Sitting in mass this morning with Hogan House, I was reminded of the many gifts our staff bring to the St Laurence’s College community. As I glanced around the Chapel, I caught site of the Teacher Aide who holds a music teaching degree, helping the student piano player keep pace with the hymn and turning the pages for him. I saw the Hogan House Mentors and many other staff in the near full chapel, singing along, side by side with the students. There, as always, was our Liturgical Music staff volunteering of their time to bring life to the celebration and outside, all could smell the sizzle of the sausages, as Nagle House staff and students volunteered their time to cook breakfast for all those who attended.

Service is a part of the fabric at St Laurence’s College, a fact we should never lose sight of. However, service can’t be taught and fostered through our community without a group of staff who believe in the importance of giving to others. I sincerely thank all the staff who share their gifts in and beyond the classroom.

College Strategic Plan 2024-2026

This week I am excited to announce that the College Leadership Team (CLT) will be releasing the College Strategic Plan 2024-2026. The three-year plan will address 6 strategic priorities within the College. At a macro level the Strategic Plan will cover all areas of the College community. At a micro level, the CLT will work to deliver individual and portfolio-based goals on an annual basis. The work of the CLT will drive a continuous school improvement agenda whist at the same time aiming to achieve the collective ambition of:

“Transforming hearts and minds through a holistic Catholic education, where academic excellence, diverse opportunities, relationships and compassionate service are the foundation of a Laurie’s Journey.”

I encourage all families to explore the 2024-2026 Strategic plan by visiting the link below.

50 Day Milestone

Next week the senior students are acknowledging the milestone of 50 school days remaining in their academic calendar for 2024. Whilst this number is a lose calculation, indeed many subjects are nearing the completion of their final internal assessments, with mock exams and external exams fast approaching.

The last two weeks of Term 2 are an important time not only for our Year 12 students, but for all students. Exams and assignments will be part of most students end of term timeline. As should be regular revision and progressive study plans. I encourage all families to take the time to be present with their young man and ensure they are maintaining strong revision and study routines, and they are allowing themselves the best chance for success.

Bucket Day – College Walkathon

On Tuesday 4 June, the College will take part in its annual Bucket Day.

Bucket Day will kickstart this year’s Walkathon fundraising campaign with all money raised going towards our House charities and our major Walkathon charity – Ronald McDonald House. For those who haven’t experienced Walkathon before, this event will be held on Friday 9 August with all students walking throughout College surrounds, all in aid of raising funds for our key charities. For one day only next week, students are asked to contribute what they can into their House Bucket.

The annual Bucket Day and the College Walkathon reflect the Colleges commitment to the EREA Touchstone of Justice and Solidarity and will be celebrated at the annual Justice and Solidarity Mass on Friday 9 August 2024.

AIC Cross Country

The AIC Cross Country Carnival was held this week at St Patricks’ College, Shorncliffe. With all 8 member schools and associate members Ambrose Treacy participating. In what is essentially one of the most challenging of the AIC sports for individual athletes, it was great to see that SLC was able to finish equal third on the day. I commend all the athletes involved, our Year 12 Cross Country Captains, Hayden McKenzie and Stavros Kazoullis , as well as Ms Wilson, Mr Stokes, The Sports Department and all the Cross-Country Coaches and runners for their time and dedication to this program.

Hogan Deck Update

Work continues to progress on the new Hogan Deck, facing North-West over the city. It is anticipated that this new multi-functional space will be ready for the commencement of Term 3. Below are some photos of the current progression.

MR BEN LOWRIE

College Principal (Acting)

Edmund Rice Head 2 Heart Camp

Last weekend we hosted an Edmund Rice Head 2 Heart Camp which encompassed four schools across Saturday and Sunday. Edmund Rice Camps Queensland is a community based not - for - profit organisation, providing recreational activities for children, youth and families who may not otherwise have the opportunity. 'Eddie' Rice Camps are committed to social change in our community, through Empowering Kids, Developing Youth and Building Community.

On the weekend two separate camps were held at the College with Gregory Terrace and All-Hallows hosting at our campus on the Saturday and then on the Sunday St Laurence's and Stuartholme hosted. Ten students from each school volunteered to be a buddy to 14 lucky young people coming to us from a variety of different backgrounds. Our students become buddies to them for the day with their aim to given them an entire day of fun and laughs. I have been associated with Edmund Rice Camps for over ten years now through camps and as well as being a board member and always admired the experience these camps provide.

