Key Dates

Date	Event
October
24	Last Day of Formal Classes for Year 12 Students
28	Community Consultation Architect Masterplan | P&F Meeting
29-31	Yr 11 Outdoor Education Camp
30	Masterplan Design Presentation
31	Principal’s Tour
November
6	College Advisory Council End of Year Dinner
7	St James College Taster Day Principal’s Tour College Art Show / Alumni Evening
11	Pirlirrpa Graduation
17-20	Yr 12 Rites of Passage (Refer Notices)
19	Yr 12 Gratitude Graduation Dinner, 6pm-9pm, Edmund Rice Hall
20	Yr 12 Graduation Mass, 10am-12noon, St James College Hall
21	Year 6 Transition Day
27	Orientation Day Last Day of Term 4
December
1-5	Staff Week
12	College Office closes

Leadership Team

Principal
Andrée Rice

What a great juncture in the term to be at! We have just celebrated a wonderful Awards Night, are farewelling our Year 12s and planning in earnest for 2026. It was great to celebrate the amazing achievements of our talented and high achieving students at Awards Night and I share an edited version of my speech with you here:

“Good evening to our families, staff, and especially our remarkable students. As the principal of St James College, it is my pleasure to reflect on a year filled with achievement, unity, and gratitude within our vibrant community. Together, we continue to embody the spirit of hope, inclusion, and excellence that shines throughout Brisbane’s inner city.

I wish to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, the Jagera and Turrbal peoples, paying respects to First Nations’ people present and celebrating the achievements of our strong First Nations’ students. Our journey towards reconciliation has grown stronger this year, with memorable experiences such as the Tiwi Islands immersion, learning from Uncle Moodiji as Elder in Residence, and artist Kushla Houkamau’s inspiring murals. We stand proudly in support of the Mparntwe Declaration and the Uluru Statement, walking the path of truth-telling and reconciliation together.

This year, we celebrated our diversity, welcoming 20 new international students and embracing over 64 language backgrounds. Our community is strengthened by students from refugee backgrounds and a thriving multi-faith environment. Cultural Night was a true highlight, showcasing our unity and the talents of all. St James is a place where neurodiverse students excel and every individual is valued, regardless of postcode, culture, or beliefs.

As I reflect on my first year as principal, I am grateful for the warmth and belonging extended to me by students and families alike. The pride in reaching 1,000 enrolments, the resilience shown by our senior students, and the dreams being realised each day affirm that St James is indeed a first-choice school. Thank you for making this a community where the impossible becomes reality and every student can belong and thrive.”

Please join us in praying for our Year 12 students about to commence their external exams and finalise completion of their VET certificates. We hope they find the discipline, sense of purpose and calm they need to accompany them through the next few weeks prior to graduation. I know you will be supporting your children, giving them snacks and treats during this time and being their go to person. Please look after yourselves as well!

I warmly invite all parents and carers this coming Tuesday afternoon 28 October to a Master Planning input session from 4.15-5.00pm in Café Di Marco. Architects will be asking for your input around the current and future facilities, buildings and physical environment of the school and we would love your input and ideas. Pizzas provided. Please note this invitation includes all current Parents and Friends supporters as well!

Once again, as we draw near to the end of the term, please reach out to us if you have concerns around your child’s progress at school and would like to speak with us. A problem shared is a problem halved and we appreciate all feedback from you and will do our very best to work in partnership with you to work through any issue or worry. Email school@stjamescollege.qld.edu.au if you need a generic email to send this to.

Deputy Principal
Kristina Johnson

Last week’s Presentation Evening was a wonderful celebration of the dedication, effort, and success of our students across all year levels. Congratulations to every award recipient and to the entire St James community for your ongoing support and encouragement. The evening was a true reflection of our shared commitment to excellence and growth, both inside and outside the classroom.

As we near the end of term, we also extend our warmest congratulations to the Year 12 students of 2025 as they complete their final week of lessons. This milestone marks the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. We wish each of you the very best for your upcoming assessments and future pathways—your achievements make us incredibly proud!

Wellbeing Tip:

As we continue to use our digital devices for learning, it’s important to show care and responsibility for our laptops. Please remember to:

- Keep devices clean, protected, and free from damage or stickers.

- Use technology appropriately and respectfully at all times.

- Practise good cybersafety by:

- Protecting your personal information and passwords.

- Thinking critically about what you read, watch, and share online - including the responsible and respectful use of AI tools.

- Treating others with kindness and inclusivity in all online spaces, reflecting our Touchstone of Inclusive Community.

Assistant Principal – Learning, Innovation, Partnerships & Pathways
Karen Lindsey

2025 Awards Night – A Celebration of St James Students

The 2025 St James Awards Night, held on Friday 17 October, was a truly memorable occasion filled with pride, joy, and celebration.

Our Principal Mrs Andrée Rice opened the evening with heartfelt congratulations to all students, commending their academic achievements, their unwavering commitment to the St James community, and their spirit that make our school so special.

Additionally, College Vice-Captains, Jotoa Lealiiee and Mia Jonker led the evening with professionalism as our MCs, and College Captains, Engy Abdalla Gamar and Mustafa Ibrahimzai delivered a moving tribute that reflected on their deep connection to the school. Our talented Choir and cross-cultural dance groups’ performances were greatly enjoyed.

A huge congratulations to all of our very deserving award recipients, with particular mention to:

- Alvin Yang – College Dux

- Marlee Ah Dar - Middle School Dux

- Engy Abdalla Gamar – Br Finbar Mulry Award

- Oliver Hutchison and Molly Carter – Sports Stars of the Year

The Awards Night was a shining example of the talent, dedication, and community spirit that define St James.

Assistant Principal – Identity & Global Advocacy
Isikeli Kubunameca

Pasifika Camp: A Journey of Culture and Connection

During the September holidays, 40 Pasifika students and staff from St James College gathered at Jimmies on the Dam for a transformative cultural camp. Themed “Journey,” the camp featured workshops on identity, mental health, and traditional cooking methods like Hangi/Umu/Lovo. Students explored their heritage, shared stories, and built community through reflection and hands-on learning. Special thanks to the Staff and the Pasifika families that came out to share in a meal that the students cooked and prepared. For many, it was a first-time experience—one that deepened cultural pride and strengthened bonds across generations.

Multicultural Inclusion Breakfast: Solidarity and Strength Across EREA Schools

In response to recent anti-immigration protests in Brisbane, St Lawrence and St James College gathered to host a Multicultural Inclusion Breakfast. Held on Wednesday 22 October, the event brought together 80 students from both EREA schools to foster solidarity and equip young people with strategies to respond to racism and discrimination. Led first by Atem Atem, who shared his experience initially as a student going through racism to now a staff member helping students navigate through the anti-immigration protest. Through guided discussions and shared reflection, students explored how to stand up for themselves and others in challenging situations – both in and out of school. The 3 takeaways from the session were:

1. Be Calm and breathe

2. Set your boundaries – verbally and physically

3. Safely disengage – prolonged engagement will only escalate situations. Try to remove yourself from the interaction.

It is hoped that we as EREA schools can have more discussions around this and other topics that impact our students and families.

Around the College

HEAL/QPASTT Celebrates 20 Years at Government House
Sue Cameron

To commemorate 20 years of the HEAL/QPASTT arts therapy programs in Queensland schools, a special morning tea was hosted at Government House. St James College students Mina Rezaie, Haneih Rezaie, and Humaira Mohammadi represented the College with pride, sharing their experiences in the HEAL program with Her Excellency, the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young. The students also enjoyed touring the beautiful and historic Government House, including its remarkable collection of artworks.

Junior Mural
Sue Cameron

In Term 3, as part of our Stand for Justice Day, junior students began designing and installing a community Welcome wall for the garden wall near MR1. The students’ design includes a flag wall and national flower wall. The creative efforts of our junior students have been outstanding, and the mural is expected to be completed by the end of Term 4. Thanks to the many students and staff who have contributed to this community project.

Uniting Care: Work Experience and Internships
Lauren Mannion

At the end of last term, eight students completed work experience with Uniting Care, culminating in a skills assessment for next year’s Project Search internship. All graduated with glowing feedback, and six secured internships across two Uniting Care locations. They developed skills in job interviews, team building, and workplace expectations, while exploring career pathways for their internship and beyond. Students said they feel more confident about future career choices and better understand teamwork, professionalism, and what lies ahead. A huge thank you to the Uniting Care team, and to Pravinesh Chand for supporting the students each week.

Empowering Year 8 Girls Through Self-Discovery – The Emerge Program
Mary Hecker & Suzanna Majok

Co-designed and co-facilitated by the College’s Wellbeing Development Officers Ms Mary Hecker and Ms Suzanna Majok, the Emerge Program is a dynamic five-week initiative, this term tailored for Year 8 girls. The program will begin in week 2 of term 4, running on Friday’s.

