Vol. 47 No. 7 23rd May 2013

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of Saints,

Boarding - Our home away from home.“The Boarders, in many ways typify what is the heart and soul of St Augustine's. Boarding life is marked by a strong family spirit and there is a sense of both fun and purpose prevalent in the boarding community. Boarding staff aim to provide the highest quality of care, support and supervision for the young people entrusted to them.”These words from the College website, give guidance and direction to all students and staff who make up the vibrant boarding community at Saints. There is an emphasis on family spirit: What does that look like in practice? It can be seen around the “backyard” in boarding on any weekday afternoon when both weekly and full time boarders are in residence or on a Friday or Saturday night when it’s just the full timers. The Boarders are engaged in organised and on many days, impromptu games of Touch, Soccer, Basketball and Handball. Boys and girls, Year 8 to Year 12 can be seen playing, socialising and participating in activities that welcome and support one another. This illustrates some of the fun elements of family spirit in Saints boarding.A sense of purpose is encouraged and lived out by Saints boarders in their structured study routines, their conspicuous involvement in College events such as the Musical, the Walkathon and weekly sporting activities both at school and at representative level. Gainful use of each boarder’s time both in

terms of self-fulfilment and to ensure a positive contribution to the life of the College are encouraged and supported by staff and fellow boarders.Saints boarding life strives to emulate what life at home would be like. There are rules and regulations, boundaries, rights and privileges, free time and structured time, rewards and consequences, “family” outings, camps and an overall sense of belonging, of being known and valued within this unique community.It is the collective hope of the supervisors and carers of our boarders at Saints that, as Saint Marcellin Champagnat would have it: every child in our care is known and loved, accepted for who they are, supported in their endeavours, challenged on their shortcomings and admired for simply just having a go. If you know a Saints boarder or talk to one they will no doubt tell you of the challenges of being a boarder; being away from home, missing home cooked meals and having to share space more so than they may like, but I feel confident that family spirit would feature in their description of life in boarding.St Augustine’s is a very special place and the boarding staff at the College feel a great sense of pride and privilege to be a part of the formation of so many young people who each do their bit to enrich this wonderful school.Mr Bernard BurgessHead of Boarding

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Special achievementSSPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to all these boys on their Special Achievements. Well done!

Please direct special achievements to Br Joa for both in and out of school activities for your son.

Thomas StaplesYear 9

Selected in the U15 Mens Hockey Team

Matthew WrightYear 11Jesus

Marco DeRomaYear 8 - Awarded Player of the Tournament at Futsal Competition in Barcelona

Connor WrightYear 9

1st Priest

Joe GaudionYear 9Annas

Jonah GlassonYear 12Judas

Jack Boylan-AscioneYear 11Pilate

Andrew MartinYear 11

Caiaphas

Jayden LocastroYear 12Simon

Liam SpannenburgYear 12Herod

Sam TrestonYear 10

3rd Priest

Chris GunnYear 12

2nd Priest

George DrueryYear 10Peter

Jordan BrodieYear 10

Guitar Solo

Matthew HowardYear 12Soldier

Apostles: Back Row: Connor Spannenburg, Michael Elston, George Druery, Callum Kerr and Luke Chapman. Front Row: Rihards Rubulis, Jack Gallagher, Jayden Locastro, Michael Morrey and

Eusebio Goncalves.

Daniel BeechenoYear 10 - Selected in the U15 Cairns Rugby League Team,

U15 Cairns Rugby Union Team

Jack RedmondYear 9 - Won the 14 Years 100m, Long

Jump, Discus, Shotput, Javelin events at Student Invitational Athletics Carnival

Sporting AchievementS

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Mission DepartMent

College NewsJeSuS chriSt SuperStAr

Congratulations to all cast and crew on a most-enjoyable College Musical. To see the depth of talent on display and the high quality of performance was pleasing indeed. Special word of thanks to Mr Malcolm Cole whose vision and leadership ensured a quality performance. Pivotal in all this was Mrs Narelle Hunt and Mrs Cherie Spannenburg. Congratulations to these three generous and talented staff members for all their hard work. Some 120 people were involved in the performance so quite a comprehensive task to coordinate such an event. Our orchestra ensured a quality performance. It is great to see so many of our boys taking such an integral role in our production. The quality of our music performance just gets stronger and stronger.To all our on stage performers, stage crew and support staff, we pass on my congratulations for your hard work and contribution to what was a most enjoyable and memorable occasion. Well done to all.

college cAlendAr

Thursday 23rd May - Year 9 & 10 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews in Lennon Hall 3.00pm to 7.30pm.

