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Dear St Aloysius Catholic College Community,
You may have seen local Tasmanian and Richmond Premiership star, Jack Riewoldt, in a new campaign Every School Day Matters. The purpose of the campaign is to highlight the importance of regular school attendance. Since COVID the numbers of students regularly attending school has fallen to concerning levels. A recent ABC story found that in 2024, only 53.7% of Year 1-10 students at Tasmanian government schools had an overall attendance of 90% or higher. This has fallen from close to 70% in 2019. Non-government schools like St Aloysius the number of 90% and higher attendance was 63.3% in 2024 down from 75.6% in 2019.
I often refer to teaching a subject as telling a story, the lessons are linked and build on what was learnt in the previous lesson. If you are only seeing two out of three parts of the story it is very difficult to make sense of it. Think about the latest series you are binging on a streaming service, if you only watch an occasional episode you won’t know what is going on. There are many factors that contribute to falling attendance, but the important piece is that being present is crucial for success. Another concern across the education sector is lack of student engagement in what they are learning. I think we have made a mistake by trying to justify to students why they are learning something, which gives an indication that they can opt out if it doesn’t sound interesting enough to them. My simplistic call to students is to turn up and have a go. Step 1 Turn Up – you are present and you know what’s going on in the story, and, step 2 Have a Go – is to engage with whatever learning is happening. You may not know where it will take you or what value it is and that’s okay, not all education is for future work, sometimes it is just about new skills, such as in a technical subject, or helping developing values, such as compassion and empathy for others, in Religious Education. Learning has a value all of its own.
As parents and caregivers to our students, I encourage you to focus on the habit of turning up for the student in your care. This develops grit which is a character strength that is important throughout life. My next request is that you encourage them to engage in their learning, to have a go. Your reinforcement that what we do at St Aloysius Catholic College is important, will go a long way to assisting with their engagement. The habits I developed at school, regardless of the subject, have stood me in good stead throughout my life.
God Bless and Be the Good,
Mr Paul Reidy – College Principal
Celebrating a Remarkable Term 3 on the Junior Campus
The St Aloysius Catholic College Junior Campus has been a hive of activity, learning, and growth. We've seen incredible displays of academic achievement, faith, creativity, and athleticism, which is a testament to the hard work of our students and staff. It is an excellent opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved together and to look forward to the holidays and the final term of the year.
One of the highlights was undoubtedly the visit from the wonderful Andrew Chinn, just this week. His infectious energy and heartwarming music filled our campus. Our students use Andrew’s hymns for daily prayer and weekly masses so it was great to have him perform in person. Andrew worked with students across all year levels and then led a whole campus concert, which was incredibly well-received. Andrew's music makes the gospel accessible to our young people, reminding us all to approach life with a positive attitude. His songs are a joyous way to connect with our faith, and we are so grateful for his positive impact on our community.
Our students also showcased their incredible talents in a variety of other areas. We were so impressed by the ingenuity and imagination at the Brixhibition LEGO competition, led by the dedicated Michele Pikunic. The intricate and creative designs truly reflected our students’ ability to think outside the box. It was also a beautiful and profound moment for those students who received their first Confirmation and Eucharist, a significant milestone on their spiritual journey. On the sporting front, we celebrated the many students who competed in the Hobart and Launceston soccer cups, showing great sportsmanship and teamwork. A special thank you to all the family members who supported our teams, travelled with them, and cheered from the sidelines. It has also been exciting to see our choir up and running under the tutelage of the talented Marla Leitch, their voices filling our Sisters of Charity Centre with song. These achievements, both big and small, are a true source of pride for our college.
As we wrap up Term 3, I sincerely thank our staff for their tireless dedication and passion. Like Father Mike's beautiful analogy of a good shepherd, our staff ‘smell like sheep'. They are true leaders who do not shy away from the hard work, always rolling up their sleeves and getting into the heart of the action with our students. Their efforts have created a nurturing and inspiring environment for our young people.
And to all of our incredible students: you have worked so hard and should be so proud of yourselves. While the significant events and achievements are wonderful to celebrate, the little things often mean the most. At St Aloysius Catholic College we name up these moments as students showing ‘The Spirit of Jesus’. It's the kindness you show to a friend, the effort you put into a difficult task, or the smile you share on campus. I see these small acts of compassion and resilience daily, filling me with immense pride. You are all a vital part of what makes our Junior Campus such a special place, and I am so proud of you.
