Mr Scott Thomson (Week 7)
Greetings to the Nudgee College community,
This week during our College Assembly, students were recognised with Principal Awards (improvements in learning habits) and Platinum Awards (Year 12 students who have received Gold Academic Awards each semester since Year 9). Such awards acknowledge an array of learners in that one set of awards are effort and application based, whilst the other (Platinum) acknowledges students who achieve at the top of their grade.
It is indisputable that the best results for any student are attained through sustained effort and application, but sometimes those who display such desirable qualities may not be rewarded with outstanding grades. That is the beauty of the Principal Awards; regardless of grades, a boy can be rewarded for their efforts.
Given the recent media coverage of Australia’s NAPLAN results, a focus on learning could not be more poignant at this current juncture. Putting aside opinions relating to standardised testing versus diagnostic testing and the inevitable funding debate that arises when NAPLAN results are discussed, it is clear that there is work to be done in our country. Nudgee College continues to drive a contemporary and data-informed learning agenda and we continue to seek opportunities and initiatives to ensure that our boys are provided the best opportunities to thrive in their learning. The academic staff are currently revising our middle school philosophy and data such as standardised and diagnostic tests ie. NAPLAN will continue to help inform this piece of action research. I look forward to reporting to our community about gains made over the ensuing years.
Finally, I would like to thank our boarding families who hosted Ms Robyn Mann, Mr Casey Brealy, and myself during our recent Western Tour. We had the pleasure of spending time in Goondiwindi, Moree, Mungindi, Thallon, St George and Roma. Whilst all families who send their boys to St Joseph’s Nudgee College, both day and boarding, place a tremendous amount of trust in the school, for our boarding families, there are even higher stakes. I felt honoured to meet and spend time with the families who send their son/s to Nudgee College from near and far. I look forward to revisiting these great towns in the near future.
