This week's Principal's Message from Mr David Johnston

 
Christian Brothers College - Parents, Guardian and Visitor Code of Conduct

Included in the College’s new Strategic Plan, Towards 150, is a commitment to ensuring all our boys flourish due to the establishment and investment into strong partnerships between the College and parents and caregivers.  As such, the College in 2023 launched our Parents, Guardian and Visitor Code of Conduct, which articulates the College’s key expectations regarding respectful relationships and behaviours.

This statement is an addendum to the College’s existing Complaints Policy and Enrolment contract with parents and guardians. All College community members are expected to comply with all applicable policies.

In our culture of respectful relationships among students, staff and Visitors, we strive to develop the following:

• Respect for the dignity and worth of every person
• An empathetic approach to others
• A cooperative attitude in working with others
• Open, positive and honest communication
• Trusting relationships
• Responsible actions

The Code of Conduct also provides parents, guardians, and all visitors practical procedures for such things as visiting the College, appropriate avenues for communicating with staff,  and raising concerns or resolving conflicts.

The full Code of Conduct can be accessed at the link below:

Parents & Friends Annual General Meeting – Monday 24 March

All parents and friends of the College are invited to the CBC Parents & Friends AGM at 7pm on Monday, 24 March, in the Hurley Meeting Room, CBC Senior Campus.

The following Executive Positions are open for nomination:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• and nominations will also be accepted for the general committee.

Completed nomination forms can be emailed to Mr Stephen Clohesy, Director of Equity Access and Opportunity, sclohesy@cbc.sa.edu.au or handed in on the night.

Mr Cameron Alexander
Executive Deputy Principal

 The Senior Campus held its first Community Assembly of 2025 earlier this week. The purpose of these events is to celebrate and share the accomplishments of students and staff in and outside the classroom. To that end, some highlights of our community 'shoutouts' were:

• Jaylen and Rhylan for their athletic accomplishments in running
• Congratulations to Mr Rutai, Ms Jobson and Ms Milohis on their recent engagements.
• Jai (Year 12) and Ms Reed for their volunteering in the St Vincent De Paul Society

 We also heard some reflections from students participating in the recent Music and Rowing Camps. Congratulations to Sam (Year 12), Max (Year 7), and Edward (Year 12) for sharing their highlights. It is never easy to step up in front of an audience of over 700 peers, and it was impressive to listen not only to the passion and detail of their recount but also to the articulate and confident manner in which they did so.

The House Points ladder was also revealed. Every year, students collect points for their house via community engagement, demonstrations of our values, special awards, and co-curricular and academic achievements. Marking the beginning of a new House points season is the Year 12 Farewell Assembly, where the winner of the House Shield is presented to the Vice Captain of the winner. Therefore, our boys have collected house points since Week 3 of Term 4, 2024. Thanks to Mr Stenchlik, a complex digital machine of spreadsheets can account for every point as it draws on a wide range of data sources. As it stands, the live ladder and points are as follows:

FIRST	SECOND	THIRD	FOURTH	FIFTH	SIXTH
2595	2440	2317	2304	2264	2137
Value Certs. – 545 Achievements – 300 Academics – 480 Co-Curricular - 280 Sem2 Acad. - 566 Sem 2 App. - 423	Value Certs.– 225 Achievements – 360 Academics – 500 Co-Curricular - 240 Sem2 Acad. - 623 Sem2 App. – 492	Value Certs. – 395 Achievements – 260 Academics – 480 Co-Curricular - 160 Sem2 Acad. - 593 Sem2 App. - 429	Value Certs. – 190 Achievements – 200 Academics – 520 Co-Curricular - 360 Sem2 Acad. - 601 Sem2 App. - 433	Value Certs. – 360 Achievements – 260 Academics – 420 Co-Curricular - 160 Sem2 Acad. - 608 Sem2 App. - 456	Value Certs. – 475 Achievements – 220 Academics – 380 Co-Curricular - 120 Sem2 Acad. - 550 Sem2 App. - 392

While the House Points component of assemblies is always a bit of fun, the rationale is to drive community and a sense of belonging. Our College Captain Orville spoke to this in his speech (albeit with some Avila bias). Although there is a competitive element, the irony is that to attract points – or the more heavily weighted points – one needs to go beyond what is expected of oneself. As you can see in the leaderboard above, our boys are already doing that. Over 14,000 points in under 10 academic weeks illustrate the great things underway. Undoubtedly, there are still great things to come.

Dr Lee Del Col
Deputy Principal – Head of Senior Campus

 
Year 6 Canberra Trip – A Memorable Experience!

I hope everyone had the chance to see the photos from our recent Year 6 trip to Canberra on our Facebook page. It was a fantastic experience for the boys, and, while we all returned exhausted, the memories and learning opportunities made it truly worthwhile.

This year, we were fortunate to have beautiful weather throughout the trip. Mornings started off chilly, but by lunchtime the sun was shining, making for perfect sightseeing conditions.

We visited many incredible places, and at each stop, the boys' exceptional behaviour was consistently praised – even by the airline staff on our final flight home! It’s safe to say that the pizza lunch Mr Johnston promised was a well-deserved reward!

In addition to our packed itinerary, we managed to fit in some bonus experiences:

• A walk around the National Carillon (Bell Tower)
• A visit to the Pompeii exhibition at the National Museum, an interactive display on loan from Naples. The boys were fascinated by the simulation of Mount Vesuvius erupting, covering Pompeii in hot ash and pumice stones—a truly immersive experience!

A Big Thank You!

A huge thank you to the wonderful staff who accompanied me and the boys and ensured everything ran smoothly: Mrs Sandra Buchanan, Mrs Karen Chambers, Mrs Kathryn Brink, Mr Dylan Cook and Mr David Johnston.

And of course, a special thank you to all the parents for allowing their sons to participate in this incredible educational experience.

We look forward to sharing more adventures in the future!

Year 6s visiting Canberra

Mum’s Night Out

Our first Mum’s Night Out for the year is happening on Wednesday 5 March, and we’d love you to join us!

An invitation has been sent via SEQTA, so if you would still like to add your name to the list, please do so by Monday 3 March. If you’ve already confirmed your attendance, I will send out a follow-up message with the location details.

• Date: Wednesday 5 March
• Time: 6:15pm
• Location: To be confirmed for attendees

I look forward to seeing many of you there for a great evening!

Parents and Friends Association

This term, the Parents and Friends Association is running a couple of fundraisers. 

Firstly, they are running the Cookie Dough fundraiser again, and your son would have brought home more information about this during the week.

Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough is an exciting fundraiser made by an Australian, family-owned and operated business. There are ten (10) dough-licious flavours to choose from, including the most popular Choc Chunk and the new Cinnamon Donut Cookie Dough!  You can also create your own cookie magic at home with our Golden Classic flavour by adding your own mix-ins to your cookies when you bake them! There is even something for your special furry friends, with a cheese-flavoured Doggie Dough!  Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough is exclusive to fundraising – so stock up!

Get started! Cookie dough orders must be placed online using the online platform. Create your child’s profile by visiting cookiedough.com.au, clicking on the Register Button and following the Prompts. Orders are open from Wednesday 26 February until 19 March, so make sure you get rolling and create your online fundraising page today!

How do prizes work? Every person who sells two or more tubs will receive an incentive prize for their efforts! But why not aim higher? The more tubs you sell the more prizes you will receive! There are 11 prizes up for grabs, so why not set your own fundraising goal and aim for them all? Prizes are automatically ordered at the end of our fundraiser based on the number of tubs you have sold.

Family and friends are your greatest supporters, so make sure you ask them for support. You will reach your fundraising goal in no time!

You can Win Big!  Our highest tub seller will go into a draw to win a PlayStation 5 Gaming Bundle. For every tub you sell or buy, you will also receive one entry into the draw to win $20,000 Cash. Plus, every person who achieves all online virtual badges will win an additional Gold Dig Out prize. 

Register and order your Cookie Dough at cookiedough.com.au

Limited CBC Jibbitz for Crocs!

Show your school pride and get these custom charms for your Crocs.

✅ 1 for $6.50
✅ 2 for $10.00

Available from the Uniform Shop or purchase via the Uniform Shop on the QKR! app.  

Stocks are limited, so get in quick!

They are also seeking donations for our upcoming Easter Raffle! If you can contribute any Easter-themed items (chocolates, decorations, or treats), they will be placed into raffle baskets for each campus.

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase later in the term, with all proceeds supporting our school community.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and we thank you in advance for helping make this a fun and successful event!

Join Us for Coffee Every Friday Morning!

We warmly invite you to join us every Friday morning from 8:20am at the canteen for a coffee and a chance to connect with other parents. It’s a wonderful opportunity to catch up, meet new families, and start the day with a friendly chat.

We’d love to see you there – come along and enjoy a coffee on us!

• When: Every Friday morning, 8:20am
• Where: School Canteen

Looking forward to sharing a coffee and conversation with you!

SEQTA

A friendly reminder that SEQTA is our primary communication platform for sharing important school updates, announcements, and messages. To ensure you don’t miss any key information, we kindly ask that you regularly check your messages or set your phone to receive SEQTA notifications.

By staying up to date on SEQTA, you’ll have access to:

• Important school announcements
• Event reminders and calendar updates
• Direct communication from teachers and staff
• Academic progress and student reports

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain clear and effective communication. If you need any assistance with SEQTA notifications, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

NAPLAN

On Tuesday 25 March, all Year 5 students completed the NAPLAN practice test. Despite some minor IT issues with headphones and the Lockdown browser, the boys participated positively and with great focus. This practice session provided valuable insight into the testing process, helping them understand what to expect when they sit the actual NAPLAN tests in the coming weeks.

NAPLAN Test Schedule:

• Wednesday 12 March – Writing Test
• Thursday 13 March – Reading Test & Language Conventions
• Friday 14 March – Numeracy Test

We encourage students to get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and come prepared for their assessments. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping them feel confident and ready.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to either myself at aronoastro@cbc.sa.edu.au or Ms Lauren Mercer at lmercer@cbc.sa.edu.au

LENT

Next week, we will be marking the beginning of Lent as a Catholic community—a sacred time dedicated to spiritual renewal, reflection, and preparation for Easter. Lent is a 40-day season that invites us to examine our lives, deepen our faith, and renew our commitment to the teachings of Christ.

Our journey commences on Ash Wednesday 5 March at 9:10am in the PAC. During this solemn service, led by our JC Faith Leaders Aaron and Abuoi, students will receive a small cross on their foreheads. This ancient tradition, using ashes as a symbol of mortality and repentance, reminds us of our human frailty and the call to turn away from sin. It sets the tone for a period of introspection and self-discipline. Please be mindful that on Wednesday there will be no meat products available for purchase from the canteen.

Additionally, on Tuesday 4 March, we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday—a day traditionally observed with feasting before the Lenten fast begins. To mark this occasion, pancakes will be available for $1 from the canteen, offering a festive and enjoyable prelude to the reflective season ahead.

We invite you to join us in spirit as we embrace this meaningful season together, guided by our shared values and deep-rooted traditions.

Upcoming events:

• Tuesday 4 March – Shrove Tuesday
• Wednesday 5 March – Ash Wednesday (no meat available in the canteen)
• Wednesday 5 March – Mum’s Night Out – venue TBD
• Friday 7 March - Community Mass in the JC Chapel
• Friday 7 March – Wear it Purple Day / World’s Greatest Shave
• Friday 7 March – SAPSASA Swimming Carnival
• Monday 10 March – Adelaide Cup Public Holiday
• Wednesday 12 March – NAPLAN commences

      
Mrs Alison Ronoastro
Head of Junior Campus

 
As we step into the third month of the academic year, it is incredible to think of the different events and activities CBC boys have already engaged with, which enrich and enhance student life and growth. From formal events to programs and Brotherhood camps, there is much to celebrate within our amazing community.

The Rite Journey: A Journey of Self-Discovery

As part of our commitment to holistic education, our Year 9 students are embarking on a transformative journey through 'The Rite Journey' program. This program is designed to support our students’ transition into adulthood by focusing on self-awareness, personal responsibility, and positive relationships. Through a series of workshops, outdoor activities, and reflective exercises, our students will explore their values, strengths, and goals, empowering them to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

On Wednesday evening, over 70 Year 9 students and their families met at Montefiore Hill, in front of William Light himself, to launch 'The Calling' stage of the journey. The evening was a mixture of emotions including excitement, anticipation, curiosity and connection. Many were moved through every emotion as part of the launch of the program, including laughter, joy, tears and, most important of all, love. We are excited to witness their growth and development through this enriching experience.  We thank Mr Atkinson for his meticulous planning of the event to ensure that the boys and their families fully benefitted from the transformative experience.

The Calling Ceremony at Montefiore Hill

Year 7 Camp: Building Bonds and Kindness

The much-anticipated Year 7 camp is just around the corner! From Monday 3 March to Wednesday 5 March, our Year 7 students will embark upon an unforgettable adventure, filled with outdoor activities, team-building exercises, and opportunities for personal growth. Nestled in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, Mylor camp offers a perfect setting for students to step out of their comfort zones, forge new friendships, and create lasting memories. Led by our experienced team of teachers and outdoor educators, this camp promises to be an enriching experience that will complement our students’ academic learning and nurture their social and emotional development.

On behalf of the Pastoral Care team, we thank both students and parents for their continued contribution to and support of events and activities like this, which deepen student connection and create the positive, inclusive and welcoming community of brotherhood at CBC!

World’s Greatest Shave

World's Greatest Shave, in association with the Leukemia Foundation, is getting closer... (Friday 7 March - Week 6)

 
WE HAVE NOW RAISED $5,536! 
 
Our next goal of $7,500 will have the next, and even more exciting, batch of brave volunteers on the chopping block... 

