As we reach the end of Term 3, I reflect with deep gratitude on another rewarding term at the College. Across classrooms, sporting fields, stages, performance spaces and in service to others, our students have embraced the many opportunities available to them with enthusiasm, courage and commitment. 

I’d like to share a handful of the many highlights that have shaped these past 10 weeks. 

Term 3 began with Catholic Education Week (CEW) with a fitting theme of ‘share your light, inspire others’, calling for our school communities to our gifts and share them generously. Our College celebrated CEW across a range of activities including our Social Justice Forum, assembly and Vinnies Up Late event which gave students a real insight into the issue of homelessness in Brisbane.

Early in the term, the College also honoured the academic achievements of students in Semester 1. Congratulations to all award winners on their academic results, consistent high levels of academic achievement, effort, and dedication across the core classroom subject areas of English, Mathematics, Religion, HASS and Science. Click here to view our list of Academic Award winners.

Thank you to our staff who accompanied 102 Junior School students to Canberra for Year 6 Camp – they enjoyed a jam-packed four-day trip including visits to Questacon, Museum of Australian Democracy, the High Court and the snow.

In August, Soubirous Place came alive with our Jazz on the River event, seeing incredible performances from our student musicians alongside Villanova College. 

We hosted another successful Careers and Networking Evening which attracted 45 stallholders including organisations representing universities, construction, defence, healthcare, tourism, sport and many more. Our Careers Evening is one of the largest of its kind hosted by a secondary school and offers a valuable opportunity for students to connect with professionals, explore industries, and consider future pathways. After the careers market, we were grateful to welcome 60 Past Pupils to the College who inspired students and families with their advice, wisdom and career journeys.

On the water, our LHC Rowing Club hosted BSRA Regatta 4 in August at Beaudesert – a big thank you to all staff, Parents and Caregivers who volunteered to make this event possible. Well done to all rowers who competed at BSRA Head of the River and achieved medals and personal bests. 

Our music talents shone at the QLD Catholic Colleges Music Festivals, with 21 LHC ensembles performing across four days, coming home with eight gold, nine silver and one bronze. In drama, our Junior, Middle and Senior School plays saw 86 students take to the stage and perform in modern takes on some old classics.  At the Aerobics National Championships, 92 students competed and achieved multiple gold, silver and bronze medals.

It was fantastic to see more than 360 fathers and father figures unite with their daughters at our much-loved Father’s Day Breakfasts while our LHC dance troupes put on an impressive performance at our annual Dance Night. 

It was an honour to host students and staff from our sister school, Toyo Eiwa, for a fortnight this term. They integrated themselves into College life at the Junior School, sharing experiences, making friendships and participating in classroom activities. 

Our Book Week Parade and activities were certainly a highlight of the term with some fantastic costumes on display by our Junior School students, including our Toyo Eiwa visitors. We even held a book signing by one of our very own Year 9 students, Juliana, who recently published her book ‘Cup of Secrets’.

The Past Pupils’ Association ended their Centenary year with a bang at our Riverfire Event, seeing 150 past Pupils unite for an evening of connection and celebration set against the breathtaking backdrop of our riverside campus.

A round of applause must go to our students who competed in the Tournament of the Minds state finals competition at QUT– our Year 7 team ‘TOM-ART-oes’ came second overall. 

This term also featured the announcement of our 2027 student leaders – a big congratulations to all! Sienna and Maddison will lead our College next year, taking over from Samara and Emma who have done (and continue to do) an outstanding job as College Captains in 2026. Well done to all students who put their hand up for a leadership role -their motivation to be a leader embodies the Benedictine spirit of responsibility, humility and service. Click here to view the list of all our 2027 leaders.

We ended the school term with our Year 10’s Creative Spectacular performance and today with our first Good Samaritan Celebration Day, an opportunity for our students to put their faith into action by fundraising to support the ministries of the Good Samaritan Foundation. Thank you to families for donating and supporting this initiative – stay tuned for an event wrap up in the Term 4 newsletter.  

I’d like to wish our two students and Ms Elizabeth Rastegorac embarking on the Philippines Immersion all the very best – they will be travelling during the school holidays.

As we look ahead to Term 4, I’d like to inform families of staff movements - I will be taking leave during the Term 3 holidays from 25 September 2026 and will return on 13 October 2026 (Term 4, week 2). During this time, Mr John Thomas will serve as Acting Principal.  

Ms Cathie O’Sullivan (Roche House Pastoral Leader) is on long service leave for most of Term 4 so Mr Brent Malcom will be Acting House Pastoral Leader Roche. Mrs Kristen Smith will take on the take on the role of Acting Head of Junior School for Term 4 while Mrs Caitlin McDonald enjoys a period of Long Service Leave.

I hope all students and families enjoy a safe and restful holiday break. 

Mr Thomas and the Leadership team look forward to welcoming students and families back for Term 4 on Tuesday 6 October.