Moot Court Success

Moot Court Success

by | Aug 15, 2024 | Media, NEWS, Senior School, Year 11

The third annual Cathedral Moot Court Trial concluded with a ‘not guilty’ verdict, in what was described by presiding judge, Mr Greg Cudmore, as ‘the most professional student moot trial yet’.

In a collaboration with senior students from St Margaret Mary’s College and Ryan Catholic College serving as jurors, the trial showcased the remarkable skills of both the defence and prosecution teams – the audience split in their opinion over the final verdict.

Though a simulation, the Moot Court trial offers Year 11 students an unparalleled opportunity to experience the intensity and realism of a courtroom. This exercise transforms theoretical learning into practical experience, bridging the gap between textbooks and real-life legal proceedings.

Deputy Principal and Moot Court organiser, Tonia Gloudemans, praised the students’ dedication and resilience, especially those who stepped in at the last minute due to participant illness. “The Year 11 and 12 Legal Studies students delivered an outstanding performance. They were absolutely awesome, and I’m incredibly proud of how they rose to the challenge.”

We are grateful for the continued mentorship and support from Mr Greg Cudmore who has chaired the moot court trial annually since its inception at Cathedral in 2022.

Read More: Murder or self-defence?

Psychology Award for Kristen

Psychology Award for Kristen

by | Aug 2, 2024 | NEWS, Senior School, STEM

Kristen Armitage Honored with PTAQ Excellence in Psychology Teaching Award

Senior School Psychology Teacher Kristen Armitage has been awarded the prestigious Psychology Teachers Association of Queensland (PTAQ) Excellence in Psychology Teaching Award. This accolade is dedicated to Professor Gerry Tehan, a champion of integrating psychology into high school curricula in Queensland.

“It is an honour to receive this award dedicated to Professor Gerry Tehan, who supported Queensland teachers in implementing psychology into high schools. He was an inspiring and dedicated educator,” says Kristen.

“The Cathedral School has supported me by encouraging me to apply for various QCAA roles and attend QCAA training and events. I have been blessed to work with another talented psychology teacher, Renita Baker, to share ideas and polish our program, as well as a dedicated Head of Science, Rebecca Smith, who ensures that all our resources and assessments are of a very high standard,” Kristen acknowledged, highlighting the collaborative and supportive environment at her school.

“Kristen is known for her dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence in psychology education. She actively engages in professional development, attending conferences such as the Positive Schools Conference and the QCAA Chiefs Conference, and completing certifications like Youth Mental Health First Aid and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid. Kristen also implements creative and technology-enhanced instruction methods, organises unique learning experiences like NeuroSTEM-Day trips and sleep study lab visits, and contributes significantly to the ATAR Psychology syllabus. She mentors preservice teachers and supports the broader educational community in Townsville. Kristen’s exceptional contributions to psychology education and her visionary leadership make her a deserving recipient of the PTAQ Excellence in Psychology Teaching award. Her journey exemplifies dedication to personal and professional growth, innovative teaching practices, and a strong commitment to mentorship and community engagement.” Rebecca Smith – Head of Science at TCS.

Kristen graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Middle and Senior Schooling and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). She is currently halfway through a Master of Education with a specialisation in Educational Leadership at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Kristen’s roles as a QCAA Chief Confirmer, Lead Endorser, and Marker for Psychology keep her at the forefront of internal and external assessment processes.

A bright future for Ciaran

A bright future for Ciaran

by | Jul 23, 2024 | Art, NEWS, Senior School, Year 12

2024 has been a standout year for Year 12 student Ciaran Glasheen, who has earned widespread recognition in the Australian art scene for his exceptional paintings.

Ciaran’s painting ‘Dad likes striped shirts’ was accepted as a finalist in the prestigious Brisbane Portrait Prize – Next Gen, one of Australia’s most renowned portrait competitions. This acceptance highlights Ciaran’s dedication and exceptional talent in the field of visual arts. Throughout the year, he has shown tremendous growth and commitment to his artistic practice, culminating in this outstanding achievement.

Adding to this accomplishment, Ciaran also won the Junior section of the 2024 Cameron & Co Swim Art Prize. His stunning painting, which honours surf lifesaving in Townsville, was showcased at the Drill Hall Studio, earning him well-deserved recognition for his beautiful work.

To complete a remarkable hat trick of achievements, Ciaran’s artwork was featured in the Umbrella Studio annual members exhibition last month. Impressively, his piece was sold on opening night, marking his first sale as an artist and further establishing his emerging career.

‘Ciaran Glasheen is undoubtedly on a path to a long and successful career in the arts. His talent and dedication are rarely seen in someone so young, and we are incredibly proud to support and celebrate his journey.’ – Jenna Dann, Visual Arts Teacher at The Cathedral School.

Ciaran was also one of only two students from North Queensland to have work selected for The Creative Generation Exhibition in 2023 which was exhibited at QAGOMA in Brisbane. The other was also from Cathedral, past student Alice Edgerton (Class of 2023).

SPARQ-ed Brisbane

SPARQ-ed Brisbane

by | Jul 22, 2024 | NEWS, Senior School, STEM

My experience at the SPARQ-ed Program in Brisbane.

