Mr Scott Thomson (Week 7, Term 3)
Dear Nudgee College Community
I trust that you are enjoying a very fulfilling and joy-filled week. This evening, our College will gather for one of the cultural highlights of the year; the annual NC Arts Gala. It is not only a celebration of the outstanding creativity of our current students in music, drama and visual art, but also a chance to reflect on the important role the arts have played throughout the history of Nudgee College.
I would like to thank all of our staff and members of the NC Arts Committee who have worked so hard to bring this event to life. A very special thank you also to Nudgee parent, the incredible Sara Storer who will be performing and has a number of works on display.
Since our founding in 1891, the arts have been central to the Nudgee story. They have given our young men opportunities to express themselves, to share their perspectives, and to contribute to the richness of our community life. Alongside our academic, service and sporting achievements, the arts have helped shape young men who are confident, thoughtful and compassionate.
Many Old Boys have gone on to make a mark in the arts. Whilst well known old boys such as Pete Murray (performing at the NC event on Saturday 11 October at Eatons Hill Hotel, (tickets available here), Jacob Elordi and Ron Grainer (Dr Who theme composer) probably spring to mind, I note two other old boys who may be less known, but equally credentialed. Poet Jaya Savige (NCOB 1995), a boarder during his time at Nudgee, has become one of Australia’s most respected voices in literature, winning the New South Wales Premier’s Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry for his debut collection. He currently lectures at Cambridge, UK. Brian Cahill (NCOB 1946), another distinguished Old Boy, was a well known figure in radio and television who also founded the Queensland Musical Theatre, leading and performing in many of its productions. These examples remind us that the Nudgee spirit thrives just as strongly in the creative sphere as it does in the service, academic or sporting realms.
This year’s NC Arts Gala will once again showcase the extraordinary talent of our students and the dedication of our arts staff and vital volunteers. I encourage you to join us for what promises to be a wonderful evening of music, performance and visual creativity.
Tomorrow we also welcome back our Senior Old Boys, those who graduated fifty or more years ago. Their reunion coincides with the GPS Chess, Basketball and Rugby round against Churchie; a fixture full of tradition and friendly rivalry. The sight of these men returning is a powerful reminder of the lifelong bond that Nudgee creates.
Even after half a century or more, they speak with pride of their school days, cheer on their beloved Nudgee teams, and pass on their stories to the next generation. This is a great example that Nudgee is not simply a school to attend; it is a community to belong to for life.
Mary MacKillop Mass
It is with disappointment that I mention the low attendance rate at our recent College Mass, held to celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The number of boys who signed in following the conclusion of the Mass, so they could take part in the Inter-house Track and Field Carnival, was disappointing to say the least. This occasion was also the last time that Archbishop Mark Coleridge was celebrating the Blessed Eucharist prior to his retirement on September 11. If students are being dropped at school at the conclusion of the mass, there is sadly a level of complicity from parents or carers who are helping to facilitate this. We are a Catholic community and as such, regardless of one's faith background, we celebrate occasions with mass. Being part of the Nudgee community, and the many benefits this brings, is not an opt-in, opt-out arrangement. Please ensure that your son is present, except for extenuating circumstances, for all of every school day.
Finally, please note the letter that was sent from our Director of Admissions, Tara Shipperley regarding family intentions for 2026. Whilst my hope is that all current students will be returning next year, reality sometimes necessitates movement. Families have been asked to inform the College prior to the end of this term if their intentions are anything but returning in 2026.
Kind regards
Scott Thomson