Friday 24th/Sunday 26th May - Growing Good Men Weekend.

Friday 31st May - Port Douglas Country Dinner.

Thursday 6th June - Champagnat Day Mass 9.50am. All parents and friends are invited to join us for this special liturgy.

Wednesday 19th June - Term 2 concludes at 2.30pm after sport.

Monday 8th July - Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews from 1.00pm to 7.00pm are available for all year groups in Lennon Hall.

Boarders in Residence by 8.00pm.

Tuesday 9th July - Classes resume - Term 3.

SAintS Senior leAderS viSit olhocFour of our Senior Prefects visited Our Lady Help of Christians School last week as part of a program that the primary Catholic school runs in preparing the Year 5 students for a smooth transition into high school.

Seamus McManus, Jordan Way, Connor Quinn and Christian Peters spoke at length to the Year 5 boys at OLHOC who form the first group of ‘Flying Start’ students who will be the first intake of Year 7 students into high school.

The focus for the session was centralised around the theme of “Who am I and who do I want to be?” The four Prefects spoke extensively to the primary boys about their experiences through primary school and how they have successfully handled the transition from primary school to that of a high school student.

During their conversations, all four students outlined what has made them the person they are today, touching upon their goals, ambitions, values and attitudes towards school and general life, and how they are meeting the challenges of becoming responsible and grounded young adults.

Both the College and OLHOC value this program and look forward to continuing the relationship in future years so as to build and develop successful young men.

Mr Brett ToombsDirector of Mission

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College Walkathoni Would WAlk 500 mileS

When Mr Churchward gets up and dances to “I Would Walk 500 Miles”, you just know what time of year it is …St Augustine’s College, Walkathon time.This year, Saints students are aiming for $40 each to earn a day off school, and the College was striving to achieve $37,000. No wonder why it was so hard to get sponsorship around Cairns. For the students who went far beyond, getting sponsored over $60, they were in the running to win one of five IPads, PS Vitas, movie tickets and canteen (Tolle’s) vouchers. Not only did Saints achieve our goal, we exceeded with $37,400. This money will be used for some of the improvements around the school, including shading. The person who made this possible was Mr Churchward with his inspiring theme song, “I Would Walk 500 Miles” and the long hours he put in setting up the track, all the safety requirements and a bit of humour along the way. When interviewed about why the Walkathon is so great, he answered, “While it is a lot of work, it’s a good day that runs smoothly. When I am riding around, I enjoy seeing every boy’s smiling face because they are having a fun and safe time.”St Augustine’ College is privileged to have this annual event especially around town because of the hard work students and teachers alike, put in. By Eusebio Goncalves - Year 9 Student

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Arts DepArtment

All Year 9 students at the College, along with students around the country, completed 3 days of NAPLAN tests last week. While the results won’t be available for some months, I did want to comment on two aspects of the running of the tests at the College.

The context of NAPLAN in a secondary school setting is different to that of primary schools. Rightly or wrongly, NAPLAN has come to be seen as a way of scrutinizing schools. In primary schools, in the absence of any other public measure, it is also the only means of comparing school performance. Of course, in the secondary system, we have the added measure of the Year 12 Outcomes reporting which incidentally was published via the QSA website last week. (The link is http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/617.html.)

In the balance between the two reports, the Year 12 Outcomes are vastly more important because they record student results that directly affect students’ futures through tertiary entrance (the OP) and other Year 12 results. NAPLAN tests are seen by most secondary schools as fulfilling their intended role of advising school communities on student progress, with the major focus on providing data on areas of concern and improvement.