Our students committed themselves to their buddies being with them throughout the entire day. The buddies had a lot of energy and the students of Lauries and Stuartholme needed to be on their toes to keep up with them. Our students were brilliant taking time to not just be with their buddy but to be present to them. The camps rely on our students being attentive to them and taking time to hear their story and provide them with friendship. The day can be difficult at times with students needed to run after their buddies and encourage them but our students are rewarded knowing they have impacted through their presence, if only for a short time.

MR PAUL CORFIELD

Dean of Identity and Community

Upcoming Assessment

There is upcoming assessment for many students as we move closer towards the end of term. I am mindful that this can be an anxious time for students who have a number of assessment items due. For Year 7 students, this may also be the first time that many are being asked to submit summative assessment. I ask parents that if you notice your son/s experiencing more than the usual level of anxiousness, to please touch base with his Head of House, or the Pastoral Team.

It is also a time when we see an increase in illness and injuries. If for any reason this leads your son to be unable to complete his assessment on time, he should complete a SIM Extension Application form. This form is located in the Student Portal in the Assessment Extensions folder.

More details regarding missed/late submission of assessment can be found in the Student Diary on pages 35 & 36.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Zofia Kentrotis (Head of Teaching and Learning – Middle School) zkentrotis@slc.qld.edu.au

Stacey Tait (Head of Teaching and Learning – Senior School) stait@slc.qld.edu.au

SLConX – Digital Media, Business, Finance and Law

In conjunction with the St Laurence’s Old Boys’ Association, the Careers Office hosted the second SLConX networking event for students and their parents to interact with SLC Old Boys about their career pathways.

The purpose of SLConX is to allow current students to hear about the career journeys of some of our Alumni and to network and create connections with people working in the industry. There was an incredible range of Old Boys each with their own story to tell.

Date Claimer for next SLConX: 23 July 2024

Year 12 - Confirmation of Results

Almost all confirmed results from the QCAA have been released, with only 2 subjects outstanding, but expected today. Confirmed results will start appearing in Student Learning accounts shortly. Please ask your son to access his myQCE account over the next week, ensuring that he is using a personal email address not his school issued email address.

Study Starter

A reminder to parents that Study Starter is continuing for students. It is a free tutoring service conducted in the Library every Monday and Wednesday after school until 4:30pm. The intention is to support students who need extra help with their studies, and also provide an environment where quiet study and assignment work can occur. All students are welcome.

MS KIRSTEN WARDROP

Dean of Teaching and Learning (Acting)

Live Parent Webinar: How You Can Support Your Child During Exams
Wednesday 5th June 6:30-7:30pm (AEST)

Register today at: https://go.elevateeducation.com/auschoolwebinars

Having the right support at home in the run-up to an exam can drastically improve a student's confidence levels and performance.

But it can be easy for parents to take a step back during this time for fear of getting in the way.

Next week, we’ll be showing parents how they can support their child during this time without feeling as though they’re intruding and help them to implement performance-boosting routines.

Parents who attended our last webinar on exam preparation loved the straightforward approach of the session:

‘The delivery was very clear and concise. The presentation was so impressive with the different techniques and clear examples. I will be signing up for more of these courses!’

‘To the point, packed with helpful tips. It's not rocket-science, which means it's very practical, applicable advice.’

The assessment phase of the teaching and learning cycle is an important opportunity for students to display their knowledge and progress in their subjects. Students are expected to comply with nominated assessment submission dates and exam schedules. If your student is unable to comply with nominated assessment dates due to illness, they can now access the Student Illness and Misadventure (SIM) Extension Application form via the Assessment Extension tab in the Student Portal following the process below submitting both the SIM form and a medical certificate to the Head of Teaching and Learning Senior School: stait@slc.qld.edu.au

Please note that the SIM Extension Application form does not apply to extension requests based on holiday scheduling. Senior school students who experience a clash of holiday and assessment dates are expected to submit all assessment prior to their holiday.

MS STACEY TAIT

Head of Teaching & Learning (Senior School) (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.

Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo

Our Grade 10 students had the opportunity to attend the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo on Friday 24 May. There they got to speak with representatives from training organisations, apprenticeship groups, TAFE, universities, Defence, police and more. It was great to see our students take advantage of the chance to liaise with such a broad range of exhibitors. If students have any follow-up enquiries, they are more than welcome to contact the Careers Office.

SLConX – Business, Finance and Law

On Tuesday evening, over 150 members of the college community gathered to learn about careers in the Business, Finance, and Law industries. We are fortunate to have members of our Old Boys’ Association volunteer their time to share their experiences at St Laurence’s and their professional journeys. Special thanks to Peter Wendt and the Old Boys’ Association for assembling a panel of engaging and insightful speakers.