Yours faithfully
Samuel Morey – Deputy Principal: Junior Campus
End of Term Celebrations
Year 1 Science Excursion to Bonorong Wildlife Park
Empowering Learners beyond the Classroom
We are delighted to announce that Joby Evans in Year 3 has been selected as a State Finalist in the 2025 National History Challenge.
The National History Challenge encourages students to explore history through research, deepening their understanding of the past and its relevance to the present.
We would also like to acknowledge Jack Windmeyer in Year 2 for the dedication, research and additional work undertaken to also participate in this year’s challenge.
State winners for the National Awards will be announced at the official ceremony in late October.
Building Brilliance Brick by Brick – Our First Virtual Expo!
In August, our College proudly launched its inaugural Building Brilliance Brick by Brick Virtual Expo, celebrating creativity, design, and problem-solving through LEGO. With over 20 entries from Kindergarten to Year 6, students showcased their amazing imagination and talent – piece by piece!
From boom boxes to clever inventions, every entry was a true ‘blockbuster’. The judges were ‘stuck’ on so many builds because of the skill and detail on display. It was clear that our students really know how to ‘build on’ their ideas and let their creativity shine.
Congratulations to our age group winners:
- Kinder – Prep Winner: Maxwell Vining
- Year 1-2 Winner: Lachlan Cartledge
- Year 3-4 Winner: Louisa Chatwin
- Year 5-6 Winner: Daniel MacFarlane
A special round of applause goes to our overall winner, Louisa, with her entry ‘Platypus Creek’. She has been invited to submit her creation into the prestigious 2025 Brixhibition event in October held at Moonah Sports Centre. What an exciting opportunity to have her work showcased on a larger stage!
A huge thank you goes to every student who entered. Each creation was a reminder that when we connect imagination with determination, we can build a brighter future, one brick at a time.
We are already looking forward to next year’s expo – it promises to be even bigger and better. So, keep stacking up your ideas, because we can’t wait to see what our students will construct next!
Yours in creation and creativity,
Michele Pikunic
Classroom Teacher and Extended Learning
Year 2 HaSS Excursion to Putalina
All Year 2 students deepened their understanding of this term's HaSS unit about local places with a very special excursion to Putalina/Oyster Cove. This site is of great cultural significance to the Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal Community. The College is grateful to Adam Thompson who helped teachers plan this day, including organising permission and keys from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) to visit this historical area that has been returned to the community.
Local Palawa craftsman, Sheldon Thomas, also joined us and together we learnt about traditional plant uses, stone tools and caring for Country. We started planning this excursion over a month before, with Adam sharing 5 words in palawa kani for the children to learn and practice. On the day, the children were able to use the words for land, sea, sky, food and hello. We were joined on this excursion by some of our Palawa senior students who have learnt a great deal from Adam and Sheldon the last few years. These students were able to share their knowledge with the young students as well. This strategy provided opportunities for some siblings to come together, which was wonderful.
The cross curricular teaching/learning activities were organised in 3 rotations so each class could participate in everything. Adam Thompson took groups through the bush and down to the water's edge to a stone tool quarry site. Sheldon Thomas and his daughter Emiliya, Year 12, took groups around the property to learn about plants. While Sheldon and Adam led staff and students through these sessions, Ms McWatters supported the third group of students in a drawing activity, that provided them with an opportunity to quietly reflect on Adam's description of 'treading lightly' on Aboriginal land and the footsteps of the 'old people' who once lived there. It was explained that one of the reasons this place is so significant to the local Palawa community is for the Putalina Festival that is celebrated in January each year. The children considered footsteps and dance steps in this very special location.
This cohort of learners will re-visit Putalina in 2029 when they are in Year 5 and can start learning about the sadder history of this Country. For today, our Year 2 HaSS students learnt about the joy of this land, and added more to it.
Kinder Visits to the Church of Christ the Priest
Middle Campus Update
As another term comes to a close, it’s been a pleasure to reflect on the many ways our students are continuing to grow, not just in their learning, but in their character. Over the past fortnight, I’ve spoken to students about the idea of “respecting the call.” Like players on the netball court or football field, we don’t always agree with the decisions made by an umpire but we respect them, because that’s part of being a good sport.
