This week I had the privilege of visiting the Year 5 Black and Gold classes as they were learning how to deconstruct a thesis statement. In what may have been perceived as a fairly unexciting learning opportunity by an 11-year-old boy, the room was energised and enriched by the Year 5 teachers who made the task exciting and challenging. Only a short time later I witnessed a Year 10 Engineering class testing structures and beams with their teacher, in order to provide data on force analysis for their future bridge designs. 

Experiences like these happen throughout the College on a daily basis. They highlight the great work done by our teachers at Lauries in delivering engaging and provoking lessons that help our students to achieve their personal best. As we reach the midpoint of the Term 2, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teaching staff for the innovative and engaging pedagogy they develop and deliver on a daily basis. 

Lauries Sports Lunch

Last Friday the College hosted the 2023 Lauries Sports Lunch at The Greek Club in South Brisbane. Compared by Channel 9 and Triple M commentator Ben Dobbin, with sports greats Mal Meninga, Mark Connors, Simon Black and Stephen Moore forming an elite player panel, the day was a huge success and a great community event for the College. The collaborative decision by the College Sports Department, former parent Brad Dean and the 2023 organising committee to make the event inclusive of all sports should be acknowledged and celebrated. With over 385 entertained attendees, the event is likely to grow in success in 2024. Thanks to the before mentioned for their organisation and planning of the event and to the College Events team for assisting. 

The month of May is recognised in the Catholic Church as the month of Mary. At St Laurence’s College, we pause each day to reflect and pray as we say the Angelus in honour of and devotion to Mary. The month of May is a time to recognise and celebrate our relationships with the important women in our lives and the role they play for us each individually.

An important feature of the month of May is Mother’s Day (This Sunday). Mother’s Day is a day when we celebrate a mother or mother figure in our lives for all they do for us. Anna Jervis is credited as the founder of Mother’s Day around the world. Anna was a mother of 13 herself and wanted to recognise the important role a mother played in the life of families. Throughout the College this week there were numerous Mother’s Day events occurring where boys celebrated their mums. To extend these sentiments, on behalf of all the staff at St Laurence’s College, I would like to wish all the mothers in our community a happy Mother’s Day. 

Congratulations to the College Music Department and our junior musicians who this week completed a shared workshop with the students from St Joseph’s College Kangaroo Point. It was great to be able to partner with another Catholic school in our local community to share resources and talents for student improvement and a showcase of talent. 

This week we host Villanova College in Round 3 of AIC winter sport. I extend a warm welcome to the Villanova community as they visit the College on Friday night and Runcorn on Saturday. I would also like to wish all of our teams best wishes for their respective competitions. 

MR BEN LOWRIE

Principal (Acting)

Raising Fathers Event:

This week we were privileged to host Robert Falzon and Peter Gauber from Men Alive, a group dedicated to faith formation in men as part of the Catholic Church. The theme of the evening was Raising Fathers and over 60 Fathers from our community came to hear wisdom from Robert and the collective people he has heard stories from over time. Robert never claimed to be an expert in fathering but encouraged us to get out of the “fake it, to you make it” mindset and look at how we can make a positive effect as fathers on our children. It was humbling to hear so many fathers in our community make themselves open about how they handle parenting and hearing about their own fathers. Robert left us with ten tips as Fathers and I would like to share one with you that I am challenging myself with my own two daughters. 

ATTENTION was the focus and through this, he was suggesting creating rituals with our children, this could be taking them to the café for a Milkshake, or to a football game but just something that you are both doing together unique to the individual child. Men Alive are hosting a Father and Son Camp in the June Holidays to allow Fathers and Sons to explore their relationships with each other. 

Mother's Day Wall: 

This week the students in the Edmund Rice Society have been placing photos up in our chapel of students with their mothers or important women in their lives. It was heartening to see so many in our community wanting to honour their mothers.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

(Proverbs 31:31)

It is heartening just to scan through the photos and see the pure love of a mother for her child. I am in awe of my own mother and the love and compassion she holds for her family. She is a constant in our family and I have always tried to model myself on her kind heart and dedication to those around her. We wish all the mothers in our community a blessed day on Sunday.

