St Brendan-Shaw College

Mass will be celebrated by Fr Ashan in the College Chapel this Friday morning, 28 August, from 8:15 am to 8:40 am, concluding in time for Homeroom.

All staff, students, families and members of the Parish are warmly invited. You do not need to be a practising Catholic to attend. Our Friday morning Masses offer a peaceful and reflective start to the day, and a moment to pause at the end of the week.

If there is someone in your life you would like to pray for, you are especially welcome to join us and hold them in your thoughts and prayers.

📍 College Chapel
🕗 Friday, 28 August | 8:15 am – 8:40 am

Our VET Animal Care students enjoyed a hands-on learning experience at the Serpentarium in St Helens last week.

Students had the opportunity to get up close with a range of reptiles while learning about their health, care and husbandry. They also gained practical experience feeding and hydrating reptiles, and checking their enclosures.

A fantastic opportunity to take their Animal Care learning beyond the classroom and learn directly from those working with these remarkable animals. 🐍🦎

🎲 Trivia Night is back!

Gather your team and put your trivia knowledge to the test at the annual St Brendan-Shaw College Trivia Night.

📅 Friday 18 September 2026
📍 Genesis Centre, 127 James Street, Devonport
🕕 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, with trivia starting at 6:30 pm
🎟 $80 per table or $10 per person, with up to 10 people per table

Bookings close Wednesday 16 September.
Book at College Reception or phone 03 6424 7622.

BYO food and drinks. An assortment of soft drinks and chocolates will be available for purchase, with complimentary tea and coffee available throughout the evening.

All money raised will support Warrawee Women’s Shelter.

🏆 Can you help with a prize?
Our SRC is also seeking donations from local businesses for first, second and third place prizes, as well as our raffle. Businesses that donate will be acknowledged and promoted on the night.

To donate a prize, please contact SRC Coordinator Daman Peters at [email protected].

⚡ Our Year 10 Introduction to Electrotechnology students are getting an early opportunity to experience the skills, knowledge and practical work of the electrical trade.

In our new Electrotechnology facilities, students have been installing fittings, fixing and fastening, practising accurate measurement, and learning about building structures, timber frameworks and installation methods.

Electrician Mr Martin Webster is bringing his industry experience into the workshop, stepping students through concepts and theory before giving them closely supported opportunities to put their learning into practice. His approach is grounded in a belief that learning the trade should “leave no one behind”, giving students time to practise, build confidence and become increasingly capable with the tools and techniques of the trade.

For students interested in where these skills might take them, Introduction to Electrotechnology also provides the opportunity to complete units from the UEE22025 Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start), giving them a head start towards further study and a potential electrical apprenticeship.

Delivered in partnership with Guilford Young College RTO 1129. ⚡🔧

Congratulations to Kurt Weaver, who tonight was named Pre-Apprenticeship Learner of the Year at the TasTAFE Trade Excellence Awards 2026.

Kurt undertook his pre-apprenticeship training at TasTAFE this year through the St Brendan-Shaw College VET program, attending TasTAFE alongside his regular subjects at College.

His hard work has led to two fantastic outcomes. As well as receiving tonight’s award, sponsored by the Devonport Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Kurt has secured an apprenticeship with Degree C as an apprentice boilermaker welder.

Congratulations, Kurt, on an outstanding achievement and an exciting start to your career! 👏

A fantastic group of St Brendan-Shaw College students is helping bring Oliver! Jr. to the stage with the Devonport Choral Society! 🎭

From performing on stage to choreography, vocal direction, costume design, and backstage work, we’re excited to see Isabella, Gabi, Sadie May, Hanna, Elliot, Amarli, Zeb, James, and Hartley involved in this local youth production. Staff member Zomury is also lending a hand backstage.