At school, it works the same way. Teachers make directions to keep everyone safe, to ensure learning can take place, and to uphold the standards we value at St Aloysius. Students may not always see what the teacher sees, and therefore may not fully understand why a call is made. But, just like in sport, the challenge is to show maturity by respecting the decision, trusting that it has been made for the good of the game, or in our case, the good of our school community. I have been really encouraged to see students responding positively to this message – it is an important part of their development as young people.
We’ve also had plenty to celebrate this term, both inside and outside the classroom. From the beautiful Andrew Chinn music celebration and our Father’s Day breakfast, to the energy and commitment shown in the Year 5/6 netball and football competition, our students have shone. Our Year 8 and 9 netballers represented us with distinction in Adelaide, finishing 4th overall against strong competition. Beyond their excellent results, what stood out most was the way they respected the umpire’s calls throughout, and this was a wonderful example of sportsmanship that connects perfectly to the lessons we’ve been talking about at school. We were also grateful for a visit from Tasmania Police, who spoke with students about safe and respectful social media use, and we wrapped up the term in high spirits with Sports Colours Day.
Thank you to families for your support this term, and I wish you all a restful break. We look forward to returning refreshed and ready for an action-packed Term 4.
Mrs Nickie Birchall – Deputy Principal: Middle Campus
End of Term Celebrations
Welcome Back Tom O'Hern!
Year 5 Democracy Day
On Thursday, 18th September, all Year 5 classes participated in Democracy Day.
This day was established as a culmination of the Year 5 HaSS unit based around communities, citizens and democracy.
It was a fabulous day!
Brave students from each class prepared a speech to deliver to their class. Everyone participated in an election, complete with polling booths and ballot papers, preferential voting and even a democracy sausage!
Cr Paula Wriedt, Mayor of Kingborough Council, came to visit, giving us an insight into the life of a Mayor and she was very impressed with the questions that were asked.
Well done to all those that delivered a speech and a big congratulations to the 3 students who were elected, democratically by their class peers, to be their Class Representative/Mayor.
Thank you to Mr Bradburn and Mr Keen for cooking our sausages so perfectly!!
Year 8 Geology Excursion
This term, our Year 8 students were lucky enough to be hosted by Professor Sebastien Meffre and Will Sinclair, geologists from the Centre of Ore Deposits and Earth Sciences (CODES) at the University of Tasmania, on a Geology excursion at Kingston Beach.
The informative tour involved identifying different rock types and learning how and when they were formed. This rocky shoreline on our doorstep is a fantastic site for geologists, offering examples of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, glacial deposits from 370 million years ago, faults lines and fossilised depressions of ancient worm trails. The students also learnt about the geology of Tasmania, as a whole, operational mining activities, as well as pathway options in geological sciences.
This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to take what they had learned in their classroom geology lessons and apply it to real world examples.
Indigenous Literacy Day Poetry Competition
Year 5 Cupcake Sale for Kingborough Helping Hands
Senior Drama Production – The Identity Project
Senior Campus Artist in Residence – Leigh Rigozzi
We welcome Leigh Rigozzi to our Senior Campus as our current Artist in Residence. Leigh, with his illustrative art practice, is working closely with a group of senior art students to design and create a vibrant illustrative mural for the Senior Campus. This exciting collaboration blends student creativity with professional artistic guidance, and will culminate in artwork to add to the campus!
Marine Science Excursion to IMAS
STELR Sustainable Housing Kits
Recently, the St Aloysius Science department made a valuable investment in a class
set of STELR Sustainable Housing Kits, which consist of equipment purpose-
designed to replicate materials used in building and construction in
Australia. STELR is a national secondary school science program – the key
education initiative of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and
Engineering (ATSE), and provides hands-on, inquiry-based STEM learning
resources and equipment for schools.
Year 9 students are using the kits to explore the properties of waves and studying the thermal properties of different materials. The wide-ranging applications of these kits means they will be suitable for many science units accross Middle and Senior Campus as well as other technical subjects. These kits will give our students an opportunity to explore and understand the scientific principles which influence the way buildings absorb, store and release energy, the amount of energy required to heat and cool buildings as well as identifying the constraints which affect construction such as engineering, financial cost of materials, the environmental impact of extracting, processing and transporting building materials and the social and health impacts of building designs.
Science Week
Pin Our Solar System on the Galaxy poster was painted by the head of the science department, Mr Simon Ellis. National Science Week, 9th–17th of August, is Australia's annual celebration of science and technology. The school theme for 2025 was "Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature's hidden language.” Throughout the week, the St Aloysius science team ran various events and activities across the three campuses, such as an Escape Room, Pin our Solar System on the Galaxy, Stomp Rocket launches, quizzes and puzzle.
Year 10 student, Izabella Klassen attained the highest score for the quiz and puzzle and won the prize of naming a star visible in the southern hemisphere through Star-registry-australia.org/. Congratulations Izabella!
Ignite Program Water Filters
As a part of the Year 9 IGNITE program, the staff from the science department have been involved with some of the activities that cross over into the realm of science.
Their most recent challenge was to use things they found in the bush with items commonly found in a hiking pack to build a water filtration system and filter water from Coffee Creek in the Peter Murrell Reserve. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to get out of the classroom and into nature, to use their knowledge and imagination and to practice communicating their ideas, delegating tasks and working as a team.
After a set time to build and create, teams collected their filtered water and measured the volume filtered. The water samples were taken back to the lab and analysed for clarity using a turbidimeter, and cleanliness by swabbing onto agar plates, incubating them for 48 hours and analysing the concentration of bacterial colonies. Based on the results of these three parameters, we were able to determine which team built the most effective water filter. As a baseline, we measured the turbidity and bacterial contamination of the Coffee Creek water untreated and unfiltered, so the students were able to compare this against the results of their filtered water.
Titration Competition
This year, five teams from St Aloysius competed in the national titration competition to determine the number of moles in a sample of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP).
The challenge involved a two-step process. The first was to titrate a known mass of KHP against an unknown concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). From these results, they were able to calculate the concentration of the sodium hydroxide.
The second step was to titrate the NaOH against an unknown mass of KHP. The results from this titration enabled the teams to calculate the number of moles in the unknown sample of the KHP.
The teams participated in the challenge with enthusiasm, dedication and precision and were a credit to themselves and the College.
Laudato Si': Regenerating an Integral Ecology Together All Schools Day at John Paul II
Father Mike's Golden Jubilee
In August we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our much loved Parish and College Priest, Father Mike. The newly installed Archbishop Tony visited the Church of Christ the Priest to celebrate Father Mike's jubilee mass. Mass was attended by many special guests from throughout Father Mike's service and we were represented by our student leaders.
Father's Day Breakfast
On a cold morning in September, the Middle Campus played host to the annual Father’s Day breakfast. It was an early start for many staff and students to start preparing the food and drinks for breakfast. There were over 100 families from the junior, middle and senior campuses who braved the cold and had breakfast which included sausages, bacon and egg sandwiches, fruit, muffins and hot drinks.
Many fathers commented on how special it felt to be welcomed into the College community. Overall, the breakfast was a positive way to celebrate Father’s Day and strengthen the connection between families and the school.
A big thank you to the utilities staff and all those who helped out with the morning. It was a great success, and we look forward to doing it all again next year!
Hoodies for Hamish
Sister Deirdre Platinum Jubilee
Sister Deirdre with the St Aloysius goat in the 1960s and with the other Sisters in the convent at the Junior Campus, where they lived.
Confirmation and First Eucharist
Congratulations to the students who made their sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist this month!
Blessed Carlo Canonised to be Saint Carlo
Saint Carlo Acutis, was canonised by Pope Leo XIV in a ceremony at the Vatican early in September.
Year 10 Work Experience
This week, Year 10 D, E and F have been on work experience.
It is always rewarding going out and seeing our Year 10’s on work experience. Without exception, they are always engaged, professional and grateful. The aim is to have an authentic experience of the world of work, whilst having valuable opportunities to network and build support networks that you can build upon in the future.
THANK YOU to ALL of the businesses, big and small, that have opened up their offices, stores, practices and operations, to our students, for this incredible taste of life!
