For the last newsletter of Term 2, Mr Leadbetter has produced a video for your enjoyment.

Please view it HERE.

MR CHRIS LEADBETTER

Principal

Growing Good Men: Father Son Camp

Growing Good Men is an experientially-based program which encourages and enables fathers and sons to strengthen their relationship and to explore important issues of growing into manhood. It is designed for fathers and their adolescent sons aged 12 to 16 years (school years between 7 and 10) and explores:

• The importance of the father and son bond for both generations 

• The journey of adolescence 

• Becoming a man 

• Dealing with anger 

• Friendship with girls and women 

• The quest for identity 

• Rite of Passage 

Set over a weekend, the program involves a short keynote sessions, small group and father/son sharing, a wide range of challenging and engaging activities (which may include high ropes courses or similar adventure activities), reflection and prayer. The centrepiece of the program is a Rite of Passage on Saturday night. The weekend concludes with a Father’s Blessing and commissioning.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Wanted! Confraternity Mass Singers

Calling all students who enjoy singing at Mass. We are putting a Mass choir together for the Confraternity Mass at ERPAC on Sunday 25 June. The mass will involve 1,400 Rugby League players from around Queensland and will be celebrated by the Archbishop with a number of priests. The music will be accompanied by our own Worship Band. If you like singing at school masses and are happy to help, please put your name down using this link and we will be in touch with details. Register for Confraternity Carnival - Band and Singers

MR PAUL CORFIELD

Dean of Identity and Community

Mid-Year Break

The mid-year break is a wonderful opportunity to refresh and renew before a busy Term 3. I advise students to take this opportunity to not only relax and recharge, but also participate in activities that are active and life-giving such as acts of service, volunteering and exercise.

Semester 2 Year 7 and Year 9 subject selection

Term 3 brings a whole range of subject information and selection for both Year 7 and Year 9 students. This is an exciting time where students are able to choose subjects that they have an interest in; choose subjects that help prepare them for future pathways, such as University prerequisites; and subjects where they are likely to experience success. Below are the two timelines for both the Year 9 and Year 7 subject selection processes.

More information will be forthcoming early next Term.

Year 9 (Year 10 2024)

Year 7 (Year 8 2024)

Year 12 Opt-In Confirmation Event

A small number of Senior subjects (English, English and Literature Extension, Literature, English as an Additional Language, Business, General Maths, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Maths, Philosophy and Reason, Study of Religion and Physical Education) have chosen to participate in the opt-in confirmation event. This enables subject results to be confirmed early, and for students and staff to experience certainty in their results. These results will be confirmed early next Term, and students can check their QCAA Learning account from Tuesday 18 July.

Conclusion

I wish students and their families a very restful and safe June/July holidays. I wish those staff and students who are participating in co-curricular activities over the holidays, namely Confraternity Rugby League Carnival, the very best of luck.

Live Jesus in our hearts…Forever!

DR LIAM HERBERT

Dean of Teaching and Learning

Academic Prefect BBQ – Year 10 Students

On Friday of Week 8, the Academic Prefects organised and ran a BBQ for the Year 10 students, as a gesture to welcome them to their first exam block. The prefects spoke to the cohort during the week to give them some ideas on how to approach the week and to outline some of the expectations during an exam block. This follows on from their masterclasses which were run to assist students with exam preparation and time management skills.

ELEVATE Education

As previously advertised, ELEVATE Education will run a number of free webinars online for Lauries parents. The next webinar is on Wednesday 21 June, and is focussed on Exam Room Skills – Minimising Stress and Maximising Marks. The details of this free webinar are below:

Webinar: Exam Room Skills – Minimising Stress and Maximising Marks

Date: Wednesday 21 June

Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm (AEST)

The webinar will discuss:

• What to do in the final days before any test or assessment
• How to establish a good routine for the night before
• How to optimise exam-room performance

Registration for the free webinar can be accessed here.

MR ANDREW NEWCOMBE

Head of Teaching and Learning - Senior School

BIG BAND 2

Big Band 2 students entertained the Café Edmund crowd last Friday morning with some groovy jazz tunes. A big thank you to our soloists; Samson Stagnitti, Sebastien Kendall, Patrick Bradford, Joseph Arroyo Rivas and Lachlan Skillen.

PIANO RECITALS

On Monday 12 June, two Piano Recitals were held for students in Years 5-12 in the Chapel to a warm and supportive family audience. The boys each performed a solo piece, some from beginner level through to those playing advanced classical and jazz music. We were also treated to several duets that the boys have been working hard on this term. Well done to all students!