The program will be focusing on themes of self-development, personal growth, and wellbeing. Each session is scaffolded to build confidence, foster connection, and explore key life skills such as recognising and managing stress, understanding lived experience, and cultivating healthy relationships.

Linked to the Australian Curriculum, Emerge provides a safe and supportive space for young women to feel empowered to engage in meaningful discussions, creative activities, and collaborative learning experiences with fellow young women as mentors. We’re proud to see our Jimmies students grow and thrive through this enriching experience.

Pirlirrpa Annual Chocolate Crackle Competition
Erin Shetty

Our much-loved Jimmies tradition, the Annual Chocolate Crackle Competition, returned this term with plenty of creativity, laughter and teamwork on display. Each year, students work in teams to design and sculpt an edible creation made from chocolate crackle mixture and other tasty materials, all inspired by a theme.

This year’s theme was Gratitude, aligning with the College’s 2025 focus. Judged by Ms Yolanda Cano and Ms Andree Rice, the entries showcased not only imagination but deep reflection on what our students value most.

Two groups were crowned winners:

- Elizabeth Francis and Noah Seneviratne impressed the judges with a thoughtful sculpture representing the things they are grateful for — education, family, friends and nature.

- Matthew Johnson Millie, Matthew Skeggs, and Mr Ryan Chapman created a fun, detailed piece celebrating trains and public transport — a nod to their appreciation for Queensland’s new 50-cent fares!

Congratulations to all participants for their creativity, collaboration, and sense of fun. It was a joyful celebration of gratitude — and, of course, chocolate!

Fiji Independence Day Celebration & Bake Sale
Mariedelphi Silao

Last Friday, our college came together to celebrate Fiji’s 54th year of Independence with a vibrant Bake Sale — and what a success it was!

The day was filled with food and fun as our students, staff, and families joined in to honour the rich culture and heritage of our Fijian community. Tables were lined with delicious foods and sweet treats, all prepared and shared by our Pasifika community.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed — from those who cooked and donated food, to those who helped sell, serve, and clean up. Your generosity, teamwork, and support truly made this celebration possible.

Events like these remind us of the power of community and the importance of celebrating our diverse cultural roots.

We look forward to more Pasifika celebrations in the future as we continue to nurture pride, connection, and belonging within our college.

Formula High School Race Day
Anthony Hill

On October 10, our talented Engineering students represented St James College at the 2025 Formula High School Race Day at Lakeside Raceway. Competing against schools from across Southeast Queensland, our students showcased exceptional engineering, teamwork, and determination.

After months of preparation, the Jimmies Racing Team delivered an impressive performance, with one of our cars securing third place overall—a testament to their skill and dedication.

A heartfelt thank you to the families who came to support our team. Your encouragement made the day even more special.

Congratulations to the St James Racing Team—we’re proud of your achievements and excited for what’s next!

International Students Shine at Awards Night
Kaspar Wong

St James College celebrated student academic achievement and excellence last Friday night. The event showcased fantastic performances and recognised our outstanding international students for their school achievements:

Year 5: Natthamon Angthong.

Year 6: Kimi Qingqi Jia.

Year 8: Qihua Dai.

Year 9: Engo Cheng-You Wang.

Year 10: Anna Zixuan Liu.

Year 11: Sani Nguyen Uyen Nhi Vo, Cameron Wangchao Li, Chester Po-Cheng Chen, Jinxhu Li, Lina Xinlin Chen, Cathy Guan Xin, Tim Chun-Ting Liu.

Year 12: Jordance Ngoc Luan Nguyen.

Alfred Chi Ching Leung, a Year 12 student, received the International Ambassador Award in recognition of his efforts in enhancing student engagement this year. Congratulations to all students and families for their ongoing efforts and support. Special thanks to the staff for their support during the event.

Artforce Collaboration Highlights Student Creativity and Educational Journey
Aaron McDonough

On October 14 and 15, Year 12 student, Teja Harris and I worked on a signal box on the corner and Queen and Adelaide Streets as part of the Brisbane City Council Artforce initiative. Artforce is a program that invites local residents, to paint original artworks on traffic signal boxes. The design was Teja’s and is based on the idea of a tree of learning and knowledge, relating to the journey of education and growth as individuals. We had the help of Luis Natera Gonzalez Year 12 on the first half day and that really made a difference.

