AROUND THE COLLEGE & BEYOND

Our Year 10s Go Bush 

Our Year 10 students, split into two daring groups –  the Explorers and the Prospectors – embarked on an unforgettable adventure during last week's Chillagoe Outback Experience. Over five action-packed days, these young adventurers pushed their limits with 35km of hiking, navigation and army command challenges, fishing, bush cooking and spectacular star gazing.

The rugged terrain tested their endurance and teamwork as both groups camped under the vast outback skies. The navigation and army command activities brought out strategic thinking and leadership, while the fishing and bush cooking sessions taught valuable survival skills and a deep appreciation for nature’s bounty.

After fierce competition and incredible efforts, the winning groups were crowned: the Paratroopers and the Bush Bashers. Congratulations to these teams for their resilience and teamwork.

Several students stood out as emerging leaders during the experience, including Gus Quilty, River Simpson-Leitner, Zai Laifoo, Isaac Whiteside, Joey Little, Beau Frazer, Joshua Page, Harrison Nielsen, Benjamin Johnson, Patrick Mullen, Samson Pittorino and Caleb Nish. Special mention goes to Cruz Vang-Ly and Sebastian Fessard, who proved to be the most successful fishermen, showcasing their skills in the outback waterways.

A big thank you to teaching and maintenance staff for their continued hard work and support of the Year 10 camp and to the Crosslands family, once again, for the use of Chillagoe Station.

Young Legal Minds Impress Judges at Brisbane Mooting Competition

Three teams from St Augustine’s College participated in the QUT High School Mooting Competition from 31 July to 3 August. They argued for the prosecution and for the defence with respect to two charges:Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm and Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm.

The competition was judged by 10 academics in the QUT Law School, nine employees from the Director of Public Prosecutions (including consultant crown prosecutors and principal crown prosecutors), 12 practising solicitors and five law students.

QUT hosted the competition at their Gardens Point campus in Brisbane, where they provided us with personalised presentations and tours of the campus. A massive thank you to QUT staff and volunteers.

Our teams have returned from the mooting competition with some impressive results against interstate competitors (including Cranbrook from Sydney) and over 60 teams across Queensland. Special congratulations to William Ward. He achieved the highest individual speaker score of all regional teams – an incredible accomplishment that reflects his preparation, composure and advocacy skills under pressure. This result earned William the equal third-highest score against Brisbane Girls Grammar School and Holland Park SHS for that first round as an individual speaker. A phenomenal effort!

In the final rounds, Holland Park State High School (prosecution) v Cranbrook School 2 (defence), and Mueller College 1 (prosecution) v Brisbane Girls Grammar School 3 (defence), with the 2023 winners, BGGS, again taking home first place for 2025. Big congratulations to those and the other teams.

Saints teams also enjoyed various educational experiences. We met the General Counsel and Executive Director for the Department of Local Government, Sport, Recreation, the Olympics and Paralympics to discuss contemporary legal issues and career pathways in the law. Students also met a partner in a top-tier law firm in Brisbane to further expand their understanding of career pathways in law.

We visited iconic legal practice places including Inns of Court, state and federal court complexes and other iconic places where significant events are occurring that will reshape Queensland.  We also visited the Brisbane Powerhouse World Press Photography Exhibition. We enjoyed a Greek banquet dinner at West End, a New Farm Bowls Club lunch, and  dinner at Victoria Park to examine the impact of planned changes ahead of the Brisbane Olympics. 

Our students not only represented the College with skill and professionalism but also demonstrated the strength of legal studies in our region and profound insights. We are proud of every participant for his dedication and teamwork.

Hospitality Students Wow with Their Culinary Creations

The irresistible food prepared by our Year 12 Hospitality students, under the watchful eye of their teacher, Mrs McKenzie, is always a hit.A crush of hungry teachers – and even hungrier boys – gathers at the servery of the student café on Tuesdays and Fridays during recess or “first lunch” to enjoy the latest taste sensations.

Last Tuesday was no exception and the menu featured: Max's Grilled Lemon Chicken Salad and Baked Feta with Toasted Baguette; Sebby's Grilled Lamb Salad and Prawn and Pesto Open Sandwich; Lucas and Naz's Pork Meatball Banh Mi; and Jerome and Thomas's Thai Chilli Chicken Stir-Fry (with bok choy & Thai basil). The basil used in the Banh Mi and the chicken dish was grown in the Hospitality herb garden. James did a great job on the Carrot Cake, Noah made the Banana Cake and Harry did an amazing Baked Cheesecake, no cracks and so smooth. Everything is reasonably priced, too.

While Mrs McKenzie ensures the café runs smoothly during service, school officers Ms Marino and Mr Calvert make sure that workstations are cleaned, dishes are put through the dishwasher, and that food leaves the kitchen rather than being eaten by its cooks! 

There’s an old showbiz saying: “Always leave them wanting more." It turns out, the same applies to cooking –  week after week, Saints’ customers return for dishes they simply can’t resist.