HOLIDAY MUSIC EVENTS

•  25 June – Mass for Confraternity Rugby League Competition (ERPAC) - Mass choir & musicians. Opening Mass will be held in the ERPAC auditorium on Sunday 25 June at 6pm. 
• 7-9 July – Pemulwuy National Male Voice Festival – Brotherhood Choir

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

DATE CLAIMERS FOR TERM 3

• Tuesday 11 July – Lauries Music Support Group (LMSG) Meeting MU1 (VAPA building). 
  
• Monday 17 – Friday 21 July | LIZID Music Festival (Performances by our Rock Bands throughout the week on campus.)
• Monday 17 July - Jazzin’ Up the Mall (String Orchestras 1 & 2, Concert Bands 1 & 2, Big Bands 1 & 2)
• Wednesday 19 July - Jazzin’ Up the Mall (String Orchestra 3, Concert Band 3, Big Band 3)
• Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July - Intermediate Music Camp 
• Wednesday 2 August - Year 5 Music Night (All Year 5 Ensembles - Year 5 Concert Band, Year 5 Guitar Orchestra, Year 5 String Orchestra and Year 5 Musicianship perform for family and friends)

• Friday 4 August - Music Trivia Night “Out of this World” @ 6:30pm (ERPAC) 

Join us for a fun-filled night as the Lauries Music Support Group (LMSG) and Music Department host a Trivia Night with tickets available soon. 

• Monday 14 August – Vocal Recital 
• Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 August - Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festival (Villanova College, Coorparoo). Ensembles performing: Concert Bands 1, 2 & 3, Big Bands 1, 2 & 3, String Orchestras 1, 2 & 3, Symphony Orchestra, Guitar Orchestras 1 & 2, Treblehood, Cambiata, Little Brotherhood, Brotherhood, Big Brotherhood and Year 5 Musicianship.

• Thursday 24 August - Strictly Strings Concert

Ensembles performing:  Year 5 String Orchestra, String Orchestras 1, 2 & 3, Symphony Orchestra and Fellowship of the String 

• Friday 25 August - Band Blast Concert

Ensembles performing:  Year 5 Concert Band, Concert Bands 1, 2 & 3 and Percussion Ensembles 1 & 2 

• Tuesday 29 August - Choral & Guitar Concert

Ensembles performing:  Treblehood, Cambiata, Little Brotherhood, Brotherhood, Big Brotherhood and Guitar Orchestra 1.

• Friday 8 September – Finale Concert 2 @ 5pm (McElligott Theatre) 

Ensembles performing: Guitar Orchestra 2 and Year 5 Guitar Orchestra

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.

Wishing everyone a wonderful break and we look forward to sharing many more performances by our talented students in Term 3.

Head of Instrumental Music

Congratulations to the First XV Rugby Team for claiming the AIC Premiership – undefeated. This is the fourth season in a row that the team has been undefeated and is a testament to the commitment of the boys in the squad and the passion and expertise of the staff that support them. Congratulations to every boy in the team and to Mr du Plessis (Head Coach), Mr Sheehan and Mr Mark English (Assistant Coaches), Mr Scahill (Manager), Dr Felix Leung (Physio) and Mr Barnes (Trainer).

Congratulations to the First IV Chess Team for claiming their premiership – undefeated. The team's preparation and the commitment of the boys to achieve this result is equal to any other First team. Countless hours of practising, going through game strategies, “openings”, “End games” have paid off for the boys and staff with this success. Congratulations to all boys in the squad who played this year and to Ms Lynch (Chess Coordinator), Ms Wardrop (Senior Coordinator), Mr Jack Rodgers and Mr Iago Roche-Maxwell (Elite Coaches).

Our First XI finished runners-up in the AIC Premiership. While they did not retain the trophy from 2022, this year’s team should be incredibly proud of their commitment both on and off the field to build Lauries Football. The work of the whole squad in mentoring and supporting the younger players in the program should be congratulated. Well done to all First XI squad members and to Mr Knight (Head Coach), Mr Heshusius (Manager), Mr Christos Tharenou (Assistant Coach/Goalkeeping Coach) and Mr James Reginato (Game day Physio).

While our “premier” teams have excelled, it has been equally impressive this term to see all of our teams compete. The College has achieved incredible results in both the overall aggregate competitions for the three sports and individual premierships in those sports. The Rugby program finished fourth in the overall aggregate- claiming the First XV, 10B and 8B premierships. Congratulations to all boys who played Rugby this year and to Mr Richards (Director). The Chess program finished a very narrow second place in the AIC Chess Aggregate competition. Our First IV and Senior B Chess teams claimed premierships. Congratulation to all boys who played Chess this year and to Ms Lynch (AIC Chess Coordinator). The results of our Football program this year have been unprecedented. This year we have been able to secure six AIC premierships – 2nd XI, 4th XI, 10A, 9B, 7A and 7B and in the 12 premierships that make up the AIC Aggregate – Lauries teams finished in the top three for every premiership! Along with the AIC premierships- the College secured the following ‘premierships’ or ‘undefeated seasons’ with the following teams- 7th XI, 7 Gold, 6A, 5A and 5B. With such strong overall performances by our teams- it is deserving that St Laurence’s College is the 2023 AIC Football Aggregate Champions! Congratulations to every boy who participated in Football this year and to Mr Wiltshire (Director). Special thanks to our Manchester City Football School Coach- Mr Davies who worked across a large number of teams throughout the season.

