Principal
Joy. Throughout this week I have been searching for the word that captured what the faces, greetings and conversations of the Year 11 and 12 students expressed. It is truly remarkable. Many staff have noticed this feeling that is radiating from the nearly 500 senior students who have returned. They are just happy to be here. Happy to see their mates and their teachers. Happy to be in a place for which they feel strongly. They are secretly happy to have the school to themselves for a little while and to be the centre of our attention.
There are challenges ahead. There is schoolwork to be completed. Deadlines to meet. Tests to be taken. Every Year 12 student, who is present this week, has had the opportunity for a one on one session with an academic mentor. These conversations will help the transition back to school and in setting directions for the weeks and months ahead.
Not every student is back with us yet. As a boarding school this return to school has not been without some difficulty for our interstate boarders. This week travel restrictions have been adjusted by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer that have enabled these young men to return to school, much to their relief as well as their parents and our Boarding staff. I acknowledge Mr Christian Oneto for his ferocious work on this critical issue last week as well, as the support of boarders across the state by key groups such as ICPA, ABSA and QCEC. Our local member, Ms Leanne Linard, was also of great assistance to our community.
Please give a thought to a small group of senior students from Papua New Guinea who currently cannot return to school due to international travel restrictions. Our school has had a long association with families from our nearest neighbour and we are supporting our current students as best we can. There is much uncertainty about how the return to school can occur in the present circumstances.
Over the past week the roadmap to easing Queensland’s restrictions has been mentioned many times and while people may be familiar with the term, they may not be aware of some of the details. We have found this document particularly useful and I commend it to you as you consider your own family circumstances and what is ahead.
Broadly the roadmap sets out three distinct stages for easing of restrictions concerning gatherings, non-essential business and travel (among other things), as follows:
- Stage 1 (from 15 May): Gatherings of up to 10 outdoors, non-essential business relaxations, 150km travel intrastate permitted
- Stage 2 (from 12 June): Gatherings of up to 20 outdoors, more non-essential business relaxations, 250km travel intrastate permitted
- Stage 3 (from 10 July): Gatherings of up to 100, further relaxations for non-essential business, more intrastate and interstate travel
Progression to Stage 2 and Stage 3 remain subject to ongoing health advice.
While we are working hard to manage the challenge and opportunities of the present time the College continues to look to the future. Important to this future is enrolments. Social restrictions mean that we cannot hold our Open Day as we traditionally have at this time of the year. Many current parents will recall their own experiences of Open Day here at Nudgee College as well as other schools. We have had to be creative about finding a means of conducting Open Day and our Development and Communications Office have developed Open Day Online. This will be launched on Saturday and will continue throughout next week. Families who register an enrolment in this period will have their $250 enrolment fee waived.
The Admissions Office has recently distributed an email to the Year 5 2022 applicants, requesting Stage 2 information. We are currently over-enrolled for that year, so there is a need for those who are intending to enrol for 2022, and are yet to do so, to submit their application and have their son’s name on the prospective student list. If you, a family member or friend requires further information please contact Ms Susan Shakespear, Director of Admissions via admissions@nudgee.qld.edu.au or 07 3865 0545.
In conclusion, while the seniors have returned, I am very mindful of the many boys in Years 5 to 10 who cannot wait to return to school. While the vast majority are going well considering the nature of learning@home over an extended period of time, there are some who are now struggling. Please contact Mr Peter Todd (07 3865 0336) if you would like to consider an early return because it is in the best interests of your son’s wellbeing. Fortunately, there are now only seven school days before we can take the next step to returning to more regular school arrangements. I hope for parents, teachers and students that these seven days can be savoured as well as survived!
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal