Principal
This article comes to you from isolation and written with a good deal of frustration. No sooner have I returned to the College than I have caught COVID-19. Fortunately, I am on the mild side. My frustration stems from the genuine excitement turned suddenly to disappointment that I was feeling as I returned to the College over the past week.
As most of the community is aware, last term, I was working in the role of acting Director of Schools for EREA (Queensland) while the incumbent, Mr Peter Chapman, was on leave. This was the first time in a very long career that I had worked outside of a school environment. While the work related to education and schools, it certainly was a different way of working. For this reason, it was a challenging experience and one from which I learnt. It would be my intention to apply this learning to be more effective in my role as Principal for the benefit of all the boys and the school community more broadly.
Clearly, College life progressed very well last term and I am grateful for the highly capable leadership of Mr David Johnston, in particular. He was ably supported by Mr Jason Sepetauc, Ms Natalie Webber and Ms Bonnie Becker who also undertook acting roles last term. It is a continuing strength of the College that we have a depth and breadth of talented, dedicated leaders.
The excitement that I referred to above was, in part, related to the anticipation of all that lies ahead this term. Term 3 is much like every other school term in that it is busy. It is also true that this busyness often takes different shapes and forms. There are many community events and occasions coming up as well as the extensive Term 3 co-curricular program. We can help our boys negotiate this busyness by guiding them to be organised and committed. Organised in their use of time and resources. Committed to their school work and study. Committed to their co-curricular activities. Committed also to making a contribution to family life as a son and a brother.
My excitement was also in anticipation of the many community events of the coming term starting with this weekend’s first round of GPS competition, the Old Boy reunions and the Boarders Bash. This feeling has shifted to the frustration of knowing that I will not be present on Saturday. I know that it will be a terrific day all round, made even more special because of the enforced cancellations of the past two years. Thousands will take part in this celebration of our deep community connection and Nudgee Spirit.
Finally, welcome back to the start of the new term and, as always, I extend a warm welcome to those new families that have joined us over the break. I look forward to rejoining the community in the coming days.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal