From the Pastoral Office
Year 11 Student Leadership Process
The process for discerning our 2026 Student Leadership group has continued this week with students presenting their House Captain speeches. We congratulate them for putting themselves forward to positions of responsibility and for their time and dedication to sharing their vision for their House.
Sports Day 2025
We were fortunate to have wonderful weather to accompany the palpable spirit of fellowship and community evident last week at Sports Day. Congratulations to Hogan House for the win, but to all Houses for their sense of camaraderie and the fun to which the day was approached. Staff members new to our community have commented about the community atmosphere and that it is an occasion that you simply don’t fully understand until you have had the pleasure of attending. Sincere thanks to the Sports Department, our Canteen and Maintenance teams and the many more who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a wonderful, smooth and safe event.
The Arts and our Year 12 Students
Congratulations and thank you to all of those in our Year 12 cohort who have contributed to the Art Show, Big Band Concert and Strings Concert, coupled with four days and many titles from QCMF last weekend. We acknowledge that they are finishing their musical journey at the College and admire the contributions they have made. May they continue to sing, dance and play into the future.
Year 9 Lauries Journey - Alcohol Awareness Education
On Wednesday our Year 9 cohort attended a presentation entitled, ‘Smashed’ which, through an interactive play, aimed to positively influence teenager’s attitude to underage drinking and their relationship with alcohol once they’re of the legal drinking age. The presentation highlighted:
- Alcohol and the teenage brain
- Consequences of underage drinking
- Peer pressure
- Underage drinking laws and fines
- Fake IDs
- Consent
Should you wish to talk further to your son about this topic, Gibber’s very helpful resource can be accessed here: Parents | Smashed Australia
Daniel Principe Presentations
Since our last newsletter, youth advocate and presenter Daniel Principe worked with our Year 5 and 6 cohorts as well as our Year 8, 10 and 12s. Each presentation was pitched specifically to the group’s age and stage ensuring that the content was appropriate and related to the specific issues that boys of that age may be experiencing. A survey of secondary students revealed their extreme positivity about the topics discussed and their relevance. Daniel looked at male/female stereotypes, what it means to be a good man, catfishing, consent, influencers, the science of pornography, body dysmorphia and more.
Despite the positivity about the presentation, only 22% of students spoke to their parents about it. A few cited the reason being that they already have these conversations with their parents, which is wonderful, while only 4% said that they don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents about these topics. It is not too late to ask your son about what he took away from the session and keep lines of communication open.
Daniel empathised with our students and acknowledged that navigating the challenges of growing up in a digital world are immense. He believes that it has never been harder to be a young man in our society and encouraged our boys to think about how they ‘show up’ in life and whether our culture is helping us to lead healthy and good lives.
Best wishes for the weeks ahead.
MS VANESSA BELL
Dean of Engagement and Wellbeing