Griffith University College of Arts Portfolio Workshops

Participants choose to work in either Design or Visual Arts and by the end of the workshop will:

• Learn how to present and what to include in a successful Queensland College of Art and Design portfolio.
• Complete at least one piece of work for their creative portfolio that could potentially be used in their Queensland College of Art and Design portfolio application.
• Meet and work with QCAD Design and Visual Arts staff to find out if Queensland College of Art and Design is right for you.

Click here for more information on costs and registration: QCAD portfolio workshops

Griffith Film School Experience Week

During the week-long program, participants chose a study area and are taught by our highly skilled, industry connected teaching team to gain theoretical and practical skills. Participants also complete a piece of work for their creative portfolio and get a feel for what it’s like to study at the Griffith Film School.

Click here for more information on costs and registration: Griffith Film School Experience

UQ LEAD Scholarship Opening Soon

UQ's Law School including information about UQ's Law School Leadership, Excellence, and Diversity (LEAD) Scholarship during the application period.

Designed to support outstanding students who aspire to study law and have experienced educational, social and/or financial disadvantages. Use the following link to sign-up for notifications about when the UQ LEAD Scholarship will open.

UQ Ramsay Scholarship Webinar

The UQ Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarship offers $32,000 per year for the duration of the program (up to 5 years) for students undertaking a sequence of study in Western Civilisation.

This scholarship is open to school leavers with Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency status who intend to enrol in either of these programs in 2024:

• Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Western Civilisation) (Honours)
• Bachelor of Humanities / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Please use the above UQ Ramsay Scholarship link for further details or to register.

Free UCAT information sessions

NIE is offering free UCAT Information Sessions for students interested in sitting the UCAT (or those who have already registered) – the UCAT being the assessment instrument used for students wishing to apply to some provisional entry medicine and dentistry courses throughout Australia and New Zealand. They offer a range of UCAT preparation services. Please note that UCAT offers a range of free preparation resources also.

MS AMY DYER

Careers Counsellor

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

House Choir

Next Friday, all students in the College will participate in our inaugural House Choir. The songs performed this year have been chosed by various Era’s of time.

2024 Song List and Era’s

1975 – 1979: September - Earth Wind Fire

1980 – 1984: Hungry like a Wolf - Duran Duran

1985 – 1989: Mind set on you - George Harrison

1990 – 1994: Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something

1995 – 1999: Time of your life - GreenDay

2000 – 2004: Yellow – Coldplay

2005 – 2009: Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield

2010 – 2014: Rolling in the Deep - Adelle

2015 – 2019: Healing Hands - Conrad Sewell

2020 – 2024: Flowers - Myley Cyrus

It is wonderful for our young men to develop a sense of connection to their House and school spirit, it is these connections which makes Lauries special.

A special thank you must go to the Heads of House, House Mentors, the audio-visual team and our wonderful music department for their commitment and effort in ensuring a successful event.

I wish all parents and students the very best for the upcoming holidays and as always, Live Jesus in your hearts……..Forever!

Student expectations

I would like to remind all parents of the College rules surrounding hair cuts and uniform – this is a copy of the information from the letter sent to all parents at the start of Term 2.

Term 2 commences with students in all year levels required to wear the College winter uniform. All students must wear their college blazer to and from the College each day (they may be removed at the end of morning admin and placed in their locked lockers) additionally students are required to wear their college tie for the duration of each day.

Other reminders regarding uniform,

• Haircuts
  • Your son must have an appropriate haircut in line with College policy:
  • Natural hair colour.
  • Must be no shorter than number 3 blade.
  • Tracks, shaven strips, mullets, or tails are not acceptable.
  • Hair is not to be over the collar, eyebrows, or ears.
  • Extreme hairstyles which draw attention to the student will not be permitted.
  • All students must be clean shaven.

The current trend of “burst fade” haircuts does not meet these expectations.

Below image taken from a Google search.

If your son’s hair does not meet the College requirements he may be withdrawn from class or sent home until his hair is appropriate.

St Laurence’s College bags are to be used when travelling to and from school.

