Issuu

The Phoenix Rising

TERM 1 2026

from the

Headmaster

MR SHANNON LEE

As we reflect on a full and energising term at All Souls St Gabriels School, there is much to celebrate across every aspect of school life.

Our community came together in fine spirit for the Secondary Inter-House Swimming Carnival, held in our Aquatic Centre. It was a wonderful showcase of participation, house pride and determination, with students embracing both competition and camaraderie. Moments like these continue to remind us of the strength of our culture - where involvement matters just as much as achievement.

Across the Arts, preparations for our School Musical are well underway. The level of commitment from students and staff has been outstanding, and already there is a strong sense that this production will be something special. It is always inspiring to see students challenge themselves in new ways and work collectively towards a shared goal.

This term has also marked an important step forward in how we connect with families. The launch of our Parent Portal has provided a more streamlined and accessible way to engage with school life, with further development of our School app well underway. These initiatives are part of our broader commitment

to strengthening communication and ensuring families feel informed, connected and supported.

As always, our students continue to achieve highly - both in and beyond the classroom. Whether through academic progress, sporting success, cultural pursuits or service to others, their efforts reflect the values we hold as a school. These achievements are not only a credit to the students themselves, but also to the staff and families who support them.

Boarding life has remained vibrant and central to the rhythm of the School. The sense of belonging, routine and shared experience within our boarding houses continues to be a defining feature of an ASSG education, and it is pleasing to see the strong connections being built across year levels and cohorts.

Thank you to our staff, students and families for the way you have contributed to the life of the School this term. Your commitment to our shared purpose ensures that ASSG remains a place where young people are known, supported and challenged to grow.

As we look ahead to Term 2, we do so with a strong sense of momentum and anticipation for what lies ahead.

Captains’ Corner

JULIA GOSSAGE & ARCHIE HAY

2026 SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Term 1 began with students returning refreshed after the Christmas holidays and ready for the year ahead. Early in the term, student leaders were officially presented with their prefect roles and badges during a chapel service. It was a great way to start the year and recognise those stepping into leadership positions across the school.

One of the highlights of the term was the Inter-House Swimming Carnival. It was a fantastic day filled with strong participation, enthusiasm, and house spirit from students across all year levels. Congratulations to Feetham and Becket for taking out the overall win and Chad and Page for taking home the non-championship competition.

Following this event, a number of students represented the school at the Inter-School Swimming Carnival where ASSG took home the overall win. What made this event so amazing was not only the results but the constant cheering and school spirit shown by our students. We congratulate all students who competed and represented the school with pride.

That same energy continued at the Interhouse Cross Country, with Ramsay and Alban taking out the overall win. It was great to see the effort and determination of our students as well as the strong house spirit. Training for Inter-School has started and we are excited to see the hard work of all our students pay off next term.

School sport also continued to gain momentum this term with the commencement of our two main sports of the school, Rugby

League and Netball. It has been great to see strong involvement from students across both sports, and we wish all teams the best for the remainder of the year.

Later in the term, we also marked a significant occasion in our school calendar with the Lady Day Dinner and Chapel Service. This event offered a different kind of reflection with an opportunity to pause, come together, and recognise the traditions and values that shape our school. It was a meaningful reminder of the importance of community, gratitude, and shared experience, and we thank everyone for coming along.

As we head into next term, we encourage everyone to keep getting involved, supporting those around you, and making the most of the opportunities ahead. We can’t wait to see you there!

Junior School

This term has seen a wonderful start to the year in Junior School. We would like to say a big thank you to all Junior School staff and the P&F for all their hard work and help to make this term enjoyable and fun for everyone. We started the term with Year 4, 5 and 6 students presenting their leadership speeches. This was followed by a beautiful Chapel service to acknowledge and install our 2026 Junior School Leaders. The year 3 and 5 students did a great job in their NAPLAN testing and really deserved their popper, pizza and popcorn party.

Our term ended with the Inter-House Cross Country Carnival with the overall winners being Feetham and Becket. It was an exciting way to end our term and it was great to see all the students having so much fun. We are looking forward to Term 2 and supporting all the students with all of the amazing things we are going to accomplish together. We hope you all enjoy the Easter break; see you in Term 2.

ELSIE BENNETTO & GORDON MANN 2026 JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Our 2026 Leaders

Senior School

School Captains -

Julia Gossage and Archie Hay

Chapel Prefect - Kaelan Atkinson

School Vice Captains -

Olivia Geoghegan and Darcy Cameron

Alban House Captain and Prefect - Allarah Standen

Becket House Captain and Prefect - Ariel Chevathun

Chad House Captain and Prefect - Pattison Fink

Ramsay House Captain and Prefect - Joshua Philip

Feetham House Captain and Prefect - Tom Linton

Page House Captain and Prefect -

Tristan Hopkins-Little

Academic Prefect - Summer Eastaughffe

Arts & Service Prefect - Hayley Fox

Junior School

Junior School Captains -

Gordon Mann and Elsie Bennetto

Junior School Vice-Captains -

Jack Price and Georgia Johnson

Junior School Chapel Prefect - Lanah Emerson

Alban House Captain - Kendyl Allen

Becket House Captain - Jacie Pugh

Chad House Captain - Elsie Bennetto

Ramsay House Captain - Lincoln Skillington

Feetham House Captain - Morgan Hensler

Page House Captain - Lucas Bensemann

Arts Prefect - Lainie Potter

Year 5 Student Council Representatives -

Rhylan Hourston and Laynie Hamlyn

Year 4 Student Council Representatives -

Frankie Fry and Lewis Walsh

2025 Awards

On the first day of term we acknowledged the 2025 Prizes for Proxime Accessit, Dux of the School, and The Morris Prize. The Morris Prize is presented to the student who achieves the highest ATAR in their grade at All Souls St Gabriels School.

Congratulations to Tamzin Finger (absent) who received the 2025 Proxime Accessit, and to Isobel Paskins who received the award for 2025 Dux of the School, as well as the The Morris Prize.

Congratulations to you both!

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday, 18th February, students attended Ash Wednesday services at the All Souls St Gabriels School Chapel to mark the beginning of Lent - a season

of penance, reflection, and fasting. It was a meaningful time for our school community to come together. We thank Father Kenneth for the wonderful service.

Life living on campus

Boarding Term 1

MR JAYE BEUTEL HEAD OF BOARDING

It has been a ferociously busy start to the school year, in particular for our 200+ boarders here at All Souls St Gabriels School who hit the ground running in an effort to re-establish routines and settle into boarding life quickly. All while the summer wet season continued to keep us all guessing as to what next? As low systems and the odd cyclone threatened to keep us on our toes in response to their pending and potential presence.

Our dynamic senior boarders have been working tirelessly with their respective senior residents in setting a positive and welcoming tone for their Boarding House, mentoring our new and younger boarders as they adapt to boarding life, and meeting the challenges that come along with this transition. It has been truly delightful observing how this comes together and our Boarding Houses flourish in their own unique way with the diverse range of boarders who call it their home away from home.

Boarding undertook a few changes to study routines, as well as how boarders and their families use the new online boarding management system, Orah, in an effort to streamline processes to more effectively organise leave, boarder bus transport needs and late meals. These changes have been well adapted by our community and have made a real difference for our staff as they continue to improve efforts in making boarding life as seamless as possible.

Term 1 showcased a tremendous range of recreational activities which boarders joyfully engaged in - making memories with friends new and old along the way. The highlights for many boarders, and staff, were the trips to Townsville for shopping, tenpin bowling, Barra Fun Park and of course an epic NQ Cowboys victory over the Melbourne Storm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Inter-School Tennis

Friday of Week 9 saw fantastic action on the Town Tennis Courts as our Senior School students proudly represented All Souls St Gabriels School at the Inter-School Tennis Gala. With both singles and doubles matches played, it was great to see all players giving their best, demonstrating strong teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

ASSG enjoyed an outstanding year, taking out both the Under 13 and Open divisions to be crowned the 2026 Inter-School Tennis Champions — a fantastic achievement for the team.

