Through the various NC@home updates I have shared with you some of the strategic thinking that informed the implementation of our program. Consistently throughout the program we have received very affirming feedback about the quality of the content, its seamless delivery and its breadth. 

In formulating its strategy and implementation the College Leadership Team and senior leaders considered what our goals for the program would be. At the time, it was not clear just how long boys would be learning from home - a term, even a semester, were on the table as possibilities.

I share with you our response to this statement: NC@home: We know we are successful if...

• NC@home was a sustained effort (standards maintained and improved)
• There is an identifiable change in Nudgee College Learning and Teaching
• Our Year 12s felt that what we did for them as Seniors was meaningful
• Our Valedictory and end of year rituals are authentic for our Year 12s
• The standard of final Year 12 results are strong
• Nudgee College culture remains 
• There is gratitude from boys, parents and staff
• The community see we have been supportive in our charism and have remained a Sign of Faith 
• There is increased collaboration amongst our teachers
• Our enrolments for January 2021 are strong and our current enrolments are retained throughout the remainder of 2020
• The three building projects keep progressing

While we have not quite concluded NC@home we are already beginning to assess how successful we have been against these markers.

As we launched NC@home I used three words as metaphors for what lay ahead: Adventure, challenge and opportunity. I sense that the past five weeks have been all of that and more for each of us as staff, students or parents. Not necessarily in equal measure for each of us because our own individual and family context adds richness and depth to the experience.

Beyond our own ecosystem that is Nudgee College there is a much bigger narrative playing out during this era of pandemic. Economic pain and suffering for many. Collective pride in our health response as a state and as a nation. I think that we have noticed, in small and surprising ways, that while this crisis physically isolates us from one another, it is also bringing us closer together. We have found new ways to reach out to others with small acts of kindness. Early mornings and late afternoons have witnessed scores of people exercising and recreating on the streets and in the parks.

There is also a dawning reality that while lockdown is easing there is a long and potentially hard road ahead for all of us. Despite this darkening possibility, as parents and educators, we need to imbue our young people with a sense of hope and optimism about the future. Hence, I look forward to next week and the return of Years 5 and 10 students and to making the most of the next four weeks of Term 2, as well as the semester of opportunity, challenge and adventure that follows.  

Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal

Do you remember the last time you received a handwritten thank you note? Chances are it has been a while. I watched my wife recently set aside a couple of hours on a Sunday to write handwritten thank you notes to employees. I think her efforts made a positive impact on her staff and is a habit I think many should consider taking up.

A recent study found that 80 per cent of employees would be willing to work harder for an appreciative boss, and 70 per cent said they’d feel better about themselves and their efforts if their boss thanked them more regularly. The benefits don’t stop at the person being thanked. A multitude of studies shows people who express gratitude on a regular basis have better overall wellbeing and healthier hearts.

Many people and things deserve sincere thanks. It can be very easy to overlook, particularly if showing gratitude isn’t currently in your repertoire - and believe me, I need to put into practice what I am writing about!

For those in a position of leadership, most would say that people are the hardest part of their job. I know leaders every day who worry, complain, and even cry about the people they are responsible for. Instead of those thoughts, the research suggests leaders need to be thankful; show appreciation for their staff.

It’s important to note, appreciation is different from recognition. Recognition is about the results someone produces. Recognition is only based on a person’s performance, which is important. Appreciation is much bigger; it’s about who someone is versus what they produce. It literally means, “recognising the value of”.

The last couple of months have been the most challenging in my career - and I am sure most people would say the same thing. There have been a lot of positive comments about the College, and even the leadership team. Where gratitude really needs to be directed is towards the Nudgee College staff. The teachers, the Catering staff, Property and Services, Boarding staff, Activities staff, music tutors… the list goes on. All these people have stepped up in so many different ways, working in areas that have taken them out of their comfort zones, and rolling their sleeves up to help where they can. Teachers engaged in online learning, Activities staff have helped ground staff and even developed online training programs, and Catering staff have changed the way they work.

As a leader, a parent, and member of the Nudgee College community, I am thankful for all these people and what they have done to make sure we support the boys and their holistic learning.  Maybe, going back to the start of this article, I need to hand write a few letters this weekend!

Mr David Johnston
Deputy Principal

This week the Church marked the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato 'si. Pope Francis drew upon the Church's tradition of co-responsibility and accountability to express a common belief amongst all Christians: That our earthly home is a gift from God, to be cherished and cared for in trust for future generations.

In Laudato 'si Francis penned this prayer and it is meant for sharing with all who believe in a God who is the all-powerful Creator:

All-powerful God, 

you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. 

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. 

Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. 

Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. 

O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. 

Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. 

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. 

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. 

We thank you for being with us each day. 

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.

Mr Stephen Meara
Dean of Identity

Thank you for your ongoing support of our NC@Home program. This article serves to update you regarding the College’s reporting processes for Semester 1, 2020. Teachers have been gathering evidence of learning and monitoring student progress in Term 1 and throughout the learning@home program. Assessment will be ongoing until the end of Term 2.

The federal government has provided schools reporting flexibility this semester in recognition of COVID-19 and the pressure school closures placed on teachers’ capacity to report accurately. Thankfully, due to the success of our learning@home program, Nudgee College will be positioned to reliably report on most subjects using the normal A-E scale. 

As always, teachers will make judgements about the standard of achievement using evidence of student work, ensuring fair and equitable conditions for all. All subjects in Years 8 to 10 will be reported on as per usual. 

In Years 5 to 7 there will be some changes to reporting as outlined below. For these subjects where an A to E scale can not be awarded, the word ‘Progressing’ will appear on student report cards indicating that students are still working toward meeting the achievement standard. They will have continued opportunities to do so throughout Semester 2.

Years 5 and 6:

In Years 5 and 6, student achievement will be reported on an A to E scale for all core subjects (Religion, English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities). All specialist subjects will receive a ‘Progressing’ mark, with no formal assessments to occur in these subjects this semester.

Year 7:

In Year 7, student achievement will be reported on in all subjects except Art, Technology and Japanese. Additionally, the subject of Literacy is not an assessable subject and therefore an A to E grade will not be given for these subjects.

Term 2 Assessment:

All assessment items that your son will complete this term, and the feedback provided by his teachers, can be accessed on the Parent Lounge. Teachers remain the first point of contact for feedback regarding your son’s progress.

Parent Teacher Interviews:

The College will conduct parent and teacher interviews online from Monday 13 July. We are planning for this event and will forward information shortly about how we are adapting this important event.

Academic Awards:

Gold, silver and bronze awards will be awarded in Term 3 to celebrate the achievements of the top academic achievers in Semester 1, 2020. All subjects awarded an A to E grade will be included in the calculation. Subjects that receive a ‘Progressing’ grade in Years 5, 6 or 7 will not be included in overall calculations.

Mr Jason Sepetauc
Dean of Learning and Teaching