3 April 2025

From the Pen of the Principal

TANYA CARR 

Last Friday, our community was left shocked by the sudden passing of a much-loved staff member here at the College. Tanya had been a valued member of our St Brendan’s family for just over seven years, working as part of our cleaning team.

I would like to thank the entire community for the many ways you have supported one another as we navigated this tragedy. Whether it was the care shown by staff here at the College, the conversations held at home to help your sons or those in your care process the news, or even a simple message of condolence shared on our Facebook page—every gesture has mattered.

I know Tanya’s family has been deeply touched by the support and compassion shown. As we continue to grieve together, let us hold her memory in our hearts.

May eternal rest grant unto Tanya, O Lord,
and let Your perpetual light shine upon her.
May Tanya’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
rest in peace.

EASTER MESSAGE - END OF TERM

As we come to the end of Term 1, we are also drawn into the heart of our Christian story—the death and resurrection of Jesus. Easter reminds us that, even in moments of challenge and uncertainty, hope is never lost. From the darkness of Good Friday emerges the light and promise of Easter Sunday.

Here at St Brendan’s, we’ve seen this truth lived out: in students who have shown courage in the face of difficulty, in those who have lifted others up with kindness, and in the quiet, consistent efforts that build character and brotherhood.

To our young men: remember that the Easter story is not just something that happened long ago—it’s something we are called to live. Each time you choose compassion over conflict, service over self-interest, or truth over popularity, you reflect the risen Christ in our world.

As we enter the term holidays, may you take time to rest, reconnect with family, and reflect on how God is at work in your life. Let this be a time of renewal for your heart, mind, and spirit.

We also wish safe travels to all those hitting the road over the next two weeks. In particular, we extend our best wishes to the staff and students heading to Brisbane for the Ballymore Cup on Thursday—travel safely and all the very best for the competition.

Wishing you and your families a joyful and blessed Easter.

GATE 2 CLOSURE

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Changes to Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

St Brendan’s College will commence construction of the Industrial Technology & Innovation Centre during the April holidays. As a result, Gate 2 will no longer be available for student drop-off, pick-up, or entry into the College.

From Term 2 - Drop-off & Pick-up Changes

• All vehicles must enter via Gate 1 and exit via Gate 5 during peak times.
• One-way traffic will be in place during:
• Morning: 7:45 – 8:45 AM (Gate 1 ENTRY, Gate 5 EXIT)
• Afternoon: 2:30 – 3:30 PM (Gate 1 ENTRY, Gate 5 EXIT)

Bus Services

• Buses will continue using the bus lane at Gate 2.
• SBC buses will arrive and depart from the Gate 2 bus zone.
• The school bell will now ring at 2:55 PM to assist with bus connections.

Student Safety

• Students must exit vehicles only in designated parking bays (PINK ZONE).
• Pedestrian crossings must be used after exiting a vehicle.
• Please review the attached site map for full details.

Read all about it! CLICK HERE to see a digital walkthrough of the new Industrial Technology & Innovation Centre.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our students safe during this transition.

Assistant Principal - Middle School

Reflections on Netflix’s “Adolescence”

Like many people I was recently encouraged to watch the new Netflix series “Adolescence” by friends and colleagues.  While the cinematic style of the show is unique and very well done, the content makes for a difficult watch.  We see a family progress through a phase of anger and disbelief at their initial treatment, to shock at what their 13 year old son has done and finally the resignation as they realise they will be dealing with the long term consequences of his actions for the rest of their lives. 

However, the series also leaves a lot of issues touched upon but not fully addressed, with the main one being the toxic online environment for our boys and its impact on their natural adolescent development.  After watching the series I’ve found some helpful reflections from Dr Justin Coulson, a parenting expert many of you may have seen on television, but who also uses evidence and best practice to help families with care and compassion navigate the environment our boys are facing.  I’m sharing two of his articles related to “Adolescence” with you as I found them helpful in unpacking the unsaid elements of the show to better understand the social pressures contributing to the rise of toxic masculinity amongst some of our young men.

If you haven’t watched it yet I would encourage you to watch it with your son over these holidays and then engage in some open and frank conversations with him about his own online environment.  Please note, the second article discusses the issue of pornography with young boys frankly and openly – this is an issue we address through the Choicez and Love Bites programs at school but we encourage all families to have these difficult conversations with their sons.  We hope the articles below will help provide some language and support for families as you help guide your son through his adolescent journey.

Regards
Jonathan

Adolescence on Netflix: Boyhood In Crisis – by Dr Justin Coulson

Everyone is talking about Adolescence on Netflix. And they should. This is incredible television. And it creates a valuable conversation.

The show opens with a jolt: police officers shatter the dawn and the front door of a suburban home to arrest 13-year-old Jamie Miller for the murder of Katie Leonard, a schoolmate barely older than himself.

There’s no whodunnit.

We know the perpetrator from the beginning – although his innocent pleas make us want to believe it’s just a terrible mistake. Instead of being a murder-mystery, Adolescence forces us to confront the far more unsettling question: why?

Nothing can (or should) diminish the shattering reality that Katie’s life was violently taken. It’s devastating. Who has words for the landscape of grief her family now has to navigate? They are the primary casualties of this catastrophe.

But while Adolescence pointedly demands we recognise this, it directs our attention to another victim: Jamie. The perpetrator. And more broadly, childhood itself.

What emerges as detectives unearth elements of Jamie’s life is a portrait of modern boyhood in profound crisis.

Boyhood in Crisis

I’m writing the final chapters of my book about raising boy right now. This week. This show has forced a rewrite of what I’m saying as I wrap the book.

Here’s our challenge with Jamie. Despite being in a home with loving parents, receiving an education, and being a “smart” kid, Jamie is struggling. Like so many boys – literally, boys – he has been methodically transformed through a toxic ecosystem that most parents fail to comprehend.

At just 13, when he should be discovering his world through play and friendship – and note, he has some great mates – Jamie is instead trying to live up to (and is being measured against) a poisonous standard of masculinity propagated through social media.

The mockery he endured for being an incel – “involuntarily celibate” – reveals how our boys are being thrust into adult sexual frameworks before they’ve even navigated puberty. Jamie’s cardinal sin is that he is a virgin at 13!!!

He’s violating the “Boy Code”. His masculinity feels precarious – but he’s barely old enough to have a broken voice. And the “Man Box” beliefs policed by peers in the playground – kids who don’t know him and don’t care about him – unleash a cascade of shame, self-loathing, and ultimately, violence.

Jamie wasn’t born with violence in his veins. But Jamie and countless boys like him are being victimised by an online ecosystem that feeds on their vulnerability with predatory efficiency.

In the third episode, set seven months after the murder as Jamie awaits trial in a youth detention facility, we witness Jamie’s emotional landscape for what it truly is: a wasteland.

In conversation with a psychologist (who is assessing him by seeing his reaction to a half-sandwich with food he doesn’t like, and asking him questions about being a man), Jamie desperately insists he isn’t gay, fabricates stories of sexual encounters, and carries the shame of his disinterest in football like an open wound – another failure in his father’s eyes.

When he mutters that he’s “ugly,” we’re witnessing a child whose self-worth has been completely eroded.

When he pleads to know whether the psychologist “likes” him, we witness his desperate need to be seen, to be reassured – to feel like he is worthy; enough.

What becomes devastatingly clear is how Jamie’s conception of manhood has been twisted violently out of shape.

But it didn’t happen in the shadowy corners of the internet. It happened in plain sight on his Instagram feed. Parents and police (all adults) had no clue that Katie had rejected him. The teens have their own language. But when Katie publicly humiliated him, his fragile identity collapsed entirely, and his anxiety erupted into murderous rage.

What Can We Do?
Here’s my take:

Adolescence isn’t just television. It’s a spotlight illuminating a reality many of us are reluctant to acknowledge. As parents, we often collude in our own ignorance, allowing a film of Vaseline to smear across our lens of perception when it comes to our children’s digital lives. Here’s how I’m seeing it.

Everyone bears responsibility.

• The tech companies are accumulating the greatest fortunes ever built in the history of the world while denying responsibility for the toxic spaces they’ve created.
• Our justice system processes damaged children through machinery designed for adults.
• Most educational institutions have failed to create cultures that nurture emotional intelligence or emotional safety.
• At school, groups of unsupervised children without positive role models are sustaining psychological wounds that may never heal.
• Parents are not doing the job (perhaps many are not up to the job) when it comes to kids and screens – and in the case of the show, general boundaries. We must be aware of what’s going on in their digital and their physical lives.
• And the kids – the kids are making choices that will cast long shadows into their lives because they are victims of a society that simply doesn’t care that much about them.

