20 March 2025

From the Pen of the Principal

NAPLAN 2025 –Thank You

As this year’s NAPLAN assessments for Year 7 and Year 9 conclude, I would like to thanks to all who played a role in ensuring the process ran smoothly. To our staff who guided and supported students through their preparation, your commitment to their learning is truly appreciated. To our students, well done on your efforts and approach to these assessments, embracing them as an opportunity to showcase your growth. And to our parents and guardians, your encouragement and support at home needs to also be acknowledged here. NAPLAN is just one measure of progress, but the resilience and determination demonstrated throughout the process are what truly matter. Thank you to all involved!

School renewal

Reflections from an EREA School Renewal Panel

Last week, I had the privilege of serving on a five-year renewal panel for an Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) school in Sydney. Every five years, each EREA school across the country undergoes a comprehensive review, providing an opportunity for the principal and the school community to reflect on their journey and ensure they are operating as an authentic Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, guided by the Touchstones.

For me—and for St Brendan’s—this experience was invaluable. While my role was to evaluate another school, it also provided a chance to reflect on our own progress and measure ourselves against the same criteria. It reinforced a deep sense of pride in the quality of education we offer your sons and the strong, values-driven foundation upon which our College stands.

There were many strengths evident in the school I visited, but I was equally affirmed by the many areas where St Brendan’s excels. Some key aspects of our College that stood out in this comparison include:

• Our Research Centre – providing students with access to leading high-quality research that informs our practice.
• Agreed Standards for Classroom Practice –establishing clear and consistent expectations, creating a structured and supportive learning environment where students can thrive and achieve their full potential.
• Our Renewed Focus on Homework – informed by in-house research to enhance student outcomes.
• Data-Informed Decision-Making – using evidence to continually refine our educational approach to tailor your son’s academic journey.
• Our Unique Learning Environment – with 300 acres of space, a setting that is the envy of many.
• A Genuine Commitment to Inclusion – fostering a school community where every student belongs.
• The Clontarf Program – delivering outstanding results for our students.
• The Breadth and Depth of Our Co-Curricular Offerings – providing opportunities that many schools aspire to.
• The Dedication of Our Staff – a team of passionate educators who genuinely care for your son.
• Our Strong Sense of Brotherhood – a defining characteristic of St Brendan’s students.

While we celebrate these strengths, the experience also highlighted areas where we can further grow. As by way of example, two key opportunities we are eager to build on include:

1. Deepening Our Overseas Immersion Program – to provide students with even greater exposure to different cultures, experiences, and service opportunities.
2. Enhancing Student Voice – ensuring students have a meaningful role in shaping their own educational journey.

Keppel Bay Marina – Private Property Notice

We have been contacted by Keppel Bay Marina regarding ongoing issues with unsupervised children fishing on the marina, leading to damage and security concerns for vessel owners. While this is not solely a St Brendan’s matter, staff at the marina have noted that some of those involved have been identified within the local community, at times wearing St Brendan’s College shorts.

As a reminder, the marina is private property, including the land, pontoons, and water, with clear signage outlining the following rules:

• No fishing on the marina
• All children must be supervised
• No public access after 6pm

We ask our families to support these expectations and reinforce them with their children to ensure we are doing the right thing by our local community.

Sport

It has been another busy fortnight in the sporting life of the College.

Futsal 

The Futsal season has now progressed to the semi-final stage of their competition with three of our teams qualifying. Congratulations to the Junior C team and the Senior A team for progressing through to this week’s games. The Junior C boys take on Emmaus Blue at Emmaus and our Senior A’s will host Heights Blue at home. Our Junior A team has already booked a spot in the grand final against Emmaus which will be played at home in Week 9. 

Congratulations to all teams for their effort throughout the season and a big thank you to our staff in Mr Hodgins, Mr McElhone, Mr Dash, Ms Chadwick and Ms Herron for their generosity throughout the term to ensure our students had the opportunity to participate.

Term 2 Sports Sign-up Information

There are a number of sign-up opportunities now available on Student Café for students who are interested in trialing for our Term 2 sports. Trials for those sports are commencing this week (Week 8). It is compulsory for all students who are trialing to register via Student Café. To make this process easier, please refer to the short tutorial video. You can find the video under "Quicklinks" on our website and in the Parent Lounge under "Resources". 

Musical Request  

Our music department are on the hunt for shoulder pads and headgear to use in their upcoming musical production. If you have any old sets at home which are not being used and are willing to donate them as props, could you please send them into the Sports Office.  

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to the following students for selection in their various representative teams.

Information Technology

Hydrogen Gran Prix

The Hydrogen Cup is officially up and running. 300 schools from all around the world compete in a series of high-speed hydrogen-powered remote-control car races. This thrilling event mirrors the intensity of Formula 1, where schools design, test, and build every part of their cars to compete for the top spot. With innovation at its core, students are tasked with not only engineering the cars but also finding solutions to power them sustainably using hydrogen fuel cells. The competition provides an incredible opportunity to showcase creativity and technical skills on a global stage.

Here at our school, many students are getting involved with special mention going to Morgan Bridgeman and Riley Upham who have been hard at work getting our car ready for the upcoming practice race in two weeks. This race will allow us to test our car on the track alongside other Queensland schools. From building custom mounts to sourcing parts and reading complex circuit diagrams, Morgan and Riley’s dedication is driving our success. We can’t wait to see how our car performs and to join the excitement with schools across the region.

Additional mention goes to Sebastian Drew for his researching efforts and for putting this article together.

Exploring Careers with The Careers Department

Thanks to our partnership with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) through the Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP), our Grade 11 students now have access to The Careers Department—a powerful platform designed to help them explore career pathways. While we’ve been using it in Digital Technologies to highlight IT careers, the platform goes far beyond technology, offering insights into industries like healthcare, engineering, media, business, and the arts. The platform offers psychometric profiling, micro-credentialed modules, a vast library of career videos and podcasts, industry case studies AI-powered learning paths and much more.

Digital Technologies students have already used The Careers Department to explore careers in software development, cybersecurity, and digital design, while others are discovering entirely new fields they hadn’t considered. With access to real-world industry insights and future-focused skills, this initiative empowers students to make informed choices about their next steps—whether that’s in IT or beyond.

Australian Scout Award

Congratulations, Noah, on receiving the Australian Scout Award on Thursday, 7th March!

To earn this prestigious award, Noah had to complete three levels of milestone badges, which included participating in a minimum of 60 events, assisting adults with nine events, and independently leading six events. He was also required to demonstrate proficiency in camping, bushcraft, and bushwalking, attend a leadership weekend course, and plan and undertake several leadership activities to mentor younger members.

As part of his leadership activities, Noah successfully planned and executed a weekend hiking camp for his younger peers, managing risk assessments, programming, and obtaining necessary permissions. Additionally, he has been successful in becoming a member of the Queensland Branch Scouting Youth Council for 2 consecutive terms. 

Adding to his impressive achievements, Noah attended the recent Australian Jamboree in Maryborough this January, where he was appointed as a Patrol Leader. In this role, he supported and led a small group of youth who were unknown to him at the start of the event.

Once again, congratulations to Noah on this outstanding achievement!

Geography Excursion

Year 9 Geography students had the opportunity to see a permaculture farm in action during a recent excursion as part of their current unit Biomes and Food Security. During their visit to High Valley Dawn, students enhanced their theoretical understanding of regenerative farming practices by witnessing sustainable food production. After seeing how food is produced on the farm in the native and mixed Food Forests, and the Market Garden, students enjoyed a meal with their classmates at Beaches Restaurant, where produce from the farm is on the menu.

Attention: Year 11 Families

SENIOR FORMAL

Dear Year 11 Families,

As we prepare for this year’s Senior Formal, we are seeking parent volunteers to assist with the event. Each year, our Year 11 families play an important role in helping make the night a success, and this is a great opportunity to gain insight into the event before it’s your turn next year.

We need assistance in the week leading up to the event with preparations, as well as bar and clearing staff on the night. Our Year 11 students who volunteer will also be part of the team, contributing their time to support the occasion.

If you are available to help, please sign up via the link below:

https://forms.office.com/r/97uusAqpaL

Your support is greatly appreciated, and we thank you in advance for helping continue this tradition.

YEAR 11 BBQ

A reminder to all Year 11 families that RSVPs are closing tonight, 20 March at 8:00pm for the Year 11 BBQ.

If you have not already done so, please CLICK HERE to submit your RSVP.

Library

This year’s Book Week theme is ‘Book an Adventure’ (in Term 3) and we are starting to decorate early !!
Thank you to students who have already helped with display activities so far !

