NAIDOC Celebration Assembly

By Bryan Carswell - Indigenous Liaison Officer

This year’s NAIDOC theme is For the Elders. With this theme firmly in our minds Mr Glen Seivers, Mrs Cross and I set about celebrating an ancient culture and honouring the Elders in our midst. The College honoured Yarrabah Elder Mr Alfred Neal, who has sadly only recently passed. Our special invited guests were the family of Mr Neal: his two daughters, Agnes and Josephine (Josephine is the eldest), their daughters and some of Mr Neal’s great-grandchildren. The College is privileged to have two of Mr Neal’s great-grandchildren attend Saints. They are Piiramu and Peter, Peter proudly gave a Welcome to Country at the opening of assembly celebrations in front of his aunties and his grandmothers.

Mr Seivers' address was excellent, warm, respectful and sincere. It was very much appreciated by the Neal family, especially his daughters. This was a true celebration of First Nations culture. Thank you to those First Nations students who fronted their fears and braved the stage to give talks. Well done Peter and congratulations Torres, Anthony, Victor, JJ, Nassar, Subita, and Kael you all did yourselves proud. Thanks for the insight into your totems and culture. Thanks to all the dancers. The audience very much appreciated you sharing this with them. Thank you to the Lui family and Mrs Wright for the practices with the warm-up and dancing. Along with your patience and cultural knowledge, I thank you.

At Saints we respect our Elders, and I’ve witnessed this many times. Just last week, our Saints Elders, Br John, Br Roger and Mr Andrew Dorahy received their awards for service and our community responded with a standing ovation to express their gratitude. It was witnessed by all when our Great Marist Man, Mr Lionel Williamson, retired. These are only a couple of examples of how Saints men respect their Elders. The list is very long.

At Saints we understand this respect for the Elders, which is attributed to the Marist Way. It is right, it is wholesome and it is good.

Elders, from all cultures, are holders of immense knowledge, they are trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones. Today’s young people need their Elders' guidance more than ever to help them stay on the right track. At Saints we express gratitude to our Elders. We pray that this will be a permanent aspect of our culture.

With gratitude for the past, the present and the emerging, let us dedicate not only NAIDOC Week to the Elders, let us always show gratitude to them.

Maths Competition is Well Underway

By Marie-Chantal Oldfield

Maths Olympiad Round 1

This year, we have 19 Year 8 students participating in the APSMO competition. They have been practising over the last few weeks. The competition consists of five rounds of five questions in 30 minutes every six weeks. The first round was on 3 May. James Panevin, Oliver Alden and Blake Watson are on the top of the leaderboard so far. Round 2 will be on 14 June.

Maths Days at St Mary’s Catholic College

Three Year 7 and three Year 8 students participated in a challenging day of maths organised by St Mary’s Catholic College on Thursday 25 May. The following day, four Year 9 students were provided with an enrichment day. Every year, we nominate some of our best mathematicians to participate in these full days of challenging maths activities. This year was unique as students were offered the opportunity to win $100 prize (one per year level) by doing maths online on Maths Space. They had three weeks to show the most growth.

Here is what James Panevin, a Year 8 participant, had to say:

“I would like to thank both the teachers at St Mary’s and Ms Jashar for supervising the group of six students comprising three Year 7 students and three Year 8 students. We had two sessions and during each session we had two activities. After we finished each session, we had a short break. The activities ranged from changing the scales of objects to finding all the prime numbers from one to 200. After we finished both sessions we headed back to the main hall and two prizes were handed out for the winner of the Math Space challenge where each students from multiple schools raced to get the most points over two weeks. St Augustine’s won both awards for Years 7 and 8. Overall it was a memorable and enjoyable experience."

And here is how Mr Cutuli, a Saints mathematics teacher who joined the Year 9 students, explained the day:

“St Mary's Catholic College organised a dynamic mathematics problem-solving session for Year 9 students. The event aimed to improve their problem-solving skills and expose them to practical applications of maths. Students engaged in captivating puzzles and challenges, guided by experienced educators. Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, they gained a deeper understanding of problem-solving methodologies and the real-world relevance of mathematics. The session at St Mary's proved transformative, equipping students with valuable skills and inspiring their curiosity for mathematical exploration.”

I thank every participant for giving up their entire day (and more) to deepen their understanding of mathematics. I also thank St Mary’s Catholic College for the time and effort in organising such inspirational workshops for our young men. Lastly, an immense thank you to Ms Jashar and Mr Cutuli for accompanying our students.

More competitions to come

Both ICAS and AMC competitions will be held next term. Most extension students will have the opportunity to sit those tests from Years 7 to 12.

Preparing Students for a Career in Hospitality

Champagnat Day Lunch

Congratulations to Year 11 Hospitality students who recently spent two lessons preparing menu items for the Champagnat Day lunch for 100 guests.

