Tolle Lege

As we return to Third Term, I have two reflections on how we help our young men remain deeply human in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, and how we form our new student leaders to lead with humility, courage and service.

Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (Remaining profoundly human) invites us to think carefully about the place of technology in our lives. It reminds us that artificial intelligence, like every powerful tool, must remain at the service of the human person, the common good and the dignity of all.

For our students, this matters greatly. AI will be part of their learning, work and future. I have been contacted by a parent who has generously offered to bring some of their professional expertise in this space to broaden our understanding of how to build the boys’ skills and ethical use. Used well, it can support creativity, curiosity and access to knowledge. Yet our task as a Catholic and Augustinian school is to help students use technology with wisdom and conscience, not simply convenience.

Real learning still requires patience, effort, mistakes, feedback and perseverance. These are not obstacles to growth; they are often the very places where growth happens. Students are more than their results or productivity. We want them to be people of dignity, capable of friendship, faith, reason, compassion and love.

Each year, students are entrusted with a badge, a title and a responsibility. Yet the deepest meaning of leadership is not status; it is service. As our new leaders begin their induction and training, we have invited them to understand leadership as a way of becoming: becoming more attentive, more responsible, more generous and more willing to serve others.

Our leadership formation is deeply rooted in our identity as a Catholic and Augustinian school. We are focused on simple but powerful habits: listening before speaking, choosing service before recognition, including those on the margins, encouraging unity and using influence with care. We want our student leaders to understand that leadership is not about standing above others, but standing with them.

In an Augustinian school, leadership also begins within. Good leaders learn to examine their motives, seek truth, admit mistakes and allow themselves to be shaped by friendship, community and grace. Humility is not weakness; it is the foundation of genuine leadership.

There is a beautiful connection between these two themes. Magnifica Humanitas asks us to safeguard what is most human in a technological age. Student leadership asks our young people to practise what is most human in community: listening, empathy, responsibility, courage and love.

I also wish to offer my thanks to our HSC staff who generously provided extensive study tutorials during the first and third weeks of the school holidays. This quiet and sustained commitment says much about the culture of excellence in our College. One of the elements of our success as a school is the generosity of our staff, together with the commitment and seriousness of purpose shown by our students.

A particularly powerful image from the final Friday of the holidays stays with me: at 3.00pm, a full tutorial room of Standard English students remained at school, still participating in a study session led by two of our English staff. It was a simple but deeply encouraging scene. It reflected not only the dedication of those teachers, but also the willingness of our students to keep working, keep refining their understanding and keep striving towards their best.

Jonathan Byrne
Principal

I hope the three-week break provided everyone with an opportunity to step away from the usual routines of school life, enjoy time with family and friends, and return feeling rested and renewed. Term 3 is an important and productive period in the school year, and we look forward to continuing our shared journey of learning, growth and discovery.

I also hope families have had the opportunity to read and discuss their son’s Semester 1 report. These conversations are an important part of the learning process, allowing students to celebrate their achievements, recognise the progress they have made and identify areas requiring additional focus or thought. A report is not simply a record of results; it is a valuable prompt for reflection and a starting point for future growth.

When discussing the report, parents are encouraged to invite their son to share his perspective. What is he proud of? What challenged him? Where does he believe he could improve? When parents, teachers and students agree on an area for development, clear and achievable goals can be established for the semester ahead. These goals might relate to academic skills, organisation, participation, persistence, relationships or greater independence.

The final Effort and Learning Disposition grade is an especially valuable starting point for these discussions. While academic achievement is important, the skills, values and attitudes a student brings to his learning often have the greatest influence on continued progress. Qualities such as curiosity, resilience, responsibility, cooperation, attentiveness and perseverance can be strengthened through deliberate practice and encouragement.

Simple strategies can make a meaningful difference. These may include establishing consistent homework and reading routines, preparing materials the night before, asking questions when unsure, contributing more regularly to class discussions, responding positively to feedback, or persisting with challenging tasks rather than giving up. Small, purposeful actions, practised consistently, can lead to growth in confidence, engagement and achievement.

As an Augustinian school, we recognise that education is a shared endeavour grounded in community, relationship and the pursuit of truth. Inspired by the Augustinian Values of Truth, Love and Community, we encourage every boy to know himself more deeply, use his gifts generously and remain open to growth. Our students are supported not only to become capable learners, but also to become compassionate, thoughtful and responsible members of their communities.

Term 3 offers each student a fresh beginning and another opportunity to make positive choices. I encourage every boy to approach the term with enthusiasm, an open mind and a willingness to challenge himself. Progress does not always happen quickly, but sustained effort, reflection and support can bring meaningful change.

