Key Dates

Leadership Team

Principal
Andrée Rice

So many wonderful events have occurred in the past fortnight in regard to St James students proudly representing the College. We were honoured to be invited by Senator The Honourable Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water and father of Abbie in Year 10 to be his guests at the Ethnic Communities Council of Qld International Women’s Day Breakfast. Past students and Jimmies’ superstars, Engy Abdalla Gamar and Bazira Hazara accompanied current female captains, Emma Corbett and Esther Silao to an inspirational event that encouraged both networking and a deep reflection on the factors that can make it challenging for women from ethnically diverse backgrounds to flourish in their lives and careers.

Our College Captains, Emma Corbett, Esther Silao, Khalid Ali Idrisa and Quade Franciscus were invited to give a reflection on the meaning of being a Commonwealth country at Parliament House in front of the Governor of Qld, The Honourable Jeannette Young. They spoke beautifully and proudly and were a credit to St James College.

Other significant school events include the completion of a successful NAPLAN testing period for our Year 5s, 7s and 9s. Thanks must go to Ms Lindsey, Mr Spina, Ms Schaefer and Ms Cadwallader for their leadership of NAPLAN. Students were calm and focussed and I look forward to seeing our results steadily improve each year, given our commitment and work to build literary, numeracy and critical thinking skills.

I have some significant staffing news to share with you which is that our much loved and respected Assistant Principal Identity and Advocacy Mr Isikeli Kubunameca is resigning from Term 3 to take up a leadership appointment overseas. Mr K’s contribution at St James for 20 years as a leader in the area of faith and culture has been incredible and profound and it is largely due to him and his ability to build and grow a team of expert cultural officers that has shaped our community into the socially cohesive model we are for many other schools. A lighthouse school! You will have the chance to say goodbye to Mr K later next term and our upcoming Cultural Night in Term 2 will be a fitting finale to his Jimmies’ years.

As we reach the close of term, can I thank all our wonderful families for your support, open communication and willingness to walk with us in supporting your children. We are striving for excellence in all we do and have set a high standard this year in terms of behaviour and manners, attendance and arrival times, academic effort and sporting conduct which is resulting in an ever-increasing desire for new families to join our family! Our students really are proud to say they come here!

Please stay tuned for our upcoming Open Day on Wednesday May 6 from 3.30-6.00 pm.

Warm regards and every blessing as we continue to the end of Lent.

Assistant Principal
Identity and Global Advocacy
Isikeli Kubunameca

The Young and Faithful initiative Bible Study Group continues for its third week. An initiative proposed by Anna Mukendi and her peers as a way that students can gather to explore their faith, build lasting friendships, and support one another on their spiritual journeys. Meeting every Wednesday in second break, the group delves into scripture, discusses real-life challenges, and encourages open conversation in a welcoming environment. Open to all students and staff, the first scripture being unpacked is the College theme scripture this year of Ephesians 4:3. Whether you’re new to Bible Study or keen to deepen your understanding, everyone is invited to join for an engaging session filled with learning, laughter, and connection.

Around the College

A Strong Start for Our Senior Debating Team
Sophie Conlan and Breanna Irwin

On Wednesday evening, 11 March, our Senior Debating team competed in their first debate of the season, arguing the affirmative case for the topic: “Major dating platforms should include a mutual review and rating system for users.”

The team presented a detailed and thoughtful model aimed at improving safety and accountability on dating platforms. Their proposal allowed users to leave feedback on honesty, communication, and respectfulness while avoiding harmful appearance-based ratings. Their arguments were well-written, clearly presented, and supported by research and statistics surrounding harassment and reporting.

Throughout the debate, the team confidently responded to challenging POI's, demonstrating composure and a solid understanding of their model. While the opposition confidently raised anecdotal arguments and wellbeing concerns, our debaters clarified their position and maintained a compelling argument.

Although the decision did not go our way, it was a spirited and impressive debate. The students demonstrated excellent critical thinking, collaboration, and public speaking skills. We’re excited for the season ahead and look forward to seeing the team grow, refine their skills, and tackle each round with determination and Jimmies spirit.

