Mission & Identity
God of all things
You bless our lives with many gifts
Today we thank you for the gift of these young men
May they be welcome in our community
May we honour the trust and hope of their parents and families and
May they grow to be Signum Fidei - a sign of faith.
AMEN
Mr Stephen Meara
Dean of Mission and Identity
Social Justice Sign On
Sign ons for our Social Justice Programs are now open - this includes Big Brekkie, Big BBQ, Coffee Brigade and Holt Bolt. Sign up via this link using your Nudgee email: https://forms.gle/Sz59CnUaVHtTFt7Y7
Ms Tahnee Leegood
Head of Social Justice and Advocacy
Welcome to 2023!
On Monday, I had the privilege of introducing our new Year 8 to 11 students to the legacy of our founding Christian Brother: Brother Ambrose Tracey. As we admired the scale of the Tracey building, we reflected on the mantra he stood by; that Edmund Rice schools should embody “faith, formation and opportunity”. In the Mission and Identity department, we hope to play a role in these aspects of your son’s educational experience. May 2023 be a year where your son’s faith is grown, solid formation happens and every opportunity is taken for the gift that it is.
Mr Brent Mitchell
Head of Ministry
Student Formation
Welcome to new our Nudgee Young Men
On Monday, Nudgee welcomed 263 new students. It is an absolute gift to have so many new young men join our community. Our new arrivals have seen Nudgee be bigger than it has been in its history; allowing us to offer so many great things. There is also always a challenge in working in the “Student” area that we make each boy feel “he is known”. We will continue to work very hard at that.
Some fun facts about our numbers for 2023 -
- Overall we have 1,712 students enrolled
- 1,397 are Day Students
- 315 are Boarders
- Our new students are from 12 Different countries - including Australia, Bahrain, China, England, Fiji, Hong Kong, PNG, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, UAE
- Each House has between 190 students
- We have 272 in our Junior School (Years 5 and 6)
Here is what a couple of new Year 7 boys from Barrett house said about their first days -
My first day in year 7 has gone amazing. I met new friends and played some very fun games. I met my new Big Brother and he showed me around the Secondary School. When having my lunch I talked and laughed with my mates. My first day in Senior School has gone amazing. I can’t wait for tomorrow. Cooper, BA1
When I arrived today, I thought it was going to be hard. The minute I entered the College it was like a nightmare, I had zero idea of where or what I was supposed to be doing and I had no idea where my PC Room was. I was wandering around like a headless chook until I saw my Big Brother Nic. I ended immediately feeling calm and relaxed. I ended up finding my PC Room and all my classes. I feel much better and feel like I know what I am doing. Henry, BA7
Introduction to wellbeing for 2023
I am sharing some of my notes from College assembly on Tuesday. One of our top priorities at Nudgee is the Wellbeing of our students - staff have a role to play but ultimately our goal is every one of you take ownership of your wellness journey.
What we know is:
Happiness and fulfillment are central to our wellness and they are things we need to be very deliberate about. So it is important that while we have energy and excitement for the new school year we set up and work hard to cement some positive habits into our daily routine.
Be present to people - your mates, your family and your teachers
Be optimistic - aim high, be brave
Keep turning up - be front and centre of every class, on time and focused on learning
Make time for fun and laugh lots
Give something of yourself - look for opportunities to help others, at home (hang out the washing or mow the lawn), help a friend with some school work they don’t understand, volunteer for one of our Social Justice programs.
Secondly, this term we will be resetting our high standards of behaviour and conduct - “Attention to detail - The little things matter”
On that list -
- Phones
- Late to class
- Toilet and filling of water bottles
- Hair and grooming
- Hats and Bags
2023 Seniors - Last First Day
The College is looking forward to a wonderful year of Senior focused events which we enjoy along with the students and their parents. Boys are very conscious that they will do many things over coming months for the last time, and it is worth being mindful of the significance of those moments – the last GPS swimming, the last Head of the River, their last game of Cricket or Volleyball or debate for Nudgee, their last Commencement Mass, as well as many more moments.
Add to those moments later in the year things like Kairos Retreat, formals, Saturday cheering, Boarders final weeks, Farewell assembly and Valedictory; there is a lot to look forward to and cherish.
Amongst all of the business of the many things boys and families have on their plate this year, we encourage all to be mindful of the special moments and recognise how blessed we are here at Nudgee.
In recognition of the ‘last first day’, on Monday, the College was able to capture a photo of our Senior cohort on that day. There was a definite energy in the group and anticipation of what the seniors of 2023 can create here at Nudgee. The boys have been challenged since the end of last year - what legacy will the 2023 Seniors leave?
