This Sunday is the Sixth Sunday in Lent and is more commonly known as Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent. Whenever I think of Palm Sunday, I recollect the image of Jesus on his donkey, riding into Jerusalem. In a time that witnessed soldiers parade on horseback, the image of Jesus on a donkey symbolised peace and humility and allowed the people of Jerusalem to welcome him, rather than fear him.

This week at Lauries I was reminded of a similar spirit of welcome as I walked the quad and saw the flags of the countries of the world displayed proudly, hanging from the balconies. Throughout the week we celebrated Harmony Day and the 2024 theme of ‘Everyone Belongs’. With students from over 30 different nations of the world enrolled at SLC and families who have travelled so many different pathways to be a part of our inclusive community, it is easy to identify and celebrate a spirit of welcome at Lauries. My personal highlights of the week were hearing Mr Arek Waloszek’s (Humanities Teacher – SLC) untold story on assembly about his journey from Poland to Australia and Samir’s (Year Nine student) story of his life as a Muslim during Ramadan. Thank you to both for sharing.

This week students were able to visit to St Vincent’s Aged Care at Kangaroo Point to see the benefits of the funds raised from the 2023 Walkathon in action. Invited by the administration of the Hospital, the boys engaged with the residents using the newly installed Dementia Storyboards. The storyboards are a new technology that is best described as an interactive games console. The technology was purchased by St Vincent's with the money raised at the Walkathon and is utilised every day by the residents. It was a fantastic to see the positive results of a service activity being utilised in the community.

Construction of the new Hogan Deck continues with works set to escalate over the upcoming holidays. It is anticipated this new multi-purpose space will be finished in time for a Term 3 opening. The space will incorporate the previously finished shade alongside ERPAC and will include areas for play, shade and learning. We thank the MATER hospital and all those who use the Stephens Road entrance to the Mater Car Park for their understanding and flexibility during these works.

As I write this newsletter article, I am especially thinking of our Year 12 students who continue to meet the milestones of their final year of schooling. We wish them well for both their current exam block and their Formal next week.

Finally, congratulations to all those students who completed the first trimester of sport for the College in 2024. Special congratulations to the 17 teams who won premierships for the College across aggregate and non-aggregate competitions in AFL, Cricket and Volleyball, not to mention fourth place at AIC swimming. Overall, a great display of both participation and success by all involved.

MR BEN LOWRIE

College Principal (Acting)

St Laurence’s and Loreto College Forum

On Tuesday afternoon we hosted, what is becoming an annual event with Loreto, our International Women’s Day Forum. This has become a great chance for our students to come together and have conversations around empowerment and dignity. This year we welcomed Rochelle Courtney from Share the Dignity who shared her story of how she began her charity and her continual fight for advocacy and the dignity of the women Share the Dignity supports. Share the Dignity works to make a real, on-the-ground difference to the lives of women, girls and those who are in need of sanitary items who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, domestic violence or poverty. They distribute products to those in need and work to achieve advocacy. 

One of the big things Rochelle talked about was the campaign she drove to remove the GST from women’s sanitary items. This showed us all how a local grassroots campaign was able to drive the nation to enforce change. For our boys to hear from Rochelle and the challenges women and young girls face when they cannot afford these items was humbling as for many of our boys it may not be something they had considered before. Following Rochelle's presentation, the students guided us through a number of activities that encouraged open discussion. 

Thank you to Mr Mendoza and the students from Loreto and St Laurence’s for driving this important event.

Year 7 Creative Nations visit: Wednesday 27 March

On Wednesday 27 March, Creative Nations will be coming to the College to work with our Year 7 students on a one-day workshop. The aim of this program is to immerse Year 7 students into a one-day cultural education workshop to learn how some of the oldest technologies, instruments, weapons and structures on earth were created, designed and constructed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It is critical to understand that this is a cultural education anthology, not a cultural awareness program. As such, this program aligns with National Curriculum and is taught by qualified First Nations educators and cultural teachers.

Students will be split into groups and rotate through a range of activities run by different facilitators in a round robin format.

The workshops will explore historical manufacturing and engineering methods from a cultural perspective. A letter has been distributed to Year 7 parents with more information.