East Timor 2024: 

I have recently just come back from taking some leave. While on leave I had the privilege of going to East Timor to map out an Immersion program for our students to take place in the June/July holidays of 2024. East Timor had a long history of Dutch colonisation before being taken over by Indonesia in 1979 where they endured hardship and tremendous loss of life under this rule. As part of this immersion, we will have the time to be in both the main city of Dili, but mostly spending time in the remote villages with children their own age. The Christian Brothers had a big presence in some of the villages in Timor and this work is now supported by the Edmund Rice Foundation. Immersions like this give us an opportunity to walk in solidarity and to try and view life from a different perspective.

I would like to share one of my experiences from my time there. We had met a woman by the name of Julie who had been educated by the Brothers when they were over there. Julie now works for the Mary Mackillop Foundation who continue the work of the brothers. She works with women’s groups to help them find income to support their families. We sat in Julie’s childhood home in the village where she grew up and she told us about the importance of family in Timorese culture. She had told us that if she and her husband had more money she might be able to provide herself with a car or motorbike and more for her children. The majority of her and her husband's money went to supporting her family. 

This really struck me as many of us cannot wait to get out of the home and start our own lives, but she told us the importance of supporting her Uncle and Aunt who raised her after the death of her parents. It is not something you question in Timorese culture, you just do it. We look forward to putting out information about the 2024 immersion in the coming weeks and going there next year.

MR PAUL CORFIELD

Dean of Identity and Community

Certificate Courses

A number of courses have been advertised this term by Mr James McLauchlan, Head of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Any student in Year 12 who has a personal interest in one of the courses, or may need some valuable QCE points, would benefit from completing one or more certificates. Each of the courses is worth 4 QCE points, and the Cert II Hospitality is worth 8 points if upgraded to a Cert III.

Information about the courses can be accessed using the links below:

1. The Certificate II Sports Coaching Course is a four-day course held during week 1 of the June Holidays. Students will receive the qualification at the end of that week. Please click HERE.
2. Certificate II Active Volunteering can be completed through the College and will be self-paced delivery through Teams, starting as soon as you apply. To complete this course, you will also have to Volunteer within your community for 20 hours to attain the Qualification. Please click HERE.
3. The Certificate II Supply Chain (Logistics) will be held at the College also during Week 1 of the June/July holidays and this course will also require the completion of one practical day at EDB Training at Capalaba. This practical date can be flexible and will need to be booked in. This normally takes around two hours to complete. A free Forklift licence is included in this course which is valued at $900. Please click HERE.
4. Certificate II Hospitality – This course will be run at the College also in the first week of June/July Holidays. Students will be required to complete 12 shifts afterwards as part of their practical assessment. For those in part-time Hospitality work such as McDonald's, these shifts can be included. For boys who do not have employment, students can complete their shifts at Café Edmund or the College Canteen during Term 3. There is also the possibility of upgrading this certificate to a Cert III upon completion of the Cert II. Please click HERE.

The following link can be used by Year 12 students to indicate that you wish to enrol in a course: Enrol

Reaching Potential

One of the more difficult challenges for students today lies in finding ways to achieve their potential, especially given the vast array of academic choices and activities that are provided. With the middle of Term Two approaching already, these are some points of advice that should assist with gaining the best possible marks for the remaining assessment items.

1. Organise your time effectively.

A powerful tool for doing this is to learn how to use some of the mechanisms in your calendar to set notifications and plan activities. Creating a schedule that is realistic and then sticking to it can easily become a habit over time, and is a trait that is regularly exhibited in successful people. It is beneficial to also include leisure time and activities in planning. By not cramming too many activities into a weekly plan, it also allows students to be adaptable where necessary. Being flexible and having the capacity to adapt to unforeseen circumstances is crucial for avoiding anxiety and stress, which are two of the biggest problems facing students today. Having a balance of curricular and leisure activities is also important in developing a healthy mindset and maintaining a positive attitude towards the learning process.

2. Learning Environment.

Setting up an effective learning environment assists with providing an atmosphere and area for productive work and study. A quiet area that is devoid of any distractions is important. Students need to be able to simulate a work and a test environment, and set tasks that place them under pressure occasionally when studying. The human brain is designed to develop new skills with regular practice, so practising working in a test environment occasionally helps with coping in an actual exam.