You are welcome to join us and help create:

• Cloud making - Term 1 Week 8 Thursday 20^th March
• Suitcase making - Term 2 Week 3 Thursday 8^th April
• Hot air balloon, cloud, and suitcase making - Term 2 Week 4 Thursday 15^th April

Students have recently asked for resources to help them develop better handwriting and learn cursive writing

• Wednesdays both lunch breaks there are handwriting activities to help you practice
• Practice your cursive on the whiteboard
• Take home cursive writing worksheets

Every day, 1^st break is our social session

• Chess
• Exploding Kittens
• Monopoly
• Special Edition Monopoly ‘Capricorn Coast’ (available to purchase from Student Admin)
• Minecraft
• Playing cards
• UNO
• Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition

Fridays 1^st break extra board games are out

• Scrabble
• Call to Adventure
• Pictureka
• Battleships

Every day 2^nd break is a Quiet session

• School work only on laptops
• Homework
• Reading
• Drawing

Photocopier, printing, and scanning is available
Research help for assignments, pop into the library or email library@sbc.qld.edu.au

Kind regards,
Elizabeth Varley
Librarian

2025 Musical

Work Experience

With the holidays fast approaching we remind students in Years 10, 11 and 12 that this is the perfect time to start organising work experience for the upcoming break. Work experience is an opportunity to obtain first-hand knowledge and experience of how an industry operates from day-to-day, and if it’s the right career path to pursue. Work experience forms are available to collect from Mr Lawrence or Ms Gray (upstairs PE Staffroom).

It is the responsibility of students to: 

1. Collect all work experience forms from Mr Lawrence or Ms Gray and discuss the industry you are considering.
2. Seek out an appropriate placement and organise with the workplace provider suitable dates and times to attend.
3. Return all completed forms to the College.

It is the responsibility of the College to: 

1. Supply students with paperwork to be signed by the employer, student, parent(s)/carers, and the College.
2. Ensure the workplace provider has:
   • received a copy of the completed Work Experience Placement Agreement Form (signed by the College).
   • completed the Risk Assessment Form.
3. Contact the workplace provider during the placement.
4. Provide an evaluation sheet to the employer to complete after the placement. 

It is the responsibility of parents/carers to: 

1. Ensure medical conditions and/or medication which may impact on the safety of the student or others in the workplace is included on the work experience agreement.
2. Organise transportation for the student to the work experience location. 

Please ensure all required forms for Work Experience placements in the upcoming holidays are returned to Mr Lawrence or Ms Gray by Friday 29 March 2025.

If there are any problems during the placement, please contact Mr Lawrence immediately on 0428 244 406. 

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. 

SBC Rodeo

Support Our Rodeo – In-Kind Contributions Needed!

We are reaching out to local businesses who may be interested in supporting our Annual Rodeo through in-kind contributions. While sponsorship packages are available, we also welcome services or goods that can assist in making the event a success.

In-kind contributions can include, but are not limited to:

• Meals for working bees
• Gravel for road repairs
• Crew to assist with bump-in
• Temporary fencing setup (500 meters)
• Any other resources that can support the event

Every bit helps, and we would love to hear how your business can contribute. Once our sponsorship packages are finalised, we will circulate further details. For now, please reach out to our Marketing and Events team if you can provide a valuable in-kind contribution.

We will also need 100 volunteers to help run the event, but we will circulate a volunteer registration process closer to the event. This is a great way to integrate into our College community and support the event firsthand.

Contact us at rodeo@sbc.qld.edu.au 

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

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:

School TV

A Special Report: Social Media & Comparison Culture

Young people today are growing up in a world where exposure to other people's lives is constant. Through social media and other platforms, they are regularly presented with curated highlights - from flawless holiday photos and academic milestones to the latest fashion trends and fitness achievements. This continuous stream of idealised content fuels what is known as comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured by how someone stacks up against others.

For children and adolescents, who are still figuring out who they are, this culture can be particularly damaging. Constantly comparing their appearance, achievements, or social standing to friends, influencers, and even strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations and a skewed sense of self-worth. This relentless need to measure up can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety - undermining both confidence and emotional wellbeing.

It's vital that parents and caregivers understand how deeply comparison culture can influence a child's self-perception and sense of value. Left unchecked, it can foster perfectionism and a dependence on external validation, where a 'like' or comment becomes the measure of their worth.

The good news is, families have a powerful role to play in helping young people navigate these challenges. This Special Report will help you empower your child to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today's comparison-driven world and embrace their own unique path.

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