RCIA Sacramental Program

This week a community letter went out calling for expressions of interest in our Sacramental Program starting in Term 2. In partnership with Liturgy Brisbane and the Dutton Park Parish, we will be offering a Sacramental Program at our College again this year. The program will be run at the College in a negotiated time with the students and will allow them to work through key sessions that explore them deepening their relationship with Christ.

A person seeking to join the Catholic Church is usually initiated through the three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. We understand that students come to us from a variety of different backgrounds and parishes and we want to be able to offer an opportunity for our students to prepare for and celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation.

Some of our students may have been baptised but not completed their initiation with Confirmation or First Communion, while others may be seeking to join the Church through Baptism. The College-based sacramental program offers students the option to prepare for these sacraments in line with the Archdiocesan Sacramental Policy and to celebrate the reception of these sacraments in the College chapel. If a student has not been baptised, they would go through all three sacraments at once.

Last year we had over 40 students receive their sacraments and we look forward to offering this again in 2024. If you wish for you son to be part of this please complete the form here.

MR PAUL CORFIELD

Dean of Identity and Community

End of Term Reports – A reflection of the term's work

As parents and educators, we all recognise that engaged students are more likely to thrive academically and develop a lifelong love for learning. Our report cards next week will give you an idea as to how your son has engaged in his learning this term and therefore how much learning may have occurred.

Our Interim Report considers engagement as more than mere participation. It examines how your son has actively applied himself to understanding subject content in the classroom and at home as well as his interactions with his peers and teachers. The end of term is a great time to sit with your son and discuss his learning and how well they have engaged in learning in comparison to his teachers’ perceptions.

Following the Interim Report, you will be given the opportunity to speak with teachers regarding the progress of your son. Virtual Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on 22 April and 1 May. A strong relationship between parents, students and teachers is essential to developing an engaging learning environment. More information regarding reports and parent teacher interviews will be provided next week.

MS KIRSTEN WARDROP

Dean of Teaching and Learning (Acting)

Career Counselling

For any students wanting to discuss career information, post-schooling pathways, job skills etc. please see Ms Amy Dyer in the Careers Office.

Phone: (07) 3010 1158 

Email: adyer@slc.qld.edu.au

Careers Website 

For the latest information, we recommend visiting our Careers Platform. There, you can access up to date resume and cover letter templates, gain insights into work experience opportunities in 2024, explore presentation slides used in information sessions for both students and parents, make a tax file number application and explore university study options while still in school.

Careers in Real Estate - Ray White Queensland

Ray White Queensland will be hosting a Careers Night at 6pm on Wednesday 27 March. Please click on the link below for further information and registration details.

Ray White Queensland Careers Night

UCAT & Pathways into Medicine Information Session – Free Webinar

Year 9 - 12 Students and Parents

UCAT & Pathways into Medicine Information Session

3 April 2024 at 7.00pm (AEDT)

The National Institute of Education (UCAT NIE) is proud to present the free information seminar all about UCAT and the undergraduate pathways into medicine and dentistry.

This forum is an excellent opportunity for teachers, students, and parents to find out about the UCAT and to have their questions answered by an expert who has been working in the field since 1999. The session is packed with loads of valuable information during which we will be covering the following topics and more.

1. What is UCAT? UCAT scores? UCAT Sub-tests?
2. The Undergraduate Selection Criteria
3. Application process into universities for medicine and dentistry
4. When and who can sit the UCAT
5. UCAT vs GAMSAT - How is UCAT different?
6. Can you prepare for the UCAT?
7. Undergraduate medical school interview explained and medical school interview preparation advice
8. Gap Year
9. Alternative degrees and career choices
10. Q & A

Register Here

Upcoming Defence Information Sessions

26/03/2024 Air Force Careers Information Session - Online and In Person

27/03/2024 Gold Coast: Defence Careers Information Session

03/04/2024 Brisbane: Defence Careers Information Session

08/04/2024 Gold Coast: Navy Careers Information Session

09/04/2024 Brisbane: Health Careers Information Session

UQ Career Pulse

Explore the exciting career paths open to you at UQ’s free, career-focused event for high school students.

29 May

9.00am—2.30pm (GMT+10:00) AEST

St Lucia

Register here: UQ Career Pulse - Explore, discover careers

University Open Days and Careers Expos

All 2024 university open days and careers expos can be found at the following link: Open Days / Careers Expos 2024.

Please mark these in your calendar as they are a great way to experience each campus and see what is on offer.

Start University Early – Student for a Semester experience.

START QUT Webinar

For students in Year 11 and interested in studying a university subject in Semester 2. Students receive a selection rank adjustment and gain potential credit towards a future degree at QUT Webinar is being held on 26 March from 5.30 - 7.00pm. Click here to register.

MS AMY DYER

Careers Counsellor

Year 12 Exams

Sincere best wishes to our Year 12 students for their block exams which began on Wednesday and go through until next Wednesday 27 March. For this period our hope is that they manage their time, stress and wellbeing effectively over the course of the block. Sleep, good nutrition and keeping anxiety in check are essential ingredients for this period, rather than an overloaded diet of sugary foods and caffeine. We also hope that students are well prepared for these exams and prioritising their time for study and revision. Time management is essential during this time and students are encouraged to decline extra shifts at their parttime jobs and be disciplined around extraneous activities that take their attention. We wish them every success. Good luck gentlemen.

Year 12 Formal

The Formal will be held next Wednesday 27 March and we look forward to celebrating this significant milestone with our Year 12 students and their partners. Preparations are in place for the evening and I’m sure that the Senior cohort are excited to attend.

Middle School Parent M2L

Well-known author, presenter and expert in all things teen, Michelle Mitchell joined our Middle School and Primary parents last night to present information about ‘Parenting Teens in Today’s World’. The presentation was enjoyable and informative, giving insight into a variety of topics pertaining to teens. We thank Michelle for her compassionate and grounded advice.

Unfortunately, I cannot share Michelle’s presentation from the evening, but her books are available online or in bookstores.

Also, remember to add a save the date to your calendar for our next Parent M2L which occurs on the evening of Thursday 1 August. Sincere thanks to all who attended.

NAPLAN

Congratulations to our Year 7 and 9 students who completed the last of their NAPLAN testing this week. We were happy with the way students engaged with the testing and know that they are relieved to have it completed. For our Year 9 students, it was a good segue into their Term 1 exam procedures and we hope they keep their focus and academic momentum.

Middle School

Last Tuesday our Middle School assembly was inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical, ‘Fratelli Tutti’ and the concept of being brothers and sisters to all. In particular students were asked to consider the courage needed to be an upstander against bullying, racism, exclusion etc., versus the ease of being a bystander who allows injustice to occur. Students watched a short video that invited them to think about how they would respond if they were on onlooker observing the treatment of homeless person trying to purchase food. Parents are invited to talk to their young person to find out more about the video and extend the conversation.

Week 10

Our first term concludes at 3pm this Thursday, 28 March. Whilst some students may want to ‘pull up stumps’ early and finish before this time, I would ask for your support in ensuring that your son sees the term through to the end. This includes being present for the Easter Liturgy and locker clean out on Thursday afternoon. Seeing things through to completion is an important skill for our students to learn so I would ask that you don’t give your son permission to sign out early and leave after an exam. 

Best wishes for the week ahead.

MS VANESSA BELL

Dean of Middle School

Congratulations to members of Treblehood, Concert Band 3, Big Band 3 and String Orchestra 3 who performed at the annual Junior Ensembles Breakfast Concert on Tuesday. It was a wonderful morning showcasing the progress students have made.

We look forward to their next performances at the Junior Ensembles Concert in Term 2 on Thursday 16 May.

