Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice

This Friday 5 May, Catholics around the world will celebrate the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice. This day commemorates the life and legacy of Edmund Rice, an Irish businessman turned philanthropist who dedicated his life to the education of poor and marginalized children in Ireland. As a school in the Edmund Rice tradition, the Feast Day of our founder is of significant importance to our community.

On Wednesday we acknowledged this importance as we celebrated our Edmund Rice Feast Day Mass at the College. Father Gerry Kalinowski reminded us of the great spirit we keep as members of the St Laurence’s College community. He referred to this as the black and gold spirit. The spirit we see in the playground, classrooms and on the sporting field. He was also quick to remind us that the true spirit of a student at St Laurence’s College is more than the black and gold spirit, rather it can term the pure gold spirit within us all. This pure gold spirit is about being more than good in a school context, it is about being good in life.

The Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the importance of education and the role it plays in transforming the lives of young people. Through the example set by Blessed Edmund Rice, we are connected to Edmund Rice Education Australia’s Touchstones of Solidarity, Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality and Inclusive Community. It is our communities understanding of these Touchstones that allows us to experience and grow the pure gold spirit within our students.

As we celebrate this Feast Day, we are called to renew our commitment to serving through these Touchstones and finding our Hearts of Gold.

Milestones

Those who have been in education for some time recognise the purpose of milestones in a school’s calendar. As we commence Week 4 in Term 2, I would like to congratulate the Year 11 ATAR students on their recent completion of Unit 1 and wish them the best for Term 2. We are also at a significant point in the term for those completing or wishing to complete Certificate courses. In the forthcoming holidays, St Laurence’s College will have more than 65 students completing at least one Certificate II course and some students completing up to three courses. Applications for these courses are available through Mr McLauchlan and are open until next week and I thank Mr McLauchlan for his ongoing work here. Best wishes to all students for their academic term ahead.

Academic Committee 

Congratulations to the Academic Committee who will this week begin peer master classes for our senior students. The classes will be for Years 10,11 and 12 students throughout Term 2. These sessions are organised by the academic prefects and are designed to assist students with their organisation, 21st Century Thinking Skills and targeted assessment strategies. It is great to see these young men bring their ideas to practice, especially when it works to the benefit of others.

Multicultural Australia (MCA)

Multicultural Australia (MCA) is an organisation that helps place new residents to Australia in accommodation and work opportunities. Often these residents are refugees or asylum seekers. St Laurence’s College is a proud supporter of MCA and is excited to be working with them this term.

We welcome our newest member of the College Facilities team, Mr Oleksii Hryshchenko. Oleksii comes to Australia from the Ukraine and has quickly made an impact on those around him. We look forward to helping Oleksii begin his new Australian journey.

MR BEN LOWRIE

Principal (Acting)

Career Counselling

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

Phone: (07) 3010 1158 

Email: pmoscos@slc.qld.edu.au 

Urban Development Information Session

This coming Monday 8 May 315pm – 415pm in the Rice 1 classroom, Lauries students in Years 10 - 12 have the opportunity to hear from John Pappas from JLP Urban Consultants, who will speak about opportunities within the Urban Development field in Brisbane. John has over 25 years of experience in the field and JLP Urban Consultants employs people with a broad range of skill sets, such as Civil + Water Engineers, Land Surveyors, Town Planners + Urban Designers and Landscape Architects. This is a growing area, especially as the Greater Brisbane area continues to be rejuvenated in preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Please register to attend this event.

John will speak about the prospects available to students within this field, including the potential for work experience. This is a great opportunity for students interested in Urban Development, especially those students studying (but not limited to):

• Geography
• Design
• Engineering
• CAD

Interested students are invited to register to attend. Please email Mr Moscos in the Careers Office if you have any further questions.

Careers in the Navy

The ADF has released a video for students interested in pursuing a career in the Navy. Navy: Life On Deck With Able Seaman Kabai gives a snapshot of what life is like onboard a navy ship. You will also find a range of other information videos released by the ADF, for further information about career opportunities.

Bond University 

Bond University has partnered with the World Surfing League to offer students the opportunity to register for an exclusive backstage tour of one of their surfing events (students can select which event they are interested in attending). Students who register to attend the World Surf League - Exclusive Backstage Tour will also have the chance to explore the line-up of careers associated with such events, including Marketing, Sports Science, Sports Management, Film & TV and Event Management. Please click the above link for further information or to register.