Celebrating Diversity in Carey House
Nicole Christensen

Last week, middle and senior House leaders came together with students from every Carey homeroom to create a vibrant Carey House art project. Each student added a unique flower to the banner with their fingerprint and chose a centre colour to reflect their culture or story. This special art project celebrates the wonderful diversity of Carey House—showing that everyone belongs and is celebrated in our community.

Thank you to Mr Aaron McDonough for printing our banner and Ms Berenice Anzellotti for organising paints and supporting us on the day. The finished piece will be proudly displayed in the Carey House office.

Active Industry Careers Day
Tony Ninasivinche

Year 11 students attended the Active Industry Careers Day at PCYC Logan, where they explored career opportunities in fitness, sport, recreation, and community services. The event gave students a chance to speak directly with employers, discover training pathways, and gain a better understanding of the different roles available in these growing industries. It was a valuable opportunity for students to connect classroom learning with real-world careers. A special thank you to Blake and Darin for accompanying the group and supporting students throughout the day.

PCYC CHAMP Program
Yacob Kial

Our first CHAMP session with PCYC was a great success. Students took part in boxing and pad work that built teamwork, confidence, and self-discipline while promoting fitness and focus. Led by PCYC trainers, the session encouraged students to set goals, show respect, and support one another throughout the drills. The energy and engagement were outstanding, setting a strong foundation for future sessions that foster wellbeing, belonging, and personal growth.

School Holiday Community Swim Project
Ryan Chapman

Although the Community Swim Project has officially concluded, our group continued to meet during the holidays for two valuable follow-up sessions. The first was held at the College, where participants took part in an intensive day focused on lesson planning and the delivery of swimming lessons. The second session took place at Langlands Aquatic Centre, where we were generously invited to join a private Professional Development Day with Aquatic Education.

While our group was small, the experience proved to be incredibly beneficial. Students received exceptional one-on-one guidance from both Nick from Aquatic Education and Ryan from the College and Yellow Dove Australia.

As we head into summer, please remember to stay safe around the water; always read safety signs, swim between the flags, and never swim alone.

Sport

St James College Shines at Queensland All Schools Championships
Darin Coombs

From 2–5 October, St James College proudly competed at the Queensland All Schools Championships at the Queensland State Athletics Centre.

Our students delivered outstanding performances, with the College placing 9th out of 177 schools in the Boys’ Trophy and 45th out of 155 schools in the Girls’ Trophy.

Standout achievements included:

- Ned Amorsen – Gold in 15 Boys 100m & 200m

- Molly Cater – Gold (800m), Silver (100m & 200m) – PA U20

- Oliver Hutchinson – Gold (800m), Silver (100m & 200m) – PA U20

- Cooper Lofts – Silver in 16 Boys Javelin

In total, students reached 13 finals across 23 events — an impressive effort!

Congratulations to all participants, and best of luck to Ned, Molly, Oliver, and Cooper, who will represent Queensland at the Australian All Schools Championships in Melbourne in the first week of December.

Outstanding Results at Queensland All Schools Triathlon Championships
Darin Coombs

Over the weekend, the Queensland All Schools Triathlon Championships were held at Kawana Waters on the Sunshine Coast, with three students proudly representing our College.

Congratulations to Hugo Brittain, who achieved an impressive 3rd place in the 11 Years multi-class race, competing in extremely windy conditions.

We also extend our congratulations to Ari Mueller and Oliver Hutchinson, who placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the highly competitive 16–18 Years multi-class race, held in very hot and humid weather.

A special congratulations to Ari and Oliver on their selection to represent Queensland in the All Schools Triathlon Team at the National Championships, which will take place on the Gold Coast in February next year.

Well done to all three students on their fantastic efforts and achievements!

Outstanding Student Achievements at the Queensland Track & Field Championships

Over the past week, five talented students from St James College proudly represented our school as part of the Met East Track and Field Team at the Queensland Primary and Secondary Schools Track & Field State Championships, held in Townsville.

Despite the extremely hot and humid conditions, our students showed incredible determination, sportsmanship, and skill — achieving some truly outstanding results on the state stage.

We are incredibly proud of their efforts and would like to congratulate the following students on their fantastic performances:

Queensland Championships Results:

- Oliver Hutchinson – Gold in 400m, 800m, 1500m

- Molly Carter – Gold (200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m), Silver in 100m

- Ari Mueller – Gold (Javelin & Discus), Silver in Shot Put, Bronze (800m & 1500m)

- Cooper Lofts – Gold in Javelin

- Tessa Brittain (Primary School) – Gold (Discus & Shot Put), Bronze in Long Jump

Congratulations once again to all of our athletes. You have done St James College proud with your hard work, commitment, and exceptional results. We look forward to seeing your continued success in the future!