We are so grateful that you all said YES!
| Adventure Patch | Hobart Day Surgery | Monk Lawyers |
| Australia Zoo | Huon Aquaculture | Pangarinda Cat Boarding |
| Batchelor Civil Contracting | Huon Regional Care | Par Avion |
| Bishop Davies Court (One Care) | HWL Ebsworth Lawyers | Phoenix Construction |
| Bulk Nutrients | Ilec Pty Ltd | Goodstart Early Learning |
| Cave Construction | Illawarra Primary School | Sacred Heart Geevston |
| Channel Highway Animal Hospital | Island Communication Pty Ltd | Sakura Elegance Beaute Studio |
| Channel Marine | St Aloysius Junior Campus | Saltbush Child and Family Learning Centre |
|
Crisp Bros and Haywards |
Karisma Hair and Beauty | Second Echo Ensemble |
| David O’Byrne MP | Kingston Primary School | TASSAL |
| Degree C Electrical | Lack and Creese Surveying | TERRIOR Pty Ltd |
| Denison Dental | Leap Health | WB Electrical |
| Elders Tasmania | Liverpool Chambers – Philippa Morgan | Wilcox Bult |
| Fullers Bookshop | Meg Webb MLC | William Adams Pty Ltd |
| Glenorchy Library | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Early Offers For Our Students!
CONGRATULATIONS to our Year 12s who have ALL received early offers from the University of Tasmania. Some are waiting for other offers from mainland universities and one is waiting on an offer for Medicine, due in December, but they are all on track for some amazing futures!
Well done girls – we are proud of you!
|
Hazel Millington |
Bachelor of Primary Education |
|
Violet Millington |
Bachelor of Primary Education |
|
Kokoda Young |
Bachelor of Architecture |
|
Isabella Oakley |
Bachelor of Business |
|
Bella Purcell |
Bachelor of Nursing |
|
Emily Dale |
Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts |
|
Maykala Coad |
Bachelor of Biomedicine |
|
Angleica Graham |
Bachelor of Primary Education |
|
Ella Perry |
Bachelor of Nursing |
|
Tayla Gray |
Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Secondary Teaching |
Inspiring Forensic Scientists of the Future
Two forensic scientists from the government department, Forensic Scientific Services Tasmania (FSST), visited Senior Campus this term to speak to our Year 9/10 Criminology and Extended Science classes, along with our Year 11/12 Chemistry and Psychology classes.
Stefano Flonta (Forensic Scientist in Biology) and Matilda Woods (Forensic Scientist in Chemistry) spoke to the students about the role of the FSST, the types of tests they perform, the role of forensic science in police investigations and legal proceedings as well as educational pathways to become a forensic scientist.
This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to get a first-hand account of the real experiences of forensic scientists and to learn about this fascinating and challenging career option!
If there are any students that would like to know more about this pathway please see Mrs Ottaway and she will point you in the right direction!
From Our Friends at UTAS
UTAS School Leaver Hub
- Early Offer Program information: Students can apply for early entry based on their interests and potential, reducing stress around final results.
- Course Exploration Tools: Interactive guides and webinars help students match their strengths and passions with the right study path.
- Support Services: From academic help to wellbeing resources, UTAS ensures students feel supported every step of the way.
-
Accommodation and Scholarships Info: Clear guidance on living options and financial support.
- Parent and Carer Resources: Helps families understand how to support their child’s transition to university.
St Aloysius Soccer Season Wrap-Up
What a fantastic season it’s been for our Junior Soccer Program, with 22 teams competing across the Under 5 to Under 10 age groups!
Each Saturday we saw our young players take to the field with energy, enthusiasm, and a growing love for the game. From first kicks at U5 to teamwork and skills development at U10, it's been incredible to hear of the progress of our students.
