St Joseph's Nudgee College

November 15, 2007

St Joseph's Nudgee College welcomed its very first intake of students for Years 5, 6 and 7 at a special orientation evening on Monday 5 November.

Principal Daryl Hanly officially welcomed the new boys and parents: "The commencement of Years 5, 6 and 7 is very historic for Nudgee. From 2008 we will be a Year 5 to 12 College."

"In the same way that Michael McKennariey (Nudgee's very first student in 1891) is remembered, these young gentlemen will take a special place in the history of the College. Time will tell what achievements they will attain but the staff and teachers of Nudgee will support the learning and development of every boy right through to Year 12," Mr Hanly said

"Offering this extended depth of education for boys at Nudgee has been very well received and our 2008 intake will be at capacity. Places for 2009 will be increased to fifty boys in each year level, in response to the demand we have received," Mr Hanly said.

Families joining the Nudgee community have come from across Brisbane. Some of the boys from places like Dirranbandi, Talwood and Yetman (NSW) will board.

"This expansive mix of boys from different backgrounds will make learning more assorted and dynamic," Mr Hanly said.

The Rostron family from Samford will have three boys commencing in 2008, Harry and Jono in Year 7 and Edward in Year 5.

Louise Rostron has strong family connections to Nudgee with her father and brother both Old Boys.

"I remember visiting Nudgee as a six year old, watching my brother play Rugby. So I have experienced the traditions and the spirit here at Nudgee. I just wanted my boys to have the same opportunity," Ms Rostron said.

"We are all very excited and cannot wait till next year, everything from catching the bus to wearing the Blue and White striped blazer will be such an experience."

An important part of the orientation activities was assigning senior "Big Brothers" to the new boys.

Next year the Big Brothers will look after the younger boys, guide them around the College and be involved in House social activities. All the Year 5, 6 and 7 will belong to one of the nine Nudgee Houses, which forms the basis of the College's pastoral care system.

The Years 5, 6 and 7 boys will be taught in brand new classrooms, away from the main part of the College. This site will create a safe, separate environment for the boys. All IT resources will be embedded in the classroom infrastructure and new recreation spaces will be located in and around the classrooms.

Facilities such as Nudgee's cattle yards, vineyard and proximity to the Boondall Wetlands means the boys will have intermittent access to disciplines such as Agricultural Science, Australian Environmental Studies and Marine Science, enabling the delivery of exciting experiential units.

Information about Nudgee's method of Middle Schooling can be mailed to interested families and details about 2009 enrolments can be found at the Nudgee website.