The common good is an expression that is resonating with many Australians during this pandemic crisis. Whatever our circumstances we have all been challenged by the changes and restrictions placed on us over recent weeks and months. There is generally a clear and justifiable reason behind the decisions being made for us by Government and health authorities. As a nation we have mostly accepted these changes in good faith and in the belief that it serves the greater good… the common good.

While we still have quite a journey to run in this time of COVID-19, to date, Australians can be very proud of how we have responded and how we have limited the health impact. We have adjusted our social behaviours in individual interactions with others as well as in communal gatherings. We have improved our hygiene practices. We have kept our distance. Limited our travel. Stayed home. In doing so, we have placed the common good and the needs of others ahead of our own immediate and long term needs.

There is an economic cost to be borne. Many are doing that right now and facing financial hardship and unemployment. The rest of us will be called upon to bear the economic load in the months and years ahead.

There is also a social cost being borne which is hard to quantify. Statistics in the area of mental health and wellbeing are already indicating this fact.

One of the collective sacrifices we have made to serve the common good has been in education. School closures have had significant impact and we have had to embrace a different version of schooling. As a community Nudgee College has embraced NC@home and the feedback to date has been overwhelmingly positive.

Our families have been provided with the details of the program and at the end of the second week would now be feeling more comfortable with online learning. Despite how well we are going as a school community it is fair to say that learning@home can never fully replace the experience of actually being at school with all the associated social interactions that every boy lives every day.

Behind all the planning and details sits an overall vision for what we are attempting to achieve. The essential principles of the vision for NC@home are that:

•  there is a relationship focus
•  all students feel cared for by their teacher and the College
•  staff should feel supported
•  parents, staff and students should all feel connected
•  there is a collective learning experience
•  we embrace 21st century modes of learning and teaching
•  there is leadership that is courageous and authentic.

Our feedback would tell us that we are largely achieving this so far and I will share other aspects of this vision in the updates to come.

Finally, there has been much conjecture in the media (mainstream and social) and between different levels of government about the return to normal schooling. The College will continue to be in alignment with state and Catholic authorities on these decisions. While we miss the boys’ presence amongst us here at Nudgee College and are looking forward to their return, we also know that the common good must take precedence. 

Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal

I know most educational magazines, online sites and even the deputies’ network I belong to, have been flooded with articles and advice on how to survive the new normal we face. Instead of fighting the avalanche of material, I have attempted to break down the content into a series of tips. Hopefully these tips will help your son thrive during NC@home.

1.   Be inspired: A drive to keep studying week after week is how you push through each lesson. Be inspired about what you are going to achieve, and success will follow. We will get through this current challenge and you will come out the other side a better, more independent learner!

2.   Create a timetable: When are you going to find time to study each week? Create a weekly timetable and the answer will be in front of you. The schedule needs to balance study with everything else. Remember, dedicated online learning can be time consuming.   

3.   Micro-manage time: Find yourself wasting away minutes or even hours on social media? Did you do everything else this week except finish the assignment? Manage time carefully. Set S.M.A.R.T. goals for each day and each hour within the day. That is, goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based.

4.  Study in blocks: Real progress is made when you get lost in your online program and think of nothing else. Achieving a good learning state takes more than five minutes. So, set aside at least an hour at a time. Ensure that you factor in regular breaks. Just as we have designed the online timetable to include good break times.

5.  Find a quiet place: It may be fun to study in the lounge room when everyone is watching TV. But are you really studying effectively? To properly focus on your work, find a regular space and time where you can expect peace and quiet.

6.  Break down tasks: Trying to absorb everything at once can lead to confusion and a sense of not making progress. Your teachers have designed lessons that are broken into bite-sized chunks. Focus on a small topic and master that before moving on to the next.

7.  Switch your brain on: Real learning requires mental engagement. You do not achieve that through passive reading or thoughtless note taking. Find ways to maintain your focus and attention throughout the day (e.g. test your understanding at the end of a lesson by setting and completing a little test for yourself on the main points in the lesson).

