AROUND THE COLLEGE & BEYOND

Building Friendships and Embracing Nature on Fitzroy Island

By NIcola Roberts, Head of Year

Year 8 students recently embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Fitzroy Island. There they spent several days immersed in natural beauty while building lasting friendships and creating cherished memories.

The boys were fantastic throughout the trip. Their enthusiasm and camaraderie were evident as they engaged in a variety of activities, demonstrating impeccable manners and a positive attitude. The camp offered a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, ensuring that every student had an enriching experience.

The days were filled with exciting activities such as snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and hiking. Nudey Beach, with its picturesque white corals and crystal-clear waters, provided a serene spot for the students to unwind and cool off in the waves. The boys also showcased their resilience and teamwork during the night, when a perfectly timed tropical downpour tested their tent-building skills. Despite this, their spirits remained high, and they embraced the opportunity to learn and grow together.

The camp on Fitzroy Island was more than just an adventure; it was a chance for the students to appreciate the beautiful place they call home. The stunning natural scenery provided a backdrop for reflection and appreciation.

As the boys returned to Cairns, they brought with them not only stories of their adventures, but also stronger bonds with one another and a deeper respect for their environment. The camp was an amazing experience, filled with laughter, learning and memories that will last a lifetime.

Our Year 10s Impress Bosses During Work Experience 

Here is a link to a great video of the boys working around Cairns. 

QAMT Maths Enrichment Day

By Mr Andrei Dobrota

The Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers (QAMT) recently organised a series of Maths Enrichment days for Years 7 and Year 9 students at St Augustine’s and St Mary’s schools, catering to students from Cairns and the surrounding areas. QAMT demonstrated its ongoing commitment to fostering a love for mathematics and enhancing educational experiences through innovative approaches. These activities included engaging maths challenges and the use of technology from Texas Instruments and MathSpace, offering students a unique and enriching learning opportunity.

A Mock Court, Mooting and a Business Challenge

By Mr Jon Sorensen - Head of Humanities

Business Liaison Association (BLA) Mock Court

Two Year 10 teams from Saints participated in the annual BLA Mock Court at the Cairns Courthouse on the evening of 30 May. The two teams analysed a complex criminal trial regarding grievous bodily harm. Both acted for the defence and were fortunate to have the assistance of Old Boys of the College, Christian Peters and Matt Hancock. 

The first team came up against a strong Prosecution from Redlynch State College. The line of questioning from barristers Jamal Goncalves and Hayden Coombs, provided a strong foundational base to ensure the jury found in favour of the Defence.  A special mention goes to Court Officer Cooper Napoli Krombolz for his attention to detail in organising witnesses and assisting the judge with administrative matters. This team consisted of:

1. Callan Northage – witness
2. Rohan Tortike – witness
3. Hayden Coombs – barrister
4. Jamal Goncalves – barrister
5. Lachlan Turner – solicitor 
6. Cooper Napoli Krombolz – Court Officer/Bailiff

The second team came up against a strategic St Mary’s Catholic College team. A strong opening address by barrister Leon Torrisi set the scene for the Defence. A compelling line of questioning from barrister Nicholas Maynard and a persuasive closing address from Luc Rinehart found the defendant not guilty. The second team consisted of:

1. Leon Torrisi – barrister
2. Nicholas Maynard – barrister
3. Luc Rinehart – barrister
4. Jonah Cava – witness
5. William Gaul – witness
6. Lachlan Hurst – Court Officer/Bailiff

It was an excellent experience for all involved, and a special thanks to the BLA and the Cairns Courthouse for allowing this event to take place. 

Bond University High School Mooting Competition  

The College participated in the preliminary round of the Bond University National High School Mooting Competition on 15 May. A moot is a simulated legal debate. Our mooting team consisted of:

1. Senior counsel – Thomas Dummel
2. Junior counsel – Kadyn Marino
3. Solicitor – Declan Cantamessa 

The team prepared their arguments on a complex civil law case for two months. The moot took place via Zoom and the team performed their respective roles effectively and answered questions from the bench with confidence and legal justification. Unfortunately, we failed to obtain a top 10 position, however, the judges commended the team for their research and attention to detail. Our Senior Counsel, Thomas Dummel, obtained an honourable mention for advocacy for his efforts in the moot. 

CQU Schools Business Challenge

 Two Year 12 teams from St Augustine’s participated in the CQU Schools Business Challenge, a state-wide competition, on Wednesday, 22 May at CQU Cairns City Campus. The students answered various multiple-choice questions on accounting, legal, economics and business concepts. The teams were joint winners for the Cairns region and have progressed to the state-wide final. The students who participated were:

• Alessio Marras
• Rohan Gaul 
• Thomas Dummel
• Declan Cantamessa
• Gus Rolfe
• Jack Rix
• Matthew Pitts
• Benjamin Field 

The students have earned a scholarship at CQU if they elect to study there. In the final, the teams must provide recommendations, via a video presentation, on a business case study set by CQU. The recommendations are due by next Wednesday.