Menu items prepared by the boys included:

Caprese Picks
Zucchini, Feta & Dill Frittata Bites
Assorted Sandwich trays including Tandoori Chicken, Roasted Apple and Tomato Salsa Sandwiches inspired by our excursion to the Hospitality Roadshow at the Cairns Convention Centre
Coronation Chicken Lettuce Cups
Chocolate Cheesecake Slice Bites
Gluten Free Sandwiches, Sausage Rolls and Lemon Polenta Cakes

These items along with other items provided by Tolles made for a fabulous spread.

Congratulations to Tynan Little who was awarded the Good Bloke of the Week Award for his love of work. Tynan gave up his lunch breaks to prepare menu items and clean up after the event.

Hospitality Roadshow at the Cairns Convention Centre

Year 11 Hospitality recently attended the Hospitality Roadshow at the Cairns Convention Centre.

The day was broken into practical activities, forums and Q & A sessions with hospitality industry representatives.

The boys particularly enjoyed the Mixology session - mixing an alcohol free Aperol Spritz and Pina Colada.

We also did scone making in one of the 10 servery/kitchens and managed to find out about the ingredients in the delicious sandwiches provided for our lunch by speaking to the Chef. A highlight for many of the boys was touring the various Convention Centre venues and behind the scenes of those venues with AV Production Supervisor Ian Southall.

We were pleased to catch up with Mitchell Schirripa (Hospitality Class of 2022) and see Liam Sands (Hospitality Class of 2020) from afar as he was up in the rigging. Mitchell and Liam are working at the Convention Centre.

A Reflection of Year 8 Camp

A speech presented to the Saints community by our Year 8 boys reflecting on their camp experience.

By Jake Caldwell

Good morning, Mr Seivers, reverend Brothers, staff and Men of Saints.

Today, Mawson and I are privileged with sharing our incredible experience at the Year 8 camp held at the magnificent Fitzroy Island. It was a journey filled with adventure, bonding and unforgettable memories. Allow me to take you on a brief tour of this remarkable event.

Fitzroy Island, our camp venue, provided the most amazing natural setting one could imagine. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and lush greenery, it was a paradise waiting to be explored. The very sight of the island as the ferry approached took our breath away and set the stage for an extraordinary adventure.

One of the highlights of the camp was camping in tents with our mates. Sharing laughs, stories and a few sneaky late-night chats made the experience even more special. It created a sense of camaraderie and strengthened our friendships.

But the best part was the activities we engaged in. Snorkelling with the experienced Mr Williams, allowed us to discover the mesmerizing underwater world, teeming with vibrant coral reefs and a plethora of marine life. It was like stepping into a whole new universe, and the awe-inspiring beauty beneath the surface left us speechless.

Paddleboarding with the one and only 'Rob Dog' was an experience like no other. Gliding through the turquoise waters, we felt a sense of freedom and serenity. Mr Robertson’s guidance and enthusiasm made the activity even more enjoyable, and we couldn't help but marvel at the beauty that surrounded us.

By Mawson Cooley

Hiking to the summit of Fitzroy Island was a test of our physical endurance and determination. The steep trails challenged us, but the breathtaking panoramic views from the top made every step worthwhile. It was a reminder of our ability to conquer challenges and reach new heights.

The fun didn't stop there. Playing at the beach was an absolute blast. We buried each other, played beach footy, swam in the warm water and soaked up the sun. It was pure joy and a welcome break from our daily routines.

At nightfall, we gathered for the exhilarating game of Lantern Stalk. The thrill of the chase, combined with the soft glow of the lantern, created an atmosphere of mystery and adventure. It was a perfect way to bond with our peers and create lasting memories.

And let's not forget about the food! Foxy's, the local provider, delivered mouth-watering meals that left us feeling energised and satisfied. From delicious lunches to hearty dinners, they truly exceeded our expectations.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the amazing staff who accompanied us on this journey. Their dedication, guidance and support ensured that we had a safe and memorable experience. A special thanks goes to Mr Hume for organising this incredible camp and bringing all these fantastic activities together.

In conclusion, the Year 8 camp at Fitzroy Island was a transformative experience. It allowed us to connect with nature, build lasting friendships and discover our strengths. We are immensely grateful to everyone involved in making this camp a resounding success.

The JCU UniX Year 8 Experience

The JCU UniX Year 8 Experience was a compulsory program held during Year 8 camp week at James Cook University, Nguma-bada Campus, Smithfield.

The JCU UniX Year 8 Experience allows students to sample what it’s like to study different subjects broadly covering science, engineering, medicine, nursing, education, social sciences, business, law and the creative arts. The day provided students with various career tasters to help identify and shape their future ambitions, assist them with their subject choices for their senior schooling years, and to promote positive post-school pathways to tertiary education.

Sessions included interactive, hands-on, and engaging learning experiences, delivered to both large and small student groups, rotating through various sessions throughout the day.

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