region have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccination. With the target of 80% being fully vaccinated seen as a point where we will enjoy the fruits of a pre-covid world, I encourage everyone to see their doctor to dispel any anxiety about contributing to achieving this target.

This morning we introduced two very cute new members to our Year 9/10 Ag-Science class.

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture kindly donated the calves to the College for the next two weeks. The calves are part of the Cows Create Careers program which is designed to introduce secondary school students to the dairy industry and make students aware of career pathways within the industry.

Our ag students are looking forward to caring for the calves while learning all about the Australian dairy industry.

Some great hustle by our Saints netball team during yesterday's game against SPC. The girls fought hard, and even though we didn't come away with a win this time, the spirit was there! An excellent team effort by the girls!

Our chess team travelled to Scotch Oakburn College today, putting their patience and skill to the test against students from other schools across the north.

Himash and Thomas ranked 2nd and 3rd throughout the entire tournament. The student's had a wonderful time competing, and all did a fantastic job! Well done!

Subject selection info evening was a success this Tuesday. We had many familiar and some not so familiar faces who came along to check out what's on offer for all year levels in 2022. If you're interested in finding out more information on subject selection or enrolments for next year, for subject selection visit: https://bit.ly/3Cdf18S or enrolments visit: https://bit.ly/3yn8o1u

A message from the Executive Director

"Dear Colleagues and Friends of Catholic Education Tasmania

As you know, National Census Day is approaching.

The Federal and State Governments use collected census data to help them provide financial support for many services provided to our community.

Tasmania’s Catholic sector provides wide-ranging services, including education, childcare, mental health, aged care and hospitals, social and affordable housing, disability and therapeutic residential care, counselling, emergency and crisis assistance, and parish communities comprising churches, cemeteries, and more.

Accurate census data will help governments to decide how much support will be provided for these many services provided by the Catholic Church and other religions in Australia.

We suggest that families of baptised Catholics and people of all religions, please make sure that you list your religion accurately on the census form.

Even if you are not deeply active in your religion, it is important that you declare your religious affiliation so that your religious organisation will be sufficiently funded in the future to be able to support you and your family.

Yours in Christ

Gerard Gaskin
Dip T Prim, B Ed, M Ed, Grad Cert App Sc, PhD
Executive Director"