College Newsletter Term 1 Week 10 2 April 2026
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April | |
| 2 | Yr 12 Formal |
| 2 | Last Day of Term 1 |
| 13-15 | EREA Football (Nudgee College) |
| 20 | Student Free Day |
| 21 | Term 2 Commences |
| 22 | Yr 11/12 Debating Round 2, BGGS, 6pm - 8pm |
| 23 | Yr 12 Outdoor Education Assessment Day, Jimmies on the Dam |
| 24 | ANZAC Day Liturgy |
| 24 | Interhouse Cross Country Carnival |
| 25 | ANZAC Day |
| 27 | Yr 11 Legal Studies Excursion to Courts, 9am – 1pm |
| 27 | Yr 9-10 Titans Competition, 9am – 3pm |
| 28 | Q-League Catch-Up Round, 9am – 3pm |
| 30 | Parent-Teacher Interviews, 12noon – 7pm |
| 30 | Yr 10 SET Plan Information Evening, 6pm – 7pm |
| 30 | UQ Women in Engineering – Exploring Engineering Day |
| 30 | Yr 7/8 Debating Round 3, BSHS, 6pm – 8pm |
| May | |
| 1 | Edmund Rice Feast Day Liturgy |
| 1 | Interhouse Choir/Dance Competition |
| 4 | Labour Day Public Holiday |
| 5 | School Advisory Council Meeting |
| 5 | Yr 10 Wellbeing Be You Guest Speaker |
| 6 | St James College Open Day 3.30pm – 6pm |
| 6 | Mother’s Day Liturgy | Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea |
| 6 | Rugby League Andrew Gee Cup | National All Schools Girls Rugby League Cup |
| 6 | Yr 9 Debating Round 3, GT, 6pm - 8pm |
| 7 | School Photos – Homeroom and Students |
| 8 | Yr 10 Outdoor Education Assessment Day |
| 10 | Mother’s Day |
| 11 | Yr 7/8/9 QUT STEM Workshop. 9am – 3pm |
| 12 | Yr 8 Wellbeing Smashed Guest Speaker |
| 12 | Yr 7 Chinese Excursion to Chinese Restaurant, 9.55am – 11.55am |
| 12 | Junior and Senior Girls Netball Game vs Fairholme College Toowoomba, 2.30pm – 7.45pm |
| 13 | Rugby League Andrew Gee Cup | National All Schools Girls Rugby League Cup |
| 13 | Yr 11/12 Debating Round 3, BGGS, 6pm - 8pm |
| 14 | Yr 8 Chinese Excursion to Chinese Restaurant, 9.55am – 11.55am |
| 15 | Yr 5-9 Interhouse Sports Day, 12.05pm – 2.50pm |
| 18 | QC Cup Primary Netball, Downey Park Netball Association, 9am – 3pm |
| 18 | Open Boys’ B Side Titans Competition, Beenleigh |
| 19 | QC Cup Secondary Netball, Downey Park Netball Association, 9am – 3pm |
| 19 | Yr 7 Retreat |
| 20 | Rugby League Andrew Gee Cup | National All Schools Girls Rugby League Cup |
| 20 | Yr 9 -10 Girls Titans Competition, Beenleigh |
| 21 | Yr 7/8 Debating Round 4, BSHS, 6pm - 8pm |
| 25-31 | National Reconciliation Week |
| 25-27 | Yr 7 Camp, Luther Heights Camp, Coolum |
| 25 | Africa Day |
| 25 | Open Boys B Side Titans Competition, Beenleigh |
| 26 | National Sorry Day |
| 27 | Rugby League Andrew Gee Cup | National All Schools Girls Rugby League Cup |
| 27-29 | Yr 11 Cert II Outdoor Education Assessment Camp, Jimmies on the Dam |
| 27 | Yr 9-10 Girls Titans Competition, Beenleigh |
| 28 | Yr 10 Careers Expo Visit |
| 28 | Yr 9 Debating Round 4, GT, 6pm - 8pm |
| 30 | UQ Women in Computing – Interactive Day |
Leadership Team
Principal
Andrée Rice
As we draw Term 1 to a close, I extend my sincere thanks to Jimmies’ students, staff and families for the commitment, hard work and strong sense of community that have characterised the term. Together, we have navigated both joys and challenges and we have had a highly successful and satisfying start to 2026! Significant progress in our key priority areas includes:
- A renewed focus on strengthening our Catholic identity and everyone’s understanding of the Edmund Rice story
- A continued focus on high expectations for all students, resulting in improved outcomes in attendance, behaviour and uniform
- Implementation of Teaching For Thinking pedagogies across our classrooms
- The opening of new gym facilities and associated strength and training opportunities for our students
- A new approach to parent engagement at St James College
We are currently in the most sacred week of the Church’s calendar and I would like to share with you a reflection from my Parish. As I do so, I think with sadness of the “passion” of the world, the sufferings and the pain everywhere around us right now, especially in the Middle East, in the locale of Jesus himself.
As Christians, we need to remind ourselves how we are a people of Resurrection; we know that life and light will triumph and will overcome. We believe in hope, we believe in love. If you have not participated in Holy Week services before at a Catholic Church, I encourage you to do so this Easter. Remember Pope Francis’ message that everyone is welcome, everyone. There will be Good Friday and Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday church services in all Catholic Churches everywhere:
“As we enter this Holy Week, may we accompany Jesus with open hearts. Let us bring to him our fears, our failures, our hopes and our longing for healing. And may the cross remind us that even when the world is at its darkest, God’s love is still at work, transforming, redeeming and drawing all creation into the light of the Resurrection.”
We keep in our prayers St James Past Student Alex Murphy (alumni 2018) and her family whose memorial was celebrated this week.
Eternal rest grant unto Alex, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
A reminder that all students return on Tuesday 21 April. I look forward to seeing some of you when you are dropping off your young people to the Year 12 Formal on Thursday night and until next term, wish you peace and joy over the holiday period.
Assistant Principal – Students
Kaitlyn Downey
National Day Against Bullying and Violence
During Week 8, the College community came together to connect and engage in meaningful conversations around the National Day Against Bullying and Violence. Throughout the week, students participated in targeted Wellbeing lessons, created badges with their peers, and connected through a whole-school BBQ.
These activities focused on addressing the root causes of bullying and exploring how we can work together to eliminate it within our community. Students were encouraged to be upstanders rather than bystanders, actively contributing to a culture where all students feel safe, supported, and valued.
Year 9 Middle Leaders Attend Youth Leadership Conference
On Wednesday 25 March, our Year 9 Middle Leaders attended the Brisbane Secondary Youth Leadership Conference at Brisbane City Hall.
Students had the opportunity to network with peers from other schools and hear from guest speakers, including Olympian Brooke Hanson, who spoke about the importance of tenacity and determination. Throughout the day, students engaged in interactive activities, explored different approaches to problem-solving, and developed a deeper understanding of what it means to be an effective leader.
We look forward to seeing how these students apply their new skills and insights within their leadership roles at St James.
Assistant Principal – Learning and Pathways
Karen Lindsey
St James College’s “Critical Thinking” Partnership with UQ
In 2026, St James has extended our partnership with Dr Yael Leibovitch from University of Queensland in the Critical Thinking pedagogy called “Teaching for Thinking.” Based on Dr Peter Ellerton’s research, teachers this year have been working on implementing critical thinking and collaboration strategies into their classrooms. Importantly, both Dr Ellerton’s research and that of American Educational researcher, Dr Jarad Cooney Horvath have comprehensively found that when students consume information through screens, it has a profoundly negative impact on academic performance, engagement in learning and ability to think critically.
Throughout Term 1, Dr Leibovitch has been working with our Heads of Faculty to embed these strategies in their own practice with a view to them taking on mentoring staff in their departments from next term.
We have seen an increase in student collaboration, with laptops used more purposefully as a tool for learning, not the tool for learning. Students are engaging with their peers more actively to debate ideas and think more deeply about the curriculum content they are learning. We look forward to deepening this even further next term.
Report Cards
On Tuesday next week, 7 April, Term 1 Interim report cards will be released via Parent Lounge, and the Parent/Teacher Interview Booking Platform will open.
We strongly encourage parents and carers to book a time to meet their student’s teachers between 12.30pm and 7pm on Thursday 30 April.
In preparation for this, all families should ensure they can access Parent Lounge. The username is your parent code found at the top of your Fees Invoice. If you have forgotten your password or are logging in for the first time, you will need to select “Forgot Password” to set a new one. Any issues or concerns, please email school@stjamescollege.qld.edu.au.
Around the College
Welcoming Our New Director of ICT – Iain Moore
Naomi Ritchie
Earlier this week, we were delighted to welcome Iain to the St James College staff as our new Director of Information and Communications Technology.
Iain brings an impressive 28 years of experience in ICT education, including 20 years within the Catholic sector. His connection to Edmund Rice Education Australia spans eight and a half years, with one of those years previously spent here at St James College in 2016, followed by seven and a half years supporting the Flexi Schools network. His extensive background and deep understanding of the EREA context make him a wonderful addition to our College.
Outside of his professional commitments, Iain greatly enjoys family life. He and his wife have been happily married for 25 years and are parents of three children aged 19, 16, and 14.
In his spare time, Iain enjoys watching sport, especially AFL, as well as theatre performances with his family. He also values spending time socially with friends and engaging in community life.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Iain back to St James College. We look forward to the expertise, enthusiasm, and energy he brings to the role.
Year 7 Bring Creativity to Life with Tiki-Inspired Clay Sculptures
Berenice Anzellotti
Our Year 7 students have recently completed an engaging clay project inspired by the concept of the tiki sculpture. This hands-on unit encouraged students to explore creativity while developing their skills in three-dimensional artmaking.
The project began with preliminary drawings, where students explored ideas for facial expressions, patterns, and design features. These sketches helped guide their creative direction before moving into clay. Each student was then given a cylindrical clay form, which they transformed by building and refining facial features to create unique sculptural pieces.
A focus of the unit was learning how to successfully work with clay through development of techniques. Students were given detailed instruction on how to join clay successfully using methods such as scoring and slipping, ensuring their work was both creative and structurally sound. Through this process, they developed confidence in handling materials and bringing their ideas to life.
It has been wonderful to see the individuality in each piece, with students demonstrating imagination and care in their work. Special thanks to Art teacher Aaron McDonough, whose guidance and enthusiasm helped inspire and support students throughout the project.
Celebrating Mathematical Excellence at Assembly
Kaspar Wong
Our Week 8 Assembly was a wonderful celebration of academic achievement especially in Mathematics! Eight of our international students were recognised for receiving the highest number of ‘Good Notes’ in Maths, highlighting their consistent effort in the classroom.
These selected students represented their House in a whole-school Maths competition held during the assembly. We are proud to share that Year 10 Korean international student, D. H. Kim, representing Hogan House, won the competition with an outstanding performance.
It was inspiring to see our international students shine and demonstrate exceptional mathematical skills in front of the entire college community.
A warm thank you to Ms Kubunameca and Mr Kial for organising such an engaging and enjoyable competition.
Setting the Standard: Our Canteen Achieves HACCP Certification
Matt White
We’ve been busy in the kitchen and we’re excited to announce that our school canteen has achieved HACCP certification, a respected international standard for food safety. Interestingly, HACCP was originally developed by NASA scientists who needed a system that would guarantee food for astronauts was completely safe during space missions. That same rigorous, preventative approach is now used in high-quality kitchens around the world.
HACCP examines every step of the food journey, from selecting reputable suppliers to receiving goods, storing ingredients properly, and preparing meals safely. Instead of waiting for problems to appear, it focuses on identifying risks early and putting strong controls in place. In a commercial kitchen, a confident cook is a good cook, and HACCP gives our team the structure and assurance they need to work confidently every day.
For our school, this certification is a meaningful achievement. It reflects a commitment to excellence, professionalism, and the wellbeing of students and staff. Most importantly, it gives families confidence that the food served here is handled with care, expertise, and a proactive focus on safety.
Certificate II in Health Support Students Incursions
Antonia Lu
Certificate II in Health Support classes recently participated in their first incursions with the Connect n Grow health trainers.
During these sessions, students were introduced to fundamental concepts essential for working in healthcare environments. A key focus was infection control, where students explored the chain of infection and gained an understanding of how infections spread and, importantly, how they can be prevented.
Students also developed practical skills in hand hygiene, learning the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness in healthcare settings. They were guided through the correct techniques for effective handwashing and sanitisation, ensuring they understand how to minimise the risk of contamination.
In addition, students were taught how to correctly clean and safely dispose of materials, reinforcing the importance of following proper procedures to protect both themselves and others.
These incursions provided valuable hands-on learning experiences and gave students a strong foundation in essential healthcare practices.
Term 1 Studio Concert
Chelsea Stutchbury
Instrumental students (Years 6-12) showcased their musical talents at the Term 1 Studio Concert on Thursday 26 March in the Realta Foyer. Students and teachers came to hear a range of musical styles ranging from Blink 182 to Adele to Opera. On the drums were Tom Lindsey and Zion Waqairagata. Baraka Lunani was on the bass, and Jarco Nzomwita played guitar and sang. Vocal students who performed included Isabella Stuart-Adams, Wiliam Tilagucaguca, Jennifer Nguyen, Anya Yong, Tara Alexander-Hille, Kaci Daya, Cindy Wylie-Coolwell, Pritika Neelarmstrong, Ambrose Hall, Dongha Kim and Chris Gutman.
The music tutors were very proud of their hard work this term and inspiring performances.
Year 11/12 Tourism Excursion to Museum of Brisbane
Selina Liu
This week, our Year 11 & 12 Tourism students visited the Museum of Brisbane to connect their classroom learning with real-world tourism experiences.
Students began with a Public Art Walking Tour through the Brisbane CBD, where they explored how public art contributes to a destination’s identity and enhances the visitor experience. By examining the cultural and historical meaning behind each artwork, students developed a deeper understanding of how cities use attractions to engage tourists.
They then participated in a guided City Hall and museum tour, learning about Brisbane’s history and how stories are curated and presented to different visitors.
A key focus of the excursion was understanding how tourism experiences are created and delivered. Students explored how tours are planned, how they are adapted for different audiences, and how tour guiding can be a potential career pathway within the tourism industry. Students represented the school exceptionally well throughout the day.
Celebrating Connections Across Cultures
Peggy Li
St James College was delighted to welcome a group of Japanese students for a five-day immersion visit from 23–27 March. The week was filled with cultural celebration, shared experiences, and heartwarming connections, and it was a joy to see friendships form across our school community.
The visiting group included 15 students aged 13–16, who joined their buddies in classes and experienced school life through learning, activities, and everyday interactions. These shared moments created many meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange and friendship.
Our visitors were warmly supported by buddies across Years 7 to 10, giving our students a chance to develop leadership, confidence, and intercultural understanding.
The week concluded with a joyful farewell celebration, where the visiting students performed a traditional dance reflecting their school’s long and proud history, a memorable highlight celebrating the friendships formed during their stay.
A heartfelt thank you to our staff, students, and wider community for making this visit such a positive experience. With six more international study tour groups visiting this year, we look forward to welcoming new friends and continuing to strengthen our global connections.
We would like to say thank you to our short-term Japanese students who spent time with us: Runa K, Hiyori K, Izumi U. Hope they will have a great journey.
International Students: Term 1 Wrap-up
Kaspar Wong
Several activities were organised to celebrate the end of a successful Term 1 with our international students at St James.
On Monday, we celebrated our students' hard work by sharing pizzas during first break. This gave students and staff a good opportunity to connect before the Easter holiday.
