20 February 2025

From the Pen of the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends,

Each Monday, we begin our week with a staff briefing—opening in prayer, reflecting on the past week, and looking ahead to the days to come. When it came to officially acknowledging all that happened last week, the list was extensive.

I want to share this list with you today, giving you a glimpse into the many activities that take place regularly at our school. Some are unique to this time of year, while others are part of our weekly rhythm. As you’ll see, a single dot point may reference an event, but behind that event are weeks—sometimes months—of planning and effort.

A Sincere Thank You

• To Mrs Hugo, who spent Saturday night and early Sunday morning in the hospital with a student with a suspected broken leg/foot (9:00 PM–5:30 AM), and to Mr Mathison, who took over from 5:30 AM–12:30 PM. At the Commitment Mass, I spoke about care—and here is a perfect example of staff going above and beyond. Mrs Hugo was already volunteering her time to take boys to the rodeo, and Mr Mathison gave up one of his rare days off to provide support. Thank you both for your unwavering commitment.
  • To Ms Psaltis, who also volunteered her time to provide the rodeo opportunity for our students on Saturday night.
  • To Mr Oram, who accompanied a group of Agriculture students to the AG Futures lunch at Beaches on Sunday afternoon.
  • To our dedicated volunteer coaches, whose time and energy help our students develop and grow through sport.
  • To all staff involved in Study Hub, clubs and extracurricular activities last week.
  • To Mr Peers, our musicians, volunteer singers, and the Tech Desk team, for their contributions to the Commitment Mass and ceremony.
  • To Mrs Deasy and Mr Gill, for organising the Year 7 Parent Information Night.
  • To Mr Guinane, for accompanying our Year 12 leaders to the Cathedral for the Rocky Districts Leaders Induction Service.
  • To Mr McCluskie and all staff who volunteered at the Twilight Interhouse Swimming Carnival last Thursday evening.

The significance of these acknowledgements echoes the very message I shared at our Commitment Mass last Friday. As we embarked on this new year, we also took the opportunity during the ceremony to reaffirm our core values—reminding our staff, students, and parents of what makes our St Brendan’s community so strong and proud.

I’d like to take a moment to share a portion of that speech with you.

Introduction
“Today, we gather as a school community to mark a significant milestone—the Commitment Ceremony of our senior students and the official beginning of the academic year.

This morning, I want to focus on one powerful word: commitment—the very reason we are here today as our Year 12s dedicate themselves to the journey ahead.”

A Story of Commitment

“Let me share a story with you.

There was once a young athlete—we’ll call him James—who dreamed of playing professional rugby league. He wasn’t the biggest on the field, nor the most naturally talented, but he had something that set him apart—commitment.

Each morning, while others were still asleep, James was up running drills. Whenever he faced setbacks—a tough opponent, a lost match, an injury—he used them as fuel to work harder.

One year, James suffered a serious shoulder injury that sidelined him for months. Many doubted he would return, but James remained committed. He attended every training session, studied the game from the sidelines, and focused relentlessly on his rehabilitation.

When he finally stepped back onto the field, he was stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever. In his final season, he led his team to victory in the state championships, proving that persistence and dedication can overcome obstacles.

Now, James may be a fictional character, but I’m sure many of you recognise this story—perhaps you live it yourself, or know someone who embodies this level of commitment.”

What Commitment Means for Year 12

“For our Year 12 students, this is your final season in this chapter of life’s journey. There will be moments when you feel overwhelmed—but it is in those moments that your commitment will define you.

Commitment means:
✔ Showing up, even when it’s hard.
✔ Pushing through challenges and striving for excellence.
✔ Leading by example for the younger students who look up to you.

But commitment isn’t just about academics—it’s about character, leadership, and resilience. It’s about embracing the values of our school: integrity, respect, and perseverance. It’s about supporting one another, lifting each other up when the road gets tough.

The philosopher Aristotle once said:
"We are what we repeatedly do. Commitment, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Your habits this year—your dedication to study, your treatment of others, and your willingness to give your best—will shape not only your success but the person you become.

And remember, you are not alone. Your teachers, families, and friends are here to support you. Above all, your faith and the values instilled in this community will guide you.”

A Promise, Not Just Words

“As you profess your Commitment Pledge today, know that it is more than words—it is a promise:

• A promise to yourself, to strive for your best.
• A promise to your peers, to lead with integrity.
• A promise to the school community, to be an example of dedication and perseverance.

So, Year 12, embrace the challenge. Set high expectations for yourselves, commit to the journey, and never lose sight of the people around you.

The legacy you leave is not built in one grand moment, but in the choices you make every day.”

A Message to All Students

“To all of our students:

• May this be a year of growth, learning, and faith.
• Welcome back—each and every one of you.
• May this year be filled with purpose and success.”

Our Staff’s Commitment to You

“At the start of the year, before students returned to campus, I asked our staff to commit to three guiding principles:

1. Empowering Belief

We believe in you—our students. We believe in your inherent goodness, your unique talents, and your capacity to reach your full potential and beyond.

1. Promoting Hope

We are committed to fostering a future of hope—where you do not just participate in the world but have the self-belief and skills to shape it.

1. 3. Commitment to Care

We are dedicated to caring for each of you—not just academically, but personally. We strive to create a community built on brotherhood and support, where every student is seen, valued, and encouraged to succeed.”

Conclusion: A Year of Belief, Hope, and Care

“So, to our Year 12s, to all of our students, and to our families, I invite you to join us—the staff—in committing to a year of:

• Belief
• Hope
• Care

Let’s make this a year of growth, resilience, and purpose.

Thank you.”

Sport

We are now in the thick of the action with all interschool competitions underway. Our staff have been busily preparing our Futsal, Water Polo and Rugby Union teams for their various competitions. In addition to this we also have a squad of Year 9 and 10 students taking part in a South – East Queensland tour as a part of their preparation for the year ahead.

FUTSAL

Our Futsal teams started their campaigns in the first round of the interschool futsal competition last week. It was the first chance some of our new Year 7 students had to wear the mighty green and gold! We had some mixed results with our Junior A, Junior C and Senior A teams all winning comfortably, whilst the Junior B team held on for a tough draw and our depleted Senior B team were outplayed going down in their match. Well done to all teams for the efforts.

WATER POLO

The Water Polo boys made a splash with their competition starting this week. Water Polo is proving to be very popular at the moment with St Brendan’s having four teams in total across the junior and senior divisions. As far as I am aware, we have not fielded two senior teams previously which is testament to how the boys have been going about their business. Senior student Bailey Hoare showed great leadership in donning his coaching cap and taking charge of the teams for their games for which both staff and students were very grateful for.

RUGBY UNION

Round 1 of the Rugby Union competition starts this week with all teams hosting The Cathedral College at home. It will be the first competitive opportunity for our union boys to take the field which I am sure they are all looking forward to after working hard on their preparation in the lead up to the season. We wish them well in their first round of games.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Thursday 13 February played host to our annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival where friendships were put aside for the afternoon as the chase for house supremacy got underway. Students hit the water across all strokes where age champion points were up for grabs. In addition to this, our non-swimmers had ample opportunity to earn points for their houses by participating in the 25m participation races of freestyle and breaststroke.

Competition was fierce with some outstanding performances across all age groups. One of the highlights was the ‘Fastest 5’ which had our 5 fastest freestyle swimmers of the evening race off against each other over 50m. The students who qualified for that race included Sam Clements, Caden Parsons, Oram McGilvray, Nic Eaton and Oliver King. In a fiercely competitive race Sam Clements beat Caden Parson to the wall to claim the title of fastest swimmer in the College.

The program was rounded out by an all-age whacky relay (boys swam with a water polo ball) for our non-competitive swimmers and an all-age freestyle relay. At the conclusion of the carnival, the mighty of Duhig reigned supreme with them being crowned Interhouse Swimming Champions for the 11^th year in a row. Final placings can be found below.

Congratulations to all age champion place winners below. Students will be acknowledged in front of the whole school community at our next Assembly.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to the following students who recently gained selection in the following Rockhampton District representative teams.

National Open Water Swimming Titles

Congratulations to Year 11 student Oliver King who recently competed in the National Open Water Swimming Titles held in Busselton, Western Australia. Whilst at the titles, Oliver competed in two events, the 17ry old boys 7.5km event and the 17yr old boys 5km event.

Over the course of the weekend Oliver not only had to battle his competitors, but also had to deal with natural wonders such as jellyfish and challenging conditions to say the least.

In his 7.5km event Oliver swam well to finish in 17^th place overall. The 5km race had him swimming against 64 other competitors where he finished a commendable 13^th place overall and in doing so, slashing 5mins from his qualifying time.

Well done Oliver!

As a College, we want to recognise the achievements of our students in the sporting world. When we are notified and made aware of student achievements in official SBC sporting endeavours, we will celebrate these in this section, but for representative, external and club sport achievements of a significant nature, we would like to recognise these as well. However, we do not know what we do not know, so if your son achieves a selection or success at state or national level, please let me know via email mcluskied@sbc.qld.edu.au with as much information as you can provide and a photo if possible.

Agriculture

Happenings in Ag

As 2025 kicks off, our Agriculture department is buzzing with activity!