Thank you to our parents and carers for your continued partnership, and to our staff for their dedication and care. Welcome back, and best wishes to everyone for a rewarding, joyful and successful Term 3.

Warm regards,

Terry Walsh
Head of Primary School

The concert will feature:

• All Co-Curricular Music ensembles
• Selected soloists from the Studio Concerts
• Award-winning student compositions
• The Year 5 Cohort Choir

Details:

• Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
• Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm 
• Location: The Concourse, Chatswood

Tickets may be booked directly through The Concourse Website via The Concourse Website.

Co-curricular ensemble performers will be seated in reserved areas, while Year 5 students will sit with their families.

We warmly invite all members of the College community to join us for this wonderful celebration of Saints Music.

Year 11 Music 1 students have been working hard to develop and refine their performance skills as they prepare for the first soirée of their Stage 6 Music journey. As part of the event, each student will present two performances that showcase the musical concepts and styles explored throughout the Preliminary Course, including Australian Music, Theatre Music, and Music for Radio, Film, Television and Multimedia.

Families and friends are warmly invited to join us for this special evening as we celebrate the achievements and growing musicianship of our Year 11 performers. Click here to book your seats.

• Date: Tuesday, 11 August 2026 (Week 4)
• Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
• Where: Lecceto Auditorium

A light supper will be provided following the performances. We look forward to sharing this memorable occasion with our College community.

Our annual Father & Son Breakfast is fast approaching – the morning of Wednesday 2 September. Please see invite and order link below.

RSVP and Payment are essential. Please use the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/DMF...

We would like to sincerely thank all parents and students for your continued support of the school Co-curricular Music program. Your encouragement, organisation, and commitment to rehearsals and performances play a vital role in our students’ musical growth and enjoyment. 

Please take note of the key dates outlined below. We look forward to another rewarding term of music-making in term 3.

Rehearsal Schedule for 2026

Term 3 key dates Term 3 key dates

Please see below the details for the ticket link for the Music Showcase concert on Wednesday 5^th August at the Concourse.

Concert: https://AUCENTURY.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/166617

Kelvin Anderson
Manager in Charge of Co-curricular Music

Representing Chinese Continuers and Chinese and Literature, the group showed strong commitment by attending during the term break for a full day of learning, speaking and creating in Chinese.

From the opening icebreakers, students worked in mixed-school teams. The activities moved quickly between conversation, reading, problem-solving and friendly competition. Students introduced themselves in Chinese, searched for shared experiences, described Chinese cities without using forbidden words, reconstructed texts and tested their knowledge through Blooket, Wordwall and Kahoot.

The final film-making challenge brought the day's learning together. Working in small groups, students planned and recorded short Chinese-language videos. Chinese Continuers students worked from themes such as "A Choice" and "Challenge", while Chinese and Literature students developed stories based on Chinese idioms, festivals and traditional values. Each team also had to include a surprise object and keep its theme secret until the screening.

The most valuable part of the day was the chance to use Chinese with new people. Students had to listen closely, respond without a prepared script and contribute ideas to a group. The experience built confidence, teamwork and the flexibility to communicate beyond familiar classroom routines.

Thank you to PLC Sydney for hosting the day and to Qilin Zhang for supporting our students. We look forward to continuing this partnership and creating more opportunities for students to learn Chinese together.

Kyle Sun
Head of Department - Languages

Parents are reminded that it is a condition of enrolment that one term’s written notice of student withdrawal from the College is required.

To provide written notice of withdrawal, please notify the Principal’s Office via the College Registrar: registrar@saintaug.nsw.edu.au

Written notice should include:

• Date of withdrawal and the student’s destination (name of new school or approved activity e.g., apprenticeship) 
• Reason for the withdrawal

For students leaving the College during 2026, written notice of withdrawal is due as follows:

If one term's notice is not provided, parents will be charged a term's fees in lieu of notice.

Regards,

Danielle McKenna
Registrar

Dear School Community,

Keolis Northern Beaches has been advised of ongoing RTBU industrial action each Friday from 17 July 2026 until further notice. For a 24-hour period from 12:01 am Fridays, some buses will not operate if vehicles don’t meet specific fuel or charge levels. This may disrupt regular routes, including some school and peak-period services.

Please ask students and families to:

• Check live updates before travelling at transportnsw.info
• Allow extra time and consider alternatives if needed

Keeping you informed:

We’re working to minimise disruption and provide timely, accurate information while constructive negotiations continue.

Regards,

Keolis Northern Beaches

The 2025 College Yearbook will be distributed to families this coming Monday, 27 July. One Yearbook will be sent home with the eldest student in each family from Years 6-12.

We hope you enjoy looking back on the many achievements, events and memorable moments that made 2025 such a special year.