The team, featured below from L-R: Josephin Modo, Esther Silao, Anna Mukendi (Charlotte Lockett absent).

Year 11/12 VAP Students Explore Collograph Printmaking
Berenice Anzellotti

Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts Practice (VAP) students have been exploring printmaking techniques in the studio, with a current focus on creating collographs. This process allows students to experiment with texture, layering, and composition while learning traditional printmaking methods.

A collograph plate is created by building a slightly raised image on a sturdy card base. Students construct their plates by carefully attaching a variety of materials to the surface to create different textures and shapes. Once the plate is complete and sealed, printing ink is applied across the surface. The plate is then carefully wiped, leaving ink caught within textured areas and along the raised surfaces. A sheet of damp printing paper is placed on top of the inked plate and both are run through the printing press, where pressure transfers the inked image onto the paper. Through this process students are developing an understanding of key printmaking terms and techniques such as inking, wiping, relief texture, registration, and editioning.

The images included show a selection of the students’ developing collograph plates and prints. Their work highlights the variety of textures and creative approaches possible within this printmaking process.

Students Assist at Met East Swimming Trials
Antonia Lu

Twelve of our students were invited to assist with officiating at the recent Met East Swimming Trials. Throughout the day, they supported the event by timekeeping, marshalling competitors, and assisting with records.

The students represented the school exceptionally well, demonstrating a positive attitude and a willingness to help wherever needed to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Their volunteering also contributed towards the completion of their Certificate III in Sport Coaching, providing valuable real-world experience in the organisation and facilitation of a high-level sporting competition. This opportunity allowed students to gain insight into what goes on behind the scenes to successfully run a major sporting event.

Powerlink: Electrical Industry Insights
Lauren Mannion

Last week, Powerlink came out to speak to students across Year 10 – 12 who are interested in the energy and electrical industries. The students played games, gained industry insights, and learned about current and future opportunities at Powerlink and in the broader energy industry. The students were very engaged throughout, and had wonderful things to say about the event:

Wil said, “It was a nice session; the activity was fun. It made me want to apply.”

Oliver said, “The people from Powerlink are really nice. I will be applying for an apprenticeship.”

Thank you to John from Powerlink for his wonderful presentation to our students!

Real Awards, Real Stories, Real Inspiration!
Suzanne Devonshire

It’s not every day that you get to hold an Emmy Award or a Pulitzer Prize! This term, our Year 8 students had that unforgettable opportunity when they welcomed Mel Burford, a Pulitzer Prize and Emmy-winning documentary maker and photojournalist.

As part of their English unit, students have been exploring how powerful stories are shaped for audiences, and creating their own documentaries. Mel generously shared her real-world expertise, helping students brainstorm ideas, develop their understanding of video editing, and gain valuable insight into the industry.

We are incredibly thankful to Mel for giving her time so generously, and we hope our students will draw on all they have learned to create documentaries that are thoughtful, engaging and memorable. Thank you also to Mr Trewick for organising the wonderful talk.

STEM
Sean Choromanski

Yr 5 and 6 Students Dive into the Bright Future STEM Program
On Tuesday, March 10, our Year 5 and 6 students dived into the Bright Future STEM Program, a national initiative by the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA) designed to spark interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics careers. Across two dynamic sessions, students engaged directly with industry professionals to learn about rewarding career paths and tackled hands-on, interactive challenges that transformed abstract concepts into real-world problem-solving. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the future workforce, this program provided our students with invaluable insights into the growing demand for STEM skills while allowing them to explore their own potential in a fun, collaborative environment.

2026 Kokoda Challenge Training Update
Sarah Mouritz

Kokoda Challenge training has been progressing exceptionally well, with students demonstrating strong commitment to their training each week. As the distance and difficulty of our hikes continue to increase, students have shown noticeable improvements in their fitness, endurance, and resilience.

It has been particularly impressive to see some students pushing themselves even further, with a number now running sections of the track alongside our fit team leader, Mr Damico.