Mr Anthony Connellan
Dean of Students
Learning and Teaching
Year 12 Results 2022
Academically, Nudgee continues to be a place of inclusivity and opportunity. The QLD Certificate of Education (QCE) was achieved by 99.6% of the cohort (QLD completion rate 92%). Within this figure are students who achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), Vocational Education and Training Certificates (VET), School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships (SAT), and one student on an alternate pathway who was awarded a QLD Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA). We play to their strengths.
This is a testament to the hard work of the students, the expertise of the teachers, the dedication of the support staff, our partnership with parents and an endorsement of Nudgee’s continuous focus on learning and teaching. After three years of the QCE/ATAR system we now have a meaningful set of data to reflect upon, interrogate and clarify how we can make good even better.
ATAR Highlights
- Thomas Robertson earned the honour of College Dux with an ATAR of 99.50. He was closely followed by Lachlan Barrett who is our Proxime Accesit with an ATAR of 99.45
- 191 students were eligible for an ATAR (visa students not included)
- The median ATAR was 83.20 (Queensland median, 79.20)
- 31.2% of students (53) received an ATAR >90
- 57.7% of students (98) received an ATAR >80
- 80.1% students (136) received an ATAR >70
- 183 students applied for university entry through QTAC of which 175 (96%) received an offer
Skills and Training Highlights
Strength in our diversity as a College was evident by the evolution of our skills and training area. Across the disciplines of agriculture, aviation, business, construction, engineering and fitness 100 boys were awarded one or more of the following certificates. School based Apprenticeships/Traineeships also rose from six to 14 in 2022.
- Certificate I = 25
- Certificate II = 43
- Certificate III = 62
- Diploma = 19
Looking Forward
During our planning week teachers identified that we can improve ATAR results in three ways. Firstly, by continuing to encourage and develop our very best students. Secondly, through a concerted effort to push students occupying middle ATAR ranks, who could improve significantly with the correct motivation. And lastly, by deepening the advice we give students who are underperforming in an ATAR pathway. We also continue to provide Skills and Training students an array of school and post school options as part of our approach.
Some of the ways we are improving our academic connection to Year 12 include:
- Subject based analysis of QCAA results to identify and address performance trends in Internal Assessment (IA) and External Examinations (EA)
- Establishment of ATAR based Student Formation (SF) groups on Fridays to provide more opportunities each term for academic focussed presentations, and mentorship with senior teachers
- Establishment of a career focussed Skills and Training SF lesson series to run concurrently with the ATAR groups
- ATAR Estimates provided after the completion of IA1 and IA2.
- Continuation of the Academic Firsts program
- Expansion of communications with students and their families related to opportunities for improvement
Our aim is to prune the tips so they flourish, push the middle to be their best and tuck up the tail as we continue to balance excellence, inclusivity and opportunity. Our aim is to holistically educate young men as well as provide pathways and certification.
Mr Jason Sepetauc
Dean of Learning and Teaching
Subject Changes
At the start of each year a small number of boys wish to change subjects. We assess requests, and endeavour to accommodate boys where we can. Please understand that staffing, rooming and resourcing constraints mean that a change is not always possible. We planned the timetable around the subject selection information we had in place at the end of 2022.
Depending on your son’s year group please direct your advice as follows.
Year 12: No changes are anticipated except in extraordinary circumstances. Boys are working towards their QCE. Contact Mr Jason Sepetauc or Mr Paul Doneley for any enquiries.
Year 11: Refer any enquiries to Mr Paul Doneley. Ramifications for QCE, ATAR and VET certification must be carefully considered when making senior subject/pathway changes.
Year 7 to 10: Refer enquiries to Mrs Natalie Hughes.
Skills and Training: (Certificate Courses, Apprenticeships, etc): Refer enquiries to Mr Michael Byrne.
Parents and carers can email lnt@nudgee.qld.edu.au or call (07) 3865 0165. Boys may book into Learning and Teaching at break/lunchtime to talk to us about proposed changes. They are provided a subject change form to return one countersigned by the Head of Faculty and parents/carer. Boarding families please note that Heads of House or the Learning and Teaching office may contact you to check proposed changes. The closing date for Semester One changes is Friday 10 February, 2023.
We prioritise new students, boys missing a subject, and those with obvious errors in their timetable contrary to their elective preferences. Changes to electives are dependent on availability as some classes are full. Changes based on a desire to be with a friend or a particular teacher are usually not accommodated.
Mathematics Faculty
The Mathematics Faculty runs a number of help sessions each week to assist students with their maths. In these sessions, concepts can be clarified and questions answered. The morning tutoring sessions also assist with the consistency of study and retention of knowledge.
We look forward to seeing these sessions well supported!
Ms Louise Nardi
Head of Faculty - Mathematics