8.  Take notes: With most of your subject content received online, you have it all recorded digitally. But it's still important to handwrite notes in your class notebook. Jotting something down keeps you engaged, helps you remember key concepts, and will be useful for exams or assignments.

9.  Browse with purpose: Much of your research and learning happens using the internet. When you find something useful on a topic, record it and make a note of the source. This can be done by ‘bookmarking’ the site, saving it to ‘favourites’ or simply copying and pasting the website address into a Google Doc.

10. Have fun: You are much more likely to put in solid hours studying if you generally enjoy it. If a little light music helps, go for it. Learning should be a rewarding activity in itself. 

Mr David Johnston
Deputy Principal

Edmund Rice Liturgy

On Tuesday 5 May, the College’s annual Edmund Rice Liturgy will take a different format and be streamed on the College’s YouTube channel at 8.35am.

Prayer

God, we know that you are in your essence compassionate; our parent, who is close to us, who suffers with us and for us, and invites us to be one with you.

Help us to know that, despite appearances, there is no existing alone, no being abandoned.

We trust that you are most fully present and compassionately involved in shepherding us in love and peace.

We entrust our bruised and frightened hearts to you and unite ourselves with your Sacred Heart, burning with love for us each day.

O, most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you; in all, for all and forever and ever. Amen.

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Mr Stephen Meara
Dean of Identity

The learning@home program has been a success. Thank you to the many families who have sent their well wishes. It means a great deal to teachers, especially as they miss their usual interaction with the boys. We have launched an ambitious program and it would not be a success without your input from home. Thank you for your support, we appreciate it is difficult to manage learning@home. You’ve been a great help. 

Parent Survey Snapshot

Boys have risen to the challenge. Attendance has been excellent and boys have engaged positively in their learning. The scale of the program is enormous. Last week, more than 58,000 Google Meet logins occurred. The seamless transition in and out of these lessons is a testament to the planning of teachers, the excellent attitude of the boys and the wonderful support from our IT team. \

Student Survey Snapshot

Homework

One of the realities of learning@home is that boys’ screen time has increased during the day and this necessitates a reduction in their screen time outside of lesson times. Student and parent feedback has highlighted the need to limit the amount of homework that students are set. Moving forward, teachers of Years 5 to 10 students will be asked to review the quantity of homework that is set as well as the demands associated with assessment items. There is a need for students in Years 11 and 12 to demonstrate greater independence in their learning and therefore Senior students should continue engaging in learning outside of lesson times. 

Senior Students 

Year 12 students are reminded to refer to this QCE Memo for information about due dates and the adjustment of internal assessment (IA). Note that either IA2 or IA3 has been removed from your assessment schedule on a subject by subject basis. Some due dates have also been altered. Please check the table carefully and speak with your teacher. 

Year 11s are reminded that their formative internal assessment (FIA) should be completed as they work towards completing Unit 1. Some subjects have modified their assessment or altered due dates. Please speak directly to your teacher to clarify your responsibilities around assessment. Please also refer to the College’s Academic and Assessment Policy for assessment advice.

On behalf of the Learning and Teaching team, the Heads of Faculty and the teaching staff, we wish you a restful long weekend and look forward to your continued participation in the learning@home program next week. 

Mr Jason Sepetauc
Dean of Learning and Teaching

The Br Vic Larkin Student Centre is continuing to look at ways of connecting with Nudgee College men, connect them to each other and 'keep an eye' on the wellbeing of the boys. House Deans, Heads of Boarding House, Director of Junior School, Director of Students, Dean of Boarding and myself have been hosting Google Hangouts with individual students each day. The feedback has been quite consistent: We are going well with NC@home but are missing our mates.

A number of Boarding Houses conducted Google Hangouts for their students, and day school Houses have organised for students to connect with their peers.

One quite significant initiative has been the launch of our Weekly Wellbeing Pulse Check. Each Thursday morning a simple survey is sent to students focussed on sleep, mood, exercise, connections and their studies. Last week 1,220 students completed the survey. We look forward to an even better response to today's survey. Definitely ask you son if they have filled out the survey. I share some overall results below for people's interest.

Mr Peter Todd
Dean of Students