As training continues, we are now beginning to focus on forming teams for the upcoming event. This is an exciting next step as students start to prepare not only physically but also develop the teamwork and collaboration that are essential to completing the Kokoda Challenge.

We look forward to seeing our students continue to grow and challenge themselves in the weeks ahead.

Sport
Michael Anderson

Queensland School Futsal League Central Conference Gala Day 2

Opens Boys Premier League
The Opens Boys Futsal team had an excellent day in the School Futsal Premier League, winning three matches and drawing one to move up the ladder. Congratulations to Sahr Thomas, named Player of the Day for his outstanding performance. A terrific team effort.

Opens Boys League One
The Opens Boys Division 2 had a strong showing at SFL, securing a win in their first match. While they went down in the next two games, their attacking play and determination were clear. Most notably, a match official praised the team’s respect and sportsmanship, something the boys should be very proud of.

Opens Girls League One
The Opens Girls Futsal team impressed at the SFL Gala Day, winning two of their three matches. Their teamwork, resilience, and positive attitude saw them finish in the top four of the Central Conference. Congratulations to all players on a fantastic performance.

Boys Q-League (Football)
Both Junior and Senior Boys showed great determination in Tuesday’s Q-League matches. The Junior Boys impressed against older opponents with their resilience and continued improvement, while the Senior Boys remained competitive in two narrow losses. A strong showing from both teams.

Super 7’s Netball
The 2026 netball season began in exciting fashion, with four St James teams competing in the Super 7s. Senior teams remained undefeated, the junior girls placed third, and the junior boys finished as runners-up. Special thanks to coaches Eliza, Tia, Connor, and Evonne for their support, an exciting season ahead.

Central Sharks and Met East College Representatives
Darin Coombs

St James College continues to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our student athletes, with a significant number earning selection in both Central Sharks and Met East representative teams. These selections are a testament not only to the students’ talent, but also to their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence in their chosen sports.

Their achievements highlight the depth and diversity of sporting ability within our college community. Each student has demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout the selection process, competing at a high level against strong opposition. Being chosen to represent their district and region is a remarkable accomplishment and one that reflects countless hours of training, teamwork, and resilience.

As these students now prepare to compete at the upcoming Queensland State Championships, held across the state in the coming month, we extend our very best wishes. This next stage provides an exciting opportunity for them to challenge themselves further, showcase their abilities, and continue to grow both as athletes and individuals.

We are incredibly proud of the way all representatives embody the values of St James College. They consistently demonstrate pride, integrity, and sportsmanship, serving as excellent ambassadors for our school, their district, and the wider community. We look forward to following their progress and celebrating their continued success throughout their sporting journeys.

Central Sharks Representatives

AFL: Kag Kag
Netball: Arianna Rewha-Lo
Touch: Kesarnee Mathew, Tylah Orcher, Harlow McLennan, Zakius Mathew, Kimball Doig, Carter Gage, Iraia Nukunuku-Davis
Hockey: Dakota Vicary
Basketball: Marcus Donaldson, Carlos Wani, Kwoddet Deng, Aleer Aleu, Ageer Kuol, Josh Sundhoo, Majok Acuil, Garang Malueth
Swimming: Jack Hinkley, Ari Dimech, Lukey Dimech, Bridget Dimech

Met East Representatives

Basketball: Amaia Taylor, Eden Cooper, Ayva Semeatu
Netball: Cartier Liukingi, Ariella Schuster-Oloapu, Shyah Kara, Manaia Heke
Rugby Sevens: Laura Mills, Seta Lelilio-Sali, Mikaylah Williams
Triathlon: Ari Mueller, Ollie Hutchison
Swimming: Tessa Brittain, Oliver Hutchison, Eleanor Lucas, Ari Mueller, Hugo Brittain, Serenity Oakley-Dunning

We congratulate all students on their selection and commend them for their hard work and commitment. St James College is proud to stand behind you as you represent your teams with excellence.

Notices

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.

Online Application Link

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.