A huge thank you goes out to our volunteer coaches, whose time, patience, and passion have made this season possible. Your commitment to nurturing our young players, week in and week out, has been invaluable.
| Team | Coach |
| St Aloysius U5 Mixed Lime | Jono O'Brien and Adam Savill |
| St Aloysius U6 Girls Blue | Trent Skinner |
| St Aloysius U6 Mixed White | Emily Conway and Alex Johnston |
| St Aloysius U6 Mixed Snow Leopards | Hayley and Jarrod Berry |
| St Aloysius U6 Mixed Red | Redvers Constance and Adrian Rawling |
| St Aloysius U6 Mixed Navy | Tiana Bradburn and Kirsty Iles-Crawford |
| St Aloysius U6 Mixed Green | Ben Stafford |
| St Aloysius U7 Boys Blue | Toni Farrugia |
| U7 Boys Lime | Tim and Renee Coad |
| U7 Boys White | Cherieann Oliver and Anthony Hay |
| U7 Mixed Red | Felix Kennedy |
| U7 Mixed Navy | Kiah Morton |
| U7 Girls Blue | Amanda Rivieri |
| U8 Boys Blue | Steve Loxley |
| U8 Boys Lime | Jory Linscott |
| U8 Boys White | Will Gainsford |
| U8 Girls Blue | Josh Press |
| U9 Boys Blue | Wade Savage |
| U9 Boys Lime | Reagan Heathcote |
| U9 Boys White | Sienna Tilley and Lucas Paterno |
| U9 Girls Blue | Kate Kruse |
| U10 Boys Blue | Ulla Stirling |
We also extend our sincere thanks to all the parents and families who supported the teams throughout the season — whether by helping with transport, cheering from the sidelines, or ensuring players arrived ready to go each weekend.
Congratulations to all our teams on a fantastic season! It was a joy to see the smiles as they proudly received their well-earned end-of-season medals — or “metals” as some of our Kinders like to say.
We can’t wait to see everyone back out on the field next year!
High School Netball Championships – Four Incredible Days of Competition!
Over four action-packed days, our St Aloysius Year 7–10 students took to the courts for the HART High School Southern Regional Netball Championships—and what a week it was! With energy, skill, and pride, our teams gave it their all, and the results speak for themselves.
Day 1
The week kicked off in style with our Year 7/8 girls taking out the Southern Championship title for the second year in a row! Their teamwork, determination, and skill saw them dominate the competition, and they now move on to represent the region at the State Championships in November.
Well done girls — we are so proud of you! Thank you to Miss L for her fantastic coaching.
Day 2
Next up were our Year 7 and 8 boys, who impressed from the first whistle.
Our Year 8 team went undefeated all day and were crowned Southern Champions — an amazing achievement!
Our Year 7 team finished a strong 5th place, showing huge potential and grit. With another year of growth, they’ll be serious contenders in 2025.
Both teams displayed athleticism, teamwork, and a willingness to learn, adapting quickly to the game with minimal experience. A huge thank you to coaches Mr Cooper and Taneall for their support, and to the parents who cheered from the sidelines — your energy made all the difference!
Day 3
Our Year 9/10 girls kept the winning streak alive, taking out the Southern Championship in an edge-of-your-seat final that went into extra time! The girls showed determination and composure under pressure to come away with the win and a spot at the State Championships in November.
Thank you to Miss Monks for her coaching.
Day 4
The final day saw our Year 9/10 boys hit the court with enthusiasm and energy. Despite limited netball experience, they adapted quickly — translating their basketball skills into netball smarts, mastering the 3-foot rule, and refining their footwork.
They finished the group stage with 1 win, 2 losses and a draw, before defeating Calvin in a strong quarter-final performance (14–8). In the semi-final, they faced the top-ranked Sacred Heart team and, despite some great passages of play, couldn’t quite get over the line.
We’re so proud of how they played and represented the College. A special shoutout to Mr Roberts, who stepped out of his footy coach role and did a brilliant job leading the team on the day.
Three championship wins out of four, and all teams representing the College with pride, spirit, and sportsmanship, what an outstanding achievement!
We can’t wait to see our Year 7/8 Girls, Year 8 Boys, and Year 9/10 Girls compete at the State Championships in November.
Thank you to all staff, coaches, and families who made this week such a success.
Surfing Superstars
Casey Represents on Southern SATIS Soccer Team
Congratulations to Year 10 student Casey Bumford on her selection for the Southern SATIS Year 10 Girls Soccer Representative Team!
Casey earned her place on the team following a successful selection trial and went on to compete in the Gala Day match against the Northern SATIS representative side. The Southern team emerged victorious with a 2–0 win.