St James Students Shine at 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships
Michael Anderson

From October 8 to 15, four outstanding students from St James proudly represented our school at the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships — a prestigious international event hosted by Sport Inclusion Australia. With over 30 countries participating, the Championships showcased the incredible talents of athletes with intellectual/physical impairments from around the globe

St James was honoured with a special invitation to take part in the official medal ceremonies. Our students rose to the occasion with grace and professionalism, presenting medals to world-class athletes with poise and respect. Their impeccable conduct and warm presence were noted by event organisers and attendees alike, making us all incredibly proud.

This experience not only highlighted the values of inclusion and sportsmanship but also gave our students a front-row seat to an inspiring celebration of athletic excellence. We commend them for representing St James with such dignity and enthusiasm.

Basketball CBSQ Senior Tournament
Kirron Byrne

The Champion Basketball School of Queensland Tournament (CBSQ) was kicked off by the Open Boys and Girls teams. St James Girls’ team finished Runners Up in Division 2 the last two years, whilst 2025 saw the team step into Division 1. This step up was always going to be tough with our team being a healthy mix of year groups from Year 7 up to Year 12. The girls fought hard and were competitive in all games eventually finishing 12th in the State, a mighty effort! Similarly, the Boys team fought hard in Division 1, battling every game and finishing 2nd in their pool. However, some key loses in the cross over games saw them ending up 15th in the State which although a mighty effort was met by some disappointment.

Basketball CBSQ Junior Tournament
Kirron Byrne

The Juniors (Year 9 and 10) have played outstanding basketball during the last four days! The boys were outstanding playing poised, skilful and team focused basketball going undefeated through the round games. It was an outstanding achievement and although they fell short in the last 40 seconds of the final, their second place means St James Juniors will be promoted up a division and the standard has been set for the class of 2026.

Similarly, the Junior Girls made up mostly of Year 7’s and 8’s with a smattering of dedicated Year 10’s and 9’s, were gallant in their effort losing only 1 game during their pool games, before storming back in the playoffs to claim 5th place. The attitude, togetherness and support the girls gave each other was inspirational and held in true Jimmies spirit!

NRL Southeast QLD 9’s Gala Day – Rugby League
Michael Anderson

On October 21, St James College participated in the NRL Southeast QLD 9’s Gala Day at the Logan Metro Sporting Complex. The event provided a fun and competitive opportunity for our Year 9–12 Rugby League Excellence boys to showcase their agility and talent in shorter, modified games of Rugby League against other schools.

Our Year 9–10 team performed strongly, securing several wins and delivering outstanding performances from students such as Jackson Friend, Jermaine Fisher, and Jack Stretton.

In the Opens age group, two teams were successfully entered - one primarily made up of Year 12 students and another consisting of Year 11 students. Both teams competed respectfully, displayed great sportsmanship, and enjoyed the day. Standout performers included Katane Frey, Quayde Franciscus, Inoke Kalauta, and Tau Lelilio-Sali.

Special thanks are extended to Ana Fotu, Brenko Lee, Tahnae Hutner, and Darin Coombs for their efforts in organising and coaching our teams.

Next Tuesday, our Year 9–10 Girls and Open Girls teams will take the field - we wish them the best of luck!

Year 5 & 6 Multi-Class Cycling
Michael Anderson

This term, Year 5 and 6 multi-class students are participating in an exciting cycling program aimed at developing their riding skills, road safety awareness, and teamwork. The program combines practical lessons with interactive discussions, fostering fitness, confidence, and responsibility while promoting outdoor physical activity and sustainable transport.

Fees
Genevieve O’Sullivan

Please be advised that the final fees installments for the year were emailed out on 13 October. If you didn’t receive an email from us, please check your Junk or Spam email folder, otherwise all statements (new and previous) will be accessible via logging in to Parent Lounge.

All other 2025 fees are now OVERDUE – please make payment as soon as possible if you have outstanding fees, however, for those families on fees concessions or regular payment plans, please continue your regular payments as arranged.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to apply for a fees concession, please contact us for a confidential discussion and application.

Please note that if your fees remain overdue and you have not made contact with the College, your account may be referred to an external debt collection agency which will incur extra cost to you.

2025 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 8694.

Notices

Reminder for families:

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