This being said, the conduct of the tests last week did have something to say about the wider context of school culture. At a time when the media is reporting the widespread anxiety and unhealthy focus on preparing for NAPLAN, the calm and business-like manner in which the boys went about the job of sitting the tests last week was very reassuring. In line with the purpose of NAPLAN in our setting as outlined above, we have deliberately kept it low key as we always do.

Nevertheless, last week on Tuesday, all the Year 9 students bar one, who was in hospital, were lined up outside Lennon Hall ready to begin at 8.35am. On Wednesday and Thursday, we had a total of one absence for one day; no withdrawals or exemptions. If you wanted to put that into a national perspective, NAPLAN has a 92% participation rate across all schools in Year 9. I think it says a lot about young men just getting on with the job and having a go.

Mr John Doolan Deputy Principal

Jesus Christ Superstar: Congratulations to everyone involved for four wonderful performances in Lennon Hall last week. The quality of the performances was outstanding leaving the audience very impressed with stagecraft, musicianship, acting and dancing skills combined with the high tech presentation of the rigging, sound and lighting system. The story was told in a most convincing way with many gripping and emotional moments unfolding along the way. Congratulations to all lead singers for delighting the audiences with your fine vocal and acting qualities, to the orchestra members for top rate playing, to Apostles and chorus for great stage work and singing, to backstage crew and audio visual crew for accurate work: it was all truly wonderful. Well done!

Middle School SHEP: Five boys have been nominated from Years 8 and 9 to participate in the annual North Queensland Middle School SHEP music program run by the Queensland Conservatorium. Students will be notified by mail if they have been accepted into the program.

Music Ensembles Recommence Week 6: All music groups have recommenced morning rehearsals from 7.20am in St Joseph’s Hall as follows: Tuesday: Concert Band, Wednesday: Symphony Orchestra, Thursday: String Orchestra, Friday: Big Band. Please be on time to rehearsals.Mr Malcolm ColeDirector of Arts

NAPLAN TESTING

Year 10 Art Students

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Jesus Christ superstar

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PE DEPARTMENT

Year 9 News

The Year 12 Recreation students are currently studying a ‘Sports Management & Organisation’ unit which will cumulate in the organisation and running of a sports tournament for each year group in Week 7. Details for each tournament were circulated in the respective homerooms on Monday and nomination forms are now available from your respective Homeroom teacher or Year Coordinator.

FORE....... that has been the word on most of the Year 11 Recreation students lips as many of them have tried to come to terms with the ‘tricky’ game of Golf. Under the watchful eye of Daniel Gawley (local Pro), the students are hoping to develop the skills and knowledge required to unleash the Tiger within each of them......According to golfer Jack Nicklaus, his own sport is 70% mental and 30% physical. Given the aforementioned importance of psychology to achieving sporting excellence, the Year 11 PE classes have been studying Sports Psychology, and in particular, techniques the students can use to enhance their own volleyball performance. So please don’t be worried if you walk into your son’s bedroom and he is lying on his bed with his eyes closed and he then proceeds to tell you that he is doing his homework. He just might well be practicing his imagery or centering techniques…….

Looking to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Peter Yagmoor (Collingwood) & Sam Michael (Brisbane), the Year 10 PE students have thrown themselves into the AFL Sports Education program run by CAFL with several students staking their claim to be the next Gary Ablett. Mr John BrimstoneHead of PE

