St James College

Great food, karaoke, lots of laughs and plenty of smiling faces made for a wonderful Filipino Independence Day celebration at St James.

A big shout out to our Filipino community for sharing your culture, traditions and hospitality with us. Thank you for bringing such great energy to the day and helping create a sense of connection and belonging across our College community.

We hope everyone had a fantastic time!

What a special way to close out Term 2 at St James College!

Wednesday's assembly was a celebration of culture, community and achievement as we recognised NAIDOC Week, proudly presented our QISSN and QISSRL athletes with their team jerseys ahead of next week's carnivals, and gathered to farewell two valued members of our College community.

After 21 years of dedicated service, we thanked Assistant Principal Culture, Identity and Advocacy, Mr Isikeli Kubunameca for his extraordinary contribution to St James. Mr K has helped shape the heart and identity of our College, championing culture, belonging, justice and advocacy, while inspiring generations of young people to embrace who they are and use their gifts in service of others. His leadership has strengthened initiatives such as Cultural Night, immersions, community partnerships and our commitment to being a lighthouse school for equity, diversity and inclusion. We wish him every success as he embarks on an exciting new leadership journey in the UAE.

We also farewelled teacher Mr Ryan Mamauag and thanked him for his commitment and contribution to our community.

Thank you Mr Mamauag, and thank you Mr K, for the lasting impact you have made on staff, and generations of Jimmies students.

Yesterday, St James was delighted to welcome back last year's College Dux, Alvin Yang. Since graduating, Alvin has spent the first semester of the year studying a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at UNSW.

Alvin flew to Brisbane for just one day to reconnect with his former teachers and enjoy dinner with his friends from St James. He spoke fondly of his time at Jimmies, and staff were honoured that he made time to catch up with his senior teachers and share stories of his university experiences and adventures.

Alvin is now preparing for an exciting new chapter as he moves to Singapore to continue his Chemical Engineering studies at the National University of Singapore. We are incredibly proud of all that he has achieved and wish him every success and happiness in the years ahead.

A huge congratulations to Year 9 student Ambrose (Alto Voice) and Year 7 student Tessa (Tenor Saxophone), who recently represented St James College at the prestigious State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) at Griffith University Conservatorium.

SHEP is a highly regarded program that brings together some of Queensland's most talented young musicians, providing students with the opportunity to learn, rehearse and perform alongside like-minded performers from across the state.

Ambrose and Tessa were nominated by our dedicated Music staff, Brodie McAllister, Chelsea Stutchbury and George Waqairagata, in recognition of their outstanding musical ability, commitment and passion for their craft.

After speaking with both students following the program, it was clear this was an unforgettable experience. They thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with other talented young musicians and described the program as both inspiring and rewarding.

We are proud to provide students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, empowering them to pursue their passions and develop their talents.

Last weekend, three St James teams earned their place in the Big 6 Finals at Somerset College, with our Open Boys, Open Girls and Sophomore Girls proudly representing the College in a fantastic showcase of school basketball.

The standout performance came from our Sophomore Girls, who were crowned Big 6 Champions, defeating Somerset in a commanding Grand Final display of teamwork, composure and determination.

The Open Boys battled hard all tournament, finishing runners-up after a tough Final against King's, while our Open Girls showed incredible grit, narrowly going down to Hillcrest Christian College in a closely contested match.

Congratulations to all our players and coaches on an outstanding tournament. Your commitment, sportsmanship and team spirit continue to make the St James community proud.

The Junior School Chess Team recently competed in their first interschool chess tournament. Twelve students in three teams from Year 5 and 6 represented the College with enthusiasm and determination, gaining valuable experience against strong opposition from other schools. While our results were mixed, the teams performed admirably and should be proud of their efforts.

A special thank you goes to the organisers of the Gardiner Chess Tournament for providing such a well-run and enjoyable event.

We would also like to commend all team members for the excellent sportsmanship they displayed, showing respect, encouragement and integrity both at the chess boards and throughout the day.

We look forward to building on this experience and seeing our young chess players continue to develop their skills in future competitions.

Our Year 12 Modern History students recently stepped beyond the classroom and into the State Library of Queensland for a productive and inspiring day of research, developing valuable skills to support their IA3 historical essays.

Students participated in a specialised research workshop designed to strengthen their academic capabilities ahead of their assessments. Guided by library staff, they explored strategies for locating, evaluating and organising high-quality sources, gaining insight into how historians work with evidence and a taste of the expectations they may encounter at university.

Armed with their new skills, students then independently sourced material for their investigations into fear and paranoia during the Cold War. Topics ranged from the Cuban Missile Crisis and McCarthyism to the impact of the Korean and Vietnam Wars on the American psyche.

The excursion not only enhanced students' research capabilities but also fostered confidence, curiosity and independence, essential qualities for success in their final year and beyond.

Well done to our Year 12 Modern History students for embracing the challenge and making the most of this valuable learning opportunity.

Recently, our Year 10 students attended the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo, exploring a diverse range of pathways including apprenticeships, traineeships, university study, vocational education and future careers.

Experiences such as these are an important part of the Year 10 SET Plan journey, helping students broaden their horizons, discover new possibilities and make informed decisions about their future. By connecting with employers, industry representatives, training providers and universities, students gain valuable insights into the many pathways available beyond school.

A special thank you to all staff involved in supporting and supervising the excursion, ensuring our students had the opportunity to engage with experiences that inspire ambition, build confidence and open minds to what is possible for their future.

National Schoolgirls Cup Kick-Off

St James College Rugby League Excellence is proud to announce the commencement of our National Schoolgirls Cup campaign, in Australia’s premier schoolgirls rugby league competition.

This competition represents the highest level of schoolgirl rugby league in the country, and we are incredibly proud to have our young women stepping onto this stage. Their selection reflects their commitment, resilience, and dedication to both their academic journey and athletic development. There will be a full day of Rugby League at Valleys, with our DeVere and Gee Cup teams playing before the girls at 1.30PM and 2.45PM.

Game Details:

- Thursday, 18 June
- Valleys Diehards, Stafford
- Kick-off time: 4.00PM

Our girls will represent the College with pride, discipline, and a team-first mentality, embodying everything we stand for in the Jimmies DNA. This is an exciting opportunity for them to challenge themselves against the best, grow as individuals, and build lifelong memories and friendships through the game.

We encourage our St James community, families, and supporters to come down and get behind the team as they begin their National Schoolgirls Cup campaign.

Let’s bring the energy and show our support!

📸 St James Rugby League Captains Sinalei and Mia and Coach Ana Fotu, Ipswich State High School Rugby League Captains
Background Image: Titans National Schoolgirl Cup Launch

Join us for a joyful celebration of the rich cultures and diversity within our St James College community! Families, friends and students are warmly invited to enjoy an evening of vibrant performances, music, fashion and dance.

Event Details:
Food Trucks & Market Stalls: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Pre-Show Entertainment from St James College Students
Doors Open: 4:00pm
Show Starts: 5:00pm sharp

Dress Code:
Culture in Colour - Represent your heritage and wear your best!
Prizes to be won

Ticket Details:
$15 each via TryBooking.com

Purchase your tickets today using the QR code on the attached event flyer or via https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1597740

Important Information:

Maximum 5 tickets per student
All attendees aged 3+ require a ticket
Strictly ticketed event – NO ticket, NO entry
Tickets must be purchased online via Trybooking (no sales at the door)
Please have your ticket ready for scanning on arrival

Parking:
$15 at Hancock Street Car Park (15 Hancock St, South Brisbane)
Best access via Level 4 (direct to ERPAC lifts)
Validation tickets will be provided
Level 6 for main entrance to event
Limited street parking also available

We look forward to celebrating with you!