Term 4, Week 4

In our journey together to nurture young men of faith, integrity and intellect, a recent Papal letter by Pope Leo XIV on Catholic education speaks powerfully to our mission at St Laurence’s. The Holy Father invites Catholic schools to renew their understanding of education as more than mere preparation for professions, emphasising instead the formation of the whole person in mind, heart and spirit. 

“I call upon all educational institutions to inaugurate a new season that speaks to the hearts of the younger generations, reuniting knowledge and meaning, competence and responsibility, faith and life,” he wrote in an apostolic letter.

His call to ground learning in dignity, justice and the common good challenges us all to ensure our boys do not simply accumulate knowledge, but grow in compassion, responsibility and a readiness to serve. 

At St Laurence’s, we have long held the notion that personal best defines our success. In the same spirit, Pope Leo reminds us that while academic application and results are important, so is how a young person engages with life: cooperating with parents as primary educators, witnessing faith in action, and facing new vulnerabilities of the digital age with courage and hope. In our College context this means creating learning environments where faith, academics and culture intersect, where technology is used to elevate not diminish human dignity and where each student is seen as a valued member of our community.

Celebrating Teachers

Today we celebrate World Teachers’ Day — a moment to pause and recognise the great work of our educators across Australia, and especially here at St Laurence’s College. Each day, our teachers strive to educate young men who are curious, compassionate and courageous. 

It also gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the following staff who have won significant professional awards this year as a recognition of their work in the profession and at the College. 

Teach X Award Nominee - Ms Megan Huber

Teach X Award State Winner – Ms Nataleen Kilburn

Edmund Rice Education National Award Nominees – Mr David Knight and Ms Carmen Nauer

Edmund Rice Education National Award for Liberating Education Winner – Mr James McLaughlin 

2026 Edmund Rice Award Staff Award at St Laurence’s College – Ms Meg Jacobs, Mr Dan Blanchfield and Ms Kath Perotin

On behalf of our College community, I extend my deep gratitude to every member of our teaching staff for their professionalism, creativity and care and especially congratulate those formally recognised staff on their awards.  

Year 12 Milestones

As our Year 12's conclude their Lauries Journey as students, they continue to reach milestone moments. Last week on Awards Evening, it was fantastic to see a Lauries Liberating Education on display across all grades, but in particular for our Year 12’s. Congratulations must go to Joshua Pearce, who was awarded the Damien Drew Memorial Award and to Luca Ellero who received the peer nominated, Facere et Docere Award for epitomising the College motto - to Do and to Teach. 

The evening was followed by the Year 12 Graduation Day, which is best captured and described in the pictures below.

With the commencement of external exams and final project completion nearing for our students studying on varying pathways, the entire Year 12 cohort is assessment focussed. We wish all Year 12’s well for this important time and look forward to a final celebration in a few weeks. 

Primary Super Chef

On the topic of milestones, a very important occasion in the life of a primary student is the annual Superchef competition. Think MasterChef, but for boys at Lauries and all in the name of charity. To date there has been sweet and savoury treats, pastries, breads and even a purely teacher targeted preparation with the presentation of sliced steak!

Next week is Grand Final week and will see multiple Year 5 and 6 boys battle it out for the ultimate title of ‘Primary SuperChef!’ The funds raised from SuperChef will be donated to Wheelchairs for Kids, a charity started by Brother Ollie Pickett, from the Christian Brothers. After 10 years of competing with their culinary delights, SLC is very proud to have donated wheelchairs for many students based on the competition. Thanks must go to all those primary staff involved in supporting this concept, but in particular to Ms Kate Flanagan and the Mini Vinnies Society for their coordination. 

LCC Update

The last meeting of the Lauries Community Committee was held last Monday evening with audience in attendance. The meeting also doubled as the AGM where a new Charter was voted in. Following the AGM, it gives me great pleasure to announce these parents who have been elected to the LCC executive for 2026:

• President - Sophie Griffiths 
• Vice President - Ali Martin 
• Secretary - Chantel Murphy
• Chair of Faith in Action – Bec McIntosh
• Chair of Music and the Arts – Anne-Marie McLennan
• Chair of Sport Development – Kathy Nadenic
• Chair of Special Events – Linda Luu
• Treasurer – Tim Isaac

With the election of new and returning members for 2026, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mrs Jo Cosgrove for her dedication and support of the College in her two years as President.  I would also like to thank Ms Mechelle Fechner, Mrs Jo O’Sullivan and Ms Anne Moffat for their service to the College and in particular the LCC Executive. We look forward to supporting Ms Griffiths in her new role and watching the continues prosperity of the LCC. 

AFL Success

It would be remiss not to mention our recent success in the AFL arena. Congratulations to our Primary, Youth and Senior teams for your efforts at the AFL Queensland All Schools Cup finals. In case you missed it, our Primary team finished second in the state, our Youth team finished overall winners, and our Senior Male team was crowned the best Male School team in the state, beating Palm Beach Currumbin SHS in the final.

Congratulations must go to all the students involved and a thanks to Mr Ferguson, Mr Taylor, Mr Wiltshire, Mr Barnes and all the parent/old boy coaches and staff involved in achieving this success. 

As the end of term quickly draws near, I encourage all families to remind their young men of the importance of regular sleep, strong routines and good daily habits. In doing so, they will aid their study and their social skill building in preparation for their forthcoming assessment.