Well done, Casey! Thank you for representing St Aloysius with your trademark determination and commitment.
Netball Team Shines at National Championships in South Australia
Recently, our Year 8/9 netball team (Year 7/8 State Champions from 2024) had the incredible opportunity to travel to South Australia to compete in the National All Schools Netball Championships. The lead-up to the trip presented its challenges, with the team reduced from nine players to eight after one of our valued team members sustained an injury in a football game just hours before departure.
The team left on Sunday evening, flying out at 8:45pm and arriving in Adelaide at approximately 10:30pm. After collecting the hire cars and navigating their way to accommodation, they didn’t settle in until close to midnight.
Despite the late night, the girls were up bright and early the next morning at 6:00am, ready for a full day ahead. Groceries arrived at 6:45am, and by 9:30am, the team was dressed and ready to represent the school at the official opening ceremony.
The tournament followed a round-robin format, with the team playing three games on Monday and another three on Tuesday to determine their final division. At the conclusion of day 2, our team had secured fourth position overall with 4 wins and 2 losses, earning them a place in the High Performance Division for finals day — an incredible achievement in itself.
On day 3, the girls faced St James in the semi-finals — a highly skilled, top-of-the-table team. While St James ultimately proved too strong, the game was played in great spirit, with our players referring to their opponents as their “new best friends” — a testament to the sportsmanship and camaraderie shared throughout the event. In their second match of the day, our team came up against Marsden, another tough opponent who claimed the win. Despite two hard-fought losses, our girls proudly finished 4th in the High Performance Division, an outstanding result that exceeded all expectations.
Throughout the tournament, our players consistently displayed grit, determination, and resilience. They faced older, taller, and more experienced opponents — many of whom had up to five substitutes, while our team had just one. The girls handled every challenge with maturity and strength, never giving up and always supporting one another.
Beyond the court, the trip was filled with laughter, dancing, cooking, and a little shopping. It was a wonderful chance for staff to get to know the students outside of the classroom, forming meaningful connections and lifelong memories.
We would like to thank staff, Taneall Oakford, Simone Skinner and Nickie Birchall, who accompanied the team, their dedication and support were invaluable. We are incredibly proud of this group and everything they have achieved — we hope they are too!
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Taneall Oakford, who coached and supported our team throughout the tournament. Her ability to motivate and bring out the best in each player was instrumental to the team’s success. Thank you, Taneall, for your time, leadership, and for creating such a positive and memorable experience for our students. We are incredibly grateful.
Team List – Indie Hunt, Grace Kinder, Ruby Rigney, Ava Oakley, Mollie Carmichael, Molly Wilcox, Lucy Thorp, Kasey Matthews, Milla King, Maggie Wallace.
Southern and State SATIS Swimming Carnivals
Hay Bales needed!
We are in need of approximately 50 bales of hay to serve as obstacles for the Colour Run, if you can help please contact Pauline on paulineims63@gmail.com.
Tombola Stall – Start Collecting!
Over the holidays, we’re encouraging families to start preparing for our much-loved Tombola Stall. Please collect and fill jars with goodies – sweets, toys, craft items – ready to donate for the fair. The more creative, the better!
Peddlers Parade – Kinder Students
We’re excited to include a Peddlers Parade for Kinder students, just before the start of the Colour Run.
Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets will go home with the eldest child during the first week of Term 4. The raffle will be drawn at the Colour Run/Fair, so don’t miss your chance to win!
Colour Run – Register Now!
Registrations are open for the Colour Run! Please register ASAP and start collecting sponsorships to unlock fun rewards. It’s going to be a colourful day of fun and fundraising!
Photo Booth – Help Wanted!
We’re hoping to set up a Photo Booth at the Colour Run and are looking for someone to help set up and coordinate. If you’re interested, please get in touch, paulineims63@gmail.com.
Next Fair and Colour Run Meeting
Our next planning meeting will be on:
Tuesday 21st October
7:00 PM
Meeting Room, under the Church
All welcome!
