From the Principal
As we approach the school holidays, it is hard to believe that a term has already passed in the 2025 College Year. Amongst the learning, spiritual, cultural and co-curricular pursuits of our students, we have also managed to have fire, floods and cyclones, not to mention a random swarm of bees in fluxing the College on a Friday afternoon in week 7. It has evidently been a busy term and one heavily influenced by nature.
As we move toward the holidays, there is no doubt that most of our students are ready for some rest and recovery. Hopefully this need has been induced by a strong commitment to study and an active participation in co-curricular. However, as members of a Catholic community, Easter is not just about downtime and a break from school at the end of a long term. Easter is a time of hope, transformation and new beginnings.
In 2025 the Catholic Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope. The Jubilee Year is a time to embrace hope, deepen our faith, and draw closer to God. It is a year of renewal and trust in the Gospel.
Embracing this notion of hope, I encourage all families to pause and reflect on their Catholic understanding of Easter these holidays. Consider renewal and be sure to celebrate new beginnings, with your loved ones.
Year 12 Formal
Last night the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre played host to our Year 12 Formal. A significant milestone in the Year 12 Laurie’s Journey, the evening was attended by more than 500 students from SLC and neighbouring schools. I must thank Mr Knight, the Heads of House, attending staff and the Formal Organising Committee for all their work in making the evening a night to remember. We look forward to seeing more of the photos from the evening in the coming weeks.
Newsletter Announcement
As noted in last week’s newsletter, after consultation with the Lauries Community Committee and School Advisory Council, a decision has been made to transition the weekly newsletter to a fortnightly release. This will commence in Term 2 with publications being distributed in Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, in alignment with the Primary newsletter.
Similarly, the College will also be reviewing the way the Newsletter is delivered to families in its digital form, to ensure information can continue to be easily accessible for all families.
This will be the last weekly newsletter for the College before moving to the fortnightly publication in Term 2. I thank all for their ongoing contribution and the work to produce the College Newsletter.
Co-Curricular Holiday Activity
Over the break, we will have a large number of teams participating in the EREA Football tournament held at Nudgee College, Ballymore Cup held at the Brendale Sports Complex and various other Rugby, Football and Chess camps and clinics. I wish all those involved with these tournaments the best of luck and thank all of the staff and volunteers who enable these activities to happen during the holidays.
Staff Farewells
The conclusion of the Academic term will see a number of staff transition into new careers or new employment. I wish Mr Harrison Foley, Ms Mylan Warren, Ms Tracey Coombes and Ms Sophie Allan well as they embark on the next phase of their respective careers.
Most notable, I acknowledge the secondment of Ms Kirsten Wardrop who will fill in the role of Senior Education Advisor at Edmund Rice Colleges for the next 12 months. This is an exciting opportunity for Kirsten, and we wish her well. I thank Mr Andrew Newcombe for joining the College Leadership Team in Kirsten’s absence. Andrew has considerable experience in this role, having previously acted in the position during 2024.
Wishing all families a happy and safe Easter.
MR BEN LOWRIE
College Principal