3. Challenge yourself

Finally, challenge yourself to reach goals. Setting short-term goals for each week that align to longer-term goals for the semester is an excellent mechanism for staying on track to reach your potential and meet targets. It also allows students to review and reflect on progress, which is a great habit to develop.

These points are designed to provide the foundation for developing successful and positive approaches to learning and other related behaviours. By showing confidence, faith and most importantly persistence in a structured approach to planning study, students give themselves every chance of reaching their potential and making successful outcomes a habit. Any student who wishes to discuss how to plan and study effectively should see a member of the Teaching and Learning team for advice and assistance.

I wish all students the best with their learning and assessment in the coming weeks.

Academic Masterclasses

A reminder that the Year 12 students are running academic masterclasses each Wednesday starting Week 4. These will be held at 3.15pm and should conclude at approximately 4.15pm. There will be pizza provided afterwards for those attending.

A Microsoft form has been sent to Year 10, 11, and 12 students to nominate for next week with Mr Joel Glazebrook presenting on “Critical Thinking”.

MR ANDREW NEWCOMBE

Acting Dean of Teaching and Learning

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 

SLConX – Careers in Trades

In conjunction with the St Laurence’s Old Boys’ Association, the Careers Office will be hosting the fourth SLConX networking event for students in Years 9 -12 and their parents to interact with Lauries Old Boys about their career pathways.

This SLConX will focus on careers in the Trade Industry, with each presenter (all Lauries Old Boys) giving a brief overview of their career journey, before moving into a less formal networking opportunity, where students and parents can liaise with the speakers directly to ask any specific questions they may have around their careers.

For this event, we have been lucky to secure speakers who work across the aforementioned industries in roles such as: Automotive, Construction/Carpentry, Electrical and Plumbing.

The details for the evening are:

Date: Tuesday 30 May 2023

Time: 5.00pm – 6.30pm

Location: ERPAC Level 5

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided on the evening. For catering purposes and to ensure we have contact details of attendees in the event that we need to disseminate information urgently, we require people to register to attend by Friday 26 May 2023. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Careers Office at careers@slc.qld.edu.au. 

National Careers Week

This coming week (15 – 19 May) is National Careers Week. The Careers Office will be running a number of activities across the week, such as a résumé writing workshop and mock interviews. Students are encouraged to register via emails they have received regarding these events in the last week, or they are welcome to come into the Careers Office if they have any further questions.

James Cook University Student Success Package

James Cook University have put together some information resources for Year 12 students to help them understand more about the transition to university, as well as pathways into James Cook University, adjustment schemes they offer, scholarships etc. Please use the above link for further 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.

CQ Engineering Link Program

The Engineering Link Group is offering a hands-on Engineering experience for interested students in Years 10 – 12. Students who attend will participate in a range of engineering projects, allow them to collaborate with other students interested in the field, and give them the opportunity to engage with people in the industry. This program is taking place at the Central Queensland University’s Rockhampton campus, with accommodation packages available to students travelling there. For further information, please click here. 

MR PAUL MOSCOS

Careers Counsellor

Last week, students in Big Band 1 and Big Band 3 enjoyed the opportunity to work with two of Australia’s finest jazz musicians and educators; vocalist Ms Jacki Cooper and drummer, Mr John Morrison in their “Make It Swing” workshops. These workshops are designed to improve the jazz skills of our musicians.

On Monday, the College was honoured to host Associate Professor, Dr Irene Bartlett, Head of Contemporary and Jazz Voice at the Queensland Conservatorium. Dr Bartlett worked with a range of singers in the College in an inspiring workshop and is famous for her ability to dramatically improve singers in a very short time in a gentle and supportive manner. She was the vocal coach for the recent Elvis movie and has taught many famous contemporary singers in Australia and overseas. In addition, her husband and three sons are all Old Boys of the College. Dr Bartlett provided the workshop in return for the workshops that our boys provide the Conservatorium on male changing voice and the College has an international reputation in this area. The College has strong links with Queensland Conservatorium as both our voice teacher, Ms Ireni Utley and our Guitar Coordinator, Ms Angelina Ellis are casual lecturers at the Conservatorium.