2023 Aviation Expo

The Aviation Australia Expo in Brisbane showcases the burgeoning aerospace industry, with a significant focus on aviation skills development, careers and employment opportunities. The Aircraft Experience Zone will once again be a major attraction, featuring a range of iconic aircraft that visitors will have the unique opportunity to experience up close. The Aviation Expo also features dozens of exhibitors from the aviation, defence and education industries who will inspire and educate visitors about how to launch into a career in aviation. It will be held on 3 June from 10am to 4pm. Click here for more information.

QUT Future You Summit

Applications for the QUT Future You Summit, 25 - 28 September, are now open and close on Monday 22 May. The Summit includes all disciplines at QUT and will feature degree-based and hands-on learning experiences from across the university. Year 11 and 12 students from schools across Queensland and Northern NSW who have received a minimum of two HA’s in any of their subjects in the last twelve months are eligible to apply. The selection panel will choose applicants from a range of schools, backgrounds and interest areas. QUT Widening Participation is kindly funding boarding accommodation at Somerville House for successful regional and rural student applicants. Click here to find out more and to apply.

Queensland Biology Winter School for Year 11 students

Live and breathe biology at the Queensland Biology Winter School. This multi-day event to be held on 3 and 4 July will give Year 11 students studying QCE or IB Biology the opportunity to gain scientific skills by taking a deep dive into contemporary topics in genetics and evolution. Applications are now open and close on 30 May. Click here to find out more information about the program, application process and cost.

UQ Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarship information webinar

Professor Alastair Blanshard, Director of UQ’s Centre for Western Civilisation will present an information session where you can hear how Year 12 students can apply for one of 30 UQ Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarships. The scholarships are among the most generous in Australia, valued at $32,000 per year. They are available to high achieving students who undertake an extended major in Western Civilisation in 2024 in the: Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Western Civilisation) (Honours) or Bachelor of Humanities/Bachelor of Laws (Honours). The webinar will be held on Friday 2 June from 12 - 12.45pm. Click here to express your interest.

FEAST applications now open

Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology (FEAST) is a four-day residential program at UQ Gatton designed to inspire high school students about the rewarding science careers in the agriculture, animal and plant industries. For more information visit the website and click here to apply.

MR PAUL MOSCOS

Careers Counsellor

Year 9 Mother Son Evening 

The invitation went out last week welcoming mothers or a significant female role model in the lives of our Year 9 students to attend our Mother Son event on Friday 12 May with their boy. Please find the further details attached HERE. The cut-off for this event is today.

Year 11 Catholic Studies

Our Year 11 students have been participating in leadership workshops with various Heads of House and staff at the College. These workshops start the Senior Leadership Journey which culminate with the selection of student leaders (School Captains, Prefects and House Captains) for 2024. Our focus has been on servant leadership, with various workshops that are embedded within the Catholic Studies curriculum. I would like to thank all members of the pastoral team for their work in establishing this valuable Year 11 formation opportunity.

Cyber Safety Update – from Family Zone

Recent Family Zone data has shown shows a spike in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), as students increasingly seek to bypass traditional school firewall internet filtering to access blocked content - especially social media, games, adult and violent material. The resulting distraction from learning is significant. But VPN use also exposes students to cyberbullying and other online harms.

But VPN use isn’t solely a technological problem - it’s also a behavioural one. So, education is also required - and awareness on the part of the entire school community that the practice constitutes a serious form of digital disobedience with serious consequences. Family Zone’s powerful technology will help put a stop to VPN use - and educate our school community about why online safety matters. 

For more information about Family Zone, please click on the link HERE or contact the College’s IT support via email ITHelpdesk@slc.qld.edu.au. They will assist in installing this parent-controlled application onto your son’s laptop.

Term 2 Sport – Chess, Football and Rugby

The pastoral team would like to wish all participants the very best in the trial round against St Peter’s Lutheran College on Saturday. Messages to the students this week continue, regarding presentation before and after games (full College winter uniform if staying to watch other games), winning well and losing graciously.

Live Jesus in our Hearts. . . Forever.

MR DAVID KNIGHT

Dean of Pastoral Care

Somerville House very kindly invited our musicians to attend workshops on Saturday 29 April with members of the London Symphony Orchestra while they were in Brisbane to perform as part of their Australian tour. This was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the best players in the world!

Damon Wang and Miles Le Goullon attended the Violin Masterclass with London Symphony Orchestra 1st Violinist, Mr Carmine Lauri and Morgan Oiso went to the Cello Master class with London Symphony Orchestra Cellist Mr Francois Thirault.