Opening night is this Friday at the Devonport Town Hall Theatre. Chookas to the whole cast and crew for a wonderful season! 👏

Devonport Choral Society
Oliver! Jr.
📆21 Aug - 29 Aug 7:30 PM
📆23 & 29 Aug 1:00 PM

Oliver! Jr. brings Charles Dickens’ classic tale to life with warmth, humour, and plenty of heart in this delightful Devonport Choral Society youth production. The story follows young Oliver Twist, a gentle and determined orphan who dares to ask for a better life. After escaping the dreary workhouse, he’s swept into the colourful, chaotic world of Fagin and his band of lively pickpockets. Along the way, Oliver meets Nancy, whose kindness helps him believe he truly deserves safety and love. Through adventure, music, and memorable characters, Oliver’s journey leads him to the family and belonging he’s always dreamed of, celebrating hope even in the toughest moments.

☎Find out more: https://www.paranapleartscentre.com.au/events/oliver-jr/

It’s wonderful to see our recently completed spaces featured by S Group. The Student Wellbeing Centre and Shaw Building redevelopment have made a real difference to the way our students learn, connect and access support each day.

Thank you to S. Group and De Jong & Sons for helping bring these spaces to life.

Who gets to have an adventure? 🧗

Adventurer, author and public speaker Paul Pritchard posed this question to our Senior Secondary Outdoor Education classes and male The Rite Journey students during his recent visit to the College.

Paul shared his extraordinary journey from professional rock climbing around the world to the life-changing accident on Tasmania’s Totem Pole and the adventures that have followed. He also spoke about writing his award-winning book The Totem Pole, which tells the story of the accident, his survival and recovery.

Through stories and images from his expeditions, students explored resilience, overcoming adversity, empathy, stereotypes, connection with nature and the dignity of risk.

Paul continues to challenge perceptions of disability and adventure through Larapinta: End to End, a documentary following four adventurers with disability as they take on the Larapinta Trail through Central Australia. The documentary is available to watch on SBS On Demand.

Thank you, Paul, for sharing your story and encouraging our students to think differently about challenge, adventure and what people are capable of achieving.

Students and families considering St Brendan-Shaw College are invited to join our Principal, Mr Stuart Ralph, for a College Tour and experience our learning community in action.

See classes in progress, explore our facilities, and learn more about the wide range of subjects, pastoral care, sporting opportunities and cultural programs available at St Brendan-Shaw College.

📅 Wednesday 19 August
🕘 9:15 am to 10:30 am

Families are warmly invited to attend together as they consider this important decision.

Register online at sbsc.tas.edu.au/enrolments/tour or phone the College on 6424 7622.

Parents and caregivers are invited to a public screening of ‘Seen the Film’ Thursday 20 August at 7pm in the Aberdeen Room at the paranaple.

This event is hosted by TANA (Trauma Awareness Network Australia) Inc. TANA is a registered Australian Health Promotion Charity dedicated to the prevention and mitigation of complex trauma. A grassroots, not-for-profit organisation founded in North West Tasmania in 2018, TANA is committed to building stronger, healthier and more connected communities.

Seen 2025 Australian Documentary directed by Hailey Bartholomew that explores the transformative power of personal healing for parents. Backed by psychological research and neuroscience, the film highlights how parents' confrontation with their own childhood coping mechanisms impacts a child’s brain development.

About the event:
🎬 The screening event is FREE, with a gold coin donation on the night.
🚙 TANA will provide door-to-door transport for anyone who wants to come and needs it.
☕️ Tea, coffee and snacks are provided on the night.
🙋🏽‍♀️ Christine Bull and Sinead Fahey, psychologists, will provide a Q&A session after the movie.
🎞️ Seen is rated M, content is recommended for people aged 15 and older, because it has a moderate impact.

Find out more plus book your ticket here: https://www.facebook.com/TANATasmania/posts/pfbid0Cg9iH7NwWWS49kWExBgqZvb4dAa9yh5rKEyzcqo7hmR95QmC4jGR5gWWR969yBsml?rdid=Znzh7U3MeQgjSn30 #