The Year 9s have had an eventful term thus far. Last week, along with every other Year 9s across the nation, saw the boys sit the NAPLAN tests over a period of three days. It was a worthwhile experience for the cohort to all gather in Lennon Hall, as most will find themselves sitting in the same place in a few more years to undertake the higher stakes QCS testing. The week culminated with a successful Walkathon on a beautiful day. The boys were in great spirits as they cheerfully marched, while others chose to run, the 16km through Cairns.In addition to these two events, we’ve also had the ANZAC ceremony, Mother and Sons morning tea, the Interhouse Public Speaking competition and, of course, Jesus Christ Superstar. Today we hand out Champagnat Awards and this weekend is our “Growing Good Men” retreat with fathers and sons. It is always pleasing to see so many Year 9s getting involved in the vast array of events we offer the wide scope of talents. This participation is what makes Saints such a wonderful place and strengthens the family spirit within the College. I encourage all students to put up their hand and take advantage of all that we offer to become active citizens within our community. Now that we find ourselves half way through the term, the boys should have made considerable progress into their assessments for various subjects. I suggest you refer to the Year 9 “Assessment and Excursion Planner” on our website to make a note of upcoming due dates. Students and parents should also be making optimal use of the College diary. There are some good tips and helpful tools to use from page 106 onwards to help manage study schedules. With only four weeks until the end of semester, let’s work together to help boys achieve to their full potential. Mr Shawn Moote - Year 9 Co-Ordinator

Year 9 students received their awards from the Interhouse Public Speaking Competition.

Matthew Cunnington sitting the NAPLAN test

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neW member to ceS indigenouS teAm

Ms Antoinette Cole and Ms Manjit Khalsa from Catholic Education recently visited the College. Ms Khalsa is the newly appointed Education Officer at the Catholic Education Office in Cairns.

Ms Khalsa will be interviewing the Year 10, 11 and 12 students in the coming weeks to assist them in their pathways for post school study/work. Ms Khalsa is very much looking forward to meeting and spending time with the Saints Indigenous students.

SpeciAl tASk for YeAr 9 indigenouS StudentS

Ms Khalsa, Education Officer from the Catholic Education Office in Cairns, dropped in on Tuesday 14 May to meet with the Year 9 Indigenous students. The seven students enjoyed lunch and drinks supplied by Tolle’s and Ms Khalsa spoke to them about their upcoming task for the Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Catholic Education Conference to be held at the Hilton Hotel from 22nd to 24th May.

The students introduced and thanked the many speakers at yesterday’s Conference. Ms Khalsa was impressed with the students’ ability and was confident that our students would do a fine job at representing the College. Mr Bryan Carswell

IndIgenous studIes

Notices

Discussing future plans for our Indigenous students; Mr Chris Chapman (Deputy Principal), Ms Antoinette Cole (Senior Education Officer), Ms Manjit Khalsa (Education

Officer) and Mr Bryan Carswell (Indigenous Liaison Officer).

The students who represented the College with Ms Khalsa were Nelson Foster, Mitaru McGaughey, Nathan Geno, Jarvis French, JaKobe Hunter, Tayshaun Mosby and Hayden Cole.

TRading HouRS FoR 2013

Mondays 8.00am to 11.30amWednesdays 8.00am to 11.30am

SAINTS SHOP WEBSITEThe Uniform Shop is now available seven days a week online.Items purchased online are available for collection on the next Saints Shop trading day.

Go to http://shop.sac.qld.edu.au/

Champagnat MassThursday 6th June

at 9.50amAll Parents and Friends of the College are

invited to celebrate the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat.

Mass will be celebrated at 9.50am in Lennon Hall.

All Welcome.

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Senior Pathways & Careers

QTAC APPLICATIONSApplying for Semester 1 & 2, 2014.

Semester 1 & 2, 2014 will open on Thursday 1 august 2013.

The due date for on-time applications is Friday 27 September 2013. Higher application fees apply after this date.

The major offer round for most courses commencing Semester 1, 2014 is Thursday 16 January 2014.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

The 2014 Bond University Scholarship Program is now open for applications. The program offers a large number of full fee and part fee scholarships as well as cash bursaries to Australia’s best and brightest students. Most scholarships can be used for any single or combined program (with the exception of Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery) including our Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships, Corporate Scholarships and Deans’ Scholarships. Students wishing to apply for a scholarship must complete an online application form at http://www.bond.edu.au/apply by July 31, 2013.

BUFTA APPLICATIONS NOW OPENOn April 29, Bond University opened its popular annual short film competition BUFTA, where Year 11 and 12 students have the chance to win a full tuition scholarship to study a Bachelor of Film and Television at Bond University. Aspiring Film and Television students from across Australia are invited to enter short films of up to 10 minutes in length in a variety of categories including Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental or Music Video.

