I have been blessed to witness, during the last two weeks, a number of wonderful events that see the wider Nudgee College community come together. Last Wednesday evening’s Senior Investiture and our various Parent Information Evenings held this week are but a few examples of families taking an active role in the education journey of the young man in their care.
It goes without saying that Nudgee College knows how to stage an event. The hospitality is always on point, the support and presence from engaging and passionate staff is highly evident and the message delivered is always clear, concise and aligned to the strategic goals and mission of the College. However, what is most important when families come together to support their child in his chosen pursuits at Nudgee is the subtle message that these actions send.
A parent or carer who turns up (or tunes in) during a Wednesday evening thunderstorm to hear about Year 9, or is there at the Debating launch, or is pinning a badge on the blazer of their Year 12 son, is saying, without so many words, that they stand shoulder to shoulder with this school in supporting that young man on their education journey. It is well known that the strong support of a family will yield the best educational outcomes for a young person, so I encourage all families to continue being active participants in your son’s Nudgee College life.
With that said, please take note of all the upcoming events that will take place over the next two weeks. I have been warned that ‘Nudgee never sleeps’ and I am fast becoming aware of this. We have a number of House breakfasts occurring this week and next, activities against IGS this weekend and more Parent Information Evenings next week, but to name a few. Your support is always greatly appreciated.
Mr Scott Thomson
Deputy Principal
At our College assembly this week, Mr Jason Sepetauc (Dean of Learning and Teaching) spoke to the boys about Nudgee College being a ‘Lighthouse for Learning’. He talked to them about the symbolism of a lighthouse, whereby our school acts as a beacon, providing guidance and direction. Equally, Mr Sepetauc emphasised the responsibility of each student to take responsibility for ‘steering his own ship’.
As part of taking ownership of their learning, all students can access Course Outlines and Assessment Task descriptions for each of their subjects via Student Cafe. Our Heads of Faculty, Subject Coordinators and teachers have invested considerable time in ensuring that students can access these documents with sufficient time to plan ahead. For students in Years 7 to 10, these Course Outlines and assessment tasks are term-based. For Years 11 and 12 students, they are Unit-based. (Students in Year 11 are currently completing Unit 1 while students in Year 12 are currently completing Unit 3).
Parents can access these same documents by logging into the Parent Lounge and selecting ‘Curricular Activities’.
Our College Calendar highlights some important assessment periods:
Years 11 and 12 Assessment Window: 20th - 31st March (Weeks 9-10)
Years 5 to 10 Assessment Window: 27th - 31st March (Week 10)
An Exam Block timetable which provides more detailed information about exam timing will be published to all students and families in the coming weeks. This will provide more detailed information about exam timing.
Boys are encouraged to use these resources to manage their time effectively and ensure they prioritise time for homework and assessment preparation. If a boy needs support in this area, he is invited to discuss this with his teachers, PC tutor or a member of staff in the Learning and Teaching office.
Progressive Achievement Tests
On Wednesday and Thursday of next week, students in Years 7 to 9 will complete Progressive Achievement Tests (PATs). Years 5 and 6 students have already completed this testing. These online tests developed by the Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER) assess students’ progress in the areas of Reading and Maths. The PAT-Reading Test provides information on students’ reading and comprehension skills, while the PAT-Maths Test assesses students’ skills in the six strands of Number, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Statistics and Probability. Your son will complete these tests as part of his timetabled lessons, using his device.
The College conducts this testing on an annual basis in order to track students’ progress in the areas of literacy and numeracy from year to year. As teachers and caregivers, we know that students of the same age and in the same year at school can be at different points of their learning and development. Therefore, this data serves to inform teaching and learning practices at Nudgee aimed at meeting the individual needs o students. Our teachers are increasingly engaged in analysing data in order to investigate student learning, monitor progress over time and adopt teaching practices that enable increased levels of student engagement and improved outcomes.