There were also several exceptional individual performances, with the following students named Age Champions:

Under 13 Boys – Toa Waerea Under 13 Girls – Charlie Patch Open Boys – Curtis Reardon Open Girls – Vivienne Knight

Congratulations to all students involved on a successful evening of tennis. Your effort, attitude, and commitment were evident both on and off the court.

Inter-House Swimming

Inter-School

BENJI MOXHAM & HOLLIE LAFFIN SWIMMING CAPTAINS

The Inter-School Swimming Carnival held in Week 7 was a fantastic day of competition, sportsmanship, and school spirit. All Souls St Gabriels School delivered an outstanding performance, proudly winning the Anthea Norton Trophy for Overall Combined Aggregate, making us the 2026 Inter-School Swimming Champions. This success was built on the hard work and dedication of many. Whilst swimming is mostly an individual sport, team success does not happen without the efforts of the combined group.

In addition to the overall title, we achieved further success across the day, also taking home the Griffiths Memorial Trophy for Boys Relays, the Coleman Cup for the Overall Girls Aggregate, and the A & R Duckworth Trophy for Overall Boys Aggregate.

A special acknowledgement goes to the swimmers who were recognised as Age Champions and Runner-Ups on the day: Age Champions

Flynn Bailey - 12 Years Boys

Lacie Lillyman - 13 Years Girls

Mason Storey - 13 Years Boys

Charlie Hourston - 14 Years Boys

Swimming

Lilah Plant - 15 Years Girls

Konnor Laffin - 15 Years Boys

Brooke Jenkins - 16 Years Girls

Runner-Ups

Clare Brady - 13 Years Girls

Elizabeth Groves - 14 Years Girls

Ethan Matthews - 16 Years Boys

Hollie Laffin - Opens Girls

There were also some remarkable individual achievements in the pool. Mason Storey had an exceptional meet, breaking three records in the 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, and 50m Butterfly. Lilah Plant also set a new record in the 50m Backstroke.

Another mention must go to the reserve swimmers as well as some swimmers who swam with little more than 5 minutes warning, in a stroke they had never done before. Efforts like these reveal the true character of our school and show us all what we can achieve.

Congratulations to all swimmers for their dedication and effort, as well as to the supporters, staff, and Coach Miss Fitzgerald for their encouragement and commitment throughout the day.

Cross Country Junior School Inter-House

Senior School Inter-House

16 Years Rebecca Galvin Mikayla Kennedy Max Elliott James Blennerhassett

Opens Pattison Fink Ariel Chevathun Tristan Hopkins-Little Archie Hay

Champion House Alban & Ramsay

Year 7 Camp

Our Year 7 students enjoyed a memorable three-day camp in Emerald, beginning with a long but cheerful bus journey. Upon arrival, students settled in quickly before enjoying a delicious dinner, setting the tone for an exciting few days ahead. The first evening featured a range of outdoor games, including a lively and competitive round of beach volleyball.

The following day saw students rotate through a series of activities, including canoeing, rock wall climbing and navigation.

Each session ran smoothly, with students embracing new challenges with enthusiasm, teamwork and plenty of laughter.

Throughout the camp, students were exceptionally well catered for, and the dedication of staff ensured the experience was both enjoyable and well supported. It was a highly positive opportunity for students to build confidence, strengthen friendships and create lasting memories.

Lake Fairbairn

Biology CampOrpheus Island

Our Senior Biology students have recently returned from their bi-annual camp, where they undertook fieldwork aligned with Unit 3: Biodiversity and the Interconnectedness of Life. This year marked an exciting first, with the group travelling to Orpheus Island — providing a unique and immersive learning environment.

Throughout the camp, students investigated and compared marine biodiversity across two distinct sites: the high-traffic Yanks Jetty and the protected outer reef of Pioneer Bay. Using transect lines and quadrat sampling techniques, students collected and analysed data to

explore species richness and ecosystem health.

Working under the guidance of staff from the Orpheus Island Research Station, students gained valuable hands-on experience in scientific methodology, field research, and data collection — all while developing a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems.

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in real-world science, building both their practical skills and appreciation for the natural environment.