• A yard-hat is a compulsory uniform item whilst in unshaded areas of the College.
• Leather black belt must be worn.
• Black leather shoes with St Laurence’s College socks should be worn.
• Senior School students are required to wear long trousers for Terms 2 and 3 (with either black or grey socks).
• Year 12 students may wear their senior jerseys (which are not part of the normal college uniform) underneath their blazers to and from school on Friday’s only (the regular college uniform should still be worn each day)

MR DAVID KNIGHT

Dean of Pastoral Care (Senior School)

Sports Wrap Up – Round 5

Last weekend, Lauries faced St Edmund’s College in Round 5 of the AIC Competition. The round had a different schedule, with the First XV playing their game earlier in the week to accommodate the Qld Schoolboys Rugby Tournament. The team once again played very well, securing a win and maintaining their undefeated season. The other Rugby results were impressive, with several teams still in contention for premierships. In Chess on Friday night, the teams had another successful outing, with all teams achieving wins.

In Football, it was another great day, with the College going undefeated throughout the day. A special mention goes to the First XI, who played exceptionally well, beating the undefeated Eddies team, securing their first win for the season.

This upcoming weekend is a massive round, with the College facing traditional rivals Marist Ashgrove away. The competition is expected to be fierce, and best of luck to all teams involved.

Queensland Schools Rugby Union Tournament

As mentioned above, the Queensland Schoolboys Rugby Union Tournament took place in Toowoomba over the weekend. The college had 5 boys competing for Met East, and the team performed exceptionally well, winning the tournament on Sunday. A special mention goes to Huw Griffiths, Ben Davies, and Xavier Santos, who were all selected for the Queensland Schoolboys Rugby Union team after the tournament.

AIC Cross Country

On Wednesday, the Laurie's Cross Country Team participated in the AIC Championships at Curlew Park. The team performed exceptionally well, with the Secondary team finishing 3rd and the Primary team finishing 4th. These are fantastic results! We want to extend a special congratulations to our 12 Years and 16 Years Age groups, who performed outstandingly well and won their divisions. There were outstanding results across all age groups, and we congratulate the following students who achieved top 3 finishes:

Scott Preston - 3rd in the Year 5 race

Ethan Trieu - 2nd in the Year 6 race

Lachlan Gordon - 1st in the 12 years race

Hugh Jones-Sheppard - 3rd in the 16 years race

Well done to every boy in the team, and a big thank you to all the coaches led by our Director of Cross Country, Ms. Charlotte Wilson, and Director of Primary Cross Country, Mr. Adam Stokes. The amount of time and effort you all put in was amazing, and we appreciate how hard you all worked.

MR PATRICK BYRON

Head of Sport

Cabaret Concert

Our Cabaret Concert "A Night at the Movies" is on tonight from 6.30pm in ERPAC!
Ensembles: Concert Band 1, Percussion Ensemble 1, Big Band 1, String Orchestra 1, Fellowship of the String, Symphony Orchestra, Guitar Orchestra 1, Brotherhood, Big Brotherhood, Treblehood

Click here for more information

3 & 5 June – Strings Recital | Chapel

6 June – Piano Recital | Chapel

14 June - Intermediate Ensembles Breakfast Concert | ERPAC Foyer 7:30am
Ensembles: String Orchestra 2, Big Band 2, Concert Band 2, Little Brotherhood, Cambiata

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

Our Annual Appeal continues, offering members of our community and beyond the opportunity to support our two tax-deductible charities - the St Laurence's Old Boys' Foundation and the St Laurence's College Building Fund.

Please click here for more information and to make a contribution.

All gifts, great and small, will be greatly appreciated.

Our composting worms are very hungry!

We need old towels, sheets, even clothing - anything that is made of cotton. To our worms these items are delicious.

Items can be brought to Mrs Kilburn's office or left at Reception.

Thank you, community!

MRS NATALEEN KILBURN

Head of Faculty - Humanities 

On Wednesday, Week 8, Mini Vinnies will host the annual Book Swap in the Primary Gallery at both Morning Tea and Lunch. All staff and students in Years 5, 6 and 7 are invited to come to browse and purchase a ‘new’ book for themselves. All items will be $1 and the proceeds with go towards the Indigenous Literacy Foundation ( The Indigenous Literacy Foundation | ILF | reading opens doors charity non-profit).

We are very happy to keep receiving donations of books up until, and including, Wednesday 5^th June. Thank you to the many families who have kindly already done so, and the SLC Library who have also donated a huge range of books. As always, the quality of the books are amazing.

We have run this initiative for over 10 years now and we look forward to another fantastic day of book-buying!

MS KATE FLANAGAN

Primary Teacher

From Saturday 15 June to Sunday 7 July, there will be track closures and travel changes across the train network to undertake crucial Cross River Rail works.

Click here for more information from Translink about these closures. 

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.