A huge trimester of sport like this could not occur without the support of a large number of people. St Laurence’s College still leads the way in the Association for the number of staff members who volunteer their time to assist with coaching and managing teams. The involvement of staff members in our Sports program cannot be underestimated in the College’s overall success. Thank you to all of our incredible Old Boy coaches who have done another incredible job in supporting our programs this term along with parent volunteers.

It is important that we also acknowledge our College Leadership Team. Without their leadership and support our sports program would definitely not give the number of quality opportunities that we are able to cater for.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved with Chess, Football and Rugby this term!

Confraternity Rugby League Carnival 

We are now only nine days away from what will be the biggest carnival the College has ever hosted. The Confraternity Shield Rugby League Carnival will bring together teams from schools throughout Queensland- 64 teams in total representing 54 teams across boys and girls divisions. To conduct such an event, over 200 community members – students, staff, parents and community volunteers will be working throughout the week to deliver the carnival. Thank you to everyone in the community involved.

An exciting part of the carnival for our team participating will be playing their first game of the carnival at Suncorp Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Broncos NRL game on Sunday 25 June. This will be an added highlight for the boys in what is hopefully a huge week.

Holiday Activities

Please check the College app for Holiday sport information. Particularly in the week beginning Monday 3 July- there is a large amount happening for Basketball and Tennis. These include holiday clinics, trial games and the College Tennis Age Championships.

Wishing everyone in the community a safe Winter Holiday period.

MR EDDIE WALLACE 

Head of Sport

The College wishes to advise families of a change in the recruitment process for the Manchester City Football School. 

Placement for current students into the program will be based on participation and performance in the AIC season. Only potential new or students yet to commence at the College will be required to trial.

Should there be any questions, please contact the College via email at mancity@slc.qld.edu.au.

Enrol into our Speech and Drama Program for Term 3.

Does your son love Theatre Sports? Drama games? Acting and public performance?

More importantly do you want your son to improve his presenting skills in all their classes? Expand their debating skills?

Would you like your son to learn how to breathe properly to reduce stress, anxiety, and speak with confidence.

We also offer Trinity Guildhall and AMEB exam which improve ATAR scores, recognised practical exams that add to your university application?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, Speech and Drama is for your son! Contact the Music Department for enrolment information and forms – music@slc.qld.edu.au

Email lduggan@slc.qld.edu.au for more information.

Thank you so much to the whole Lauries community for what has been our biggest and best ILF Book Swap.

As you can see from the photos, the Primary boys were very happy with all of their new purchases and the ILF will walk away with over $1000! This is an incredible amount of money to raise and is our largest amount to date.

Indeed we had so many books, that we have also been able to donate six full boxes to St Brendan’s at Moorooka, replenish our own Gallery library and give a full box to Treacy House’s Care Kits for Kids.

We were overwhelmed with the Lauries community’s generosity, and as such have been able to give back to so many different groups in return.

Thank you parents and students for helping support this amazing initiative.

The Royal International Convention Centre will play host to the Lauries Gala Dinner in 2023 on Saturday 2 September.

St Laurence’s College’s premium night out for our community members is a great chance to share a meal and conversation with new and old friends while raising money for the St Laurence’s Old Boys Foundation and St Laurence’s College Building Fund.

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. 

Planning for Sony Camp 2023 has commenced, and we are looking for any parents with qualifications as a nurse, doctor or paramedic who would be willing to volunteer their time and assist us on this camp. The camp is an overnight camp and takes place on 16 - 18 September and will be held here on sight at the College.

If you have any questions or would like to seek further information can you please email James Mendoza (Head of Service Learning) at sonycampapplications@slc.qld.edu.au

The students that are going on the Vietnam Immersion Tour – Building across Borders would like to thank the community for their support at Back to Runcorn last weekend. The boys ended up raising enough money to cover the building costs of one of the houses to be built in the September holidays.

Winners:

• 1st Prize was won by Mr Matt Laughton – Ashgrove 
• 2nd Prize – Mrs Pink – Ashgrove
• 3rd & 4th Prizes – Hansell and Barker families – SLC