Junior School T-Ball

Our 2026 Junior Inter-School Sport fixtures began with T-Ball, and what a fantastic start it was.

Both teams displayed outstanding skill, teamwork and enthusiasm across the season, with the boys delivering a dominant performance to claim the overall competition title. Their understanding of the game and ability to execute under pressure were highlights, including some exceptional plays on the diamond.

The girls also enjoyed an excellent season, finishing second overall. Their determination, teamwork and steady improvement each week were impressive, as they consistently challenged their opponents and played with great spirit.

It was rewarding to see the growth in confidence and skill across both teams, who proudly represented the School and celebrated their success with plenty of Souls and Gabes pride.

Junior School Year 4 CTRC Excursion

JANE TURNER - YEAR 4 TEACHER

The Year 4 class explored the concepts of rules and laws, as well as the three levels of government in Australia. As part of this learning, students examined the roles and responsibilities of the Charters Towers Regional Council and gained an understanding of the local government election process.

To consolidate their learning and pose some of their inquiry questions, students visited the Deputy Mayor and Councillors for an excursion. Following a discussion and question session in the Boardroom, students and Councillors enjoyed a shared pizza lunch, where further conversations and questions continued.

A tour of the Council buildings gave students valuable insight into the “behind-the-scenes” operations. Students also had the opportunity to direct specific questions to employees working across different sectors of the Council.

It was a wonderful experience that strengthened students’ understanding of how local government operates. To top off the day, students were gifted a goodie bag to help them remember their visit.

We sincerely thank the Charters Towers Regional Council, the Deputy Mayor, Councillors, and staff for providing such an engaging and meaningful learning experience.

Year 6 Magnetic Island Camp

PETER TURNER

YEAR 6 TEACHER

The Year 6 students attended a two night Leadership Camp at Magnetic Island. It was a valuable experience that helped them grow as leaders. Through a range of team-building activities, they learned the importance of communication, co-operation, and supporting one another. They also developed practical skills that will help them lead confidently and responsibly back at School. Overall, the camp was an enjoyable and meaningful opportunity for our students to build their leadership qualities and grow as the senior cohort in the Junior School.

Lady Day Service & Dinner

The School community recently came together to celebrate The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The evening began with a Chapel Service, led by our senior girls, before moving to the Lady Day Dinner held in Halse Hall.

Halse Hall was beautifully presented for the occasion, and guests enjoyed wonderful vocal performances from our talented musicians, Trent and Lucy.

We extend our sincere thanks to our guest speaker, Dr Nicole Spiegel, for sharing with us, as well as to our Kitchen Staff for a delicious meal, our Senior Hospitality students for preparing the desserts, and Chad House for their efforts as gracious hosts.

Open doors Scholarship

with an ASSG

Applications close Monday 4 May 2026

Testing held Saturday 16 May 2026

• Charters Towers

• Hughenden

• Georgetown

Junior Campdraft Clinic Rural Activities

A successful day was enjoyed despite the threat of rain and warm conditions, with seven dedicated riders in attendance.

Throughout the day, participants focused on developing their riding skills and working with their horses in preparation for future campdrafting and equestrian events. It was encouraging to see each rider demonstrate a positive attitude, build confidence, and make meaningful progress in their horsemanship.

Cattle Handling Clinic

ASSG was proud to host a two-day Cattle Show Preparation Program at our rural precinct, bringing together students from across the region.

Welcoming participants from Columba Catholic College and Charters Towers School of Distance Education, the program offered valuable hands-on experience in cattle handling, judging, nutrition, and animal wellbeing.

Led by Rural Activities Coordinator Mr Keith Hanson and supported by industry experts, students developed practical skills and confidence as they prepare for the upcoming show season.

Thank you to everyone involved in making it such a successful and rewarding event.

Past Students Assoc. Burry Weekend

A sincere thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered at this year’s Burry Work Weekend. Despite uncertain weather, conditions held long enough for the majority of projects to be completed — a testament to the dedication and teamwork of our community.

From early starts to hands-on work across the School, the time, effort and skills contributed