St Augustine's College Old Boys Association (SAOBA) e-Newsletter |
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Understanding “Flipping Your Lid”: A Tool for Parents and Teens
Parenting young children, tweens, and teenagers inevitably means navigating strong emotions - theirs and often our own. When a young person reacts with frustration, anger, stress, or overwhelm, it can be difficult to know how best to respond. Dr Dan Siegel*, a highly renowned clinical professor of psychiatry, has developed a simple way to explain the science of what’s happening in the brain during those intense moments. This is now widely recognised as ‘the hand model of the…
SRC Students Engage in Social Justice at Vinnies Conference
At St Augustine’s College, nurturing young men to be compassionate, socially aware, and actively engaged in their communities is central to our mission. Recently, seven members of our Student Representative Council (SRC), accompanied by Ms Bignold and Ms Mackenzie, attended the Vinnies Secondary School Social Justice Conference at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). It was an experience that deeply resonated with our values and commitment to service. Throughout the day, students…
Spotlight: St Augustine’s College's Ignite and Enrichment Programs
We acknowledge that it is our incredible team of educators who influence the success of our Primary School, whilst they cater for the individual needs, abilities, talents, personalities, and dispositions of all the boys. Prioritising these connections ensures the boys are engaged in relevant, meaningful, and purposeful opportunities, allowing them to feel safe, known and loved. The Ignite and Enrichment program was designed to extend and challenge high-potential learners while nurturing their…
The Feast of Saint Augustine, 2025
Each year as we approach the Feast of Saint Augustine, the College takes time to reflect on our annual theme. The theme for 2025 is Humility - a virtue at the very heart of Augustine’s teaching and one that continues to shape our community today. During our recent staff day we were honoured to reinforce how humility forms the very foundations of our St Augustine values, where the search for truth begins, continues and ultimately ends with humility. As Augustine wrote, in the search for truth,…
Winter Reading Guide 2025
THE QUIET EDGE: Why Boys Who Read Over the Holidays Come Back Stronger When the winter holidays roll around, most boys are ready for a break — and understandably so. School life is intense: full of assessments, routines, sports, co-curriculars, and social demands. The temptation to switch off entirely and lean heavily into screens, gaming, or endless scrolling is strong. And while rest is essential, there’s another, quieter way to recharge that offers long-term benefits: reading. Reading gives…
Meet the Strength Behind the Scenes: St Augustine’s College Athletic Development Team
Athletic growth is more than just physical training, and at St Augustine’s College we champion this alongside discipline, resilience, and consistent support. We are so proud to have a dedicated Athletic Development Team working with our young men throughout their journey at the College. With backgrounds in elite sport, physiotherapy, coaching, and education, our Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coaches help students push their limits safely and confidently. The College Gym is open to…
Starting Strong: Helping Year 7 Students Build Study Skills for High School Success
At St Augustine’s College, we understand that the transition to high school is a significant moment, not just for students, but for their families too. That’s why we invest in programs that help build confidence, independence, and positive learning habits from day one, and why our Academic Study Skills curriculum in Years 7 to 12 is so important. Recently, our Year 7 families were invited to our Study Skills Evening, which was designed to support students as they begin their secondary school…
St Augustine’s College U15 Rugby Tour - A memorable Fiji journey, on and off the field
The recent U15 Rugby Tour of Fiji was more than a sporting event. It was a journey of growth, connection, and unforgettable moments. Over nine days, the St Augustine’s College squad - The Saints Barbarian XV - battled it out on the rugby field, and immersed themselves in the Fijian culture and spirit. The tour started in Suva, where the team faced Suva Grammar School. A mixed bag of results - one win, one loss, and one draw - offered valuable insight into the local playing style: fast,…
The Power of Teachers in this Age of Agency
For too long, public conversations about school reform have been dominated by Reading and Maths scores, which have become the shorthand for school success. But the reality is far more complex and more human. While literacy and numeracy are undeniably important, it’s pertinent to focus on the vital role our teachers play in sparking curiosity and nurturing young minds. These educators, while building strong relationships with their students, do more than just deliver content; they create…