On Wednesday afternoon, students in Guitar Orchestra 2 and Concert Band 3, together with students from St Joseph’s Primary School Kangaroo Point, combined to enjoy workshops with ensemble directors from Lauries and St Joseph’s. These workshops provided students with the opportunity to collaborate together, learn valuable ensemble rehearsal techniques and make great music together. 

The afternoon concluded with a concert for an audience of family and friends in ERPAC.

TERM 2 DATE REMINDERS:

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

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

Family and friends are invited to attend. A BBQ and bar will be provided from 5pm 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. It will 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.  

Register as Mass Singer or Musician

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

Brotherhood Choir students are 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 6 June | 6pm 

Our next Lauries Music Support Group Meeting will be held next week on Tuesday 6 June 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 via music@slc.qld.edu.au or telephone 3010 1138.

Strike up the Band!

MR ROSS CAPERN

Head of Instrumental Music

Confraternity Rugby League Carnival Volunteers 

Thank you to the very large number of students and parents who have already expressed an interest in volunteering at the Confraternity Carnival in late June. It is another wonderful example of the incredible community that we have at St Laurence’s College that we have had so many students, parents, staff and supporters wanting to assist to create the “Spirit of Welcome” theme of the carnival.

From Monday 15 May, everyone who has expressed an interest in assisting will receive a detailed email about the carnival from our “Confro 2023” organising committee. Please keep your eye out for this email if you have expressed an interest in assisting.

If you or your son, has not yet expressed an interest to assist, it is not too late. Please complete the Volunteer Assistance form here.  

Term 3 Sport (Basketball, Rugby League, Tennis, Track and Field) – Student Expression of Interest 

On Monday- every STUDENT in the College will receive an “Expression of Interest” email from the sports office asking them to express their interest in participating in a Term 3 Sport. Students are allowed to participate in one team sport (Basketball, Rugby League or Tennis) but can also participate in Track and Field.

This expression of interest from the students is very important for our planning of the season so all parents are asked to remind their son/s to complete this task. It takes less than 30 seconds!

In Week 7 (Week beginning Monday 29 May), invitations for each sport will be placed in “Parent Lounge” accounts to allow parents to give permission for students to trial for each sport. Attached to the parent lounge accounts will be the initial “Season Information Booklet” for each sport.

Trials for Term 3 sports will be held in Week 9 of the term- the final week of term and the week immediately after Chess, Football and Rugby concludes.

AIC Round 3 – Chess, Football and Rugby v Villanova this weekend 

This weekend we play Villanova College in AIC fixtures. This is always one of the biggest weekends on the sporting calendar with St Laurence’s College and Villanova sharing a great rivalry. It is important that regardless of how ‘fierce’ we believe this rivalry to be, that our students participate appropriately, playing with great spirit, but more importantly with great sportsmanship. It is important that as a community we create a welcoming environment for all participants, officials and visiting spectators to our home venues- something I know our community is famous for. We encourage all families to come out to Runcorn this weekend to support all of our teams, highlighted by the First XI Football (1.30pm) and First XV Rugby (3.15pm).



Good luck to all teams for this weekend!

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. 

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.

If you are interested in being a volunteer in the Runcorn Canteen for tomorrow's (Saturday 13 May) AIC round vs Villanova College, please register via the link HERE.

Please be advised that South Bank Corporation has approved the temporary closure of Little Stanley Street.

Please note this closure is required as part of the Heavy Vehicles Industry Australia Truck Show event. 

Little Stanley Street from Tribune Street to Glenelg Street will be closed from Monday 15 May at 10pm to Monday 22 May at 7am (includes the weekend of Saturday 20 May and Sunday 21 May)  

Please note the Grey St Improvement Works will be on hold for this week and Grey St will be open to vehicles.

Please note access to the South Bank Carpark (at both Tribune St and Glenelg St ends) and Ernest St ramp will remain open throughout this closure. 

Please see the below message from the Brisbane City Council. 

Please be aware of the upcoming Brisbane City Council (BCC) closure of the William Jolly Bridge.

The closure will be effective in both directions between Friday 26/05 11pm – Monday 29/05 5am.

 Please refer to the attached BCC works notification and detour map HERE for more information.