To obtain an Information Pack about the competition please email us at hssevents@bond.edu.au.

To enter, visit the BUFTA website - http://www.bufta.com.au.

BOND UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYDate: Sunday, July 14

Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Location: Bond University

Attend Open Day to learn more about our 5 star programs. We will provide attendees with an all-access pass to our campus and surroundings, engagement with our unique student community, and a University experience like no other.

For more information please visit

www.bond.edu.au/open-day.

Term Two is the time for Senior students to sit down and do some serious career research, whether it is looking at university courses, scanning the internet and newspapers for apprenticeships or researching jobs to help make the all too important subject selection decisions. Students need to acknowledge that they are the ones that must do this work. Tertiary Pre-requisite booklets and QTAC application booklets will all be delivered this term and will be distributed to students as soon as they arrive. Class sets of Job Guides have already arrived and will be utilised by the Year 10 students in Pastoral Care lessons. If you are unsure of your career goals and need some guidance, please make an appointment to meet with Mrs Hunt (40529167 or nhunt@sac.qld.edu.au).

Mrs Narelle Hunt

The RSL Youth Scholarship program has opened. Winners will each receive a grant of $2,500 with the top 10 per cent highest achieving finalists to receive greater recognition via a $5,000 grant. Recipients will also have an exclusive opportunity to apply for a scholarship worth 50 per cent of tuition fees to study either a single or combined degree at Bond University on the completion of high school.

Grants are awarded to students for the following categories:• Academic Achievement (inclusive of Arts, Drama,

Dance & Media)• Sporting Achievement• Community Leadership and Civic Participation

For further information on this exciting program, please contact the RSL Youth Development Program Team and RSLyouth@bond.edu.au or call 07 5595 1067.

Tax File Number – Application for

Secondary School StudentsAny student wishing to obtain a Tax File Number is asked to collect an application form from the College Office or Mr Thomas Jones before school in the main staff room. Students will then need to complete the form correctly with the required details and return it to Mr Jones before Thursday 6th June, Week 8. Please note those students who applied for a TFN last term should have received it by now.

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This week the newest boy boarders in the Saints boarding community reflect on life in boarding for them…Matthew Cheesman (Year 8 Boarder from Innot Hot Springs)Boarding is great. Although we are away from our families the great community spirit here at Saints makes up for it well and truly. There are extra-curricular activities we are able to get involved in and this stops me from barely ever thinking about being away from home.

Dominic Lindsay (Year 8 Boarder from Mena Creek) Sometimes it is hard being away from family but I have gotten used to it. It has been easy to make friends because you live with the same boys all the time. Plus in the dorm you have air conditioning 24/7 so it’s never hot! Boarding has been a great experience so far.

Bailey Dempsey (Year 8 Boarder from Townsville)Boarding at Saints is great. We always have great outings on the weekend, such as roller skating, going to the Esplanade or even having a fun trip to Port Douglas, just to name a few. We wake up knowing we’re going to be fed with delicious food and the family spirit is just awesome. All up, boarding is fantastic and you are going to have a great time making friends. Best wishes to all of our boarding families.Bernard BurgessHead of Boarding

