AROUND THE COLLEGE & BEYOND

India Night 2025 

Brett Toombs Local Marist Association Coordinator

The College hosted another very successful India Appeal Family Night last Saturday, with over 200 people in attendance. The evening raised an impressive $9000, which will be sent directly to our Marist school in southern India. These funds will assist with the purchase of textbooks, classroom furniture and much-needed refurbishments around the school.

India Night was first introduced in 1995, when Mr Lionel Williamson approached Br Charles Howard, the Marist Provincial Leader of the Sydney Province, with the idea of Saints hosting an event to raise vital funds for our Marist schools in India. Since then, the evening has become a much-loved tradition – a time for families to come together in support of a truly meaningful cause.

A highlight of the night each year is the monster raffle, which plays a major role in generating funds for this fundraiser. The night would not be possible without the generosity of our local Cairns businesses, whose donations make the raffle such a success. We are sincerely grateful for their ongoing support, and I personally thank each business for contributing to this wonderful event.

At Saints, we are privileged to still have an active Marist Brothers community living and working at the College – a presence that enriches our daily lives and reminds us of our Marist values in action. While we are aware this will not be the case beyond 2025, their presence continues to inspire the spirit of service and solidarity that defines our community.

Br John Horgan, Community Leader of the Marist Brothers in Cairns, spent several years living and working at the very school in India to which we dedicate this event. He reflected on his experience below:

“I lived for four years in our formation community in Trichy, Tamil Nadu State, in southern India. Every second Thursday, I travelled by bus to visit our primary and secondary schools and the Brothers’ community in P. Udayapatti, a small village about two hours away. There are around 300 boys in the primary school and about 900 boys and girls in the secondary school. On alternate Thursdays, I travelled to our schools in Mangamanuthu, about three- and-a-half hours away. Both areas are very poor and receive little government support, so the schools depend heavily on help and generosity from others.”

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported India Night 2025. Your participation and generosity reflect the true Marist spirit that lies at the heart of our Saints' community.

Taco Friday

This week, Year 7 Food Technology students explored the Australian beef industry. They investigated sustainable farming practices and learned about the journey of beef from paddock to plate. To end the week, the boys enjoyed putting their knowledge into practice by cooking – and tasting – some delicious beef tacos on Friday.

Embracing Virtual Reality to Master the Metal Lathe

Our Year 11 Engineering students are learning to operate the metal lathe through an immersive virtual reality experience. The simulation introduces key lathe components, safety steps and correct operation in a realistic 360° environment. Students can experience firsthand operation in a risk-free setting before entering the workshop.

This innovative approach combines modern technology with traditional craftsmanship, boosting student engagement and confidence while reinforcing the College’s commitment to hands-on, future-focused learning.