• Grade 12 Rural Operations: The boys are starting the term by mastering tractor operations. They’re learning everything from safety procedures and attaching implements to the intricacies of driving.
• Grade 11 Rural Operations: This year, the class is divided into two groups. One group is delving into show cattle preparation—learning the art of breaking, handling, and readying cattle for competition. The other group is focused on fencing; they’ve been busy marking holes, selecting timber, and erecting a fence that will soon be used for our cattle.
• Year 10: The focus here is on cattle reproduction. The students have been observing pregnancy tests and will soon move on to artificial insemination.
• Year 9: The boys are exploring sheep husbandry. They’ve been learning about different sheep breeds, understanding their various uses, and discovering what it takes for sheep to thrive. Their eagerness to get hands-on with the subject is truly inspiring.
• Year 8: In poultry studies, the students are working with 30 chickens from three different breeds. Every week, they weigh the chickens and graph their findings. The highlight? Everyone loves the chance to hold our baby chicks.
• Year 7: This is their first year joining the Ag department, and they’re in for a treat. They’ll get to try their hand at a range of activities including sheep husbandry, cattle care, poultry management, working in vegetable gardens, and more.

Every year level is engaging with practical, hands-on experiences, making for a dynamic and enriching start to the term in our Agriculture department!

Information Technology

VR Headsets

At St Brendan’s College, we’re always looking for innovative ways to engage our students and enhance their learning experiences. This year, we’re excited to announce a major step forward in our Digital Technology and Design curriculum: the acquisition of a full class set of virtual reality (VR) headsets!

This incredible addition to our resources opens up a world of possibilities for immersive, hands-on learning. With VR, students can step inside architectural designs, explore the inner workings of machines, or even experience historical events as if they were there. By integrating this cutting-edge technology into our classrooms, we aim to deepen engagement, spark creativity, and prepare students for the future of digital innovation.

We look forward to seeing the incredible ways our students will use VR to bring their ideas to life.

2025 Musical

Careers

SBC CAREERS NEWSFEED

SBC Careers Newsfeed

For the latest local and regional career opportunities (apprenticeships, traineeships, casual and holiday work included), work experience opportunities, school-based career information sessions, updates from Queensland Universities, QTAC, school-based university programs, industry trends information, events, and the world of work, subscribe to the SBC newsfeed.

St Brendan's College (sbccareers.com.au)

CAREER RESOURCES

If you are looking for resources and information, make sure you visit our SBC careers website.

CAREER MEETINGS

If you, or your son would like further information or would like to meet with me to discuss career pathways, please send an email to Rebecca Lang with your available times and we will arrange a meeting langr@sbc.qld.edu.au or use the "Book an Appointment" link on the SBC Careers Website. 

Tuckshop

College App

Android download is available by CLICKING HERE.

Apple user download is available by CLICKING HERE.

Uniform Shop

College Timetable

Study Groups & Clubs

Regional Visits

COUNTRY DINNER BOOKING LINKS

Rolleston, Springsure and Emerald
RSVP HERE by 8:00pm 1 March 2025

Moranbah, Clermont and Capella
RSVP HERE by 8:00pm 21 March 2025

Theodore, Moura and Biloela
RSVP HERE by 8:00pm 30 April 2025

Miles
RSVP HERE by 8:00pm 25 May 2025

Darwin and Katherine
RSVP HERE by 8:00pm 10 July 2025

Roma, Quilpie and Charleville
RSVP HERE by 8:00pm 6 September 2025

Term 1 Date Claimers

The 2025 College calendar is now available to support your planning.

Access it through Parent Lounge or via the website using the following link:

Discovery Day

School TV

SPECIAL REPORT: THE WELLBEING BAROMETER - 2025

The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people. This annual survey identifies areas of concern, highlights resilience and adaptability in students, and emphasises the importance of preventative strategies to promote positive outcomes.

Participation in this survey is strongly encouraged, as it offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements. By capturing a detailed understanding of young people's experiences, the survey supports a tailored approach to enhancing their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It helps to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as pinpoint opportunities for early intervention.

The survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal study, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children. Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months. By working together, we can reduce the long-term impact of mental illness and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people for a brighter future.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Valued Sponsors

Community Notices

CAPRICORN COAST CATHOLIC PARISH

Vatican International Photography Contest Sport in Motion 

In the context of the Jubilee of Sport for the Year 2025, the Dicastery for Culture and Education (Vatican) is promoting an international photography contest, under the title: ‘Sport in Motion’. The contest is aimed at young photographers, professional or amateur, under the age of 25. 

The contest includes 5 categories of photography: sport and hope (sport as a message of hope to society), sport and family (sport as a moment of family life), sport and disability (sport as a platform for inclusion), sport and politics (sport as a resource accessible to all), sport and ecology (the relationship of sport with the elements of nature). 

The deadline for participation ends on 30 April 2025 and the winners will be announced at the Jubilee of Sport (14-15 June 2025). The winners will be awarded a meeting with the Holy Father, a visit to the Vatican Museums, a workshop in the Osservatore Romano newspaper and the international dissemination of the photos in the Holy See's media. 

Entries can be made by e-mail (sportinmotion@dce.va) and further information (entry form / rules / jury) can be found on the Dicastery's link (www.dce.va): https://www.dce.va/it/news/2024/concorso-di-fotografia.html