By Pia Plath, Year 10

Over the mid-semester holidays, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Brisbane to participate in a program known as Students Performing Advanced Research Queensland Education, or SPARQ-ed for short. This program is at Princess Alexander Hospital within the Translational Research Institute.
Before I tell you about my experience with SPARQ-ed, let me tell you how I ended up there. During a science class last year, Mr. Bamber introduced SPARQ-ed and encouraged us to consider applying.  Initially hesitant, I eventually decided to give it a shot when applications reopened a year later. With a teacher’s recommendation and a few paragraphs explaining my interest, I applied.  A few months later, I received the news that I had been accepted.
Fast forward six weeks, and I found myself in Brisbane. The first day was daunting as I discovered I was the only Year 10 student and only person from North Queensland. Fortunately, I had nothing to worry about as all the 11 and 12 students were very welcoming. In fact, meeting the other students was one of the highlights of the program.
Our focus during the program was on treating cancer cells by targeting their rapid replication. Interesting fact: this is why your hair falls out during chemotherapy because your hair cells are also constantly replicating so the chemotherapy targets these cells. On the first day, we familiarised ourselves with the lab equipment. Later that day, we began administering chemotherapy to the cancer cells we were studying, aiming to deplete the number of nucleotides in the nucleus.
On day two, we introduced a drug known as Chek1 inhibitor to the cells. By inhibiting Chek1, we allow the DNA helicase to continue unwinding DNA into more vulnerable single strands.
On day three, we conducted staining procedures, attaching fluorescent antibodies to different locations in the cell for microscopic examination. This was my favorite day as we spent all day in the lab working with the cancer cells.
Day four involved analyzing our cells under a microscope. Our cancer cells were examined under a microscope worth half a million dollars.
On day five, our final day, we presented our findings to numerous professors who had given presentations to use earlier in the week.
After taking part in SPARQ-ed, you can submit a report that may earn you an ATAR point for any University of Queensland course. If travel expenses are a concern, scholarships are available from the Lions Medical Research Foundation.
 I would wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone interested in science. The opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge research that is pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Whodunnit?

Whodunnit?

by | Jun 7, 2024 | Media, NEWS, Senior School, Year 11

Did Sister Margaret Woodruff murder Jack Cummings?

By Tonia Gloudemans, Deputy Principal – Operations and Strategy

Year 11 Legal Studies students from The Cathedral School, with the assistance of students from St. Margaret Mary’s College, will convene a Moot Court trial in The Cathedral School’s Lecture Theatre to determine if the accused, Sister Margaret Woodruff, is innocent or guilty of the murder of Jack Cummings.

A Moot Court provides a valuable opportunity for students to develop their legal analytical skills and allows students to practise law in a ‘real’ environment. Students and staff across the school will be invited to watch the proceedings, just as the general public can do in a real courtroom, and learn more about the practice of law and the criminal justice system.

The case involves the accused, Sister Margaret Woodruff, being tried for the unlawful killing of Jack Cummings, a member of the Comancheros bikie gang, outside the Sealink Terminal car park in November 2023.

Mr Greg Cudmore, retired teacher, author, and former Director of Activities at Ormiston College, will preside over the court proceedings. Students from St. Margaret Mary’s College will comprise the jury and will decide the verdict based on the evidence presented to them in the Moot Court. Year 11 Legal Studies students from The Cathedral School will comprise the Prosecution and the Defence teams, as well as the witnesses, who will be called upon to give evidence as to the facts of the case.

As a result of this combination of variables, a Moot Court is more than a display of verbal skills. It is an intellectual exercise that requires research, advocacy, and teamwork. The contest is governed by the rules of evidence and procedure, where witnesses are the ammunition. The role of each legal team is to convince and persuade an unbiased jury that a combination of legal principles and facts gives rise to a conclusion that favours their client or the Crown.

Will the jury decide that the death of Cummings was a tragic accident that would never have happened if the Comancheros had not misbehaved, or that Sister Margaret took it upon herself to get revenge and make a stand against lawlessness on the streets?

All will be revealed on Wednesday 19 June when the court is in session. Stay tuned…

ANZAC Day 2024

ANZAC Day 2024

by | Apr 29, 2024 | Boarding, Junior School, Middle School, NEWS, Senior School, Service

Cathedral Boarding students and staff at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, ANZAC Park, The Strand.

There Was a Year Once

By Anneliese Stillwell – Year 8

There was a year once,  
And is a year still, 
When the sun’s light ceased to shine, 
And left a place that nothing could a-fill.  

There was a year once, 
And is a year still, 
When the hearts of mothers and daughters a-wept, 
For places a-lost that could never be filled.  

Many a hero fell unpraised, 
Many a father would never be raised.  
Many a champion would go enclaved, 
Silenced once and forever by a poppy-red grave.  

The world bled that year, 
It bled and bleads still.  
Weather it was open wounds on battle fields, 
Or hearts that didn’t cease to spill.  

Many a brave soul was called home, 
Many a soldier left their body of bones.  
For fathers, sons, husbands and friends, 
The world would cry out, and cry it does still.  

There was a year once, 
And is a year still, 
When the hearts of mothers and daughters a-wept, 
For places a-lost that could never be filled. 

Many a hero fell unpraised, 
Many a father would never be raised.  
Many a champion would go enclaved, 
Silenced once and forever by a poppy-red grave. 

In the morning, they rose a-ready, 
Many a sleepless night they marched on a-weary. 
With endurance they fought on, 
And in courage they faced the fields they would fall upon.  

From the playing of the bugle,  
To the fall of restless heads upon pillows, 
Our brave men fought on and on, 
Even in the midst of the gathering billows.  

The hearts of their loved ones raged another battle.  
 One of doubt, and pain, and – oh- endless heartbreak.  
Theirs was a battle that made many a steady breath a-rattle, 
Caught on emotions of which suppression was the not the only sprattle.  

There was a year once, 
And is a year still, 
When the hearts of mothers and daughters a-wept, 
For places a-lost that could never be filled. 

Many a hero fell unpraised, 
Many a father would never be raised.  
Many a champion would go enclaved, 
Silenced once and forever by a poppy-red grave. 

And so now, on this day, almost a century a-since, 
We will pause, we will recall, we will honour many-a prince 
For they didn’t need a title, nor royal descent, 
To be the greatest men and soldiers that this world will ever a-let.

–