Below is a student's reflection of his experience:

Being invited to observe the Cello Masterclass at Somerville House was a great opportunity for me to be able to learn more about my relationship with music and my technique on my cello. Listening to the different concertos and the pure emotion with which it was played really puts you in a different world. Francois helped create contrasting articulation to produce a more rounded performance, something which I will be able to implement in my practice going forward.

Morgan Oiso

TERM 2 DATES:

• 10 May –Combined Workshop and Concert with St Joseph’s Primary School @ 2-5.30pm (ERPAC)

Guitar Orchestra 2 & Concert Band 3 will be combining with students from St Joseph’s Primary School (Kangaroo Point) for music workshops and a concert together @ 5pm for family and friends.

• 18 May – Junior Ensembles Concert (ERPAC) @ 6pm

Performing will be Concert Band 3, Big Band 3, String Orchestra 3, Treblehood, Cambiata, Percussion Ensemble 2 & Year 5 Ensembles. 

Family and friends are invited to attend. A BBQ and bar will be provided by our Lauries Music Support Group prior to the concert.

• 19 May – Brisbane Jazz Club Youth Festival (BEMAC, Kangaroo Point) @ 7pm 

Big Band 1 have been invited to perform at the Brisbane Jazz Club Youth Festival along with Talkin’ Jazz, Centenary SHS Stage Band, Wavell High School Big Band and UQ Big Band.  

• 24 May – Invitational Guitar Concert (St Rita’s College, Clayfield) @ 6.30pm

Guitar Orchestra 1 have been invited to perform at the Brisbane Combined Schools Guitar Concert held at St Rita’s College, Clayfield. Riverside Guitar Ensemble (Griffith University) will be special guest performers.

• 2 June – Cabaret Concert, “Bach to the Future” (ERPAC) @ 6.30pm

  

Concert Band 1, Big Band 1, Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra 1, Fellowship of the String, Guitar Orchestra 1, Percussion Ensemble 1, Brotherhood, Big Brotherhood and Little Brotherhood will be performing. We invite all family and friends to dress up and attend this wonderful night of entertainment.

• 25 June – Mass for Confraternity Rugby League Competition (ERPAC) - Mass choir & musicians 

This year, St Laurence’s College is hosting the state Confraternity Rugby League Competition. This event will be opened with a Mass in the ERPAC auditorium on Sunday 25 June at 6pm. Mr Leadbetter has asked that the Music Department create a “Lauries-style Mass” with our Worship Band and all available singers.  

It should be a wonderful event for the College and we encourage students to take part. If you are able to participate, either as a singer or musician, please use the link provided below to sign up. You will be required from 4.30pm to 7.30pm and further information will be provided closer to the time.

Register as Mass Singer or Musician

• 7-9 July – Pemulwuy National Male Voice Festival – Brotherhood Choir

Brotherhood Choir students were invited to this Festival to experience workshops, performances and rehearsals with renowned conductors and singers, culminating in a performance on the main stage of QPAC.

LMSG Meeting | Term 2 - Tuesday 9 May | 6pm 

Our next Lauries Music Support Group Meeting will be held in Term 2 on Tuesday 9 May in room MU1 (Top floor VAPA building). A great way to support your son at Lauries is by joining the parent’s music support group. Meetings are once a month on the second Tuesday of each month (term time). 

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.

We look forward to sharing with families the many performances by our talented students this Term.

Strike up the Band!

MR ROSS CAPERN

Head of Instrumental Music

A Sense of Welcome

This week will be our first home game of the Chess, Football and Rugby seasons. Mr Leadbetter has spoken to all the boys often on assembly about the importance of creating a sense of welcome at St Laurence’s College for all who visit- this includes our opposition, their staff, their supporters and the officials who conduct the games.

We definitely play to win and strive for our personal best in every competition we go into. However, “how” we play and support the game is more important to the development of our young men than the final result. We want all involved in the game to enjoy the competition and know they have been challenged, but this competition and challenge should occur in a positive and supportive environment.  

At all of our fixtures, especially those played at Runcorn, we all should be acknowledging good play and sportsmanship – regardless of the player or team, we should be positive in our interactions with our opponents and we should always respect the difficult task that is officiating these games.

We thank the whole community, students, parents, Old Boys and other supporters for their assistance in creating this positive sporting environment.

Lauries Sports Lunch

Today the Lauries sports Lunch was held at the Greek Club. It was a wonderful event with close to 400 people in attendance. There was a great mixture of current parents, Old Boys and supporters of our Sports Program. The audience was entertained by Ben ‘Dobbo’ Dobbins from Triple M and Channel 9 and the panel discussion and insights given by special guests Mal Meninga, Stephen Moore, Simon Black and Mark Connors were brilliant. A thoroughly entertaining afternoon was had by all with all profits from the event going towards the Sports Program here at Lauries.

Thank you to all who attended the event, but special thanks to the Parent Organising Committee of Tanya Hansen, Kellie Butler, Kathy Nadenic, Tim Stallman and Kate and Scott Taylor. Also, extra special thanks must go to the College Media and Events team of Helen Turner, Will Pike and Lachie Prince who did an incredible job behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the event. The College is definitely looking forward to building on the success of the event in 2024!

MR EDDIE WALLACE 

Head of Sport

DO YOU NEED A BLAZER, TIE OR TROUSERS FOR TERMS 2 & 3?

It is compulsory during Terms 2 and 3 that all students wear the College Blazer to and from school each day. The College tie is also to be worn all day.

It is compulsory for Years 10, 11 and 12 to wear Grey trousers during these terms as well. Grey or black socks are to be worn with trousers.

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

Students are expected to be at school and moving to class by 8.30am. If a student is going to be absent from school (for the whole day or part of the day) parents are asked to notify the College.

 Notification can be provided by:

1. Parent Lounge Attendance tab
2. Calling Pastoral Precinct on 30101130 (Secondary) or 30101142 (Primary).

Our preferred method is through the Parent Lounge Attendance tab. This tab allows you to notify us of part day, single day or extended absences.

To use this option, log into your Parent Lounge and select Attendance from the menu. From here you can select your child and complete the options regarding reason and timing of absence.  

Step-by-step instructions can be found HERE.

It’s that time of year again folks! 

The Mini Vinnies crew in Primary are looking to complete our Annual ILF Book Swap and we need your help. Dust off your shelves and donate any unwanted books you may have that would suit Primary-aged children, particularly 9-12 year olds. We are also very happy to accept any picture books you might have.

These books will then be sold by the Mini Vinnies students in Week 8 of this term for $1.

All money raised will go to the excellent Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The ILF produces books for children in their own Indigenous language; they provide education for remote Indigenous communities around Australia to increase literacy rates and the ILF supports reading by supplying books and other items to the remote corners of our land. It is a brilliant cause and one we have supported for over ten years.

Please donate any books you think would help our cause to the Primary office or 6MR before Week 8.

For further information about the ILF, follow the link below:

The Great Book Swap | Indigenous Literacy Foundation

Thank you in advance!

The 2023 Annual Appeal is open! Each year, the Annual Appeal provides an opportunity for our Parents, Staff, Old Boys and wider community to support our two tax-deductible charities - the St

Laurence's Old Boys' Foundation and the St Laurence's College Building Fund. To find out more about each of the organisations and how gifts will be enacted in our community, please view the link available HERE.  

Should you wish to give a gift, please find below links to do so via our online portal:

The College is proud to be hosting the Confraternity Rugby League Carnival and we couldn't do it without our wonderful Sponsors.

GOLD SPONSORS

Current and future confirmed families are invited to book an early enrolment interview for their son/s who would commence at the College in Year 5, 2025. All details noting how to apply have been emailed to the appropriate families recently.

If any parents have not received this information, please contact the College Enrolments Registrar, Ms Tina McManus on 3010 1104 or enrolments@slc.qld.edu.au. 

Introducing Our Story

The College is excited to welcome a new dedication section to the library - Our Story.

Featuring books written about or by College Old Boys, books related to the history of the College, sporting records and much more!

Thanks to everyone who made this possible! When you get a chance, come in and check it out!

As you may be aware, the College will be proudly hosting the 2023 Confraternity Rugby League Carnival from Sunday 25 to Friday 30 June.

The Carnival presents a unique opportunity for the Lauries community to secure state-wide exposure for their businesses. We are excited to announce that Silver and Bronze Sponsorship Opportunities are still available.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact the College Director of Communication, Development and Events, Helen Turner on (07) 3010 1178 or development@slc.qld.edu.au. 

Further information regarding the carnival can be found HERE.

Hello everyone,

Volunteer opportunities for "Term 2 2023 St Laurence's Canteen Volunteers" are now open.

Please click on the following web link HERE to go to the signup sheet:

To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do. Thank you for volunteering!

MR CHRIS STERGAKIS

Canteen Manager

Please find the attached memorandum HERE advising that online applications are now open for the Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme for parents who are eligible for the Student Travel Rebate.