College Events Calendar

Date	Event
July
25	College Interhouse Athletics Carnival
25	St James Feast Day
27-2/8	Catholic Education Week
28	College Enrolment Information Evening
28-30	Yr 8 Camp
31	Principal’s Awards and Parent/Teacher Night
31-1/8	Pirlirrpa Camp
August
1	Yr 10 Retreat
3-10	Northern Territory/Tiwi Island Immersion
5	Yr 10 Retreat
7-8	South District Athletics Carnival
9	UQ Winter Series Athletics Meet
11	P&F Meeting
11-12	Yrs 10 & 12 Mt Gravatt Athletics Carnival
12	National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
12	‘An Evening of Gratitude’ event
13	Ekka Holiday (Public Holiday)
14	Student Free Day
15	Stand For Justice Day
15	Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival
18	CBSQ Yr 5 & 6
18-22	Book Week
18-19	Yr 11 Class B, Biology Camp
19-20	Yr 11 Class A, Biology Camp
20	Yr 5/6 Reflection Day
20	Yr 12 ‘50 Days Until Graduation Celebration’
22	Carnival 2 – Multiclass Athletics
25-29	VET Skills Week
28-29	Met East Athletics Carnival
30	HEAL Concert
September
4	Yr 9 Outdoor Ed
5	Student Free Day
8	College Advisory Council Meeting
10	Sport Assembly
10-12	Yr 12 Outdoor Ed Camp
13	UQ Winter Series Athletics Meet
17-19	Yr 9 Camp
17-20	CBSQ Seniors
19	Last Day Term 3

Leadership Team

Principal

Andrée Rice 

Dear Parents and Carers, 

We are at an exciting juncture in the school year and have started consultative work around St James’ strategic priorities for the next three years 2026-2028. Strategic priorities are the key domains or areas of focus for our school and are common to all educational communities. Our domains are: FAITH AND TRANSFORMATION, STUDENT WELLBEING AND ENGAGEMENT, IMPACTFUL LEARNING FOR LIFE, PEOPLE AND CULTURE and STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY.

As part of this planning process, we have held meetings with the P&F, the School Advisory Council and the staff to capture their hopes and dreams for our community. Our next step is to hold student sessions where our students get to tell us how we are tracking and what improvements we can make to meet their needs and support their growth. I will keep you updated about these next steps and look forward to sharing with you some exciting news about developments on our Warren St building site!

One thing coming through very strongly as we talk and meet around this future planning is the feeling of our unique “Jimmies heart and soul,” something we need to protect and continue to hold sacred as we move forward. This is a timely reminder as we celebrated St James’ Feast Day and NAIDOC this week. We were privileged to have our Elder in Residence, Uncle Moodiji (Kargon Fogarty) teach us Jagera language and share some Jagera dances and songs with us whilst Fr Michael Tran was with us, conducting our Feast Day Liturgy. This beautiful interweaving of First Nations’ culture and strength with our Catholic tradition reminded us how fortunate our school is to be on First Nations’ Country, connected to culture and elders and part of the Catholic Community. Past student Kushla Houkamau has been our artist in residence this week for NAIDOC and everyone is in awe of the House Mural Project she has created to mark NAIDOC 2025. The future for Jimmies and the way our kind of education transforms lives was very much alive this week! Live Jesus in our hearts. Keep us forever faithful.

 

Deputy Principal

Kristina Johnson 

Welcome to Term 3 at St James College

A Message to Our Students, Families, and Staff:
With the arrival of Term 3, I would like to extend a warm welcome back to all students, parents, carers, and staff of St James College and welcome to new staff and students. We hope the winter break provided a well-earned rest and a chance to recharge for the busy and exciting months ahead. 

Congratulations to all students on the completion of Semester 1 and on receiving your report cards. Your hard work, dedication, and growth over the past semester are worthy of celebration. Whether you achieved your goals or identified new areas for improvement, now is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and set fresh intentions for academic achievement and active engagement in learning as we begin Semester 2.

As is typical for Term 3, our calendar is brimming with events and opportunities for involvement. To keep up to date, we strongly encourage families to regularly check the College calendar available on Parent Lounge, the College App, and our College website. Staying informed ensures no one misses the wealth of activities, assemblies, and special moments planned for this term.

Student Protection Processes and Guidelines and Complaints Handling Policy

From time to time, there may be moments when parents, carers, or stakeholders have concerns about how certain matters are handled at the College. Most issues can be resolved quickly and informally by contacting the relevant staff member for a conversation. We value honest feedback as an opportunity for growth. However, if a matter cannot be resolved through discussion, there is a formal process for lodging a complaint in writing. Our Complaints Handling Policy and the relevant form can be found on the College website (see link below). The College remains committed to responding to complaints promptly, fairly, and with transparency, ensuring our procedures are equitable for all parties involved. Our Complaints Handling Policy Guidelines are designed to assist everyone in understanding how we approach these matters. 

Further, the college is committed to upholding Student Protection and safety and follow guidelines as established by EREA (see link below) for further information and processes. 

https://stjamescollege.policyconnect.com.au/module/3430/page/bb1f81ce-d232-43bc-ac2e-f6c45247efab.md  

https://stjamescollege.policyconnect.com.au/module/3428/page/e8b21944-573c-4aff-a7a1-249ea8d74902.md  

At this week's assembly, students were reminded of the importance of engaging deeply in their learning, embracing curiosity, and demonstrating behaviour that reflects the inclusive, respectful, and aspirational ethos of St James College—whether in the classroom, in the yard, or on public transport. 

We are proud to announce and wish the very best of luck to our Metropolitan Finalists in the Queensland Training Awards today: 

Vocational Student of the Year

• Molly Elizabeth Carter, Certificate II in Furniture Making
• Engy Abdalla Gamar, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
• Lachey Button-Wright, Certificate II in Salon Assistant

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

• Jackson Vitale, Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation / Certificate III in Business / Certificate II in Electrotechnology

Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable term ahead! 

For more information on our policies or upcoming events, please refer to the College website or contact us directly.

 

Assistant Principal – Identity & Global Advocacy

Isikeli Kubunameca

The annual Brisbane Rotary Art Show was held last week in the foyer of Central Plaza One, Brisbane.  Our students were invited to sell raffle tickets at the Gala event last Tuesday evening. 

 

Last week the Year 11 cohort participated in their three-day Leadership Camp held at Alexandria Headland.

Over the past two weeks, our school has supported students in engaging with NAIDOC Week—an important time to recognise and reflect on the richness, strength, and ongoing legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. In particular, our First Nations students had the opportunity to actively participate in cultural events that acknowledged and celebrated identity, community, and tradition. 

Two key highlights were attending Dear Son, a Queensland Theatre production, and taking part in the Murri School’s annual Family Fun Day—one of the most well-attended NAIDOC events in Brisbane. 

Dear Son offered a deeply moving and thought-provoking performance exploring the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men across generations. Through powerful storytelling, the play shared the voices of fathers, sons, and families, unpacking identity, connection, and cultural strength. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of truth-telling and holding space for First Nations perspectives. 

The Murri School’s Family Fun Day offered a different but equally important experience—bringing together community, culture, and celebration. With a wide range of stalls, performances, and activities, the day was a strong example of cultural sharing in action. There were opportunities to engage with learning, support small Indigenous-owned businesses, and enjoy live music and dance performances. The event had a clear sense of community pride and collaboration. 

This week our community celebrated NAIDOC with a mural representing the theme for 2025: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy. We thank past Jimmies Alumni and resident First Nation's Artist Kushla Houkamau for leading our community through the creative art work.

 

Around the College

 

Celebrating 150 Years of Edmund Rice Ministry in Australia

Reflection by Ava Bradshaw (Year 12) 

On June 16, students and staff attended a special dinner at St Laurence’s College to honour 150 years of faithful service by the Christian Brothers in Australia. The evening centred on the enduring values of Presence, Compassion, and Liberation—core to Edmund Rice’s legacy.

Professor Denis McLaughlin shared moving stories of Edmund’s life, highlighting how his wife’s humble background inspired his deep compassion. Edmund welcomed poor boys into his home, offering education, food, and clothing. After his wife’s passing, he became a devoted single father—an uncommon role at the time—and extended that same care to others in need.

The theme of Liberation was explored through Edmund’s commitment to justice, especially his work to restore dignity through education. He stood with humanity in its darkest moments, even offering comfort to prisoners in their final hours.

It was a powerful and inspiring night, reminding us to lead with the same spirit of presence, compassion, and liberation.