Save the dates – Term 2

• 29 Apr | Guitar Orchestra 2 Workshop | Somerville House 3:30pm

• 7 May | Lauries Music Support Group (LMSG) Meeting | MU1 6:00pm

• 16 May | Junior Ensembles Concert | ERPAC 6:00pm
  Ensembles: Concert Band 3, Big Band 3, String Orchestra 3, Treblehood, Percussion Ensemble 3, Year 5 String Orchestra, Year 5 Guitar Ensemble, Year 5 Musicianship, Year 5 Concert Band

• 22 May | Combined Schools Concert | ERPAC 2-5pm
  Ensembles: String Orchestra 3 and Treblehood

• 21-22 May | Speech & Drama Showcase | McElligott Theatre 6:00pm

• 31 May | Cabaret Concert | ERPAC 6:30pm
  Ensembles: Concert Band 1, Big Band 1, Percussion Ensemble 1, String Orchestra 1, Fellowship of the String, Symphony Orchestra, Guitar Orchestra 1, Brotherhood, Big Brotherhood, Treblehood

• 3 & 5 Jun – Strings Recital | Chapel

• 6 Jun – Piano Recital | Chapel

Music Communications – Lauries App

The Music Department uses the College App as our main point of contact with families.

We have redefined the groups under Music and do ask you take a couple of minutes to update your preferences to ensure you receive the relevant notifications for this ensemble.

Note: You will receive notifications for all ensembles under the categories you subscribe to, however it will be clear which ensembles that notification relates to.
Any events that fall outside the usual ensemble routine may require a parent or guardian consent, and if required, an invitation will be sent via parent lounge.

Year 5 parents, please ensure your subscriptions include the Year 5 Music Program under ‘Music.’ Any program updates or performance information will be posted here once available.

If you would like further information regarding any of the above, please contact the music department: music@slc.qld.edu.au or telephone 3010 1138.

Strike up the Band!

MR ROSS CAPERN

Head of Instrumental Music

Sports Wrap Up - Recap of Sporting Events

In the last week of sport for this term, St Laurence’s College competed against Padua in the final round of Term 1 AIC Fixtures. In Volleyball, we had a great day, winning the majority of games and in the process collected Premierships for the Third VI, 11A, 11B, 10A, 7C and 9D. Overall, the College finished second in the AIC Aggerate which is a great achievement.

The College had a very competitive day in Cricket, winning the majority of games played. The 9B and 7B teams must be congratulated for winning Premierships in their division and the Fourth XI finished the season undefeated. This is a great achievement - congratulations to all students and staff involved.

In AFL, the College once again maintained their dominance in the sport, claiming the First XVIII Premiership with a hard-fought win over Padua. In total, eight teams won Premierships and the College won the prestigious AIC Aggregate Cup for the seventh consecutive year. This is a fantastic achievement!

Thank you!

We extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in sports throughout Term 1. It was a busy term and we sincerely appreciate the efforts of everyone involved. Without the dedication of staff, students and parents, sports would not be possible. So, once again, a massive thank you to all of you.

MR PATRICK BYRON

Head of Sport

Early applications are now open for siblings of current or future confirmed students plus sons of Old Boys who wish to start at Lauries in Year 5 2026. If you have not received correspondence from the College, please contact our Enrolments Registrar, Tina McManus on 07 3010 1104 or enrolments@slc.qld.edu.au.

Volunteer opportunities for "St Laurence's College Canteen Volunteers - Term 1 2024" are now open.

Please click on the web link HERE to go to the signup sheet.

To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page - thank you for volunteering!

Raffle tickets for the Lauries Autumn Lunch are now live! Buy your tickets for a chance to win our major prize - a $2,000 Westfield voucher!

Purchase your tickets HERE!

We wish to remind our College community that the designated student drop off and collection area is via the 82 Stephens Road entrance. Using alternative entry points around the College campus, including the ERPAC Loading Dock and turn around, or access spaces for the neighbouring Hospitals or Schools can cause inconveniences for our neighbours and may be unsafe for pedestrians and traffic. Families are asked to please only use the 82 Stephens Road drop off and collection point.

Please note it is compulsory that all students wear the College Blazer to and from school each day. The College tie is also to be worn all day.

Years 10, 11 and 12 must wear Grey trousers during this time as well.

If you have any questions about St Laurence’s College uniforms, contact The Lauries Shop on (07) 3010 1100 or email uniform@slc.qld.edu.au

The Lauries Shop term-time opening hours are Monday-Friday from 7:30am-1:45pm.