DATE CLAIMERport douglAS countrY dinner

fridAY 31St mAY At the

port douglAS communitY hAll

Bailey Dempsey

Dominic Lindsay

Matthew Cheesman

interhouSe public SpeAking competition 2013On Wednesday, 15th May, some of the College’s finest public speakers took part in the eighth running of the Interhouse Public Speaking Competition. As usual, the competition unearthed a group of students with stunning oratory skills. The winner of the Overall House Trophy will be revealed and presented at the Champagnat Awards assembly today. For the time being here is a list of the top 3 place getters in each year level.Year 8: 1st Rhys Thomas; 2nd Jesse Hyden; 3rd Baiden SagerYear 9: 1st Zak Cao-Kelly; 2nd Eusebio Goncalves; 3rd Dayan BakerYear 10: 1st George Druery; 2nd Michael Trott; 3rd Ryan MendioleaYear 11: 1st Steven Ryan; 2nd Matthew Filip; 3rd Zygi HolmesYear 12: 1st Nino Middleton; 2nd John Hickey; 3rd Daniel EspositoMany thanks to the following students who assisted in the preparation of classrooms, chairmanship and time-keeping duties: Matt Hancock, Seamus McManus, Ben Harris, Connor Quinn, Jacob Hurley, Liam Spannenburg, Dominic Heritage-Logan and Blake Huggett.Our gratitude also goes to Mr Andrew Dorahy who mobilised the Year 12s to recruit their best speakers as well as ensuring the completion of the evening’s program. Other teachers who gave up their valuable time to support the event in their adjudication were: Mr Rheinberger, Mr Moote, Mrs Dimarco, Ms Darling, Miss Yarker and Mr Coleman.Mr Chris Wright - Director of Gildas

Interhouse publIc speakIng

Year 8 Winners and participants

Year 10 Winners

tcn croSS-countrY: SAintS Surge AheAdOn Friday 10th May, the St Augustine’s Cross-Country team partnered with the St Monica’s girls team to compete in the Trinity Coast North (TCN) Cross-Country Championships which was held at the Cairns Esplanade. The course, set on the grassed, paved and sand sections of the Esplanade provided the competitors with a varied course which was made more difficult due to the recent rain in the area. But with a solid month of training under the boys’ belts, confidence in the group was high and the boys knew with a team effort Saints could get the job done. With only the top ten competitors in each age group gaining points, the focus of the day was about consistency in each age group. The more runners who finished in the top ten would mean more points for the team. Therefore the challenge of finishing in the top ten was put to each individual runner. The boys responded and dominated from the outset. Of the 31 Saints runners who competed, 24 finished in the top ten which allowed the boys to more than double their total points from the 2012 TCN Cross Country Carnival. And with another great performance from St Monica’s, the Combined Saints team had an excellent day, running out eventual winners on 255 points (120 points clear of second). Although it was a great team effort, exceptional individual performances must be acknowledged: Cahn Butler-Channell – 2nd 16 years Rhys Parr – 2nd 15 years Jack Bowes – 3rd 15 years Will Coulthard – 3rd OpensCongratulations to all members of the team for an excellent effort, especially the 1999 and 1998 boys who all finished in the top ten in their respective age groups. Special mention and thanks must also go to Mr John Brimstone, Mr Michael Evans, Mrs Susie Lewis, Mr Bernard Burgess and Mr Adam Mueller who all coached the boys in the lead up to the carnival. Overall, it was a fantastic achievement for a determined group of athletes and coaches. Well done to all those who were involved!Yours in sport,Mr Matt Walsh

A SunnY dAY for SAintS AflThe Saints U14 Gold Coast Suns Cup squad, comprising of 20 Year 8 and 9 boys, secured themselves a berth in the Northern Districts final of the state-wide competition. The local competition began last Monday, at Watson’s Oval, and saw the side, captained by Finn Devine-Cameron (Year 9), come away with convincing victories over Cairns High, Peace Lutheran and Redlynch State College. This earned them a place in the Far Northern Final, played at Cazaly’s the following Monday, against Trinity Bay High. In the absence of the Captain, Vice Captain, Jack West (Year 9), lead the team. Extending the margin out to as much as 20 points at three quarter time, the boys had their work cut out for them against a dogged and determined T’Bay outfit. Although the final score was a little too close for comfort, the boys got up with a five-point victory. The Northern Districts Final will take place in Townsville, both the date and opposition awaiting confirmation. The ultimate destination is Metricon Stadium, home of the Gold Coast Suns, for the State Finals. Saints got there last year, placing second, and let’s hope we can do it again. Well done to the boys and many thanks to Mr Matt Walsh and Mrs Caroline Cienciala for their help and support.Mrs Sarah Coleman

SAINTS SPORT

Saints Captains: Seamus McManus and Pippa McKinstry

Saints U14 Gold Coast Suns Cup Team