The ideological virus – Man Box, Boy Code, precarious masculinity—that colonised Jamie’s mind endangers women and girls. But the devastating consequences are felt by everyone. It also destroys boys themselves.

I spoke with Rebecca Sparrow after the death of my nephew to suicide in 2023. She pointed out that boys are hurting girls and women, they’re hurting each other, and they’re hurting themselves.

This distorted vision of masculinity drives male-on-male violence and suicide rates that leave only shattered lives and grieving families scattered in the aftermath. Watching Jamie’s family – his father in particular in his little boy’s bedroom – fail to come to terms with what has happened might have been the most tragic thing I’ve ever seen on television.

As the final credits roll, we’re left without comfort. There’s no reassuring conclusion, no promise that Jamie will extract himself from the toxic ideological quicksand that has consumed him. The victims family are wrongly condemned to a lifetime of suffering. And Jamie’s family will bear the scars of his choices permanently too. The show refuses to offer false hope. It leaves us in discomfort, precisely where we need to be.

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: at this moment, thousands of boys are hunched over screens absorbing the same poisonous narratives that transformed Jamie from a confused adolescent into a killer. They’re being gradually radicalised while we attend to daily routines, often unaware of the transformation occurring under our roofs.

Our boys are being robbed of the opportunity to develop into men unburdened by these destructive conceptions of masculinity. Their childhoods aren’t gently transitioning. They’re being compressed and corrupted by digital influences while adults remain largely oblivious to the damage.

The technology companies won’t intervene. Educational systems are overwhelmed. The justice system is ill-equipped. And our boys continue to fall through widening cracks, emerging either broken by these pressures or breaking others in response.

“The construction of masculinity is a cultural task faced by every human society. It must be taught and learned and above all shown: boys believe their eyes more than their ears. When the job is done well, men know they are needed, and for what. They feel seen and heard. If we don’t like some of the versions of masculinity on offer, it’s up to us to fix that, rather than to pathologise the idea of masculinity itself.”

Richard Reeves

View the original article at Dr Coulson’s website.

The Missing Piece in "Adolescence": Pornography is Reshaping Our Boys

Critics of Netflix's "Adolescence" have fixated on what they see as implausible elements - a white boy from a decent (though imperfect) family, with access to education and opportunity, committing such a horrific act.

But this criticism misses the forest for the trees.

The show focuses heavily on the manosphere and toxic online influences... which is great. This has ignited important conversations. However, it largely sidesteps the most pervasive, damaging force reshaping our boys' minds: pornography.

In researching my upcoming book on raising teenage boys, I've excavated statistics that should trigger alarm bells for anyone who cares about boys' futures.

Today's pornography is industrial-grade violence masquerading as sex, delivered via algorithms designed to hook developing brains with impeccable precision.

Let's talk data:

• 85% of young Australian men aged 15-29 view pornography weekly or daily
• 39% watch it DAILY
• Boys are viewing this content an average of 3.2 YEARS before their first sexual experience
• Every single male in a 2017 Australian study reported exposure

Translation: Your son, if he's over 13-15 years old is almost certainly consuming pornography. Not occasionally. Regularly. And he started years before you suspect.

No. Not all boys. But yes, the majority.

The impact? Scientific evidence shows pornography consumption is:

• Directly linked to a 6-FOLD increase in sexually aggressive behaviour relative to those who don't consume it (a vanishingly small percentage of the population)
• Responsible for 20% of the variation in men's sexual objectification of women (among consumers of degrading content)
• Associated with sharply increased depression (17%), anxiety (20%), and stress (13.5%)
• Correlated with decreased condom use
• Predictive of greater likelihood to share explicit images without consent
• Associated with loneliness that increases as consumption rises
• Linked to DECREASED sexual satisfaction and enjoyment in real relationships

The teenage brain isn't fully developed. It's malleable, impressionable, designed by evolution to absorb patterns and form templates. When a boy spends three years marinating in violent sexual content before his first kiss, we're not talking about "exposure" - we're talking about neural rewiring.

These boys aren't just watching pornography. They're having their sexual templates programmed by an industry that profits from escalating extremity. It's weaponised neuroplasticity, deployed against developing minds.

The result? Boys who believe choking during sex is standard. Who think consent is a technicality. Who are trained to view women's pain as entertainment. Who struggle to maintain erections with real partners because reality can't compete with the dopamine hit of endless novelty.