On Wednesday, our college hosted the annual Asian Festival. Some students helped with the “Project Compassion” fundraiser by making Asian dishes such as Thai Milk Tea, Dim Sums, and Monchi. Our international students shared their cultures and traditions and enjoyed meeting with staff and other students. We also thank our students’ families for their support of this event. That same day, Ms Cameron, Ms Waters and Mr Wong organised a Badminton excursion for our EALD students, giving them a chance to enjoy some friendly competition.
On the last day of term, we welcomed Brown English students for a special Taster Day. Thank you to Mr Spina for organising the event and showing St James' supportive culture. At lunchtime, everyone enjoyed meals from our college tuckshop, which gave our guests a taste of our multicultural and inclusive school community.
Asian Festival
Badminton Excursion
Certificate II Furnishing Students Impress with High-Quality Craftsmanship
Aaron Williams
Year 11 and 12 Certificate II Furnishing students have been busy in the workshop this term creating their own high-quality keepsake boxes. As part of the project, students are developing valuable industry skills such as measuring and marking accurately, constructing traditional dovetail joints, completing timber inlays, and applying professional timber finishing techniques. It has been fantastic to see the pride students are taking in their work, with each box showing patience, precision, attention to detail, and creativity.
Exploring Pathways into Childcare
Tony Ninasivinche
Seven students recently attended an information session with Chris Cox from Axiom College, exploring pathways into childcare. Students learned about daily tasks, pay scales, and opportunities for progression in the industry. This is our first year partnering with Axiom College, following their acceptance of Year 11 students Winter-Fae and Lexi as school-based trainees. We hope attendees consider applying. Families interested in school-based traineeships for Years 10–12 can contact Tony at tninasivinche@stjamescollege.qld.edu.au for more information.
Ten Years of Multicultural Australia's Refugee Youth Program
Lauren Mannion
Multicultural Australia is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Refugee Youth Program! We are immensely grateful for Tiffany Chen, our Multicultural Australia representative, who has collaborated with St James College since 2023. Tiffany has supported over 250 of our refugee and migrant students throughout the years, facilitating work experiences at the MA Cafe and assisting with pathways and resources.
Students who have felt the impact of Tiffany’s work say:
Haneih: ‘I really appreciated the opportunity to learn new skills and gain confidence in the cafe training, and I’m grateful for everything Tiffany does to support students like me. Tiffany is very kind, patient, and encouraging.’
Benazir: ‘Tiffany is a really nice and kind person; we thank her for all her help!’
We look forward to the next ten years in partnership with Multicultural Australia.
Kokoda Challenge 2026
Sarah Mouritz
Kokoda Challenge training continues to build momentum, with students demonstrating great improvements in physical and mental resilience as our hikes increase in difficulty.
Over the past two weeks, we have completed two challenging (and steep!) hikes at Enoggera Reservoir. Students have been learning how to navigate steep, rocky terrain and have pushed themselves to new limits tackling these challenging hills.
A reminder that there will be no training this week or over the Easter break. Training will resume in the first week back. Hope everyone has a restful and safe Easter break!
Sport
Michael Anderson
Student Sporting Success: AusCycling 2026 Track Nationals
Year 12 student, Oliver Hutchison, competed last week at the AusCycling 2026 Track Nationals. Ollie’s standout achievements were a PB in the Individual Pursuit, and finishing 9th in the Elimination Race, where he was up against all classifications of Para riders.
Ollie especially enjoyed mentoring from and racing with Paralympian Korey Boddington (to his right in the group photo), as well as the fantastic support of the Qld Team coaches. Congratulations Ollie on your amazing week and your outstanding results.
Queensland School Futsal League
On Monday 23 March, our U12 & U16 Futsal players took to the court for the first time this year in the Queensland School Futsal League. It was fantastic to see some new faces representing the college in a sport that has such rich history at St James. The training sessions during the term had definitely paid off with some outstanding individual and team performances being put on show. A highlight of the day was our U12 teams who got their first wins in a Jimmies Futsal shirt. The future is definitely looking bright with numerous Year 5 & 6 students representing the college at the top level!
