AROUND THE COLLEGE & BEYOND

From the Head of Health and Physical Education  (HPE)

John Brimstone

A new year brings new excitement for students and increasing enthusiasm for their involvement in classes. This semester the department will continue to provide a variety of quality experiences in a wide range of physical activities. To do this effectively, there are several things we would like you to know about our classes.

Using off-site facilities

To enhance our HPE program, during practical classes we use many local sporting facilities which means your son will travel off campus by bus or on foot. This semester, these locations will include Barlow Park, Your Fitness Gym, Cairns Golf Club, West Cairns Bowls Club and the Cairns Youth Centre. If you have any concerns about this, please don’t hesitate to email me: jbrimstone@cns.catholic.edu.au 

At least one spare sport uniform is needed for practical classes

If your son is doing HPE, he will be participating in at least two practical lessons a week. In these lessons boys must wear their full sport uniform. Coupled with sport on Wednesday, he will be using this uniform frequently, and it is important that he has more than one uniform to ensure he can participate in all classes.

A hat must be worn during outdoor practical lessons

The prevalence of skin cancer in Australia is confronting. We live in a part of the country where the sun’s ultraviolet rays are extreme and unforgiving. Often our HPE lessons are outdoors, exposing us to this harmful environment. Therefore, it is compulsory for all students to own and wear a Saints hat when participating in outdoor physical activity. It is recommended that your son’s hat is clearly marked with his name, written in permanent marker, on a Cash's name tag or even embroidered, to avoid loss or confusion.  

Thanks in advance for supporting the Saints HPE Department. 

Peer Tutoring

In what was a most productive morning, the Year 11 boys recently worked alongside  the Year 7s. The seniors helped the juniors check their Teams messages, gave them camp advice and explained how to use the College diary. Well done!

Year 7s' Reflections on Their First Days at Saints

On my first day at Saints I was scared, worried and terrified.  We had lockers and a proper timetable. Everything is new and exciting. I am proud to be a part of Saints and am grateful for everyone's help in the first week.

Jak Draper

As soon as I walked in, I was shaking. I was scared because I came from a school of 200 kids in to a school of 1000.  

Bailey Labergerie

I was nervous at first, but I'm slowly getting used to it. I was surprised at how big the school is. I thought it was a lot smaller from the outside.

Julian Rai

I'm looking forward to all the things I can do like camp, the swimming carnival and athletics carnival.

Taylan Avenell

I am happy I chose to go to Saints because of the hot chips at Tolle's, the friends I've made and the great teachers and facilities. There's no doubt my favourite teacher is Ms Farrow.

Callum Mitchell

I felt scared about getting lost at school and it did happen to me. However, when I couldn't find one of my classes, I saw one of the Saints' teachers and he helped me find my class.

Nguyen Nguyen

When I walked into the Gildas Centre, I was amazed at how big the library was.  Tolle's has the best food ever.  

Jamie Kirchner

On the first day I was a little bit nervous about coming to this school because it is way bigger than the one I went to. Once I got there all the seniors were very welcoming and the teachers were very polite, even when I was late to class.  When I walked into Lennon Hall I was very nervous, but then I heard all the clapping.

Joseph Paipai

As soon as I walked through those gates I felt nervous, not knowing what to do, until a big grade "twelver" came up to me, started a conversation and directed me to where I needed to go. As I got settled into my classrooms, I started to realise that there are a lot of good mates here and I started to feel really welcome.  Later in the week, as I got to know the guys, I felt like I'd been here for five weeks already.

Finn Wollin

When I first walked through the gates for the first time, I was quite nervous.  As I am a boarder, I had to set up my room.  I met the 7s, 8s and 9s, and they were very welcoming, as well as the Head of Residence, Mr Kind.  I was feeling a little sick until we went to Tolle's and everyone was asking me to sit with them and now I've made many friends.  When I get lost, I can always go to the prefects or staff to ask for help. I mainly enjoyed Science classes with Mr Churchward.

Max Lawrence

My first week here was amazing. We went into Lennon Hall and the whole school was clapping for us. Then, I even got a merit.  How cool is that?  I got to blow stuff up in the Science room and went to the Gildas after school to finish my homework.

Kye Eagle

Walking into Lennon Hall made me feel so good, and the one teacher that made our lessons fun was Mr Churchward.

Beau Stitt

As I entered the school I was welcomed by the seniors and other students. The sweet scent of Tolle's streamed through the air.  I was confused by the timetable but I was thankful to the prefects that helped me find the right locations. I was surprised in Lennon Hall by the respect that every student has and the welcoming spirit at Saints.

Ben Levi

Tolle's was my favourite place because the food at lunch and even breakfast and dinner is the best. When I walked into Lennon Hall, I had goosebumps with all the people clapping for us.

Trey Tapim

My first week at Saints was a roller coaster of emotions. I was nervous walking around the school and finding my way to class. I was confused about my locker and where my homeroom was on the first day. I was surprised at how big the Gildas Centre and Year 7 Quad are. I am excited because I get to meet new people and I appreciate my parents for enrolling me into Saints. I felt welcome when Mr Darvenezia said that we are now all brothers.

Lachlan Haughton

I felt appreciated when we walked into Lennon Hall and everyone was clapping for us.

Cooper Batten

I was so nervous when I arrived at the Stop and Drop. I had no idea where to go but I asked a random big kid and he showed me where I had to be. That was really nice of him. Also on the first day, we walked into Lennon Hall and everyone clapped for us and they sang!  It was really cool.

Lachlan Browne

I appreciate that I'm sitting here, in this chair, where over 150 other people could have been.  When I first stepped into Lennon Hall, I felt proud and appreciated.

Lucas Jaska

In the beginning, I thought I would have to figure out where my classes were on my own, but I was wrong.  I thought I would get bashed by the older kids, but I was wrong.  I thought every possible thing would go wrong, but I was wrong. I was so appreciative of how welcoming the older grades were. When I walked past a group of Year 12 boys, they welcomed me and complimented me. I am so grateful to Ms Farrow for passing on all the information I need.  It made me feel cared for.

Oliver van der Linde