Someone told me the other day that this is a moral panic. I disagree. The data points to something much more concerning. It's a multi-billion dollar industry systematically exploiting the most vulnerable neurological period in a boy's development. Pornography platforms know exactly what they're doing - their business model depends on creating compulsive users while they're young.

Are you older than 18?

One click.

That's the barrier between your son and content that will reshape his sexual expectations, relationship capacity, and neurochemistry for decades.

I loved "Adolescence". I think it brings important conversations to the fore. And I wrote extensively about that a couple of weeks ago.

However, as I've considered it more - and looked at the various critiques that are missing the mark, I've realised that if "Adolescence" wanted to show the true crisis facing boys, it would show hundreds of thousands of them alone in their bedrooms, night after night, absorbing a curriculum of objectification, violence, and emotional disconnection that's more comprehensive and consistent than anything they'll learn in school.

The question isn't whether your son is viewing pornography. The question is whether you'll have the courage to intervene before the damage becomes irreversible.

The original article can be found on Dr Coulson’s Facebook page if you’d like to follow and share with your networks https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18ePf48GPd/

Sport

Week 10 has been the culmination of our Interschool Futsal, Water Polo and Rugby Union seasons with St. Brendan’s College featuring heavily in each competition.

FUTSAL

Congratulations to our Senior A Futsal team, who have gone back-to-back, winning the Open A Futsal competition for the second year in a row! In a tough match against a determined RGS team, the boys played exceptionally well to secure a 6–2 victory. Well done, boys! Special congratulations to William Ranger, who was voted our Player of the Match.

Our Junior boys faced Emmaus College in the Junior A final. In a tightly contested game that could have gone either way, Emmaus ultimately claimed the win. To their credit, our boys fought valiantly, delivering an outstanding second-half performance. Jack Orford was named our Player of the Match. Well done Jack!

Both teams represented the College with pride and should be commended for their efforts. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated coaching staff Mr Hodgins, Mr Dash, Mr McElhone, Ms Chadwick, and Ms Herron, who generously gave their time to provide this opportunity for our students to shine.

WATER POLO

The Water Polo season concluded with grand finals this week. Our Senior team qualified for the grand final, where they faced Rockhampton Grammar School. It was a tight contest with both teams playing well; however, the boys in green managed to maintain a small lead for most of the game, eventually securing a 7–5 victory. It has been a fantastic season for our senior team, who have consistently played as a unit to assert their dominance over the competition.

Our junior teams combined to finish their season with a nail-biting loss to TCC. For the second week in a row, the boys hung in, forcing the game into a penalty shootout. Unfortunately for us, TCC came out on top.

A huge thank you to Year 12 student Bailey Hoare, who has worked tirelessly in assisting staff with coaching each week. He has shown outstanding leadership and dedication to the sport and will be sorely missed when he graduates at the end of the year. In addition to Bailey, former parent Fiona Johnstone has coached our senior team throughout the season and her generosity has been greatly appreciated. Thank you, Fiona!

I would also like to acknowledge Mr Peers, Mrs Ludcke, Miss Ryan, Mrs Brookes, Mr Corboy, and Mrs Carrol for their assistance with supervision throughout the season.

RUGBY UNION

Sunday 30 March, was Rugby Union Grand Final day, hosted by Rockhampton Grammar School at Rugby Park, Rockhampton. Please see the coaches’ match reports below.

U14

The St Brendan’s U14 Rugby Union team went head-to-head against a formidable Rockhampton Grammar School. Having suffered two losses to RGS during the round games, the SBC team needed to lift for the Grand Final. In true St Brendan’s spirit, the U14s led by Tyler Slayter, Henry Mapp, and Axel Hinds, showed up and played their best game of the season.

The scores were locked at 5-all at full-time, forcing the game into extra time (5 minutes each way). RGS started well, scoring first. With only one minute left on the clock, big Nate Caplick stormed through the RGS defence, bringing the score to 12–10 in RGS’s favour. As extra time expired, Korbin Reif stepped up under immense pressure and slotted an awkward 30m conversion to level the game at 12-all. Unfortunately, under competition rules, the team that finished on top of the ladder at the end of the regular season was awarded the victory.

The never-say-die attitude of all SBC U14 players shone throughout the Grand Final. Thanks are also extended to Rhys Watson (SBC Old Boy) and Tjaart Van der Walt (SBC Prefect) for helping to coach the SBC U14s in 2025.