• Mr Jacobs – maybe even the mutton chops? 
• Kai Fullagar's long-awaited buzz (Year 12) 
• Aaron Nguyen's luscious curtains GONE! (Year 12) 
• Edward Thornton's SIXTH YEAR (Year 12) 
• Mr Carrieri 
• Wajahat Syed (Year 12) 
• Leo Mead (Year 10) 

Please donate to this great cause by following the link below:

Ms Debra Withers
Director of Students

 
The Season of Lent

Lent begins next week. In the Christian tradition, this is a time for prayer, fasting, and service as we prepare for the joy of Easter.

Throughout Lent, there will be many opportunities for spiritual reflection and acts of charity. As a College, we are supporting Caritas' Project Compassion, working to assist those in need both locally and globally.

Please see an outline of some of the Lenten events and opportunities available in the coming weeks.

Both Islamic fasting during Ramadan and the Christian practice of Lent are marked by a profound sense of devotion and self-reflection. As we observe these traditions side by side, we are reminded of the beauty of our diversity at CBC and the richness it brings to our Inclusive Community. 

Sacramental Program

The sacraments are rituals that teach, strengthen and express faith in the Catholic tradition.

Every year, the College supports families in the preparation of their son(s) for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist.  We will also support you to connect with parishes for Baptism or to celebrate other Sacraments.

If your son is in the Junior Campus and would like to be prepared for these three important Sacraments this year, please see communications from Simon Nardecchia (Junior Campus) to register.

Community Masses – Every Wednesday at 8am

A reminder that you can join us for our weekly Community Mass every Wednesday at 8am in the Edmund Rice Chapel (Senior Campus). This short service finishes by 8:25am and is open to all students, staff, and families - no RSVP needed.

A reminder that we also have a First Friday Mass in the Presentation of Mary Chapel (Junior Campus) next Friday 7 March. Stay around for a coffee and a chat afterwards.  

Mr Anthony Callisto
Director of Identity and Mission

 
Music

It is only Week 5 and we already have some performances on the books.

Coming up next week, our Rock Bands will entertain the crowd watching the brave souls who are shaving for a cure.

In Week 7, several of our Senior Teams will head to St Mary’s College on Wednesday afternoon to participate in the ‘Sounds of City Schools’ concert, in conjunction with SMC and SAC.

Rehearsals continue to benefit from the work we did on camp – congratulations to Sam Lagana (one of our 2025 music captains) and Max Tsiros (in Year 7) for their fantastic reflection of the camp presented at this week’s Community Assembly.

Students participating in the Music Camp

JC Music – it’s not too late to join one of our JC Music Teams – JC Guitars on Mondays and JC Concert Band on Fridays would love to have you (at 7:30 am in the PAC) and BVocal (Years 2-4, Monday lunch) and Festival Choir (Year 5-6, Wednesday L5) will also welcome new members.

Debating

We held a very energetic session to commence the 2025 pre-season, with everyone present delivering a 30-second impromptu speech in response to some puzzling questions, followed by a deep dive into some debating fundamentals.

We are delighted to welcome Mr Garreffa back to Debating, and thrilled that Ms Nidhi Sharma has joined us.

We also welcomed several new students, and once the summer season is over, we look forward to seeing even more new faces – we have some great numbers enrolled!

A reminder that training is on Level 2 of the Wakefield Building, from 3:15-4:30 on Tuesday afternoons.

JC Debating – Interested Year 6 students should have a chat to Mr Nardecchia!

Chess

More great numbers have registered to play Chess in 2025.

In the Senior College, we had a very successful first coaching session on Wednesday at recess, led by Mr David Koetsier from Chesslife. It was particularly exciting to see so many Year 7 students there.

This was followed by some surprisingly competitive game practice on Thursday afternoon, which also included an instructional video on how to use chess clocks, delivered by Alexander Horlin-Smith.

With the superb Mr Sebastian Stenchlik back on board, CBC chess looks to be in great shape in 2025.

JC Chess starts in the first week of Term 2, at 7:30am in the Year 4 and 5 classrooms. So far, we have an impressive 35 students registered.

Drama Club

Whilst our throng of theatrical thespians will officially commence in Term 2, all those interested need to keep an eye on the notices for upcoming auditions.

Photography Club

A small but dedicated group of picture takers headed to Glenelg on Wednesday afternoon to get the best shots on offer in a sublime setting – never on phones, these gents are the real deal! Thanks, as always, to Mr Sean Carr for his leadership of this group, as well as the wonderful Mr Dylan Widdop for accompanying this trip.

Photography Club Photos (photos by Peter Tsiros, Jonah Garland)

As always, questions can be sent through to me at any time.

Ms Alexandra Khafagi
Director of Performing Arts

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