Key Dates for the Remainder of Term 3
*please refer to the College Calendar or your Compass App for full details
| Monday, 13th October |
Term 4 commences for staff |
| Tuesday, 14th October |
Term 4 commences for students |
| Friday, 17th October |
Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival Socktober – Crazy Sock Day |
| Monday, 20th October |
Year 6 Canberra Information Night |
| Thursday, 23rd October |
Hobart Show Day |
| Tuesday, 21st October |
Sports and Extra Curricular Photos – Junior Campus |
| Tuesday, 28th October |
Sports and Extra Curricular Photos – Senior Campus |
| Wednesday, 29th October |
Parent Information Evening – Year 5, 2026 |
| Thursday, 30th October |
Sports and Extra Curricular Photos – Middle Campus |
| Friday, 31st October |
Final day of classes for Year 11/12 |
| Wednesday, 5th November |
Open Day – all campuses |
| Wednesday, 5th November |
Parent Information Evening – Year 7, 2026 |
| Friday, 7th November |
'Feastival' – whole College together day |
| Saturday, 8th November |
College and Parish Fair and Colour Run |
| Monday, 10th – Thursday, 20th November |
TASC Exams |
| Monday, 10th – Wednesday, 12th November |
Year 5 Camp, Group 1 |
| Wednesday, 12th – Friday, 14th November |
Year 5 Camp, Group 2 |
| Friday, 21st November |
Year 12 Formal |
| Monday, 24th – Thursday, 27th November |
Year 10 Exams |
| Monday, 24th November |
Year 7, 2026 Orientation Day |
| Tuesday, 25th – Friday, 28th November |
Year 6 Canberra Trip |
| Thursday, 27th November |
Secondary Schools Triathlon |
| Thursday, 27th – Friday, 28th November |
Year 4 Camp |
| Friday, 28th November |
Primary Schools Triathlon |
| Friday, 5th December |
End of Year Celebration at Wrest Point, K – Year 4, 1:00pm End of Year Celebration and Graduation, Year 5-12, 6:15pm |
| Monday, 8th December |
Head Start Day, Year 11/12 2026 |
New Hat Policy
From Term 4, 2025, it will be compulsary for ALL students to wear hats when outside during Term 1 and 4. This includes recess and lunch time and during HPE, and other outdoor lessons.
This policy has always been in place for students in Kindergarten through to Year 6 but, for the safety of our students, we will be carrying the policy through to Year 12.
College caps and bucket hats are available from the uniform shop and can be ordered via the Qkr! app. Please place your order prior to the holidays in readiness for the beginning of term.
Changes to Uniform in 2026
As previously advised there will be some changes and new additions to the College uniform in 2026.
We will be introducing a navy blue dress for girls as part of the formal uniform and we will be introducing navy formal shorts and pants for boys. The dresses are optional and will be additional to the current skirt and shirt. The navy shorts and pants for boys will be compulsary from 2027.
Male students new to the College in 2026 will be required to purchase the navy formal shorts. Exisiting male students may wear grey shorts for a transitional period. All male students will need to be in the new navy formal shorts for the start of 2027.
Girls dresses are now available to order and will arrive early in term four.
2026 and 2027 Enrolments
Kindergarten 2026:
Students born in 2021 are eligible to enrol for Kindergarten in 2026.
2026 Enrolment Applications are officially closed, enquiries still welcome. Please complete an expression of interest HERE.
Kindergarten 2027:
Students born in 2022 are eligible to enrol for Kindergarten in 2027.
2027 Enrolment Applications are due Friday, 15th May 2026. Please complete an expression of interest HERE.
Year 7 2026:
2026 Enrolment Applications are are officially closed, enquiries still welcome. Please complete an expression of interest HERE.
Year 7 2027:
2027 Enrolment Applications are due Friday, 13th March 2026, please complete an expression of interest HERE.
Year 11 and 12, 2026 and 2027:
2026 and 2027 Enrolment Applications are welcome, please complete an expression of interest HERE or contact Melissa Dance, Enrolment Officer for further information.
Email: sacc.enrol@catholic.tas.edu.au
Phone: 6229 0108
Current Year 10 families – your students current enrolment will roll over into Year 11 for 2026.
If you and your child would like to have a conversation about future plans, please do not hesitate to contact our Careers Advisor listed below for advice and planning:
Marcelle Ottaway – Careers Advisor: marcelle.ottaway@catholic.tas.edu.au