U16

The Grand Final was a tough contest, with the team falling short against a well-drilled opposition who executed their game plan more effectively on the night.

Limited game time together as a full squad impacted cohesion and fluidity. With seven players unavailable due to injury, forced changes disrupted the continuity built throughout the season. While effort could not be questioned, unfamiliar combinations led to mistakes that a more cohesive and sharper opposition capitalised on. The final scoreline of 29–7 did not reflect the quality of our team. Congratulations to RGS on a strong Grand Final performance.

1ST XV

In the final match of the day, the SBC 1st XV took on RGS 1st XV. With the field heavy underfoot, ball possession proved difficult in the first half. Both teams made several handling errors, and scores were locked at 0–0 going into halftime. To our boys’ credit, the SBC defence was immense, holding out wave after wave of RGS onslaughts.

Ten minutes into the second half, the deadlock was broken when SBC No. 8 Vanama Kilaverave crashed over from short distance for a classic forwards' pick-and-drive try, giving SBC a 5–0 lead. RGS hit back quickly, with their No. 10 cutting through our green wall and converting successfully to take the lead 7–5.

We managed to work our way downfield, gaining good field position before SBC tighthead prop Jordan “I score in every Grand Final” Beath crashed over off a quick tap to put SBC ahead 12–7, what would become the final score.

With five minutes remaining, RGS threw everything at the SBC defence. Huge efforts came from all 15 players on the field to hold them out, with special mention to the SBC front rowers, who put in massive shifts and packed what felt like thousands of scrums.

Thank you to RGS for an extremely tightly contested Grand Final, rugby was the winner!

Congratulations to all involved in what has been a frustrating season due to weather and a lack of games. A special thank you to the coaching staff Mr Cullen, Mr Watson, Tjaart Van der Walt, Mr Williams, Mr Couper, Mr Ryan, and Mr Couper, for your efforts throughout the season!

TERM 2 SIGN-UP OPPORTUNITIES

Sign-up opportunities are now available for All School’s Touch Football and Interschool AFL. Please refer to the information attached in the sign-up portal for relevant trial/season information.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

CAPRICORNIA SWIMMING

Sam Clements and Oram McGilvray recently returned home from the Qld Schools State Swimming Championships which were held in Brisbane. The boys swam really well against some incredible swimmers.

Sam finished with a few top 20 swims and 1 top ten, 10th in the 200m fly. 
Oram finished with 3 top 20 swims and 1 top 10, 9th in the 200m back. 

Great job boys!

STATE SOFTBALL TITLES

Congratulations to Jessie Sadler, Jarod Mahony and Finn Watson who recently represented Rockhampton at the Softball State Titles.

CAPRICORNIA 17-18YRS RUGBY UNION SELECTION

Congratulations to Vanama Kilaverave, Cameron da Forno, Jordan Beath, Bailey Hoare, Scott Gibson and Narasi Jimmy who were recently selected in the Capricornia 17-18yrs Rugby Union team.

The boys will go on to contest the Queensland championships in Term 2.

ROCKHAMPTON DISTRICT 12YRS RUGBY LEAGUE

Congratulations to Yr 7 students Ignatius Draper, Trey McLellan, Jack Keen, Dawson Johnstone and Nate Witowski on their selection in the RD 12yrs Rugby League team.

Music

Celebrating Musical Talent At SBC

Many notes have been played, and much music has been created this term. Here are some highlights.

Students Represent the College at the State Honours Ensemble Program

We are excited to announce that several of our talented students have had the honor of participating in the prestigious State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) through Griffith University. This incredible opportunity allowed them to showcase their skills and collaborate with other gifted musicians in various ensembles, including Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Choir.

The following students have represented our college at this esteemed event:

• C Ballment (Concert Band)
• J Upton (Concert Band)
• S Allen (Concert Band)
• W Matos (Choir)
• M Harrison (String Orchestra)

These students were selected for their exceptional musical abilities, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements. Participating in SHEP allowed them to refine their skills under the guidance of professional conductors and perform in front of an audience of peers and experts from across the state.

Lunch Time Concerts

In addition to these accomplishments, our college has hosted several lunchtime concerts on our performing arts forecourt featuring students from Years 7 to 12. These performances have showcased a wide variety of music, including classic country and heavy metal songs. It has been a fantastic way for students to share their musical talents with the school community and celebrate the diverse range of musical styles that inspire them.