Ms Natalie Hughes
Director of Learning and Teaching
Inclusive Learning at Nudgee College
This year, Nudgee College’s ‘Inclusive Learning’ team continues to support students in Year 5 through to Year 12. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our Inclusive Learning teaching staff:
Mr Ty Corbett (Teacher - EALD/First Nations)
Ms Charmaine Greatrex (Years 5-6 Inclusive Learning Coordinator/Case Manager)
Mrs Marike DuBuson (Years 7-8 Inclusive Learning Coordinator/Case Manager)
Ms Allana Herrod (Years 9-10 Inclusive Learning Coordinator/Case Manager)
Dr Jane Brown (Years 11-12 Inclusive Learning Coordinator/Case Manager)
IL Teaching staff (left to right): Dr Jane Brown, Mrs Marike Dubuson, Mr Ty Corbett, Ms Allana Herrod, and Ms Charmaine Greatrex
Families are encouraged to share updated specialist reports/documentation about their son’s needs with the College. IL Coordinators/Teachers support students with personalised learning needs (i.e., a diagnosis/condition that has a functional impact on learning) and their parents/caregivers by: creating/updating plans documenting reasonable adjustments, sharing information with school staff about adjustments to maximise student access to curriculum, and liaising with subject teachers about curriculum delivery and assessment.
If you have queries or concerns related to your son’s learning needs, please contact the relevant IL Teacher/Coordinator. I look forward to working with the IL team, students and their families in 2023 to maximise student engagement and outcomes.
Dr Jane Brown
Head of Faculty – Inclusive Learning
What We’ve Been Doing
Musical - Our weekly rehearsals got underway this week, and we will be working on Sunday as well - things are happening!
Debating - The launch and camp were highly successful - thanks to students who attended, and parents for your support. The Great Debate was narrowly won by the coaches, and our guest speaker at Sunday’s camp (world debater Ms Sarah McDonald) was outstanding. It was great to see so many Year 5, 6 and 7 students joining us. Our Senior A Team (Oliver Kele, Jacob Gillam, Anthony Mineo and Dominic Weber) were presented with their badges at Assembly on Tuesday.
Chess - 20 budding masters came along to Tuesday’s practice session - the most of any at the first class for the year. Well done Junior School boys - keep it up, as your house deans will need you for the Inter-house Chess competition later this term.
Music - we welcomed four new music tutors and a record number of new music students this week, and the Halls of Cleary were well and truly alive! It’s still not too late to join us, there is room in every music team for new friends!
QLD Theatre Youth Ensemble - Tyler Goodall auditioned at the end of last year to be part of the QLD Theatre Youth Ensemble. He was a member in 2022 as well. Tyler was successful and is part of the Senior Youth Ensemble to 2023. Here is the link to the info on the webpage about the program.
What’s Coming Up in Weeks 1 and 2
Debating (Ms Julianne Daunt) - The first round of GPS sees us stay at home this week, and welcome IGS. We look forward to seeing a big crowd in Tierney Auditorium just after 6pm to witness the mighty Senior A Team in action.
Music (Mr Sam Smith) - If you have not yet received your timetable for the term, please contact your music tutor. A reminder that our rehearsals, or training sessions, start at 7:20am, which means a 7:15am arrival time to set up please.
Several of our advanced musicians will be participating in the GPS Music Day on Thursday of next week. It is a great accomplishment to be chosen for this day, and the results are bound to be amazing.
Don’t Forget- details for our activities are on Team App - join your team and get involved!
As always, please contact me with any questions - akh@nudgee.qld.edu.au
Ms Alexander Khafagi
Director of Performing Arts
The GPS is looking to add some Multi-Class events as part of GPS Competition in swimming, cross country and track and field from 2023. Student-athletes would need to be of eligible classification. If you are interested in finding out more please contact me on jpy@nudgee.qld.edu.au.
Mr Jamie Pybus
Director of Sport
What's happening this weekend!
Swimming Meet #2 at Chandler on Friday night
Rowing Regatta #2 at Wyaralong
Cricket and Volleyball vs IGS (H)
What's new!
Nudgee Budget Hat - $28
The Bucket Hat can be worn before and after school, weekends and to training. And it's reversible!
(Can't be worn as the school hat)
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