Save the date for the Salvation Army Doorknock Appeal.
Saturday 27 May from 8am-12pm.

Young Leaders Breakfast

Patrick Maher and Kaleb Howard attended the Young Leaders Breakfast organised by the Business Liaison Association. It was well organised and the guest speakers shared valuable lessons derived from their personal leadership journeys. There was a common thread that was woven through each speech, “people they lead and work with, matter”. This was so refreshing to hear!

They also stated very clearly that hurdles will exist, but if you have a self-improvement mindset and you think dynamically you will find that every problem has a solution. They encouraged the students to embrace the experiences they are given as they will shape the person they become. Another noteworthy piece of advice was to always act with integrity and connect with people as often as you can. Human connections need time, energy and presence.

Patrick’s takeaway was “Vital leadership skills are communication, resilience and to be approachable” Kaleb’s takeaway was “Valuable leadership qualities are to have good communication, to have resilience and to take every available opportunity”.

Child Labour Continues in our World Today: Congolese Children are in Danger

At boarders’ Mass last Sunday, Fr Jim, a Marist priest from NSW, gave a very thought-provoking homily. He presented us with some disturbing facts about Congo, which is the largest exporter of the raw mineral, Cobalt. Cobalt is used to make rechargeable batteries, a must in our modern world in a society so reliant on mobile phones. Who can live without their mobile phone? He explained that the people of Congo, but particularly the children, are being exploited in a most horrendous way which will severely impact their life expectancy and cause major health issues. They have no other choice but to work otherwise, they face starvation.

Fr Jim challenged the students to count the number of hours they spend on their phones and donate one cent per hour to a fund that provides education and food for the children in this situation. If a student spends 20 hours a week on their phone, that equates to only a $10.40 donation per year. Multiple that by the number of students in this school that would be $8000. Imagine what a difference that would make. These children make a pound a week. The Good Shephard Sisters can only help as many people as the donations can be stretched to help. Any donations to them will go directly to the children. If you would like to donate please click on this LINK.

If you are interested in learning more about this please follow this LINK.

Ride for Rosies

Thirty-four boys rode around the Smith Park Velodrome for an hour last Friday to raise funds and awareness for Rosies. The boys began their journey two and a half weeks earlier by gaining pledged support from sponsors in the community. Sponsors could sponsor their rider per lap or in bulk. On Friday, Years 7 to 12 students rode for one hour. In that hour, 1833 laps (733+ km) were ridden, with Year 8 achieving the highest laps-per-rider ratio (72.6). Students are now collecting funds from their sponsors.

By Rhett Gadd (Year 10)

We aimed to raise approximately $181 per rider more than last year to beat the total of $6,800. My neighbours and I were doing the ride, so one afternoon we went door knocking and collected some donations. It was not till the week before I realised, I better ask some relatives for pledges per lap if I wanted to reach the goal. The week of the ride I had donations piled up hoping to get my lap goal of 55. As my dad and I arrived at the Cairns velodrome, I was doubting myself and very nervous. As my mates and I lined up to start, I began to get excited, and my heartbeat rose as Mr Elliott counted down. All my doubts left me as the adrenaline kicked in and I couldn't stop peddling.

By Cooper Sherriff (Year 10)

Arriving at Ride for Rosie 2023 was exciting; I got to ride with mates for an hour for a good cause. Riding the outside lane of the velodrome on an enduro mountain bike, we watched as the road riders raced past us in a tight pack. It was exciting as Mr Elliott gave encouragement and made jokes over the loudspeaker. The first 45 minutes were a casual ride as my mates and I rode around the track talking and joking. As my watch vibrated for the last 15 minutes we picked up the pace and raced each other gaining laps and money for Rosies. The whole ride was a fun experience. Even though it wasn’t a race it was still fun.

The College expresses gratitude to the participants, parents who provided support and volunteered, and the Cairns Cycling Club for the highly successful second Ride for Rosies. Keep an eye on St Augustine’s social media pages for total funds raised.

Rosies

By Mrs Michelle Peut

Having attended Rosies on several occasions, my utmost respect goes to the selfless generosity of the little red army which gathers weekly to provide upwards of 80 people with a hot meal and a kind word. On each visit, I am struck by the wide variety of people from all walks of life, including the elderly and young children, who are in need. It is also hard to ignore, the need for this type of support is sadly growing. Gathering for a meal allows the opportunity for conversation, human contact and a sense of belonging in the community. It strikes me that there has not been a single night when our Saints team has not been thanked warmly and wholeheartedly by patrons. The gratitude for something we take for granted is humbling.

The food does not fall out of the sky, however, and it was noted by the Rosies team last visit that economic hardship is hitting at every level and donations are becoming harder and harder to source.

Thankfully, service is alive and well at Saints and an enthusiastic peloton of nearly 40 young men (under the leadership of teacher Mr Chad Elliott) and several staff members signed up to Ride for Rosies last Friday. Each rider sought sponsorship either per lap or by donation with the money going directly to supporting Rosies in Cairns. It was a great success: the weather was perfect and over 1800 lapses were ridden. I thank our Saints family for getting behind these riders and for giving a little extra to help an incredibly worthwhile cause.

Youth Reach Camp 2023

Reach has been operating since 2016 and is a youth ministry that is supported by Seville and the Sisters of Mercy and the Diocese of Cairns. Our Secondary Youth Group meets fortnightly on a Sunday at Seville Mercy Conference Centre if this is of interest to your students. There is an upcoming 2023 Reach Youth Camp which is an annual event that supports the young people in our Diocese.

Couch Charity Fun Run!

The COUCH Charity Fun Run is happening as part of the IRONMAN Cairns Festival. It helps a great cause and helps the community be part of the IRONMAN Experience.

This event will take place Friday morning of race week (16 June) and will be filled with fun and laughter with a bit of exercise on the side.

The 5km course will lead you up the Cairns Esplanade to soak up the morning rays before heading back the way you came and finishing under the official IRONMAN Finishers Arch in Lagoon Car Park. All proceeds from this event will be donated to COUCH – the Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health.

The theme is all about COLOUR! Why? There are so many different types of cancer, all represented by a different awareness colour. Because COUCH is all about supporting Far North Queenslanders affected by all types of cancer – we’d love you to wear whatever awareness colour you’d like or wear them all! Every participant is making a difference in the lives of locals living with Cancer and we appreciate you being part of it! There is a call for volunteers again this year. If you’d like to help this year, please let Mrs Cross know so more information can be shared. The volunteer shift will run from 5:30am – 8.30am.

Please register click HERE

Date: 16 June

Distance: 5km

Time: 7.35am

Check in: 6.00am – 7.15am

12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.

FB EVENT: Please click this LINK

STAFF UPDATES

From Heath McKenzieDirector of Administration

Kathy Almond Wins Art Education Excellence Medal

From Heath McKenzie
Director of Administration