International Office

Kaspar Wong 

We’re thrilled to commence Term 3 by welcoming our international exchange students and study tour guests. Last week was truly memorable as we hosted 16 wonderful students and two enthusiastic teachers from SangGwan Middle School in South Korea for a memorable two-day visit at St James. 

Having previously connected online through our cultural exchange sessions, meeting face-to-face was a true highlight! Our guests brought incredible energy and joy, sharing traditional Korean dances, lively games, and the ever-popular K-pop. It was a celebration of culture, friendship, and fun. 

A special thank you to Ms Nicole Johnson for leading our students in the Queensland bush dance—everyone had a fantastic time learning and laughing together! 

We look forward to reconnecting with our new friends again soon.

Bell Shakespeare Touring Players Perform at St James

Michael Harrop 

We were incredibly fortunate to welcome the Bell Shakespeare players to our school for three dynamic performances for students in Years 5 to 8. Their high-energy shows both entertained and educated our students, bringing Shakespeare's works to life in a truly engaging way. 

A special highlight was seeing our amazing Teacher Assistants take to the stage, showcasing their own talents alongside the professionals. 

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this experience so memorable!

 

Art Department Enhances Learning with New INSWAN Visual Presenter

Berenice Anzellotti

The Art Department is excited to share a recent addition to our classroom technology—a new INSWAN document camera, now being used to enrich the learning experience in our art classes.

The INSWAN is a high-definition visual presenter that allows teachers to display real-time demonstrations directly onto the digital board. Whether it's showing fine brush techniques, modelling clay work, or explaining perspective drawing, students can now view every detail clearly from anywhere in the room. This tool ensures that no one misses a step during live demonstrations, fostering a more inclusive and interactive learning environment. 

By integrating the INSWAN into our teaching toolkit, we’re providing students with better visual access to techniques and creative processes, ultimately supporting their artistic growth and confidence. We're excited to see how this new technology will inspire our students and enhance the way we teach art.

 

Year 10 Food Technology Students Plant Herb Gardens

Sophie Conlon 

This week in Food Technology, the Year 10 students got their hands dirty as they planted their very own herb gardens! This hands-on project is the start of an exciting new unit exploring the different flavours and uses of herbs in sweet and savoury dishes. Over the term, students will investigate how different herbs can elevate a meal, experiment with flavour pairings and learn how to make sustainable choices in the kitchen. The highlight of the unit is a mystery box cooking challenge where students will draw on all they have learned to create a dish that highlights their homegrown herbs.

 

 

Year 12 Work Experience

Karen Graham

This term Year 12 student Molly Carter has the opportunity to work alongside Middle School teachers as she experiences a taste of what it is like to be an Education Support worker. 

Molly will be engaged with Middle School students every Tuesday and began this week with Mr Sean Choromanski's Yr 6 class and Ms Tia Parker's HPE class. In session 1 Molly assisted the students in small groups with Goal setting activities followed by a Health and Physical Education Fun and Fitness Class with Ms Tia Parker.  Molly will work a full day every Tuesday finishing off with Yr 5/6 Sport. 

Molly enjoyed working with Yr 6 and is looking into enrolling into the Cert 3 TAFE Education Teacher Support Couse in 2026. 

Thank you to Mr Choromanski and Ms Parker for supporting Molly and to Mr Ninasivinche for his great work in guiding our students into post school career opportunities.

 

 

Year 10 Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation Assessment Camp

Darin Combs

Year 10 Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation students recently completed a challenging and rewarding adventure assessment camp. The camp began with a 6km canoe paddle across the stunning Maroon Dam, followed by a demanding 15km hike with full backpacks to Cronan Creek Falls in Mt Barney National Park. Students camped and slept in swags under the stars, experiencing a full range of weather—from freezing cold mornings and hot days to an extreme 4am storm that tested their resilience. 

Throughout the camp, students completed key assessment components for their certificate, demonstrating outstanding determination and teamwork. Despite the tough physical demands and unpredictable conditions, they powered through every challenge thrown at them. 

We are incredibly proud of their efforts, commitment, and positive attitude. Thank you to the staff who supported the students every step of the way, Mr Michael Anderson and Ms Nakao.

 

 

2025 Kokoda Challenge – We Did It Again!

Sarah Mouritz 

On Saturday, 19 July 2025, six teams from St James College took on the 48km Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge for the fourth consecutive year. A total of 30 students, staff, and parents participated, supported by a dedicated group of around a dozen additional parents and staff members. 

