Term 1, Week 1

Welcome Back to the 2026 School Year

On behalf of the College Leadership Team and the Lauries staff, I extend a warm welcome to all families, both new and returning, to the 2026 school year.

2026 promises to be an exciting year of growth, opportunity and continued focus on what matters most at Lauries, as we complete the final year of our current College Strategic Plan and walk with students and families on the next stage of their Lauries Journey.

Year 12 Commissioning Ceremony

Today, we welcomed over 600 family members and guests as we celebrated the formal commissioning of our Year 12 cohort as student leaders of St Laurence’s College. While this role commenced for these young men in Term 4 of 2025, today was an opportunity to present our leaders to the community and formally congratulate those who have received badged positions of leadership. 

Knowing they are fine group of young men, I share Archie, Matiyas and Declan’s belief that 2026 will be a great year for the College. I congratulate all Year 12’s on their commissioning and look forward to them leading the College this year. 

Staffing Updates and New Appointments

As we begin the year, I warmly welcome a number of new staff to the College. As smaller cohorts depart the College in our senior years in 2025 and 2026, they have and will be replaced with full cohorts entering in Year 5 and 7, allowing for an increase in teacher numbers at the College. This enrolment trend combined with the departure of some staff at the College at the end of 2025, means a new group of staff will begin their Lauries Journey this year, each bringing a depth of experience and a strong commitment to boys’ education.

As noted at the conclusion of 2025, we also welcome Mr Damien Campbell to the College Leadership Team in his new role as Dean of Finance and Business. Furthermore, we congratulate Mr Andrew Newcombe, who continues his work in a substantive capacity, on the CLT as Dean of Analytics and Logistics.

We are fortunate to have such a committed and talented staff cohort supporting our students in 2026.

Celebrating Academic Success – Class of 2025

While our formal Academic Assembly will provide an opportunity to celebrate in greater detail, it is important to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2025. I would specifically like to highlight the following achievements:

• College Dux 2025: Finn Totterman – ATAR 99.55
• 100% QCE Attainment across the cohort
• 426 Certificate Courses completed
• 3 Perfect Subject Scores
• 26 students achieving five A grades or more
• A median ATAR of 85.15

These results reflect sustained effort, strong partnerships between home and school, and a culture that values personal excellence in all its forms. I congratulate both the 2025 cohort and all the staff and community involved in helping our young men achieve these results.

While You Were Away – Holiday and Campus Updates

A great deal occurred across the holiday break, both on campus and beyond. Keen observers at the College may notice the following:

Facilities and Grounds

• The VAPA building has been painted to finalise the consistent colour upgrade and painting of the College
• McElligott Theatre has received a major renovation and will be online for students and the community in the coming weeks
• The College careers Team has a new hub to support their work and are now located in the Waterford Building
• Staffrooms across the College have been upgraded
• Our Manchester City School has a new office
• The Runcorn field renovations are progressing and further updates around their completion should be available in the coming weeks.

Our sincere thanks to the Maintenance and Business teams for ensuring the College was well prepared for the commencement of the school year.

Student Programs and Activities

Many at the College were also involved in holiday programs and activities. These included - 

• Cuskelly College of Music Summer Camp held on campus
• UK Football Tour and Manchester City Schools Cup (Melbourne)
• First XI Cricket trials and Christian Brothers Cricket Week
• Volleyball, swimming and AFL holiday camps
• Ski Trip to Japan
• EREA Ed Lead Conference for students 

Thank you to the staff who gave generously of their time to support students over the break and to the families who enabled these opportunities.

Beginning 2026 – What Matters Most

At our student’s first assembly this week, all grades were challenged to know the EREA Touchstones and to ground their year in three core expectations:

• Respect - Respecting the dignity of every person in our community through actions, words and choices. This includes care for our environment, pride in our uniform and responsibility for our shared spaces.
• Courtesy - Courtesy is respect in action. It is seen when students put others first, approach situations with a service mindset and contribute positively to the life of the College.
• Personal Excellence - Personal excellence is about striving to be the best version of yourself academically, socially, spiritually and personally. It is not about comparison, but commitment, effort and growth.

These expectations are simple, consistent and powerful. They define the standard we hold for ourselves at Lauries. I encourage all families to have conversations at home around these three values and what they mean for your young man. 

Looking Ahead

2026 is a year filled with opportunity I look forward to sharing more about College priorities, student achievements and community events in the weeks ahead.

Live Jesus in our hearts – Forever!