NRL RISE Girls Development Gala Day
Last Tuesday, our Year 7–10 Rugby League Excellence girls travelled to Browns Plains Bears RLFC for a day of skill development and training. Throughout the day, our students participated in drills and games with NRL and RISE club staff, including former NRL player Clinton Toopi. Our staff, Ms Aspen Nakao and Ms Breanna Irwin, also attended a staff education session, helping ensure we continue to provide meaningful Rugby League learning back at school.
Gala Days such as this help inspire our girls to stay involved in Rugby League and remain active in sport. Our Year 9/10 girls will begin their Titans Cup campaign in Term 2, and our Year 7/8 girls will commence their Gala Day carnivals.
Thank you to the NRL Game Development Officers and the RISE team for supporting the day and providing this valuable opportunity for our students.
Bribie Island Triathlon
Last Saturday Lucas Vaughan, Serenity Oakley-Dunning, Bridget Dimech, Ari Dimech and Lukey Dimech competed in their first-ever Bribie Island Triathlon. They faced a challenging course, including a 200m ocean swim, a 6km bike ride, and a 1km run. Despite it being their first triathlon, all students performed magnificently, demonstrating incredible determination and team spirit. Their hard work and courage paid off as they crossed the finish line with smiles and pride. Congratulations to these young athletes for their impressive effort and sportsmanship. Their participation inspires us all to embrace new challenges and strive for our best! Well done to everyone involved!
CHANGE TO LOGIN PROCESS FOR PARENT LOUNGE
Iain Moore
On Thursday 16 April, over the upcoming school holidays, the login process for Parent Lounge will change.
This new account login will also allow parents to login using one of the following identity providers: Google, Microsoft, Apple and Facebook, provided the email registered with the provider matches with the email you have previously provided to the College.
If you do not have one of the identity providers listed, you can use the provided username and password to log into these systems. You will be required to create a new password the first time you login.
Further details will be emailed to parents on Monday 13 April in preparation for this change.
FEES
Genevieve O’Sullivan
Please be advised that all fees are now OVERDUE, unless you are on a regular payment plan via Direct Debit, BPAY or CentrePay, or have an approved plan in place with us. If so, please just continue your regular payments.
To check your current balance, or access your statements, please log in to Parent Lounge and click on the Accounts & Payments tab at the top of the page.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to apply for a fees concession, please contact us for a confidential discussion and application.
2026 Tuition Fees information can be found on our website here: https://www.stjamescollege.qld.edu.au/enrol/domestic-students
Should you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at finance@stjamescollege.qld.edu.au or 3230 8600.
Please note that non-payment of fees and no contact with the College to discuss a payment plan or fees concession may result in referral to an external debt collection agency. We strongly encourage you to reach out to the Finance Department as soon as possible if you are experiencing difficulties with your payments, so we can assist in finding a solution.
Queensland Government School Transport Assistance
The Queensland Government provides assistance with school transport costs for eligible students travelling to and from school under the School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS).
STAS assistance is available for all government funded bus and ferry services (including TransLink and qConnect services). Assistance is also available for rail travel (City Rail and G-Link) and private vehicles travel subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria such as:
General eligibility criteria
Students may be eligible for school transport assistance under certain circumstances if they:
- Have parents/guardians who are residents of Queensland.
- Attend an approved school or alternative program approved by the Department of Education.
- Are younger than 19 years of age.
- Are seeking transport assistance to and from one address only.
- Make a minimum of two trips per week via the nominated transport mode.
- Are in families that possess a Centrelink Pension, Healthcare or Department of Veterans Affairs concession card.
More information and online application can be found here:
More information and online application can be found here:
Online Application Link
Notices
Reminder for families:
Please ensure your contact details are up to date on Parent Lounge or contact the College on 3230 8600 or school@stjamescollege.qld.edu.au if you need assistance.