End of Term Class Concerts

The Concert Band and Contemporary classes have presented concerts in our Performing Arts Centre, selecting from a wide range of music. This experience has allowed them to gain confidence in performing on a stage under concert conditions, showcasing their talents through solos, duets, and large ensemble pieces.

COLLEGE MUSICAL - WE WILL ROCK YOU

In other exciting news, the college musical We Will Rock You is now in full motion! With many of the songs and dances already blocked out, students are furiously learning their lines and songs in preparation for this incredible performance. We hope you get your tickets when they open early next term for what promises to be a breathtaking tribute to Queen. The live band will feature J Emery, T Simpkins, K Bones, A Ryan, returning past student M Campbell, along with teachers Miss Priddle and Mr Ingram.

Performance dates are set for early Term 3:

• July 25 - 7pm Show
• July 26 - 1:30pm Show
• August 1 - 7pm Show
• August 2 - 5:30pm Show

We also hope to announce a pensioners’ morning matinee soon—stay tuned!

Music Participation

If you would like your son to become involved in any of the many musical activities at the College please reach out to Mr Ingram Ingramj@sbc.qld.edu.au

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Information Technology

Grade 11 Aviation Students Take Flight

Our Grade 11 Certificate III in Aviation students had an exciting flight day with Aviation Australia, where they learned to operate drones under expert guidance. The hands-on training reinforced their classroom knowledge, focusing on flight techniques, safety, and navigation.

All students had a great time and gained valuable skills that will support their aviation studies and future careers. This practical experience was a fantastic opportunity to apply their learning in a real-world setting.

3D PRINTING

The 3D Modelling & Printing Club has been buzzing with creativity this term! Open to all students on Mondays and Wednesdays during both breaks in L16, the club provides an exciting space for students to bring their ideas to life using cutting-edge technology.

For their first print, students can select a model online (within reason), but from there, they are encouraged to explore their creativity by designing and modelling their own projects. This term has seen an incredible variety of prints, including Xbox controller holders, statues, fidget spinners, articulated snakes and dragons, Ferraris, Iron Man helmets, cloth mesh, lightsabers, a gearbox, a piston engine, fishing lures, and much more.

A special shoutout to Flynt Hawke for designing a new remote controller attachment! Many of our controllers have suffered from over-enthusiastic driving, but Flynt’s custom attachment replaces a frequently broken part, making them much more durable.

If you're interested in bringing your own ideas to life, come along to L16 and get involved!

Physical Education

As part of their first unit, Athlete Development and Wellbeing, our year 11 Sport and Recreation class has recently delivered a suite of talent identification tests to some of the year 8 HPE students. The year 11 students were tasked with researching, selecting, delivering and recording results of several different commonly used athletic tests under the guidance of their teacher Mr Rob McElhone. Year 8 students were put through their paces testing their grip strength, vertical jump height, agility and speed to name a few.

The start of 2025 has seen the introduction of Sport and Recreation as one of the subject selection choices for students in year 11 and 12. This subject has been in part designed to develop the sports workforce of tomorrow across the State – an important piece of the puzzle in Queensland’s runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. This opportunity was an excellent way to build connections between our senior and junior students alongside developing knowledge and skills in this exciting space for our year 11 Sport and Recreation students.

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.

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. 

School TV

This month on SchoolTV - CYBERSAFETY

Young people today are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology is part of their everyday lives –– for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the digital world offers enormous benefits, it also comes with serious risks. From cyberbullying and online predators to inappropriate content and screen time concerns, navigating the online environment can be challenging for young people and their families.

Cybersafety is not just about blocking access –– it's about empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to use technology responsibly and safely. This includes understanding privacy settings, recognising scams, and developing healthy digital habits. At the same time, it's important for parents and caregivers to stay informed, have open and judgement-free conversations with their children, and lead by example through positive online behaviour.

In today's digital age, safeguarding a child's wellbeing must also include protecting their online life. This edition of SchoolTV will help you better understand the digital landscape your child is navigating and offer practical strategies to help them stay safe, confident and in control online.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

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 - Trading Hours Update

Please note that there have been changes to the Uniform Shop’s opening hours.

See below for the updated normal trading hours and upcoming additional opening times.

Timetable

Study Groups & Clubs

Regional Visits

COUNTRY DINNER BOOKING LINKS

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 2 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:

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