Principal
Welcome back and welcome to those new families who have joined the community over the holiday break. I hope and pray that the journey of boys new to Nudgee College is a rewarding one.
The first Tuesday afternoon of the holidays was one that I will always remember. It was a day with crazy wind made most memorable by an extraordinary gathering at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Along with the hospital staff, who were present, there were numerous Nudgee College parents, staff and Year 12 students. They were there to witness and to celebrate the ‘ringing of the bell’ - to mark the end of cancer treatment for Aidan Roost (Year 12 Tierney). Tears of joy, long hugs and strong embraces were shared by everyone gathered there. What a moment it was for Aidan, his parents Andy and Penny and his brother Dylan (Year 9). They all have been remarkably courageous in the face of monumental adversity. Aidan has been simply inspiring. Throughout their journey over the past three years, Aiden and his family have been supported by the school community every step of the way. It has been the most uplifting display of Nudgee Spirit from so many people. On behalf of the College, I express the deepest gratitude to every person who has been part of that remarkable journey.
Property Purchase
Also over the holiday break the College finalised the purchase of a house and block of land on Wyampa Road, Brackenridge. This transaction has been a very long time in the making, nearly ten years in fact. Over those years, the College has been seeking to find a new home for Nudgee College Rowing. With the increasing build up of aquatic traffic on the Brisbane River as well as the continuous growth of residential towers in the West End area our daily presence on the river in the rowing season was becoming increasingly problematic. The long commute back to school each morning was also less than ideal for our rowers.
In recent years, we have searched the banks of the Pine River for a site to establish a facility that could service our rowing community. The water there is better for rowing and certainly the reduced traffic on the river makes it safer for our rowers. The purchase of the Wyampa Road property will enable us to establish a basic shed and facility in the initial years. Long term, the vision is to develop a facility that has a wider educational use for the school community as well as becoming a facility that services the local community. Having taken possession of the property the school is now undertaking the hard work of planning for this future. In the short term, it is hoped that our rowers will train from the site in the season of 2022 to 2023.
Important changes to College Leadership Team (CLT)
It is with a good deal of mixed emotions that I inform the community that Mr Peter Todd (Dean of Students) is taking leave from the College until the end of Term 1, 2022. This will take effect at the end of next week (Friday 15 October). After 26 years on the College staff, Peter is taking a career break and pursuing other opportunities outside of education. While this is a loss for the College, it is an important change of direction for him. I admire Peter’s courage in making this change and he leaves with my full support and understanding. He will advise the College of his future intentions during the course of Term 1 next year. Should Peter not return for Term 2, we will take the opportunity to thank him and recognise his outstanding contribution in an appropriate manner at the appropriate time.
This change brings about other significant changes for the leadership of the College. Given the timing of the term and school year and consequential effects of changes to roles I have made the following appointments without the usual processes of advertising, application and selection.
- Term 4, 2021: Ms Jo Barrett will be acting Dean of Students with Mr Ken Adams stepping up as acting Director of Students. Ken will retain his role as Fogarty House Dean and adjustments will be made to his teaching load from Week 1. The leadership changes will take effect from Week 3 but we will also be moving in that direction in the first 2 weeks while Peter Todd is still at the College.
- Term 1, 2022: Mr Sean Toovey will be acting Dean of Students and Ms Jo Barrett returns to the role of acting Director of Students.
Decisions regarding more permanent appointments beyond Term 1 2022 will be made, if necessary, in the usual manner in the course of the first term.
Since the end of last term, the COVID-19 situation in south-east Queensland has continued to be a day to day proposition with the likelihood of a lockdown seemingly never far away. Our previous experiences with the College’s learning@home framework gives confidence to all of us that effective learning and teaching can continue. Should a lockdown be called, we will communicate with parents as soon as practical with the details of arrangements.
With every best wish for the week and term ahead.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal