AROUND THE COLLEGE & BEYOND
What's happening?
St Augustine's College Cairns
Anzac Day
Mr Larry Bellshaw
Our Prefects represented the College at the Dawn Service, which was very well attended. Evan and Jack-Levi laid a wreath on behalf of St Augustine's. The turnout was a powerful reminder of the importance of honouring our armed servicemen for their sacrifice and service in securing our freedom.
Later in the morning, a large crowd was on hand along the Cairns Esplanade to honour servicemen and women both past and present. Representing the College, Ruben Trevino, William Johnston, Benjamin Pollock and Johnathan Van Der Zwan acted as banner carriers, leading the various contingents that participated in the parade. The boys did so with the respect and dignity befitting the occasion, in the process receiving thanks from the organisers. Thanks go to Mrs Cross for coordinating Saints' participation and parents for organising their sons for the early morning start.
Gaining an Insight into the Furnishings Industry Over Breakfast
Mr Mitch Birt
Year 11 Furnishings students recently attend the Business Liaison Association's (BLA) Manufacturing Breakfast in Cairns, which brought together local industry, employers and training organisations to discuss pathways into the workforce.
The breakfast featured guest speakers from the building, construction and furnishings industries, including local business owners, apprentices and industry representatives. Each speaker talked about their career and highlighted the skills, attitudes and work ethic they look for in young people entering the trade. A strong focus was placed on real-world expectations, workplace safety, teamwork and the value of completing apprenticeships or further training.
For the boys, the excursion was a valuable chance to see how the skills they are developing in Furnishings and Manufacturing connect directly to future careers. They gained insight into local employment opportunities, learned about industry pathways after school and heard, first-hand, how classroom learning can translate into successful, hands‑on careers.
Overall, the BLA Breakfast encouraged students to think about their next steps, set future goals, and understand the importance of professionalism, commitment and lifelong learning within the trade and construction industries.
St Augustine's Competes at the Science and Engineering Challenge
Ms Deb Fish
Thirty-one of our Year 10 students recently represented the College at the Science and Engineering Challenge at Newman College. They competed against seven other schools. Run by the University of Newcastle in partnership with James Cook University, the event offered a hands-on STEM experience beyond the classroom.
Students worked in teams to complete challenges such as building bridges, wiring cities, designing eco habitats, and creating aeroplanes. These tasks required strong teamwork, problem-solving and creativity.
The day was both competitive and engaging, with students demonstrating enthusiasm and resilience throughout. It also provided valuable insight into future STEM pathways, making it a rewarding experience for all involved.