Despite muddy and often slippery conditions, all teams completed the course in great spirits! A huge thank you to everyone involved students, staff, and parents alike. This was a significant effort, and with dedication and strong support, it turned out to be arguably our best year yet. 

We also extend our gratitude to Technology One for their generous ongoing support.

Sport

Tuesday Interschool Sport 15 July

Although it was the first day back for our students, our Junior Sporting teams were right back into action on the court/field as they competed in Round 5 of South District Winter Season Interschool Sport. It was great to see numbers at a high even for the first day back of Term and lots of positivity amongst all of our teams. These were some of the highlights for the day of competition: 

• Both Girls Basketball Teams put up over 40 points (in only 20 minutes)
• 3 out of 4 Basketball Teams picking up victories
• Both Volleyball and TRL Teams picking up convincing hard-fought victories

QISSN

During the June/July school holidays, our school proudly participated in the QISSN Netball Carnival held in Bundaberg. We entered two teams: a girls’ team and a boys’ team. Our girls’ team achieved an incredible milestone, finishing 4th in Division 1 — the best result ever for St James College girls! The boys’ team continued their winning streak, claiming the championship for the 4th consecutive year. This remarkable achievement showcases the skill, dedication, and teamwork of our students. Congratulations to all players for their hard work and sportsmanship. We are proud of your outstanding efforts and look forward to more success in future tournaments! 

St James Player Specialty Awards

• Player of the Grand Final – Boys: CJ Lepasteur
• Named Most Valuable Player - Girls: Mahlia Henare
• Named Most Valuable Player - Boys: Ziad Baku
• Named in the QISSN All Stars Team – Girls: Mahlia Henare
• Named in the QISSN All Stars Team – Boys: Jayden Newell, Tyrone Guce, Deng Joseph, CJ Lepasteur

QISSRL

St James College proudly entered its first-ever girls’ team into Division 1 at the Confraternity Carnival in Rockhampton. The team won two of their three pool matches, defeating Rockhampton Grammar and Marymount College, showing impressive growth and cohesion. In a thrilling semi-final, they beat last year’s champions, St Pat’s Mackay, 8-4. Facing The Cathedral College in the grand-final, the girls led 12-10 at halftime but finished with a strong silver-medal result, 26-16. 

This year’s Carnival saw the boys’ team embrace the opportunity of stepping up from Division 3 to Division 2. Their attention to detail, their commitment to one another, and the pride with which they wore the St James jersey each day was something special. The boys finished mid-table in Division 2 with three wins. 

St James Player Specialty Awards

• Named in the QLD Confraternity Merit Team – Girls: Kina Vaigna, Layla Satui, Lenore Georgetown, Reece Orcher
• Named Best and Fairest (Div 1) and Most Potential for the NRLW: Kina Vaigna
• Recipient of the Spirit of Confraternity Award – Girls Div 1: Lenore Georgetown
• Named Best and Fairest – Boys Div 2: Katene Frey
• Recipient of the Spirit of Confraternity Award – Boys Div 2: Rico Toloi

 

 

Sporting Representatives

QLD

Marcus Donaldson, Jayden Newell 

Track & Field Team Shines at #1 UQ Winter Meet

Congratulations to our Track and Field team who competed at the first of three Winter Meets at the University of Queensland, held in partnership with Queensland Athletics on Saturday 19 July. This event marked the start of our school athletics season, and our students proudly represented us across events including the 60m, 100m, discus, and high jump. It was a fantastic day of competition, with all athletes performing brilliantly and showing great sportsmanship. A reminder that training continues each Monday after school, with the bus departing at 3pm and returning by 5pm from the UQ athletics track.

 

Sporting Superstars

QRSS QLD Cross County Championships

Four students competed for Met East:

1. Ollie Hutchison, gold medal (individual race) & bronze medal (relay race)
2. Ari Mueller, bronze medal (individual race & relay race)
3. Will Carter, gold medal (individual race)
4. Eleanor Lucas

 

South District Trials

Please come to the Sports Office for more information 

Term 3 Week 4

• SD Track and Field Day 1: Trial – 4 August
• SD Track and Field Day 2: Trial – 8 August

Notices

Reminder for families:

Please ensure your contact details are up to date on Parent Lounge or contact the College if you need assistance.